Full text of "History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county ... miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of ... the most prominent families, &c., &c."

Glass _-
Book-

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'.£.

HISTORY

(INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES.)

ITS PAST AND PRESENT,

CONTAINING

i CONDENSED COMPREHENSIYE HISTORY OF OHIO, INCLUDING AN OUTLINE HIS-
TORY OF THE NORTHWEST ; A COMPLETE HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY ;
ITS TOWNSHIPS, CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES.
SOCIETIES, INDUSTRIES, STATISTICS, &c. ; A HISTORY OF ITS SOL-
DIERS IN THE LATE WAR ; PORTRAITS OF ITS EARLY SET-
TLERS AND PROMINENT MEN; MISCELLANEOUS
MATTER ; MAP OF THE COUNTY ; BIOGRA-
PHIES AND HISTORIES OF OUR PA-
TRONS AND THE MOST PROMI-
NENT FAMILIES, i&c., &c.

Compiled by A. A. GRAHAM.

MANSFIELD, OHIO:

A, A, Graham & Co., Publishers.

1807-1880,

' •^ c

'-^

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by
A. A. GRAHAM & CO.,

In the Offlci' of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

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PREFACE.

THE origin of this book lies in the fact that something over twenty-five years ago, Gen. R.
Brinkerhopf then a young lawyer, who had recently come into the county and made it his home,
conceived the idea of preserving the annals of its early history. He had married the daughter of one
of its earliest and best-known pioneers, and, as his associations brought him in contact with the men
and women of those days, he felt that a record of their trials, their deeds of valor, their bravery and
their fortitude, ought to be preserved for the instruction of the generations that would follow them.
To subdue the forest with its vast growth of trees, its wild animals, and wilder men, required courage,
persistence and heroism. Only the men and women who possessed these qualities could hope for
success, hence only this class came to stay. They fought their way to victory, and are entitled to
a historic record as the founde s of a free country and a free people.

Recognizing these facts, Gen. Brinkerhofp resolved to do his part in preserving the history of
the pioneers of Richland County. With this object in view, he began to gather information in regard
to pioneer times. In 1855, he became the editor of the Mansfield Herald, and soon began to publish
the facts he had collected. He requested corrections and additions, and also printed a series of inter-
rogations to call out further information. Then many of the earliest pioneers were living, and could
tell him their personal experiences and recollections in regard to the events of " long ago," in Richland
County, and could give him history that could not at present be gathered. By these means, he preserved
the early annals of the county, that otherwise would be now irretrievably lost. His efforts called out
others, who from time to time sent him their reminiscences. These, with his own, as they were pub-
lished, were gathered into a scrap-book, and thus preserved in their order, under appropriate headings.
At his suggestion, another individual, the Rev. James McGaw, was induced to take an interest in the
enterprise. Mr. JVLcGaw traveled over nearly all the southern part of the county in search of the his-
tory of different localities, sending to Gen. Brinkerhopf, the results of his labors, who published them
in his paper.

The massacre of the Zimmer, (commonly but erroneously known as the Seymour), and Rufi"ner
families, furnished Mr. McGaw the plot of a pioneer story, which he successfully carried out. It was
published first in the Herald as a serial, and afterward in book form, under the title " Pioneer
Times in Richland County," It is a thrilling narrative of fact and fiction, illustrative of early days
here. It was not intended to be a history, and was written simply as a story. It is now quite rare.

Gen. Brinkerhopf followed the threads of local history, publishing in the Herald the items he
gathered, [n 1861, the great war broke over the land, at once putting an end to all such work.
After its close, he gathered the scattered fragments, and upon the establishment of the Ohio Liberal,
by him in 1873, again began the publication of early remniscences, many of which he had written
while in the army.

A pioneer society, also, had been formed, and meetings held, where the subject of a county his-
tory was occasionally' broached, but no decisive steps taken, as no one appeared who understood the
compilation of such a volume. The American Centennial of 1876 revived the question of such works,
and gave an impetus to their compilation, that is now practically being carried out all over the United
States. On the 4th of July of that year, by request of the President of the United States, cen-
tennial addresses were delivered in many of the counties in the country by competent persons, gen-
erally those who had made local history a study. In this county. Gen. Brinkerhopf delivered the
historical address. It was published in the county papers, and in pamphlet form.

In the spring of 1879, the compiler of these pages, who had then had about five years' contin-
uous experience in writing and compiling county histories and State gazetteers, came on a visit to

PEEPACE.

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Mansfield, and, while here, met Gen. Brinkerhoff, and learned of his efforts to gather the history
of the county. Having a practical knowledge of the preparation of such volumes, he saw the opening
presented here, and immediately entered. Gren. Brinkerhoff freely gave all his collected material^
became an earnest and efficient helper, and, with Dr. William Busbnell, Manuel May, E. W.
Smith, Reuben Evarts, Dr. J. P. Henderson, and many others, took, from the beginning, an
active interest in the enterprise. To the General's collections, as well as those of others, much of the
accuracy of the volume is due.

The work was commenced about one year ago. It was thought best to include an outline history
of Ohio, as histories of the State are quite rare. Over one hundred pages of the book are devoted to
this subject, giving in as condensed a form as possible the narrative of the growth of Ohio.

Mr. N. N. Hill, Jr., a resident of Mansfield and a very accurate, careful writer, was engaged to
assist in writing and compiling the history. For this purpose he visited nearly every township in the
county, and gathered its local history. To his persevering efforts, much of the detailed history is due.
Mr. Hill made the drawing from which the picture " the first cabin in Richland County " was made.

Agents to canvass the county, and to gather the history of families, were secured, and sent into
the county. Each township was kept separate, and the history of each family properly condensed
and prepared for press. In some instances, the agents have gathered longer biographies than was
necessary (noticeably the case in Worthington and Monroe Townships, the compiler not having time
to revisit and rewrite their biographies. Only the facts are aimed to be given, and are all that should
appear in any history. The compiler does not hold himself responsible for th« statements made in any
biography. Each one was written at the dictation of the persons whose history it preserves, or by
competent persons who knew the family, and who only can be held responsible.

In this volume, the aim has constantly been to give the simple narrative of facts as they occurred.
History is simply a narrative of events. In works of this character, it is impossible to obtain that
accuracy of detail desirable. The memory of no one is infallible, and in this book the larger part is
obtained from the recollection of those who passed through the scenes here recorded. Often such persons
came to the compiler and desired to correct their statements ; asserting they had forgotten some valuable
part, or unconsciously and unintentionally made a slight error. All statements were verified as far as it was
possible to do so ; and, where any discrepancy arose, two or three statements were obtained, compared ,
and the proper one determined.

To all those who have in any way contributed their aid in gathering and compiling these annals,
the compiler desires to return his grateful acknowledgments. No one is more sensible than he of
errors that may have crept into the work ; and none will accept kindly criticism more cheerfully. He
expressly desires to extend his thanks to Dr. William Bushnell, Dr. J. P. Henderson, Mr. Reuben
Evarts, Thomas B. Andrews, Hon. S. S. Bloom, Mr. John Ward, Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Mr. H.
R. Smith, Mr. W. W. Drennan, Col. R. C. Brovtn, and to others. To Dr. George W. Hill's
valuable collections, which are frequently noticed in this work, and who has in manuscript form one of
the best eounty histories extant; to Miss Rosella Rice, Mr. John Y. GLESSNER,"for the use of
the Shield and Banner files, also to Mr. George U. Harn, for the Herald, to the Liberal for its
columns, to the Mansfield Call, to Mr. A. L. Garber, for his aid, and use of the Bellville Star.
Also to the Shelby Times and News, the Plymouth Advertiser, the Shiloh Review, and to other
papers, who have all spoken a good word, and freely given their aid. In addition to these mentioned,
many persons, in all parts of the county, and, indeed, in other parts of the State, gave valuable
material, for all of which, and to whom the compiler sincerely desires to return his acknowledgments.
Especially to Mr. Henry Newman, of Williams County, who visited Mansfield, that he might give
the early history of the county, being the only survivor of its earliest days. "Thanks are also due
to all the County officers, as well as to all officials who possessed records that could throw any light on
past events, and whose use was cheerfully and freely given.

Nearly three-quarters of a century have come and gone since the little band of surveyors under
Gen. James Hedges began their labors in this part of Ohio, and measured the present domain of
Richland County. Closely following them came Jacob Newman, who built his humble cabin near th-^
Rocky Fork, and began the life of a pioneer almost alone in this wilderness. In a year or two, others
followed, attracted by the reports of the rich land in this part of Ohio. Different parts of the county,

PREFACE.

then attached to Knox, became settled, and. though checked by the war of 1812, and the Indian
troubles of that day, emmigration went on steadily and surely

Tn record the events of this apse of time, has been the aim ol tnis dook. J-ne i-aoi,
PRESENT has been ?ul of important events, and fraught with a deep interest to the ''e«c^".d;»te »/
fhiroioneers of °he PAST, whose sons and daughters of the peesekt enjoy the fru.ts of t'-e". ?b.°''-
* -i^hUe the compiler au'd his assistant do not arrogate to themselves accuracy >'«J''°^^'=" '^^
yet thTntltive wil"! be found in a large measure correct . The comp,lat,on and »-?— ° *^^

bt:;:i:::::Xetinrirer™g:lS^^^^^

'°''Tat.he''pftrirhs;f'Ae PAST, and to the representative men and women of the pk.s.nt
preserved.

Compiler.

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CONTENTS

HISTOEY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

PAGE.

CHAPTER I.— Introductory, Topography, Geology, Primitive

Races, Antiquities, Indian Tribes H

CHAPTER II.— Explorations in the West 19

CHAPTER III.— English Explorations, Traders, French and

Indian War in the West, English Possession 37

CHAPTER IV.— Pontiac's Conspiracy, Its Failure, Bouquet's

Expedition, Occupation by the English 48

CHAPTER V. — American Exploration, Tunmore's War, Cam-
paign of George Rogers Clarke, Land Troubles, Spain in

the Revolution, Murder of the Moravian Indians 52

CHAPTER TI.— American Occupation, Indian Claims, Early
Land Companies, Compact of 1787, Organization of the
Territory, Early American Settlements in the Ohio Valley,

First Territorial Officers, Organization of Counties 60

CHAPTER VII.— Indian War of 1795, flarmar's Campaign,
St. Clair's Campaign, Wayne's Campaign, Close of the

War "^^

CHAPTER VIII.— Jay's Treaty, The Question of State Rights
and National Supremacy, Extension of Ohio Settlements,

Land Claims, Spanish Boundary Question 79

CHAPTER IX.— First Territorial Representatives in Congress,
Division of the Territory, Formation of States, Marietta
Settlement, Other Settlements, Settlements in the Western
Reserve, Settlement of the Central Valleys, Further Set-
tlements in the Reserve and elsewhere 85

CHAPTER X.— Formation of the State Government, Ohio a
State, The State Capitals, Legislation, The "Sweeping"

191

Resolutions

CHAPTER XI.— The War of 1812, Growth «f the State, Canal,
Railroads and Other Improvements, Development of

197
of State Resources

CHAPTER XII.— Mexican War, Continued Growth of the

State, War of the Rebellion, Ohio's Part in the Conflict 132

CHAPTER XIII.— Ohio in the Centennial, Address of Edward
D. Mansfield, LL. D., Philadelphia, August 9, 1876 138

CHAPTER XIV.— Education, Early School Laws, Notes, Insti-
tutions and Educational Journals, School System, School
Funds, Colleges and Universities 148

CHAPTER XV.— Agriculture, Area of the State, Early Agri-
culture in the West, Markets, Live Stock, Nurseries, Fruits,
Etc.; Cereals, Root and Cucurbitaceous Crops, Agricultural
Implements, Agricultural Societies, Pomological and Hor-
ticultural Societies ^"^

CHAPTER XVI.— Climatology, Outline, Variation in Ohio,
Estimate in Degrees, Amount of Variability 163

HISTOllY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

PAOB.

CHAPTER XVII.— TopoGKAPHY and Geology.— The Divide—
The Water-Courses—Soil— Surface Deposits— Gold-Iron
' Ore— Geological Structure— Economic Geology 165

CHAPTERXVIII.—ARCHiEOLOGy.— Mound-Builders— Mounds
Classified- Mounds and Earth-Works in Richland County-
Relics— Copper and Stone Implements— Axes, Mauls, Ham-
mers, etc.— Mortars and Pestles-Plates, Thread-Sizers,
Shuttles, etc— Wands and Badges— Paint Cups— Pipes 176

CHAPTER XIX.— Agbicultcbe.— Agricultural Societies—
Their History and Progress— The County Society, its
Exhibitions and its Several Grounds— The Bellville Fair—
The Plymouth Fair— Horticulture abd the Horticultural
Society— Its Influence on the Growth of Fruit Culture in
the County— Statistics of Agriculture, Taxable Property,

193

etc

CHAPTER XX.— Indian Tribes in the Coumy.- Wyandots
or Hurons— Ottawas- Delawares— Shawanees— Greentown
-Jeromeville-Captain Pipe— Thomas Armstrong— Other
Chiefs— John M. Armstrong, his Education, Marriage,
Work and Death— Indian Villages— Manners— Customs—
Food— Hunting— Marriage Ceremonies— Religion— Feasts

at Greentown and Jeromeville— Removal 200

CHAPTER XXI.— First White Man in the County.— James
Smith and his Captivity— Major Robert Rogers and his
Rangers— The Old Sandusky Trail-Girty and other White
Renegades-Moravians and Their Missionaries— Craw-
ford's March through the County— Caplivity of Christian

Fast— Explorers and Hunters 213

CHAPTER XXII.— The Surveyors.— Ordinance for the Sur-
vey of the Northwest Territory— Ranges— Townships-
James Hedges— Maxfield and William Ludlow— Jonathan

Cox— Descriptions of the Surveyors' Field-notes, etc 220

CHAPTER XXIII.— Division into Tow nships.— Wayne County
—Fail-field County— Knox County— Richland County At-
tached to Knox— Madison Township— Green Township—
Richland County— Act for Organization— County Seat-
First Division of the County— Madison, Green, Jefferson
and Vermillion Townships-Troy and Mifflin-Worthingtdn
and Montgomery— Blooming Grove, Springfield and Wash-
ington— Orange— Milton— Franklin— Leepsic, Name chang-
ed to Perry-Monroe— Plymouth and Sandusky— Hanover
—Clear Creek— Sharon— Auburn— North Bloonifleld—
Vernon— Congress— Formation of Crawford County— Ash-
land County— Morrow County— Jackson Township—

o.->t

Butler — Weller— Cass '"'

CHAPTER XXIV.— Early Settlements and their Exten-
8I0N.— The Territory of Richland County— First Settler

CONTENTS.

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PAGE.

and Settlement — The Newmans and Brubakers — The New-
man Cabins — Pole Cabins — Catharine Brubaker — First
Saw-Mill — Arrival of Michael Newman — The Fountain
Cabin — Early Settlers on the Black Fork — First Grist-Mill
— Laying out a Town — Jacob Newman — Michael and
" Mother " Beam — Second Settlement in the County — The
McCluer Settlement — First Roads — Settlements in 1809 —
Settlements in 1810 and 1811 — Opening of the County by
the Army in 1812— Settlements in 1814 and 1815— Wagon
Trains and other means cf Transportation — Taverns and
Towns^Social Matters — Ring Fights— Wood-Choppings,
Quiltings, Corn-Huskings, etc. — Wolf Pens — First Temper-
ance Society — The Irish Schoolmaster — Fourth of July
and Militia Musters — Ax Presentation — Agricultural Sta-
tistics — Health — Congressmen from Richland 233

CHAPTER XXV.— The Good Old Days.— Cabins and their
Furniture — Early Educational Facilities — Clothing and its
Manufacture — Superstitions — Salt — Hominy Blocks — Meal
— Distilleries — Whisky and Its Use — Singing, Spoiling and
Dancing Schools — Camp Meetings — Modes of Emigration
— Emigrants' Trials — Observance of the Sabbath — Mar-
riages — Deaths — Incidents — Mills and Milling — Flat-Boats
on the Black Fork — Militia Drills — Pioneer Jokes —
Johnny Appleseed's Nurseries — Old Indian Landmarks 248

CHAPTER XXVI.— The Pioneer Society.— The Meeting at
Hemlock Falls — The Organization at Bellville — The Organ-
ization in 1869 — Constitution — The Centennial Meeting —
The Meeting in 1879— General Brinkerhoff's Address— A
List of the Pioneers 260

CHAPTER XXVII.— "Johnny Appleseed." 269

CHAPTER XXVIII.— Indian Tegubles.- War of 1812— Alarm
of the Settlers — Block-Houses — Greentown Indians and
their Removal — James Copus — His Influence over the In-
dians — Burning of the Indian Village — Capt. Armstrong
— The Killing of an Indian by Morrison and McCulloch —
The Jones Tragedy — Search for the Murderers of Jones —
The Killing of Ruffner and the Zimmers— Sketch of Ruff-
ner — Battle on the Black Fork and the Murder of James
Copus— Removal of the Copus Family — Mrs. Sarah Vail —
Killing of Two Indians near Mansfield 272

CHAPTER XXIX.— War or 1812.— War Preparations in the
State — Condition of the Frontier — Hull's Surrender — Dis-
position of Troops— Erection of Block-Houses— Sketch of
General Beall's Life— Organization of his Army — Scarcity
of Supplies— Beall's March — Camp Council — Meeting
Among the Troops — General Harrison Arrives — His Speech
— General Beall's Difficulty with General Wadsworth —
Arrested, Court-Martialed and Acquitted — His Brigade Dis-
banded — The Expedition of General Crooks and Colonel
Anderson — The Statement of John F. Rice regarding the
Battle on Lake Erie and Death of Tecumseh 286

CHAPTER XXX.— The Mexican War.— First Troops raised
in the County — McLaughlin's and Ford's Companies — Let-
ter of Dr. William Smith— Second Year of the War —
George Weaver's Company — Its Part in the Conflict 295

CHAPTER XXXI.— Railroads.— The Mansfield* New Haven,
and Monroeville & Sandusky Eoads— First Train in May
1846 — Arrival of the First Train in Maasfield, and its Ap-
pearance—The Roadbed— Breaking Ground at Mansfield—
The Depot— Grain Trade— Oxford & Huron Road— The
Mansfield & Sandusky Road— The Columbus & Lake Erie

Boad — Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Road — Baltimore <fc
Ohio Road — The Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Road
— Springfield & Mansfield Road — The Bellefontaine Road —
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, or the Pennsylvania
Road — The Atlantic & Great Western, Name Changed —
The Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Road — The,

Telegraph— The Telephone 302

CHAPTER XXXII.— The War of the Rebellion.— Com-
mencement of the War — First News in Mansfield — Public
Meetings — Major McLaughlin and the First Company —
Departwre for Columbus — Miller Moody^s Company — The
15th and 16th Regiments in the Field— Their Return —
Captain M. R. Dickey's Company — Captain A. C. Cum-
mins' Company — Other Companies — Return of the Three-
Months Men 313

CHAPTER XXXIII.— First Three-Tears Troops.— Re-enlist-
ment of Three-Months Men — Unsuccessful attempts of
Captain Beekman's Company to enter the Three-Months
Service and their Return — Organization of Companies in
the County — Thomas Ford Commissioned to Raise the 43d
Regiment — Camp Mordecai Bartley — The 15th Regiment —
Departure of the 22d — Roster of the 32d — Its Life in the
Field 323

CHAPTER XXXIV.— The 15th Regiment.— Roster— Organi-
zation — Life at Camp Bartley — Leaves for the Front — Life
in the Field — Sent to Texas — Muster-Out and Return — The
2d Cavalry — Its service in the War. 331

CHAPTER XXXV.— The Sherman Brigade.— Earliest Steps
— lilr. Sherman's Arrival in Mansfield— Note — Interview
with R. Brinkerhoff — Commencement of Recruiting — Will-
iam Blair Lord — Captains Gass, Mcllvaine, Ayers and Others
■ — Selection of Camp Buckingham — Arrival of Major R. S.
Granger — His Former Life, Character and Standing — He
Puts the Camp Under Military Discipline — Organization of
the 64th and 65th Regiments— The Cavalry and Artillery —
Senator Sherman's Letter to the Brigade — Quartermaster
Brinkerhoff Detached from the Brigade — The Brigade's
Departure for the Front — Its Disintegration as a Brigade —
Rosters and Histories of the 64th, the 65th, the Cavalry and
the Artillery 338

CHAPTER XXXVI.— War History Concluded.— The 102d
and its Organization — Death and Burial of Major McLaugh-
lin — War Meeting.s — Bounties — Departure of the 103d — Its
Roster — Its History in the Field — Its Discharge — The 120th
— Recruiting to Avoid a Draft — Draft — Camp Mansfield
Established — Drafted Men in Camp — 120th Regiment
Organized — Roster — History in the Field — Consolidation
with the 114th — Drafted Men in Camp Mansfield — Their
Departure — Other Calls for Troops — Militia — Sanitary Fair
— Ohio National Guard — 163d Regiment — Close of the
War — Return of Troops 355

CHAPTER XXXVII.— A Chapter of Tragedies.— Murder at
Millsborough— John Welch Kills His Wife— The Rowland-
Barker Affair— A Negro Killed— Return J. M. Ward— The
Murder of Hall and the Peddler — Ward's Confession — The
Steingraver Murder — Killing of Mock by Pool — Murder of
Mrs. Lunsford— A Boy Kills his Brother — Murder of Will-
iam Finney— tThe Killing of Alfred Palm — How Mansfield
Treated her Thieves and Blacklegs 366

CHAPTER XXXVIII. -Thk Mansfield Bar.— The First
Courts of the County — The First Grand Jury — The Early

~-^ a) ^

PAGE.

Lawyers of Mansfield — The Visiting Lawyers — The Presi-
dent Judges — General McLaughlin — General Eobert Bent-
ley — Thomas A. Ford — Mordecai Bartley — Judge Brinker-
hoff— L. B. Matson — Milton W. Worden — General Brinker-

hoff's Review of the Mansfield Bar 377

CHAPTER XXXIX. — The Public Buildings of Richland
County. — The Old Block-Houses as Court Houses — The
First Brick Ojurt House — The Present Court House — The

Jails, Infirmary, etc 384

CHAPTER XL — A List of the County Officers FRom 1813

TO 1880.. 391

CHAPTER XLI. — Blooming Grove Township — Organization
— Physical Features — Settlers and Settlements — Pioneer
Incidents and Adventures — The Stoner and Foulks Fami-
lies — Mills — Schools and Churches — Trucksville— Rome —

Shenandoah 393

CHAPTER XLII. — Butler Township. — Organization — Topog-
raphy — Early Settlers — Churches — Schools — The Village of

Lafayette— Mills— The Grange— A Wolf Hunt 401

CHAPTER XLIII.— Cass Township— Its Erection— Bounda-
ries and Pliysical Features — Settlements — Indians — First
Methodist Church — Schools and School Teachers — Towns —
Old Salem — London — Plauktown— Shiloh — Its Early Set-
tlers — Buildings — Schools and Churches — The Shiloh Re-
view 404

CHAPTER XLIV.— Franklin Township— Organization and
Topography — Agriculture, etc. — Indian Occupation — Roads
—First Settlers and Settlement— First Hotels — Distillery —
The Lead Mine — Bear Hunting — "Shining" for Deer
— A Snake Story — First Elections — Mills — Schools and

Churches 413

CHAPTER XLV. — Jackson Township. — Organization — Name
— Topographical Features — Hunting Grounds — ArcliMolog-
ical — First Settlements— Judge McClure— First Road-
Uriah Watson — First Cabin — White Hunters— Early Set-
tlers — Public Meetings — Town Hall — Schools— Churches... 419
CHAPTER XLVI. — Jefferson Township. — Description —
Streams — Timber — Organization —Early Olfioers — Reduc-
tion to its Present Limits — List of Voters — First Settle-
ment — Indians' Final Farewell — Pioneer List of 1869 —
Bellvillo — Newspapers — Bangor — Early Schools — Religion
— Churches— Societies — First Orchards — Distillery — Birtli
— Marriage — Mills — Tornado — Stories — Bushong Murder —

The Hermitess— Soldiers of 1812 426

CHAPTER XLVII.— Early History of Madison Township
AND Mansfield. — Madison Township— Its Formation,
Physical Features and Population — Survey — Early Settlers.
Mansfield — Its Location and Survey— Established on the
Rocky Fork— Name— First Settlers— First Cabin— First
White Child— Pioneer Matters— A Number of First Things
—General Crooks— The Block-Houses— John M. May— The
Sturges Firm— Indians— What Rev. .James Rowland and

other Pioneers Say — Early Hotels, etc 443

CHAPTER XLVIII.— The City CHURCiiES.—TheFirst Presby-
terian — The Congregational — The Associate, Associate Re-
formed and the United Presbyterian— The Methodist Episco-
pal Church— The First Baptist and Central Baptist Churches
—English Lutheran— Church of Christ— St. John's—
Reformed Presbyterian— St. Paul German Lutheran— St.
Peter's Catholic-^Grace Episcopal— African Methodist Epis-
copal— Church of God— Believers in Christ 464

CHAPTER XLIX.— Schools, Press, Post Office— The Pioneer
Schools and Teachers of the City — The First Sclioolhouses
— Division into Districts — The Present System of Teaching
— The Female College — The Superintendents of the Schools
— The Board of Education — The Erection of Schoolhouses
— Progress and Statistics.
The City Press— The Olive— Mansfield Gazette— Western Herald
—Ohio Spectator— Richland Whig— Ohio Shield— Shield
and Banner — Richland Jeffersonian — Mansfield H<Tald —
Morning Pennant — Richland Biigle and Independent Press
— Mansfield Courier — Ohio Liberal— Richland Democrat —

Sunday Morning Call

The First Post Oftice— The Early Mail Routes— Stages— Post-
masters — Location of Post Offices— The Business of the

Office 480

CHAPTER L— Banks, Insurance Companies, Mills and
Manufactures. — First Bank — Application for a Charter —
Patterson & Co. — Mr. PurJy's Bank — The Sturges Bank-
Richland National — First National— Mansfield Banking
Company — Mansfield Savings Bank.
The Richland Mutual Insurance Company- The Mansfield
Mutual Fire Insurance Company — The American Mutual
Accident Association.'
Early Mills of Madison Township— Gilbert Waugh & Co.—

Hicks, Brown & Co.
The Aultman and Taylor Company— The Mansfield Machine
Works— Cracker Bakery— Box Factory— The Western and-
Buckeye Suspender Companies— Trunk Factory — Mans-
field Woolen Mills— Mansfield Lumber and Building Com-
pany-Paper Manufactory — Patterson, Creigh & Co.— 6. W.

Forney & Co.— Other Industries 492

CHAPTER LI.— History of Mansfield Concluded.— Fire De-
partment and Water Works— The Mayors ot the City —
First Council— First Railroad— Population and Business in
1857_Gas Works— Railroads— Market House— Mansfield
made a City— Erection of Buildings— The "Flush Times"
Following the War— The Wholesale Trade— The Business
of the Manufacturing Establishments— Incomes— Business
of the City, According to the Directory of 1869- Library
Association — Young Men's Christian Association — The
Cemetery Association — Building and Loan Association —
The Coldwater Railroad— The "Collapse" of 1873— Pros-
perity in 1S79— General Review of Business 516

CHAPTER LII.— Mifflin Township.— Location, Organization
and B:)undary— Physical Features— Crawford's March —
Home of the Red Men— Indian Relics— Settlers and Settle-
ments — Daniel Hoover and his Bear Stories — James
McDermott — Robert Bentley — Surveyed — Schools and
Churches— Bridges on the Black Fork— Mills— Villages-
Population 528

CHAPTER LIII.— Monroe Towns ;!ip.— Boundaries and Phys-
ical Features— Pipe's Cliff— Captain Pipe— Early Settlers
and Settlements— Schools and School-Teachers— Pioneers
and their Reminiscences- Bears, Wildcats, and Wild Tur-
keys—Names of Settlers in 1819— Election— Churches-
Mills — Pinhook — Lucas— Population 537

CHAPTER LIV.— Perry Township.— Description— Streams-
Organization — Early Officers Subsequent Territorial

Changes— Early Settlers— Mills— Villages— Churches— Lost

Run 547

CHAPTER LV.— Plymouth Township.— Organization, Survey
and Physical Features— The Wyandot Trail— First Settlers

■u

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

and Settlements— First Marriages and Deaths — Yearian
and the Bear — The Martial Band— Charles and AVilliam
Bodley— Entertainments— First Post Oflfice— First Frame
and Brick Houses — First Preachers and Churches — Plym-
outh Village — Its Location and Growth — The Settlements
around Plymouth— A Number of First Things — Mills and
Di.-'tilleries — Churches — Change of Name — First Mayors —
^ Schools— Railroads— Wheat Market— The Call for Volun-
teers — The Cemeteries — Banks — Newspapers — Population
— General Business 554

CHAPTER LVI.— Sandusky Township.— Its Primitive Condi-
tion — Crawford's March — Hunting Ground — Early Settlers
and Settlements — The "Riblett" House — Mrs. Hibner and
the Bear — Organization of the Township — First Election —
Schools — Churches — Origin of the Name 563

CHAPTER LVII.— Shmion Township.— Organization— Water
and Soil- — Indian Occupation — Roads — First Settlers —
Indian Dance- and other Reminiscences — -First Election —
Indian Trails— Mills 566

Shelby — Its Establishment and Early History — Schools and
School Buildings— Churches— The Press of Shelby— Insur-
ance Companies — Business of Shelby 566

Vernon Station 581

CHAPTER LVIII.— Springfield Township— Location-
Organization — Name — Springs — Physical Features — Agri-
culture andTimber — Settlers and Settlements — The Finney
and Roe Families and the Underground Riilway — Churches
and Sabbath Schools — Schools — Saw-Mills and Grist-Mills
— Villages — Population 581

CHAPTER LIX.— Troy Township.— Original Boundaries-
Early Entries— Early Settlers — Indians — Political Records.

Lexington — Churches — Schools — Lexington Seminary — Ceme-
tery — Division of the Township — Village of Steam Cor-
ners 592

CHAPTER LX. — Washington Township- — Organization —
Springs and Water-Courses — First Election — Early Settlers
and their Adventures — First Road — First Public House —
Early Schoolhouses and Teachers — The Black Cane Com-
pany — The First Temperance Organization — First Brick
House — The Churches — Mills — Washington Village 600

CHAPTER LXL— Weller TowNSHir.—Organization— Topog-
raphy— Improvements — Early Settlers — Incidents and
Reminiscences of Pioneer Life — The Englishman's " Cas-
tle " — Soldiers in the Late War — The County Infirmary —
Schools and Churches — The Railroads — Olivesburg Super-
stitions 609

CHAPTER LXII. — Worthington Township.— Organization^
Streams, Springs and Timber — Abner Davis — Scenery
Along the Clear Fork — Fairview Rock — Chasm Rocks —
Hemlock Falls — Standing Rock — Eagle's Nest — Pioneer
Thrashing Floor — Indian Hill — Prospect Hill — Fountain
Cavern — Giant's Plowshare — Watts' Hill — Dripping Rock
—First Settlers— Wolves— The Pigeon Roost — Adventure
with a Bear — Mills — Churches — Newville — Winchester —
Independence — Hilltown — The Old Indian— Lyons 625

Townships now in Crawford County, formerly in Richland.

CHAPTER LXIII. — Auburn Township.— Survey— Organiza-
tion— Physical Features — Jedediah Morehead — Two Her-
mits—First Settlers— First — George Myers— Churches-
Villages 637

page.

CHAPTER LXIV.— Jackson Township.— Crestline, Its Early
History — Vernon Station — The First Railroad — Laying
out of Crestline — First Buildings — A Railroad Town
— Incorporated — List of Mayors — Educational Matters
• — The Churches — Secret Societies^Growth, Hotels, etc. —
Mills— The Press— Water Works 640

CHAPTER LXV. — Polk Township and Galion. — Location —
Name— Early Settlers— First Roads— An Indian Camp— Mills
— First Schools and Teachers — Early Religious Societies and
Preachers — The Establishment of Galion — First Post OflBce
and Store — Churches — The Railroads — Banks^The Press... 646

CHAPTER LXVI.— Vernon Town.ship.— Organization— Topog-
raphy — Hunting Grounds — First Settlers and Settlements
— West Liberty — De Kalb — Liberty Church 649

Townships now in AsJiland County, formerly in Richland.

CHAPTER LXVII.— Clear Creek Township.— Its Formation
— Boundaries and Physical Features — Antiquities — Early
Settlers and Settlements — Mills — Churches — Schools —
Savannah 051

CHAPTER LXVIII.— Green Township.— Survey— The Vil-
lage of Greentown — Organization — The Man Green —
Andrew Craig — Henry McCart's Family — Rev. John
Heckewelder — Early Settlers — War of 1812 and Block-
Houses — Indian Trails — Scenery— Water Courses — Site of
the old Indian Village — Distilleries — Mills — Churches —
Perry ville — Education 654

CHAPTER LXIX— Hanover Township.— Notes of the Sur-
vey — Organization and Physical Features — Early Settlers
— Loudenville — The Bank — Mills — The Business of Louden
ville — Secret Societie.s — The Church and Schools — The
Press— The Mayors 659

CHAPTER LXX. —Milton Township. — Organization — Bound-
aries, etc. — Springs — Surveys — Soil and Timber — Hunting
Grounds — An Otlicial Document — Early Settlers, etc 652

CHAPTER LXXI.— Montgomery Township.— Survey— First
Settlers and Settlements— Esquire Newell— Churches— Old
Hopewell.

Ashland — Its Early Settlers, etc. — First Carriage— Francis
Graham's Recollections — Post Office — School — The Ashland
College— The Churches of Ashland— The Business of Ash-
land — The Newspapers and other Publications 664

CHAPTER LXXII.— Orange Township— Formation— Indian
Trails— Indians and Indian Relics — Ancient Relics — First
Settlers— First Road— Mills— Orange Village— Churches 672

CHAPTER LXXIII.— Vermillion Township— Formation— Sur-
vey— Indian Trails— Timber— Early Settlers— Indians-
General Refill and the Battle of Cowpens— First Roads-
Mills and Distilleries— First Justices of the Peace— Educa-
tion— Churches— Inflrmary—Hayesville Whisky as a Mo-
tor 675

Townships in Morrow County, formerly in Richland^

CHAPTER LXXIV. — Congress Township.— Boundaries and
Physical Features — Early Settlements — Villageof Williams-
port— Schoolbouses—Post Office — United Brethren Church
Pioneers— First Mill — Mount Tabor Chapel — German Re-
formed Church— Christian Church — Schools 679

CHAPTER LXXV. — North Bi.oomfield Township.— Bound-
aries— Surface — Settlers — Village of Blooming Grove —
Churches— Stores, Shops, etc.— Village oi West Point—
—Early Settlers— Churches— School 681

BIOGRAPHIES.

Page.

City of Mansfield 687

Blooming Grove Township 744

Butler "

Cass "

Franklin "

Jackson "

Jeiferson "

Madison "

Mifflin "

Monroe "

767
774
784
788
797
815
822
830

Perry TownsMp

Plymouth

Sandusky

Sharon

Springfield

Troy

Washington!

Weller

Worthington

CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Page. 1

Auburn Township ^!! T ""^ Township,

.Jackson "

936

ASHLAND COUNTY
Page

Ashland Township ^^Sr'"''' '^'°^°'^^P

Hanover " ^^^1

Miscellaneous

Page.

,.. 859
... 864
... 874
... 877
... 893
... 898
... 902
... 911
... 915

Page.

... 938

Page.

Township ^^'^

939

KOTE -Chapters 1 2, 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 10, 11. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-The History of Ohio-and Chapters 17, 18- ^^^o, 21, 22, 23, 30, 31 32
33, 3t36 and '^veL Wlt^en hy Mr. A.' A. Graham, the Compiler of the History ; Chapter 34 was written by Mr. Graham and C<.. R-

C. Brown. ^ „.,, j

Chapters '>4 2G 27, 28, 29, 37, 38 and 39 of the County History by Mr. N. N. Hill, Jr.

Ch.p,., .5'.f >h.. p.,. .f U.. '■»'.;■•>"''>"; "y *"'/°r:,',%"'M 55 .6,67, 68,60,62,63, .4, 66, 66, 67. 68, 69, ,0, 7., 72 ..d
46 and 54 by Mr. A. L. Garber.

^ — ••- ^AocL^L^l^^if J" gA3-^- — ^«

PJvinoaui
2 >T?J

ICHLAND COUNTYS

OWvo.

Drawn b; JOHN NIWUAII,

County Survey er,

XIX,

Hange No. XVIIl.

fianga ^Oi XV IL

<» Sh^

-I* 2>

HISTORY OF OHIO.

CHAPTER I,

INTRODUCTORY -TOPOGRAPHY -GEOLOGY -PRIMITIVE-RACES -ANTIQUITIES -INDIAN

TRIBES.

THE present State of Ohio, comprising an
extent of country 210 miles north and south,
220 miles east and west, in length and breadth —
25,576,969 acres — is a part of the Old Northwest
Territory. This Territory embraced all of the
present States of Ohio, Indiana, IlUnois, Michigan,
Wisconsin and so much of Minnesota as lies east
of the Mississippi River. It became a corporate
existence soon after the formation of the Virginia
Colony, and when that colony took on the dignity
of State government it became a county thereof,
whose exact outline was unknown. The county
embraced in its limits more territory than is com-
prised in all the New England and Middle States,
and was the largest county ever known in the
United States. It is watered by the finest system
of rivers on the globe ; while its inland seas are
without a parallel. Its entire southern boundary
is traversed by the beautiful Ohio, its western by
the majestic Mississippi, and its northern and a
part of its eastern are bounded by the fresh-water
lakes, whose clear waters preserve an even temper-
ature over its entire surfice. Into these reservoirs
of commerce flow innumerable streams of limpid
water, which cpme from glen and dale, from
mountain and valley, from forest and prairie — all
avenues of health, commerce and prosperity.
Ohio is in the best part of this territory — south
of its river are tropical heats ; north of Lake Erie
are polar snows and a polar climate.

The territory comprised in Ohio has always re-
mained the same. Ohio's history differs somewhat
from other States, in that it was never under Ter-
ritorial government. When it was created, it was
made a State, and did not pass through the stage
incident to the most of other States, i. e., exist as
a Territory before being advanced to the powers of

a State. Such was not the case with the other
States of the West ; all were Territories, with Terri-
torial forms of government, ere they became States.
Ohio's boundaries are, on the north. Lakes Erie
and Michigan ; on the west, Indiana ; on the south,
the Ohio River, separating it from Kentucky;
and, on the east, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
It is situated between 38° 25' and 42° north
latitude ; and 80° 30' and 84° 50' west longitude
from Greenwich, or 3° 30' and 7° 50' west from
Washington. Its greatest length, from north
to south, is 210 miles; the extreme width, from
east to west, 220 miles. Were this an exact out-
line, the area of the State would be 46,200 square
miles, or 29,568,000 acres ; as the outhnes of the
State are, however, rather in-egular, the area is
estimated at 39,964 square miles, or 25,576,960
acres. In the last census— 1870— the total num-
ber of acres in Ohio is given as 21,712,420, of
which 14,469,132 acres are improved, and 6,883,-
575 acres are woodland. By the last statistical
report of the State Auditor, 20,965,3711 acres are
reported as taxable lands. This omits many acres
untaxable for various reasons, which would make the
estimate, 25,576,960, nearly con-ect.

The face of the country, in Ohio, taken as a
whole, presents the appearance of an extensive
monotonous plain. It is moderately undulating
but not mountainous, and is excavated in places by
the streams coursing over its surface, whose waters
have forced a way for themselves through cliffs of
sandstone rock, lea\ing abutments of this material
in bold outline. There are no mountain ranges,
geological uplifts or peaks. A low ridge enters the
State, near the northeast corner, and crosses it in a
southwesterly direction, emerging near the inter-
section of tlie 40th degree of north latitude with

■^

HISTORY OF OHIO.

the western boundary of the State. This " divide "
separates the lake and Ohio River waters, and main-
tains an elevation of a little more than thirteen
hundred feet above the level of the ocean. The
highest part is in Richland County, at the south-
east corner, where the elevation is 1 ,390 feet.

North of this ridge the surface is generally level,
with a gentle inclination toward the lake, the ine-
qualities of the surface being caused by the streams
which empty into the lake. The central part of
Ohio is almost, in general, a level plain, about one
thousand feet above the level of the sea, slightly
inclining southward. The Southern part of the
State is rather hilly, the valleys growing deeper as
they incline toward the great valley of the Ohio,
which is several hundred feet below the general
level of the State. In the southern counties, the
surface is generally diversified by the inecpuilities
produced by the excavating power of the Ohio
River and its tributaries, exercised through long-
periods of time. There are a few prairies, or plains,
in the central and northwestern parts of the State,
but over its greater portion originally existed im-
mense growths of timber.

The " divide," or water-shed, referred to, between
the waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio River, is
less elevated in Ohio than in New York and Penn-
sylvania, though the diiference is small. To a per-
son pa.ssing over the State in a balhjon, its sui'face
presents an unvarying plain, while, to one sailing-
down the Ohio River, it appears mountainous.
On this river are bluffs ranging- from two hundred
and fifty to six hundred feet in height. As one
ascends the tributaries of the river, these bluffs
diminish in height until they become gentle undu-
lations, while toward the sources of the streams,
in the central part of the State, the banks often
become low and marshy.

The principal rivers are the Ohio, Muskingum,
Scioto and Miami, on the southern slope, emptying
into the Ohio ; on the northern, the Maumee,
Sandusky, Huron and Cuyahoga, emptying into
Lake Erie, and, all but the first named, entirely in
Ohio. *

The Ohio, the chief river of the State, and from
which it derives its name, with its tributaries, drains
a country wliose area is over two hundred thousand
square miles in extent, and extending from the
water-shed to Alabama. The river was first dis-
covered by La Salle in 1669, and was by him nav-
igated as far as the Falls, at Louisville, Ky. It is
formed by the junction of the Alleghany and
Monongahela rivers, in Pennsylvania, whose waters

unite at Pittsburgh. The entire length of the
river, from its source to its mouth, is 950 miles,
though by a straight line from Pittsburgh to Cairo,
it is only 615 miles. Its current is vei-y gentle,
hardly three miles per hour, the descent being only
five inches per mile. At high stages, the rate of
the current increases, and at low stages decreases.
Sometimes it is barely two miles per hour. The
average range between high and low water mark is
fifty feet, although several times the river has risen
more than sixty feet above low water mark. At
the lowest stage of the river, it is fordable many
places between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The
river abounds in islands, some of which are exceed-
ingly fertile, and noted in the history of the West.
Others, known as '' tow-heads," are simply deposits
of sand.

The Scioto is one of the largest inland streams
in the State, and is one of the most beautiful riv-
ers. It rises in Hardin County, flows southeast-
erly to Columbus, whcsre it receives its largest
aftluent, the Olentangy «r Whetstone, after which
its direction is southerly until it enters the Ohio at
Portsmouth. It flows through one of the rich-
est valleys in the State, and has for its compan-
ion the Ohio and Erie Canal, for a distance of
ninety miles. Its tributaries are, besides the Whet-
stone, the Darby, Walnut and Paint Creeks.

The Muskingum River is formed by the junc-
tion of the Tuscarawas and Waldhoning Rivers,
which rise in the northern part of the State and
unite at Coshocton. From the junction, the river
flows in a southeastern course about one hundred
miles, through a rich and populous valley, to the
Ohio, at Marietta, tlie oldest settlement in the
State. At its outlet, the Muskingum is over two
hundred yards wide. By inqjrovements, it has
been made navigable ninety-five miles above Mari-
etta, as far as Dresden, where a side cut, three
miles long, unites its waters with those of the Ohio
Canal. All along this stream exist, in abundaiit
profusion, the remains of an ancient civiliza-
tion, whose history is lost in the twilight of anti(|-
uity. Extensive mounds, earthworks and varitius
fortifications, are everywhere to be found, inclosing
a mute history as silent as the race that dwelt here
and left these traces of their evistence. The same
may be said of all the other valleys in Ohio.

The Miami River — the scenes of many exploits
in pioneer days — rises in Hamlin County, near the
headwaters of the Scioto, and runs southwesterly,
to the Ohio, passing Troy, Dayton and Hamilton.
It is a beautiful and rapid stream, flowing through

HISTORY OF OHIO.

a highly productive and populous valley, in which
limestone and hard timber are abundant. Its total
length is about one hundred and fifty miles.

The Maumee is the largest river in the northern
part of Ohio. It rises in Indiana and flows north-
easterly, into Lake Erie. About eighty miles of
its course are in Ohio. It is navigable as far as
Perrysburg, eighteen miles from its mouth. The
other rivers north of the divide are all small,
rapid-running streams, aftording a large amount of
good water-power, much utilized by mills and man-
ufactories.

A remarkable feature of the topography of
Ohio is its almost total absence of natural lakes or
ponds. A few very small ones are found near the
water-shed, but all ttto small to be of any practical
value save as watering-places for stock.

Lake Erie, which forms nearly all the northern
boundary of the State, is next to the last or lowest
of Amei'ica's " inland seas." It is 290 miles long,
and 57 miles wide at its greatest part. There are
no islands, except in the shallow water at the west
end, and very few bays. The greatest depth of
the lake is off Long Point, where the water is 312
feet deep. The shores are principally drift-clay or
hard-pan, upon which the waves are continually
encroaching. At Cleveland, from the first sur-
vey, in 179(), to 1842, the encroachment was 218
feet along the entire city front. The entire coast
is low, seldom rising above fifty feet at the water's
edge.

Lake Erie, like the others, has a variable sur-
face, rising and falling with the seasons, like great
rivers, called the " annual fluctuation," and a gen-
eral one, embracing a series of years, due to mete-
orological causes, known as the " secular fluctua-
tion." Its lowest known level was in February,
1819, rising more or less each year, until June,
1838, in the extreme, to six feet eight inches.

Lake Erie has several excellent harbors in Ohio,
among which are Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky,
Port Clinton and Ashtabula. Valuable improve-
ments have lieen made in some of these, at the
expense of the Gleneral Government. In 1818,
the first steamboat was launched on the lake.
Owing to the Falls of Niagara, it could go no
farther east than the outlet of Niagara River.
Since then, however, the opening of the Welknd
Canal, in Canada, allows vessels drawing not more
than ten feet of water to pass from one lake to
the other, greatly facilitating navigation.

As early as 1836, Dr. S. P. Hildreth, Dr. John
Locke, Prof J. H. Riddle and Mr. I. A. Lapham,

were appointed a committee by the Legislature of
Ohio to report the " best method of obtaining a
complete geological survey of the State, and an
estimate of the probable cost of the same." In the
preparation of their report. Dr. Hildreth examined
the coal-measures in the southeastern part of the
State, Prof Riddle and Mr. Lapham made exam-
inations in the western and northern counties,
while Dr. Locke devoted his attention to chemical
analyses. These investigations resulted in the
presentation of much valuable information con-
cerning the mineral resources of the State and in
a plan for a geological survey. In accordance
with the recommendation of this Committee, the
Legislature, in 1837, passed a bill appropriating
$12,000 for the prosecution of the work during
the next year. The Geological Corps appointed
consisted of W. W. Mather, State Geologist, with
Dr. Hildreth, Dr. Locke, Prof J. P. Kirtland, J.
W. Foster, Charles Whittlesey and Charles Briggs,
Jr., Assistants. The results of the first year's
work appeared in 1838, in an octavo volume of 134
pages, with contributions from Mather, Hildreth,
Briggs, Kirtland and Whittlesey. In 1838, the
Legislature ordered the continuance of the work,
and, at the close of the year, a second repoit, of
286 pages, octavo, was issued, containing contribu-
tions from all the members of the sun^ey.

Succeeding Legislatures failed to provide for a
continuance of the work, and, save that done by
private means, nothing was accomplished till
1869, when the Legislature again took up the
work. In the interim, individual enterprise had
done much. In 1841, Prof. James Hall passed
through the State, and, by his indentificatiou of
several of the formations with those of New York,
for the first time fixed their geological age. The
next year, he issued the first map of the geology
of the State, in common with the geological maps
of all the region between the Alleghanies and the
Mississippi. Similar maps were published by Sir
Charles Lyell, in 184.5; Prof. Edward Hitchcock,
in 1853, and by J. IMareon, in 1856. The first
individual map of the geology of Ohio was a very
small one, published by Col. Whittlesey, in 1848,
in Howe's History. In 1856, he published a
larger map, and, in 1865, another was issued by
Prof. Nelson Sayler. In 1867, Dr. J. S. Newberry
published a geological map and sketch of Ohio in
the Atlas of the State issued by H. S. Stebbins.
Up to this time, the geological knowledge was very
geueral in its character, and, consequently, errone-
ous in many of its details. Other States had been

_5)

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

accurately surveyed, yet Ohio remained a kind of
terra ivcogiuta, of which the geolcjgy was less
known than any part of the surrounding area.

In 1809, the Legislature appropriated, for a new
survey, $13,900 for its support during oru; year,
and appointed Dr. Newberry Chief Geologist ; E.
B. Andrews, Edward Orton and J. II. Klipplart
were appointed Assistants, and T. G. Wormley,
Chemist. The result of the first year's work
was a volume of 164 pages, octavo, published in
1870.

This report, accompanied by maps and charts,
for the first time accurately defined the geological
formations as to age and area. Evidence was given
which set at rest cjuestions of nearly thirty years'
standing, and established the fact that Ohio in-
cludes nearly double the number of formations be-
fore supposed to exist. Since that date, the sur-
veys have been regularly made. Each county is
being surveyed by itself, and its formation ac-
curately determined. Elsewhere in these pages,
these results are given, and to them the reader is
referred for the specific geology of the county.
Only general results can be noted here.

On the general geological map of the State, are
two sections of the State, taken at each northern
and southern extremity. These show, with the
map, the general outline of the geological features
of Ohio, and are all that can be given here. Both
sections show the general arrangements of the
formation, and prove that they lie in sheets resting
one upon another, but not horizontally, as a great
arch traverses the State from Cincinnati to the
lake shore, between Toledo and Sandusky. Along
this line, which extends southward to Nashville,
Teun., all the rocks are raised in a ridge or fold,
once a low mountain chain. In the lapse of
ages, it has, however, been extensively worn
away, and now, along a large part of its course,
the strata which once arched over it are re-
moved from its summit, and ai-e found resting in
regular t>rder on either side, dipping away from its
axis. Where the ridge was highest, the erosion
has been greatest, that being the reason why the
oldest rocks ai'e exposed in the region about Cin-
cinnati. By following the line of this great arch
from Cincinnati northward, it will be seen that the
Helderberg limestone (No. 4), niidway of the State,
is still unbroken, and stretches from side to side ;
while the Oriskany, the Corniferous, the Hamilton
and the Huron formations, though generally re-
moved from the crown of the arch, still remain
over a limited area near Bellefontaine, where they

i'niiii an island, which })roves the former continuity
of the strata which comp(jse it.

On the east side of the great anticlinal axis, the
rocks dip down into a basin, which, for several
hundred miles north and south, occupies the inter-
val between the Nashville and Cincinnati ridge and
the first fold of the Alleghany Mountains. In
this basin, all the strata form trough-like layers,
their edges outcropjiing eastward on the flanks
of the AUeghanies, and westward along the anti-
clinal axis. As they dip from this margin east-
ward toward the center of the trough, near its
middle, on the eastern border of the State, the
older rocks are deeply buried, and the surface is
here underlaid by the highest and most recent of
our rock formations, the coal measures. In the
northwestern corner of the State, the strata dip
northwest from the anticlinal and pass under the
Michigan coal basin, precisely as the same forma-
tions east of the anticlinal dip beneath the Alle-
ghany coal-field, of which Ohio's coal area forms a
part.

The rocks underlying the State all belong to
three of the great groups which geologists haAc
termed " systems," namely, the Silurian, Devonian
and Carboniferous. Each of these are again sub-
divided, for convenience, and numbered. Thuw
the Silurian system includes the Cincinnati group,
the IMedina and Clinton groups, the Niagara
group, and the Salina and Water-Line groups.
The Devonian system includes the Oriskany sand-
stone, the Carboniferous limestone, the Hamilton
group, the Huron shale and the Erie shales. The
Carboniferous system includes the Waverly group,
the Carboniferous Conglomerate, the Coal INIeas-
ures and the Drift. This last includes the surface,
and has been divided into six parts, numbering
from the lowest, viz.: A glacial ed surface, the Gla-
cial Drift, the Erie Clays, the Forest Bed, the Ice-
berg Drift and the Terraces or Beaches, which
mark intervals of stability in the gradual recession
of the water surface to its present level.

" The history we may learn from these forma-
tions," says the geologist, " is something as fol-
lows :

" F!rst. Subsequent to the Tertiary was a period
of continual elevation, during which the tojjog
raphy of the country was much the same as now,
the di-aining streams folic twing the lines they \wvf
do, but cutting down their beds until they flowed
sometimes two hundred feet lower than they do at
present. In the latter part of this period of ele-
vation, glaciers, descending from the Canadian

±1

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

islands, excavated and occupied the valleys of the
great lakes, and covered the lowlands down nearly
to the Ohio.

^^ Second. By a depression of the land and ele-
vation of temperature, the glaciers retreated north-
ward, leaving, in the interior of the continent, a
great basin of fresh water, in which the Erie clays
were deposited.

^^ Third. This water was drained away until a
broad land surface was exposed within the drift
area. Upon this surface grew forests, largely of
red and white cedar, inhabited by the elephant,
mastodon, giant beaver and other large, now ex-
tinct, animals.

^^ Fourth. The submergence of this ancient land
and the spreading over it, by iceberg agency, of
gravel, sand and bowlders, distributed just as ice-
bergs now spread their loads broadcast over the
sea bottom on the banks of Newfoundland.

^^ Fifth. The gradual draining-off of the waters,
leaving the land now as we find it, smoothly cov-
ered with all the layers of the drift, and well pre-
pared for human occupation."

" In six days, the Lord made the heavens and
the earth, and rested the seventh day," records the
Scriptures, and, when all was done, He looked
upon the work of His own hands and pronounced
it "good." Surely none but a divine, omnipotent
hand could have done all this, and none can study
the "work of His hands" and not marvel at its
completeness.

The ancient dwellers of the Mississippi Valley
will always be a subject of great interest to the
antiquarian. Who they were, and whence they
came, are still unanswered questions, and may
remain so for ages. All over this valley, and,
in fact, in all parts of the New World, evidences
of an ancient civilization exist, whose remains are
now a wonder to all. The aboriginal races could
throw no light on these questions. They had
always seen the remains, and know not whence
they came. Explorations aid l)ut little in the solu-
tion of the problem, and only conjecture can be
entertained. The remains found in Ohio equal
any in the Valley. Indeed, some of them are vast
in extent, and consist of forts, fortifications, moats,
ditches, elevations and mounds, embracing many
acres in extent;

"It is not yet determined," says Col. Charles
Whittlesey, "whether we have discovered the first
or the original people who occupied the soil of
Ohio. Modern investigations are bringing to light
evidences of earlier races. Since the presence of

man has been established in Europe as a cotempor-
ary of the fossil elephant, mastodon, rhinoceros
and the horse, of the later drift or glacial period,
we may reasonably anticipate the presence of man
in America in that era. Such proofs are already
known, but they are not of that conclusive charac-
ter which amounts to a demonstration. It is, how-
ever, known that an ancient people inhabited Ohio
in advance of the red men who were found here,
three centuries since, by the Spanish and French
explorers.

" Five and six hundred years before the arrival
of Columbus," says Col. Charles Whittlesey, "the
Northmen sailed from Norway, Iceland and Green-
land along the Atlantic coast as far as Long Island.
They found Indian tribes, in what is now New En-
gland, closely resembling those who lived upon the
coast and the St. Lawrence when the French and
English came to possess these regions.

" These red Indians had no traditions of a prior
people ; but over a large part of the lake country
and the valley of the Slississippi, earth-works,
mounds, pyramids, ditches and forts were discov-
ered — the work of a more ancient race, and a peo-
ple far in advance of the Indian. If they were
not civilized, they were not barbarians. They
were not mere hunters, but had fixed habitations,
cultivated the soil and were possessed of consider-
able mechanical skill. We know them as the
Mound- Builders, because they erected over the
mortal remains of their principal men and women
memorial mounds of earth or unhewn stone — of
which hundreds remain to our own day, so large
and high that they give rise to an impression of
the numbers and energy of their builders, such as
we receive from the pyramids of Egypt."

Might they not have been of the same race and
the same civilization ? Many competent authori-
ties conjecture they are the work of the lost tribes
of Israel ; but the best they or any one can do is
only conjecture.

" In the burial-mounds," continues Col. Whit-
tlesey, " there are always portions of one or more
human skeletons, generally partly consumed by
fire, with ornaments of stone, bone, shells, mica
and copper. The largest mound in Ohio is near
Miamisburg, Montgomery County. It is the
second largest in the West, being nearly seventy
feet high, originally, and about eight hundred feet
in circumference. This would give a superficial
area of nearly four acres. In LS64, the citizens
of Miamisburg sunk a shaft from the summit to
the natural surface, without finding the bones

'^'^

HISTORY OF OHIO.

or ashes of the great man for whoin it was
intended. The exploration has considerably
lowered the mound, it being now about sixty feet
in height.

" Fort Ancient, on the Little IMiami, is a good
specimen of the military defenses of the Mountl-
Builders. It is well located on a long, high, nar-
row, precipitons ridge. The parapets are now
from ten to eighteen feet high, and its perimeter
is sufficient to hold twenty thousand fighting men.
Another prominent example of their works exists
near Newark, Licking County. This collection
presents a great variety of figures, circles, rectan-
gles, octagons and parallel banks, or liighways,
covering more than a thousand acres. The county
fair-ground is permanently located within an
ancient circle, a qnarter of a mile in diameter,
with an embankment and interior ditch. Its high-
est place was over twenty feet from the top of the
moat to the bottom of the ditch."

One of the most curious-shaped works in this
county is known- as the "Alligator," fi-om its sup-
posed resemblance to that creature. When meas-
ured, several years ago, while in a good state of
preservation, its dimensions were two hundred
and ten feet in length, average width over sixty
feet, and height, at the highest point, seven feet.
It appears to be mainly composed of clay, and is
overgrown with grass.

Speaking of the writing of these people. Col.
Whittlesey says : " There is no evidence that they
had alphabetical characters, picture-wi-iting or
hieroglyphics, though they must have had some
mode of recording events. Neither is there any proof
that they used domestic animals for tilling the soil,
or for the purpose of erecting the imposing earth-
works they have left. A very coarse cloth of
hemp, flax or nettles has been found on their
burial-hearths and around skeletons not consumed
by fire.

" The most extensive earthworks occupy many
of the sites of modern towns, and are always in
the vicinity of excellent land. Those about the
lakes are generally irregular earth forts, while
those about the rivers in the southern part of the
State are generally altars, pyramids, circles, cones
and rectangles of eartli, among which fortresses or
strongholds are exceptions.

" Those on the north may not have been cotem-
porary or have been built by the same people.
They are far less prominent or extensive, which
indicates a people less in numbers as well as indus-
try, and whose principal occupation was war among

themselves or against their neighbors. This style
of works extends eastward along the south shore
of Lake Ontario, through New York. In Ohio,
there is a space along the water-shed, between the
lake and the Ohio, where there are few, if any,
ancient earthworks. It appears to have been a
vacant or neutral ground between different nations.

" The Indians of the North, dressed in skins,
cultivated the soil very sparingly, and manufactured
no woven cloth. On Lake Superior, there arc
ancient copper mines wrought by the Mound-
Builders over fifteen hundred years ago." Copper
tools are occasionally found tempered sufficiently
hard to cut the hardest rocks. No knowledge of
such tempering exists now. The Indians can give
no more knowledge of the ancient mines than they
can of the mounds on the river bottoms.

" The Indians did not occupy the. ancient earth-
works, nor did they construct such. They were
found as they are now — a hunter race, wholly
averse to labor. Their abodes were in rock shel-
ters^ in caves, or in temporary sheds of bark and
boughs, or skins, easily moved from place to place.
Like most savage races, their habits are unchange-
able ; at least, the example of white men, and
their effi^rts during three centuries, have made
little, if any, impression."

When white men came to the territory now em-
braced in the State of Ohio, they found dwelling
here the Iroquois, Delawares, Shawanees, Miamis,
Wyandots and Ottawas. Each nation was com-
posed of several tribes or clans, and each was
often at war with the others. The first mentioned
of these occupied that part of the State whose
noithern boundary was Lake Erie, as far west as
the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, where the city
of Cleveland now is; thence the boundary turned
southward in an irregular line, until it touched the
Ohio River, up which stream it continued to the
Pennsylvania State line, and thence northward to
the lake. This nation were the implacable foes of
the French, owing to the fact that Champlain, in
] (lOO, made war against them. They occupied a
large part of New York and Pennsylvania, and
were the most insatiate con((uerors among the
aljorigines. When the French first came to the
lakes, these monsters of the wilderness were engaged
in a war against their neighbors, a war that ended
in their concjuering them, possessing their terri-
tory, and absorbing the remnants of the tribes into
their own nation. At the date of Champlain 's
visit, the southern shore of Lake Erie was occupied
by the Eries, or, as the orthography of the word is

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

sometimes given, Erigos, or Errienovis.* About
forty years afterward, the Irof(uois ( Five Nations)
fell upon them with such fury and in such force
that the nation was annihilated. Those who
escaped the slaughter were absorbed among their
con(juerors, but allowed to live on their own lands,
paying a sort of tribute to the Iroquois. This was
the policy of that nation in all its conquests. A
few years after the conquest of the Eries, the
Iro((uois again took to the war-path, and swept
through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, even attacking
the Mississippi tribes. But for the intervention
and aid of the French, these tribes would have
shared the fate of the Hurons and Eries. Until
the year 1700, the Irocjuois held the south shore
of Lake Erie so firmly that the French dared not
trade or travel along that side of the lake. Their
missionaries and traders penetrated this part of
Ohio as early as 1650, but generally suifered
death for their zeal.

Having completed the conc[uest of the Hurons
or Wyandots, about Lake Huron, and murdered
the Jesuit missionaries by modes of torture which
only they could devise, they permitted the residue
of the Hurons to settle around the west end of
Lake Erie. Here, with the Ottawas, they resided
when the whites came to the State. Their country
was bounded on the south by a line running
through the central part of Wayne, Ashland,
Richland, Crawford and Wyandot Counties. At
the western boundary of this county, the line di-
verged northwesterly, leaving the State near the
noi'thwest corner of Fulton County. Their north-
ern boundary was the lake ; the eastern, the Iro-
quois.

The Delawares, or " Lenni Lenapes," whom the
Iroquois had subjugated on *he Susquehanna, were
assigned by their conquerors hunting-grounds on
the Muskingum. Their eastern boundary was the
country of the Iroquois (before defined), and their
northern, that of the Hurons. On the west, they

* Father Louis Hennepin, in his work pulilished in 1684, thus
alludes to the Erios: -'Tliese good fathers," referring to the
priests, " were great friends of the Hurons, who told them that the
Iroijuois went to war beyond Virginia, or New Sweden, near a lake
which they called 'Erige,' or ' £ne,' which signifies 'the cat,' or
' nation of the cat,' and because these savages brought captives from
this nation in returning to their cantons along this lake, the
Hurons named it, in their language, ' Erige,' or ' Erike,' 'the lake of
Hie cat,' and which our Canadians, in softening the word, have
called ' Lake Erie.' "

Charlevoix, writing in 1721, says: "The name it bears is that
of an Indian nation of the Huron (Wyandot) language, which was
formerly seated on iU banks, and who have been entirely destroyed
by the Iroquois. Erie, in that language, signifies ' cat,' and, in
some acounts, this nation is called the ' cat nation.' This name,
probably, comes from the large numbers of that animal found in
this region."

extended as far as a line drawn from the central
part of Richland County, in a semi-circular direc-
tion, south to the mouth of Leading Creek. Their
southern boundary was the Ohio River.

West of the Delawares, dwelt the Shawanees, a
troublesome people as neighbors, whether to whites
or Indians. Their country was bounded on the
north by the Hurons, on the east, by the Dela-
wares ; on the south, by the Ohio River. On the
west, their boundary was determined by a line
drawn southwesterly, and again southeasterly —
semi-circular — from a point on the southern
boundary of the Hurons, near the southwest corner
of Wyandot County, till it intersected the Ohio
River.

All the remainder of the State — all its western
part from the Ohio River to the Michigan line —
was occupied bytheMiamis, Mineamis, Twigtwees,
or Tawixtawes, a powerful nation, whom the Iro-
quois were never fully able to subdue.

These nations occupied the State, partly by per-
mit of the Five Nations, and partly by inheritance,
and, though composed of many tribes, were about
all the savages to be found in this part of the
Northwest.

No sooner had the Americans obtained control
of this country, than they began, by treaty and
purchase,* to acquire the lands of the natives.
They could not stem the tide of emigration ; peo-
ple, then as now, would go West, and hence the
necessity of peaceftilly and rightftiUy acquiring the
land. " The true basis of title to Indian territory
is the right of civilized men to the soil for pur-
poses of cultivation." The same maxim may be
applied to all uncivilized nations. When acquired
by such a right, either by treaty, purchase or con-
quest, the right to hold the same rests with the
power and development of the nation thus possess-
ing the land.

The English derived title to the territory
between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi partly
by the claim that, in discovering the Atlantic coast,
they had possession of the land from "ocean to
ocean," and partly by the treaty of Paris, in Feb-
ruary, 1763. Long before this treaty took place,
however, she had granted, to individuals and colo-
nies, extensive tracts of land in that part of Amer-
ica, based on the right of discovery. The French
had done better, and had acquired title to the land
by discovering the land itself and by consent of
the Indians dwelling thereon. The right to pos-
sess this country led to the French and Indian
war, ending in the supremacy of the English.

■^

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

The Five Nations claimed the territory in ques-
tion by right of conquest, and, though professing
friendship to the EngHsh, watched them with jeal-
ous eyes. In 1684, and again in 1726, that con-
federacy made cessions of lands to the English,
and these treaties and cessions of lands were re-
garded as sufficient title by the English, and were
insisted on in all subsequent treaties with the
Western Nations. The following statements were
collected by Col. Charles Whittlesey, which
show the principal treaties made with the red men
wherein land in Ohio wixs ceded by them to the
whites :

In September, 1726, the Iroquois, or Six Na-
tions, at Albany, ceded all their claims west of
Lake Erie and sixty miles in width along the
south shore of Lakes Erie and Ontario, from the
Cuyahoga to the Oswego River.

In 1744, this same nation made a treaty at
Lancaster, Penn., and ceded to the English all
their lands "that may be within the colony of
Virginia."

In 1752, this nation and other Western tribes
made a treaty at Logstown, Penn., wherein they
confirmed the Lancaster treaty and consented to
the settlements south of the Ohio River.

February 13, 1763, a treaty was made at Paris,
France, between the French and English, when
Canada and the eastern half of the Mississippi
Valley were ceded to the English.

In 1783, all the territory south of the Lakes,
and east of the Mississippi, was ceded by England
to America — the latter country then obtaining its
independence — by which means the country was
gained by America.

October 24, 1784, the Six Nations made a
treaty, at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., with the Ameri-
cans, and ceded to them all the country claimed
by the tribe, west of Pennsylvania.

In 1785, the Chippewas, Delawares, Ottawas,
and Wyandots ceded to the LTnited States, -at
Fort Mcintosh, at the mouth of the Big Beaver,
all their claims east and south of the " Cayahaga,"
the Portage Path, and the Tuscarawas, to Fort
Laurens (Bolivar), thence to Loramie's Fort (in
Shelby County) ; thence along the Portage Path to
the St. Mary's River and down it to the " Omee,"
or Maumee, and along the lake shore to the
" Cayahaga."

January 3, 1786, the Shawanees, at Fort Fin-
ney, near the mouth of the Great Miami (not
owning the land on the Scioto occupied by them),
were allotted a tract at the heads of the two

Miamis and the Wabash, west of the Chippewas,
Delawares and Wyandots.

February 9, 1789, the Iroquois made a treaty
at Fort Harmar, wherein they confirmed the Fort
Stanwix treaty. At the same time, the Chippewas,
Ottawas, Delawares, and Wyandots — to which the
Sauks and Pottawatomies assented — confirmed the
treaty made at Fort Mcintosh.

Period of war now existed till 1795.

August 3, 1795, Gen. Anthony Wayne, on
behalf of the United States, made a treaty with
twelve tribes, confirming the boundaries estab-
lished by the Fort Harmar and Fort Mcintosh
treaties, and extended the boundary to Fort Re-
covery and the mouth of the Kentucky River.

In June, 1796, the Senecas, represented by
Brant, ceded to the Connecticut Land Company
their rights east of the Cuyahoga.

In 1805, at Fort Industry, on the Maumee, the
Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Shawa-
nees, Menses, and Pottawatomies relinquished all
their lands west of the Cuyahoga, as far west as
the western line of the Reserve, and south of the
line from Fort Laurens to Loramie's Fort.

July 4, 1807, the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyan-
dots, and Pottawatomies, at Detroit, ceded all that
part of Ohio north of the Maumee River, with
part of Michigan.

November 25, 1808, the same tribes with the
Shawanees, at Brownstone, Mich., gi-anted the
Government a tract of land two miles wide, from
the west line of the Reserve to the rapids of the
Maumee, for the purpose of a road through the
Black Swamp.

September 18, 1815, at Springwells, near De-
troit, the Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Wy-
andots, Delawares, Senecas and Miamis, having
been engaged in the war of 1812 on the British
side, were confined in the grants made at Fort
Mcintosh and Greenville in 1785 and 1795.

September 29, 1817, at the rapids of the
Maumee, the Wyandots ceded their lands west of
the line of 1805, as far as Loramie's and the St.
Mary's River and north of the Maumee. The
Pottawatomies, Chippewas, and Ottawas ceded the
territory west of the Detroit line of 1807, and
north of the Maumee.

October 6, 1818, the Miamis, at St. Mary's,
made a treaty in which they surrendered the re-
maining Indian territory in Ohio, north of the
Greenville treaty line and west of St. Mary's River.

The numerous treaties of peace with the West-
ern Indians for the delivery of prisoners were —

.^ ©

HISTORY OF OHIO.

one by Gen. Forbes, at Fort Du Quesne (Pitts-
burgh), in 1758; one by Col. Bradstreet, at Erie,
in August, 1764 ; one by Col. Boquet, at the
mouth of the Waldhoning, in November, 1764 ;
in May, 17<>5, at Johnson's, on the Mohawk, and
at Philadelphia, the same year; in 1774, by Lord
Duamore, at Camp Charlotte, Pickaway County.
By the treaty at the Maumee Rapids, in 1817,
reservations were conveyed by the United States
to all the tribes, with a view to induce them to
cultivate the soil and cease to be hunters. These
were, from time to time, as the impracticability of
the plan became manifest, purchased by the Gov-
ernment, the last of these being the Wyandot
Reserve, of twelve miles square, around Upper
Sandusky, in 1842, closing out all claims and com-
posing all the Indian difficulties in Ohio. The
open war had ceased in 1815, with the treaty of
Ghent.

" It is estimated that, from the French war of
1754 to the battle of the Maumee Rapids, in
1794, a period of forty years, there had been at
least 5,000 people killed or captured west of the

Alleghany Mountains. Eleven organized military
expeditions had been carried on against the West-
ern Indians prior to the war of 1812, seven regu-
lar engagements fought and about twelve hundred
men killed. More whites were slain in battle than
there were Indian braves killed in military expedi-
tions, and by private raids and murders ; yet, in
1811, all the Ohio tribes combined could not mus-
ter 2,000 warriors."

Attempts to determine the number of persons
comprising the Indian tribes in Ohio, and their
location, have resulted in nothing better tlian
estimates. It is supposed that, at the commence-
ment of the Revolution, there were about six
thousand Indians in the present confines of the
State, but their villages were little more than
movable camps. Savage men, like savage beasts,
are engaged in continual migrations. Now, none
are left. The white man occupies the home of
the red man. Now

" The verdant hills
Are covered o'er with growing grain,
And white men till the soil,
Where once the red man used to reign."

CHAPTER II.

EARLY EXPLORATIONS IN THE WEST.

WHEN war, when ambition, when avarice
fail, religion pushes onward and succeeds.
In the discovery of the New World, wherever
man's aggrandizement was the paramount aim,
failure was sure to follow. When this gave way,
the followers of the Cross, whether Catholic or
Protestant, came on the field, and the result before
attempted soon appeared, though in a different way
and through different means than those supposed.
The first permanent efforts of the white race to
penetrate the Western > wilds of the New World
preceded any permanent English settlement north
of the Potomac. Years before the Pilgrims
anchored their bark on the cheerless shores of (^ape
Cod, "the Roman Catholic Church had been plant-
ed by missionaries from France in the Eastern
moiety of Maine; and LeCaron, an ambitious
Franciscan, the companion of Chaniplain,had passed
into the hunting-grounds of the Wyandots, and,
bound by the vows of his life, had, on foot or pad-
dling a bark canoe, gone onward, taking alms of the
savages until he reached the rivers of Lake

Huron." This was in 1615 or 1616, and only
eight years after Champlain had sailed up the wa-
ters of the St. Lawrence, and on the foot of a bold
cliff laid the foundation of the present City of
Quebec. From this place, founded to hold the
country, and toperpetuate the religion of his King,
went forth those emissaries of the Cross, whose zeal
has been the admiration of the world. The French
Colony in Canada was suppressed soon after its es-
tablishment, and for five years, until 1622, its im-
munities werQ enjoyed by the colonists. A grant
of New France, as the country was then known, was
made by Louis XIII to Richelieu, Champlain,
Razilly and others, who, immediately after the res-
toration of Quebec by it,s English conquerors, entered
upon the control and government of their province.
Its limits embraced the whole basin of the St.
Lawrence and of such other rivers in New France
as flowed directly into the sea. While away to
the south on the Gulf coast, was also included a
country rich in foliage and claimed in virtue of
the unsuccessful efforts of Coligny.

■^

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Rcli<;i()us zeal as much as commercial prosperity
had influenced France to obtain and retain the de-
pendency of Canada. The commercial monopoly
of a privile_<i;(Kl company could not foster a
colony ; the climate was too vigorous for agricult-
ure, and, at first there was little else except relig-
ious enthusiasm to give vitality to the province.
Champlain had been touched by the simplicity of
the Ordt'r of St. Francis, and had selected its priests
to aid him in his work. But another order, more
in favor at the Court, was interested, and succeed-
ed in excluding the mendicant order from the New
World, established themselves in the new domain
and, by thus enlarging the borders of the French
King, it became entrusted to the Jesuits.

This "Society of Jesus," founded by Loyola
when Calvin's Institutes first saw the liglit, saw an
unequaled opportunity in the conversion of the
heathen in the Western wilds; and, as its mem-
bers, pledged to obtain power only by influence of
mind over mind, sought the honors of opening the
way, there was no lack of men ready for the work.
Through them, the motive j)ower in opening the
wilds of the Northwest was religion. "Religious
enthusiasm," says Bancroft, "colonized New Eng-
land,* and religious enthusiasm founded Montreal,
made a concjuest of the wilderness about the upper
lakes, and explored the Mississippi."

Through these priests — increased in a few years
to fifteen — a way was made across the West from
Quebec, above the regions of the lakes, below
which they dared not go for the relentless Mohawks.
To the northwest of Toronto, near the Lake Iro-
quois, a bay of Lake Huron, in September, 1634,
they raised the first humble house of the Society of
Jesus among the Hurons. Through them they
learned of the great lakes beyond, and resolved
one day to explore them and carry the Gospel of
peace to the heathen on their shores. Before this
could 1)0 done, many of them were called upon to
give up their lives at the martyr's stake and re-
ceive a martyr's crown. But one by one they
went on in their good work. If one fell by hun-
ger, cold, cruelty, or a terrible death, others stood
ready, and carrying their lives in their hands,
cstaljlished other missions about the eastern shores
of Lake Huron and its adjacent waters. The
Five Nations were for many years hostile toward
the French and murdered them and their red
allies whenever opportunity presented. For a
quarter of century, they retarded the advance of
the missionaries, and then only after wearied witli
a long struggle, in which they began to see their

power declining, did they relinquish their warlike
propensities, and allow the Jesuits entrance to their
country. While this was going on, the traders
and Jesuits had penetrated farther and farther
westward, until, when peace was declared, tliey
had seen the southwestern shores of Lake Superior
and the northern shores of Lake Michigan, called
by them Lake Illinois.* In August, l(i54, two
young adventurers penetrated the wilds bordering
on these western lakes in company with a band of
Ottawas. Returning, they tell of the wonderful
country they have seen, of its vast forests, its
abundance of game, its mines of copper, and ex-
cite in their comrades a desire to see and explore
such a country. They tell of a vast expanse of
land before them, of the powerful Indian tribes
dwelling there, and of their anxiety to become an-
nexed to the Frenchman, of whom they have
heard. The request is at once granted. Two
missionaries, Gabriel Dreuillettes and Leonard
Gareau, were selected as envoys, but on their way
the fleet, propelled by tawny rowers, is met by a
wandering band of Mohawks and by them is dis-
persed. Not daunted, others stood ready to go.
The lot fell to Rene Mesnard. He is charged to
visit the wilderness, select a suitable place for a
dwelling, and found a mission. With only a short
warning he is ready, "trusting," he says, "in the
Providence which feeds the little birds of the
desert and clothes the wild flowers of the forest."
In October, 1660, he reached a bay, which he
called St. Theresa, on the south shore of Lak ■
Superior. After a residence of eight months, he
yielded to the invitation of the Hurons who had
taken refuge on the Island of St. Michael, and
bidding adieu to his neophytes and the French, he
departed. While on the way to the Bay of Che-
goi-me-gon, probably at a portage, he became
separated from his companion and was never after-
ward heard of Long after, his cassock and his
breviary were kept as anmlets among the Sioux.
Diihculties n(jw arose in the management of the
colony, and for awhile it was on the verge of dis-
solution. The King sent a regiment under com-
mand of the aged Tracy, as a safeguard against
the Iroquois, now proving themselves enemies to

*Mr. C. W. Butterfleld, author of Crawforipf Campaign, and
good authority, says: "John Nicholet, a Frenchman, left Quebec
and Three RiverH in the summer of 1634, and visited the Hurons on
Georgian Bay, the Chippewas at the Sault Ste. Marie, and the Win-
nebagoes in Wisconsin, returning to Quebec in the summer of 1635.
This was the first wliite man to gee any part of the Northwest
Territory. In 1641, two Jesuit priests were at the Sault Ste. Marie
for a brief time. Then two French traders reached Lake Superior,
and after them came that tide of emigration on which the French
based their claim to the country."

HISTORY OF OHIO.

the French. Accompanying him were Courcelles,
as Governor, and M. Talon, who subsequently fig-
ures in Northwestern history. By 1(565, aflPairs
were settled and new attempts to found a mission
among the lake tribes were projected.

"With better hopes — undismayed by the sad
fate of their predecessors" in August, Claude
Allouez embarked on a mission by way of Ottawa
to the Far West. Early in September he reached
the rapidsl^hrough which rush the waters of the
lakes to Huron. Sailing by lofty sculptured rocks
and over waters of crystal purity, he reached the
Chippewa village just as the young warriors were
bent on organizing a war expedition against the
Sioux. Commanding peace in the name of his
King, he called a council and offered the commerce
and protection of his nation. He was obeyed, and
soon a chapel arose on the shore of the bay, to
which admiring crowds from the south and west
gathered to listen to the story of the Cross.

The scattered Hurons and Ottawas north of
Lake Superior ; the Pottawatomies from Lake JNIich-
igan ; the Sacs and Foxes from the Far West ; the
Illinois from the prairies, all came to hear him, and
all besought him to go with them. To the last
nation Allouez desired to go. They told him of a
" great river that flowed to the sea, "and of "their
vast prairies, where herds of buffalo, deer and
other animals grazed on the tall grass." "Their
country," said the missionary, "is the best field
for the Gospel. Had I had leisure, I would have
gone to their dwellings to see with my own eyes
all the good that was told me of them."

He remained two years, teaching the natives,
studying their language and habits, and then
returned to Quebec. Such was the account that
he gave, that in two days he was joined by
Louis Nicholas and was on his way back to his
mission.

Peace being now established, more missionaries
came from France. Among them were Claude
Dablon and James Marquette, both of whom went
on to the mission among the Chippewas at the
Sault. They reached there in 1668 and found
Allouez busy. The mission was now a reality and
given the name of St. Mary. It is often written
" Sault Ste. Marie," after the French method, and
is the oldest settlement by white men in the bounds
of the Northwest Territory. It has been founded
over two hundred years. Here on the inhospitable
northern shores, hundreds of miles away from
friends, did this triumvirate employ themselves in
extending their religion and the influence of their

King. Traversing the shores of the great lakes
near them, they pass down the western bank of
Lake Michigan as far as Green Bay, along the
southern shore of Lake Superior to its western ex-
tremity, everywhere preaching the story of Jesus.
" Though suffering be their lot and martyrdom
their crovPn," they went on, only conscious that
they weve laboring for their Master and would, in
the end, win the crown.

The great river away to the West of which they
heard so much was yet unknown to them. To ex-
plore it, to visit the tribes on its banks and preach
to them the Gospel and secure their trade, became
the aim of Marquette, who originated the idea of
its discovery. While engaged at the mission at the
Sault, he resolved to attempt it in the autumn of
1669. Delay, however, intervened — for Allouez
had exchanged the mission at Che-goi-me-gon for
one at Green Bay, whither Marquette was sent.
While here he employed a young Illinois Indian
to teach him the language of that nation, and there-
by prepare himself for the enterprise.

Continued commerce with the Western Indians
gave protection and confirmed their attachment.
Talon, the intendant of the colony of New France,
to further spread its power and to learn more of the
country and its inhabitants, convened a congress
of the Indians at the Falls of St. Mary, to which
he sent St. Lusson on his behalf Nicholas Perrot
sent invitations in every direction for more than a
hundred leagues round about, and fourteen nations,
among them Sacs, Foxes and Miamis, agreed to be
present by their embassadors.

The congress met on the fourth day of June,
1671. St. Lusson, through Allouez, his interpre-
ter, announced to the assembled natives that they,
and through them their nations, were placed under
the protection of the Fretich King, and to him
were their furs and peltries to be traded. A cross
of cedar was raised, and amidst the gToves of ma-
ple and of pine, of elm and hemlock that are so
strangely intermingled on the banks of the St.
Mary, the whole company of the French, bowing
belbre the emblem of man's redemption, chanted to
its glory a hymn of the seventh century :

"The banners of heaven's King advance;
The mysteries of the Cross shines forth."*

A cedar column was planted by the cross and
marked with the lilies of the Bourbons. The
power of France, thus uplifted in the West of
which Ohio is now a part, was, however, not destined

* Bancroft.

37:

:£

HISTORY or OHIO.

to endure, and the ambition of its nionaicli.s was
to have only a partial tulfillniont.

The ,^anie year that the conjiress was held, Mar-
({uette had founded a mission among the Hurcins
at Point 8t. Ignace, on the continent north of the
peninsula of Michigan. Although the climate
was severe, and vegetation scarce, yet fish abounded,
and at this establishment, long maintained as a
key to further exploratidus, prayer and praise were
heard daily for many years. Here, also, Marquette
gained a footing among the founders of Michigan.
While he was doing this, Allouez and Dablon were
exploring countries south and west, going as far as
the Mascoutins and Kickapoos on the Milwaukee,
and the Miamis at the head of Lake Mi'chigan.
Allouez continued even as far as the 8acs and Foxes
on the river which bears their name.

The discovery of the Mississippi, heightened by
these explorations, was now at hand. The enter-
prise, projected by Marf(uette, was received with
favor by M. Talon, who desired thus to perpetuate
his nxle in New France, now drawing to a close.
He was joined by Joliet, of Quebec, an emissary
of his King, commissioned by royal magnate to
take possession of the country in the name of the
French. Of him but little else is known. This
one excursion, however, gives him immortality,
and as long as time shall last his name and that of
Marquette will endure. When Marquette made
known his intention to the Pottawatomies, they
were filled with wonder, and endeavored to dis-
suade him from his purpose. "Those distant na-
tions," said they, " never spare the strangers; the
(ireat River abounds in monsters, ready to swal-
low both men and canoes; there are great cataracts
and rapids, over which you will be dashed to
pi((ces; the excessive heats will cause your death."
" [ shall gladly lay down my life for the salvation
of souls," rej)lied the good man; and the docile
nation joined him.

On the Kth day of June, 1673, they reached
the village on Fox River, where were Kickapoos,
Mascoutins and Miamis dwelling together on an
expanse of lovely prairie, dotted here and there by
groves of magnificent trees, and where was a
cross garlanded by wild flowers, and bows and ar-
rows, and skins and belts, offerings to the Great
Manitou. Allouez had been here in one of his
wanderings, and, as was his wont, had left this
emblem of his faith.

Assembling the natives, Marquette said, " My
conqianion is an envoy of France to discover new
countries ; and I am an embassador from God to

enlighten them with the Gospel." Offering pres-
ents, he begged two guides for the morrow. The
Indians answered courteously, and gave in
return a mat to serve as a couch during the lonsr
voyage.

Early in the morning of the next day, the 10th
of June, with all nature in her brightest robes,
these two men, with five Frenchmen and two Al-
gonquin guides, set out on their journey. Lifting
two canoes to their shoulders, they quickly cross
the narrow portage dividing the F'ox from the
Wisconsin River, and prepare to embark on its
clear waters. " Uttering a special prayer to the
Immaculate Virgin, they leave the stream, that,
flowing onward, could have borne their greetings
to the castle of Quebec. 'The guides returned,'
says the gentle Marquette, 'leaving us alone in
this unknown land, in the hand of Providence.'
France and Christianity stood alone in the valley
of the Mississippi. Embarking on the broad
Wisconsin, the discoverers, as they sailed west,
went solitarily down the stream between alternate
prairies and hillsides, beholding neither man nor
the wonted beasts of the forests; no sound broke
the silence but the ripple of the canoe and the
lowing of the buffalo. In seven days, 'they en-
tered happily the Great River, with a joy that
could not be expressed;' and the two birchbark
canoes, raising their happy sails under new skies
and to unknown breezes, floated down the calm
magnificence of the ocean stream, over the broad,
clear sand-bars, the resort of innumerable water-
fowl — gliding past islets that swelled from the
bosom of the stream, with their tufts of massive
thickets, and between the wild plains of Illinois
and Iowa, all garlanded with ma.jestic forests, or
checkered by island groves and the open vastness
of the prairie."*

Continuing on down the mighty stream, they
saw no signs of human life until the 25th of
June, when they discovered a small foot-path on the
west bank of the river, leading away into the
prairie. Leaving their companions in the canoes,
Marquette and Joliet followed the path, resolved
to brave a meeting alone with the savages. After
a walk of six miles they came in sight of a village
on the banks of a river, while not far away they
discovered two others. The river was the " Mou-
in-gou-e-na," or Moingona, now corrupted into
Des Moines. These two men, the first of their
race who ever trod the soil west of the Great

* Bancroft.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

River, commended themselves t(i God, and, utterint!;
a loud cry, advanced to the nearest village.
The Indians hear, and thinking their visitors
celestial beings, four old men advance with rever-
ential mien, and offer the pipe of peace. " We
are Illinois," said they, and they offered the calu-
met. They had heard of the Frenchmen, and
welcomed them to their wigwams, followed by the
devouring gaze of an astonished crowd. At a
great council held so(.)n iafter, Marquette published
to them the true God, their Author. He also
spoke of his nation and of his King, who had
chastised the Five Nations and commanded peace.
He questioned them concerning the Great Kiver
and its tributaries, and the tribes dwelling on its
banks. A magnificent feast was spread before
them, and the conference continued several days.
At the close of the sixth day, the chieftains of the
tribes, with numerous trains of warriors, attended
the visitors to their canoes, and selecting a peace-
pipe, gayly comparisoned, they hung the sacred
calumet, emblem of peace to all and a safeguard
among the nations, about the good Father's neck,
and bid the strangers good speed. "I did not
fear death," writes Marquette ; " I should have
esteemed it the greatest happiness to have died
for the glory of God." On their journey, they
passed the perpendicular rocks, whose sculptured
sides showed them the monsters they should meet.
Farther down, they pass the turgid flood of the
Missouri, known to them by its Algonquin name,
Pekitanoni. Resolving in his heart to one day
explore its flood, Marquette rejoiced in the new
world it evidently could open to him. A little
farther down, they pass the bluffs where now is a
mighty emporium, then silent as when created. In
a little less than forty leagues, they pass the clear
waters of the beautiful Ohio, then, and long after-
ward, known as the Wabash. Its banks were in-
habited by numerous villages of the peaceftd
Shawanees, who then quailed under the incursions
of the dreadful Iroquois. As they go on down the
mighty stream, the canes become thicker, the insects
more fierce, the heat more intolerable. The prairies
and their cool breezes vanish, and forests of white-
wood, admirable for their vastness and height, crowd
close upon the pebbly shore. It is observed that the
Chickasaws have guns, and have learned how to
use them. Near the latitude of 33 degrees, they
encounter a great village, whose inhabitants pre-
sent an inhospitable and warlike front. The pipe
of peace is held aloft, and instantly the savage foe
drops his arms and extends a friendly greeting.

Remaining here till the next day, they are escorted
lor eight or ten leagues to the village of Akansea.
They are now at the limit of their voyage. The
Indians speak a dialect unknown to them. The
natives show furs and axes of steel, the latter prov-
ing they have traded with Europeans. The two
travelers now learn that the Father of Wa-
ters went neither to the Western sea nor to the
Florida coast, but straight south, and conclude not
to encounter the burning heats of a tropical clime,
but return and find the outlet again. They
had done enough now, and must report their dis-
covery.

On the 17th day of July, 1673, one hundred
and thirty-two years after the disastrous journey
of De Soto, which led to no permanent results,
Marijuette and Joliet left the village of Akansea
on their way back. At the 38th degree, they en-
counter the waters of the Illinois which they had
before noticed, and which the natives told them
afforded a much shorter route to the lakes. Pad-
dling up its limpid waters, they see a country un-
surpassed in beauty. Broad prairies, beautiful up-
lands, luxuriant groves, all mingled in excellent
harmony as they ascend the river. Near the head
of the river, they pause at a great village of the
Illinois, and across the river behold a rocky prom-
ontory standing boldly out against the landscape.
The Indians entreat the gentle missionary to re-
main among them, and teach them the way of life.
He cannot do this, but promises to return when he
can and instruct them. The town was on a plain
near the present village of Utica, in La Salle
County, 111., and the rock was Starved Rock,
afterward noted in the annals of the Northwest.
One of the chiefs and some young men conduct
the party to the Chicago River, where the present
mighty city is, from where, continuing their iour-
ney "along the western shores of the lake, they
reach Green Bay early in September.

The great valley of the West was now open.
The "Messippi" rolled its mighty flood to a south-
ern sea, and must be sully explored. Marquette's
health had keenly suffered by the voyage and he
concluded to remain here and rest. Joliet hasten-
ed on to Quebec to report his discoveries. During
the journey, each had preserved a description of
the route they had passed over, as well as the
country and its inhabitants. While on the way
to Quebec, at the foot of the rapids near Montreal,
by some means one of Joliet's canoes became cap-
sized, and by it he lost his box of papers and two
of his men. A greater calamity could have

HISTORY OF OHIO.

hardly happened him. In a letter to Gov.
Froiitenac, Juliet says:

" I had esea])ed every peril from the Indians ; I
liad ])assed forty-two rapids, and was on the point
of disembarkini;', full of jiiy at the success of so
long and difficult an enterprise, when my canoe
capsized after all the daui;er seemed over. I lost
my two men and box of papers within sit;ht of the
French settlements, which I had left almost two
years before. Nothing remains now to me but
my life, and the ardent desire to employ it in any
service you may please to direct."

When Joliet made known his discoveries, a
Te Deiim was chanted in the Cathedral at Quebec,
and all Canada was filled with joy. The news
crossed the ocean, and the French saw in the vista
of coming years a vast dependency arise in the val-
ley, partially explored, which was to extend her
domain and enrich her treasury. Fearing En-
gland might profit by the discovery and claim the
country, she attempted as far as possible to prevent
the news from becoming general. Joliet was re-
warded by the gift of the Island of Anticosti, in
the St. Lawrence, while Marquette, conscious of
his service to his Master, was content with the
salvation of souls.

Marquette, left at Green Bay, suffered long with
his malady, and was not permitted, until the au-
tumn of the following year (1674), to return and
teach the Illinois Indians. With this purpose in
view, he left Green Bay on the 25th of October
with two Frenchmen and a number of Illinois and
Pottawatomie Indians for the villages on the
Chicago and Illinois Rivers. Entering Lake
Michigan, they encountered adverse winds and
waves and were more than a month on the way.
Going some distance up the Chicago River, they
found Mar(piette too weak to proceed farther, his
malady having assumed a violent form, and land-
ing, they erected two huts and prepared to pass
the winter. The good missionary taught the na-
tives here daily, in spite of his afflictions, while
his companions supplied him and themselves with
food by fishing and hunting. Thus the winter
wore away, and Mar(}uette, renewing his vows, pre-
pared to go on to the village at the foot of the
rocky citadel, where he had been two years before.
On the i:>th of March, ICTS, they left their huts
and, rowing on up the Chicago to the portage be-
tween that and the Desplaines, embarked on their
way. Amid the incessant rains of spring, they
W(!re rapidly borne down that stream to the Illi-
nois, on whose rushing flood they floated to the

object of their destination. At the great town the
missionary was received as a heavenly messenger,
and as he preached to them of heaven and hell,
of angels and demons, of good and bad deeds,
they regarded him as divine and besought him to
remain among them. The town then contained an
immense concourse of natives, drawn hither by the
reports they heard, and assembling them before him
on the plain near their village, where now are pros-
perous farms, he held before their astonished gaze
four large pictures of the Holy Virgin, and daily
harangued them on the duties of Christianity and
the necessity of conforming their conduct to the
words they heard. His strength was fast declining
and warned him he could not long remain. Find-
ing he must go, the Indians furnished him an
escort as far as the lake, on whose turbulent waters
he embarked with his two faithful attendants.
They turned their canoes for the Mackinaw Mis-
sion, which the afflicted missionary hoped to reach
before death came. As they coasted along the
eastern shores of the lake, the vernal hue of May
began to cover the hillsides with robes of gTeen,
now dimmed to the eye of the departing Father, who
became too weak to view them. By the 19th of
the month, he could go no farther, and requested
his men to land and build him a hut in which he
might pass away. That done, he gave, with great
composure, directions concerning his burial, and
thanked God that he was permitted to die in the
wilderness in the midst of his work, an unshaken
believer in the faith he had so earnestly preached.
As twilight came on, he told his weary attendants
to rest, promising that when death should come he
would call them. At an early hour, on the morn-
ing of the 20th of May, 1675, they heard a feeble
voice, and hastening to his side found that the gen-
tle spirit of the good missionary had gone to heav-
en. His hand grasped the crucifix, and his lips
bore as their last sound the name of the Virgin.
They dug a grave near the banks of the stream
and buried him as he had requested. There in a
lonely wilderness the peaceful soul of Marquette
had at last found a rest, and his weary labors closed.
His companions went on to the mission, where
the news of his death caused great sorrow, for he
was one beloved by all.

Three years after his burial, the Ottawas, hunting
in the vicinity of his grave, determined to carry
his bones to the mission at their home, in accor-
dance with an ancient custom of their tribe. Hav-
ing opened the grave, at whose head a cross had
been planted, they carefully removed the bones and

S r-

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

cleaning them, a funeral prueessuin of thirty canoes
bore them to the Mackinaw Mission, singing the
songs he had taught them. At the shores of tlie
mission the bones were received by the priests, and,
with great ceremony, buried under the floor of the
rude chapel.

While Mar(|uette and Joliet were exploring the
head-waters of the " Great River," another man,
fearless in purpose, pious in heart, and loyal to
his country, was living in Canada and watching
the operations of his fellow countrymen with
keen eyes. When the French first saw the in-
hospitable shores of the St. Lawrence, in 1535,
under the lead of Jacques Cartier, and had opened
a new country to their crown, men were not
lacking to further extend the discovery. In 1008,
Champlain came, and at the foot of a cliff on that
river founded Quebec. Seven years after, he
In'ought four Recollet monks ; and through them
and the Jesuits the discoveries already narrated
occurred. Champlain died in 1GH5, one hundred
years after Cartier's first visit, but not until he
had explored the northern lakes as far as Lake
Huron, on whose rocky shores he, as the progenitor
of a mighty race to follow, set his feet. He, with
others, held to the idea that somewhere across the
country, a river highway extended to the Western
ocean. The reports from the missions whose
history has been given aided this belief; and not
until Marquette and Joliet returned was the delu-
sion in any way dispelled. Before this was done,
however, the man to whom reference has been
made, Robert Cavalier, better known as La Salle,
had endeavored to solve the mystery, and, while
living on his grant of land eight miles above
Montreal, had indeed effected im])ortant discoveries.

La Salle, the next actor in the lit'ld of explor-
ation after Champlain, was born in 1643. His
father's family was among the old and wealthy
burghers of Rouen, France, and its members
were frequently entrusted with important govern-
mental positions. He early exhibited such traits
of character as to mark him among his associates.
Coming from a wealthy family, he enjoyed all the
advantages of his day, and received, for the times,
an excellent education. He was a Catholic,
though his subsequent life does not prove him
to have been a religious enthusiast. From some
cause, he joined the Order of Jjoyola, but the cir-
cumscribed sphere of action set for him in the
order illy concurred with his independent dis-
position, and led to his separation from it. This
was eftected, however, in a good spirit, as they

considered him fit for a different field of action
than any presented by the order. Having a
In-other in Canada, a member of the order of St.
Sulpice, he determined to join him. By his
connection with the Jesuits he had lost his share
of his father's estate, but, by some means, on his
death, which occurred about this time, he was
given a small share; and with this, in lOtIG,
he arrived in Montreal. All Canada was alive
with the news of the explorations; and La
Salle's mind, actively grasping the ideas he
afterward carried out, began to mature plans for
their perfection. At Montreal he found a semi-
nary of priests of the St. Sulpice Order who were
encouraging settlers by grants of land on easy
terms, 'hoping to establish a barrier of settlements
between themselves and the Indians, made ene-
mies to the French by Champlain's actions when
founding Quebec. The Superior of the seminary,
learning of La Salle's arrival, gratuitously offered
him a grant of land on the St. Lawrence, eight
miles above Montreal. The grant, though danger-
ously near the hostile Indians, was accepted, and
La Salle soon enjoyed an excellent trade in furs.
While employed in developing his claim, he learned
of the great unknown route, and burned with a
desire to solve its existence. He applied himself
closely to the study of Indian dialects, and in
three years is said to have made great progress
in their language. While on his farm his
thoughts often tui'ned to the unknown land away
to the west, and, like all men of his day, he
desired to explore the route to the Western sea,
and thence obtain an easy trade with China and
Japan. The " Great River, which flowed to the
sea," must, thought they, find an outlet in the
Gulf of California. While musing on these
things, Marquette and Joliet were preparing to
descend the Wisconsin; and La Salle himself
learned from a wandering band of Senecas that a
river, called the Ohio, arose in their country and
flowed to the sea, but at such a distance that it
would reijuire eight months to reach its mouth.
This must be the Great River, or a part of it:
for all geographers of the day considered the
Mississippi and its tributary as one stream. Plac-
ing great confidence on this hypothesis. La Salle
repaired to Quebec to obtain the sanction
of Gov. Courcelles. His plausible statements
soon won him the Governor and M. Talon, and
letters patent were issued granting the exploration.
No pecuniary aid was offered, and La Salle, hav-
ing expended all his means in improving his

<2_

HTSTOKY OF OHIO.

estate, was obliged to sell it to procure the
necessary outfit. The Superior of the seminary
being favorably disposed toward hiui, purchased
the greater part of his improvement, and realiz-
ing LJ,80U livres, he purchased four canoes and the
necessary supplies lor the; expedition. The semi-
nary was, at the sauje time, preparing for a similar
exploration. The jiriests of this order, emulating
the Jesuits, had established missions on the north-
ern shore of Lake Ontario. Hearing of populous
tribes still further west, they resolved to attempt
their conversion, and deputized two of their number
for the purpose. On going to Quebec to procure
the necessary supplies, they were advised of La
Salle's expedition down the Ohio, and resolved to
uuite themselves with it. La Salle did not alto-
gether favor their attempt, as he believed the
Jesuits already had the field, and would not care
to have any aid from a rival order. His dispo-
sition also would not well brook the part they
assumed, of asking him to be a co-laborer rather
than a leader. However, the expeditions, merged
into one body, left the mission on the St. Law-
rence on the 6th of July, 1GG9, in seven canoes.
The party numbered twenty-four persons, who
were accompanied by two canoes filled with
Indians who had visited La Salle, and who now
acted as guides. Their guides led them up the
St. Lawrence, over the expanse of Lake Ontario,
to their village on the banks of the Genesee,
where they expected to find guides to lead them
on to the Ohio. As La Salle only partially under-
stood their language, he was compelled to confer
with them by means of a Jesuit stationed at the
village. The Lidians refused to furnish him the
expected aid, and even burned before his eyes a
prisoner, the only one who could give him any
knowledge he desired. He surmised the Jesuits
were at the bottom of tha matter, fearful lest the
disciples of St. Sulpice should gain a foothold in
the west. He lingered here a month, with the
hope of accomplishing his object, when, by chance,
there came by an Irocjuois Indian, who assured
them that at his colony, neaV the head of the lake,
they could find guides ; and offered to conduct
them thither. Coming along the southern shore
of the Take, they passed, at its western extremity,
the mouth of the Niagara River, where they heard
for the first time the thunder of the mighty cata-
ract between the two lakes. At thi; village of the
Tro((uois they met a friendly reception, and were
informed by a Shawanese prisoner that they could
reach the Ohio in six weeks' time, and that he

would guide them there. While preparing to
commence the journey, they heard of the missions
to the northwest, and the priests resolved to go
there and convert the natives, and find the river
by that route. It appears that Louis Joliet met
them here, on his return from visiting the copper
mines of Lake Superior, under command of M.
Talon. He gave the priests a map of the country,
and informed them that the Indians of those
regions were in great need of spiritual advisers.
This strengthened their intention, though warned
by La Salle, that the Jesuits were undoubtedly
there. The authority for Joliet's visit to them
here is not clearly given, and may not be true,
but the same letter which gives the account of
the discovery of the Ohio at this time by La Salle,
states it as a fact, and it is hence inserted. The
missionaries and La Salle separated, the former to
find, as he had predicted, the followers of Loyola
already in the field, and not wanting their aid.
Hence they return from a fruitless tour.

La Salle, now left to himself and just recovering
from a violent fever, went on his journey. From
the paper from which these statements are taken,
it appears he went on to Onondaga, where he pro-
cured guides to a tributary of the Ohio, down
which he proceeded to the principal stream, on
whose bosom he continued his way till he came to
the foils at the present city of Louisville, Ky. It
has been asserted that he went on down to its
mouth, but that is not well authenticated and is
hardly true. The statement that he went as far as
the falls is, doubtless, correct. He states, in a letter
to Count Frontenac in 1677, that he discovered
the Ohio, and that he descended it to the falls.
Moreover, Joliet, in a measure his rival, for he was
now preparing to go to the northern lakes and
from them search the river, made two maps repre-
senting the lakes and the Mississippi, on both of
which he states that La Salle had discovered the
Ohio. Of its course beyond the falls. La Salle
does not seem to have learned anything definite,
hence his discovery did not in any way settle the
great question, and elicited but little comment.
Still, it stimulated La Salle to more effort, and
while musing on his plans, Joliet and Marquette
push on from Green Bay, and discover the river
and ascertain the general course of its outlet. On
Joliet's return in 1673, he seems to drop from
further notice. Other and more venturesome souls
were ready to finish the work begun by himself
and the zealous Marquette, who, left among the
far-away nations, laid down his life. The spirit of

■"« 9\

'^€_^^-L-^'I>;

HISTORY OF OHIO.

La Salle was equal to the enterprise, and as he now
had returned from one voyage of discovery, he
stood ready to solve the mystery, and gain the
country for his King. Before this could be ac-
complished, however, he saw other things must be
done, and made preparations on a scale, for the
time, truly marvelous.

Count Frontenae, the new Grovernor, had no
sooner established himself in power than he gave a
searching glance over the new realm to see if any
undeveloped resources lay yet unnoticed, and what
country yet remained open. He learned from the
exploits of La Salle on the Ohio, and from Joliet,
now returned from the West, of that immense
country, and resolving in his mind on some plan
whereby it could be formally taken, entered
heartily into the plans of La Salle, who, anxious to
solve the mystery concerning the outlet of the
Great River, gave him the outline of a plan, saga-
cious in its conception and grand in its compre-
hension. La Salle had also informed him of the
endeavors of the English on the Atlantic coast to
divert the trade with the Indians, and partly to
counteract this, were the plans of La Salle adopted.
They were, briefly, to build a chain of forts from
Canada, or New France, along the lakes to the
Mississippi, and on down that river, thereby hold-
ing the country by power as well as by discovery.
A fort was to be built on the Ohio as soon as the
means could be obtained, and thereby hold that
country by the same policy. Thus to La Salle
alone may be ascribed the bold plan of gaining the
whole West, a plan only thwarted by the force of
arms. Through the aid of Frontenae, he was
given a proprietary and the rank of nobility, and
on his proprietary was erected a fort, which he, in
honor of his Governor, called Fort Frontenae. It
stood on the site of the present city of Kingston,
Canada. Through it he obtained the trade of the
Five Nations, and his fortune was so far assured.
He next repaired to France, to perfect his arrange-
ments, secure his title and obtain means.

On his return he built the fort alluded to, and
prepared to go on in the prosecution of his plan.
A civil discord arose, however, which for three
years prevailed, and seriously threatened his
projects. As soon as he could extricate himself,
he again repaired to France, receiving additional
encouragement in money, grants, and the exclusive
privilege of a trade in buifalo skins, then consid-
ered a source of great wealth. On his return, he
was accompanied by Henry Tonti, son of an illus-
trious Italian nobleman, who had fled from his

own country during one of its political revolutions.
Coming to France, he made himself famous as the
founder of Tontine Life Insurance. Henry Tonti
possessed an indomitable will, and though he had
suffered the loss of one of his hands by the ex-
plosion of a grenade in one of the Sicilian wars,
his courage was undaunted, and his ardor un-
dimmed. La Salle also I )ro ugh t recruits, mechanics,
sailors, cordage and sails I'or rigging a ship, and
merchandise for traffic with the natives. At
Montreal, he secured the services of M. LaMotte, a
person of much energy and integrity of character.
He also secured several missionaries before he
reached Fort Frontenae. Among them' were
Louis Hennepin, Gabriel Ribourde and Zenabe
Membre. All these were Flemings, all Recollets.
Hennepin, of all of them, proved the best assist-
ant. They arrived at the fort early in the autumn
of 1678, and preparations were at once made to
erect a vessel in which to navigate the lakes, and
a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River. The
Senecas were rather adverse to the latter proposals
when La Motte and Hennepin came, but by
the elocjuence of the latter, they were pacified
and rendered friendly. After a number of vexa-
tious delays, the vessel, the Griffin, the first on the
lakes, was built, and on the 7th of August, a year
after La Salle came here, it was launched, passed
over the waters of the northern lakes, and, after a
tempestuous voyage, landed at Green Bay. It was
soon after stored with furs and sent back, while
La Salle and his men awaited its return. It was
never afterward heard of. La Salle, becoming
impatient, erected a fort, pushed on with a
part of his men, leaving part at the fort,
and passed over the St. Joseph and Kankakee
Rivers, and thence to the Illinois, down whose
flood they proceeded to Peoria Lake, where
he was obliged to halt, and return to Canada
for more men and supplies. He left Tonti
and several men to complete a fort, called
Fort " Crevecoeur " — broken-hearted. The Indians
drove the French away, the men mutinied, and
Tonti was obliged to flee. When La Salle returned,
he found no one there, and going down as far as
the mouth of the Illinois, he retraced his steps, to
find some trace of his garrison. Tonti was found
safe among the Pottawatomies at Green Bay, and
Hennepin and his two followers, sent to explore
the head-waters of the IMississippi, were again
home, after a captivity among the Sioux.

La Salle renewed his force of men, and the third
time set out for the outlet of the Great River.

-D

HISTORY OF OHIO.

He left Canada early in December, 1681, and by
February G, 1682, reached the majestic flood of
the mighty stream. On the 24th, they ascended
the Chickasaw Bluff's, and, while waiting to find
a sailor who had strayed away, erected Fort Prud-
homme. They passed several Indian villages fur-
ther down the river, in some of which they met
with no little opposition. Proceeding onward, ere-
long they encountered the tide of the sea, and
April 6, they emerged on the broad bosom of the
Grulf, "tossing its restless billows, limitless, voice-
less and lonely as when born of chaos, without a
sign of life."

Coasting about a short time on the shores of
the Gulf, the party returned until a sufficiently
dry place was reached to effect a landing. Here
another cross was raised, also a column, on which
was inscribed these words:

" Louis i-E Grand, Roi de France et de Navarre,
Regse; Le Neuvieme, Avrii., 1682." *

" The whole party," says a " proces verbal," in
the archives of France, " chanted the Te Deum^
the Exaudiat and the Domine salvum fac Regem^
and then after a salute of fire-arms and cries of
Vice le Roi, La Salle, standing near the column,
said in a loud voice in French :

" In the name of the most high, mighty, invin-
cible and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by
the grace of God, King of France and of Navarre,
Fourteenth of that name, this ninth day of April,
one thousand six hundred and eighty two, I, in
virtue of the commission of His Majesty, which I
hold in my hand, and which may be seen by all
whom it may concern, have taken, and do now
take, in the name of His Majesty and of his suc-
cessors to the crown, possession of this country of
Louisiana, the seas, harbor, ports, bays, adjacent
straights, and all the nations, people, provinces, cities,
towns, villages, mines, minerals, fisheries, streams
and rivers, comprised in the extent of said Louisiana,
from the north of the great river St. Louis, other-
wise called the Ohio, Alighin, Sipore or Chukago-
na, and this with the consent of the Chavunons,
Chickachaws, and other people dwelling therein,
with whom we have made alliance; as also along
the river Colbert or Mississip])i, and rivers which
discharge themselves therein from its source beyond
the Kious or Nadouessious, and this with their
consent, and with the consent of the Illinois, Mes-
igameas, Natchez, Koroas, which are the most con-
siderable nations dwelling therein, with whom also

* Louis the Great, King of France and of Navarre, reigning the
ninth day of April, lt>82.

we have made alliance, either by ourselves or others
in our behalf, as far as its mouth at the sea or
Gulf of Mexico, about the twenty-seventh degree
of its elevation of the North Pole, and also to the
mouth of the River of Palms; upon the assurance
which we have received from all these nations that
Ave are the first Europeans who have descended or
ascended the river Colbert, hereby protesting
against all those who may in future undertake to
invade any or all of these countries, peoples or
lands, to the prejudice of the right of His Majesty,
acquired by the consent of the nations herein
named."

The whole assembly responded with shouts and
the salutes of fire-arms. The Sieur de La Salle
caused to be planted at the foot of the column a
plate of lead, on one side of which was inscribed
the arms of France and the following Latin inscrip-
tion:

Robertvs Cavellier, cvm Domino de Tonly, Legato,
R. P. Zenobi Membro, Recollecto, et, Viginti Gallis
Primos Hoc Flvmen incle ab ilineorvni Pago, enavigavit,
ejvsqve ostivni fecit Pervivvm, none Aprilis cia ioc
LXXXIL

The whole proceedings were acknowledged be-
fore La Metaire, a notary, and the conquest was
considered complete.

Thus was the foundation of France laid in the
new republic, and thus did she lay claim to the
Northwest, which now includes Ohio, and the
county, whose history this book perpetuates.

La Salle and his party returned to Canada soon
after, and again that country, and France itself,
rang with anthems of exultation. He went on to
France, where he received the highest honors.
He was given a fleet, and sailors as well as colon-
ists to return to the New World by way of a south-
ern voyage, expecting to find the mouth of the
Mississippi by an ocean course. Sailing past the
outlets, he was wrecked on the coast of Texas, and
in his vain endeavors to find the river or return to
Canada, he became lost on the plains of Arkansas,
where he, in 1687, was basely murdered by one of
his followers. " You are down now, Grand Bashaw,"
exclaimed his slayer, and despoiling bis remains, they
left them to be devoured by wild beasts. To such
an ignominious end came this daring, bold adven-
turer. Alone in the wilderness, he was left, Avith
no monument but the vast realm he had discov-
ered, on whose bosom he was left without cover-
ing and without protection.

" For force of will and vast conception ; for va-
rious knowledge, and quick adaptation of his genius

:\:

HISTORY OF OHIO.

to untried circumstances; for a sublime magnani-
mity, that resigned itself to the will of Heaven,
and yet triumphed over affliction by energy of
purpose and unfaltering hope — he had no superior
among his countrymen. He had won the affec-
tions of the governor of Canada, the esteem of
Colbert, the confidence of Seignelay, the favor of
Louis XIV. After the beginning of the coloniza-
tion of Upper Canada, he perfected the discovery
of the Mississippi from the Falls of St. Anthony
to its inouth ; and he will be remembered through
all time as the father of colonization in the great
central valley of the West."*

Avarice, passion and jealousy were not calmed by
the blood of La Salle. All of his conspirators per-
ished by ignoble deaths, while only seven of the six-
teen succeeded in continuing the journey until
they reached Canada, and thence found their way
to France.

Tonti, who had been left at Fort St. Louis, on
" Starved Rock" on the Illinois, went down in
search of his beloved commander. Failing to find
him, he returned and remained here until 1700,
thousands of miles away from friends. Then he
went down the Mississippi to join D" Iberville, who
had made the discovery of the mouth of the Mis-
sissippi by an ocean voyage. Two years later, he
went on a mission to the Chickasaws, but of his
subsequent history nothing is known.

The West was now in possession of the French.
La Salle's. plans were yet feasible. The period of
exploration was now over. The great river and
its outlet was known, and it only remained for that
nation to enter in and occupy what to many a
Frenchman was the " Promised Land." Only
eighteen years had elapsed since Marquette and
Joliet had descended the river and shown the
course of its outlet. A spirit, less bold than La
Salle's would never in so short a time have pene-
trated for more than a thousand miles an unknown
wilderness, and solved the mystery of the world.

When Joutel and his companions reached France
in 1688, all Europe was on the eve of war. Other
nations than the French wanted part of the New
World, and when they saw that nation greedily
and rapidly accumulating territory there, they en-
deavored to stay its progress. The league of Augs-
burg was formed in 1687 by the princes of the Em-
pire to restrain the ambition of Louis XIV, and
in 1688, he began hostilities by the capture of
Philipsburg. The next year, England, under the

* Bancroft.

lead of William III, joined the alliance, and Louis
found himself compelled, with only the aid of the
Turks, to contend against the united forces of the
Empires of England, Spain, Holland, Denmark,
Sweden and Norway. Yet the tide of battle wa-
vered. In 1689, the French were defeated at
Walcourt, and the Turks at Widin; but in 1690,
the French were victorious at Charleroy, and the
Turks at Belgrade. The next year, and also the
next, victory inclined to the French, but in 1693,
Louvois and Luxemberg were dead and Namur
surrendered to the allies. The war extended to the
New World, where it was maintained with more
than equal success by the French, though the En-
glish population exceeded it more than twenty to one.
in 1688, the French were estimated at about
twelve thousand souls in North America, while the
English were more than two hundred thousand.
At first the war was prosecuted vigorously. In
1689, De. Ste. Helene and D'lberville, two of the
sons of Charles le Morne, crossed the wilderness
and reduced the English forts on Hudson's Bay.
But in Aug-ust of the same year, the Iroquois, the
hereditary foes of the French, captured and burned
Montreal. Frontenac, who had gone on an ex-
pedition against New York by sea, was recalled.
Fort Frontenac was abandoned, and no French
posts left in the West between Trois Rivieres and
Mackinaw, and were it not for the Jesuits the en-
tire West would now have been abandoned. To
recover their influence, the French planned three
expeditions. One resulted in the destruction of
Schenectady, another, Salmon Falls, and the third,
Casco Bay. On the other hand, Nova Scotia was
reduced by the colonies, and an expedition against
Montreal went as far as to Lake Champlain, where
it failed, owing to the di.ssensions of the leaders.
Another expedition, consisting of twenty-four ves-
sels, arrived before Quebec, which also failed
through the incompetency of Sir William Phipps.
During the succeeding years, various border con-
flicts occurred, in all of which border scenes of
savage cruelty and savage ferocity were enacted.
The peace of Ryswick, in 1697, closed the war.
France retained Hudson's Bay, and all the places
of which she was in possession in 1688; but the
boundaries of the English and French claims in
the New World were still unsettled.

The conclusion of the conflict left the French
at liberty to pursue their scheme of colonization
in the Mississippi Valley. In 1698, D'lberville
was sent to the lower province, which, erelong,
was made a separate independency, called Louisiana.

1£

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Forts were erected on Mobile Bay, and the division
of the territory between the French and the
Spaniards was settled. Trouble existed between
the French and the Chickasaws, ending in the
cruel deaths of many of the leaders, in the
fruitless endeavors of the Canadian and Louisi-
anian forces combining against the Chickasaws.
For many years the conflict raged, with unequal
successes, until the Indian power gave way before
superior military tactics. In the end. New Orleans
was founded, in 1718, and the French power
secured.

Before this was consummated, however, France
became entangled in another war against the
allied powers, ending in her defeat and the loss
of Nova Scotia, Hudson's Bay and Newfound-
land. The peace of Utrecht closed the war
in 1713.

The French, weary with prolonged strife,
adopted the plan, more peaceful in its nature, of
giving out to distinguished men the monopoly of
certain districts in the fur trade, the most pros-
perous of any avocation then. Crozat and
Cadillac — the latter the founder of Detroit, in
1701 — were the chief ones concerned in this.
The founding of the villages of Kaskaskia, Ca-
hokia, Vincennes, and others in the Mississippi
and Wabash Valleys, led to the rapid develop-
ment, according to the French custom of all
these parts of the West, while along all the chief
water-courses, other trading posts and forts were
established, rapidly fulfilling the hopes of La
Salle, broached so many years before.

The French had, at the beginning of the
eighteenth century, four principal routes to their
western towns, two of which passed over the soil
of Ohio. The first of these was the one followed
by Marquette and Joliet, by way of the Lakes to
Green Bay, in Wisconsin ; thence across a portage
to the Wisconsin River, down which they floated
to the Mississippi. On their return they came
up the Illinois River, to the site of Chicago,
whence Joliet returned to Quebec by the Lakes.
La Salle's route was first by the Lakes to the St.
Joseph's River, which he followed to the portage
to the Kankakee, and tlience downward to the
Mississippi. On his second and third attempt,
he crossed the lower peninsula of Michigan to
the Kankakee, and again traversed its waters to
the Illinois. The third route was established
about 1716. It followed the southern shores of
Lake Elrie to the mouth of the Maumee River;
following this stream, the voyagers went on to the

junction between it and the St. Mary's, which
they followed to the " Oubache " — Wabash — and
then to the French villages in Vigo and Knox
Counties, in Indiana. Vincennes was the oldest
and most important one here. It had been
founded in 1702 by a French trader, and was, at
the date of the establishment of the third route,
in a prosperous condition. For many years, the
traders crossed the plains of Southern Illinois to
the French towns on the bottoms opposite St.
Louis. They were afraid to go on down the
" Waba " to the Ohio, as the Indians had fright-
ened them with accounts of the great monsters
below. Finally, some adventurous spirit went
down the river, found it emptied into the Ohio,
and solved the problem of the true outlet of the
Ohio, heretofore supposed to be a tributary of the
Wabash.

The fourth route was from the southern shore
of Lake Erie, at Presqueville, over a portage of
fifteen miles to the head of French Creek, at
Waterford, Penn.; thence down that stream to the
Ohio, and on to the Mississippi. Along all these
routes, ports and posts were carefully maintained.
Many were on the soil of Ohio, and were the first
attempts of the white race to possess its domain.
Many of the ruins of these posts are yet found on
the southern shore of Lake Erie, and at the
outlets of streams flowing into the lake and the Ohio
River. The principal forts were at Mackinaw, at
Presqueville, at the mouth of the St. Joseph's, on
Starved Rock, and along the Father of Waters.
Yet another power was encroaching on them : a
sturdy race, clinging to the inhospitable Atlantic
shores, were coming over the mountains. The
murmurs of a conflict were already heard — a con-
flict that would change the fate of a nation.

The French were extending their explorations
beyond the Mississippi; they were also forming a
political organization, and increasing their influence
over the natives. Of a passive nature, however,
their power and their influence could not with-
stand a more aggressive nature, and they were
obliged, finally, to give way. They had the
fruitful valleys of the West more than a century ;
yet they developed no resources, opened no mines
of wealth, and left the country as passive as they
found it.

Of the growth of the West under French rule,
but little else remains to be said. The sturdy
Anglo-Saxon race on the Atlantic coast, and their
progenitors in England, began, now, to turn their
attention to this vast country. The voluptuousness

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HISTORY or OHIO.

of the French court, their neglect of the true
basis of wealth, agriculture, and the repressive
tendencies laid on the colonists, led the latter to
adopt a hunter's life, and leave the country unde-
veloped and ready for the people who claimed the
country from "sea to sea." Their explorers were
now at work. The change was at hand.

Occasional mention has been made in the his-
tory of the State, in preceding pages, of settle-
ments and trading-posts of the French traders,
explorers and missionaries, wdthin the limits of
Ohio. The French were the first white men to
occupy the northwestern part of the New World,
and though their stay was brief, yet it opened the
way to a sinewy race, living on the shores of the
Atlantic, who in time came, saw, and conquered
that part of America, making it what the people
of to-day enjoy.

As early as 1669, four years before the discov-
ery of the Mississippi by Joliet and Marquette,
La iSalle, the famous explorer, discovered the Ohio
River, and paddled down its gentle current as far
as the falls at the present city of Louisville, but he,
like others of the day, made no settlement on its
hanks, only claiming the country for his King by
virtue of this discovery.

Early in the beginning of the eighteenth cent-
ury, French traders and voyagers passed along the
southern shores of Lake Erie, to the mouth of the
Maumee, up whose waters they rowed their bark
canoes, on their way to their outposts in the Wa-
bash and Illinois Valleys, established between
1675 and 1700. As soon as they could, without
danger from their inveterate enemies, the Iroquois,
masters of all the lower lake country, erect a
trading-post at the mouth of this river, they did
so. It was made a depot of considerable note,
and was, probably, the first permanent habitation
of white men in Ohio. It remained until after
the peace of 1763, the termination of the French
and Indian war, and the occupancy of this country
by the English. On the site of the French trading-
post, the British, in 1794, erected Fort Miami,
which they garrisoned until the country came
under the control of Americans. Now, Maumee
City covers the ground.

The French had a trading-post at the mouth of
the Huron River, in what is now Erie County.
When it was built is not now known. It was, how-
ever, probably one of their early outposts, and
may have been built before 1750. They had an-
other on the shore of the bay, on or near the site
of Sandusky City. Both this and the one at the

mouth of the Huron River were abandoned befoi'e
the war of the Revolution. On Lewis Evan's map
of the British Middle Colonies, published in 1755,
a French fort, called " Fort Junandat, built in
1754," is marked on the east bank of the San-
dusky River, several miles below its mouth. Fort
Sandusky, on the western bank, is also noted.
Several Wyandot towns are likewise marked. But
very little is known concerning any of these
trading-posts. They were, evidently, only tempo-
rary, and were abandoned when the English came
into possession of the country.

The mouth of the Cuyahoga River was another
important place. On Evan's map there is marked
on the west bank of the Cuyahoga, some distance
from its mouth, the words ^^ French House,'' doubt-
less, the station of a French trader. The ruins
of a house, found about five miles from the mouth
of the river, on the west bank, are supposed to
be those of the trader's station.

In 1786, the Moravian missionary, Zeisberger,
with his Indian converts, left Detroit in a vessel
called the Mackinaw, and sailed to the mouth of
the Cuyahoga. From there they went up the
river about ten miles, and settled in an abandoned
Ottawa village, where Independence now is, which
place they called " Saint's Rest." Their stay was
brief, for the following April, they left for the
Huron River, and settled near the site of Milan,
Erie County, at a locality they called New Salem.

There are but few records of settlements made
by the French until after 1750. Even these can
hardly be called settlements, as they were simply
trading-posts. The French easily affiliated with
the Indians, and had little energy beyond trading.
They never cultivated fields, laid low forests, and
subjugated the country. They were a half-Indian
race, so to speak, and hence did little if anything
in developing the West.

About 1749, some English traders came to a
place in what is now Shelby County, on the
banks of a creek since known as Loramie's
Creek, and established a trading-station with the
Indians. This was the first English trading-place
or attempt at settlement in the State. It was here
but a short time, however, when the French, hear-
ing of its existence, sent a party of soldiers to the
Twigtwees, among whom it wa.s founded, and de-
manded the traders as intruders upon French ter-
ritory. The Twigtwees refusing to deliver up
their friends, the French, assisted by a large party
of Ottawas and Chippewas, attacked the trading-
house, probably a block-house, and, after a severe

HISTORY or OHIO.

battle, captured it. The traders were taken to
Canada. This fort was called by the English
" Pickawillany," from which "Piqua" is probably
derived. About the time that Kentucky was Set-
tled, a Canadian Frenchman, named Loramie,
established a store on the site of the old fort. He
was a bitter enemy of the Americans, and for a
long time Loramie's store was the headquarters of
mischief toward the settlers.

The French had the faculty of endearing them-
selvjes to the Indians by their easy assimilation of
their habits; and, no doubt, Loramie was CKjual to
any in this respect, and hence gained great influ-
ence over them. Col. Johnston, many years an
Indian Agent from the United States among the
Western tribes, stated that he had often seen the
" Indians burst into tears when speaking of the
times when their French father had dominion
over them ; and their attachment always remained
unabated."

So much influence had Loramie with the In-
dians, that, when Gen. Clarke, from Kentucky,
invaded the Miami Valley in 1782, his attention
was attracted to the spot. He came on and burnt
the Indian settlement here, and destroyed the store
of the Frenchman, selling his goods among the
men at auction. Loramie fled to the Shawanees,
and, with a colony of that nation, emigrated west
of the Mississippi, to the Spanish possessions,
where he again began his life of a trader.

In 1794, during the Indian war, a fort was
built on the site of the store by Wayne, and
named Fort Loramie. The last officer who had
command here was Capt. Butler, a nephew of
Col. Richard Butler, who fell at St. Clair's defeat.
While here with his family, he lost an interesting
boy, about eight years of age. About his grave,
the sorrowing ftither and mother built a substantial
picket-fence, planted honeysuckles over it, which,
long after, remained to mark the grave of the
soldier's boy.

The site of Fort Loramie was always an im-
portant point, and was one of the places defined
on the boundary line at the Grreenville treaty.
Now a barn covers the spot.

At the junction of the Auglaize and Maumee
Rivers, on the site of Fort Defiance, built by Gen.
Wayne in 1794, was a settlement of traders,
established some time before the Indian war
began. " On the high ground extending from the
Maumee a quarter of a mile up the Auglaize,
about two hundred yards in width, was an open
space, on the west and south of which were oak

woods, with hazel undergrowth. Within this
opening, a few hundred yards above the point, on
the steep bank of the Auglaize, were five or six
cabins and log houses, inhabited principally by
Indian traders. The most northerly, a large
hewed-log house, divided below into three apart-
ments, was occupied as a warehouse, store and
dwelling, by George Ironside, the most wealthy
and influential of the traders on the point. Next
to his were the houses of Pirault (Pero) a French
baker, and McKenzie, a Scot, who, in addition to
merchandising, followed the occupation of a silver-
smith, exchanging with the Indians his brooches,
ear-drops and other silver ornaments, at an
enormous profit, for skins and furs.

Still further up were several other fami-
lies of French and English; and two Ameri-
can prisoners, Henry Ball, a soldier taken in St.
Clair's defeat, and his wife, Polly Meadows,
captured at the same time, were allowed to live
here and pay their masters the price of their
ransom — he, by boating to the rapids of the Mau-
mee, and she by washing and sewing. Fronting
the house of Ironside, and about fifty yards from
the bank, was a small stockade, inclosing two
hewed-log houses, one of which was occupied by
James Girty (a brother of Simon), the other,
occasionally, by EUiott and McKee, British
Indian Agents living at Detroit."*

The post, cabins and all they contained fell
under the control of the Americans, when the
British evacuated the shores of the lakes.
While they existed, they were an undoubted
source of Indian discontent, and had much to do
in prolonging the Indian war. The country
hereabouts did not settle until some time after
the creation of the State government.

As soon as the French learned the true source
of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, both were made
a highway to convey the products of their hunt-
ers. In coursing down the Ohio, they made
trading-places, or depots, where they could obtain
furs of the Indians, at accessible points, generally
at the mouths of the rivers emptying into the
Ohio. One of these old forts or trading-places
stood about a mile and a half south of the outlet
of the Scioto. It was here in 1740; but when
it was erected no one could tell. The locality
must have been pretty well known to the whites,
however; for, in 1785, three years before the
settlement of Marietta was made, four families

* Narrative of 0. M. Spencer.

~71

•>.:

HISTORY OF OHIO.

made an ineffectual attempt to settle near the same
place. They were from Kentucky, but were
driven away by the Indians a short time after
they arrived, not being allowed to build cabins,
and had only made preparations to plant corn
and other necessaries of life. While the men
were encamped near the vicinity of Piketown,
in Pike County, when on a hunting expedition,
they were surprised by the Indians, and two of
them slain. The others hastened back to the
encampment at the mouth of the Scioto, and
hurriedly gathering the families together, fortu-
nately got them on a flat-boat, at tfcat hour on its
way down the river. By the aid of the boat,
they were enabled to reach Maysville, and gave
up the attempt to settle north of the Ohio.

The famous "old Scioto Salt Works," in Jack-
son County, on the banks of Salt Creek, a tributary
of the Scioto, were long known to the whites before
any attempt was made to settle in Ohio. They
were indicated on the maps published in 1755.
They were the resort, for generations, of the In-
dians in all parts of the West, who annually came
here to make salt. They often brought white
prisoners with them, and thus the salt works be-
came known. There were no attempts made to
settle here, however, until after the Indian war,
which closed in 1795. As soon as peace was as-
sured, the whites came here for salt, and soon after
made a settlement. Another early salt spring
was in what is now Trumbull County. It is also
noted on Evan's map of 1755. They were occu-
pied by the Indians, French, and by the Americans
as early as 1780, and perhaps earlier.

As early as 1761 Moravian missionaries came
among the Ohio Indians and began their labors.
In a few years, under the lead of Revs. Fredrick
Post and John Heckewelder, permanent stations
were established in several parts of the State, chief-
ly on the Tuscarawas River in Tuscarawas County.
Here were the three Indian villages — Shoenburn,
Gnadenhutten and Salem. The site of the first is
about two miles south of New Philadelphia ; Gna-
denhutten was seven miles further south, and about
five miles still on was Salem, a short distance from
the present village of Port Washington. The first
and last named of these villages were on the west
side of the Tuscarawas River, near the margin of
the Ohio Canal. Gnadenhutten was on the east
side of the river. It was here that the brutal
massacre of these Christian Indians, by the rangers
under Col. Williamson, occurred March 8, 17S2.
The account of the massacre and of these tribes

appears in these pages, and it only remains to
notice what became of them.

The hospitable and friendly character of these
Indians had extended beyond their white breth-
ren on the Ohio. The American people at large
looked on the act of Williamson and his men as an
outrage on humanity. Congress felt its influence,
and gave them a tract of twelve thousand acres,
embracing their former homes, and induced them
to return from the northern towns whither they had
fled. As the whites came into the country, their
manners degenerated until it became necessary to
remove them. Through Gen. Cass, of Michigan,
an agreement was made with them, whereby Con-
gress paid them over $6,000, an annuity of $400,
and 24,000 acres in some territory to be designated
by the United States. This treaty, by some means,
was never effectually carried out, and the princi-
pal part of them took up their • residence near a
Moravian missionary station on the River Thames,
in Canada. Their old churchyard still exists on
the Tuscarawas River, and here rest the bones of
several of their devoted teachers. It is proper
to remark here, that Mary Heckewelder, daughter
of the missionary, is generally believed to have
been the first white child born in Ohio. How-
ever, this is largely conjecture. Captive women
among the Indians, before the birth of Mary
Heckewelder, are known to have borne children,
which afterward, with their mothers, were restored
to their friends. The assertion that Mary
Heckewelder was the first child born in Ohio, is
therefore incorrect. She is the first of whom any
definite record is made.

These outposts and the Gallipolis settlement are
about all that are known to have existed prior to the
settlement at Marietta. About one-half mile below
Bolivar, on the western line of Tuscarawas County,
are the remains of Fort Laurens, erected in 1778
by a detachment of 1,000 men under Gen. Mc-
intosh, from Fort Pitt. It was, however, occu-
pied but a short time, vacated in August, 1779, as
it was deemed untenable at such a distance from
the frontier.

During the existence of the six years' Indian
war, a settlement of French emigrants was made
on the Ohio River, that deserves notice. It illus-
trates very clearly the extreme ignorance and
credulity prevalent at that day. In May or June
of 1788, Joel Barlow left this country for Europe,
" authorized to dispose of a very large body of
land in the West. " In 1790, he distributed pro-
posals in Paris for the disposal of lands at five

!£:

HISTORY OF OHIO.

shillings per acre, which, says Volney, " promised
a climate healthy and delightful ; scarcely such a
thing as a frost in the winter ; a river, called by
way of eminence ' The Beautiful, ' abounding in
fish of an enormous size ; magnificent forests of a
tree from which sugar flows, and a shrub which
yields candles ; venison in abundance ; no military
enrollments, and no quarters to find for soldiers."
Pui-chasers became numerous, individuals and
whole families sold their property, and in the
course of 1791 many embarked at the various
French sea-ports, each with his title in his pocket.
Five hundred settlers, among whom were many
wood carvers and guilders to His Majesty, King of
France, coachmakers, friseurs and peruke makers,
and other artisans and artistes, equally well fitted
for a frontier life, arrived in the United States in
1791-92, and acting without concert, traveling
without knowledge of the language, customs and
roads, at last managed to reach the spot designated
for their residence. There they learned they had
been cruelly deceived, and that the titles they held
were worthless. Without food, shelterless, and
danger closing around them, they were in a position
that none but a Frenchman could be in without
despair. Who brought them thither, and who was
to blame, is yet a disputed point. Some affirm
that those to whom large grants of land were made
when the Ohio Company procured its charter, were
the real instigators of the movement. They failed
to pay for their lands, and hence the title reverted
to the Grovernment. This, coming to the ears of
the poor Frenchmen, rendered their situation more
distressing. They never paid for their lands, and
only through the clemency of Congress, who after-
ward gave them a grant of land, and confirmed
them in its title, were they enabled to secure a foot-
hold. Whatever doubt there may be as to the

causes of these people being so grossly deceived,
there can be none regarding their sufferings. They
had followed a jack-o-lantern into the howling
wilderness, and must work or starve. The land
upon which they had been located was covered
with immense forest trees, to level which the coach-
makers were at a loss. At last, hoping to conquer
by a coup de main, they tied ropes to the branches,
and while a dozen pulled at them as many fell at
the trunk with all sorts of edged tools, and thus
soon brought the monster to the earth. Yet he
was a burden. He was down, to be sure, but as
much in the way as ever. Several lopped off" the
branches, others dug an immense trench at his side,
into which, with might and main, all rolled the
large log, and then buried him from sight. They
erected their cabins in a cluster, as they had seen
them in their own native land, thus affording some
protection from marauding bands of Indians.
Though isolated here in the lonely wilderness, and
nearly out of funds with which to purchase pro-
visions from descending boats, yet once a week
they met and drowned care in a merry dance,
greatly to the wonderment of the scout or lone
Indian who chanced to witness their revelry.
Though their vivacity could work wonders, it would
not pay for lands nor buy provisions. Some of those
at Gallipolis (for such they called their settlement,
from Gallia, in France) went to Detroit, some to
Kaskaskia, and some bought land of the Ohio
Company, who treated them liberally. Congress,
too, in 1795, being informed of their sufferings,
and how they had been deceived, granted them
24,000 acres opposite Little Sandy River, to which
grant, in 1798, 12,000 acres more were added.
The tract has since been known as French Grant.
The settlement is a curious episode in early West-
ern history, and deserves a place in its annals.

":?"

HISTORY OF OHIO.

CHAPTER III.

ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS— TRADERS— FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR IN THE WEST — ENGLISH

POSSESSION,

AS has been noted, the French title rested on
the discoveries of their missionaries and
traders, upon the occupation of the country, and
upon the construction of the treaties of Ryswick,
Utrecht and Aix hi Chapelle. The English
claims to the same region were based on the fact
of a prior occupation of the corresponding coast,
on an opposite construction of the same treaties,
and an alleged cession of the rights of the
Indians. The rights acquired by discovery were
conventional, and in equity were good only
between European powers, and could not aflPect the
rights of the natives, but this distinction was dis-
regarded by all European powers. The inquiry of
an Indian chief embodies the whole controversy:
" Where are the Indian lands, since the French
claim all on the north side of the Ohio and the
English all on the south side of it?"

The English charters expressly granted to all
the original colonies the country westward to the
South Sea, and the claims thus set up in the West,
though held in abeyance, were never relinquished.
The primary distinction between the two nations
governed their actions in the New World, and led
finally to the supremacy of the English. They
were fixed agricultural communities. The French
were mere trading-posts. Though the French
were the prime movers in the exploration of the
West, the English made discoveries during their
occupation, however, mainly by their traders, who
penetrated the Western wilderness by way of the
Ohio River, entering it from the two streams which
uniting form that river. Daniel Coxie, in 1722,
published, in London, "A description of the
English province of Carolina, by the Spaniards
called Florida, and by the French called La Louis-
iane, as also the great and famous river Mescha-
cebe, or Mississippi, the five vast navigable lakes
of fresh water, and the parts adjacent, together
with an account of the commodities of the growth
and production of the said province." The title
of this work exhibits very clearly the opinions of
the English people respecting the West. As early
as 1680, Charles I granted to Sir Robert Heath
" All that part of America lying between thirty-

one and thirty-six degrees north latitude, from sea
to sea," out of which the limits of Carolina were
afterward taken. This immense grant was con-
veyed in 1638, to the Earl of Arundel, and after-
ward came into the possession of Dr. Daniel Coxie.
In the prosecution of this claim, it appeared that
Col. Wood, of Virginia, from 1654 to 1664, ex-
plored several branches of the Ohio and " Mescha-
cebe," as they spell the Mississippi. A Mr. Need-
ham, who was employed by Col. Wood, kept a
journal of the exploration. There is also the ac-
count of some one who had explored the Missis-
sippi to the Yellow, or Missouri River, before 1676.
These, and others, are said to have been there
when La Salle explored the outlet of the Great
River, as he found tools among the natives which
were of European manufiicture. They had been
brought here by English adventurers. Also, when
Iberville was colonizing the lower part of Louis-
iana, these same persons visited the Chickasaws
and stirred them up against the French. It is also
stated that La Salle found that some one had been
among the Natchez tribes when he returned from
the discovery of the outlet of the IMississippi, and
excited them against him. There is, however, no
good authority for these statements, and they are
doubtless incorrect. There is also an account that
in 1678, several persons went from New England
as far south as New Mexico, " one hundred and
fifty leagues beyond the Meschacebe," the narrative
reads, and on their return wrote an account of the
expedition. This, also, cannot be traced to good
authority. The only accurate account of the
English reaching the West was when Bienville
met the British vessel at the "English Turn,"
about 1700. A few of their traders may have
been in the valley west of the Alleghany Mount-
ains before 1700, though no reliable accounts are
now found to confirm these suppositions. Still,
from the earliest occupation of the Atlantic Coast
by the English, they claimed the country, and,
though the policy of its occupation rested for a
time, it was never ftilly abandoned. Its revival
dates from 1710 properly, though no immediate
endeavor was made for many years after. That

"7"

(2 *^

_«) ^

HISTORY OF OHIO.

year, Alexander Spottswood was made Governor of
Virginia. No sooner did he assume the functions
of ruler, than, casting his eye over his dominion, he
saw the great West beyond the Alleghany Mount-
ains unoccupied by the English, and rapidly filling
with the French, who he observed were gradually
confining the English to the Atlantic Coast. His
prophetic eye saw at a glance the aniinus of the
whole scheme, and he determined to act promptly
on the defensive. Through his representation, the
Virginia Assembly was induced to make an appro-
priation to defray the expense of an exploration of
the mountains, and see if a suitable pass could not
then be found where they could be crossed. The
Governor led the expedition in person. The pass
was discovered, a route marked out for future em-
igrants, and the party returned to Williamsburg.
There the Governor established the order of the
"Knights of the Golden Horseshoe," presented
his report to the Colonial Assembly and one to his
King. In each report, he exposed with great bold-
ness the scheme of the French, and advised the
building of a chain of forts across to the Ohio, and
the formation of settlements to counteract them.
The British Government, engrossed with other
matters, neglected his advice. Forty years after,
they remembered it, only to regret that it was so
thoughtlessly disregarded.

Individuals, however, profited by his advice. By
1730, traders began in earnest to cross the mount-
ains and gather from the Indians the stores beyond.
They now began to adopt a system, and abandoned
the heretofore renegade habits of those who had
superseded them, many of whom never returned to
the Atlantic Coast. In 1742, John Howard de-
scended the Ohio in a skin canoe, and, on the
Mississip})i was taken prisoner by the French. His
captivity did not in the least deter others from
coming. Indeed, the date of his voyage was the
commencement of a vig(jrous trade with the In-
dians by the English, who crossed the AUeghanies
by the route discovered by Gov. Spottswood. In
1748, Conrad Weiser, a German of Herenberg, who
had ac(}uired in early life a knowledge of the Mo-
hawk tongue by a residence among them, was sent
on an embassy to the Shawanees on the Ohio. He
went as far as Logstown,a Shawanee village on the
north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles be-
low the site of Pittsburgh. Here he met the chiefs
in counsel, and secured their promise of aid against
the French.

The principal ground of the claims of the
English in the Northwest was the treaty with the

Five Nations — the Iroquois. This powerful confed-
eration claimed the jurisdiction over an immense
extent of country. Their policy differed considera-
bly from other Indian tribes. They were the only
confederation which attempted any form of gov-
ernment in America. They were often termed the
" Six Nations," as the entrance of another tribe
into the confederacy made that number. They
were the conquerors of nearly all tribes from Lower
Canada, to and beyond the Mississippi. They only
exacted, however, a tribute from the conquered
tribes, leaving them to manage their own internal
affairs, and stipulating that to them alone did the
right of cession belong. Their country, under
these claims, embraced all of America north of the
Cherokee Nation, in Virginia; all Kentucky, and
all the Northwest, save a district in Ohio and Indi-
ana, and a small section in Southwestern Illinois,
claimed by the Miami Confederacy. The Iroquois,
or Six Nations, were the terror of all other tribes.
It was they who devastated the Illinois country
about Rock Fort in 1680, and caused wide-spread
alarm among all the Western Indians. In 1684,
Lord Howard, Governor of Virginia, held a treaty
with the Iroquois at Albany, when, at the request
of Col. Duncan, of New York, they placed them-
selves under the protection of the English. They
made a deed of sale then, by treaty, to the British
Government, of a vast tract of country south and
east of the Illinois River, and extending into Can-
ada. In 1726, another deed was drawn up and
signed by the chiefs of the national confederacy by
which their lands were conveyed in trust to
England, " to be protected and defended by His
Majesty, to and for the use of the grantors and
their heirs."*

If the Six Nations had a good claim to the West-
ern country, there is but little doubt but England
was justified in defending their country against the
French, as, by the treaty of Utrecht, they had
agreed not to invade the lands of Britain's Indian
allies. This claim was vigorously contested by
France, as that country claimed the Iroquois had
no lawful jurisdiction over the West. In all the
disputes, the interests of the contending nations
was, however, the paramount consideration. The
rights of the Indians were little regarded.

The British also purchased land by the treaty
of Lancaster, in 1744, wherein they agreed to pay
the Six Nations for land settled unlawfully in
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. The In-

* Annals of the West.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

dians were given goods and gold amounting to
near a thousand pounds sterling. They were also
promised the protection of the English. Had this
latter provision been faithfully carried out, much
blood would have been saved in after years. The
treaties with the Six Nations were the real basis
of the claims of Great Britain to the West ; claims
that were only settled by war. The Shawanee In-
dians, on the Ohio, were also becoming hostile to
the English, and began to assume a threatening
exterior. Peter Chartiez, a half-breed, residing in
Philadelphia, escaped from the authorities, those
by whom he was held for a violation of the laws,
and joining the Shawanees, persuaded them to join
the French. Soon after, in 1743 or 1744, he
placed himself at the head of 400 of their war-
riors, and lay in wait on the Alleghany River for
the provincial traders. He captured two, exhib-
ited to them a captain's commission from the
French, and seized their goods, worth £1,600.
The Indians, after this, emboldened by the aid
given them by the French, became more and more
hostile, and Weiser was again sent across the mount-
ains in 1748, with presents to conciliate them and
sound them on their feelings for the rival nations,
and also to see what they thought of a settlement
of the English to be made in the West. The visit
of Conrad Weiser was successful, and Thomas Lee,
with twelve other Virginians, among whom were
Lawrence and Augustine Washington, brothers of
George Washington, formed a company which
they styled the Ohio Company, and, in 1748, peti-
tioned the King for a grant beyond the mountains.
The monarch approved the petition and the gov-
ernment of Virginia was ordered to grant the Com-
pany 500,000 acres within the bounds of that
colony beyond the Alleghanies, 200,000 of which
were to be located at once. This provision was to
hold good for ten years, free of quit rent, provided
the Company would settle 100 families within
seven years, and build a fort sufficient for their
protection. These terms the Company accepted,
and sent at once to London for a cargo suitable for
the Indian trade. This was the beginning of
lilnglish Companies in the West; this one forming
a prominent part in the history of Ohio, as will
be seen hereafter. Others were also formed in
Virginia, whose object was the colonization of the
West. One of these, the Loyal Company, received,
on the 12th of June, 1749, a grant of 800,000
acres, from the line of Canada on the north and
west, and on the 29th of October, 1751, the Green-
briar Company received a grant of 100,000 acres.

To these encroachments, the French were by no
means blind. They saw plainly enough that if
the English gained a foothold in the West, they
would inevitably endeavor to obtain the country,
and one day the issue could only be decided by
war. Vaudreuil, the French Governor, had long
anxiously watched the coming struggle. In 1774,
he wrote home representing the consequences that
would surely come, should the English succeed in
their plans. The towns of the French in Illinois
were producing large amounts of bread-stuffs and
provisions which they sent to New Orleans. These
provinces were becoming valuable, and must not be
allowed to come under control of a rival power.
In 1749, Louis Celeron was sent by the Governor
with a party of soldiers to plant leaden plates, suit-
ably inscribed, along the Ohio at the mouths of
the principal streams. Two of these plates were
afterward exhumed. One was sent to the Mary-
land Historical Society, and the inscription* deci-
phered by De Witt Clinton. On these plates was
clearly stated the claims of France, as will be seen
from the translation below.

England's claim, briefly and clearly stated, read
as follows: "That all lands, or countries west-
ward from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea,
between 48 and 34 degrees of North Latitude,
were expressly included in the grant of King
James the First, to divers of his subjects, so long-
time since as the year 1606, and afterwards con-
firmed in the year 1620; and under this grant,
the colony of Virginia claims extent so far west
as the South Sea, and the ancient colonies of Mass-
achusetts Bay and Connecticut, were by their
respective charters, made to extend to the said
South Sea, so that not only the right to the sea
coast, but to all the Inland countries from sea to
sea, has at all times been asserted by the Crown of
England."f

To make good their titles, both nations were now
doing their utmost. Professedly at peace, it only
needed a torch applied, as it were, to any point, to
instantly precipitate hostilities. The French were

*The following is the translation of the inscription of the plate
found at Venango: " In the year 1749, reign of Louis XV, King of
France, we, Celeron, comniaMdanl of a detachment by Monsieur
the Marquis of Gallisoniere, Commander-in-chief of New France,
to establish tranquillity in certain Indian villages in these Cantons,
have buried this plate at the confluence of the Toraclakoin, this
twenty-ninth of Jnly, near the River Ohio, otherwise Beautiful
River, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken
of the said river, and all its tribirtaries; and of all the land on both
sides, as far as the sources of said rivers; inasmuch as the preceding
Kings of France have enjoyed it, and maintained it by their arms
and by treaties; especially by those of Kyswick, Utrecht, and Aii
La Chapelle."

i Colonial Records of PennsylTania.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

busily engaged erecting forts from the southern
shores of Lake Erie to the Ohio, and on down in
the Illinois Valley ; up at Detroit, and at all its
posts, preparations were constantly going on for the
crisis, now sure to come. The issue between the
two governments was now fully made up. It ad-
mitted of no compromise but the sword. To that,
however, neither power desired an immediate ap-
peal, and both sought rather to establish and fortify
their interests, and to conciliate the Indian tribes.
The English, through the Ohio Company, sent out
Christoj)her Gist in the fall of 1750, to explore the
regions west of the mountains. He was instructed
to examine the passes, trace the courses of the
rivers, mark the falls, seek for valuable lands, ob-
serve the strength, and to conciliate the friendship
of the Indian tribes. He was well fitted for such
an enterprise. Hardy, sagacious, bold, an adept in
Indian character, a hunter by occupation, no man
was better qualified than he for such an undertak-
ing. He visited Logstown, where he was jealously
received, passed over to the Muskingum River and
Valley in Ohio, where he found a village of Wyan-
dots, divided in sentiment. At this village he met
Crogau, another equally famous frontiersman, who
had been sent out by Pennsylvania. Together
they held a council with the chiefs, and received
assurance of the friendship of the tribe. This
done, they passed to the Shawnee towns on the
Scioto, received their assurances of friendship, and
went on to the Miami Valley, which they crossed,
remarking in Crogan's journal of its great fertili-
ty. They made a raft of logs on which they
crossed the Grreat Miami, visited Piqua, the chief
town of the Pickawillanies, and here made treaties
with the Weas and Piankeshaws. While here, a
deputation of the Ottawas visited the Miami Con-
federacy to induce them to unite with the French.
Tliey were repulsed through the influence of the
t]nglish agents, the Miamis sending Gist word that
they would " stand like the mountains. " Crogan
now returned and j)ublished an account of their
wanderings. Gist followed the Miami to its
mouth, passed down the Ohio till within fifteen
miles of the falls, then returned by way of the
Kentucky River, over the highlands of Kentucky
to Virginia, arriving in May, 1751. He had
visited the Mingoes, Delawares, Wyandots, Shawa-
nees and Miamis, proposed a union among these
tribes, and appointed a grand council to meet at
Logstown to form an alliance among themselves
and with Virginia. His journey was marvelous
for the day. It was extremely hazardous, as he

was part of the time among hostile tribes, who
could have captured him and been well rewarded
by the French Government. But Gist knew how
to act, and was successful.

While Gist was doing this, some English traders
established themselves at a place in what is now
known as Shelby County, Ohio, and opened a
store tor the purpose of trading with the Indians.
This was clearly in the limits of the West, claimed
by the French, and at once aroused them to action.
The fort or stockade stood on the banks of Loramie's
Creek, about sixteen miles northwest of the present
city of Sydney. It received the name Loramie
from the creek by the French, which received
its name in turn from the French trader of
that name, who had a trading-post on this
creek. Loramie had fled to the Spanish country
west of the Mississippi, and for many years
was a trader there ; his store being at the junc-
tion of the Kansas and Missouri, near the present
city of Kansas City, Mo. When the English
traders came to Loramie's Creek, and erected
their trading-place, they gave it the name of Pick-
awillany, from the tribe of Indians there. The
Miami confederacy granted them this privilege
as the result of the presents broughtby Crogan and
Gist. It is also asserted that Andrew Montour,
a half-breed, son of a Seneca chief and the famous
Catharine Montour, who was an important fac-
tor afterward in the English treaties with the
Indians, was with them, and by his influence did
much to aid in securing the privilege. Thus was
established the first English trading-post in the
Northwest Territory and in Ohio. It, however,
enjoyed only a short duration. The French could
not endure so clear an invasion of their country,
and gathering a force of Ottawas and Chippewas,
now their allies, they attacked the stockade in
June, 1752. At first they demanded of the Miamis
the surrender of the fort, as they were the real
cause of its location, having granted the English
the privilege. The Miamis not only refused, but
aided the British in the* defense. In the battle that
ensued, fourteen of the Miamis were slain, and all
the traders captured. One account says they were
burned, another, and probably the correct one,
states that they were taken to Canada as prisoners
of war. It is probable the traders were from Penn-
sylvania, as that commonwealth made the Miamis
presents as condolence for their warriors that were
slain.

Blood had now been shed. The opening gun of
the French and Indian war had been fired, and both

HISTORY OF OHIO.

nations became more deeply interested in affairs in
the West. The English were determined to secure
additional title to the West, and, in 1752, sent
Messrs. Fry, Lomax and Patton as commissioners
to Logstown to treat with the Indians, and confirm
the Lancaster treaty. They met the Indians on
the 9th of June, stated their desires, and on the
11th received their answer. At first, the sav-
ages were not inclined to recognize the Lancaster
treaty, but agreed to aid the English, as the French
had already made war on the Twigtees (at Picka-
willany), and consented to the establishment of a
fort and trading-post at the forks of the Ohio.
This was not all the Virginians wanted, however,
and taking aside Andrew Montour, now chief of the
Six Nations, persuaded him to use his influence
with the red men. By such means, they were in-
duced to treat, and on the 13th they all united in
signing a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in
its full extent, consenting to a settlement southwest
of the Ohio, and covenanting that it should not be
disturbed by them. By such means was obtained
the treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley.

All this time, the home governments were en-
deavoring to out-maneuver each other with regard
to the lands in the West, though there the outlook
only betokened war. The French understood bet-
ter than the English how to manage the Indians,
and succeeded in attaching them firmly to their
cause. The English were not honest in their
actions with them, and hence, in after years, the
massacres that followed.

At the close of 1752, Grist was at work, in con-
formity with the Lancaster and Logstown treaties,
laying out a fort and town on Chartier's Creek,
about ten miles below the fork. Eleven families
had crossed the mountains to settle at Grist's resi-
dence west of Laurel Hill, not far from the Yough-
iogheny. Goods had come from England for the
Ohio Company, which were carried as far West as
Will's Creek, where Cumberland now stands ; and
where they were taken by the Indians and traders.

On the other hand, the French were gathering
cannon and stores on Lake Erie, and, without
treaties or deeds of land, were gaining the good
will of the inimical tribes, and preparing, when all
was ready, to strike the blow. Their fortifications
consisted of a chain of forts from Lake Erie to
the Ohio, on the border. One was at Presque Isle,
on the site of Erie ; one on French Creek, on the
site of Waterford, Penn.; one at the mouth of
French Creek, in Venango County, Penn.; while
opposite it was another, effectually commanding

that section of country. These forts, it will be
observed, were all in the limits of the Pennsyl-
vania colony. The Groveruor informed the Assem-
bly of their existence, who voted £000 to be used
in purchasing presents for the Indians near the
forts, and thereby hold their friendship. Virginia,
also, took similar measures. Trent was sent, with
guns and ammunition and presents, to the friendly
tribes, and, while on his mission, learned of the
plates of lead planted by the French. In October,
1753, a treaty was consummated with representa-
tives of the Iroquois, Delawares, Shawanees, Twig-
twees and Wyandots, by commissioners from
Pennsylvania, one of whom was the philosopher
Franklin. At the conferences held at this time,
the Indians complained of the actions of the
French in forcibly taking possession of the dis-
puted country, and also bitterly denounced them
for using rum to intoxicate the red men, when
they desired to gain any advantage. Not long
after, they had similar grounds of complaint against
the English, whose lawless traders cared for nothing
but to gain the furs of the savage at as little ex-
pense as possible.

The encroachments of the French on what was
regarded as English territory, created intense feel-
ing in the colonies, especially in Virginia. The
purpose of the French to inclose the English on
the Atlantic Coast, and thus prevent their extension
over the mountains, became more and more ap-
parent, and it was thought that this was the open-
ing of a scheme already planned by the French
Court to reduce all North America under the do-
minion of France. Grov. Dinwiddle determined
to send an ambassador to the French posts, to as-
certain their real intentions and to observe the
amount and disposition of their forces. He selected
a young Virginian, then in his twenty-first year,
a surveyor by trade and one well qualified for the
duty. That young man afterward led the Ameri-
can Colonies in their struggle for liberty. George
Washington and one companion, Mr Gist, suc-
cessfully made the trip, in the solitude of a severe
winter, received assurance from the French com-
mandant that they would by no means abandon
their outposts, and would not yield unless com-
pelled by force of arms. The commandant was
exceedingly polite, but firm, and assured the young
American that "we claim the country on the Ohio
by virtue of the discovery of La Salle (in 1699)
and will not give it up to the English. Our orders
are to make prisoners of every Englishman found
trading in the Ohio Valley."

*7:

HISTOKY OP OHIO.

During Washington's absence steps were taken
to fortify the point formed by the junction of the
Monougahehi and Alleghany ; and when, on his
return, he met seventeen horses loaded with mate-
rials and stores for a fort at the forks of the Ohio,
and, soon after, some families going out to settle,
he knew the defense had begun. As soon as
Washington made his report, Gov. Dinwiddie
wrote to the Board of Trade, stating that the
French were building a fort at Venango, and that,
in March, twelve or fifteen hundred men would
be ready to descend the river with their Indian
allies, for which purpose three hundred canoes had
been collected ; and that Logstown was to be made
head( quarters, while forts were to be built in other
places. He sent expresses to the Governors of
Pennsylvania and New York, apprising them of the
nature of affairs, and calling upon them for assist-
ance. He also raised two companies, one of which
was raised by Washington, the other by Trent.
The one under Trent was to be raised on the
frontiers, and was, as soon as possible, to repair to
the Fork and erect there a fort, begun by the Ohio
Company. Owing to various conflicting opinions
between the Governor of Pennsylvania and his
Assembly, and the conference with the Six Nations,
held by New York, neither of those provinces put
forth any vigorous measures until stirred to action
by the invasions on the frontiers, and until directed
by the Earl of Holderness, Secretary of State.

The fort at Venango was finished by the French
in April, 1754. All along the creek resounded
the clang of arms and the preparations for war.
New York and Pennsylvania, though inactive,
and debating whether the French really had in-
vaded English territory or not, sent aid to the
Old Dominion, now all alive to the conquest. The
two companies had been increased to six; Washing-
ton was raised to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel,
and made second under command of Joshua
Fry. Ten cannon, lately from England, were for-
warded from Alexandria ; wagons were got ready
to carry westward provisions and stores through
the heavy spring roads; and everywhere men were
enlisting under the King's promise of two hundred
thousand acres of land to those who would go.
They were gathering along Will's Creek and far
beyond, while Trent, who had come for more men
and supplies, left a little band of forty-one men,
working away in hunger and want at the Fork, to
which both nations were looking with anxious eyes.
Though no enemy was near, and only a few Indian
scouts were seen, keen eyes had observed the low

fortifications at the Fork. Swift feet had borne
the news of it up the valley, and though Ensign
Ward, left in command, felt himself secure, on the
17th of April he saw a sight that made his heart
sick. Sixty batteaux and three hundred canoes
were coming down the Alleghany. The com-
mandant sent him a summons, which evaded no
words in its meaning. It was useless to contend,
that evening he supped with his conqueror ; the
next day he was bowed out by the polite French-
man, and with his men and tools marched up the
Monongahela. The first birds of spring were fill-
ing the air with their song ; the rivers rolled by,
swollen by April showers and melting snows; all
nature was putting on her robes of green ; and the
fortress, which the English had so earnestly strived
to obtain and fortify, was now in the hands of the
French. Fort Du Quesne arose on the incomplete
fortifications. The seven years' war that followed
not only afi"ected America, but spread to all quar-
ters of the world. The war made England a great
imperial power ; drove the French from Asia and
America; dispelled the brilliant and extended
scheme of Louis and his voluptuous empire.

The active field of operations was in the Canadas
principally, and along the western borders of Penn-
sylvania. There were so few people then in the
present confines of Ohio, that only the possession
of the country, in common with all the West,
could be the animus of the conflict. It so much
concerned this part of the New World, that a brief
resume of the war will be necessary to fully under-
stand its history.

The fall of the post at the fork of the Ohio, Port
Du Quesne, gave the French control of the West.
Washington went on with his few militia to re-
take the post. Though he was successful at first,
he was in the end defeated, and surrendered,
being allowed to return with all his munitions of
war. The two governments, though trying to
come to a peaceful solution of the question, were
getting ready for the conflict. France went stead-
ily on, though at one time England gave, in a
measure, her consent to allow the French to retain
all the country west of the Alleghanies and south
of the lakes. Had this been done, what a different
future would have been in America ! Other des-
tinies were at work, however, and the plan fell
stillborn.

England sent Gen. Braddock and a fine force
of men, who marched directly toward the post on
the Ohio. His ill-fated expedition resulted only
in the total defeat of his army, and his own death.

HISTORY or OHIO.

Washington saved a remnant of the army, and
made his way back to the colonies. The En-
glish needed a leader. They next planned four
campaigns; one against Fort Du Quesne; one
against Crown Point; one against Niagara, and
one against the French settlements in Nova Scotia.
Nearly every one proved a failure. The English
were defeated on sea and on land, all owing to the
incapacity of Parliament, and the want of a suit-
able, vigorous leader. The settlements on the front-
iers, now exposed to a cruel foe, prepared to defend
themselves, and already the signs of a government
of their own, able to defend itself, began to
appear. They received aid from the colonies.
Though the French were not repulsed, they and
their red allies found they could not murder with
impunity. Self-preservation was a stronger incen-
tive in conflict than aggrandizement, and the
cruelty of the Indians found avengers.

The great Pitt became Prime Minister June 29,
1757. The leader of the English now appeared.
The British began to regain their losses on sea and
land, and for them a brighter day was at hand.
The key to the West must be retaken, and to Gen.
Forbes was assigned the duty. Preceding him,
a trusty man was sent to the Western Indians
at the head-waters of the Ohio, and along the Mo-
nongahela and Alleghany, to see if some compro-
mise with them could not be made, and their aid
secured. The French had been busy through their
traders inciting the Indians against the English.
The lawless traders were another source of trouble.
Caring nothing for either nation, they carried on a
distressing traffic in direct violation of the laws,
continually engendering ill-feeling among the na-
tives. "Your traders," said one of them, "bring
scarce anything but rum and flour. They bring
little powder and lead, or other valuable goods.
The rum ruins us. We beg you would prevent
its coming in such quantities by regulating the
traders. * * * These wicked whisky sell-
ers, when they have got the Indians in liquor, make
them sell the very clothes off their backs. If this
practice be continued, we must be inevitably ruined.
We mostearnestly, therefore, beseech you to remedy
it." They complained of the French tradersthe same
way. They were also beginning to see the animus
of the whole conflict. Neither power cared as
much for them as for their land, and flattered and
bullied by turns as served their purposes best.

The man selected to go upon this undertaking
was Christian Frederic Post, a Moravian, who had
lived among the Indians seventeen years, and mar-

ried into one of their tribes. He was a missionary,
and though obliged to cross a country whose every
stream had been dyed by blood, and every hillside
rung with the death-yell, and grown red with the
light of burning huts, he went willingly on his way.
Of his journey, suiFerings and doings, his own
journal tells the story. He left Philadelphia on the
15th of July, 1758, and on the 7th of August
safely passed the French post at Venango, went on
to Big Beaver Creek, where he held a conference
with the chiefs of the Indians gathered there. It
was decided that a great conference should be
held opposite Fort Du Quesne, where there were
Indians of eight nations. "We will bear you in
our bosoms," said the natives, when Post expressed
a fear that that he might be delivered over to the
French, and royally they fulfilled their promises.
At the conference, it was made clear to Post that
all the Western Indians were wavering in their
allegiance to the French, owing largely to the fail-
ure of that nation to fiilfill their promises of aid to
prevent them from being deprived of their land by
the Six Nations, and through that confederacy, by the
English. The Indians complained bitterly, more-
over, of the disposition of the whites in over-run-
ning and claiming their lands. "Why did you not
tight your battles at home or on the sea, instead of
coming into our country to fight them?" they
asked again and again, and mournfully shook their
heads when they thought of the future before them.
" Your heart is good," said they to Post. " You
speak sincerely; but we know there is always a great
number who wish to get rich ; they have enough ;
look ! we do not want to be rich and take away
what others have. The white people think we
have no brains in our heads ; that they are big,
and we are a handful ; but remember when you
hunt for a rattlesnake, you cannot always find it,
and perhaps it will turn and bite you before you see
it."* When the war of Pontiac came, and all
the West was desolated, this saying might have
been justly remembered. After concluding a peace.
Post set "out for Philadelphia, and after incredi-
ble hardships, reached the settlement uninjured
early in September. His mission had more to do
than at first is apparent, in the success of the
English. Had it not been for him, a second Brad-
dock's defeat might have befallen Forbes, now on
his way to subjugate Fort Du Quesne.

Through the heats of August, the army hewed its
way toward the West. Early in September it

* Post's Journal.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

reached Raystown, wliither Washington had been
ordered with his troops. Sickness had prevented
him from being here already. Two officers were
sent out to reconnoiter the fort, who returned and
gave a very good account of its condition. Gen.
Forbes desired to know more of it, and sent out
Maj. Grant, with 800 men, to gain more complete
knowledge. Maj. Gi'ant, supposing not more than
200 soldiers to be in the fort, marched near it and
made a feint to draw them out, and engage them
in battle. He was greatly misinformed as to the
strength of the French, and in the engagement
that followed he was badly beaten — 270 of his men
killed, 42 wounded, and several, including himself,
taken prisoners. The French, elated with their
victory, attacked the main army, but were repulsed
and obliged to retreat to the fort. The army con-'
tinned on its march. On the 24th of November
they reached Turtle Creek, where a council of war
was held, and where Gen. Forbes, who had been so
ill as to be carried on a litter from the start, de-
clared, with a mighty oath, he would sleep that
night in the fort, or in a worse place. The Indi-
ans had, however, carried the news to the French
that the English were as plenty as the trees of the
woods, and in their fright they set fire to the fort in
the ni^ht and left up and down the Ohio River.
The next morning the English, who had heard the
explosion of the magazine, and seen the light of
the burning walls, marched in and took peaceable
possession. A small fortification was thrown up
on the bank, and, in honor of the great English
statesman, it was called Fort Pitt. Col. Hugh Mer-
cer was left in command, and the main body of the
army marched back to the settlements. It reached
Philadelphia January 17, 1759. On the 11th of
March, Gen. Forbes died, and was buried in the
chancel of Christ's Church, in that city.

Post was now sent on a mission to the Six Na-
tions, with a report of the treaty of Easton. He
was again instrumental in preventing a coalition of
the Indians and the French. Indeed, to this ob-
scure Moravian missionary belongs, in a large
measure, the honor of the capture of Fort Du
Quesne, for by his influence had the Indians been
restrained from attacking the army on its march.

The garrison, on leaving the fort, went up and
down the Ohio, part to Presque Isle by land, part to
Fort Venango, while some of them went on down
the Ohio nearly to the Mississippi, and there, in
what is now Massac County, 111., erected a fort,
called l)y them Fort Massac. It was afterward
named by many Fort Massacre, from the erroneous

supposition that a garrison had been massacred
there.

The French, though deprived of the key to
the West, went on preparing stores and ammunition,
expecting to retake the fort in the spring. Before
they could do this, however, other places demanded
their attention.

The success of the campaign of 1758 opened
the way for the consummation of the great scheme
of Pitt — the complete reduction of Canada. Three
expeditions were planned, by which Canada,
already well nigh annihilated and suffering for
food, was to be subjugated. On the west, Prideaux
was to attack Niagara ; in the center, Amherst was
to advance on Tieonderoga and Crown Point ; on
the east, Wolfe was to besiege Quebec. All these
points gained, the three armies were to be united
in the center of the province.

Amherst appeared before Tieonderoga July 22.
The French blew up their works, and retired
to Crown Point. Driven from there, they re-
treated to Isle Aux Nois and entrenched them-
selves. The lateness of the season prevented fur-
ther action, and Amherst went into winter quar-
ters at Crown Point. Early in June, Wolfe
appeared before Quebec with an army of 8,000
men. On the night of September 12, he silently
ascended the river, climbed the heights of Abra-
ham, a spot considered impregnable by the
French, and on the summit formed his army of
5,000 men. Montcalm, the French commander,
was compelled to give battle. The British col-
umns, flushed with success, charged his half-formed
lines, and dispersed them.

" They fly ! they fly I*' heard Wolfe, just as he
expired from the eff"ect of a mortal wound, though
not till he had ordered their retreat cut ofl", and
exclaimed, "Now, God be praised, I die happy."
Montcalm, on hearing from the surgeon that death
would come in a few hours, said, " I am glad of it.
I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." At
five the next morning he died happy.

Prideaux moved up Lake Ontario, and on the
6th of July invested Niagara. Its capture would
cut off" the French from the west, and every en-
deavor was made to hold it. Troops, destined to
take the small garrison at Fort Pitt, were held to
assist in raising the siege of Niagara. M. de
Aubry, commandant in Illinois, came up with 400
men and 200,000 pounds of flour. Cut off" by the
abandonment of Fort Du Quesne from the Ohio
route, he ascended that river as far as the Wabash,
thence to portage of Fort Miami, or Fort Wayne,

E. P. STURGES, SEN.

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

down the Maumee to Lake Erie, and on to Presqu-
ville, or Presque Isle, over the portage to Le B(jeuf,
and thence down French Creek to Fort Venango.
He was chosen to lead the expedition for the relief
of Niagara. They were pursued by Sir William
Johnson, successor to Prideaux, who had lost his
life by the bursting of a cannon, and were obliged to
flee. The next day Niagara, cut off from succor,
surrendered.

All America rang with exultation. Towns were
bright with illuminations ; the hillsides shone with
bonfires. From press, from pulpit, from platform,
and from speakers' desks, went up one glad song of
rejoicing. England was victorious everywhere.
The colonies had done their full share, and now
learned their strength. That strength was needed
now, for ere long a different conflict raged on the
soil of America — a conflict ending in the birth of
a new nation.

The English sent Gen. Stanwix to fortify Fort
Pitt, still looked upon as one of the principal for-
tresses in the West. He erected a good fortifica-
tion there, which remained under British control
fifteen years. Now nothing of the fort is left. No
memorial of the British possession remains in the
West but a single redoubt, built in 1764 by Col.
Bouquet, outside of the fort. Even this can hardly
now be said to exist.

The fall of Quebec did not immediately produce
the submission of Canada. M. de Levi, on whom
the command devolved, retired with the French
Army to Montreal. In the spring of 1760, he be-
sieged Quebec, but the arrival of an English fleet
caused him to again retreat to Montreal.

Amherst and Johnson, meanwhile, effected a
union of their forces, the magnitude of whose
armies convinced the French that resistance would
be useless, and on the 8th of September, M. de
Vaudreuil, the Governor of Canada, surrendered
Montreal, Quebec, Detroit, Mackinaw and all other
posts in Canada, to the English commander-in-
chief, Amherst, on condition that the French in-
habitants should, during the war, be "protected
in the full and free exercise of their religion, and
the full enjoyment of their civil rights, leaving
their future destinies to be decided by the treaty
of peace."

Though peace was concluded in the New World,
on the continent the Powers experienced some
difficulty in arriving at a satisfactory settlement.
It was finally settled by what is known in history
as the "family compact." France and Spain saw
in the conquest the growing power of England,

and saw, also, that its continuance only extended
that power. Negotiations were re-opened, and on
the 3d of November, 1762, preliminaries were
agreed to and signed, and afterward ratified in
Paris, in February, 1763. By the terms of the
compact, Spain ceded to Great Britian East and
West Florida. To compensate Spain, France
ceded to her by a secret article, all Louisiana west
of the Mississippi.

The French and Indian war was now over.
Canada and all its dependencies were now in pos-
session of the English, who held undisputed sway
over the entire West as far as Mississippi. It only
remained for them to take possession of the out-
posts. Major Robert Rogers was sent to take pos-
session ol Detroit and establish a garrison there.
He was a partisan officer on the borders of New
Hampshire, wliere he earned a name for bravery,
but afterward tarnished it by treasonable acts. On
his way to Detroit, on the 7th of November, 1760,
he was met by the renowned chief, Pontiac, who
authoritatively commanded him to pause and ex-
plain his acts. Rogers replied by explaining the
conquest of Canada, and that he was acting under
orders from his King. Through the influence of
Pontiac, the army was saved from the Indians
sent out by the French, and was allowed to pro-
ceed on its way. Pontiac had assured his protec-
tion as long as the English treated him with due
deference. Beletre, the commandant at Detroit,
refused to surrender to the English commander,
until he had received positive assurance from his
Governor, Vaudreuil, that the country was indeed
conquered. On the 29th of September, the colors
of France gave way to the ensign of Great Britain
amid the shouts of the soldiery and the astonish-
ment of the Indians, whose savage natures could
not understand how such a simple act declared one
nation victors of another, and who wondered at
the forbearance displayed. The lateness of the
season prevented further operations, but early the
next spring, Mackinaw. Green Bay, Ste. Marie, St.
Joseph and the Ouitenon surrounded, and nothing
was left but the Illinois towns. These were se-
cured as soon as the necessary arrangements could
be made.

Though the English were now masters of the
West, and had, while many of these events nar-
rated were transpiring, extended their settlements
beyond the Alleghanies, they were by no means
secure in their possession. The woods and prairies
were full of Indians, who, finding the English like
the French, caring more for gain than the welfare

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

of the natives, began to exhibit impatience and re-
sentment as they saw their lands gradually taken
from them. The English policy differed very
materially from the French. The French made
the Indian, in a measure, independent and taught
him a desire for European goods. They also
affiliated easily with them, and became thereby
strongly endeared to the savage. The French
were a merry, easy-going race, fond of gayety and
delighting in adventure. The English were harsh,
stern, and made no advances to gain the friend-
ship of the savage. They wanted land to cultivate
and drove away the Indian's game, and forced him
farther west. " Where shall we go?" said the
Indian, despondently; "you drive us farther and
farther west; by and by you will want all the
land." And the Anglo-Saxon went sturdily on,
paying no heed to the complaints. The French

traders incited the Indian to resent the encroach-
ment. " The English will annihilate you and take
all your land," said they. " Their father, the King
of France, had been asleep, now he had awakened
and was coming with a great army to reclaim Can-
ada, that had been stolen from him while he slept."
Discontent under such circumstances was but
natural. Soon all the tribes, from the mountains
to the Mississippi, were united in a plot. It was
discovered in 1761, and arrested. The next sum-
mer, another was detected and arrested. The
officers, and all the people, failed to realize the
danger. The rattlesnake, though not found, was
ready to strike. It is only an Indian discontent,
thought the people, and they went on preparing to
occupy the country. They were mistaken — the
crisis only needed a leader to direct it. That
leader appeared.

CHAPTER IV.

PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY— ITS FAILURE— BOUQUET'S EXPEDITION— OCCUPATION BY THE

ENGLISH.

PONTIAC, the great chief of the Ottawas, was
now about fifty years old. He had watched
the conflict between the nations with a jealous eye,
and a.s he saw the gradual growth of the English
people, their encroachment on the lands of the In-
dians, their greed, and their assumption of the soil,
his soul was stirred within him to do something
for his people. He had been a true friend of the
French, and had led the Indians at the defeat of
Braddock. Amid all the tumult, he alone saw the
true state of affairs. The English would inevit-
ably crush out the Indians. To save his race he
saw another alliance with the French was neces-
sary, and a restoration of their power and habits
needed. It was the plan of a statesman. It only
failed because of the perfidy of the French. Matur-
ing his plans late in the autumn of 1762, he sent
messengers to all the Western and Southern tribes,
with the black wampum and red tomahawk, em-
blems of war, from the great Pontiac. "On a cer-
tain day in the next year," said the messenger, "all
the tribes are to rise, seize all the English posts,
and then attack the whole frontier."

The great council of all the tribes was held at
the river Ecorces, on the 27th of April, 1763.
There, before the assembled chiefs, Pontiac deliv-

ered a speech, full of eloquence and art. He
recounted the injuries and encroachments of the
English, and disclosed their designs. The French
king was now awake and would aid them. Should
they resign their homes and the graves of their
fathers without an effort? Were their young men
no longer brave ? Were they squaws ? The
Great Master of Life had chided them for their
inactivity, and had sent his commands to drive
the "Red Dogs" from the earth. The chiefs
eagerly accepted the wampvim and the tomahawk,
and separated to prepare for the coming strife.

The post at Detroit was informed of the plot
the evening before it was to occur, by an Ojibway
girl of great beauty, the mistress of the com-
mander, Major Gladwin. Pontiac was foiled here,
his treachery discovered, and he was sternly ordered
from the conference. A regular seige followed,
but he could not prevail. He exhibited a degree
of sagacity unknown in the annals of savage war-
fare, but all to no purpose ; the English were too
strong for him.

At all the other posts, save one, however, the
plans of Pontiac were carried out, and atrocities,
unheard of before in American history, resulted.
The Indians attacked Detroit on the first of May,

17 ■;

HISTORY OF OHIO.

and, foiled in their plans, a siege immediately fol-
lowed. On the 16th, a party of Indians appeared
before the fort at Sandusky. Seven of them were
admitted. Suddenly, while smoking, the massacre
begins. All but Ensign PauUi, the commander,
fall. He is carried as a trophy to Pontiac.

At the mouth of the St. Joseph's, the mission-
aries had maintained a mission station over sixty
years. They gave way to an English garrison of
fourteen soldiers and a few traders. On the
morning of May 25, a deputation of Pottawato-
mies are allowed to enter. In less than two min-
utes, all the garrison but the commander are slain.
He is sent to Pontiac.

Near the present city of Fort Wayne, Ind.,
at the junction of the waters, stood Fort Miami,
garrisoned by a few men. Holmes, the com-
mander, is asked to visit a sick woman. He is
slain on the way, the sergeant following is made
prisoner, and the nine soldiers surrender.

On the night of the last day of May, the wam-
pum reaches the Indian village below La Fayette,
Ind., and near Fort Ouitenon. The commander
of the fort is lured into a cabin, bound, and his
garrison surrender. Through the clemency of
French settlers, they are received into their houses
and protected.

At Michilimackinac, a game of ball is projected.
Suddenly the ball is thrown through the gate of the
stockade. The Indians press in, and, at a signal,
almost all are slain or made prisoners.

The fort at Presque Isle, now Erie, was the
point of communication between Pittsburgh and
Niagara and Detroit. It was one of the most
tenable, and had a garrison of four and twenty
men. On the 22d of June, the commander, to
save his forces from total annihilation, surrenders,
and all are carried prisoners to Detroit.

The capitulation at Erie left Le Bceuf with-
out hope. He was attacked on the 18th,
but kept off the Indians till midnight, when he
made a successful retreat. As they passed Ve-
nango, on their way to Fort Pitt, they saw only
the ruins of that garrison. Not one of its immates
had been spared.

Fort Pitt was the most important station west
of the Alleghanies. " Escape ! " said Turtle's
Heart, a Delaware warrior ; " you will all be
slain. A great army is coming." "There are
three large English armies coming to my aid,"
said Ecuyer, the commander. " I have enough
provisions and ammunition to stand a siege of three
years' time." A second and third attempt was

for

made by the savages to capture the post, but all to
no avail. Bafl3ed on all sides here, they destroy
Ligonier, a few miles below, and massacre men,
women and children. Fort Pitt was besieged till
the last day of July, but withstood all attacks.
Of all the outposts, only it and Detroit were left.
All had been captured, and the majority of the
garrison slain. Along the frontier, the war was
waged with fury. The Indians were fighting
their homes and their hunting-grounds; and
these they fought with the fury and zeal
fanatics.

Detachments sent to aid Detroit are cut off.
The prisoners are burnt, and Pontiac, infusing his
zealous and demoniacal spirit into all his savage
allies, pressed the siege with vigor. The French
remained neutral, yet Pontiac made requisitions
on them and on their neighbors in Illinois, issuing
bills of credit on birch -bark, all of which were
fliithfully redeemed. Though these two posts
could not be captured, the frontier could be
annihilated, and vigorously the Indians pursued
their policy. Along the borders of Pennsylvania
and Virginia a relentless warfare was waged,
sparing no one in its way. Old age, feeble infancy,
strong man and gentle woman, fair girl and hope-
ful boy — all fell before the scalping-knife of the
merciless savage. The frontiers were devastated.
Thousands were obliged to flee, leaving their
possessions to the torch of the Indian.

The colonial government, under British direc-
tion, was inimical to the borders, and the colonists
saw they must depend only upon their own arms
for protection. Already the struggle for freedom
was upon them. They could' defend only them-
selves. They must do it, too ; for that defense is
now needed in a different cause than settling dis-
putes between rival powers. " We have millions
for defense, but not a cent for tribute," said they,
and time verified the remark.

Gen. Amherst bestirred himself to aid the
frontiers. He sent Col. Henry Bouquet, a native
of Switzerland, and now an officer in the English
Army, to relieve the garrison at Fort Pitt. They
followed the route made by Gen. Forbes, and on
the way relieved Forts Bedford and Ligonier, both
beleaguered by the Indians. About a day's jour-
ney beyond Ligonier, he was attacked by a body
of Indians at a place called Bushy Run. For
awhile, it seemed that he and all his army would
be destroyed ; but Bouquet was bold and brave
and, under a feint of retreat, routed, the savages.
He passed on, and relieved the garrison at Fort

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Pitt, aud thus secured it agaiu.st the assaults of
the Tudians.

The campaign had been disastrous to the En-
glish, but fatal to the plans of Pontiac. He could
not capture Detroit, and he knew the great scheme
must fail. The battle of Bushy Run and the
relief of Fort Pitt closed the campaign, and all
hope of co-operation was at an end. Circum-
stances were combined against the confederacy,
and it was fast falling to pieces. A proclamation
was issued to the Indians, explaining to them the
existing state of affairs, and showing to them the
futility of their plans. Pontiac, however, would
not give up. Again he renewed the siege of De-
troit, and Gen. Gage, now in command of the
army in the colonies, resolved to carry the war
into their own country. Col. Bradstreet was or-
dered to lead one army by way of the lakes,
against the Northern Indians, while Col. Bouquet
was sent against the Indians of the Ohio. Col.
Bradstreet went on his way at the head of 1,200
men, but trusting too much to the natives and
their promises, his expedition proved largely a fail-
ure. He relieved Detroit in August, 1764, which
had been confined in the garrison over fifteen
months, aud dispersed the Indians that yet lay
around the fort. But on his way back, he saw how
the Indians had duped him, and that they were
still plundering the settlements. His treaties were
annulled by Gage, who ordered him to destroy
their towns. The season was far advanced, his
provisions were getting low, and he was obliged to
return to Niagara chagrined and disappointed.

Col. Bou((uet knew well the character of the
Indians, aud shaped his plans accordingly. He
had an army of 1,500 men, 500 regulars and 1,000
Volunteers. They had had experience in fighting
the savages, and could be depended on. At Fort
Louden, he heard of Bradstreet's ill luck, and saw
through the deception practiced by the Indians.
He arrived at Fort Pitt the 17th of September,
where he arrested a deputation of chiefs, who met
him with the same promises that had deceived
Bradstreet. He sent one of their number back,
threatening to put to d(;ath the chiefs unless they
allowed his messengers to safely pass through their
country to Detroit. The decisive tone of his
words convinced them of the ftite that awaited
them unless they complied. On the 3d of Octo-
ber the army left Fort Pitt, marched down the
river to and across the Tuscarawas, arriving in the
vicinity of Fredrick Post's late mission on the 1 7th.
There a conference was held with the assembled

tribes. Bouquet sternly rebuked them for their
faithlessness, and when told by the chiefs they could
not restrain their young men, he as sternly told
them they were responsible for their acts. He
told them he would trust them no longer. If they
delivered up all their prisoners within twelve days
they might hope for peace, otherwise there would
be no mercy shown them. They were completely
humbled, and, separating hastily, gathered their
captives. On the 25th, the army proceeded down
to the Tuscarawas, to the junction with White
Woman River, near the town of Coshoctdii, in
Coshocton County, Ohio, and there made jirepa-
rations for the reception of the captives. There
they remained until the 18th of November; from
day to day prisoners were brought in — men, women
and children — and delivered to their friends. Many
were the touching scenes enacted during this time.
The separated husband and wife met, the latter
often carrying a child born in captivity. Brothers
and sisters, separated in youth, met ; lovers rushed
into each other's arms ; children found their
parents, mothers their sons, fathers their daughters,
and neighbors those from whom they had been
separated many years. Yet, there were many dis-
tres^sing scenes. Some looked in vain for long-lost
relatives and friends, that never should return.
Others, that had been captured in their infancy,
would not leave their savage friends, and when
force was used some fled away. One mother
looked in vain for a child she had lost years be-
fore. Day by day, she anxiously watched, but no
daughter's voice reached her ears. One, clad in
savage attire, was brought before her. It could
not be her daughter, she was grown. So was the
maiden before her. " Can not you remember some
mark?" asked Bouquet, whose sympathies were
aroused in this case. "There is none," said the
anxious and sorrowful mother. " Sing a song you
sang over her cradle, she may remember," suggested
the commander. One is sung by her mother. As
the song of childhood floats out among the trees
the maiden stops and listens, then approaches.
Yes, she remembers. Mother and daughter are
held in a close embrace, and the stern Bouquet
wipes away a tear at the scene.

On the 18th, the army broke up its encamp-
ment and started on its homeward march. Bouquet
kept six principal Indians as hostages, and re-
turned to the homes of the captives. The Indians
kept their promises faithfully, and the next year
representatives pf all the Western tribes met Sir
William Johnson, at the German Flats, and made

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

a treaty of peace. A tract of land in the Indian
country was ceded to the whites for the benefit of
those who had suifered in the late war. The In-
dians desired to make a treaty with Johnson,
whereby the Alleghany River should be the west-
ern boundary of the English, but he excused him-
self on the ground of proper power.

Not long after this the Illinois settlements, too
remote to know much of the struggle or of any of
the great events that had convulsed an empire, and
changed the destiny of a nation, were brought
under the English rule. There were five villages
at this date: Kaskaskia, Cahokia, St. Philip, Vin-
cennes and Prairie du Rocher, near Fort Chartres,
the mihtary headquarters of these French posses-
sions. They were under the control or command
of M. de Abadie, at New Orleans. They had also
extended explorations west of the Mississippi, and
made a few settlements in what was Spanish terri-
tory. The country had been, however, ceded to
France, and in February, 1764, the country was
formally taken possession of and the present city
of St. Louis laid out. -

As soon as the French knew of the change of
government, many of them went to the west side of
the river, and took up their residence there. They
were protected in their religion and civil rights by
the terms of the treaty, but preferred the rule of
their own King.

The British took possession of this country early
in 1765. Grcn. Gage sent Capt. Stirling, of the
English Army, who arrived before summer, and to
whom St. Ange, the nominal commandant, surren-
dered the authority. The British, through a suc-
cession of commanders, retained control of the coun-
try until defeated by George Rogers Clarke, and
his "ragged Virginia militia."

After a short time, the French again ceded the
country west of the Mississippi to Spain, and re-
lincpiished forever their control of all the West in
the New World.

The population of Western Louisiana, when the
exchange of governments occurred, was estimated
to be 13,538, of which 891 were in the Illinois
country — as it was called — west of the Mississippi.
East of the river, and before the French crossed
into Spanish country, the population was estimated
to be about 3,000. All these had grown into
communities of a peculiar character. Indeed, that
peculiarity, as has been observed, never changed
until a gradual amalgamation with the American
people efiected it, and that took more than a cen-
tury of time to accomplish.

The English now owned the Northwest. True,
they did not yet occupy but a small part of it, but
traders were again crossing the mountains, ex-
plorers for lands were on the Ohio, and families
for settlement were beginning to look upon the
West as their future home. Companies were again
forming to purchase large tracts in the Ohio coun-
try, and open them for emigration. One thing yet
stood in the way — a definite boundary line. That
line, however, was between the English and the
Indians, and not, as had heretofore been the case,
between rival European Powers. It was necessary
to arrange some definite boundary before land com-
panies, who were now actively pushing their claims,
could safely survey and locate their lands.

Sir William Johnson, who had at previous times
been instrumental in securing treaties, wrote re-
peatedly to the Board of Trade, who controlled the
greater part of the commercial transactions in the
colonies — and who were the first to exclaim against
extending English settlements beyond a limit
whereby they would need manufactures, and there-
by become independent of the Mother Country —
urging upon tlnjm, and through them the Crown, the
necessity of a fixed boundary, else another Indian
war was probable. The Indians found themselves
gradually hemmed in by the growing power of the
whites, and began to exhibit hostile feelings. The
irritation became so great that in the summer of
1767, Gage wrote to the Governor of Pennsylvania
concerning it. The Governor communicated his
letter to the General Assembly, who sent repre-
sentatives to England, to urge the immediate set-
tlement of the question. In compliance with these
requests, and the letters of prominent citizens,
Franklin among the number, instructions were sent
to Johnson, ordering him to complete the purchase
from the Six Nations, and settle all difi'erences.
He sent word to all the Western tribes to meet
him at Fort Stanwix, in October, 1768. The con-
ference was held on the 24th of that month, and
was attended by colonial representatives, and by
Indians from all parts of the Northwest. It was
determined that the line should begin on the Ohio,
at the mouth of the Cherokee (Tennessee), thence
up the river to the Alleghany and on to Kittan-
ning, and thence across to the Susquehanna. By
this line, the whole country south of the Ohio and
Alleghany, to which the Six Nations had any
claim, was transferred. Part of this land was
made to compensate twenty-two traders, whose goods
had been stolen in 1763. The deeds made, were
upon the express agreement that no claims should

*7l

HISTORY OF OHIO.

ever be based on the treaties of Lancaster, Logs-
town, etc., and were signed by the chiefs of the Six
Nations for themselves, their alHes and dependents,
and the Shawanees, Delawares, Mingoes of Ohio,
and others ; though the Shawanees and Delaware
deputies did not sign them. On this treaty, in a
great measure, rests the title by purchase to Ken-
tucky, Western Virginia and Western Pennsylva-
nia. The rights of the Cherokees were purchased
by Col. Donaldson, either for the King, Virginia,
or for himself, it is impossible to say which.

The grant of the northern confederacy was now
made. The white man could go in and possess
these lands, and know that an army would protect
him if necessary. Under such a guarantee. West-
ern lands came rapidly into market. In addition
to companies already in existence for the purchase
of land, others, the most notable of these being the
"Walpole" and the "Mississippi" Land Companies,
were formed. This latter had among its organizers
such men as Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard
Henry Lee, George Washington and Arthur Lee.
Before any of these companies, some of whom ab-
sorbed the Ohio Company, could do anything, the
Revolution came on, and all land transactions were
at an end. After its close, Congress would not
sanction their claims, and they fell through. This
did not deter settlers, however, from crossing the
mountains, and settling in the Ohio country. In

spite of troubles with the Indians — some of wliom
regarded the treaties with the Six Nations as un-
lawful, and were disposed to complain at the rapid
influx of whites — and the failure of the land com-
panies, settlers came steadily during the decade
from 1768 to 1778, so that by the close of that
time, there was a large population south of the
Ohio River ; while scattered along the northern
banks, extending many miles into the wilderness,
were hardy adventurers, who were carving out
homes in the magnificent forests everywhere cov-
ering the country.

Among the foremost speculators in Western
lands, was George Washington. As early as 1763,
he employed Col. Crawford, afterward the leader in
" Crawford's campaign," to purchase lands for him.
In 1770, he crossed the mountains in company
with several gentlemen, and examined the country
along the Ohio, down which stream he passed to
the mouth of the Great Kanawha, where he shot
some buffalo, then plenty, camped out a few nights,
and returned, fully convinced, it seems, that one
day the West would be the best part of the New-
World. He owned, altogether, nearly fifty thou-
sand acres in the West, which he valued at S3. 33
per acre. Had not the war of the Revolution just
then broken out, he might have been a resident of
the West, and would have been, of course, one of
its most prominent citizens.

CHAPTER V.

AMERICAN EXPLORATIONS — DUNMORE'S WAR— CAMPAIGN OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE-
LAND TROUBLES— SPAIN IN THE REVOLUTION — MURDER OF
THE MORAVIAN INDIANS.

MEANWHILE, Kentucky was fiUing with
citizens, and though considerable trouble
was experienced with the Indians, and the operations
of Col. Richard Henderson and others, who made
unlawful treaties with the Indians, yet Daniel
Boone and his associates had established a
commonwealth, and, in 1777, a county was
formed, which, erelong, was divided into three.
Louisville was laid out on land belonging to
Tories, and an important start made in this part
of the West. Emigrants came down the Ohio
River, saw the northern shores were inviting, and
sent back such accounts that the land north of the
river rapidly grew in favor with Eastern people.

One of the most important Western characters.
Col. (afterward Gen.) George Rogers Clarke, had
had much to do in forming its character. He
was born November 19, 1752, in Albemarle
County, Va., and early came West. He had an
unusually sagacious spirit, was an excellent sur-
veyor and general, and took an active interest in
all State and national aflPairs. He understood the
animus of the Revolution, and was prepared to
do his part. Col. Clarke was now meditating a
move unequaled in its boldness, and one that had
more to do with the success of America in the
struggle for independence than at first appears.
He saw through the whole plan of the British,

HISTORY OF OHIO.

who held all the outposts, Kaskaskia, Detroit,
Vincennes and Niagara, and determined to circum-
vent them and wrest the West from their power.
The British hoped to encircle the Americans by
these outposts, and also unite the Indians in a
common war against them. That had been
attempted by the French when the English con-
quered them. Then the French had a powerful
ally in the person of Pontiac, yet the brave front-
iersmen held their homes in many places, though
the Indians " drank the blood of many a Briton,
scooping it up in the hollow of joined hands."
Now the Briton had no Pontiac to lead the scat-
tered tribes — tribes who now feared the unerring
aim of a settler, and would not attack him openly —
Clarke knew that the Delawares were divided in
feeling and that the Shawanees were but imperfectly
united in favor of England since the murder of
their noted chiefs. He was convinced that, if the
British could be driven from the Western posts,
the natives could easily be awed into submission,
or bribed into neutrality or friendship. They
admired, from their savage views of valor, the
side that became victorious. They cared little for
the cause for which either side was fighting.
Clarke sent out spies among them to ascertain the
feasibility of his plans. The spies were gone
from April 20 to June 22, and fully corroborated
his views concerning the English policy and the
feelings of the Indians and French.

Before proceeding in the narrative of this expe-
dition, however, it will be well to notice a few acts
transpiring north of the Ohio River, especially re-
lating to the land treaties, as they were not without
effect on the British policy. Many of the Indians
north and south of the Ohio would not recognize
the validity of the Fort Stanwix treaty, claiming
the Iroquois had no right to the lands, despite
their concjuest. These discontented natives har-
assed the emigrants in such a manner that many
Indians were slain in retaliation. This, and the
working of the French traders, who at all times
were bitterly opposed to the English rule, filled the
breasts of the natives with a malignant hate, which
years of bloodshed could not wash out. The
murder of several Indians by lawless whites fanned
the coal into a blaze, and, by 1774, several retalia-
tory murders occurred, committed by the natives
in revenge for their fallen friends. The Indian
slew any white man he found, as a revenge on some
fi'iend of his slain ; the frontiqrsman, acting on the
same principle, made the borders extremely dan-
gerous to invaders and invaded. Another cause

of fear occurred about this time, which threatened
seriously to retard emigration.

Pittsburgh had been claimed by both Pennsyl-
vania and Virginia, and, in endeavoring to settlg
the dispute. Lord Dunmore's war followed.. Dr.
John Connelly, an ambitious, intriguing person,
induced Lord Dunmore to assert the claims of Vir-
ginia, in the name of the King. In attempting to
carry out his intentions, he was arrested by Arthur
St. Clair, representing the proprietors of Pennsyl-
vania, who was at Pittsburgh at the time. Con-
nelly was released on bail, but went at once to
Staunton, where he was sworn in as a Justice of
Peace. Returning, he gathered a force of one
hundred and fifty men, suddenly took possession of
Pittsburgh, refused to allow the magistrates to
enter the Court House, or to exercise the functions
of their offices, unless in conformity to his will.
Connelly refused any terms offered by the Penn-
sylvania deputies, kept possession of the place,
acted very harshly toward the inhabitants, stirred
up the neutral Indians, and, for a time, threatened
to make the boundary line between the two colonies
a very serious question. His actions led to hostile
deeds by some Indians, when the whites, no doubt
urged by him, murdered seven Indians at the
mouth of the Captina River, and at the house of
a settler named Baker, where the Indians were
decoyed under promises of friendship and offers of
rum. Among those murdered at the latter place,
was the entire family of the famous Mingoe chief,
Logan. This has been charged to Michael Cresap ;
but is untrue. Daniel Greathouse had command
of the party, and though Cresap may have been
among them, it is unjust to lay the blame at his
feet. Both murders, at Captina and Yellow Creek,
were cruel and unwarranted, and were, without
doubt, the cause of the war that followed, though
the root of the matter lay in Connelly's arbitrary
actions, and in his needlessly alarming the Indians.
Whatever may have been the facts in relation to
the murder of Logan's family, they were of such
a nature as to make all feel sure of an Indian war,
and preparations were made for the conflict.

An army was gathered at Wheeling, which,
some time in July, under command of Col. Mc-
Donald, descended the Ohio to the mouth of Cap-
tina Creek. They proposed to march against an
Indian town on the Muskingum. The Indians
sued for peace, but their pretensions being found
spurious, their towns and crops were destroyed.
The army then retreated to Williamsburg, having
accomplished but little.

»^ i

HISTORY OF OHIO.

The Delawarcs were anxious for peace ; even the
Mingoes, whose relatives had been slain at Yellow
Creek, and Captina, were restrained; but Logan,
who had been turned to an inveterate foe to tlie
Americans, came suddenly upon the Monongahela
settlements, took thirteen scalps in revenge for the
loss of his family, returned home and expressed
himself ready to treat with the Long Knives, the
Virginians. Had Connelly acted properly at this
juncture, the war might have been ended; but
his actions only incensed both borderers and In-
dians. So obnoxious did he become that Lord
Dunmore lost faith in him, and severely repri-
manded him.

To put a stop to the depredations of the Indians,
two large bodies of troops were gathered in Vir-
ginia, one under Gen. Andrew Lewis, and one
under command of Dunmore himself. Before
the armies could meet at the mouth of the Great
Kanawha, their objective point, Lewis' army, which
arrived first, was attacked by a furious band of Dela-
wares, Shawanees, Iroquois and Wyandots. The
conflict was bitterly prolonged by the Indians, who,
under the leadership of Cornstalk, were deter-
mined to make a decisive effort, and fought till
late at night (October 10, 1774), and then only by
a strategic move of Lewis' command — which re-
sulted in the defeat of the Indians, compelling them
to cross the Ohio — was the conflict ended. Mean-
while, Dunmore's army came into the enemy's
country, and, being joined by the remainder of
Lewis' command, pressed forward intending to an-
nihilate the Indian towns. Cornstalk and his
chiefs, however, sued for peace, and the conflict
closed. Dunmore established a camp on Sippo
Creek, where he held conferences with the natives
and concluded the war. When he left the country,
he stationed 100 men at the mouth of the Great
Kanawha, a few more at Pittsburgh, and another
corps at Wheeling, then called Fort Fincastle.
Dunmore intended to return to Pittsburgh the
next spring, meet the Indians and form a definite
peace ; but the revolt of the colonies prevented.
However, he opened several offices for the sale of
lands in the West, some of which were in the limits
of the Pennsylvania colony. This led to the old
boundary dispute again; but before it could be
settled, the Revolution began, and Lord Dunmore's,
as well as almost all other land speculations in the
West, were at an end.

In 1775 and 1776, the chief events transpiring
in the West relate to the treaties with the Indians,
and the endeavor on the part of the Americans to

have them remain neutral in the family quarrel now
coming on, which they could not understand. The
British, like the French, however, could not let
them alone, and finally, as a retaliatory measure,
Congress, under advice of Washington, won some of
them over to the side of the colonies, getting their
aid and holding them neutral. The colonies only
offered them rewards for prisoners ; never, like the
British, offering rewards for scalps. Under such
rewards, the atrocities of the Indians in some quar-
ters were simply horrible. The scalp was enough
to get a reward, that was a mark of Indian valor,
too, and hence, helpless innocence and decrepit old
age were not spared. They stirred the minds of
the pioneers, who saw the protection of their fire-
sides a vital point, and led the way to the scheme
of Col. Clarke, who was now, as has been noted, the
leading spirit in Kentucky. He saw through the
scheme of the British, and determined, by a quick,
decisive blow, to put an end to it, and to cripple
their power in the West.

Among the acts stimulating Clarke, was the attack
on Fort Henry, a garrison about one-half mile
above Wheeling Creek, on the Ohio, by a renegade
white man, Simon Girty, an agent in the employ of
the British, it is thought, and one of the worst
wretches ever known on the frontier. When Girty
attacked Fort Henry, he led his red allies in regu-
lar military fashion, and. attacked it without mercy.
The defenders were brave, and knew with whom
they were contending. Great bravery was displayed
by the women in the fort, one of whom, a Miss
Zane, carried a keg of gunpowder from a cabin
to the fort. Though repeatedly fired at by the sav-
ages, she reached the fort in safety. After awhile,
however, the effect of the frontiersmen's shots began
to be felt, and the Indians sullenly withdrew.
Re-enforcements coming, the fort was held, and
Girty and his band were obliged to flee.

Clarke saw that if the British once got con-
trol over the Western Indians the scene at Fort
Henry would be repeated, and would not likely,
in all cases, end in favor of the Americans. With-
out communicating any of his designs, he left Har-
rodsburg about the 1st of October, 1777, and
reached the capital of Virginia by November 5.
Still keeping his mind, he awaited a favorable op-
portunity to broach his plans to those in power,
and, in the meanwhile, carefully watched the exist-
ing state of feeling. When the opportunity came,
Clarke broached his^plans to Patrick Henry, Gov-
ernor of Virginia, who at once entered warmly
into them, recognizing their great importance.

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

Through his aid, Clarke procured the necessary au-
thority to prosecute his plans, and returned at once
to Pittsburgh. He intended raising men about
this post, but found them fearful of leaving their
homes unprotected. However, he secured three
companies, and, with these and a number of volun-
teers, picked up on the way down the Ohio River,
he fortified Corn Island, near the falls, and made
ready for his expedition. He had some trouble in
keeping his men, some of those fi'om Kentucky
refusing to aid in .subduing stations out of their
own country. He did not announce his real inten-
tions till he had reached this point. Here Col.
Bowman joined him with his Kentucky militia,
and, on the 24th of June, 1778, during a total
eclipse of the sun, the party left the fort. Before
his start, he learned of the capture of Burgoyne,
and, when nearly down to Fort Massac, he met
some of his spies, who informed him of the exag-
gerated accounts of the ferocity of the Long
Knives that the French had received from the
British. By proper action on his part, Clarke saw
both these items of information could be made
very beneficial to him. Leaving the river near
Fort Massac, he set out on the march to Kaskas-
kia, through a hot summer's sun, over a country
full of savage foes. They reached the town un-
noticed, on the evening of July 4, and, before
the astonished British and French knew it, they
were all prisoners. M. Rocheblave, the English
commander, was secured, but his wife adroitly con-
cealed the papers belonging to the garrison. In
the person of M. Gibault, the French priest, Clarke
found a true friend. When the true character of
the Virginians became apparent, the French were
easily drawn to the American side, and the priest
secured the surrender and allegiance of Cahokia
through his personal influence. M. Gibault told
him he would also secure the post at St. Vincent's,
which he did, returning from the mission about
the 1st of August. During the interval, Clarke re-
enlisted his men, formed his plans, sent his pris-
oners to Kentucky, and was ready for future action
when M. Gibault arrived. He sent Capt. Helm
and a single soldier to Vincennes to hold that fort
until he could put a garrison there. It is but
pn)per to state that the English commander, Col.
Hamilton, and his band of soldiers, were absent at
Detroit when the priest secured the village on the
"Ouabache." When Hamilton returned, in the
autumn, he was greatly surprised to see the Amer-
ican flag floating from the ramparts of the fort,
and when approaching the gate he was abruptly

halted by Capt. Helm, who stood with a lighted fuse
in his hand by a cannon, answering Hamilton's
demand to surrender with the imperative inquiry,
"Upon what terms, sir?" "Upon the honors of
war," answered Hamilton, and he marched in
greatly chagrined to see he had been halted by
two men. The British commander sat quietly
down, intending to go on down the river and sub-
due Kentucky in the spring, in the mean time
off'ering rewards for American scaljjs, and thereby
gaining the epithet " Hair-buyer General." Clarke
heard of his actions late in January, 1779, and, as
he says, " I knew if I did not take him he would
take me," set out early in February with his troops
and marched across the marshy plains of Lower
Illinois, reaching the Wabash post by the 22d of
that month. The unerring aim of the Westerner
was effectual. " They will shoot your eyes out,"
said Helm to the British troops. " There, I told
you so," he further exclaimed, as a soldier vent-
ured near a port-hole and received a shot directly
in his eye. On the 24th the fort surrendered.
The American flag waved again over its ramparts.
The " Hair-buyer General" was sent a prisoner to
Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement
for his cruel acts. Clarke returned to Kaskaskia,
perfected his plans to hold the Illinois settlements,
went on to Kentucky, from where he sent word to
the colonial authorities of the success of his expe-
dition. Had he received the aid promised him,
Detroit, in ea.sy reach, would have fallen too, but
Gen. Green, failing to send it as promised, the capt-
ure of that important post was delayed.

Had Clarke failed, and Hamilton succeeded, the
whole West would have been swept, from the Alle-
ghanies to the Mississippi. But for this small
army of fearless Virginians, the union of all the
triljes from Georgia to Maine against the colonies
might have been eff"ected, and the whole current
of American history changed. America owes
Clarke and his band more than it can ever pay.
Clarke reported the capture of Kaskaskia and the
Illinois country early after its surrender, and in
October the county of Illinois was established,
extending over an unlimited expanse of country,
by the Virginia Legislature. John Todd was
appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor.
In November, Clarke and his men received the
thanks of the same body, who, in after years,
secured them a grant of land, which they selected
on the right bank of the Ohio River, opposite
Louisville. They expected here a city would rise
one day, to be the peer of Louisville, then coming

^ (i

® i_

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

into prominence as an important place. By some
means, their expectations failed, and only the
dilapidated village of Clarkesburg perpetuates
their hopes.

The conquest of Clarke changed the face of
affairs in relation to the whole country north of
the Ohio River, which would, in all probability,
have been made the boundary between Canada and
the United States. When this was proposed, the
strenuous arguments based on this conquest, by
the American Commissioners, secured the present
boundary line in negotiating the treaty of 1793.

Though Clarke had failed to capture Detroit,
Congress saw the importance of the post, and
resolved on securing it. Gren. McCosh, commander
at Fort Pitt, was put in command, and $1,000,-
000 and 3,000 men placed at his disposal. By
some dilatory means, he got no further than the
Tuscarawas River, in Ohio, where a half-way
house, called Fort Laurens, for the President of
Congress, was built. It was too far out to be of
practicable value, and was soon after abandoned.

Indian troubles and incursions by the British
were the most absorbing themes in the West.
The British went so far as Kentucky at a later
date, while they intended reducing Fort Pitt, only
abandoning it when learning of its strength.
Expeditions against the Western Indians were led
by Gren. Sullivan, Col. Daniel Broadhead, Col.
Bowman and others, which, for awhile, silenced
the natives and taught them the power of the
Americans. They could not organize so readily
as before, and began to attach themselves more
closely to the British, or commit their depredations
in bands, fleeing into the wilderness as soon as
they struck a blow. In this way, several localities
suffered, until the settlers became again exasper-
ated ; other expeditions were formed, and a second
chastisement given. In 1781, Col. Broadhead
led an expedition against the Central Ohio Indians.
It did not prove so successful, as the Indians were
led by the noted chief Brant, who, though not
cruel, was a foe to the Americans, and assisted the
British greatly in their endeavors to secure the West.

Another class of events occurred now in the
West, civil in their relations, yet destined to form
an important part of its history — its land laws.

It must be borne in mind, that Virginia claimed
the greater portion of the country north of the
Ohio River, as well as a large part south. The
other colonies claimed land also in the West under
the old Crown grants, which extended to the
South or Western Sea. To more complicate mat-

ters, several land companies held proprietary rights
to portions of these lands gained by grants from
the Crown, or from the Colonial Assemblies.
Others were based on land warrants issued
in 1763; others on selection and > survey and
still others on settlement. In this state of
mixed affairs, it was difficult to say who held a
secure claim. It was a question whether the old
French grants were good or not, especially since
the change in government, and the eminent pros-
pect of still another change. To, in some way,
aid in settling these claims, Virginia sent a com-
mission to the West to sit as a court and determine
the proprietorship of these claims. This court,
though of as doubtful authority as the claims
themselves, went to work in Kentucky and along
the Ohio River in 1779, and, in the course of one
year, granted over three thousand certificates.
These were considered as good authority for a
definite title, and were so regarded in after pur-
chases. Under them, many pioneers, like Daniel
Boone, lost their lands, as all were required to
hold some kind of a patent, while others, who
possessed no more principle than "land-sharks"
of to-day, acquired large tracts of land by holding
a patent the court was bound to accept. Of all
the colonies, Virginia seemed to have the best
title to the Northwest, save a few parcels, such as
the Connecticut or Western Reserve and some
similar tracts held by New York, Massachusetts
and New Jersey. When the territory of the
Northwest was ceded to the General Government,
this was recognized, and that country was counted
as a Virginia county.

The Spanish Government, holding the region
west of the Mississippi, and a portion east toward
its outlet, became an important but secret ally of
the Americans. When the French revolt was
suppressed by O'Reilly, and the Spanish assumed
the government of Louisiana, both Upper and
Lower, there was a large tract of country, known
as Florida (East and West), claimed by England,
and duly regarded as a part of her dominion.
The boundaries had been settled when the French
first occupied Lower Louisiana. The Spaniards
adopted the patriarchal form of rule, as much as
was consistent with their interests, and allowed the
French full religious and civil liberty, save that all
tribunals were after the Spanish fashion, and
governed by Spanish rules. The Spaniards, long
jealous of England's growing power, secretly sent
the Governors of Louisiana word to aid the
Americans in their strusrsrle for freedom. Though

HISTORY OF OHIO.

they controlled the Mississippi River, they allowed
an American officer ( Capt. Willing) to descend the
river in January, 1778, with a party of fifty men,
and ravage the British shore from Manchez Bayou
to Natchez.

On the 8th of May, 1779, Spain declared war
against Great Britain; and, on the 8th of July,
the people of Louisiana were allowed to take a
part in the war. Accordingly, Gralvez collected a
force of 1,400 men, and, on the 7th of September,
took Fort Manchac. By the 21st of September,
he had taken Baton Rouge and Natchez. Eight
vessels were captured by the Spaniards on the
Mississippi and on the lakes. In 1780 Mobile
fell ; in March, 1781, Pensacola, the chief British
post in West Florida, succumbed after a long
siege, and, on the 9th of May, all West Florida
was surrendered to Spain.

This war, or the war on the Atlantic Coast, did
not immediately affect Upper Louisiana. Great
Britain, however, attempted to capture St. Louis.
Though the commander was strongly suspected of
being bribed by the English, yet the place stood
the siege from the combined force of Indians and
Canadians, and the assailants were dispersed. This
was done during the summer of 1680, and in the
autumn, a company of Spanish and French resi-
dents, under La Balme, went on an expedition
against Detroit. They marched as far north as
the British trading-post Ke-ki-ong-a, at the head
of the Maumee River, but being surprised in the
night, and the commander slain, the expedition
was defeated, having done but little.

Spain may have had personal interests in aiding
the Americans. She was now in control of the Mis-
sissippi River, the natural outlet of the Northwest,
and, in 1780, began the troubles relative to the
navigation of that stream. The claims of Spain
were considered very unjust by the Continental
Congress, and, while deliberating over the question,
Virginia, who was jealously alive to her Western
interests, and who yet held jurisdiction over Ken-
tucky, sent through Jefferson, the Governor, Gen.
George Rogers Clarke, to erect a fort below the
mouth of the Ohio. This proceeding was rather
unwarrantable, especially as the fort was built in
the country of the Chickasaws, who had thus far
been true friends to the Americans, and who looked
upon the fort as an innovation on their territory.
It was completed and occupied but a short time,
Clarke being recalled.

Virginia, in 1780, did a very important thing;
namely, establishing an institution for higher edu-

cation. The Old Dominion confiscated the lands
of "Robert McKenzie, Henry Collins and Alex-
ander McKee, Biitons, eight thousand acres," and
invested the proceeds of the sale in a public semi-
nary. Transylvania University now lives, a monu-
ment to that spirit.

AVhile Clarke was building Fort Jefferson, a force
of British and Indians, under command of Capt.
Bryd, came down from Canada and attacked the
Kentucky settlements, getting into the country be-
fore any one was aware. The winter before had
Ijeen one of unusual severity, and game was ex
ceedingly scarce, hence the army was not prepared
to conduct a campaign. After the capture of Rud-
dle's Station, at the south fork of the Licking, Bryd
abandoned any further attempts to reduce the set-
tlements, except capturing Martin's Station, and
returned to Detroit.

This expedition gave an additional motive for
the chastisement of the Indians, and Clarke, on his
return from Fort Jefferson, went on an expedition
against the Miami Indians. He destroyed their
towns at Loramie's store, near the present city of
Sydney, Ohio, and at Piqua, humbling the natives.
While on the way, a part of the army remained
on the north bank of the Ohio, and erected two
block-houses on the present site of Cincinnati.

The exploits of Clarke and his men so effectually
chastised the Indians, that, for a time, the West
was safe. During this period of quiet, the meas-
ures which led to the cession of Western lands to
the General Government, began to assume a defi-
nite form. All the colonies claiming Western
lands were willing to cede them to the Government,
save Virginia, which colony wanted a large scope
of Southern country southeast of the Ohio, as far
as South Carolina. All recognized the justice of
all Western lands becoming public property, and
thereby aiding in extinguishing the debts caused by
the war of the Revolution, now about to close.
As Virginia held a somewhat different view, the
cession was not made until 1788.

The subject, however, could not be allowed to
rest. The war of the Revolution was now drawing
to a close ; victory on the part of the colonies was
apparent, and the Western lands must be a part of
the public domain. Subsequent events brought
about the desired cession, though several events
transpired before the plan of cession was consum-
mated.

Before the close of 1780, the Legislature of
Virginia passed an act, establishing the "town of
Louisville," and confiscated the lands of John

jLI

_«)

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

Connelly, who was one of its original proprietors,
and who distinguished himself in the commence-
ment of Lord Dunmore's war, and who was now a
Tory, and doing all he could against the patriot
cause. The proceeds of the sale of his lands were
divided between Virginiaand the county of Jefferson.
Kentucky, the next year, was divided into three
counties, Jefferson, Lincoln and Fayette. Courts
were appointed in each, and the entry and location
of lands given into their hands. Settlers, in spite
of Indian troubles and British intrigue, were*
pouring over the mountains, particularly so during
the years 1780 and 1781. The expeditions of
Clarke against the Miami Indians ; Boone's cap-
tivity, and escape from them; their defeat when
attacking Boonesboro, and other places — all
combined to weaken their power, and teach them
to respect a nation whose progress they could not
stay.

The pioneers of the West, obliged to depend on
themselves, owing to the struggle of the colonies
for freedom, grew up a hardy, self-reliant race,
with all the vices and virtues of a border life, and
with habits, manners and customs necessary to
their peculiar situation, and suited to their peculiar
ta.ste. A resume of their experiences and daily
lives would be quite interesting, did the limits of
this history admit it here. In the part relating
directly to this county, the reader will find such
lives given; here, only the important events can
be noticed.

The last event of consequence occurring in the
West before the close of the Revolution, is one
that might well have been omitted. Had such
been the case, a great stain would have been spared
the character of Western pioneers. Reference is
made to the massacre of the Moravian Christian
Tmlians.

These Indians were of the Delaware nation
chiefly, though other Western tribes were visited
and many converts made. The first converts were
made in New York and Connecticut, where, after
a good start had been made, and a prospect of
many souls being saved, tli^y incurred the enmity
of the whites, who, becoming alarmed at their suc-
cess, persecuted them to such an extent that they
were driven out of New York into Pennsylvania,
where, in 1744, four years after their arrival in
the New World, they began new missions. In
1748, the New York and Connecticut Indians fol-
lowed their teachers, and were among the founders
of Friedenshutten, "Tents of Peace," a hamlet
near Bethlehem, where their teachers were sta-

tioned. Other hamlets grew around them, iintil
in the interior of the colony, existed an Indian
community, free from all savage vices, and grow-
ing up in Christian virtues. As their strength
grew, lawless whites again began to oppress them.
They could not understand the war of 1754, and
were, indeed, in a truly embarrassing position.
The savages could form no conception of any cause
for neutrality, save a secret sympathy with the
English ; and if they could not take i;p the hatchet,
they were in the way, and must be removed. Fail-
ing to do this, their red brothers became hostile.
The whites were but little better. The old suspi-
cions which drove them from New York were
aroused. They were secret Papists, in league with
the French, and furnished them with arms and in-
telligence; they were interfering with the li(juor
trafiic; they were enemies to the Government,
and the Indian and the white man combined against
them. They were obliged to move fi-om place to
place; were at one time protected nearly a year,
near Philadelphia, fi'om lawless whites, and finally
were compelled to go far enough West to be out
of the way of French and English arms, or the
Iroquois and Cherokee hatchets. They came
finally to the Muskingum, where they made a set-
tlement called Schonbruu, "beautiful clear spring,"
in what is now Tuscarawas County. Other settle-
ments gathered, from time to time, as the years
went on, till in 1772 large numbers of them were
within the borders of the State.

Until the war of independence broke out, they
were allowed to peacefully pursue their way. When
that came, they were between Fort Pitt and De-
troit, one of which contained British, the other
Americans. Again they could not understand the
struggle, and could not take up the hatchet. This
brought on them the enmity of both belligerent
parties, and that of their own forest companions,
who could not see wherein their natures could
change. Among the most hostile persons, were
the white renegades McKee, Girty and Elliott.
On their instigation, several of them were slain,
and by their advice they were obliged to leave their
fields and homes, where they had many comforts,
and where they had erected good chapels in which
to worship. It was just before one of these forced
removals that Mary, daughter of the missionary
Heckewelder, was born. She is supposed to be
the first white female child born north of the Ohio
River. Her birth occurred April l(i, 1781. It
is but proper to say here, that it is an open ques-
tion, and one that will probably never be decided.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

('. e. Who was the first white child born in Ohio ?
In all probability, the child was born during the
captivity of its mother, as history plainly shows
that when white women were released from the
Indians, some of them cai'ried children born while
among the natives.

When the Moravians were forced to leave their
settlements on the Muskingum, and taken to San-
dusky, they left growing fields of corn, to which
they were obliged to return, to gather food. This
aroused the whites, only wanting some pretext
whereby they might attack them, and a party,
headed by Col. David Williamson, determined to
exterminate them. The Moravians, hearing of their
approach, fled, but too late to warn other settle-
ments, and Gnadenhutten, Salem and one or two
smaller settlements, were surprised and taken.
Under deceitful promises, the Indians gave up all
their arms, showed the whites their treasures, and
went unknowingly to a terrible death. When ap-
prised of their fate, determined on by a majority
of the rangers, they begged only time to prepare.
They were led two by two, the men into one, the
women and children into another "slaughter-
house," as it was termed, and all but two lads were
wantonly slain. An infamous and more bloody
deed never darkened the pages of feudal times ;
a deed that, in after years, called aloud for venge-
ance, and in some measure received it. Some of
Williamson's men wrung their hands at the cruel
fate, and endeavored, by all the means in their
power, to prevent it; but all to no purpose. The
blood of the rangers was up, and they would not spare
"man, woman or child, of all that peaceful band."

Having completed their horrible work, (March
8, 1782), Williamson and his men returned to
Pittsburgh. Everywhere, the Indians lamented
the untimely death of their kindred, their savage
relatives determining on their revenge; the Chris-
tian ones could only be resigned and weep.

Williamson's success, for such it was \'iewed by
many, excited the borderers to another invasion,
and a second army was raised, this time to
go to the Sandusky town, and annihilate the
Wyandots. Col. William Crawford was elected
leader ; he accepted reluctantly ; on the way,
the army was met by hordes of savages on the 5th of

June, and totally routed. They were away north,
in what is now Wyandot County, and were obliged
to flee for their lives. The blood of the murdered
Moravians called for revenge. The Indians de-
sired it ; were they not relatives of the fallen
Christians ? Crawford and many of his men fell
into their hands ; all suflered unheard-of tortures,
that of Crawford being as cruel as Indian cruelty
could devise. Ho was pounded, pierced, cut with
knives and burned, all of which occupied nearly a
night, and finally lay down insensible on a bed of
coals, and died. The savage captors, in demoniacal
glee, danced around him, and upbraided him for
the cruel murder of their relatives, giving him this
only consolation, that had they captured William-
son, he might go free, but he must answer for Will-
iamson's brutality.

The war did not cease here. The Indians, now
aroused, carried their attack as far south as into
Kentucky, killing Capt. Estill, a brave man, and
some of his companions. The British, too, were
active in aiding them, and the 14th of August a
large force of them, under Girty, gathered silently
about Bryant's Station. They were obliged to re-
treat. The Kentuckians pursued them, but were
repulsed with considerable loss.

The attack on Bryant's Station aroused the peo-
ple of Kentucky to strike a blow that would be
felt. Gen. Clarke was put at the head of an army
of one thousand and fifty men, and the Miami
country was a second time destroyed. Clarke even
went as far north as the British trading-post at the
head of the Miami, where he captured a great
amount of property, and destroyed the post. Other
outposts also fell, the invading army suffering but
little, and, by its decisive action, practically closing
the Indian wars in the West. Pennsylvania suf-
fered some, losing Hannahstown and one or two
small settlements. Williamson's and Crawford's
campaigns aroused the fury of the Indians that
took time and much blood and war to subdue. The
Revolution was, however, drawing to a close. Amer-
ican arms were victorious, and a new nation was
now coming into existence, who would change the
whole current of Western matters, and make of the
Northwest a land of liberty, equality and union.
That nation was now on the statre.

HISTOllY OF OHIO.

CHAPTER VI.

AMERICAN OCCUPATION— INDIAN CLAIMS— SURVEYS — EARLY LAND COMPANIES— COMPACT
OF 1787 — ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY — EARLY AMERICAN SETTLE-
MENTS IN THE OHIO VALLEY — FIRST TERRITORIAL
OFFICERS— ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES.

THE occupation of the West by the American,
really dates from the campaign of Gren. Clarke in
1778, when he captured the British posts in the
Illinois country, and Vincennes on the Wabash.
Had he been properly supported, he would have
reduced Detroit, then in easy reach, and poorly de-
fended. As it was, however, that post remained in
charge of the British till after the close of the war
of the Revolution. They also held other lake
posts; but these were included in the terms of
peace, and came into the possession of the Ameri-
cans. They were abandoned by the British as
soon as the different commanders received notice
from their chiefs, and British rule and English
occupation ceased in that part of the New World.

The war virtually closed by the surrender of
Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., October 19,
1781. The struggle was prolonged, however, by
the British, in the vain hope that they could re-
trieve the disaster, but it was only a useless waste
of men and money. America would not be sub-
dued. "If we are to be taxed, we will be repre-
sented," said they, "else we will be a free govern-
ment, and regulate our own taxes." In the end,
they were free.

Provisional articles of peace between the United
States and Great Britain were signed in Paris on
the 30th of November, 1782. This was followed
by an armistice negotiated at Versailles on the 20th
of January, 1783; and finally, a definite treaty of
peace was concluded at Paris on the 3d of the next
September, and ratified by Congress on the 4th of
January, 1784. By the second article of the defi-
nite treaty of 1783, the boundaries of the United
States were fixed. A glance at the map of that
day shows the boundary to have been as follows:
Beginning at Passamaquoddy Bay, on the coast of
Maine, the line ran north a little above the forty-
fifth parallel of latitude, when it diverged southwest-
erly, irregularly, until it reached that parallel, when
it followed it until it reached the St. Lawrence River.
It followed that river to Lake Ontario, down its
center ; up the Niagara River ; through Lake Erie,

up the Detroit River and through Lakes Huron and
Superior, to the northwest extremity of the latter.
Then it pursued another irregular western course
to the Lake of the Woods, when it turned south-
ward to the Mississippi River. The commissioners
insisted that should be the western boundary, as
the lakes were the northern. It followed the Mis-
sissippi south until the mouth of Red River was
reached, when, turning east, it followed almost a
direct line to the Atlantic Coast, touching the
coast a little north of the outlet of St. John's
River.

From this outline, it will be readily seen what
boundary the United States possessed. Not one-
half of its present domain.

At this date, there existed the original thirteen
colonies : Virginia occupying all Kentucky and
all the Northwest, save about half of Michigan and
Wisconsin, claimed by Massachusetts ; and the upper
part of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the lower
part (a narrow strip) of Michigan, claimed by Con-
necticut. Greorgia included all of Alabama and
Mississippi. The Spaniards claimed all Florida
and a narrow part of lower Georgia. All the coun-
try west of the Father of Waters belonged to Spain,
to whom it had been secretly ceded when the fam-
ily compact was made. That nation controlled the
Mississippi, and gave no small uneasiness to the
young government. It was, however, happily set-
tled finally, by the sale of Louisana to the United
States.

Pending the settlement of these questions and
the formation of the Federal Union, the cession of
the Northwest by Virginia again came before
Congress. That body found itself unable to fulfill
its promises to its soldiers regarding land, and
again urged the Old Dominion to cede the Terri-
tory to the General Government, for the good of
all. Congress forbade settlers from occupying the
Western lands till a definite cession had been
made, and the title to the lands in question made
good. But speculation was stronger than law,
and without waiting for the slow processes of courts.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

the adventurous settlers were pouring into the
country at a rapid rate, only retarded by the rifle
and scalping-knife of the savage — a temporary
check. The policy of allowing any parties to obtain
land from the Indians was strongly discouraged
by Washington. He advocated the idea that only
the General Government could do that, and, in a
letter to James Duane, in Congress, he strongly
urged such a course, and pointed out the danger
of a border war, unless some such measure was
stringently followed.

Under the circumstances, Congress pressed the
claims of cession upon Virginia, and finally in-
duced the Dominion to modify the terms proposed
two years before. On the 20th of December,
1783, Virginia accepted the proposal of Congress,
and authorized her delegates to make a deed to
the United States of all her right in the territory
northwest of the Ohio.

The Old Dominion stipulated in her deed of
cession, that the territory should be divided into
States, to be admitted into the Union as any other
State, and to bear a proportionate share in the
maintenance of that Union; that Virginia should
be re-imbursed for the expense incurred in subduing
the British posts in the territory; that the French
and Canadian inhabitants should be protected in their
rights ; that the grant to Gen. George Rogers Clarke
and his men, as well as all other similar grants,
should be confirmed, and that the lands should be
considered as the common property of the United
States, the proceeds to be applied to the use of the
whole country. Congress accepted these condi-
tions, and the deed was made March 1, 1784.
Thus the country came from under the dominion
of Virginia, and became common property.

A serious difficulty arose about this time, that
threatened for awhile to involve England and
America anew in war. Virginia and several
other States refused to abide by that part of the
treaty relating to the payment of debts, especially
so, when the British carried away quite a number
of negroes claimed by the Americans. This re-
fusal on the part of the Old Dominion and her
abettors, caused the English to retain her North-
western outposts, Detroit, Mackinaw, etc. She
held these till 1786, when the questions were
finally settled, and then readily abandoned them.

The return of peace greatly augmented emigra-
tion to the West, especially to Kentucky. When
the war closed, the population of that county (the
three counties having been made one judicial dis-
trict, and Danville designated as the seat of gov-

ernment) was estimated to be about twelve thousand.
In one year, after the close of the war, it increased
to 30,000, and steps for a State government were
taken. Owing to the divided sentiment among its
citizens, its perplexing qviestions of land titles
and proprietary rights, nine conventions were held
before a definite course of action could be reached.
This prolonged the time till 1792, when, in De-
cember of that year, the election for persons to
form a State constitution was held, and the vexed
and complicated questions settled. In 1783, the
first wagons bearing merchandise came across the
mountains. Their contents were received on flat-
boats at Pittsburgh, and taken down the Ohio to
Louisville, which that spring boasted of a store,
opened by Daniel Broadhead. The next year,
James Wilkinson opened one at Lexington.

Pittsburgh was now the principal town in the
West. It occupied the same position regarding
the outposts that Omaha has done for several years
to Nebraska. The town of Pittsburgh was laid
out immediately after the war of 1764, by Col.
Campbell. It then consisted of four squares about
the fort, and received its name from that citadel.
The treaty with the Six Nations in 1768, con-
veyed to the proprietaries of Pennsylvania all the
lands of the Alleghany below Kittanniug, and all
the country south of the Ohio, within the limits of
Penns charter. This deed of cession was recog-
nized when the line between Pennsylvania and
Virginia was fixed, and gave the post to the Key-
stone State. In accordance with this deed, the
manor of Pittsburgh was withdrawn from market
in 1769, and was held as the property of the Penn
family. When Washington visited it in 1770, it
seems to have declined in consequence of the
afore-mentioned act. He mentions it as a "town of
about twenty log houses, on the Monongahela,
about three hundred yards fi-om the fort." The
Penn's remained true to the King, and hence all
their land that had not been surveyed and returned
to the land office, was confiscated by the common-
wealth. Pittsburgh, having been surveyed, was
still left to them. In the spring of 1784, Tench
Francis, the agent of the Penns, was induced to
lay out the manor into lots and offer them for sale.
Though, for many years, the place was rather un-
promising, it eventually became the chief town in'
that part of the West, a position it yet holds. In
1786, John Scull and Joseph Hall started the
Pittsburgh Gazette^ the first paper published west
of the mountains. In the initial number, appeared a
lengthy article from the pen of H. H. Brackenridge,

HISTORY OF OHIO.

afterward one of tlie most prominent members
of the Pennsylvania bar. He had located in
Pittsburgh in 1781. His letter gives a most hope-
ful ])rospect in store for the future city, and is a
highly descriptive article of the Western country.
It is yet preserved in the "Western Annals, " and
is well worth a perusal.

Under the act of peace in 1783, no provision was
made by the British for their allies, especially the
Six Nations. The question was ignored by the
English, and was made a handle by the Americans
in gaining them to their cause before the war had
fully closed. The treaties made were regarded by
the Indians as alliances only, and when the En-
glish left the country the Indians began to assume
rather a hostile bearing. This excited the whites,
and for a while a war with that formidable con-
federacy was imminent. Better councils prevailed,
and Congress wisely adopted the policy of acquiring
their lands by purchase. In accordance wdth this
policy, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix with
the Six Nations, in October, 1784. By this treaty,
all lands west of a line drawn from the mouth of
Oswego Creek, about four miles east of Niagara,
to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, and on to the
northern boundary of Pennsylvania, thence west
along that boundary to its western extremity,
thence south to the Ohio River, should be ceded
to the United States. (They claimed west of this line
by conquest.) The Six Nations were to be secured
in the lands they inhabited, reserving only six miles
square around Oswego fort for the support of the
same. By this treaty, the indefinite claim of the
Six Nations to the West was extinguished, and the
question of its ownership settled.

It was now occupied by other Western tribes,
who did not recognize the Iroquois claim, and who
would not yield without a purchase. Especially
was this the case with those Indians living in the
northern part. To get possession of that country
by the same process, the United States, through
its commissioners, held a treaty at Fort Mcintosh
on the 21st of January, 1785. The Wyandot,
Delaware, Chippewa and Ottawa tribes were pres-
ent, and, through their chiefs, sold their lands to
the Grovernment. The Wyandot and Delaware
nations were given a reservation in the north part
of Ohio, where they were to be protected. The
others were allotted reservations in Michigan. To
all was given complete control of their lands, allow-
ing them to punish any white man attempting to
settle thereon, and guaranteeing them in their
rio-hts.

By such means Congress gained Indian titles to
the vast realms north of the Ohio, and, a few
months later, that legislation was commenced that
should determine the mode of its disposal and the
plan of its settlements.

To facilitate the settlement of lands thus acquired.
Congress, on May 20, 1785, passed an act for dispos-
ing of lands in the Northwest Territory. Its main
provisions were : A surveyor or surveyors should be
appointed from the States ; and a geographer, and
his assistants to act with them. The surveyors
were to divide the territory into townships of six
miles square, by lines running due north and
south, and east and west. The starting-place
was to be on the Ohio River, at a point where the
southern and western boundaries of Pennsylvania
intersected. This would give the first range, and
the first township. As soon as seven townships were
surveyed, the maps and plats of the same were to
be sent to the Board of the Treasury, who would
record them and proceed to place the laud in the
market, and so on with all the townships as fast as
they could be prepared ready ftir sale. Each town-
ship was to be divided into thirty-six sections, or
lots. Out of these sections, numbers 8, 11, 2G and
29 were reserved for the use of the Government,
and lot No. 16, for the establishment of a common-
school fund. One-third of all mines and minerals was
also reserved for the United Stat<is. Three townships
on Lake Erie were reserved for the use of officers,
men and others, refugees from Canada and from
Nova Scotia, who were entitled to grants of land.
The Moravian Indians were also exempt from
molestation, and guaranteed in their homes. Sol-
diers' claims, and all others of a like nature, were
also recognized, and land reserved for them.

Without waiting for the act of Congress, settlers
had been pouring into the country, and, when or-
dered by Congress to leave undisturbed Indian
lands, refused to do so. They went into the In-
dian country at their peril, however, and when
driven out by the Indians could get no redress
from the Grovernment, even when life was lost.

The Indians on the Wabash made a treaty at
Fort Finney, on the Miami, January 31, 1786,
promising allegiance to the United States, and were
allowed a reservation. This treaty did not include
the Piankeshaws, as was at first intended. These,
refusing to live peaceably, stirred up the Shawa-
nees, who began a series of predatory excursions
against the settlements. This led to an expedition
against them and other restless tribes. Gen. Clarke
commanded part of the army on that expedition,

-»

(yj^L^ip Lyi-Le^l

^■.

but got no farther than Vincennes, when, owing to
the discontent of his Kentucky troops, he was
obHged to return. Col. Benjamin Logan, how-
ever, marched, at the head of four or five hundred
mounted riflemen, into the Indian country, pene-
trating as far as the head-waters of Mad River.
He destroyed several towns, much corn, and took
about eighty prisoners. Among these, was the
chief of the nation, who was wantonly slain,
greatly to Logan's regret, who could not restrain
his men. His expedition taught the Indians sub-
mission, and that they must adhere to their con-
tracts.

Meanwhile, the difficulties of the navigation of
the Mississippi arose. Spain would not relinquish
the right to control the entire southern part of the
river, allowing no fi'ee navigation. She was secretly
hoping to cause a revolt of the Western provinces,
especially Kentucky, and openly favored such a
move. She also claimed, by conquest, much of the
land on the east side of the river. The slow move-
ments of Congress; the failure of Virginia to
properly protect Kentucky, and the inherent rest-
lessness in some of the Western men, well-nigh
precipitated matters, and, for a while, serious results
were imminent. The Kentuckians, and, indeed,
all the people of the West, were determined the
river should be free, and even went so far as to
raise a regiment, and forcibly seize Spanish prop-
erty "in the West. Great Britain stood ready, too,
to aid the West should it succeed, providing it
would make an alliance with her. But while the
excitement was at its height, Washington coun-
seled better ways and patience. The decisive tone
of the new republic, though almost overwhelmed
with a burden of debt, and with no credit, debarred
the Spanish from too forcible measures to assert
their claims, and held back the disloyal ones from
attempting a revolt.

New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut ceded
their lands, and now the United States were ready
to fulfill their promises of land grants, to the sol-
diers who had preserved the nation. This did
much to heal the breach in the West, and restore
confidence there; so that the Mississippi question
was overlooked for a time, and Kentucky forgot her
animosities.

The cession of their claims was the signal for
the formation of land companies in the East ; com-
panies whose object was to settle the Western coun-
try, and, at the same time, enrich the founders of
the companies. Some of these companies had been
formed in the old colonial days, but the recent war

had put a stop to all their proceedings. Congress
would not recognize their claims, and new com-
panies, under old names, were the result. By such
means, the Ohio Company emerged from the past,
and, in 1786, took an active existence.

Benjamin Tupper, a Revolutionary soldier, and
since then a government surveyor, who had been
west as far as Pittsburgh, revived the question.
He was prevented from prosecuting his surveys by
hostile Indians, and returned to Massachusetts.
He broached a plan to Gen. Rufus Putnam, as to
the renewal of their memorial of 1783, which re-
sulted in the publication of a plan, and inviting all
those interested, to meet in February in their re-
spective counties, and choose delegates to a con-
vention to be held at the " Bunch-of-gi'apes Tav-
ern." in Boston, on the first of March, 1786. On
the day appointed, eleven persons appeared, and
by the 3d of March an outline was drawn up, and
subscriptions under it began at once. The leading
features of the plan were : " A fund of $1 ,000,000,
mainly in Continental certificates, was to be raised
for the purpose of purchasing lands in the Western
country; there were to be 1,000 shares of $1,000
each, and upon each share $10 in specie were to
be paid for contingent expenses. One year's inter-
est was to be appropriated to the charges of making
a settlement, and assisting those unable to move
without aid. The owners of every twenty shares
were to choose an agent to represent them and
attend to their interests, and the agents were to
choose the directors. The plan was approved, and
in a year's time from that date, the Company was
organized."*

By the time this Company was organized, all
claims of the colonies in the coveted territory were
done away with by their deeds of cession, Connect-
icut being the last.

While troubles were still existing south of the
Ohio River, regarding the navigation of the Mis-
sissippi, and many urged the formation of a sepa-
rate, independent State, and while Congress and
Washington were doing what they could to allay
the feeling north of the Ohio, the New England
associates were busily engaged, now that a Com-
pany was formed, to obtain the land they wished
to purchase. On the 8th of March, 1787, a meet-
ing of the agents chose Gen. Parsons, Gen. Put-
nam and the Rev. Mannasseh Cutler, Directors for
the Company. The last selection was quite a
fitting one for such an enterprise. Dr. Cutler was

* Historical ColIectionBi

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

an accomplished scholar, an excellent gentleman,
and a firm believer in freedom. In the choice of
him as the agent of the Company, lies the fact,
though unforeseen, of the beginning of anti-slavery
in America. Through him the famous " compact
of 1787," the true corner-stone of the Northwest,
originated, and by him was safely passed. He
was a good "wire-puller," too, and in this had an
advantage. Mr. Hutchins was at this time the
geographer for the United States, and was, prob-
ably, the best-posted man in America regarding
the West. Dr. Cutler learned from him that the
most desirable portions were on the Muskingum
River, north of the Ohio, and was advised by him
to buy there if he could.

Congress wanted money badly, and many of the
members favored the plan. The Southern mem-
bers, generally, were hostile to it, as the Doctor
would listen to no grant which did not embody
the New England ideas in the charter. These
members were finally won over; some bribery be-
ino; used, and some of their favorites made officers
of the Territory, whose formation was now gomg
on. This took time, however, and Dr. Cutler, be-
coming impatient, declared they would purchase
from some of the States, who held small tracts in
various parts of the West. This intimation brought
the tardy ones to time, and, on the 23d of July,
Congress authorized the Treasury Board to make
the contract. On the 26th, Messrs. Cutler and
Sargent, on behalf of the Company, stated in
writing their conditions; and on the 27th, Con-
gress referred their letter to the Board, and an
order of the same date was obtained. Of this Dr.
Cutler's journal says:

" By this grant we obtained near five millions
of acres of land, amounting to $3,500,000 ; 1,500,-
000 acres for the Ohio Company, and the remainder
for a private speculation, in which many of the
principal characters of America are concerned.
Without connecting this peculation, similar terms
and advantages for the Ohio Company could not
have been obtained."

Messrs. Cutler and Sargent at once closed a ver-
bal contract with the Treasury Board, which was
executed in form on the 27th of the next Octo-
ber.*

By this contract, the vast region bounded on the
south by the Ohio, west by the Scioto, east by the
seventh range of townships then surveying, and
north by a due west line, drawn from the north

* Land Laws.

boundary of the tenth township from the Ohio,
direct to the Scioto, was sold to the Ohio associ-
ates and their secret copartners, for $1 per acre,
subject to a deduction of one-third for bad lands
and other contingencies.

The whole tract was not, however, paid for nor
taken by the Company — even their own portion of
a million and a half acres, and extending west to the
eighteenth range of townships, was not taken ; and
in 1792, the boundaries of the purchase proper
were fixed as follows : the Ohio on the south, the
seventh range of townships on the east, the six-
teenth range on the west, and a line on the north
so drawn as to make the grant 750,000 acres, be-
sides reservations ; this grant being the portion
which it was originally agreed the Company might
enter into at once. In addition to this, 214,285
acres were granted as army bounties, under the
resolutions of 1779 and 1780, and 100,000 acres
as bounties to actual settlers; both of the latter
tracts being within the original grant of 1787, and
adjoining the purchase as before mentioned.

While these things were progressing, Congress
was bringing into form an ordinance for the gov-
ernment and social organization of the North-
west Territory. Virginia made her cession in
March, 1784, and during the month following the
plan for the temporary government of the newly
acquired territory came under discussion. On the
19th of April, Mr. Spaiglit, of North Carolina,
Stooved to strike from the plan reported by Mr.
Jeff'erson, the emancipationist of his day, a provis-
ion for the prohibition of slavery north of the Ohio
after the year 1800. The motion prevailed. From
that day till the 23d, the plan was discussed and
altered, and finally passed unanimously with the ex-
ception of South Carolina. The South would have
slavery, or defeat every measure. Thus this hide-
ous monster early began to assert himself. By the
proposed plan, the Territory was to have been
divided into States by parallels of latitude and merid-
ian lines. This division, it was thought, would make
ten States, whose names were as follows, beginning
at the northwest corner, and going southwardly :
Sylvania, Michigania, Cheresonisus, Assenispia,
Metropotamia, Illinoia, Saratoga, Washington,
Polypotamia and Pelisipia.*

A more serious difficulty existed, however, to
this plan, than its catalogue of names — the number
of States and their boundaries. The root of the evil
was in the resolution passed by Congress in October,

* Spark's Washington.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

1780, which fixed the size of the States to be formed
from the ceded hinds, at one hundred to one hundred
and fifty miles square. The terms of that resolu-
tion being called up both by Virginia and Massa-
chusetts, further legislation was deemed necessary
to change them. July 7, 178(3, this subject came
up in Congress, and a resolution passed in fiivor of
a division into not less than three nor more than
five States. Virginia, at the close of 1788, assented
to this proposition, which became the basis upon
which the division should be made. On the 29th
of September, Congress having thus changed the
plan for dividing the Northwestern Territory into
ten States, proceeded again to consider the terms of
an ordinance for the government of that region. At
this juncture, the genius of Dr. Cutler displayed
itself. A graduate in medicine, law and divinity ;
an ardent lover of liberty ; a celebrated scientist,
and an accomplished, portly gentleman, of whom
the Southern senators said they had never before
seen so fine a specimen from the New England colo-
nies, no man was better prepared to form a govern-
ment for the new Territory, than he. The Ohio
Company was his real object. He was backed by
them, and enough Continental money to purchase
more than a million acres of land. This was aug-
mented by other parties until, as has been noticed,
he represented over five million acres. This would
largely reduce the public debt. Jefierson and Vir-
ginia were regarded as authority concerning the
land Virginia had just ceded to the General Gov-
ernment. Jeffierson's policy was to provide for the
national credit, and still check the growth of slavery.
Here was a good opportunity. Massachusetts
owned the Temtory of Maine, which she was crowd-
ing into market. She opposed the opening of
the Northwest. This stirred Virginia. The South
caught the inspiration and rallied around the Old
Dominion and Dr. Cutler. Thereby he gained the
credit and good will of the South, an auxiliary he
used to good purpose. Massachusetts could not
vote against him, because many of the constituents
of her members were interested in the Ohio Com-
pany. Thus the Doctor, using all the arts of the
lobbyist, was enabled to hold the situation. True to
deeper convictions, he dictated one of the most com-
pact and finished documents of wise statesmanship
that has ever adorned any statute-book. Jefiierson
gave it the term, "Articles of Compact," and
rendered him valuable aid in its construction. This
" Compact" preceded the Federal Constitution, in
both of which are seen Jefferson's master-mind.
Dr. Cutler followed closely the constitution of Mas-

sachusetts, adopted three years before. The prom-
inent features were : The exclusion of slavery from
the Territory forever. Provision for public schools,
giving one township for a seminary, and every six-
teenth section. (That gave one thirty-sixth of all
the land for public education.) A provision pro-
hibiting the adoption of any constitution or the
enactment of any law that would nullify pre-exist-
ing contracts.

The compact further declared that " Religion,
morality and knowledge being necessary to good
government and the happiness of mankind, schools
and the means of education shall always be en-
couraged."

The Doctor planted himself firmly on this plat-
form, and would not yield. It was that or nothing.
Unless they could make the land desirable, it was
not wanted, and, taking his horse and buggy, he
started for the Constitutional Convention in Phil-
adelphia. His influence succeeded. On the 13th
of July, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage
and was unanimously adopted. Every member
fi-om the South voted for it ; only one man, Mr.
Yates, of New York, voted against the measure ;
but as the vote was made by States, his vote was
lost, and the " Compact of 1787 " was beyond re-
peal. Thus the great States of the Northwest
Territory were consecrated to freedom, intelligence
and morality. This act was the opening step for
freedom in America. Soon the South saw their
blunder, and endeavored, by all their power, to re-
peal the compact. In 1803, Congress refen-ed it
to a committee, of which John Randolph was
chairman. He reported the ordinance was a com-
pact and could not be repealed. Thus it stood,
like a rock, in the way of slavery, which still, in
spite of these provisions, endeavored to plant that
infernal institution in the West. Witness the
early days of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. But the
compact could not be violated ; New England ideas
could not be put down, and her sons stood ready
to defend the soil of the West from that curse.

The passage of the ordinance and the grant of
land to Dr. Cutler and his associates, were soon fol-
lowed by a request fi-om John Cleve Symmes, of
New Jersey, for the country between the Miamis.
Symmes had visited that part of the West in 1786,
and, being pleased with the valleys of the Shawa-
nees, had applied to the Board of the Treasury for
their purchase, as soon as they were open to set-
tlement. The Board was empowered to act by
Congress, and, in 1788, a contract was signed, giv-
ing him. the country he desired. The terms of his

>^ (s

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

purchase were similar to those of the Ohio Com-
pany. His appHcation was followed by others,
whose success or failure will appear in the narrative.

The New England or Ohio Company was all
this time busily engaged perfecting its arrange-
ments to occupy its lands. The Directors agreed
to reserve 5,760 acres near the confluence of the
Ohio and Muskingum for a city and commons, for
the old ideas of the English plan of settling a
country yet prevailed. A meeting of the Direct-
ors was held at Bracket's tavern, in Boston, No-
vember 23, 1787, when four surveyors, and twen-
ty-two attendants, boat-builders, carpenters, black-
smiths and common workmen, numbering in all
forty persons, were engaged. Their tools were
purchased, and wagons were obtained to transport
them across the mountains. Gren. Rufus Putnam
was made superintendent of the company, and
Ebenezer Sprout, of Rhode Island, Anselm Tup-
per and John Matthews, from Massachusetts, and
R. J. Meigs, from Connecticut, as surveyors. At
the same meeting, a suitable person to instruct them
in religion, and prepare the way to open a school
when needed, was selected. This was Rev. Daniel
Storey, who became the first New England minis-
ter in the Northwest.

The Indians were watching this outgrowth of
affairs, and felt, from what they could learn in Ken-
tucky, that they would be gradually surrounded by
the whites. This they did not relish, by any
means, and gave the settlements south of the Ohio
no little uneasiness. It was thought best to hold
another treaty with them. In the mean time, to
insure peace, the Grovernor of Virginia, and Con-
gress, placed troops at Venango, Forts Pitt and
Mcintosh, and at Miami, Vincennes, Louisville,
and Muskingum, and the militia of Kentucky
were held in readiness should a sudden outbreak
occur. These measures produced no results, save
insuring the safety of the whites, and not until
January, 1789, was Clarke able to carry out his
plans. During that month, he held a meeting at Fort
Harmar,* at the mouth of the Muskingum, where
the New England Colony expected to locate.

The hostile character of the Indians did not
deter the Ohio Company from carrying out its
plans. In the winter of 1787, Gen. Rufus Put-

*FnrtH.armar was built in 1785, by a detachment of United States
soldiers, under comniand of Maj. John Doughty. It was named in
honor of Col. Josiah Harmar, to whose regimnnt Maj. Doughty was
attached. It was the first military post erected by the Americans
wit''in the limits of Ohio, except Fort Laurens, a temporary stnict-
uie Iniilt in 1778. When Marietta was founded it was the military
post of that part of the country, and was for many years an impor-
taiit station.

nam and forty-seven pioneers advanced to the
mouth of the Youghiogheny River, and began
building a boat for transportation down the Ohio
in the spring. The boat was the largest craft that
had ever descended the river, and, in allusion to
their Pilgrim Fathers, it was called the Mayflower.
It was 45 feet long and 12 feet wide, and esti-
mated at 50 tons burden. Truly a formidable affair
for the time. The b(jws were raking and curved
like a galley, and were strongly timbered. The
sides were made bullet-proof, and it was covered
with a deck roof. Capt. Devol, the first ship-
builder in the West, was placed in command. On
the 2d of April, the Mayflower was launched,
and for five days the little band of pioneers sailed
down the Monongahela and the Ohio, and, on the
7th, landed at the mouth of the Muskingum.
There, opposite Fort Harmar, they chose a loca-
tion, mooi;ed their boat for a temporary shelter,
and began to erect houses for their occupation.

Thus was begun the first English settlement in
the Ohio Valley. About the 1st of July, they
were re-enforced by the arrival of a colony from
Massachusetts. It had been nine weeks on the
way. It had hauled its wagons and driven its
stock to Wheeling, where, constructing flat-boats,
it had floated down the I'iver to the settlement.

In October preceding this occurrence, Arthur
St. Clair had been appointed Governor of the Ter-
ritory by Congress, which body also appointed
Winthrop Sargent, Secretary, and Samuel H.
Parsons, James M. Varnum and John Armstrong
Judges. Subsequently Mr. Armstrong declined
the appointment, and Mr. Symmes was given the
vacancy. None of these were on the ground
when the first settlement was made, though the
Judges came soon after. One of the first things the
colony found necessary to do was to organize
some form of government, whereby difficulties
might be settled, though to the credit of the colony
it may be said, that during the first three months
of its existence but one difference arose, and that
was settled by a compromise.* Indeed, hardly a
better set of men for the purpose could have been
selected. Washington wrote concerning this
colony :

"No colony in America was ever settled under
such favorable auspices as that which has com-
menced at the Muskingum. Information, prop-
erty and strength will be its characteristics. I
know many of the settlers personally, and there

*" Western Monthly Magazine."

*7:

HISTORY OF OHIO.

never were men better calculated to promote the
welfare of such a community."

On the 2d of July, a meeting of the Directors
and agents was held on the banks of the Mus-
kingum for the purpose of naming the newborn
city and its squares. As yet, the settlement had
been merely "The Muskingum;" but the name
Marietta was now formally given it, in honor of
Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the
blockhouses stood was called Campus Martins;
Square No. 19, CapitoUum; Square No. 61, Ce-
cilia^ and the great road running through the
covert-way, Sacra Fi'a.* Surely, classical scholars
were not scarce in the colony.

On the Fourth, an oration was delivered by
James M. Varnum, one of the Judges, and a
public demonstration held. Five days after, the
Governor arrived, and the colony began to assume
form. The ordinance of 1787 provided two dis-
tinct grades of government, under the first of
which the whole power was under the Governor
and the three Judges. This form was at once
recognized on the arrival of St. Clair. The first
law established by this court was passed on the
25th of July. It established and regulated the
militia of the Territory. The next day after its
publication, appeared the Governor's proclamation
erecting all the country that had been ceded by
the Indians east of the Scioto River, into the
county of Washington. Marietta was, of course,
the county seat, and, from that day, went on
prosperously. On September 2, the first court
was held with becoming ceremonies. It is thus
related in the American Pioneer:

"The procession was formed at the Point
(where the most of the settlers resided), in the
following order: The High Sherifi", with his
drawn sword; the citizens; the ofiicers of the
garrison at Fort Harmar; the members of the
bar; the Supreme Judges; the Governor and
clergyman ; the newly appointed Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas, Gens. Rufus Putnam
and Benjamin Tupper.

"They marched up the path that had been
cleared through the forest to Campus Martius
Hall (stockade), where the whole countermarched,
and the Judges ( Putnam and Tupper ) took their
seats. The clergyman, Rev. Dr. Cutler, then
invoked the divine blessing. The Sheriff, Col.
Ebenezer Sproat, proclaimed with his solemn ' Oh
yes ! ' that a court is open for the administration of

* " Carey's Museum," Vol. 4.

even-handed justice, to the poor and to the rich,
to the guilty and to the innocent, without respect
of persons; none to be punished without a trial of
their peers, and then in pursuance of the laws and
evidence in the case.

" Although this scene was exhibited thus early
in the settlement of the West, few ever equaled it
in the dignity and exalted character of its princi-
pal participators. Many of them belonged to the
history of our country in the darkest, as well as
the most splendid, period of the Revolutionary
war."

Many Indians were gathered at the same time
to witness the (to them) strange spectacle, and for
the purpose of forming a treaty, though how
far they carried this out, the Pioneer does not
relate.

The progress of the settlement was quite satis-
factory during the year. Some one writing a
letter from the town says:

"The progress of the settlement is sufficiently
rapid for the first year. We are continually erect-
ing houses, but arrivals are constantly coming
faster than we can possibly provide convenient
covering. Our first ball was opened about the
middle of December, at which were fifteen ladies,
as well accomplished in the manner of polite
circles as any I have ever seen in the older States.
I mention this to show the progress of society in
this new world, where, I believe, we shall vie with,
if not excel, the old States in every accom-
plishment necessary to render life agreeable and
happy."

The emigration westward at this time was,
indeed, exceedingly large. The commander at
Fort Harmar reported 4,500 persons as having
passed that post between February and June,
1788, many of whom would have stopped there,
had the associates been prepared to receive them.
The settlement was free from Indian depredations
until January, 1791, during which interval it
daily increased in numbers and strength.

Symmes and his friends were not idle during this
time. He had secured his contract in October,
1787, and, soon after, issued a pamphlet stating
the terms of his purchase and the mode he intended
to follow in the disposal of the lands. His plan
was, to issue warrants for not less than one-quarter
section, which might be located anywhere, save on
reservations, or on land previously entered. The
locator could enter an entire section should he de-
sire to do so. The price was to be 601 cents per
acre till May, 1788 ; then, till November, $1 ; and

<a ii^

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

after that time to be regulated by the demand for
land. Each purchaser was bound to begin im-
provements within two years, or forfeit one-sixth
of the land to whoever would settle thereon and
remain seven years. Military bounties might be
taken in this, as in the purchase of the associates.
For himself, Symmes reserved one township near
the mouth of the Miami. On this he intended to
build a great city, rivaling any Eastern port. He
offered any one a lot on which to build a house,
providing he would remain three years. Conti-
nental certificates were rising, owing to the demand
for land created by these two purchases, and Con-
gress found the burden of debt correspondingly
lessened. Symmes soon began to experience diffi-
culty in procuring enough to meet his payments.
He had also some trouble in arranging his boundary
with the Board of the Treasury. These, and other
causes, laid the foundation for another city, which is
now what Symmes hoped his city would one day be.

In January, 1788, Mathias Denman, of New
Jersey, took an interest in Symmes' purchase,
and located, among other tracts, the sections upon
which Cincinnati has since been built. Retaining
one-third of this purchase, he sold the balance to
Robert Patterson and John Filson, each getting
the same share. These three, about August, agreed
to lay out a town on their land. It was designated
as opposite the mouth of the Licking River, to
which place it was intended to open a road from
Lexington, Ky. These men little thought of the
great emporium that. now covers the modest site of
this town they laid out that summer. Mr. Filson,
who had been a schoolmaster, and was of a some-
what poetic nature, was appointed to name the
town. In respect to its situation, and as if with
a prophetic perception of the mixed races that
were in after years to dwell there, he named it Los-
antiville,* " which, being interpreted," says the
" Western Annals," " means mYZt', the town ; anti,
opposite to ; os^ the mouth ; L, of Licking. This
may well put to the blush the Campus Martins
of the Marietta scholars, and the Fort Solon of
the Spaniards."

Meanwhile, Symmes was busy in the East, and,
by July, got thirty people and eight four-horse
wagons under way for the West. These reached
Limestone by September, where they met Mr.
Stites, with several persons from Redstone. All

* Judge Burnett, in his notes, disputes the above account of the
origin of the city of Cincinnati. He says tiie name " Losantiville "
was determined on, but not adopted, when the town was laid out.
This version is probably the correct one, and will be found fully
given in the detailed history of the settlements.

came to Symmes' purchase, and began to look for
homes.

Symmes' mind was, however, ill at rest. He
could not meet his first payment on so vast a realm,
and there also arose a difference of opinion be-
tween him and the Treasury Board regarding the
Ohio boundary. Symmes wanted all the land be-
tween the two Miamis, bordering on the Ohio,
while the Board wished him confined to no more
than twenty miles of the river. To this proposal
he would not agree, as he had made sales all along
the river. Leaving the bargain in an unsettled
state. Congress considered itself released from all
its obligations, and, but for the representations of
many of Symmes' friends, he would have lost all
his money and labor. His appointment as Judge
was not favorably received by many, as they
thought that by it he would acquire unlimited
power. Some of his associates also complained of
him, and, for awhile, it surely seemed that ruin
only awaited him. But he was brave and hope-
ful, and determined to succeed. On his return
from a visit to his purchase in September, 1788,
he wrote Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, one of
his best friends and associates, that he thought
some of the land near the Great Miami " positively
worth a silver dollar the acre in its present state."

A good many changes were made in his original
contract, growing out of his inability to meet his
payments. At first, he was to have not less than
a million acres, under an act of Congress passed in
October, 1787, authorizing the Treasury Board to
contract with any one who could pay for such
tracts, on the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, whose
fronts should not exceed one-third of their depth.

Dayton and ]Marsh, Symmes' agents, contracted
with the Board for one tract on the Ohio, begin-
ning twenty miles up the Ohio from the mouth of
the Great Miami, and to run back for quantity be-
tween the Miami and a line drawn from the Ohio,
parallel to the general course of that river. In
1791, three years after Dayton and Marsh made
the contract, Symmes found this would throw the
purchase too far back from the Ohio, and applied
to Congress to let him have all between the Mi-
amies, running back so as to include 1,000,000
acres, which that body, on April 12, 1792, agreed
to do. When the lands were surveyed, however, it
was found that a line drawn from the head of the
Little Miami due west to the Great Miami, would
include south of it less than six hundred thousand
acres. Even this Symmes could not pay for, and
when his patent was issued in September, 1794, it

HISTORY OF OHIO.

gave him and his associates 248,540 acres, exclu-
sive of reservations which amounted to 63,142
acres. This tract was bounded by the Ohio, the
two Miamis and a due east and west hne run so
as to include the desired quantity. Symmes, how-
ever, made no further payments, and the rest of
his purchase reverted to the United States, who
gave those who had bought under him ample pre-
emption rights.

The Grovernment was able, also, to give him and
his colonists but little aid, and as danger from hos-
tile Indians was in a measure imminent (though all
the natives were friendly to Symmes), settlers were
slow to come. However, the band led by Mr.
Stites arrived before the 1st of January, 1789,
and locating themselves near the mouth of the
Little Miami, on a tract of 10,000 acres which
Mr. Stites had purchased from Symmes, formed
the second settlement in Ohio. They were soon
afterward joined by a colony of twenty-six persons,
who assisted them to erect a block-house, and
gather their corn. The town was named Columbia.
While here, the great flood of January, 1789, oc-
curred, which did much to ensure the future
growth of Losantiville, or tnore properly, Cincin-
nati. Symmes City, which was laid out near the
mouth of the Great Miami, and which he vainly
strove to make the city of the future. Marietta
and Columbia, all suffered severely by this flood,
the greatest, the Indians said, ever known. The
site of Cincinnati was not overflowed, and hence
attracted the attention of the settlers. Denman's
warrants had designated his purchase as opposite
the mouth of the Licking; and that point escap-
ing the overflow, late in December the place was
visited by Israel Ludlow, Symmes' surveyor, Mr.
Patterson and Mr. Denman, and about fourteen oth-
ers, who left Maysville to "form a station and lay
off a town opposite the Licking." The river was
filled with ice "from shore to shore;" but, says
Symmes in May, 1789, "Perseverance triumphing
over difiiculty, and they landed safe on a most de-
lightful bank of the Ohio, where they founded
the town of Losantiville, which populates consid-
erably." The settlers of Losantiville built a few
log huts and block-houses, and proceeded to im-
prove the town. Symmes, noticing the location,
says: "Thou.gh they placed their dwellings in the
most marked position, yet they suffered nothing
from the freshet." This would seem to give cre-
dence to Judge Burnett's notes regarding the origin
of Cincinnati, who states the settlement was made
at this time, and not at the time mentioned when

iMr. Filson named the town. It is further to be
noticed, that, before the town was located by Mr.
Ludlow and Mr. Patterson, Mr. Filson had been
killed by the Miami Indians, and, as he had not paid
for his one-third of the site, the claim was sold to
Mr. Ludlow, who thereby became one of the origi-
nal owners of the place. Just what day the town
was laid out is not recorded. All the evidence
tends to show it must have been late in 1788, or
early in 1789.

While the settlements on the north side of the
Ohio were thus progressing, south of it fears of the
Indians prevailed, and the separation sore was
kept open. The country was, however, so torn by
internal factions that no plan was likely to suc-
ceed, and to this fact, in a large measure, may be
credited the reason it did not secede, or join the
Spanish or French faction, both of which were
intriguing to get the commonwealth. During
this year the treasonable^ acts of James Wilkinson
came into view. For a while he thought success
was in his grasp, but the two governments were at
peace with America, and discountenanced any such
efforts. Wilkinson, like all traitors, relapsed into
nonentity, and became mistrusted by the govern-
ments he attempted to befriend. Treason is al-
ways odious.

It will be borne in mind, that in 1778 prepa-
rations had been made for a treaty with the Indi-
ans, to secure peaceful possession of the lands
owned in the West. Though the whites held
these by purchase and treaty, yet many Indians,
especially the Wabash and some of the Miami In-
dians, objected to their occupation, claiming the
Ohio boundary as the original division line. Clarke
endeavored to obtain, by treaty at Fort Harmar,
in 1778, a confirmation of these grants, but was
not able to do so till January, 9, 1789. Rep-
resentatives of the Six Nations, and of the Wyau-
dots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawato-
mies and Sacs, met him at this date, and confirmed
and extended the treaties of Fort Stanwix and
Fort Mcintosh, the one in 1784, the other in
1785. This secured peace with the most of them,
save a few of the Wabash Indians, whom they
were compelled to conquer by arms. When this
was accomplished, the borders were thought safe,
and Virginia proposed to withdraw her aid in sup-
port of Kentucky. This opened old troubles, and
the separation dogma came out afresh. Virginia
offered to allow the erection of a separate State,
providing Kentucky would assume part of the old
debts. This the young commonwealth would not

HISTORY OF OHIO.

do, and sent a remonstrance. Virginia withdrew
the proposal, and ordered a ninth convention,
which succeeded in evolving a plan whereby Ken-
tucky took her place among the free States of the
Union.

North of the Ohio, the prosperity continued.
In 1789, Rev. Daniel Story, who had been ap-
pointed missionary to the West, came out as a
teacher of the youth and a preacher of the Gospel.
Dr. Cutler had preceded him, not in the capacity
of a minister, though he had preached ; hence Mr.
Story is truly the first missionary from the Prot-
estant Church who came to the Ohio Valley in
that capacity. When he came, in 1789, he found
nine associations on the Ohio Company's purchase,
comprising two hundred and fifty persons in all ;
and, by the close of 1790, eight settlements had
been made: two at Belpre (belle prairie), one at
Newbury, one at Wolf Creek, one at Duck Creek,
one at the mouth of Meigs' Creek, one at Ander-
son's Bottom, and one at Big Bottom. An ex-
tended sketch of all these settlements will be found
farther on in this volume.

Symmes had, all this time, strenuously endeav-
ored to get his city — called Cleves City — favorably
noticed, and filled with people. He saw a rival in
Cincinnati. That place, if made military head-
quarters to protect the Miami Valley, would out-
rival his town, situated near the bend of the
Miami, near its mouth. On the 15th of June,
Judge Symmes received news that the Wabash
Indians threatened the Miami settlements, and as
he had received only nineteen men for defense, he
applied for more. Before July, Maj. Doughty
arrived at the "Slaughter House" — as the Miami
was sometimes called, owing to previous murders
that had, at former times, occurred therein.
Through the influence of Symmes, the detach-
ment landed at the North Bend, and, for awhile,
it was thought the fort would be erected there.
This was what Symmes wanted, as it would
secure him the headquarters of the military, and
aid in getting the headquarters of the civil gov-
ernment. The truth was, however, that neither
the proposed city on the Miami — North Bend, as
it afterward became known, from its location — or
South Bend, could compete, in point of natural
advantages, with the plain on which Cincinnati is
built. Had Fort Washington been built elsewhere,
after the close of the Indian war, nature would
have asserted her advantages, and insured the
growth of a city, where even the ancient and mys-
terious dwellers of the Ohio had reared the earthen

walls of one of their vast temples. Another fact
is given in relation to the erection of Fort Wash-
ington at Losantiville, which partakes somewhat of
romance. The Major, while waiting to decide at
which place the fort should be built, happened to
make the acquaintance of a black-eyed beauty, the
wife of one of the residents. Her husband, notic-
ing the afiair, removed her to Losantiville. The
Major followed; he told Symmes he wished to see
how a fort would do there, but promised to give his
city the preference. He found the beauty there, and
on his return Symmes could not prevail on him to
remain. If the story be true, then the importance
of Cincinnati owes its existence to a trivial circum-
stance, and the old story of the ten years' war
which terminated in the downfall of Troy, which
is said to have originated owing to the beauty of
a Spartan dame, was re-enacted here. Troy and
North Bend fell because of the beauty of a wo-
man; Cincinnati was the result of the downfall of
the latter place.

About the first of January, 1790, Governor St.
Clair, with his officers, descended the Ohio River
from Marietta to Fort Washington. There he es-
tablished the county of Hamilton, comprising the
immense region of country contiguous to the
Ohio, from the Hocking River to the Great
Miami; appointed a corps of civil and military
officers, and established a Court of Quarter Ses-
sions. Some state that at this time, he changed
the name of the village of Losantiville to Cin-
cinnati, in allusion to a society of that name
which had recently been formed among the officers
of the Revolutionary army, and established it as
the seat of justice for Hamilton. This latter fact
is certain; but as regards changing the name of
the village, there is no good authority for it. With
this importance attached to it, Cincinnati began at
once an active growth, and from that day Cleves'
city declined. The next summer, frame houses
began to appear in Cincinnati, while at the same
time forty new log cabins appeared about the
fort.

On the 8th of January, the Governor arrived at
the falls of the Ohio, on his way to establish a
government at Vincennes and Ka.skaskia. From
Clarkesville, he dispatched a messenger to Major
Hamtramck, commander at Vincennes, with
speeches to the various Indian tribes in this part
of the Northwest, who had not fully agreed to the
treaties. St. Clair and Sargent followed in a few
days, along an Indian trail to Vincennes, where he
organized the county of Knox, comprising all the

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

country along the Ohio, from the Miami to the
Wabash, and made Vincennes the county seat.
Then they proceeded across the lower part of Illi-
nois to Kaskaskia, where he established the county
of St. Clair (so named by Sargent), comprising all
the country from the Wabash to the Mississippi.
Thus the Northwest was divided into three coun-
ties, and courts established therein. St. Clair
called upon the French inhabitants at Vincennes
and in the Illinois country, to show the titles to
their lands, and also to defray the expense of a
survey. To this latter demand they replied through
their priest, Pierre Gibault, showing their poverty,
and inability to comply. They were confirmed in
their grants, and, as they had been good friends to
the patriot cause, were relieved from the expense
of the survey.

While the Grovernor was managing these affairs,
Major Hamtramck was engaged in an effort to con-
ciliate the Wabash Indians. For this purpose, he
sent Antoine Gamelin, an intelligent French mer-
chant, and a true friend of America, among them to
carry messages sent by St. Clair and the Govern-
ment, and to learn their sentiments and dispositions.
Gamelin performed this important mission in the
spring of 1790 with much sagacity, and, as the

French were good friends of the natives, he did
much to conciliate these half-hostile tribes. He
visited the towns of these tribes along the Wabash
and as far north and east as the Miami village,
Ke-ki-ong-ga — St. Mary's — at the junction of the
St. Mary's and Joseph's Rivers (Fort Wayne).

Gamelin's report, and the intelligence brought by
some traders from the Upper Wabash, were con-
veyed to the Governor at Kaskaskia. The reports
convinced him that the Indians of that part of the
Northwest were preparing for a war on the settle-
ments north of the Ohio, intending, if possible, to
drive them south of it; that river being still consid-
ered by them as the true boundary. St. Claii- left
the administration of affairs in the Western counties
to Sargent, and returned at once to Fort Washing-
ton to provide for the defense of the frontier.

The Indians had begun their predatory incur-
sions into the country settled by the whites, and
had committed some depredations. The Kentuck-
ians were enlisted in an attack against the Scioto
Indians. April 18, Gen. Harmar, with 100
regulars, and Gen. Scott, with 230 volunteers,
marched from Limestone, by a circuitous route, to
the Scioto, accomplishing but little. The savages
had fled.

THE INDIAN WAR OF

CHAPTER VII.

1795 — HARMAR'S CAMPAIGN— ST. CLAIR'S CAMPAIGN— WAYNE'S
CAMPAIGN — CLOSE OF THE WAR.

A GREAT deal of the hostility at this period
was directly traceable to the British. They
yet held Detroit and several posts on the lakes, in
violation of the treaty of 1783. They alleged as
a reason for not abandoning them, that the Ameri-
cans had not fulfilled the conditions of the treaty
regarding the collection of debts. Moreover, they
did iill they could to remain at the frontier and en-
joy the emoluments derived from the fur trade.
That they aided the Indians in the conflict at this
time, is undenialjle. Just how, it is difficult to
say. But it is well known the savages had all the
ammunition and fire-arms they wanted, more than
they could have obtained from American and
French renegade traders. They were also well
supplied with clothing, and were able to prolong
the war some time. A great confederation was on
the eve of formation. The leading spirits were

Cornplanter, Brant, Little Turtle and other noted
chiefs, and had not the British, as Brant said,
"encouraged us to the war, and promised us aid,
and then, when we were driven away by the Amer-
icans, shut the doors of their fortresses against us
and refused us food, when they saw us nearly con-
quered, we would have effected our object."

McKee, Elliott and Girty were also actively en-
gaged in aiding the natives. All of them were in
the interest of the British, a fact clearly proven
by the Indians themselves, and by other traders.

St. Clair and Gen. Harmar determined to send
an expedition against the Maumee towns, and se-
cure that part of the country. Letters were sent
to the militia ofl&cers of Western Pennsylvania,
Virginia and Kentucky, calling on them for militia
to co-operate with the regular troops in the cam-
paign. According to the plan of the campaign,

V-

liL

HISTORY OF OHIO.

300 militia were to rendezvous at Fort Steuben
( Jefferson ville), march thence to Fort Knox, at
Vincennes, and join Maj. Hamtramck in an expe-
dition up the Wabash ; 700 were to rendezvous at
Fort Washington to join the regular army against
the Maumee towns.

While St. Clair was forming his army and ar-
ranging for the campaign, three expeditions were
sent out against the Miami towns. One against
the Miami villages, not far from the Wabash, was
led by Gen. Harmar. He had in his army about
fourteen hundred men, regulars and militia. These
two parts of the army could not be made to affili-
ate, and, as a consequence, the expedition did little
beyond burning the villages and destroying corn.
The militia would not submit to discipline, and would
not serve under regular officers. It will be seen
what this spirit led to when St. Clair went on his
march soon after.

The Indians, emboldened by the meager success
of Harmar's command, continued their depreda-
dations against the Ohio settlements, destroying
the comnmnity at Big Bottom. To hold them in
check, and also punish them, an army under Charles
Scott went against the Wabash Indians. Little
was done here but destroy towns and the standing
corn. In July, another army, under Col. Wilkin-
son, was sent against the Eel River Indians. Be-
coming entangled in extensive morasses on the
river, the army became endangered, but was finally
extricated, and accomplished no more than either
the other armies before it. As it was, however, the
three expeditions directed against the Miamis and
Shawanees, served only to exasperate them. The
burning of their towns, the destruction of their
corn, and the captivity of their women and chil-
dren, only aroused them to more desperate efforts
to defend their country and to harass their in-
vaders. To accomplish this, the chiefs of the
Miamis, Shawanees and the Delawares, Little
Turtle, Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas, were en-
gaged in forming a confederacy of all the tribes of
the Northwest, strong enough to drive the whites
beyond the Ohio. Pontiac had tried that before-
even when he had open allies among the French.
The Indians now had secret allies among the Brit-
ish, yet, in the end, they did not succeed. While
they were preparing for the contest, St. Clair was
gathering his forces, intending to erect a chain of
forts from the Ohio, by way of the Miami and
Maumee valleys, to the lakes, and thereby effect-
ually hold the savages in check. Washington
warmly seconded this plan, and designated the

junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers as
an important post. This had been a fortification
almost from the time the English held the valley,
and only needed little work to make it a formid-
able fortress. Gen. Knox, the Secretary of War,
also favored the plan, and gave instructions con-
cerning it. Under these instructions, St. Clair
organized his forces as rapidly as he could, although
the numerous drawbacks almost, at times, threat-
ened the defeat of the campaign. Through the
summer the arms and accouterments of the army
were put in readiness at Fort Washington. Many
were found to be of the poorest quality, and to be
badly out of repair. The militia came poorly
armed, under the impression they were to be pro-
vided with arms. While waiting in camp, habits
of idleness engendered themselves, and drunken-
ness followed. They continued their accustomed
freedom, disdaining to drill, and refused to submit
to the regular officers. A bitter spirit broke out
between the regular troops and the militia, which
none could heal. The insubordination of the mi-
litia and their officers, caused them a defeat after-
ward, which they in vain attempted to fasten on
the busy General, and the regular troops.

The army was not re^dy to move till September
17. It was then 2,300 strong. It then moved
to a point upon the Great Miami, where they
erected Fort Hamilton, the first in the proposed
chain of fortresses. After its completion, they
moved on forty -four miles farther, and, on the 12th
of October, began the erection of Fort Jefferson,
about six miles south of the present town of Green-
ville, Darke County. On the 24th, the army again
took up its line of march, through a wilderness,
marshy and boggy, and full of savage foes. The
army rapidly declined under the hot sun ; even the
commander was suffering from ' an indisposition.
The militia deserted, in companies at a time, leav-
ing the bulk of the work to the regular troops.
By the 3d of November, the army reached a
stream twelve yards wide, which St. Clair sup-
posed to be a branch of the St. Mary of the Mau-
mee, but which in reality was a tributary of the
Wabash. Upon the banks of that stream, the
army, now about fourteen hundred strong, en-
camped in two lines. A slight protection was
thrown up as a safeguard against the Indians, who
were known to be in the neighborhood. The Gen-
eral intended to attack them next day, but, about
half an hour before sunrise, just after the militia
had been dismissed from parade, a sudden attack
was made upon them. The militia were thrown

HISTORY OF OHIO.

into confusion, and disregarded the command of
the officers. They had not been sufficiently drilled,
and now was seen, too late and too plainly, the evil
eifects of their insubordination. Through the
morning the battle waged furiously, the men falling
by scores. About nine o'clock the retreat began,
covered by Maj. Cook and his troops. The re-
treat was a disgraceful, precipitate flight, though,
after four miles had been passed, the enemy re-
turned to the work of scalping the dead and
wounded, and of pillaging the camp. Through
the day and the night their dreadful work con-
tinued, one squaw afterward declaring "her arm
was weary scalping the white men." The army
reached Fort JeflFerson a little after sunset, having
thrown away much of its arms and baggage, though
the act was entirely unnecessary. After remain-
ing here a short time, it was decided by the officers
to move on toward Fort Hamilton, and thence to
Fort Washington.

The defeat of St. Clair was the most terrible re-
verse the Americans ever suffiired fi'om the Indi-
ans. It was greater than even Braddock's defeat.
His army consisted of 1,200 men and 86 officers,
of whom 714 men and 63 officers were killed or
wounded. St. Clair's army consisted of 1,400
men and 86 officers, of whom 890 men and 16
officers were killed or wounded. The comparative
effects of the two engagements very inadequately
represent the crushing effijct of St. Clair's defeat.
An unprotected frontier of more than a thousand
miles in extent was now thrown open to a foe made
merciless, and anxious to drive the whites from the
north side of the Ohio. Now, settlers were scat-
tered along all the streams, and in all the forests, ex-
posed to the cruel enemy, who stealthily approached
the homes of the pioneer, to murder hini and his
family. Loud calls arose from the people to defend
and protect them. St. Clair was covered with abuse
for his defeat, when he really was not alone to blame
for it. The militia would not be controlled. Had
Clarke been at their head, or Wayne, who succeeded
St. Clair, the result might have been diff"erent. As
it was, St. Clair resigned ; though ever after he en-
joyed the confidence of Washington and Congress.

Four days after the defeat of St. Clair, the army,
in its straggling condition, reached Fort Washing-
ton, and paused to rest. On the 9th, St. Clair
wrote fully to the Secretary of War. On the 12th,
Gen. Knox communicated the information to Con-
gress, and on the 26th, he laid before the Presi-
dent two reports, the second containing sugges-
tions regarding future operations. His sugges-

tions urged the establishment of a strong United
States Army, as it was plain the States could not
control the matter. He also urged a thorough
drill of the soldiers. No more insubordination
could be tolerated. General Wayne was selected
by Washington as the commander, and at once pro-
ceeded to the task assigned to him. In June, 1792,
he went to Pittsburgh to organize the army now
gathering, which was to be the ultimate argu-
ment with the Indian confederation. Through the
summer he was steadily at work. "Train and dis-
cipline them for the work they are meant for,"
wrote Washington, "and do not spare powder and
lead, so the men be made good marksmen." In
December, the forces, now recruited and trained,
gathered at a point twenty-two miles below Pitts-
burgh, on the Ohio, called Legionville, the army
itself being denominated the Legion of the United
States, divided into four sub-legions, and provided
with the proper officers. Meantime, Col. Wilkinson
succeeded St. Clair as commander at Fort Wash-
ington, and sent out a force to examine the field of
defeat, and bury the dead. A shocking sight met
their view, revealing the deeds of cruelty enacted
upon their comrades by the savage enemy.

While Wayne's army was drilling, peace meas-
ures were pressed forward by the United States
with equal perseverance. The Iroquois were in-
duced to visit Philadelphia, and partially secured
from the general confederacy. They were wary,
however, and, expecting aid from the British, held
aloof. Brant did not come, as was hoped, and it
was plain there was intrigue somewhere. Five
independent embassies were sent among the West-
ern tribes, to endeavor to prevent a war, and win
over the inimical tribes. But the victories they
had won, and the favorable whispers of the Britisli
agents, closed the ears of the red men, and all
propositions were rejected in some form or other.
All the embassadors, save Putnam, sufi"ered death.
He alone was able to reach his goal — the Wabash
Indians — and efi"ect any treaty. On the 27th of
December, in company with Heckewelder, the Mo-
ravian missionary, he reached Vincennes, and met
thirty-one chiefs, representing the Weas, Pianke-
shaws, Kaskaskias, Peorijis, Illinois, Pottawatomies,
Mascoutins, Kickapoos and Eel River Indians, and
concluded a treaty of peace with them.

The fourth article of this treaty, however, con-
tained a provision guaranteeing to the Indians
their lands, and when the treaty was laid before
Congress, February 13, 1793, that body, after
much discussion, refiised on that account to ratify it.

-4t

1£

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

A great council of the Indians was to be held
at Auglaize during the autumn of 1792, when
the assembled nations were to discuss fully their
means of defense, and determine their future line
of action. The council met in October, and was
the largest Indian gathering of the time. The
chiefs of all the tribes of the Northwest were there.
The representatives of the seven nations of Canada,
were in attendance. Cornplanter and forty-eight
chiefs of the New York (Six Nations ) Indians re-
paired thither. " Besides these," said Cornplanter,
"there were so many nations we cannot tell the
names of them. There were three men from the
Gora nation ; it took them a whole season to come ;
and," continued he, "twenty-seven nations from
beyond Canada were there." The question of
peace or war was long and earnestly debated. Their
future was solemnly discussed, and around the
council fire native eloquence and native zeal
shone in all their simple strength. One nation
after another, through their chiefs, presented their
views. The deputies of the Six Nations, who had
been at Philadelphia to consult the "Thirteen
Fu'es," made their report. The Western bound-
ary was the principal question. The natives, with
one accord, declared it must be the Ohio River.
An address was prepared, and sent to the President,
wherein their views were stated, and agreeing to
abstain from all hostilities, until they could meet
again in the spring at the rapids of the Maumee,
and there consult with their white brothers. They
desired the President to send agents, "who are
men of honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men
who love and desire peace." The good work of
Penn was evidenced here, as they desired that the
embassadors "be accompanied by some Friend or
Quaker."

The armistice they had promised was not, how-
ever, faithfully kept. On the 6th of November,
a detachment of Kentucky cavalry at Fort St.
Clair, about twenty-five miles above Fort Hamil-
ton, was attacked. The commander, Maj. Adair,
was an excellent officer, well versed in Indian tac-
tics, and defeated the savages.

This infraction of their promises did not deter
the United States from taking measures to meet
the Indians at the rapids of the Maumee " when
the leaves were fully out." For that purpose, the
President selected as commissioners, Charles Car-
roll and Charles Thompson, but, as they declined
the nomination, he appointed Benjamin Lincoln,
Beverly llandolph and Timothy Pickering, the 1st
of March, 1793, to attend the convention, which.

it was thought best, should be held at the San-
dusky outpost. About the last of April, these
commissioners left Philadelphia, and, late in May,
reached Niagara, where they remained guests of
Lieut. Gov. Simcoe, of the British Government.
This officer gave them all the aid he could, yet it
was soon made plain to them that he would not
object to the confederation, nay, even rather fav-
ored it. They speak of his kindness to them, in
grateful terms. Gov. Simcoe advised the Indians
to make peace, but not to give up any of their
lands. That was the pith of the whole matter.
The British rather claimed land in New York,
under the treaty of 1783, alleging the Americans
had not fully complied with the terms of that
treaty, hence they were not as anxious for peace
and a peaceful settlement of the difficult boundary
question as they sometimes represented.

By July, "the leaves were fully out," the con-
ferences among the tribes were over, and, on the
15th of that month, the commissioners met Brant
and some fifty natives. In a strong speech, Brant
set forth their wishes, and invited them to accom-
})any him to the place of holding the council. The
Indians were rather jealous of Wayne's continued
preparations for war, hence, just before setting out
for the Maumee, the commissioners sent a letter to
the Secretary of War, asking that all warlike
demonstrations cease until the result of their mis-
sion be known.

On 21st of July, the embassy reached the head
of the Detroit River, where their advance was
checked by the British authorities at Detroit, com-
pelling them to take up their abode at the house
of Andrew Elliott, the famous renegade, then a
British agent under Alexander McKee. McKee
was attending the council, and the commissioners
addressed him a note, borne by Elliott, to inform
him of their arrival, and asking when they could
be received. Elliott returned on the 29th, bring-
ing with him a deputation of twenty chiefs from
the council. The next day, a conference was held,
and the chief of the Wyandots, Sa-wagh-da-wunk,
presented to the commissioners, in writing, their
explicit demand in regard to the boundary, and
their purposes and powers. " The Ohio must be
the boundary," said he, " or blood will flow."

The commissioners returned an answer to the
proposition brought by the chiefs, recapitulating
the treaties already made, and denying the Ohio
as the boundary line. On the 16th of August,
the council sent them, by two Wyandot runners,
a final answer, in which they recapitulated their

^'^

HISTORY OF OHIO.

former assertions, and exhibited great powers of
reasoning and clear logic in defense of their po-
sition. The commissioners reply that it is impos-
ble to accept the Ohio as the boundary, and declare
the negotiation at an end.

This closed the efforts of the Government to ne-
gotiate with the Indians, and there remained of
necessity no other mode of settling the dispute
but war. Liberal terms had been offered them,
but nothing but the boundary of the Ohio River
would suffice. It was the only condition upon
which the confederation would lay down its arms.
" Among the rude statesmen of the wilderness,
there was exhibited as pure patriotism and as lofty
devotion to' the good of their race, as ever won ap-
plause among civilized men. The white man had,
ever since he came into the country, been encroach-
ing on their lands. He had long occupied the
regions beyond the mountains. He had crushed
the conspiracy formed by Pontiac, thirty years be-
fore. He had taken possession of the common
hunting-ground of all the tribes, on the faith of
treaties they did not acknowledge. He was
now laying out settlements and building forts in
the heart of the country to which all the tribes
had been driven, and which now was all they could
call their own. And now they asked that it should
be guaranteed to them, that the boundary which
they had so long asked for should be drawn, and
a final end be made to the continual aggressions of
the whites ; or, if not, they solemnly determined to
stake their all, against fearful odds, in defense of
their homes, their country and the inheritance of
their children. Nothing could be more patriotic
than the position they occupied, and nothing could
be more noble than the declarations of their
council."*

They did not know the strength of the whites,
and based their success on the victories already
gained. They hoped, nay, were promised, aid from
the British, and even the Spanish had held out to
them assurances of help when the hour of conflict
came.

The Americans were not disposed to yield even
to the confederacy of the tribes backed by the two
rival nations, forming, as Wayne characterized it, a
" hydra of British, Spanish and Indian hostility."'
On the 16th of August, the commissioners re-
ceived the final answer of the council. The 17th,
they left the mouth of the Detroit River, and the
23d, arrived at Fort Erie, where they immediately

* Annals of the West.

dispatched messengers to Gen. Wayne to inform
him of the issue of the negotiation. Wayne had
spent the winter of 1792-93, at Legionville, in col-
lecting and organizing his army. April 30, 1793,
the army moved down the river and encamped at
a point, called by the soldiers " Hobson's choice,"
because from the extreme height of the river they
were prevented from landing elsewhere. Here
Wayne was engaged, during the negotiations for
peace, in drilling his soldiers, in cutting roads, and
collecting supplies for the army. He was ready
for an immediate campaign in case the council
failed in its object.

While here, he sent a letter to the Secretary of
War, detailing the circumstances, and suggesting
the probable course he should follow. He re-
mained here during the summer, and, when apprised
of the issue, saw it was too late to attempt the
campaign then. He sent the Kentucky militia
home, and, with his regular soldiers, went into
winter quarters at a fort he built on a tributary
of the Great Miami. He called the fort Green-
ville. The present town of Greenville is near the
site of the fort. During the winter, he sent a de-
tachment to visit the scene of St. Clair's defeat.
They found more than six hundred skulls, and
were obliged to "scrape the bones together and
carry them out to get a place to make their beds."
They buried all they could find. Wayne was
steadily preparing his forces, so as to have every-
thing ready for a sure blow when the time came.
All his information showed the faith in the British
which still animated the doomed red men, and
gave them a hope that could end only in defeat.

The conduct of the Indians fvilly corroborated
the statements received by Gen. Wayne. On the
30th of June, an escort of ninety riflemen and
fifty dragoons, under command of Maj. McMahon,
was attacked under the walls of Fort Recovery by
a force of more than one thousand Indians under
charge of Little Turtle. They were repulsed and
badly defeated, and, the next day, driven away.
Their mode of action, their arms and ammunition,
all told plainly of British aid. They also ex-
pected to find the cannon lost by St. Clair Novem-
ber 4, 1791, but which the Americans had secured.
The 26th of July, Gen. Scott, with 1,600
mounted men from Kentucky, joined Gen. Wayne
at Fort Greenville, and, two days after, the legion
moved forward. The 8th of August, the . army
reached the junction of the Auglaize and Mau-
mee, and at once proceeded to erect Fort Defiance,
where the waters meet. The Indians had abandoned

HISTORY OF OHIO.

their towns on the approach of the army, and
were congregating further northward.

While engaged on Fort Defiance, Wayne
received continual and full reports of the Indians —
of their aid from Detroit and elsewhtsre ; of the
nature of the ground, and the circumstances,
fevorable or unfavorable. From all he could
l(!arn, and considering the spirits of his army,
now thoroughly disciplined, be determined to
march forward and settle matters at once. Yet,
ti'ue to his own instincts, and to the measures of
peace so forcibly taught by Washington, he sent
('hristopher Miller, who had been naturalized
among the Shawanees, and taken prisoner by
Wayne's spies, as a messenger of peace, offering
terms of friendship.

Unwilling to waste time, the troops began to
move forward the 15th of August, and the next
day met Miller with the message that if the Amer-
icans would wait ten days at Auglaize the Indians
would decide for peace or war. Wayne knew too
well the Indian character, and answered the mes-
sage by simply marching on. The 18th, the legion
had advanced forty-one miles from Auglaize, and,
being near the long-looked-for foe, began to take
some measures for protection, should they be at-
tacked. A slight breastwork, called Fort Deposit,
was erected, wherein most of their heavy baggage
was placed. They remained here, building their
works, until the 2()th, when, storing their baggage,
the army began again its march. After advancing
about five miles, they met a large force of the ene-
my, two thousand strong, who fiercely attacked
them. Wayne was, however, prepared, and in the
short battle that ensued they were routed, and
large numbers slain. The American loss was very
slight. The horde of savages were put to flight,
leaving the Americans victorious almost under
the walls of the British garrison, under Maj.
Campbell. This officer sent a letter to Gen.
Wayne, asking an explanation of his conduct in
fighting so near, and in such evident hostility to
the British. Wayne replied, telling him he was
in a country that did not belong to him, and one
he was not authorized to hold, and also chargino;
him with aiding the Indians. A spirited corre-
spondence followed, which ended in the American
conmiander marching on, and devastating the In-
dian country, even burning McKee's house and
stores under the muzzles of the English guns.

The 14ih of September, the army marched from
Fort Defiance for the Miami village at the junc-
tion of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph Rivers. It

reached there on the 17th, and the next day Gen.
Wayne selected a site for a fort. The 22d of Oc-
tober, the fort was completed, and garrisoned by a
detachment under Maj. IIamtramck,who gave to it
the name of Fort Wayne. The 14th of October,
the mounted Kentucky volunteers, who had be-
come dissatisfied and mutinous, were started to
Fort Washington, where they were immediately
mustered out of service and discharged. The 28th
of October, the legion marched from Fort Wayne
to Fort Greenville, where Gen. Wayne at once
established his headquarters.

The campaign had been decisive and short, and
had taught the Indians a severe lesson. The Brit-
ish, too, had failed them in their hour bf need, and
now they began to see they had a foe to contend
whose resources were exhaustless. Under these
circumstances, losing faith in the English, and at
last impressed with a respect for American power,
after the defeat experienced at the hands of the
"Black Snake," the various tribes made up their
minds, by degrees, to ask for peace. During the
winter and spring, they exchanged prisoners, and
made ready to meet Gen. Wayne at Greenville, in
June, for the purpose of forming a definite treaty,
as it had been agreed should be done by the pre-
liminaries of January 24.

During the month of June, 1795, representa-
tives of the Northwestern tribes began to gather at
Greenville, and, the 16th of the month, Gen. Wayne
met in council the Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawato-
mies and Eel River Indians, and the conferences,
which lasted till August 10, began. The 21st
of June, Buckongahelas arrived ; tlie 23d, Little
Turtle and other Miamis ; the 13th of July,
Tarhe and other Wyandot chiefs ; and the 18th,
Blue Jacket, and thirteen Shawanees and Massas
with twenty Chippewas.

Most of these, as it appeared by their statements,
had been tampered with by the English, especially
by McKee, Girty and Brant, even after the pre-
liminaries of January 24, and while Mr. Jay was
perfecting his treaty. They had, however, all de-
termined to make peace with the "Thirteen Fires,"
and although some difficulty as to the ownership of
the lands to be ceded, at one time seemed likely to
arise, the good sense of Wayne and the leading
chiefs prevented it, and, the 30th of July, the treaty
was agreed to which should bury the hatchet for-
ever. Between that day and the 3d of August,
it was engrossed, and, having been signed by the
various nations upon the day last named, it was
finally acted upon the 7th, and the presents from

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

the United States distributed. The basis of this
treaty was the previous oue made at Fort flarmar.
The boundaries made at that time were re-affirmed ;
the whites were secured on the lands now occu-
pied by them or secured by former treaties ; and
among all the assembled nations, presents, in value
not less than one thousand pounds, were distributed
to each through its representatives, many thousands
in all. The Indians were allowed to remove and

punish intruders on their lands, and were permitted
to hunt on the ceded lands.

" This great and abiding peace document wa;^
signed by the various tribes, and dated August 3,
1795. It was laid before the Senate December 9,
and ratified the 22d. So closed the old Indian
wars in the West." *

* Annals of the West."

CHAPTER VIII.

JAY'S TREATY— THE QUESTION OF STATE RIGHTS AND NATIONAL SUPREMACY— EXTENSION
OF OHIO SETTLEMENTS— LAND CLAIMS— SPANISH BOUNDARY QUESTION.

WHILE these six years of Indian wars were
in progress, Kentucky was admitted as a
State, and Pinckney's treaty with Spain was com-
pleted. This last occurrence was of vital impor-
tance to the West, as it secured the free navigation
of the Mississippi, charging only a fair price for
the storage of goods at Spanish ports. This,
though not all that the Americans wished, was a
great gain in their favor, and did much to stop
those agitations regarding a separation on the part
of Kentucky. It also quieted affairs further
south than Kentucky, in the Georgia and South
Carolina Territory, and put an end to French
and Spanish intrigue for the Western Territory.
The treaty was signed November 24, 1794.
Another treaty was concluded by Mr. John Jay
between the two governments, Lord Greenville
representing the English, and Mr. Jay, the Ameri-
cans. The negotiations lasted from April to
November 19, 1795, when, on that day, the treaty
was signed and duly recognized. It decided
effectually all the questions at issue, and was the
signal for the removal of the British troops from
the Northwestern outposts. This was effected as
soon as the proper transfers could be made. The
second article of the treaty provided that, " His
INIajesty will withdraw all his troops and garrisons
from all posts and places within the boundary
lines assigned by the treaty of peace to the United
States. This evacuation shall take place on or
before the 1st day of June, 1796, and all the
proper measures shall be taken, in the interval, by
concert, between the Government of the United
States and His Majesty's Governor General in
America, for settling the previous arrangements

which may be necessary respecting the delivery
of the said posts; the United States, in the mean
time, at their discretion, extending their settle-
ments to any part within the said boundary line,
except within the precincts or jurisdiction of any
of the said posts.

''All settlers and all traders within the precincts
or jurisdiction of the said posts shall continue to
enjoy, unmolested, all their property of every
kind, and shall be protected therein. They shall
be at full liberty to remain there or to remove
with all, or any part, of their effects, or retain the
property thereof at their discretion ; such of them
as shall continue to reside within the said boundary
lines, shall not be compelled to become citizens of
the United States, or take any oath of allegiance
to the Government thereof; but they shall be at
full liberty so to do, if they think proper; they
shall make or declare their election one year after
the evacuation aforesaid. And all persons who
shall continue therein after the expiration of the
said year, without having declared their intention
of remaining subjects to His Britannic Majesty,
shall be considered as having elected to become
citizens of the United States."

The Indian war had settled all fears from that
source ; the treaty with Great Britain had estab-
lished the boundaries between the two countries
and secured peace, and the treaty with Spain had
secured the privilege of navigating the Mississippi,
by paying only a nominal sum. It had also bound
the people of the West together, and ended the
old separation question. There was no danger
from that now. Another difficulty arose, however,
relating to the home rule, and the organization of

HISTORY OP OHIO.

the home government. There were two parties in
the country, known as Federalist and Anti-Federal-
ist. One favored a central government, whose au-
thority should be supreme ; the other, only a
compact, leaving the States supreme. The worth-
lessness of" the old colonial system became, daily,
more apparent. While it existed no one felt safe.
There was no prospect of paying the debt, and,
hence, no credit. When Mr. Ilaniilton, Secretary
of the Ti'easury, offered his financial plan to the
country, favoring centralization, it met, in many
places, violent opposition. Washington was strong
enough to carry it out, and gave evidence that he
would do so. When, therefore, the excise law
passed, and taxes on whisky were collected, an
open revolt occurred in Pennsylvania, known as
the " Whisky Insurrection." It was put down,
finally, by military power, and the malcontents
made to know that the United States was a gov-
ermnent, not a compact liable to rupture at any
time, and by any of its members. It taught the
entire nation a lesson. Centralization meant pres-
ervation. Should a " compact" form of government
prevail, then anarchy and ruin, and ultimate sub-
jection to some foreign power, met their view.
That they had just fought to dispel, and must it
all go for naught? The people saw the rulers
were right, and gradually, over the West, spread a
spirit antagonistic to State supremacy. It did not
revive till Jackson's time, when he, with an iron
hand and iron will, crushed out the evil doctrine
of State supremacy. It revived again in the late
war, again to be crushed. It is to be hoped that
ever thus will be its fate. " The Union is insepa-
rable," said the Government, and the people echoed
the words.

During the war, and while all these events had
been transpiring, settlements had been taking place
upon the Ohio, which, in tlieir influence upon the
Northwest, and especially upon the State, as soon
as it was created, were deeply felt. The Virginia
and the Connecticut Reserves were at this time
peopled, and, also, that part of the Miami Valley
about Dayton, which city dates its origin from that
period.

As early as 1787, the reserved lands of the Old
Dominion north of the Ohio were examined, and,
in August of that year, entries were made. As
no good title could be obtained from Congress at
this time, the settlement practically ceased until
1790, when the prohibition to enter them was
withdrawn. As soon as that was done, surveying
began again. Nathaniel Massie was among the

^ €

foremost men in the survey of this tract, and lo-
cating the lands, laid off a town about twelve miles
above Maysville. The jtlace was called Manchester,
and yet exists. From this point, Massie continued
through all the Indian war, despite the danger, to
survey the surrounding country, and prepare it for
settlers.

Connecticut had, as has been stated, ceded her
lands, save a tract extending one hundred and
twenty miles beyond the western boundary of
Pennsylvania. Of this Connecticut Reserve, so
far as the Indian title was extinguished, a survey
was ordered in October, 1786, and an office opened
for its disposal. Part was soon sold, and, in 1792,
half a million of acres were given to those citizens
of Connecticut who had lost property by the acts
of the British troops during the Revolutionary
war at New London, New Haven and elsewhere.
These lands thereby became known as " Fire lands "
and the "Sufferer's lands," and were located in the
western part of the Reserve. In May, 1795, the
Connecticut Legislature authorized a committee to
dispose of the remainder of the Reserve. Before
autumn the committee sold it to a company known
as the Connecticut Land Company for |l, 200, 000,
and about the 5th of September quit-claimed the
land to the Company. The same day the Company
received it, it sold 3,000,000 acres to John Mor-
gan, John Caldwell and Jonathan Brace, in trust.
Upon these quit-claim titles of the land all deeds
in the Reserve are based. Surveys were com-
menced in 1796, and, by the close of the next
year, all the land east of the Cuyahoga was divided
into townships five miles square. The agent of the
Connecticut Land Company was Gren. Moses Cleve-
land, and in his honor the leading city of the Re-
serve was named. That township and five others
were reserved for private sale; the balance were
disposed of by lottery, the first drawing occurring
in February, 1798.

Dayton resulted from the treaty made by Wayne.
It came out of the boundary ascribed to Symmes,
and for a while all such lands were not recognized
as sold by Congress, owing to the failure of
Symmes and his associates in paying for them.
Thereby there existed, for a time, considerable un-
easiness regarding the title to these lands. In
1799, Congress was induced to issue patents to the
actual settlers, and thus secure them in their pre-
emption.

Seventeen days after Wayne's treaty, St. Clairs
Wilkinson, Jonathan Dayton and Israel Ludlow
contracted with Symmes for the seventh and eighth

■^"* «)

MICHAEL NEWMAN.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

ranges, between Mad River and the Little Miami.
Three settlements were to be made: one at the
mouth of Mad River, one on the Little Miami, in
the seventh range, and another on Mad River. On
the 21st of September, 1795, Daniel C. Cooper
started to survey and mark out a road in the pur-
chase, and John Dunlap to run its boundaries,
which was completed before October 4. On No-
vember -I, Mr. Ludlow laid off the town of Day-
ton, which, like land in the Connecticut Reserve,
was sold by lottery.

A gigantic scheme to purchaj5e eighteen or
twenty million acres in Michigan, and then pro-
cure a good title from the Government — who alone
had such a right to procure land — by giving mem-
bers of Congress an interest in the investment,
appeared shortly after Wayne's treaty. When
some of the members were approached, however,
the real spirit of the scheme appeared, and, instead
of gaining ground, led to the exposure, resulting
in the_ reprimanding severely of Robert Randall,
the principal mover in the whole plan, and in its
speedy disappearance.

Another enterprise, equally gigantic, also ap-
peared. It was, however, legitimate, and hence
successful. On the 20th of February, 1795, the
North American Land Company was formed in
Philadelphia, under the management of such pat-
riots as Robert Morris, John Nicholson and James
Greenleaf This Company purchased large tracts
in the West, which it disposed of to actual settlers,
and thereby aided greatly in populating that part
of the country.

Before the close of 1795, the Governor of the
Territory, and his Judges, published sixty-four
statutes. Thirty-four of these were adopted at
Cincinnati during June, July and August of that
year. They were known as the Maxwell code,
froni the name of the publisher, but were passed
by Governor St. Clair and Judges Symmes and
Turner. Among them was that which provided
that the common law of England, and all its stat-
utes, made previous to the fourth year of James
the First, should be in full force within the Terri-
tory. I' Of the system as a whole," says Mr. Case,
" with its many imperfections, it may be doubted
that any colony, at so early a period after its first
establishment, ever had one so good and applicable
to all."

The Union had now safely passed through its
most critical period after the close of the war of
independence. The danger from an irruption of
its own members ; of a war or alliance of its West- |

ern portion with France and Spain, and many
other perplexing questions, were now eflectually
settled, and the population of the Territory began
rapidly to increase. Before the close of the year
179G, the Northwest contained over five thousand
inhabitants, the requisite number to entitle it to
one representative in the national Congress.

Western Pennsylvania also, despite the various
conflicting claims regarding the land titles in that
part of the State, began rapidly to fill with emigrants.
The "Triangle" and the " Struck District " were
surveyed and put upon the market under the act
of 1792. Treaties and purchases from the various
Indian tribes, obtained control of the remainder of
the lands in that part of the State, and, by 1796,
the State owned all the land within its boundaries.
Towns were laid off, land put upon the market, so
that by the year 1800, the western part of the
Keystone State was divided into eight counties, viz.,
Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren,
Venango and Armstrong.

The ordinance relative to the survey and dis-
posal of lands in the Northwest Territory has
already been given. It was adhered to, save in
minor cases, where necessity required a slight
change. The reservations were recognized by
Congress, and the titles to them all confirmed to
the grantees. Thus, Clarke and his men, the
Connecticut Reserve, the Refugee lands, the
French inhabitants, and all others holding patents
to land from colonial or foreign governments, were
all confirmed in their rights and protected in their
titles.

Before the close of 1796, the upper North-
western posts were all vacated by the British,
under the terms of Mr. Jay's treaty. Wayne at
once transferred his headquarters to Detroit, where
a county was named for him, including the north-
western part of Ohio, the northeast of Indiana,
and the whole of Michigan.

Tlie occupation of the Territory by the Ameri-
cans gave additional impulse to emigration, and a
better feeling of security to emigrants, who fol-
lowed closely upon the path of the army. Na-
thaniel Massie, who has already been noticed as
the founder of Manchester, laid out the town of
Chillicothe, on the Scioto, in 1796. Before the
close of the year, it contained several stores,
shops, a tavern, and was well populated. With
the increase of settlement and the security guar-
anteed by the treaty of Greenville, the arts of
civilized life began to appear, and their influence
upon pioneers, especially those born on the frontier,

^1
T

-^l S)

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

began to manifest itself. Bettcsr dwellings, schools,
churches, dress and manners prevailed. Life
began to assume a reality, and lost much of
that recklessness engendered by the habits of a
frontier life.

Cleveland, Cincinnati, the Miami, the Mus-
kingum and the Scioto Valleys were filling with
people. Cincinnati had more than one hundred
log cabins, twelve or fifteen frame houses and a
population of more than six hundred persons. In
1796, the first house of worship for the Presby-
terians in that city was built.

Before the close of the same year, Manchester
contained over thirty families ; emigrants from
Virginia were going up all the valleys from the
Ohio; and Ebenczcr Zane had opened a bridle-
path from the Ohio lliver, at Wheeling, across the
country, by Chillicothe, to Limestone, Ky. The
next year, the United States mail, for the first
time, traversed this route to the West. Zane was
given a section of land for his path. The popu-
lation of the Territory, estimated at from five to
eight thousand, was chiefly distributed in lower
valleys, bordering on the Ohio River. The French
still occupied the Illinois country, and were the
principal inhabitants about Detroit.

South of the Ohio River, Kentucky was pro-
gressing favorably, while the '' Southwestern Ter-
ritory," ceded to the United States by North
Carolina in 1790, had so rapidly populated that,
in 1793, a Territorial form of government was
allowed. The ordinance of 1787, save the clause
prohibiting slavery, was adopted, and the Territory
named Tennessee. On June 6, 1796, the Terri-
tory contained more than seventy-five thousand
inhabitants, and was admitted into t.he Union as a
State. Four years after, the census showed a
population of 1 05,602 _soula^^ including^ 13,584
slaves and— persons of color. The same year
Tennessee became a State, Samuel Jackson and
Jonathan Sharpless erected the Redstone Paper
Mill, four miles east of Brownsville, it being the
first manufactory of the kind west of the Alle-
ghanies.

In the month of December, 1790, Gen. Wayne,
who had done so much for the development of the
West, while on his way from Detroit to Philadel-
phia, was attacked with sickness and died in a
cabin near Erie, in the north part of Pennsylvania.
He was nearly fifty-one years old, and was one of

the bravest officers in the Revolutionary war, and
one of America's truest patriots. In 1809, his
remains were removed from Erie, by his son. Col.
Isaac Wayne, to the Radnor churchyard, near the
place of his birth, and an elegant monument erected
on his tomb by the Pennsylvania Cincinnati So-
ciety.

After the death of Wayne, Gen. Wilkinson was
appointed to the command of the Western army.
While he was in command, Carondelet, the Spanish
governor of West Florida and Louisiana, made one
more effort to separate the Union, and set up either
an independent government in the West, or, what
was more in accord with his wishes, effect a
union with the Spanish nation. In June, 1797,
he sent Power again into the Northwest and into
Kentucky to sound the existing feeling. Now,
however, they were not easily won over. The
home government was a certainty, the breaches had
been healed, and Power was compelled to abandon
the mission , not, however, until he had received a
severe reprimand from many who saw through his
plan, and openly exposed it. His mission closed
the efforts of the Spanish authorities to attempt
the dismemberment of the Union, and showed
them the coming downfixU of their power in Amer-
ica. They were obliged to surrender the posts
claimed by the United States vinder the treaty of
1795, and not many years after, sold their Amer-
ican possessions to the United States, rather than
see a rival European power attain control over them.

On the 7th of April, 1798, Congress passed an
act, appointing Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the
Northwest Territory, Governor of the Territory of
the Mississippi, formed the same day. In 1801,
the boundary between America and the Spanish pos-
sessions was definitely fixed. The Spanish retired
from the disputed territory, and henceforward their
attempts to dissolve the American Union ceased.
The seat of the Mississippi Territory was fixed at
Loftus Heights, six miles north of the thirty-first
degree of latitude.

The appointment of Sargent to the charge of the
Southwest Territory, led to the choice of William
Henry Harrison, who had been aid-de-camp to
Gen. Wayne in 1794, and whose character stood
very liigh among the people of the West, to the
Secretaryship of the Northwest, which place he held
until appointed to represent that Territory in Con-
gress.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

CHAPTER IX.

FIRST TERRITORIAL REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS-DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY-FORMA-
TION OF STATES— MARIETTA SETTLEMENT— OTHER SETTLEMENTS— SETTLEMENTS IN
THE WESTERN RESERVE — SETTLEMENT OF THE CENTRAL VALLEYS-
FURTHER SETTLEiMENTS IN THE RESERVE AND ELSEWHERE.

THE ordinance of 1787 provided that as soon
as there were 5,000 persons in the Territory,
it was entitled to a representative assembly. On
October 29, 1798, Governor St. Clair gave notice
by proclamation, that the required population ex-
isted, and directed that an election be held on the
third Monday in December, to choose representa-
tives. These representatives were required, when
assembled, to nominate ten persons, whose names
were sent to the President of the United States,
who selected five, and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, appointed them for the legislative
council. In this mode the Northwest passed into
the second grade of a Territorial government.

The representatives, elected under the proclama-
tion of St. Clair, met in Cincinnati, January 22,
1799, and under the provisions of the ordinance
of 1787, nominated ten persons, whose names were
sent to the President. On the 2d of March, he
selected from the list of candidates, the names of
Jacob Burnet, James Findlay, Henry Vander-
burgh, Robert Oliver and David Vance. The
next day the Senate confirmed their nomination,
and the first legislative council of the Northwest
Territory was a reality.

The Territorial Legislature met again at Cincin-
nati, September 16, but, for want of a quorum,
was not organized until the 24th of that month.
The House of Representatives consisted of nine-
teen members, of whom seven were from Hamilton
County, four from Ross — erected by St. Clair in
1798; three from Wayne — erected in 1796; two
from Adams — erected in 1797; one from Jefier-
son — erected in 1797; one from Washington —
erected in 1788; and one from Knox — Indiana
Territory. None seem to have been present from
St. Clair County (Illinois Territory).

After the organization of the Legislature, Gov-
ernor St. Clair addressed the two houses in the Rep-
resentatives' Chamber, recommending such meas-
ures as, in his judgment, were suited to the con-
dition of the country and would advance the safety
and prosperity of the people.

The Legislature continued in session till the 19th
of December, when, having finished their business,
they were prorogued by the Governor, by their
own request, till the first Monday in November,
1800. This being the first session, there was, of
necessity, a great deal of business to do. The
transition from a colonial to a semi-independent
form of government, called for a general revision
as well as a considerable enlargement of the stat-
ute-book. Some of the adopted laws were re-
pealed, many others altered and amended, and a
long list of new ones added to the code. New
ofiices were to be created and filled, the duties at-
tached to them prescribed, and a plan of ways and
means devised to meet the increased expenditures,
occasioned by the change which had now occurred.

As Mr. Burnet was the only lawyer in the Legis-
lature, much of the revision, and putting the laws
into proper legal form, devolved upon him. He
seems to have been well fitted for the place, and
to have performed the laborious task in an excel-
lent manner.

The whole number of acts passed and approved
by the Governor, was thirty-seven. The most im-
portant related to the militia, the administration of
justice, and to taxation. During the session, a bill
authorizing a lottery was passed by the council,
but rejected by the Legislature, thus interdicting
this demoralizing feature of the disposal of lands
or for other purposes. The example has always been
followed by subsequent legislatures, thus honorably
characterizing the Assembly of Ohio, in this re-
spect, an example Kentucky and several other
States might well emulate.

Before the Assembly adjourned, they issued a
congratulatory address to the people, enjoining
them to " Inculcate the principles of humanity,
benevolence, honesty and punctuality in dealing,
sincerity and charity, and all the social afieetion.s/'
At the same time, they issued an address to the
President, expressing entire confidence in the wis-
dom and purity of his government, and their
warm attachment to the American Constitution.

:£

HISTORY OF OHIO.

The vote on this address proved, however, that the
dift'erenees of opinion agitating the Eastern States
had penetrated the West. Eleven Representatives
voted for it, and five against it.

One of the important duties that devolved on
this Legislature, was the election of a delegate to
Congress. As soon as the Governor's proclama-
tion made its appearance, the election of a person
to fill that position excited general attention. Be-
fore the meeting of the Legislature public opinion
had settled down on William Henry Harrison, and
Arthur St. Clair, Jr., who eventually were the only
candidates. On the 3d of October, the two houses
met and proceeded to a choice. Eleven votes were
cast for Harrison, and ten for St. Clair. The Leg-
islature prescribed the form of a certificate of the
election, which was given to Harrison, who at once
resigned his office as Secretary of the Territory,
proceeded to Philadelphia, and took his seat. Con-
gress being then in session.

" Though he represented the Territory but one
year, " says Judge Burnett, in his notes, " he ob-
tained some important advantages for his constitu-
ents. He introduced a resolution to sub-divide
the surveys of the public lands, and to offer them
for sale in smaller tracts ; he succeeded in getting
that measure through both houses, in opposition to
the interest of speculators, who were, and who
wished to be, the retailers of the land to the poorer
classes of the community. His proposition be-
came a law, and was hailed as the most beneficent
act that Congress had ever done for the Territory.
It put in the power of every industrious man, how-
ever poor, to become a freeholder, and to lay a
foundation for the future support and comfort of
his family. At the same session, he obtained a
liberal extension of time for the pre-emptioners in
the northern part of the Miami purchase, which
enabled them to secure their farms, and eventually
to become independent, and even wealthy."

The first session, as has been noticed, closed
December 19. Gov. St. Clair took occasion to
enumerate in his speech at the close of the session,
eleven acts, to which he saw fit to apply his veto.
These he had not, however, returned to the Assem-
bly, and thereby saved a long struggle between the
executive and legislative branches of the Territory.
Of the eleven acts enumerated, six related to the
formation of new counties. These were mainly
disproved by St Clair, as he always sturdily main-
tained that the power to erect new counties was
vested alone in the Executive. This free exercise
of the veto power, especially in relation to new

counties, and his controversy with the Legislature,
tended only to strengthen the popular discontent
regarding the Governor, who was never fully able
to regain the standing he held before his in-
glorious defeat in his campaign against the Indians.
While this was being agitated, another question
came into prominence. Ultimately, it settled the
powers of the two branches of the government,
and caused the removal of St. Clair, then very
distasteful to the people. The opening of the
present century brought it fully before the
people, who began to agitate it in all their
assemblies.

The great extent of the Territory made the
operations of government extremely uncertain,
and the power of the courts practically worthless.
Its division was, therefore, deemed best, and a
committee was appointed by Congress to inquire
into the matter. This committee, the 3d of
March, 1800, reported upon the subject that, "In
the three western counties^ there has been but
one court having cognizance of crimes in five
years. The immunity which ofi"enders experience,
attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and aban-
doned criminals, and, at the same time, deters
useful and virtuous citizens from making settle-
ments in such society. The extreme necessity of
judiciary attention and assistance is experienced
in civil as well as criminal cases. The supplying
to vacant places such necessary officers as may bf
wanted, such as clerks, recorders and others of
like kind, is, from the impossibility of correct
notice and information, utterly neglected. This
Territory is exposed as a frontier to foreign nations,
whose agents can find sufficient interest in exciting
or fomenting insurrection and discontent, as
thereby they can more easily divert a valuable
trade in furs from the United States, and also have
a part thereof on which they border, which feels
so little the cherishing hand of their proper gov-
ernment, or so little dreads its energy, as to render
their attachment perfectly uncertain and am-
biguous.

" The committee would further suggest, that
the law of the 3d of March, 1791, granting land
to certain persons in the western part of said Ter-
ritory, and directing the laying-out of the same,
remains unexecuted; that great discontent, in
consequence of such neglect, is excited in those
who are interested in the provisions of said laws,
which require the immediate attention of this
Legislature. To minister a remedy to these evils,
it occurs to' this committee, that it is expedient

HISTORY OF OHIO.

that a division of said Territory into two distinct
and separate governments should be made ; and
that such division be made by a line beginning at
the mouth of the great Miami River, running
directly north until it intersects the boundary
between the United States and Canada." *

The recommendations of the committee were
favorably received by Congress, and, the 7th
of May, an act was passed dividing the Ter-
ritory. The main provisions of the act are as
follows :

"That, from and after the 4th of July next,
all that part of the territory of the United States
northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the
westward of a line beginning at the Ohio, opposite
to the mouth of the Kentucky River, and running
thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north until
it intersects the territorial line between the United
States and Canada, shall, for the purpose of tem-
porary government, constitute a separate Territory,
and be called the Indiana Territory.

"There shall be established within the said Ter-
ritory a government, in all respects similar to that
provided by the ordinance of Congress passed July
13, 1797." t

The act fiirther provided for representatives, and
for the establishment of an assembly, on the same
plan as that in force in the Northwest, stipulating
that until the number of inhabitants reached five
thousand, the whole number of representatives to
the General Assembly should not be less than seven,
nor more than nine ; apportioned by the Governor
among the several counties in the new Terri-
tory.

The act further provided that " nothing in the
act should be so construed, so as in any manner
to aifect the government now in force in the teiTi-
tory of the United States northwest of the Ohio
River, further than to pi'ohibit the exercise thereof
within the Indiana Territory, from and after the
aforesaid 4th of July next.

" Whenever that part of the territory of the
United States, which lies to the eastward of a line
beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River,
and running thence due north to the territorial
line between the United States and Canada, shall
be erected into an independent State, and admitted
into the Union on an equal footing with the orig-
inal States ; thenceforth said line shall become and
remain permanently, the boundary line between
such State and the Indiana Territory."

♦Ameri'-an State Papers.
tLand Laws.

It was further enacted, " that, until it shall be
otherwise enacted by the legislatures of the said
territories, respectively, Chillicothe, on the Scioto
River, shall be the seat of government of the ter-
ritory of the United States northwest of the Ohio
River; and that St. Vincent's, on the Wabash
River, shall be the seat of government for the
Indiana Territory." *

• St. Clair was continued as Governor of the old
Territory, and William Henry Harrison appointed
Governor of the new.

Connecticut, in ceding her territory in the West
to the General Government, reserved a portion,
known as the Connecticut Reserve. When she
afterward disposed of her claim in the manner
narrated, the citizens found themselves without any
government on which to lean for support. At that
time, settlements had begun in thirty-five of the
townships into which the Reserve had been divided ;
one thousand persons had established homes there ;
mills had been built, and over seven hundred miles
of roads opened. In 1800, the settlers petitioned
for acceptance into the Union, as a part of the
Northwest ; and, the mother State releasing her judi-
ciary claims. Congress accepted the trust, and
granted the request. In December, of that year,
the population had so increased that the county of
Trumbull was erected, including the Reserve.
Soon after, a large number of settlers came from
Pennsylvania, from which State they had been
driven by the dispute concerning land titles in its
western part. Unwilling to cultivate land to
which they could only get a doubtful deed, they
abandoned it, and came where the titles were
sure.

Congress having made Chillicothe the capital of
the Northwest Territory, as it now existed, on the
3d of November the General Assembly met at that
place. Gov. St. Clair had been made to feel the
odium cast upon his previous acts, and, at the open-
ing of this session, expressed, in strong terms, his
disapprobation of the censure cast upon him. He
had endeavored to do his duty in all cases, he said,
and yet held the confidence of the President and
Congress. He still held the ofiice, notwithstanding
the strong dislike against him.

At the second session of the Assembly, at Chil-
licothe, held in the autumn of 1801, so much out-
spoken enmity was expressed, and so much abuse
heaped upon the Governor and the Assembly, that
a law was passed, removing the capital to Cincinnati

* Land Laws.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

again. It was not destined, however, that the
Territorial Assembly should meet again anywhere.
The unpopularity of the Governor caused many to
long for a State government, where they could
choose their own rulers. The unpopularity of St.
Clair arose partly from the feeling connected with
his defeat ; in part from his being connected with
the Federal party, fast falling into disrepute ; and,
in part, from his assuming powers which must
thought he had no right to exercise, especially the
power of subdividing the counties of the Terri-
tory.

The opposition, though powerful out of the
Assembly, was in the minority there. During the
month of December, 1801, it was forced to protest
against a measure brought forward in the Council,
for changing the ordinance of 1787 in such a man-
ner as to make the Scioto, and a line drawn from
the intersection of that river and the Indian
boundary to the western extremity of the Reserve,
the limits of the most eastern State, to be formed
from the Territory. Had this change been made,
the formation of a State government beyond the
Ohio would have been long delayed. Against it,
RepresentativesWorthington,Langham, Darlington,
Massie, Dunlavy and Morrow, recorded their pro-
test. Not content with this, they sent Thomas
Worthington, who obtained a leave of absence, to
the seat of government, on behalf of the objectors,
there to protest, before Congress, against the pro-
posed boundary. While Worthington was on his
way, Massie presented, the 4th of January, 1802,
a resolution for choosing a committee to address
Congress in respect to the proposed State govern-
ment. This, the next day, the House refused to
do, by a vote of twelve to five. An attempt
was next made to procure a census of the Ter-
ritory, and an act for that purpose passed the
House, but the Council postponed the considera-
tion of it until the next session, which would com-
mence at Cincinnati, the fourth Monday of No-
vember.

Meanwhile, Worthington pursued the ends of
his mission, using his influence to effect that organ-
ization, "which, terminating the influence of tyr-
anny," was to "meliorate the circumstances of thou-
sands, by freeing them from the domination of a
despotic chief" His eff'orts were successful, and,
the 4th of March, a report was made to the
House in favor of authorizing a State convention.
This report was based on the assumption that there
were now over sixty thousand inhabitants in the
proposed boundaries, estimating that emigration had

increased the census of 1800, which gave the Ter-
ritory forty-five thousand inhabitants, to that num-
ber. The convention was to ascertain whether it
were expedient to form such a government, and to
prepare a constitution if such organization were
deemed best. In the formation of the State, a
change in the boundaries was proposed, by which
all the territory north of a line drawn due east
from the head of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie was
to be excluded from the new government about to
be called into existence.

The committee appointed by Congress to report
upon the feasibility of forming the State, suggested
that Congress reserve out of every township sections
numbered 8, 11, 26 and 29, for their own use, and
that Section 16 be reserved for the maintenance
of schools. The committee also suggested, that,
"religion, education and morality being necessary
to the good government and happiness of mankind,
schools and the means of education shall be forever
encouraged."

Various other recommendations were given by
the committee, in accordance with which, Congress,
April 30, passed the resolution authorizing the
calling of a convention. As this accorded with
the feelings of the majority of the inhabitants of the
Northwest, no opposition was experienced ; even
the Legislature giving way to this embryo gov-
ernment, and failing to assemble according to ad-
journment.

The convention met the 1st of November. Its
members were generally Jeffersonian in their na-
tional politics, and had been opposed to the change
of boundaries proposed the year before. Before
proceeding to business, Gov. St. Clair proposed to
address them in his official character. This propo-
sition was resisted by several of the members ; but,
after a motion, it was agreed to allow him to speak
to them as a citizen. St. Clair did so, advising
the postponement of a State government until the
people of the original eastern division were plainly
entitled to demand it, and were not subject to be
bound by conditions. This advice, given as it was,
caused Jefferson instantly to remove St. Clair, at
which time his office ceased.* " When the vote
was taken," says Judge Burnet, "upon doing what

* After this, St. Clair returned to his old home in the Ligonier
Vallpy, Pennsylvania, where he lived with his children in alniuHt
atiject poverty. He had lost money in his public life, as In gave
close attention to public affairs, to the detriment of his own business.
He presented a claim to Congress, afterward, for supplies furni^lled
to the army, but the claim was outlawed. After trying in vain to
get the claim allowed, ho returned to his home. Pennsylvania,
learning of his distress, granted him an annuity of 8350, afterward
raised to SfiOO. He lived to enjoy this but a short time, his death
occurring August 31, 1818. He was eighty-four years of age.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

he advised them not to do, but one of thirty-three
(Ephraim Cutler, of Washington County) voted
with the Grovernor."

On one point only were the proposed boundaries
of the new State altered.

" To every person who has attended to this sub-
ject, and who has consulted the maps of the West-
ern country extant at the time the ordinance of
1787 was passed, Lake Michigan was believed to
be, and was represented by all the maps of that
day as being, very far north of the position which
it has since been ascertained to occupy. I have
seen the map in the Department of State which
was before the committee of Congress who framed
and reported the ordinance for the government of
the Territory. On that map, the southern bound-
ary of Michigan was represented as being above
the forty-second degree of north latitude. And
there was a pencil line, said to have been made by
the committee, passing through the southern bend
of the lake to the Canada line, which struck the
strait not far below the town of Detroit. The
line was manifestly intended by the committee
and by Congress to be the northern boundary of
our State; and, on the principles by which courts
of chancery construe contracts, accompanied by
plats, it would seem that the map, and the line
referred to, should be conclusive evidence of our
boundary, without reference to the real position of
the lakes.

" When the convention sat, in 1802, the under-
derstanding was, that the old maps were nearly
correct, and that the line, as defined in the ordi-
nance, would terminate at some point on the strait
above the Maumee Bay. While the convention
was in session, a man who had hunted many years
on Lake Michigan, and was well acquainted with
its position, happened to be in Chillicothe, and, in
conversation with one of the members, told him
that the lake extended much farther south than
was generally supposed, and that a map of the
country which he had seen, placed its southern
bend many miles north of its true position. This
information excited some uneasiness, and induced
the conveaMon to modify the clause describing the
north boundary of the new St&te, so as to guard
against its being depressed below the most north-
ern cape of the Maumee Bay."*

With this change and some extension of the
school and road donations, the convention agreed
to the proposal of Congress, and, November 29,

■Historical Transactions of Ohio. — Judge Burnett.

their agreement was ratified and signed, as was
also the constitution of the State of Ohio — so
named from its river, called by the Shawanees Ohio,
meaning beautiful — forming its southern bound-
ary. Of this nothing need be said, save that it
bore the marks of true democratic feeling — of full
faith in the people. By them, however, it was
never examined. It stood firm until 1852, when
it was superseded by the present one, made neces-
sary by the advance of time.

The Greneral Assembly was required to meet at
Chillicothe, the first Tuesday of March, 1803.
^his change left the territory northwest of the
Ohio River, not included in the new State, in the
Territories of Indiana and Michigan. Subse-
quently, in 1809, Indiana was made a State, and
confined to her present limits. Illinois was made
a Territory then, including Wisconsin. In 1818,
it became a State, and Wisconsin a Territory at-
tached to Michigan. This latter was made a State
in 1837, and Wisconsin a separate Territory, which,
in 1847, was made a State. Minnesota was made
a Territory the same year, and a State in 1857,
and the five contemplated States of the territory
were complete.

Preceding pages have shown how the territory
north of the Ohio River was peopled by the
French and English, and how it came under the
rule of the American people. The war of the
Revolution closed in 1783, and left all America in
the hands of a new nation. That nation brought
a change. Before the war, various attempts had
been made by residents in New England to people
the country west of the Alleghanies. Land com-
panies were formed, principal among which were
the Ohio Company, and the company of which
John Cleves Symmes was the agent and chief
owner. Large tracts of land on the Scioto and
on the Ohio were entered. The Ohio Company
were the first to make a settlement. It was or-
ganized in the autumn of 1787, November 27.
They made arrangements for a party of forty-seven
men to set out for the West under the supervision of
Gen. Rufus Putnam, Superintendent of the Com-
pany. Early in the winter they advanced to the
Youghiogheny River, and there built a strong boat,
which they named "Mayflower." It was built by
Capt. Jonathan Devol, the first ship-builder in the
West, and, when completed, was placed under his
command. The boat was launched April 2, 1788,
and the band of pioneers, like the Pilgrim Fathers,
began their voyage. The 7th of the month,
they arrived at the mouth of the Muskingum,

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

their destination, opposite Fort Ilarmar,* erected
in the autumn of 1785, by a detachment of
United States troops, under command of Maj.
John Doughty, and, at the date of the Mayflower's
arrival in possession of a company of soldiers.
Under the protection of these troops, the little band
of men began their labor of laying out a town,
and commenced to erect houses for their own and
subsequent emigrants' occupation. The names of
these pioneers of Ohio, as far as can now be
learned, are as follows:

Gren. Putnam, Return Jonathan Meigs, Win-
throjySargeant (Secretary of the Territory), Judges
Parsons and Varnum, Capt Dana, Capt. Jonathan
Devol, Joseph Barker, Col. Battelle, Maj. Tyler,
Dr. True, Capt. Wm. Gray, Capt. Lunt, the
Bridges, Ebenezer and Thomas Cory, Andrew Mc-
Clure, Wm. Mason, Thomas Lord, Wm. Grridley,
Gilbert Devol, Moody Russels, Deavens, Cakes,
Wright, Clough, Green, Shipman, Dorance, the
Masons, and others, whose names are now be-
yond recall.

Oti the 19th of July, the first boat of families
arrived, after a nine-weeks journey on the way.
They had traveled in their wagons as far as Wheel-
ing, where they built large flat-boats, into which
they loaded their efiects, including their cattle, and
thence passed down the Ohio to their destination.
The families were those of Gen. Tupper, Col.
Ichabod Nye, Col. Cushing, Maj. Coburn, and
Maj. Goodal. In these titles the reader will ob-
serve the preponderance of military distinction.
Many of the founders of the colony had served
with much valor in the war for freedom, and were
well prepared for a life in the wilderness.

They began at once the construction of houses
from the forests about the confluence of the rivers,
guarding their stock by day and penning it by
night. Wolves, bears and Indians were all about
them, and, here in the remote wilderness, they
were obliged to always be on their guard. From
the ground where they obtained the timber to erect
their houses, they soon produced a few vegetables,
and when the families arrived in August, they
were able to set before them food raised for the

*The outlines of Fort Harmar formed a regular pentagon,
embracing within the area about three-fourths of an acre. Its
walls were formed of large horizontal timbers, and the bastions
of large uprighttimbersaboutfourteen feet in height, fastened to each
oth'T by strips of timber, tree-nailed into each jiicket. In the rear
of the fort Maj. Doughty laid out fine gardens. It continued to be
occupied by United States troops until September 1790, when
they were ordered to Cincinnati. A company, vinder Capt. Haskell,
continued to make the fort their headquarters during the Indian
war, occasionally assisting the colonists at Marietta, Belpre and
Waterford against the Indians. When not needed by the troops,
the fort was used by the people of Marietta.

first time by the hand of American citizens in the
Ohio Valley. One of those who came in August,
was Mr. Thomas Guthrie, a settler in one of the
western counties of Pennsylvania, who brought a
bushel of wheat, which he sowed on a plat of
ground cleared by himself, and from which that
fall he procured a small crop of wheat, the first
grown in the State of Ohio.

The Marietta settlement was the only one made
that summer in the Territory. From their arrival
until October, when Governor St. Clair came, they
were busily employed making houses, and prepar-
ing for the winter. The little colony, of which
Washington wrote so favorably, met on the 2d day
of July, to name their newborn city and its pub-
lic sqares. Until now it had been known as " The
Muskingum" simply, but on that day the name
Marietta was formally given to it, in honor of Ma-
rie Antoinette. The 4th of July, an ovation was
held, and an oration delivered by James M. Var-
num, who, with S. H. Parsons and John Arm-
strong, had been appointed Judges of the Terri-
tory. Thus, in the heart of the wilderness,
miles away from any kindred post, in the forests
of the Great West, was the Tree of Liberty watered
and given a hearty growth.

On the morning of the 9th of July, Governor
St. Clair arrived, and the colony began to assume
form. The ordinance of 1787 had provided for
a form of government under the Governor and
the three Judges, and this form was at once put
into force. The 25th, the first law relating to the
militia was published, and the next day the Gov-
ernor's proclamation appeared, creating all the
country that had been ceded by the Indians, east
of the Scioto River, into the county of Washing-
ton, and the civil machinery was in motion. From
that time forward, this, the pioneer settlement in
Ohio, went on prosperously. The 2d of Septem-
ber, the first court in the Territory was held, but
as it related to the Territory, a narrative of its pro-
ceedings will be found in the history of that part
of the country, and need not be repeated here.

The 15th of July, Gov. St. Clair had published
the ordinance of 1787, and the commissions of
himself and the three Judges. He also assembled
the people of the settlement, and explained to
them the ordinance in a speech of considerable
length. Three days after, he sent a notice to the
Judges, calling their attention to the subject of
organizing the militia. Instead of attending to
this important matter, and thus providing for their
safety should trouble with the Indians arise, the

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Judges did not even reply to the Governor's letter,
but sent hiai what they called a "project" of a
law for dividing real estate. The bill was so
loosely drawn that St. Clair immediately rejected
it, and set about organizing the militia himself.
He divided the militia into two classes, "Senior"
and "Junior," and organized them by appointing
their officers.

In the Senior Class, Nathan Cushing was ap-
pointed Captain; Greorge Ingersol, Lieutenant,
and James Backus, Ensign.

In the Junior Class, Nathan Goodale and Charles
Knowls were made Captains ; Watson Casey and
Samuel Stebbins, Lieutenants, and Joseph Lincoln
and Arnold Colt, Ensigns.

The Governor next erected the Courts of Pro-
bate and Quarter Sessions, and proceeded to ap-
point civil officers. Rufus Putnam, Benjamin
Tupper and Winthrop Sargeant were made Jus-
tices of the Peace. The 30th of August, the day
the Court of Quarter Sessions was appointed,
Archibald Cary, Isaac Pierce and Thomas Lord
were also appointed Justices, and given power to
hold this court. They were, in fact, Judges of a
Court of Common Pleas. Return Jonathan Meigs
was appointed Clerk of this Court of Quarter
Sessions. Ebenezer Sprout was appointed Sheriff of
Washington County, and also Colonel of the militia;
William Callis, Clerk of the Supreme Court;
Rufus Putnam, Judge of the Probate Court, and
R. J. Meigs, Jr., Clerk. Following these appoint-
ments, setting the machinery of government in
motion, St. Clair ordered that the 25th of Decem-
ber be kept as a day of thanksgiving by the infant
colony for its safe and propitious beginning.

During the fall and winter, the settlement was
daily increased by emigrants, so much so, that the
greatest difficulty was experienced in finding them
lodging. During the coldest part of the winter,
when ice covered the river, and prevented navi-
gation, a delay in arrivals was experienced, only to
be broken as soon as the river opened to the beams
of a spring sun. While locked in the winter's
embrace, the colonists amused themselves in vari-
ous ways, dancing being one of the most promi-
nent. At Christmas, a grand ball was held, at
which there were fifteen ladies, "whose grace,"
says a narrator, "equaled any in the East."
Though isolated in the wilderness, they knew a
brilliant prospect lay before them, and lived on in
a joyous hope for the future.

Soon after their arrival, the settlers began the
erection of a stockade fort (Campus Martius),

which occupied their time until the winter of
1791. During the inten^al, fortunately, no hos-
tilities from the Indians were experienced, though
they were abundant, and were fretjuent visitors to
the settlement.

From a communication in the American Pioneer,
by Dr. S. P. Hildreth, the following description of
Campus Martius is derived. As it will apply, in
a measure, to many early structures for defense in
the West, it is given entire :

" The fort was made in the form of a regular
parallelogram, the sides of each being 180 feet.
At each corner was erected a strong block-house,
surmounted by a tower, and a sentry box. These
houses were twenty feet square below and twenty-
four feet square above, and projected six feet be-
yond the walls of the fort. The intermediate walls
were made up with dwelling-houses, made of wood,
whose ends were whip-sawed into timbers four
inches thick, and of the requisite width and length.
These were laid up similar to the structure of log
houses, with the ends nicely dove-tailed together.
The whole were two stories high, and covered with
shingle roofs. Convenient chimneys were erected
of bricks, for cooking, and warming the rooms. A
number of the dwellings were built and owned by
individuals who had families. In the west and
south fronts were strong gateways ; and over the
one in the center of the front looking to the Mus-
kingum River, was a belfry. The chamber beneath
was occupied by Winthrop Sargeant, as an office,
he being Secretary to the Gt)vernor, and perform-
ing the duties of the office during St. Clair's ab-
sence. This room projected over the gateway, like
a block-house, and was intended for the protection
of the gate beneath, in time of an assault. At
the outer corner of each block-house was erected a
bastion, standing on four stout timbers. The floor
of the bastion was a little above the lower story of
the block-house. They were square, and built up
to the height of a man's head, so that, when he
looked over, he stepped on a narrow platform or
" banquet " running around the sides of the bulwark.
Port-holes were made, for musketry as well as for
artillery, a single piece of which was mounted in
the southwest and northeast bastions. In these,
the sentries were regiilarly posted every night, as
more convenient than the towers ; a door leading
into them from the upper story of the block-houses.
The lower room of the southwest block-house was
occupied as a guard-house.

" Running from corner to corner of the block-
houses was a row of palisades, sloping outward,

HISTORY OF OHIO.

and resting on stout rails. Twenty feet in advance
of these, was a row of very strong and large pick-
ets, set upright in the earth. Gateways through
these, admitted the inmates of the garrison. A
few feet beyond the row of outer palisades was
placed a row of abattis, made from the tops and
branches of trees, sharpened and pointing outward,
so that it would have been very difficult for an
enemy to have penetrated within their outworks.
The dwelling-houses occupied a space from fifteen
to thirty feet each, and were sufficient for the ac-
commodation of forty or fifty families, and did
actually contain from two hundred to three hun-
dred persons during the Indian war.

"Before the Indians commenced hostilities, the
block-houses were occupied as follows : The south-
west one, by the family of Grov. St. Clair; the
northeast one as an office for the Directors of the
Company. The area within the walls was one
hundred and forty-four feet square, and afibrded a
fine parade ground. In the center, was a well
eighty feet in depth, for the supply of water to the
inhabitants, in case of a siege. A large sun-dial
stood for many years in the square, placed on a
handsome post, and gave note of the march of
time.

" After the war commenced, a regular military
corps was organized, and a guard constantly kept
night and day. The whole establishment formed
a very strong work, and reflected great credit on
the head that planned it. It was in a manner im-
pregnable to the attacks of- Indians, and none
but a regular army with cannon could have reduced
it. The Indians possessed no such an armament.

" The garrison stood on the verge of that beauti-
ful plain overlooking the Muskingum, on which
are seated those celebrated remains of auti(piity,
erected probably for a similar purpose — the defense
of the inhabitants. The ground descends into shal-
low ravines on the north and south sides ; on the
west is an abrupt descent to the river bottoms or
alluvium, and the east passed out to a level plain.
On this, the ground was cleared of trees beyond
the reach of rifle shots, so as to afford no shelter
to a hirlden foe. P^xtensive fields of corn were
grown in the midst of the standing girdled trees be-
yond, in after years. The front wall of palisades
was about One hundred and fifty yards from the
Muskingum River. The appearance of the fort
from without was imposing, at a little distance re-
sembling the military castles of the feudal ages.
Between the outer palisades and the river were
laid out neat gardens for the use of Gov. St. Clair

and his Secretary, with the officers of the Com-
pany.

" Opposite the fort, on the shore of the river,
was built a substantial timber wharf, at which was
moored a fine cedar barge for twelve rowers, built
by Capt. Jonathan Devol, for Gen. Putnam ; a
number of pirogues, and the light canoes of the
country ; and last, not least, the Mayflower, or
' Adventure Galley,' in which the first detach-
ments of colonists were transported from the shores
of the ' Yohiogany ' to the banks of the Muskingum.
In these, especially the canoes, during the war,
most of the communications were carried on between
the settlements of the Company and the more re-
mote towns above on the Ohio River. Traveling
by land was very hazardous to any but the rangers
or spies. There were no roads, nor bridges across
the creeks, and, for many years after the war had
ceased, the traveling was nearly all done by canoes
on the river."

Thus the first settlement of Ohio provided for
its safety and comfort, and provided also for that
of emigrants who came to share the toils of the
wilderness.

The next spring, the influx of emigration was
so great that other settlements were determined,
and hence arose the colonies of Belpre, Waterford
and Duck Creek, where they began to clear land, sow
and plant crops, and build houses and stockades.
At Belpre (French for "beautiful meadow"), were
built three stockades, the upper, lower and middle,
the last of which was called " Farmers' Castle,"
and stood on the banks of the Ohio, nearly oppo-
site an island, afterward fiimous in Western history
as Blennerhasset's Island, the scene of Burr's con-
spiracy. Among the persons settling at the upper
stockade, were Capts. Dana and Stone, Col. Bent,
Wilham Browning, Judge Foster, John Rowse,
Israel Stone and a Mr. Keppel. At the Farmers'
Castle, were Cols. Cushing and Fisher, Maj. Has-
kell, Aaron Waldo Putnam, Mr. Sparhawk, and,
it is believed, George and Israel Putnam, Jr. At
the lower, were Maj. Goodale, Col. Rice, Esquire
Pierce, Judge Israel Loring, Deacon Miles, Maj.
Bradford and Mr. Goodenow. In the summer of
1789, Col. Ichabod Nye and some others, built a
block-house at Newberry, below Belpre. Col. Nye
sold his lot there to Aaron W. Clough, who, with
Stephen Guthrie, Joseph Leavins, Joel Oakes,
Eleazer Curtis, Mr. Denham J. Littleton and Mr.
Brown, was located at that place.

"Every exertion possible," says Dr. Hildreth,
who has preserved the above names and incidents,

HISTORY OF OHIO.

" for men in these circumstances, was made to se-
cure food for future difficulties. Col. Oliver, Maj.
Hatfield White and John Dodge, of the Water-
ford settlement, began mills on Wolf Creek, about
three miles fi-om the fort, and got them running;
and these, the first mills in Ohio, were never de-
stroyed during the subsequent Indian war, though
the proprietors removed their fauiiles to the fort
at Marietta. Col. E. Sproat and Enoch Shep-
herd began mills on Duck Creek, three miles from
Marietta, from the completion of which thc^y were
driven by the Indian war. Thomas Stanley be-
gan mills farther up, near the Duck Creek settle-
ment. These were likewise unfinished. The Ohio
Company built a large horse mill near Campus
Martins, and soon after a floating mill."

The autumn before the settlements at Belpre,
Duck Creek and Waterford, were made, a colony
was planted near the mouth of the Little Miami
River, on a tract of ten thousand acres, purchased
fromSymmes by Maj. Benjamin Stites. In the pre-
ceding pages may be found a history of Symmes'
purchase. This colony may be counted the second
settlement in the State. Soon after the colony at
Marietta was founded, steps were taken to occupy
separate portions of Judge Symmes' purchase, be-
tween the Miami Rivers. Three parties were
formed for this purpose, but, owing to various
delays, chiefly in getting the present colony stead-
fast and safe from future encroachments by the
savages, they did not get started till late in the fall.
The first of these parties, consisting of fifteen or
twenty men, led by Maj. Stites, landed at the
mouth of the Little Miami in November, 1788,
and, constructing a log fort, began to lay out a
village, called by them Columbia. It soon grew
into prominence, and, before winter had thoroughly
set in, they were well prepared for a frontier life.
In the party were Cols. Spencer and Brown, Maj.
Gano and Kibbey, Judges Goforth and Foster,
Rev. John Smith, Francis Dunlavy, Capt. Flinn,
Jacob White, John Riley, and Mr. Hubbell.

All these were men of energy and enterprise,
and, with their comrades, were more numerous
than either of the other parties, who commenced
their settlements below them on the Ohio. This
village was also, at first, more flourishing; and, for
two or three years, contained more inhabitants
than any other in the Miami purchase.

The second Miami party wtis formed at Lime-
stone, under Matthias Dcnham and Robert Pat-
terson, and consisted of twelve or fifteen persons.
They landed on the north bank of the' Ohio, oppo-

site the mouth of the Licking River, the 24th of
December, 1788. They intended to establish a
station and lay out a town on a plan prepared at
Limestone. Some statements affirm that the town
was to be called " L-os-aati-viUc,'' by a romantic
school-teacher named Filson. However, be this as
it may, Mr, Filson was, unfortunately for himself,
not long after, slain by the Indians, and, with him
probably, the name disappeared. He was to have
one-third interest in the proposed city, which,
when his death occurred, was transferred to Israel
Ludlow, and a new plan of a city adopted. Israel
Ludlow surveyed the proposed town, whose lots were
principally donated to settlers upon certain condi-
tions as to settlement and improvement, and the
embryo city named Cincinnati. Gov. St. Clair
very likely had something to do with the naming
of the village, and, by some, it is asserted that he
changed the name from Losautiville to Cincinnati,
when he created the county of Hamilton the en-
suing winter. The original purchase of the city's
site was made by Mr. Denham. It included about
eight hundred acres, for which he paid 5 shillings
per acre in Continental certificates, then worth, in
specie, about 5 shillings per pound, gross weight.
Evidently, the original site was a good investment,
could Mr. Denham have lived long enough to see
its present condition.

The third party of settlers for the Miami pur-
chase, were under the care of Judge Symmes,
himself. They left Limestone, January 29, 1789,
and were much delayed on their downward jour-
ney by the ice in the river. They reached the
'' Bend," as it was then known, early in February.
The Judge had intended to found a city here,
which, in time, would be the rival of the Atlantic
cities. As each of the three settlements aspired
to the same position, no little rivalry soon mani-
fested itself The Judge named his proposed city
North Bend, from the fact that it was the most
northern bend in the Ohio below the mouth of the
Great Kanawha. These three settlements ante-
dated, a few months, those made near Marietta,
already described. They arose so soon after, partly
fi'om the extreme desire of Judge Symmes to settle
his purchase, and induce emigration here instead
of on the Ohio Company's purchase. The Judge
labored earnestly for this purpose and to further
secure him in his title to the land he had acquired,
all of which he had so far been unable to retain,
owing to his inability to meet his payments.

All these emigrants came down the river in the
flat-boats of the day, rude afi'airs, sometimes called

HISTORY OF OHIO.

" Arkis,"' and tliea the only safe mode of travel in
the West.

Judge Symmes found he must provide for the
safety of the settlers on his purchase, and, after
earnestly soliciting Gen. Harmar, commander of
the Western posts, succeeded in obtaining a de-
tachment of •forty-eight men, under Capt. Kearsey,
to protect the improvements just commencing on
the jNIiami. This detachment reached Limestone
in December, 1788. Part was at once sent for-
ward to guard Maj. Stites and his pioneers. Judge
Symmes and his party started in January, and,
about February 2, reached Columbia, where the
Captain expected to find a fort erected for his use
and shelter. The flood on the river, however, de-
feated his purpose, and, as he was unprepared to
erect another, he determined to go on down to the
garrison at the falls at Louisville. Judge Symmes
was strenuously opposed to his conduct, as it left
the colonies unguarded, but, all to no purpose; the
Captain and his command, went to Louisville early
in March, and left the Judge and his settlement
to protect themselves. Judge Symmes immedi-
ately sent a strong letter to Maj. Willis, command-
ing at the Falls, complaining of the conduct
of Capt. Kearsey, representing the exposgd situ-
ation of the Miami settlements, stating the indi-
cations of hostility manifested by the Indians,
and requesting a guard to be sent to the Bend.
This request was at once granted, and Ensign
Luce, with seventeen or eighteen soldiers, sent.
They were at the settlement but a short time,
when they were attacked by Indians, and one of
their number killed, and four or five wounded.
They repulsed the savages and saved the set-
tlers.

The site of Symmes City, for such he designed it
should ultimately be called, was above the reach of
water, and sufficiently level to admit of a conven-
ient settlement. The city laid out by Symmes
was truly magnificent on paper, and promised in
the future to fulfill his most ardent hopes. The
plat included the village, and extended across the
peninsula between the Ohio and Miami Rivers.
Each settler on this plat was promised a lot if he
would improve it, and in conformity to the stipu-
lation. Judge Symmes soon found a large number
of persons applying for residence. As the number
of these adventurers increased, in consequence of
this provision and the protection of the military,
the Judge was induced to lay out another village
six or seven miles up the river, which he called
South Bend, where he disposed of some donation

lots, but the project failing, the village site was de-
serted, and converted into a farm.

During all the time these various events were
transpiring, but little trouble was experienced with
the Indians. They were not yet disposed to evince
hostile feelings. This would have been their time,
but, not realizing the true intent of the whites until
it was too late to concjuer them, they allowed them
to become prepared to withstand a warfare, and in
the end wereobliged to suffer their hunting-grounds
to be taken from them, and made the homes of a
race destined to entirely supercede them in the
New World.

By the means sketched in the foregoing pages,
were the three settlements on the Miami made. By
the time those adjacent to JNIariettawere well estab-
lished, these were firmly fixed, each one striving to
become the rival city all felt sure was to arise. For
a time it was a matter of doubt which of the rivals,
Columbia, North Bend or Cincinnati, would event-
ually become the chief seat of business.

In the beginning, Columbia, the eldest of the
three, took the lead, both in number of its in-
h-ribitants and the convenience and appearance of
its dwellings. For a time it was a flourishing place,
and many believed it would become the great busi-
ness town of the Miami country. That apparent
fact, however, lasted but a short time. The garri-
son was moved to Cincinnati, Fort Washington
built there, and in spite of all that Maj. Stites^ or
Judge Symmes could do, that place became the
metropolis. Fort Washington, the most extensive
garrison in the West, was built by Maj. Doughty,
in the summer of 1789, and from that time the
growth and future greatness of Cincinnati were
assured.

The first house in the city was built on Front
street, east of and near Main street. It was
simply a strong log cabin, and was erected of the
forest trees cleared away from the ground on which
it stood. The lower p;irt of the town was covered
with sycamore and maple trees, and the upper with
beech and oak. Through this dense forest the
streets were laid out, and their corners marked on
the trees.

The settlements on the Miami had become
sufficiently numerous to warrant a separate county,
and, in January, 1790, Gov. St. Clair and his
Secretary arrived in Cincinnati, and organized the
county of Hamilton, so named in honor of the
illustrious statesman by that name. It included
all the country north of the Ohio, between the
Miamis, as far as a line running " due east from the

Standing Stone forks " of Big Miami to its inter-
section with the Little Miami. The erection of
the new county, and the appointment of Cincin-
nati to be the seat of justice, gave the town a fresh
impulse, and aided greatly iu its growth.

Through the summer, but little interruption in
the growth of the settlements occurred. The
Indians had permitted the erection of defensive
works in their midst, and could not now destroy
them. They were also engaged in traffic with the
whites, and, though they evinced signs of discon-
tent at their settlement and occupation of the
country, yet did not openly attack them. The
truth was, they saw plainly the whites were always
prepared, and no opportunity was given them to
plunder and destroy. The Indian would not
attack unless success was almost sure. An oppor-
tunity, unfortunately, came, and with it the hor-
rors of an Indian war.

In the autumn of 1790, a company of thirty-
six men went from Marietta to a place on the
Muskingum known as the Big Bottom. Here
they built a block-house, on the east bank of the
river, four miles above the mouth of Meigs Creek.
They were chiefly young, single men, but little
accjuainted with Indian warfare or military rules.
The savages had given signs that an attack on the
settlement was meditated, and several of the know-
ing ones at the strongholds strenuously opposed
any new settlements that fall, advising their post-
ponement until the next spring, when the question
of peace or war would probably be settled. Even
Gen. Putnam and the Directors of the Ohio Com-
pany advised the postponement of the settlement
until the next spring.

The young men were impatient and restless, and
declared themselves able to protect their fort
against any number of assailants. They might
have easily done so, had they taken the necessary
precautions ; but, after they had erected a rude
block-house of unchinked logs, they began to pass
the time iu various pursuits ; setting no guard, and
taking no precautionary measures, they left them-
selves an easy prey to any hostile savages that
might choose to come and attack them.

About twenty rods from the block-house, and a
little back from the bank of the river, two men,
Francis and Isaac Choate, members of the com-
pany, had erected a cabin, and commenced clearing
lots. Thomas Shaw, a hired laborer, and James
Patten, another of the associates, lived with them.
About the same distance below the block-house
was an old "Tomahawk Improvement" and a

small cabin, which two men, Asa and Eleazur
Bullard, had fitted up and occupied. The Indian
war-path, from Sandusky to the mouth of the
jMuskingum, passed along the opposite shore of
the river.

" The Indians, who, during the summer," says
Dr. Hildreth, " had been hunting and loitering
about the Wolf Creek and Plaiufield settlements,
holding fre(|uent and friendly intercourse with the
settlers, selling them venison and bear's meat in ex-
change for green corn and vegetables, had with-
drawn and gone up tlie river, early in the au-
tumn, to their towns, preparatory to going into
winter quarters. They very seldom entered on
any warlike expeditions during the cold weather.
But they had watched the gradual encroach-
ment of the whites and planned an expedition
against them. They saw them in fancied security
in their cabins, and thought their capture an easy
task. It is said they were not aware of the Big
Bottom settlement until they came in sight of it,
on the opposite shore of the river, in the afternoon.
From a high hill opposite the garrison, they had a
view of all that part of the bottom, and could see
how the men were occupied and what was doing
about the block-house. It was not proi ected with
palisades or pickets, and none of the men were
aware or prepared for an attack. Having laid
their plans, about twilight they crossed the river
above the garrison, on the ice, and divided their
men into two parties — the larger one to attack the
block-house, the smaller one to capture the cabins.
As the Indians cautiously approached the cabin
they found the inmates at supper. Part entered,
addressed the whites in a friendly manner, but
soon manifesting their designs, made them all pris-
oners, tieing them with leather thongs they found
in the cabin."

At the block-house the attack was far different.
A stout Mohawk suddenly burst open the door,
the first intimation the inmates had of the pres-
ence of the foe, and while he held it open his
comrades shot down those that were within. Rush-
ing in, the deadly tomahawk completed the on-
slaught. In the assault, one of the savages was
struck by the wife of Isaac Woods, with an ax,
but only slightly injured. The heroic woman was
immediately slain. All the men but two were
slain before they had time to secure their arms,
thereby paying for their failure to properly secure
themselves, with their lives. The two excepted
were John Stacy and his brother Philip, a lad six-
teen years of age. John escaped to the roof.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

where lie was shot by the Indians, while begging
for his life. The firing at the block-house alarmed
the Bullards in their cabin, and hastily barring the
door, and securing their arms and ammunition, they
fled to the woods, and escaped. After the slaughter
was over, the Indians began to collect the plunder,
and in doing so discovered the lad Philip Stacy.
They were about to dispatch him, but his entrea-
ties softened the heart of one of the chiefs, who
took him as a captive with the intention of adopt-
ing him into his family. The savages then piled
the dead bodies on the floor, covered them with
other portions of it not needed for that purpose,
and set fire to the whole. The building, being
made of green logs, did not burn, the flames con-
suming only the floors and roof, leaving the walls
standing.

There were twelve persons killed in this attack,
all of whom were in the prime of life, and valuable
aid to the settlements. They were well provided
with arms, and had they taken the necessary pre-
cautions, always pressed upon them when visited
by the older ones from Marietta, they need not
have suff"ered so terrible a fate.

The Indians, exultant over their horrible victory,
went on to Wolf's mills, but here they found the
people prepared, and, after reconnoitering the place,
made their retreat, at early dawn, to the great re-
lief of the inhabitants. Their number was never
definitely known.

The news reached Marietta and its adjacent
settlements soon after the massacre occurred, and
struck terror and dismay into the hearts of all.
Many had brothers and sons in the ill-fated party,
and mourned their loss. Neither did they know
what place would fall next. The Indian hostilities
had begun, and they could only hope for peace
when the savages were effectually concjuered.

The next day, Capt. Rogers led a party of men
over to the Big Bottom. It was, indeed, a melan-
choly sight to the poor borderers, as they knew not
now how soon the same fate might befall them-
selves. The fire had so disfigured their comrades
that but two, Ezra Putnam and William Jones,
were recognized. As the ground was frozen out-
side, a hole was dug in the earth underneath the
block-house floor, and the bodies consigned to one
grave. No further attempt was made to settle
here till after the peace of 1795.

The outbreak of Indian hostilities put a check
on further settlements. Those that were estab-
lished were put in a more active state of defense,
and every preparation made that could be made

for the impending crisis all felt sure must come.
Either the Indians must go, or the whites must
retreat. A few hardy and adventurous persons
ventured out into the woods and made settle-
ments, but even these were at the imminent risk
of their lives, many of them perishing in the
attempt.

The Indian war that followed is given fully in
preceding pages. It may be briefly sketched by
stating that the first campaign, under Gren Har-
mar, ended in the defeat of his army at the Indian
villages on the Miami of the lake, and the rapid
retreat to Fort Washington. St. Clair was next
commissioned to lead an army of nearly three thou-
sand men, but these were furiously attacked at
break of day, on the morning of November 4,
1791, and utterly defeated. Indian outrages
sprung out anew after each defeat, and the borders
were in a continual state of alarm. The most ter-
rible sufferings were endured by prisoners in the
hands of the savage foe, who thought to annihilate
the whites.

The army was at once re-organized. Gen. An-
thony Wayne put in command by Washington,
and a vigorous campaign inaugurated. Though
the savages had been given great aid by the Brit-
ish, in direct violation of the treaty of 1783, Gen.
Wayne pursued them so vigorously that they could
not withstand his army, and, the 20th of August,
1794, defeated them, and utterly annihilated their
forces, breaking up their camps, and laying waste
their country, in some places under the guns of
the British forts. The victory showed them the
hopelessness of contending against the whites, and
led their chiefs to sue for peace. The British, as
at former times, deserted them, and they were again
alone, contending against an invincible foe. A
grand council was held at Greenville the 3d day
of August, 1795, where eleven of the most power-
ful chiefs made peace with Gen. Wayne on terms
of his own dictation. The boundary established
by the old treaty of Fort Mcintosh was confirmed,
and extended westward from Loramie's to Fort
Recovery, and thence southwest to the mouth of
the Kentucky River. He also purchased all the
territory not before ceded, within certain limits,
comprehending, in all, about four-fifths of the State
of Ohio. The line was long known as " The Green-
ville Treaty line." Upon these, and a few other
minor conditions, the United States received the
Indians under their protection, gave them a large
number of presents, and practically closed the war
with the savao;es.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

The only settlement uf any consequence made dur-
ingthe Indian war, was that on the platof Hamilton,
laid out by Israel Ludlow in December, 1794. Soon
after, Darius C. Orcutt, John Green, William Mc-
Clennan, John Sutherland, John Torrence, Benjamin
F.Randolph, Benjamin Davis, Isaac Wiles, Andrew
Christy and William Hubert, located here. The
town was laid out under the name of Fairfield, but
was known only a short time by that name. Until
ISUl, all the lands on the west side of the G-reat
Miami were owned by the General Government ;
hence, until after that date, no improvements were
made there. A single log cabin stood there until
the sale of lands in April, 1801, when a company
purchased the site of Rossville, and, in March,
1804, laid out that town, and, before a year had
passed, the town and country about it was well
settled.

The close of the war, in 1795, insured peace,
and, from that date, Hamilton and that part of the
Miami Valley grew remarkably fast. In 1803,
Butler County was formed, and Hamilton made
the county seat.

On the site of Hamilton, St. Clair built Fort
Hamilton in 1791. For some time it was under
the command of Maj. Rudolph, a cruel, arbitrary
man, who was displaced by Gen. Wayne, and who,
it is said, perished ignobly on the high seas, at the
hands of some Algerine pirates, a fitting end to a
man who caused, more than once, the death of
men under his control for minor offenses.

On the return of peace, no part of Ohio grew
more rapidly than the Miami A^alley, especially
that part comprised in Butler County.

While the war with the Indians continued, but
little extension of settlements was made in the
State. It was too perilous, and the settlers pre-
ferred the security of the block-house or to engage
with the army. Still, however, a few bold spirits
ventured away from the settled parts of the Terri-
tory, and began life in the wilderness. In tracing
the histories of these settlements, attention will be
paid to the order in which they were made. They
will be given somewhat in detail until the war of
HI 2, after which time they become too numerous
to follow.

The settlements made in Washington — Marietta
and adjacent colonies — and Hamilton Counties
have already been given. The settlement at Gal-
lia is also noted, hence, the narration can be re-
sumed where it ends prior to the Indian war of
1795. Before this war occurred, there were three
small settlements made, however, in addition to

those in Washington and Hamilton Counties.
They were in what are now Adams, Belmont and
Morgan Counties. They were block-house settle-
ments, and were in a continual state of defense.
The first of these, x\dams, was settled in the winter
of 1790-91 by Gen. Nathaniel Massie. near where
Manchester now is. Gen. Massie determined to
settle here in the Virginia Military Tract — in the
winter of 1790, and sent notice throughout Ken-
tucky and other Western settlements that he would
give to each of the first twenty-five families who
would settle in the town he proposed laying out,
one in-lot, one out-lot and one hundred acres of
land. Such liberal terms were soon accepted, and
in a short time thirty families were ready to go
with him. After various consultations with his
friends, the bottom on the Ohio River, opposite
the lower of the Three Islands, was selected as
the most eligible spot. Here Massie fixed his sta-
tion, and laid oft' into lots a town, now called
JNIanchester. The little confederacy, with Massie
at the helm, went to work with spirit. Cabins
were raised, and by the middle of March,
1791, the whole town was inclosed with strong
pickets, with block-houses at each angle for de-
fense.

This was the first settlement in the bounds of
the Virginia District, and the fourth one in the
State. Although in the midst of a savage foe,
now inflamed with war, and in the midst of a
cruel conflict, the settlement at Manchester suf-
fered less than any of its cotemporaries. This
was, no doubt, due to the watchful care of its in-
habitants, who were inured to th^ rigors of a front-
ier life, and who well knew the danger about them.
" These were the Beasleys, Stouts, Washburns,
Ledoms, Edgingtons, Denings, Ellisons, Utts,
McKenzies, Wades, and others, who were fully
equal to the Indians in all the savage arts and
stratagems of border war."

As soon as they had completed preparations for
defense, the whole population went to work and
cleared the lowest of the Three Islands, and planted
it in corn. The soil of the island was very rich,
and produced abundantly. The woods supplied an
abundance of game, while the river furnished a
variety of excellent fish. The inhabitants thus
found their simple wants fully su])plied. Their
nearest neighbors in the new Territory were at
Columbia, and at the French settlement at Gallip-
olis ; but with these, owing to the state of the
country and the Indian war, they could hold little,
if any, intercourse.

"7"

(5-

HISTORY OF OHIO.

The station being established, Massie continued
to make locations and surveys. Great precautions
were necessary to avoid the Indians, and even the
closest vigilance did not always avail, as the ever-
watchful foe was always ready to spring upon the
settlement, could an unguarded moment be ob-
served. During one of the spring months, Gren.
Massie, Israel Donalson, William Lytle and James
Little, while out on a survey, were surprised, and
Mr. Donalson captured, the others escaping at
great peril. Mr. Donalson escaped during the
march to the Indian town, and made his way to
the town of Cincinnati, after suffering great hard-
ships, and almost perishing from hunger. In the
spring of 1793, the settlers at Manchester com-
menced clearing the out-lots of the town. While
doing so, an incident occurred, which shows the
danger to which they were daily exposed. It is
thus related in Howe's Collections :

" Mr. Andrew Ellison, one of the settlers,
cleared an out-lot immediately adjoining the fort.
He had completed the cutting of the timber, rolled
the logs together, and set them on fire. The next
morning, before daybreak, Mr. Ellison opened one
of the gates of the fort, and went out to throw his
logs together. By the time he had finished the
job, a number of the heaps blazed up brightly, and,
as he was passing from one to the other, he ob-
served, by the light of the fires, three men walking
briskly toward him. This did not alarm him in
the least, although, he said, they were dark-skinned
fellows ; yet he concluded they were the Wades,
whose complexions were very dark, going early to
hunt. He continued to right his log-heaps, until
one of the fellows seized him by the arms, calling
out, in broken English, ' How do ? how do ? ' He
instantly looked in their faces, and, to his surprise
and horror, found himself in the clutches of three
Indians. To resist was useless.

" The Indians quickly moved off with him in
the direction of Paint Creek. When breakfast
was ready, Mrs. Ellison sent one of her children
to ask its father home ; but he could not be found
at the log-heaps. His absence created no immedi-
ate alarm, as it was thought he might have started
to hunt, after completing his work. Dinner-time
arrived, and, Ellison not returning, the family
became uneasy, and began to suspect some acci-
dent had happened to him. His gun-rack was
examined, and there hung his rifles and his pouch.
Gen. Massie raised a party, made a circuit around
the place, finding, after some search, the trails of
four men, one of whom had on shoes; and the

fact that Mr. Ellison was a prisoner now became
apparent. As it was almost night at the time the
trail was discovered, the party returned to the
station. Early the next morning, preparations
were made by Gen. Massie and his friends to con-
tinue the search. In doing this, they found great
difficulty, as it was so early in the spring that the
vegetation was not grov^n sufficiently to show
plainly the trail made by the savages, who took
the precaution to keep on high and dry ground,
where their feet would make little or no impres-
sion. The party were, however, as unerring as a
pack of hounds, and followed the trail to Paint
Creek, when they found the Indians gained so
fast on them that pursuit was useless.

"The Indians took their prisoner to Upper
Sandusky, where he was compelled to run the
gantlet. As he was a large, and not very active,
man, he received a severe flogging. He was then
taken to Lower Sandusky, and again compelled to
run the gantlet. He was then taken to Detroit,
where he was ransomed by a British officer for
$100. The officer proved a good friend to him.
He sent him to Montreal, whence he returned
home before the close of the summer, much to the
joy of his family and friends, whose feelings can
only be imagined."

"Another incident occurred about this time,"
says the same volume, "which so aptly illustrates
the danger of frontier life, that it well deserves a
place in the history of the settlements in Ohio.
John and Asahel Edgington, with a comrade,
started out on a hunting expedition toward Brush
Creek. They camped out six miles in a northeast
direction from where West Union now stands, and
near the site of Treber's tavern, on the road from
Chillicothe to Maysville. They had good success
in hunting, killing a number of deer and bears.
Of the deer killed, they saved the skins and hams
alone. They fleeced the bears ; that is, they cut
off all the meat whicb adhered to the hide, with-
out skinning, and left; the bones as a skeleton.
They hung up the proceeds of their hunt, on a scaf-
fold out of the reach of wolves and other wild ani-
mals, and returned to Manchester for pack-horses.
No one returned to the camp with the Edgingtons.
As it was late in December, few apprehended dan-
ger, as the winter season was usually a time of re-
pose from Indian incursions. When the Edgingtons
arrived at their camp, they alighted from their
horses and were preparing to start a fire, when a
platoon of Indians fired upon them at a distance
of not more than twenty paces. They had

^±=±=

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

101

evidently found the results of the white men's labor,
and expected they would return fur it, and pre-
pared to waylay them. Asahel Edgiugton fell
dead. John was more fortunate. The sharp
crack of the rifles, and the horrible yells of the
savages as they leaped from their place of ambush,
frightened the horses, who took the track for
home at full speed. John was very active on foot,
and now an opportunity offered which required his
utmost speed. The moment the Indians leaped
from their hiding-place, they threw down their
guns and took after him, yelling with all their
power. Edgington did not run a booty race. For
about a mile, the savages stepped in his tracks al-
most before the bending grass could rise. The
uplifted tomahawk was frequently so near his head
that he thought he felt its edge. He exerted
himself to his utmost, while the Indians strove
with all their might to catch him. Finally, he be-
gan to gain on his pursuers, and, after a long race,
distanced them and made his escape, safely reach-
ing home. This, truly, was a most fearful and
well-contested race. The big Shawanee chief, Capt.
John, who headed the Indians on this occasion,
after peace was made, in narrating the particulars,
said, " The white man who ran away was a smart
fellow. The white man run ; and I run. He run
and run ; at last, the white man run clear off from
me. "

The settlement, despite its dangers, prospered,
and after the close of the war continued to grow
rapidly. In two years after peace was declared,
Adams County was erected by proclamation of
Grov. St. Clair, the next year court was held, and
in 1804, West Union was made the county seat.

During the war, a settlement was commenced
near the present town of Bridgeport, in Belmont
County, by Capt. Joseph Belmont, a noted Dela-
ware Revolutionary ofiicer, who, because his State
could furnish only one company, could rise no
higher than Captain of that company, and hence
always maintained that grade. He settled on a
beautiful knoll near the present county seat, but
erelong suffered from a night attack by the In-
dians, who, though unable to drive him and his
companions from the cabin or conquer them,
wounded some of them badly, one or two mortally,
and caused the Captain to leave the frontier and
return to Newark, Del. The attack was made
in the spring of 1791, and a short time after,
the Captain, having provided for the safety of his
family, accepted a commission in St. Clair's army,
and lost his life at the defeat of the General in

November. Shortly after the Captain settled, a
fort, called Dillie's Fort, was built on the Ohio,
opposite the mouth of Grave Creek. About two
hundred and fifty yards below this fort, an old
man, named Tato, was shot down at his cabin door
by the Indians, just as he was in the act of entering
the house. His body was pulled in by his daugh-
ter-in-law and grandson, who made an heroic de-
fense. They were overpowered, the woman slain,
and the boy badly wounded. He, however, man-
aged to secrete himself and afterward escaped to
the fort. The Indians, twelve or thirteen in num-
ber, went off unmolested, though the men in the
fort saw the whole transaction and could have
punished them. Why they did not was never
known.

On Captina Creek in this same county, occurred,
in May, 1794, the "battle of Captina," a fa-
mous local skirmish between some Virginians from
Fort Baker, and a party of Indians. Though the
Indians largely outnumbered the whites, they were
severely punished, and compelled to abandon the
contest, losing several of their bravest warriors.

These were the only settlements made until
1795, the close of the war. Even these, as it will
be observed from the foregoing pages, were tem-
porary in all cases save one, and were maintained
at a great risk, and the loss of many valuable lives.
They were made in the beginning of the war,and such
were their experiences that further attempts were
abandoned until the treaty of Greenville was made,
or until the prospects for peace and safety were
assured.

No sooner, however, had the prospect of quiet
been established, than a revival of emigration be-
gan. Before the war it had been large, now it
was largely increased.

Wayne's treaty of peace with the Indians was
made at Greenville, in what is now Darke County,
the 3d of August, 1795. The number of Indians
present was estimated at 1,300, divided among the
principal nations as follows: 180 Wyandots, 381
Delawares, 143 Shawanees, 45 Ottawas, 46 Chip-
pewas, 240 Pottawatomies, 73 Miamis and Eel
River, 12 Weas and Piankeshaws, and 10 Kicka-
poos and Kaskaskias. The principal chiefs were
Tarhe, Buckongahelas, Black Hoof, Blue Jacket
and Little Turtle. Most of them had been tam-
pered with by the British agents and traders, but
all had been so thoroughly chastised by Wayne, and
found that the British only used them as tools,
that they were quite anxious to make peace with
the " Thirteen Fires." By the treaty, former ones

102

HISTORY OF OHIO.

were establislied, the boundary lines confirmed and
enlarged, an exchange and delivery of prisoners
effected, and permanent peace assured.

In the latter part of September, after the treaty
of Greenville, Mr. Bedell, from New Jersey,
selected a site for a home in what is now Warren
County, at a place since known as " Bedell's Sta-
tion," about a mile south of Union Village. Here
he erected a block-house, as a defense against the
Indians, among whom were many renegades as
among the whites, who would not respect the
terms of the treaty. Whether Mr. Bedell was
alone that fall, or whether he was joined by others,
is not now accurately known. However that may
be, he was not long left to himself; for, ere a year
had elapsed, quite a number of settlements were
made in this part of the Territory. Soon after
his settlement was made, Gen. David Sutton, Capt.
Nathan Kelley and others began pioneer life at
Deerfield, in the same locality, and, before three
years had gone by, a large number of New Jersey
people were established in their homes; and, in
1803, the county was formed from Hamilton.
Among the early settlers at Deerfield, was Capt.
Robert Benham, who, with a companion, in 1779,
sustained themselves many days when the Captain
had lost the use of his legs, and his companion
his arms, from musket-balls fired by the hands of
the Indians. They were with a large party com-
manded by Maj. Rodgers, and were furiously
attacked by an immense number of savages, and
all but a few slain. The event happened during
the war of the Revolution, before any attempt
was made to settle the Northwest Territory. The
party were going down the Ohio, probably to the
falls, and were attacked when near the site of
Cincinnati. As mentioned, these two men sus-
tained each other many days, the one having per-
fect legs doing the necessary walking, carrying his
comrade to water, driving up game for him to
shoot, and any other duties necessary; while the
one who had the use of his arms could dress his
companion's and his own wounds, kill and cook
the game, and perform his share. They were
rescued, finally, by a flat-boat, whose occupants,
for awhile, passed them, fearing a decoy, but,
becoming convinced that such was not the case,
took them on down to Louisville, where they were
nursed into perfect health.

A settlement was made near the present town of
Lebanon, the county seat of Warren County, in
the spring of 1796, by Henry Taylor, who built a
mill one mile west of the town site, on Turtle

Creek. Soon after, he was joined by Ichabod
Corwin, John Osbourn, Jacob Vorhees, Samuel
Shaw, Daniel Boute and a Mr. Manning. When
Lebanon was laid out, in 1803, the two-story log
house built in 1797 by Ichabod Corwin was the
only building on the plat. It was occupied by
Ephraim Hathaway as a tavern. He had a black
horse painted on an immense board for a sign, and
continued in business here till 1810. The same
year the town was laid out, a store was opened by
John Huston, and, from that date, the growth of
the county was very prosperous. Three years
after, the Wet^feni Sfar was established by
Judge John McLain, and the current news of
the day given in weekly editions. It was one of
the first newspapers established in the Territory,
outside of Cincinnati.

As has been mentioned, the opening of naviga-
tion in the spring of 1796 brought a great flood
of emigration to the Territory. The little settle-
ment made by Mr. Bedell, in the autumn of 1795,
was about the only one made that fall ; others made
preparations, and many selected sites, but did not
settle till the following spring. That spring, colo-
nies were planted in what are now Montgomery,
Licking, Ross, Madison, Mahoning, Trumbull,
Ashtabula and Cuyahoga Counties, while prepara-
tions were in turn made to occupy additional terri-
tory, that will hereafter be noticed.

The settlement made in Montgomery County
was begun early in the spring of 1796. As early
as 1788, the land on which Dayton now stands was
selected by some gentlemen, who designed laying
out a town to be named Venice. They agreed
with Judge Symmes, whose contract covered the
place, for the purchase of the lands. The Indian
war which broke out at this time prevented an
extension of settlements from the immediate
neighborhood of the parent colonies, and the proj-
ect was abandoned by the purchasers. Soon after
the treaty of 1795, a new company, composed of
Gens. Jonathan Dayton, Arthur St. Clair, James
Wilkinson, and Col. Israel Ludlow, purchased the
land between the Miamis, around the mouth of
Mad River, of Judge Symmes, and, the 4th of
November, laid out the town. Arrangements were
made for its settlement the ensuing spring, and
donations of lots, with other privileges, were offered
to actual settlers. Forty-six persons entered into
engagements to remove from Cincinnati to Day-
ton, but during the winter most of them scat-
tered in different directions, and only nineteen ful-
filled their contracts. The first families who

HISTORY OF OHIO.

103

made a permanent residence here, arrived on the
first day of April, 1796, and at once set about
establishing homes. Judge Symmes, however,
becoming unable soon after to pay for his purchase,
the land reverted to the United States, and the set-
tlers in and about Dayton found themselves with-
out titles to their lands. Congress, however, came
to the aid of all such persons, wherever they had
purchased land of Symmes, and passed a pre-emp-
tion law, under which they could enter their lands
at the regular government' price. Some of the set-
tlers entered their lands, and obtained titles directly
from the United States ; others made arrangements
with Daniel C. Cooper to receive their deeds from
him, and he entered the residue of the town lands.
He had been the surveyor and agent of the first
company of proprietors, and they assigned to him
certain of their rights of pre-emption, by which he
became the titular owner of the land.

When the State government was organized in
1803, Dayton was made the seat of justice for
Montgomery County, erected the same year. At
that time, owing to the title question, only five
families resided in the place, the other settlers hav-
ing gone to farms in the vicinity, or to other
parts of the country. The increase of the town
was gradual until the war of 1812, when its
growth was more rapid until 1820, when it was
again checked by the general depression of busi-
ness. It revived in 1827, at the commencement
of the Miami Canal, and since then its growth has
always been prosperous. It is now one of the
best cities in Ohio. The first canal boats from
Cincinnati arrived at Dayton January 25, 1829,
and the first one from Lake Erie the 24th of
June, 1845. In 1825, a weekly line of stages
was established between Columbus and Cincinnati,
via Dayton. Two days were occupied in coming
from Cincinnati to Dayton.

On the 18th of September, 1808, the Dayton
Repertory was established by William McClureand
George Smith. It was printed on a foolscap sheet.
Soon after, it was enlarged and changed from a
weekly to a daily, and, ere long, found a number
of competitors in the field.

In the lower part of Miamisburg, in this county,
are the remains of ancient works, scattered about
over the bottom. About a mile and a quarter
southeast of the village, on an elevation more than
one hundred feet above the level of the Miami,
is the largest mound in the Northern States, ex-
cepting the mammoth mound at Grave Creek, on
the Ohio, below Wheeling, which it nearly equals

in dimensions. It is about eight hundred feet
around the base, and rises to a height of nearly
seventy feet. When first known it was covered
with forest trees, whose size evidenced great age.
The Indians could give no account of the mound.
Excavations revealed bones and charred earth,
but what was its use, will always remain a con-
jecture.

One of the most important early settlements
was made cotemporary with that of Dayton, in
what is now Ross County. The same spring,
1796, quite a colony came to the banks of the
Scioto River, and, near the mouth of Paint Creek,
began to plant a crop of corn on the bottom. The
site had been selected as early as 1792, by Col.
Nathaniel Massie* and others, who were so de-
lighted with the country, and gave such glowing
descriptions of it on their return — which accounts
soon circulated through Kentucky — that portions
of the Presbyterian congregations of Caneridge and
Concord, in Bourbon County, under Rev. Robert
W. Finley, determined to emigrate thither in a
body. They were, in a measure, induced to take
this step by their dislike to slavery, and a desire
for freedom from its baleful influences and the un-
certainty that existed regarding the validity of the
land titles in that State. The Rev. Finley, as a
preliminary step, liberated his slaves, and addressed
to Col. Massie a letter of inquiry, in December,
1794, regarding the land on the Scioto, of which
he and his people had heard such glowing ac-
counts.

"The letter induced Col. Massie to visit Mr.
Finley in the ensuing March. A large concourse
of people, who wished to engage in the enterprise,
assembled on the occasion, and fixed on a day to
meet at the Three Islands, in Manchester, and
proceed on an exploring expedition. Mr. Finley
also wrote to his friends in Western Pennsylvania

* Nathaniel Massie was born in (Joochland County, Va., Decem-
ber 28, 1763. In 1780, he engaged, for a short time, in the Revolu-
tionary war. In 1783, he left for Kentucky, where he acted as a
surveyor. He was afterward made a Government surveyor, and
labored much in that capacity for early Ohio proprietors, being paid
in lands, the amounts graded by the danger attached to the survey.
In 1791, he established the settlement at Manchester, and a year or
two after, continued his surveys up the Scioto. Here he was con-
tinually in great danger from the Indians, but knew well how tc
guard against them, and thus preserved hiniselt. In 1796, he estab
lished the Chillicothe settlement, and made his home in the Scioto
Valley, being now an extensive land owner by reason of his long
surveying service. In 1807, he and Return J. Meigs were compet-
itors for the ofhce of Governor of Ohio. Meigs was elected, but
Massie contested his eligibility to the office, on the grounds of his
absence from the State and insufficiency of time as a resident, as
required by the Constitution. Meigs was declared inelieible liy the
Qpneral Assembly, and Massie declared Governor. He, however,
resigned the office at once, not desiring it. He was often Repre-
sentative afterward. He died November 13, 1813.

104

HISTORY OF OHIO.

informing them of tlie time and place of rendez-
vous.

" About sixty men met, according to appoint-
ment, wh(,) were divided into three companies,
under Massie, Finley and Falenash. They pro-
ceeded on their route, without interruption, until
they struck the fills of Paint Creek. Proceeding
a short distance down that stream, they suddenly j
found themselves in the vicinity of some Indians
who had encamped at a place, since called Reeve's
Crossing, near the present town of Bainbridge.
The Indians were of those who had refused to
attend Wayne's treaty, and it was determined to
give them battle, it being too late to retreat with
safety. The Indians, on being attacked, soon fled
with the loss of two killed and several wounded.
One of the whites only, Joshua Robinson, was
mortally wounded, and, during the action, a Mr.
Armstrong, a prisoner among the savages, escaped
to his own people. The whites gathered all their
plunder and retreated a.s far as Scioto Brush
Creek, where they were, according to expectation,
attacked early the next morning. Again the In-
dians were defeated. Only one man among the
whites, Allen Gilfillan, was wounded. The party
of whites continued their retreat, the next day
reached Manchester, and separated for their homes.

" After Wayne's treaty. Col. Massie and several
of the old explorers again met at the house of
Rev. Finley, formed a company, and agreed to
make a settlement in the ensuing spring (1796),
and raise a crop of corn at the mouth of Paint
Creek. According to agreement, they met at Man-
chester about the first of April, to the number of
forty and upward, from Mason and Bourbon
Counties. Among them were Joseph McCoy,
Benjamin and William Rodgers, David Shelby,
James Harrod, Henry, Bazil and Reuben Abrams,
William Jamison, James Crawford, Samuel, An-
thony and Robert Smith, Thomas Dick, William
and James Kerr, George and James Kilgrove,
John Brown, Samuel and Robert Templeton, Fer-
guson Moore, William Nicholson and James B.
Finley, later a prominent local Methodist minister.
On starting, they divided into two companies, one
of which struck across the country, while the
other came on in pirogues. The first arrived
earliest on the spot of their intended settlement,
and had eonmien -ed erecting log huts above the
mouth of Paint Creek, at the 'Prairie Station,'
before the others had come on by water. About
three hundred acres of the prairie were cultivated
in corn that season.

" In August, of this year— 179G— Chillicothe*
was laid out by Col. Massie in a dense forest. He
gave a lot to each of the first settlers, and, by the
beginning of winter, about twenty cabins were
erected. Not long after, a ferry was established
across the Scioto, at the north end of Walnut
street. The opening of Zane's trace produced a
great change in travel westward, it having pre-
viously been along the Ohio in keel-boats or canoes,
or by land, over the Cumberland Mountains,
through Crab Orchard, in Kentucky.

" The emigrants bnmght corn-meal in their pi-
rogues, and after that was gone, their principal
meal, until the next summer, was that pounded in
hominy mortars, which meal, when made into
bread, and anointed with bear's-oil, was quite pal-
atable.

" When the settlers first came, whisky was $4.50
per gallon; but, in the spring of 1797, when the
keel-boats began to run, the Monongahela whisky-
makers, having found a good market for their fire-
water, rushed it in, in such quantities, that the
cabins were crowded with it, and it soon fell to 50
cents. Men, women and children, with some excep-
tions, drank it freely, and many who had been
respectable and temperate became inebriates.
Many of Wayne's soldiers and camp-women settled
in the town, so that, for a time, it became a town
of drunkards and a sink of corruption. There
was, however, a little leaven, which, in a few
months, began to develop itself

" In the spring of 1797, one Brannon stole a
great coat, handkerchief and shirt. He and his
wife absconded, were pursued, caught and brought
back. Samuel Smith was appointed Judge, a
jury impanneled, one attorney appointed by the
Judge to manage the prosecution, and another the
defense ; witnesses were examined, the case argued,
and the evidence summed up by the Judge. The
jury, having retired a few moments, returned with
a verdict of guilty, and that the culprit be sen-
tenced according to the discretion of the Judge.
The Judge soon announced that the criminal
should have ten lashes on his naked back, or that
he should sit on a bare pack-saddle on his pony,
and that his wife, who was supposed to have had
some agency in the theft, should lead the pony to
every house in the village, and proclaim, 'This is

*f^hillicr>the appears to have been a favorite name among the
Indians, as many localities were known by that name. Col. John
Johnston says : "Chillicothe is the name of one of the principal
trihes of the Shawanees. They would say, CJiil-i-cothe ntany, i. e.,
Chillicothe town. The Wyandots would say, for Chillicothe town,
Tal-a-ra-ra, Do-tia, or town at the leaning of the bank."

*7-

■V

HISTORY OF OHIO.

105

Braunon, who stole the great coat, handkerchief
and shirt ; ' and that James B. Finley, afterward
Chaplain in the State Penitentiary, should see the
sentence faithfully carried out. Brannou chose
the latter sentence, and the ceremony was faith-
fully performed by his wife in the presence of
every cabin, under Mr. Finley's care, after which
the couple made off. This was rather rude, but
effective j urisprudence.

" Dr. Edward Tiffin and Mr. Thomas Worth-
ington, of Berkley County, Va., were brothers-in-law,
and being moved by abolition principles, liberated
their slaves, intending to remove into the Ter-
ritory. For this purpose, Mr. Worthington visited
Chillicothe in the autumn of 1797, and purchased
several in and out lots of the town. On one of the
former, he erected a two-story fi-ame house, the
first of the kind in the village. On his return,
having purchased a part of a farm, on which his
family long afterward resided, and another at the
north fork of Paint Creek> he contracted with Mr.
Joseph Yates, a millwright, and Mr. George Haines,
a blacksmith, to come out with him the following
winter or spring, and erect for him a gi-ist and saw
mill on his north-fork tract. The summer, fall
and following winter of that year were marked by
a rush of emigration, which spead over the high
bank prairie, Pea-pea, Westfall and a few miles
up Paint and Deer Creeks.

" Nearly all the first settlers were either regular
members, or had been raised in the Presbyterian
Church. Toward the fall of 1797, the leaven of
piety retained by a portion of the first settlers be-
gan to diffuse itself through the mass, and a large
log meeting-house was erected near the old grave-
yard, and Rev. William Speer, from Pennsylvania,
took charge. The sleepers at first served as seats for
hearers, and a split-log table was used as a pulpit.
Mr. Speer was a gentlemanly, moral man, tall and
cadaverous in person, and wore the cocked hat of
the Revolutionary era.

" Thomas Jones arrived in February, 1798,
bringing with him the first load of bar-iron in the
Scioto Valley, and about the same time Maj. Elias
Langham, an officer of the Revolution, arrived. Dr.
Tiffin, and his brother, Joseph, arrived the same
month from Virginia and opened a store not far
from the log meeting-house. A store had been
opened previously by John McDougal. The 17th
of April, the families of Col. Worthington and
Dr. Tiffin arrived, at which time the first marriage
in the Scioto Valley was celebrated. The parties
were George Kilgore and Elizabeth Cochran. The

ponies of the attendants were hitched to the trees
along the streets, which were not then cleared out,
nearly the whole town being a wilderness. Joseph
Yates, George Haines, and two or three others,
arrived with the families of Tiffin and Worthing-
ton. On their arrival there were but four shingled
roofs in town, on one of which the shingles
were fastened with pegs. Col. Worthington's
house was the only one having glass windows. The
sash of the hotel windows was filled with greased
paper.

" Col. Worthington was appointed by Gen. Ru-
fus Putnam, Surveyor General of the Northwest
Territory, surveyor of a large district of Congress
lands, on the east side of the Scioto, and Maj.
Langham and a Mr. Matthews, were appointed to
survey the residue of the lands which afterward
composed the Chillicothe land district.

"The same season, settlements were made about
the W^alnut Plains by Samuel McCuUoh and
others; Springer, Osbourn, Dyer, and Thomas and
Elijah Chenowith, on Darly Creek; Lamberts and
others on Sippo ; on Foster's Bottom, the Fosters.
Samuel Davis and others, while the following fam-
ilies settled in and about Chillicothe : John Crouse,
William Keys, William Lamb, John Carlisle, John
McLanberg, William Chandless, the Stoctons,
Greggs, Bates and some others.

" Dr. Tiffin and his wife were the first Metho-
dists in the Scioto Valley. He was a local preacher.
In the fall, Worthington's grist and saw mills on
the north fork of Paint Creek were finished, the
first mills worthy the name in the valley.

" Chillicothe was the point from which the set-
tlements diverged. In May, 1799, a post office
was estabUshed here, and Joseph Tiffin made Post-
master. Mr. Tiffin and Thomas Gregg opened
taverns; the first, under the sign of Gen. Anthony
Wayne, was at the corner of Water and Walnut
streets ; and the last, under the sign of the ' Green
Tree,' was on the corner of Paint and Water
streets. In 1801, Nathaniel Willis moved in and
established the Scioto Gazette^ probably, the sec-
ond paper in the Territory."*

In 1800, the seat of government of the North-
west Territory was removed, by law of Congress,
from Cincinnati to Chillicothe. The sessions of
the Territorial Assembly for that and the next
year were held in a small two-story, hewed-log
house, erected in 1798, by Bazil Abrams. A wing
was added to the main part, of two stories in

* Recollections of Hon. Thomas Scott, of Chillicothe— Howe's
Annals of Ohio.

liL

106

HISTORY OF OHIO.

height. In the lower room of this wing, Col.
Thomas Gibson, Auditor of the Territory, kept
his office, and in the upper room a small family
lived. In the upper room of the main building
a billiard table was kept. It was also made a re-
sort of gamblers and disreputable characters. The
lower room was used by the Legislature, and as a
court room, a church or a school. In the
war of 1812, the building was a rendezvous and
barracks for soldiers, and, in 1840, was pulled
down.

The old State House was commenced in 1800,
and finished the next year for the accommodation
of the Legislature and the courts. It is said to
be the first public stone edifice erected in the Ter-
ritory. Maj. William Rutledge, a Revolutionary
soldier, did the mason work, and William Guthrie,
the carpenter. In 1801, the Territorial Legislature
held their first session in it. In it was also held
the Constitutional Convention of Ohio, which be-
gan its sessions the first jMonday in November,
1802. In April, 1803, the first State Legislature
met in the house, and continued their sessions here
until 1810. The sessions of 1810-11, and 1811-
12, were held in Zanesville, and from there re-
moved back to Chillicothe and held in the old
State House till 1816, when Columbus became the
permanent capital of the State.

Making Chillicothe the State capital did much
to enhance its growth. It was incorporated in
1802, and a town council elected. In 1807, the
town had fourteen stores, six hotels, two newspa-
pers, two churches — both brick buildings — and
over two hundred dwellings. The removal of the
capital to Columbus checked its growth a little, still,
being in an excellent country, rapidly filling with
settlers, the town has always remained a prominent
trading center.

During the war of 1812, Chillicothe was made
a rendezvous for LTnited States soldiers, and a
prison established, in which many British prison-
ers were confined. At one time, a conspiracy for
escape was discovered just in time to prevent it.
The plan was for the prisoners to disarm the
guard, proceed to jail, release the officers, burn the
town, and escape to Canada. The plot was fortu-
nately disclosed by two senior British officers, upon
which, as a measure of security, the officers and
chief conspirators were sent to the penitentiary
at Frankfort, Kentucky.

Two or three miles northwest of Chillicothe, on
a beautiful elevation, commanding an extensive
view of the valley of the Scioto, Thomas Worth-

ington,* one of the most prominent and influential
men of his day, afterward Governor of the State,
in 1806, erected a large stone mansion, the wonder
of the valley in its time. It was the most elegant
mansion in the West, crowds coming to see it
when it was completed. Gov. Worthington named
the place Adena, " Paradise " — a name not then
considered hyperbolical. The large panes of glass,
and the novelty of papered walls especially attracted
attention. Its architect was the elder Latrobe, of
Washington City, from which place most of the
workmen came. The glass was made in Pitts-
burgh, and the fireplace fronts in Philadelphia, the
latter costing seven dollars per hundred pounds for
transportation. The mansion, built as it was, cost
nearly double the expense of such structures now.
Adena was the home of the Governor till his death,
in 1827.

Near Adena, in a beautiful situation, is Fruit
Hill, the seat of Gen. Duncan McArthur,"}" and
later of ex-Gov. William Allen. Like Adena, Fruit
Hill is one of the noted places in the Scioto Val-
ley. Many of Ohio's best men dwelt in the valley ;
men who have been an honor and ornament to the
State and nation.

Another settlement, begun soon after the treaty
of peace in 1795, was that made on the Licking
River, about four miles below the present city of
Newark, in Licking County. In the fall of 1796,
John RatclifF and Elias Hughes, while prospecting
on this stream, found some old Indian cornfields,
and determined to locate. They were from West-
ern Virginia, and were true pioneers, living mainly
by hunting, leaving the cultivation of their small
cornfields to their wives, much after the style of

* Gov. Worthington was born in Jefferson County, Va., about the
year 1769. He setlled in Ohio in 1798. He was a firm Ijeliever in
liberty and came to tlie Territory after liberating liis slaves. He was
one of the most efficient men of his day ; was a member of the
Constitutional Convention, and was sent on an important mission
to Congress relative to the admission of Ohio to the Union. He
was afterward a Senator to Congress, and then Governor. On
the expiration of his gubernatorial term, he was appointed a mem-
ber of the Board of Public Works, in which capacity he did much
to advance the canals and railroads, and other public improve-
meulB. He remained in thiB office till his death.

t Gen. McArlhur was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1772.
When eight years of age, his father removed to Western Pennsyl-
vania. When eighteen years of age, he served in Harmar's
campaign. In 1792, he was a very efficient soldier among the front-
iersmen, and gained their approbation by his bravery. In 1793, he
was connected with Gen. Massie, and afterward was engaged in
land speculations and became very wealthy. He was made a mem-
ber of the Legislature, in 1806; in 7806, a Colonel', and in 1808, a
Major General of the militia. In this capacity he was in Hull's
surrender at Detroit. On his return he was elected to (-'ongress,
and in 1813 commissioned Brigadier General. He was one of the
most efficient officers in the war of 1812, and held many important
posts. After the war, he was again sent to the Legislature ; in 1822
to Congress, and in 1830 elected Governor of the S'ate. By an un-
fortunate accident in 1830, he was maimed for life, and gradually
declined till death came a few years after.

*^ i

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

107

their dusky neighbors. They were both inveterate
Indian haters, and never allowed an opportunity to
pass without carrying out their hatred. For this,
they were apprehended after the treaty; but,
though it was clearly proven they had murdered
some inoffensive Indians, the state of feeling was
such that they were allowed to go unpunished.

A short time after their settlement, others joined
them, and, in a few years, quite a colony had
gathered on the banks of the Licking. In 1802,
Newark was laid out, and, in three or four years,
there were twenty or thirty families, several stores
and one or two hotels.

The settlement of Granville Township, in this
county, is rather an important epoch in the history
of this part of the State. From a sketch pub-
lished by Rev. Jacob Little in 1848, in Howe's
Collections, the subjoined statements are taken:

"In 1804, a company was formed at Granville,
Mass., with the intention of making a settlement
in Ohio. This, called the Scioto Company, was
the third of that name which effected settlements
in Ohio. The project met with great favor, and
much enthusiasm was elicited, in illustration of
which a song was composed and sung to the
tune of ' Pleasant Ohio ' by the young people in
the house and at labor in the field. We annex
two stanzas, which are more curious than poetical:

"'When rambling o'er these mountains

And rocks where ivies grow
Thick as the hairs upon your head,

"Mongst which you cannot go —
Great storms of snow, cold winds that blow,

We scarce can undergo —
Says I, my boys, we'll leave this place

For the pleasant Ohio.

" 'Our precious friends that stay behind.

We're sorry now to leave;
But if they'll stay and break their shins,

For them we'll never grieve
Adieu, my friends! — Come on, my dears,

This journey we'll forego,
And settle Licking Creek,

In yonder Ohio.' "

" The Scioto Company consisted of one hundred
and fourteen proprietors, who made a purchase of
twenty-eight thousand acres. In the autumn of
1805, two hundred and thirty-four persons, mostly
from East Granville, Mass., came on to the pur-
chase. Although they had been forty-two days on
the road, their first business, on their arrival, hav-
ing organized a church before they left the East,
was to hear a sermon. The first tree cut was that

by which public worship was held, which stood
just in front of the Presbyterian church.

On the first Sabbath, November 16, although
only about a dozen trees had been felled, they held
divine service, both forenoon and afternoon, on
that spot. The novelty of worshiping in the
woods, the forest extending hundreds of miles each
way ; the hardships of the journey, the winter set-
ting in, the thoughts of home, with all the friends
and privileges left behind, and the impression that
such must be the accommodations of anew country,
all rushed on their minds, and made this a day of
varied interest. When they began to sing, the
echo of their voices among the trees was so differ-
ent from what it was in the beautiful meeting-
house they had left, that they could no longer
restrain their tears. They icept when they remem-
bered Zion. The voices of part of the choir were,
for a season, suppressed with emotion.

"An incident occurred, which many said Mrs.
Sigourney should have put into verse. Deacon
Theophilus Reese, a Welsh Baptist, had, two or
three years befoi'e, built a cabin, a mile and a half
north, and lived all this time without public wor-
ship. He had lost his cattle, and, hearing a low-
ing of the oxen belonging to the Company, set out
toward them. As he ascended the hills overlook-
ing the town plot, . he heard the singing of the
choir. The reverberation of the sound from hill-
tops and trees, threw the good man into a serious
dilemma. The music at first seemed to be behind,
then in the tree-tops, or in the clouds. He stopped,
till, by accurate listening, he caught the direction
of the sound ; went on and passing the brow of
the hill, he saw the audience sitting on the
level below. He went home and told his wife that
' the promise of God is a bond ' ; a Welsh proverb,
signifying that we have security, equal to a bond,
that religion will prevail everywhere. He said :
' These must be good people. I am not afraid to
go among them.' Though he could not under-
stand English, he constantly attended the reading
meeting. Hearing the music on that occasion
made such an impression on his mind that, when
he became old and met the first settlers, he would
always tell over this story. The first cabin built
was that in which they worshiped succeeding
Sabbaths, and, before the close of the winter, they
had a schoolhouse and a school. That church, in
forty years, received more than one thousand per-
sons into its membership.

"Elder Jones, in 1806, preached the first ser-
mon in the log church. The Welsh Baptist

108

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Church was organized in the cabin of David
Thomas, September 4, 1808. April 21, 1827,
the Grranville members were organized into the
Granville Church, and the corner-stone of their
house of worship laid September 21, 1829. In
the fall of 1810, the first Methodist sermon was
preached here, and, soon after, a class organized.
In 1824, a church was built. An Episcopal
church was organized in May, 1827, and a
church consecrated in 1838. In 1849, there
were in this township 405 families, of whom 214
sustain family worship ; 1431 persons over four-
teen years of age, of whom over 800 belong to
church. The town had 150 families, of whom 80
have family worship. In 1846, the township
furnished 70 school teachers, of whom 62 prayed
in school. In 1846, the township took 621 peri-
odical papers, besides three small monthlies. The
first temperance society west of the mountains was
organized July 15, 1828, in this township; and,
in 1831, the Congregational Church passed a by-
law to accept no member who trafficked in or used
ardent spirits."

It is said, not a settlement in the entire West
could present so moral and upright a view as that
of Granville Township; and nowhere could so
perfect and orderly a set of people be found.
Surely, the fact is argument enough in favor of
the religion of Jesus.

The narrative of Mr. Little also states that,
when Granville was first settled, it was supposed
that Worthington would be the capital of Ohio,
between which and Zanesville, Granville would
make a great half-way town. At this time, wild
animals, snakes and Indians abounded, and many
are the marvelous stories preserved regarding the
destruction of the animals and reptiles — the
Indians being bound by their treaty to remain
peaceful. Space forbids their repetition here.
Suffice it to say that, as the whites increased, the
Indians, animals and snakes disappeared, until
now one is as much a curiosity as the other.

The remaining settlement in the southwest-
ern parts of Ohio, made immediately after the
treaty — fall of 1795 or year of 1796 — was in
what is now Madison County, about a mile north
of where the village of Amity now stands, on the
banks of the Big Darby. This stream received its
name from the Indians, from a Wyandot chief,
named Darby, who for a long time resided upon it,
near the Union County line. In the fall of 1795,
Benjamin Springer came from Kentucky and selected
some land on the banks of the Big Darby, cleared

the ground, built a cabin, and returned for his
family. The next spring, he brought them out,
and began his life here. The same summer he was
joined by William Lapin, Joshua and James Ew-
ing and one or two others.

When Springer came, he found a white man
named Jonathan Alder, who for fifteen years had
been a captive among the Indians, and who could
not speak a word of English, living with an Indian
woman on the banks of Big Darby. He had been
exchanged at Wayne's treaty, and, neglecting to
profit by the treaty, was still living in the Indian
style. When the whites became numerous about
him his desire to find his relatives, and adopt the
ways of the whites, led him to discard his squaw —
giving her an unusual allowance — learn the English
language, engage in agricultural pursuits, and be-
come again civilized. Fortunately, he could remem-
ber enough of the names of some of his parents'
neighbors, so that the identity of his relatives and
friends was easily established, and Alder became a
most useful citizen. He was very influential with
the Indians, and induced many of them to remain
neutral during the war of 1812. It is stated that
in 1800, Mr. Ewiug brought four sheep into the com-
munity. They were strange animals to the Indians.
One day when an Indian hunter and his dog were
passing, the latter caught a sheep, and was shot by
Mr. Ewing. The Indian would have shot Ewing in
retaliation, had not Alder, who was fortunately
present, with much difficulty prevailed upon him
to refrain.

While the southern and southwestern parts of
the State were filling with settlers, assured of safety
by Wayne's victories, the northern and eastern
parts became likewise the theater of activities.
Ever since the French had explored the southern
shores of the lake, and English traders had car-
ried goods thither, it was expected one day to be
a valuable part of the West. It will be remem-
bered that Coimecticut had ceded a large tract of
land to the General Government, and as soon as
the cession was confirmed, and land titles became
assured, settlers flocked thither. Even before that
time, hardy adventurers had explored some of the
country, and pronounced it a "goodly land,"
ready for the hand of enterprise.

The first settlement in the Western Reserve,
and, indeed, in the northern part of the State, was
made at the mouth of Conneaut* Creek, in Ash-
tabula County, on the 4th of July, 1796. That

*Conneaut, in the Seneca language, signifies "many flsh."

HISTORY OF OHIO.

109

day, tlie first surveying party landed at the mouth
of this creek, and, on its eastern bank, near the
lake shore, in tin cups, pledged — as they drank the
limpid waters of the lake — their country's welfare,
with the ordnance accompaniment of two or three
fowling-pieces, discharging the required national
salute.

The whole party, on this occasion, numbered
fifty-two persons, of whom two were females (Mrs.
Stiles and Mrs. Gunn) and a child, and all deserve
a lasting place in the history of the State.

The next day, they began the erection of a large
log building on the sandy beach on the east side
of the stream. When done, it was named " Stow
Castle," after one of the party. It was the dwell-
ing, storehouse and general habitation of all the
pioneers. The party made this their headquar-
ters part of the summer, and continued busily
engaged in the survey of the Reserve. James
Kingsbury, afterward Judge, arrived soon after
the party began work, and, with his family, was
the first to remain here during the winter follow-
ing, the rest returning to the East, or going south-
ward. Through the winter, Mr. Kingsbury's
family suffered greatly for provisions, so much so,
that, during the absence of the head of the family
in New York for provisions, one child, born in his
absence, died, and the mother, reduced by her suf-
ferings and solitude, was only saved by the timely
arrival of the husband and father with a sack of
flour he had carried, many weary miles, on his
back. He remained here but a short time, re-
moving to Cleveland, which was laid out that same
fall. In the spring of 1798, Alexander Harper,
William McFarland and Ezra Gregory, with their
families, started from Ilarpersfield, Delaware Co.,
N. Y., and arrived the last of June, at their new
homes in the Far West. The whole population on
the Reserve then amounted to less than one hun-
dred and fifty persons. These were at Cleveland,
Youngstown and at Mentor. During the summer,
three families came to Burton, and Judge Hudson
settled at Hudson. All these pioneers suffered
severely for food, and from the fever induced by
chills. It took several years to become accli-
mated. Sometimes the entire neighborhood
would be down, and only one or two, who could
wait on the rest "between chills," were able to do
anything. Time and courage overcame, finally.

It was not until 1798, that a permanent settle-
ment was made at the mouth of Conneaut Creek.
Those who came there in 1796 went on with their
surveys, part remaining in Cleveland, laid out that

summer. Judge Kingsbury could not remain at
Conneaut, and went nearer the settlements made
about the Cuyahoga. In the spring of 1798, Thomas
Montgomery and Aaron Wright settled here and
remained. Up the stream they found some thirty
Indian cabins, or huts, in a good state of preserva-
tion, which they occupied until they could erect
their own. Soon after, they were joined by others,
and, in a year or two, the settlement was permanent
and prosperous.

The site of the present town of Austinburg in
Ashtabula County was settled in the year 1799,
by two families from Connecticut, who were in-
duced to come thither, by Judge Austin. The
Judge preceded them a short time, driving, in
company with a hired man. some cattle about one
hundred and fifty miles through the woods, follow-
ing an old Indian trail, while the rest of the party
came in a boat across the lake. When they ar-
rived, there were a few families at Harpersburg ;
one or two families at Windsor, twenty miles
southwest; also a few families at Elk Creek, forty
miles northeast, and at Vernon, the same distance
southeast. All these were in a destitute condition
for provisions. In 1800, another fiimily moved
from Norfolk, Conn. In the spring of 1801, sev-
eral families came from the same place. Part came
by land, and part by water. During that season,
wheat was carried to an old mill on Elk Creek,
forty miles away, and in some instances, half was
given for carrying it to mill and returning it in
flour.

Wednesday, October 21, 1801, a church of six-
teen members was constituted in Austinburg.
This was the first church on the Reserve, and was
founded by Rev. Joseph Badger, the first mission-
ary there. It is a fact worthy of note, that in
1802, Mr. Badger moved his family fi-om Buffalo
to this town, in the first wagon that ever came
from that place to the Reserve. In 1803, noted
revivals occurred in this part of the West, attended
by the peculiar bodily phenomenon known as the
" shakes " or "jerks."

The surveying party which landed at the mouth
of Conneaut Creek, July. 4, 1796, soon completed
their labors in this part of the Reserve, and ex-
tended them westward. By the first of September,
they had explored the lake coast as far west as the
outlet of the Cuyahoga* River, then considered

* Cuyahoga, in the Indian language, signifies "crooked." —
Uowe^H CoUectione.

"The Indians called the river 'Cuyahoghan-uk,' 'Lake River'
It 18, emphatically, a Lake river. It rises in lakes and empties into
a lake." — Atwater's Iliilory of Ohio.

110

HISTORY OF OHIO.

by all an important Western place, and one des-
tined to be a great commercial mart. Time has
verified the prophecies, as now the city of Cleve-
land covers the site.

As early as 1755, the mouth of the Cuyahoga
River was laid down on the maps, and the French
had a station here. It was also considered an im-
portant post during the war of the Revolution,
and later, of 1812. The British, who, after the
Revolution, refused to abandon the lake country
west of the Cuyahoga, occupied its shores until
1790. Their traders had a house in Ohio City,
north of the Detroit road, on the point of the hill
near the river, when the surveyors arrived in
1796. Washington, Jefferson, and all statesmen
of that day, regarded the outlet of the Cuyahoga
as an important place, and hence the early at-
tempt of the surveyors to reach and lay out a town
here.

The corps of surveyors arrived early in Septem-
ber, 1796, and at once proceeded to lay out a town.
It was named Cleveland, in honor of Gen. Moses
Cleveland, the Land Company's agent, and for
years a very prominent man in Connecticut, where
he lived and died. By the 18th of October, the
surveyors had completed the survey and left the
place, leaving only Job V. Stiles and family, and
Edward Paine, who were the only persons that
passed the succeeding winter in this place. Their
residence was a log cabin that stood on a spot of
ground long afterward occupied by the Commercial
Bank. Their nearest neighbors were at Conne-
aut, where Judge Kingsbury lived; at Fort
Mcintosh, on the south or east, at the mouth of
Big Beaver, and at the mouth of the river Raisin,
on the west.

The next seasoij, the surveying party came again
to Cleveland, which they made their headquarters.
Pearly in the spring, Judge Kingsbury came over
fi'om Conneaut, bringing with him Elijah Gunn,
who had a short time before joined him. Soon
after, Maj. Lorenzo Carter and Ezekiel Hawley
came with their families. These were about all
who are known to have settled in this place that
summer. The next year, 1798, Rodolphus Ed-
wards and Nathaniel Doane and their families set-
tled in Cleveland. Mr. Doane had been ninety-
two days on his journey from Chatham, Conn. In
the latter part of the summer and fall, nearly every
person in the settlement was down with the bil-
ious fever or with the ague. Mr. Doane's family
consisted of nine persons, of whom Seth, a lad six-
teen years of age, was the only one able to care for

them. Such was the severity of the fever, that
any one having only the ague was deemed quite
fortunate. Much suffering for proper food and
medicines followed. The only way the Doane
family was supplied for two months or more, was
through the exertions of this boy, who went daily,
after having had one attack of the chills, to Judge
Kingsbury's in Newburg — five miles away, where
the Judge now lived — got a peck of corn, mashed it
in a hand-mill, waited until a second attack of the
chills passed over, and then returned. At one time,
for several days, he was too ill to make the trip,
during which turnips comprised the chief article
of diet. Fortunately, Maj. Carter, having only
the ague, was enabled with his trusty rifle and dogs
to procure an abundance of venison and other wild
game, His family, being somewhat acclimated,
suffered less than many others. Their situation can
hardly now be realized. " Destitute of a physician,
and with few medicines, necessity taught them to
use such means as nature had placed within their
reach. They substituted pills from the extract of
the bitternut bark for calomel, and dogwood and
cherry bark for quinine."

In November, four men, who had so far recov-
ered as to have ague attacks no oftener than once
in two or three days, started in the only boat for
Walnut Creek, Penn., to obtain a winter's supply
of flour. When below Euclid Creek, a storm
drove them ashore, broke their boat, and compelled
their return. During the winter and summer fol-
lowing, the settlers had no flour, except that
ground in hand and coffee mills, which was, how-
ever, considered very good. Not all had even that.
During the summer, the Connecticut Land Com-
pany opened the first road on the Reserve, which
commenced about ten miles south of the lake
shore, on the Pennsylvania State line, and extended
to Cleveland. In January, 1799, Mr. Doane
moved to Doane's Corners, leaving only Maj. Car-
ter's family in Cleveland, all the rest leaving as
soon as they were well enough. For fifteen months,
the Major and his family were the only white per-
sons left on the town site. During the spring,
Wheeler W. Williams and Maj. Wyatt built the
first grist-mill on the Reserve, on the site of New-
burg. It was looked upon as a very valuable acces-
sion to the neighborhood. Prior to this, each fam-
ily had its own hand-mill in one of the corners of
the cabin. The old mill is thus described by a
pioneer :

" The stones were of the common grindstone
grit, about four inches thick, and twenty in diame-

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

Ill

ter. The runner, or upper, was turned by hand,
by a pole set in the top of it, near the outer edge.
The upper end of the pole was inserted into a hole
in a board fastened above to the joists, immedi-
ately over the hole in the verge of the runner.
One person fed the corn into the eye — a hole in
the center of the runner — while another turned.
It was very hard work to grind, and the operators
alternately exchanged places."

In 1800, several settlers came to the town and
a more active life was the result. From this time,
Cleveland began to progress. The 4th of July,
1801, the first ball in town was held at Major
Carter's log cabin, on the hill-side. John and
Benjamin Wood, and R. H. Blinn were managers;
and Maj. Samuel Jones, musician and master of
ceremonies. The company numbered about thirty,
very evenly divided, for the times, between the
!?exes. " Notwithstanding the dancers had a rough
p\jncheon floor, and no better beverage to enliven
their spirits than sweetened whisky, yet it is doubt-
ful if the anniversary of American independence
was ever celebrated in Cleveland by a more joyful
and harmonious company than those who danced
the scamper-down, double-shuffle, western-swing
and half-moon, that day, in Maj. Carter's cabin."
The growth of the town, from this period on, re-
mained prosperous. The usual visits of the Indi-
ans were made, ending in their drunken carousals
and fights. Deer and other wild animals furnished
abundant meat. The settlement was constantly
augmented by new arrivals, so that, by 1814, Cleve-
land was incorporated as a town, and, in 1836, as
a city. Its harbor is one of the best on the lakes,
and hence the merchandise of the lakes has always
been attracted thither. Like Cincinnati and Chil-
licothe, it became the nucleus of settlements in this
part of the State, and now is the largest city in
Northern Ohio.

One of the earliest settlements made in the
Western Reserve, and by some claimed as the first
therein, was made on the site of Youngstown, Ma-
honing County, by a Mr. Young, afterward a Judge,
in the summer of 1796. During this summer,
before the settlements at Cuyahoga and Conneaut
were made, Mr. Young and Mr. Wilcott, proprie-
tors of a township of land in Northeastern Ohio,
came to their possessions and began the survey of
their land. Just when they came is not known.
They were found here by Col. James Hillman,
then a trader in the employ of Duncan & Wilson,
of Pittsburgh, " who had been forwarding goods
across the country by pack-saddle horses since

1786, to the mouth of the Cuyahoga, thence to be
shipped on the schooner Mackinaw to Detroit.
Col. Hillman generally had charge of all these
caravans, consisting sometimes of ninety horses
and ten men. They commonly crossed the Big
Beaver four miles below the mouth of the She-
nango, thence up the left bank of the Mahoning —
called by the Indians " 3Iahoni" or " Mahonicky
signifying the " lick" or " at the lick " — crossing
it about three miles below the site of Youngstown,
thence by way of the Salt Springs, over the sites
of Milton and Ravenna, crossing the Cuyahoga at
the mouth of Breakneck and again at the mouth
of Tinker's Creek, thence down the river to its
mouth, where they had a log hut in which to
store their goods. This hut was there when the
surveyors came, but at the time unoccupied. At
the mouth of Tinker's Creek were a few log huts
built by Moravian Missionaries. These were used
only one year, as the Indians had gone to the Tus-
carawas River. These and three or four cabins at
the Salt Springs were the only buildings erected
by the whites prior to 1796, in Northeastern Ohio.
Those at the Salt Springs were built at an early
day for the accommodation of whites who came
from Western Pennsylvania to make salt. The
tenants were dispossessed in 1785 by Gen. Harmar.
A short time after, one or two white men were
killed by the Indians here. In 1788, Col. Hill-
man settled at Beavertown, where Duncan &
Wilson had a store for the purpose of trading
with the Indians. He went back to Pittsburgh
soon after, however, owing to the Indian war, and
remained there till its close, continuing in his busi-
ness whenever opportunity offiered. In 1796,
when returning from one of his trading expeditions
alone in his canoe down the Mahoning River, he
discovered a smoke on the bank near the present
town of Youngstown, and on going to the spot
found Mr. Young and Mr. Wolcott, as before men-
tioned. A part of Col. Hillman 's cargo consisted
of whisky, a gallon or so of which he still had.
The price of " fire-water " then was $1 per quart
in the currency of the country, a deerskin being
legal tender for $1, and a doeskin for 50 cents.
Mr. Young proposed purchasing a quart, and
having a frolic on its contents during the even-
ing, and insisted on paying Hillman his cus-
tomary price. Hillman urged that inasmuch as
they were strangers in the country, civility re-
quired him to furnish the means for the entertain-
ment. Young, however, insisted, and taking the
deerskin used for his bed — the only one he had —

112

HISTORY OF OHIO.

paid for his quart of whisky, and an evening's
frolic was the result.

" Hillman remained a few days, when they ac-
compuuied him to Beaver Town to celebrate the
-tth, and then all returned, and Hillman erected a
cabin on the site of Youngstown. It is not cer-
tain that they remained here at this time, and
hence the priority of actual settlement is generally
conceded to Conneaut and Cleveland. The next
year, in the fall, a Mr. Brown and one other per-
son came to the banks of the Mahoning and made
a permanent settlement. The same season Uriah
Holmes and Titus Hayes came to the same locality,
and before winter quite a settlement was to be seen
here. It proceeded quite prosperously until the
wanton murder of two Indians occurred, which,
for a time, greatly excited the whites, lest the In-
dians should retaliate. Through the efforts of
Col. Hillman, who had great influence with the
natives, they agreed to let the murderers stand a
trial. They were acquitted upon some technicality.
The trial, however, pacified the Indians, and no
trouble came from the unwarranted and unfortu-
nate circumstance, and no check in the emigration
or prosperity of the colony occurred."*

As soon as an effective settlement had been es-
tablished at Youngstown, others were made in the
surrounding country. One of these was begun by
William Fenton in 1798, on the site of the pres-
ent town of Warren, in Trumbull County. He
remained here alone one year, when he was joined
by Capt. Ephraim Quimby. By the last of Sep-
tember, the next year, the colony had increased to
sixteen, and from that date on continued prosper-
ously. Once or twice they stood in fear of the
Indians, as the result of quarrels induced by
whisky. Sagacious persons generally saved any
serious outbreak and pacified the nativ^es. Mr.
Badger, the first missionary on the Reserve, came
to the settlement here and on the Mahoning, as
soon as each was made, and, by his earnest labors,
succeeded in forming churches and schools at an
early day. He was one of the most efficient men
on the Reserve, and throughout his long and busy
life, was well known and greatly respected. He
died in 1846, aged eighty-nine years.

The settlements given are about all that were
made before the close of 1797. In following the
narrative of these settlements, attention is paid to
the chronological order, as far as this can be done.
Like those settlements already made, many which

* Recollections of Col. Hillman. — Howe's Annali.

are given as occurring in the next year, 1798,
were actually begun earlier, but were only tem-
porary preparations, and were not considered as
made until the next year.

Turning again to the southern portion of Ohio,
■the Scioto, Muskingum and Miami Valleys come
prominently into notice. Throughout the entire
Eastern States they were still attracting attention,
and an increased emigration, busily occupying their
verdant fields, was the result. All about Chilli-
cothe was now well settled, and, up the banks of
that stream, prospectors were selecting sites for
their future homes.

In 1797, Robert Armstrong, George Skidmore,
Lucas Sullivant, William Domigan, James Mar-
shall, John Dill, Jacob Grubb, Jacob Overdier,
Arthur O'Hara, John Brickell, Col. Culbertson,
the Deardorfs, McElvains, Selles and others, came
to what is now Franklin County, and, in Augu,vt,
Mr. Sullivant and some others laid out the tow/ of
Franklinton, on the west bank of the Scioto, oppo-
site the site of Columbus. The country about this
locality had long been the residence of the Wyan-
dots, who had a large town on the city's site, and
cultivated extensive fields of corn on the river bot-
toms. The locality had been visited by the whites
as early as 1780, in some of their expeditions, and
the fertility of the land noticed. As soon as peace
was assured, the whites came and began a settle-
ment, as has been noted. Soon after Franklinton
was established, a Mr. Springer and his son-in-law,
Osborn, settled on the Big Darby, and, in the sum-
mer of 1798, a scattering settlement was made on
Alum Creek. About the same time settlers came
to the mouth of the Gahannah, and along othi^r
water-courses. Franklinton was the point to which
emigrants came, and from which they always made
their permanent location. For several years there
was no mill, nor any such commodity, nearer than
Chillicothe. A hand-mill was constructed in
Franklinton, which was commonly used, unless the
settlers made a trip to Chillicothe in a canoe.
Next, a horse-mill was tried ; but not till 1805,
when Col. Kilbourne built a mill at Worthington,
settled in 1803, could any efficient grinding be
done. In 1789, a small store was opened in Frank-
linton, by James Scott, but, for seven or eight
years, Chillicothe was the nearest post office.
Often, when the neighbors wanted mail, one of
their number was furnished money to pay the
postage on any letters that might be waiting, and
sent for the mail. At first, as in all new localities,
a great deal of sickness, fever and ague, prevailed.

HISTOKY or OHIO.

113

As the peopk became acclimated, this, however,
disappeared.

The township of Sharon in this county has a
liistory similar to that of Granville Township in
Licking' County. It was settled by a " Scioto
Company," Ibrmed in Granby, Conn., in the winter
of 1801-02, consisting at first of eight associates.
They drew up articles of association, among which
was one limiting their number to forty, each of
whom must be unanimously chosen by ballot, a
single negative being sufficient to prevent an election.
Col. James Kilbourne was sent out the succeeding
spring to explore the country and select and pur-
chase a township for settlement. He returned in
the fall without making any purchase, through
ffear that the State Constitution, then about to be
/ foymed, would tolerate slavery, in which case the
' prOiject would have been abandoned. While on
this 'visit, Col. Kilbourne compiled from a variety
of so>urces the first map made of Ohio. Although
much of it was conjectured, and hence inaccurate,
it was very valuable, being correct as far as the
State was then known.

"As soon as information was received that the
con.stitutiou of Ohio prohibited slavery, Col. Kil-
bourne purchased the township he had previously
Selected, within the United States military land
district, and, in the spring of 1803, returned to
Ohio, and began improvements. By the succeed-
ing December, one hundred settlers, mainly from
Hartford County, Conn., and Hampshire County,
Mass., arrived at their new home. Obeying to the
letter the agreement made in the East, the first
cabin erected was used for a schoolhouse and a
church of the Protestant Episcopal denomination ;
the first Sabbath after the arrival of the colony,
divine service was held therein, and on the arrival
of the eleventh family a school was opened. This
early attention to education and religion has left
its favorable impress upon the people until this day.
The first 4th of July was uniquely and appropri-
ately celebrated. Seventeen gigantic trees, em-
blematical of the seventeen States forming the
Union, were cut, so that a few blows of the ax, at
sunrise on the 4th, prostrated each successively
with a tremendous crash, forming a national salute
novel in the world's history."*

The growth of this part of Ohio continued
without interruption until the establishment of the
State capital at Columbus, in 1816. The town was
laid out in 1812, but, as that date is considered re-

♦Howe's Collections.

mote in the early American settlements, its history
will be left to succeeding pages, and there traced
when the history of the State capital and State
government is given.

The site of Zanesville, in Muskingum County,
was early looked upon as an excellent place to form
a settlement, and, had not hostilities opened in
1791, with the Indians, the place would have been
one of the earliest settled in Ohio. ' As it was, the
war so disarranged matters, that it was not till
1797 that a permanent settlement was efi'ected.

The Muskingum country was principally occu-
pied, in aboriginal times, by the Wyaudots, Dela-
wares, and a few Senecas and Shawanees. An In-
dian town once stood, years before the settlement
of the country, in the vicinity of Duncan's Falls,
in Muskingum County, from which circumstance
the place is often called "Old Town." Near Dres-
den, was a large Shawanee town, called Wakato-
maca. The graveyard was quite large, and, when
the whites first settled here, remains of the town
were abundant. It was in this vicinity that the
venerable Maj. Cass, father of Lewis Cass, lived
and died. He owned 4,000 acres, given him for
his military services.

The first settlers on the site of Zanesville were
William McCulloh and Henry Crooks. The lo-
cality was given to Ebenezer Zane, who had been
allowed three sections of land on the Scioto, Mus-
kingum and Hockhocking, wherever the road
crossed these rivers, provided other prior claims
did not interfere, for opening "Zane's trace."
When he located the road across the Muskingum,
he selected the place where Zanesville now stands,
being attracted there by the excellent water privi-
leges. He gave the section of land here to his
brother Jonathan Zane, and J. Mclntire, who
leased the ferry, established on the road over the
Muskingum, to William McCulloh and Henry
Crooks, who became thereby the first settlers. The
ferry was kept about where the old upper bridge
was afterward placed. The ferry-boat was made
by fastening two canoes together with a stick.
Soon after a flat-boat was used. It was brought
from Wheeling, by Mr. Mclntire, in 1779, the
year after the ferry was established. The road cut
out through Ohio, ran fi-om Wheeling, Ya., to
Maysville, Ky. Over this road the mail was car-
ried, and, in 1798, the first mail ever carried
wholly in Ohio was brought up from Marietta to
McCulloh's cabin by Daniel Convers, where, by
arrangement of the Postmaster General, it met
a mail from Wheeling and one from Maysville.

114

HISTORY OF OHIO.

McCulloh, who could hardly read, was authorized
to assort the mails and send each package in its
proper • direction. For this service he received
$r>0 per annum ; but owing to his inability to read
well, Mr. Convers generally performed the duty.
At that time, the mails met here once a week.
Four years after, the settlement had so increased
that a regular post office was opened, and Thomas
Dowden appointed Postmaster. He kept his office
in a wooden building near the river bank.

Messrs. Zane and Mclntire laid out a town in
1799, which they called Westbourn. When the
post office was established, it was named Zanesville,
and in a short time the village took the same name.
A few families settled on the west side of the river,
soon after McCulloh arrived, and as this locality
grew well, not long after a store and tavern was
opened here. Mr. Mclntire built a double log
cabin, which was used as a hotel, and in which
Louis Philippe, King of France, was once enter-
tained. Although the fare and accommodations
were of the pioneer period, the honorable guestseems
to have enjoyed his visit, if the statements of Lewis
Cass in his " Camp and Court of Louis Philippe"
may be believed.

In 1804, Muskingum County was formed by the
Legislature, and, for a while, strenuous efforts made
to secure the State capital by the citizens of Zanes-
ville. They even erected buildings for the use of
the Legislature and Grovernor, and during the ses-
sions of 1810—11, the temporary seat of govern-
ment was fixed here. When the permanent State
capital was chosen in 181G, Zanesville was passed
by, and gave up the hope. It is now one of the
most enterprising towns in the Muskingum Valley.

During the summer of 1797, John Knoop, then
living four miles above Cincinnati, made several
expeditions up the Miami Valley and selected the
land on which he afterward located. The next
spring Mr. Knoop, his brother Benjamin, Henry
(jrarard, Benjamin Hamlet and John Tildus estab-
lished a station in what is now Miami County, near
the present town of Staunton Village. That sum-
mer, Mrs. Knoop planted the first apple-tree in
the Miami * country. They all lived together for
greater safety for two years, during which time
they were occupied clearing their farms and erect-
ing dwellings. During the summer, th<^ site of
Piqua was settled, and three young men located at a
place known as " Freeman's Prairie." Those who

* The word Miami in the Indian tongue signified mother. The
Miamia were the original owners of the valley by that name, and
affirmed they were created there.

settled at Piqua were Samuel Hilliard, Job Garard,
Shadrac Hudson, Jonah Rollins, Daniel Cox,
Thomas Rich, and a Mr. Hunter. The last named
came to the site of Piqua first in 1797, and
selected his home. Until 1799, these named were
the only ones in this locality ; but that year emi-
gration set in, and very shortly occupied almost all
the bottom laud in Miami County. With the
increase of emigration, came the comforts of life,
and mills, stores and other necessary aids to civil-
ization, were ere long to be seen.

The site of Piqua is quite historic, being the
theater of many important Indian occurrences,
and the old home of the Shawanees, of which
tribe Tecumseh was a chief. During the Indian
war, a fort called Fort Piqua was built, near the
residence of Col. John Johnston, so long the faitl^ i-
ful Indian Agent. The fort was abandoned at tjie
close of hostilities. n

When the Miami Canal was opened through; this
part of the State, the country began rapiiU'J to
improve, and is now probably one of the besjt por-
tions of Ohio. ^

About the same time the Miami was settf^*^, a
company of people fi-om Pennsylvania and * ir-
ginia, who were principally of German and Ii^ish
descent, located in Lawrence County, near the irorl
region. As soon as that ore was made available,
that part of the State rapidly filled with settlers,
most of whom engaged in the mining and working
of iron ore. Now it is very prosperous.

Another settlement was made the same sea.son,
1797, on the Ohio side of the river, in Columbia
County. The settlement progressed slowly for a
while, owing to a few difficulties with the Indians.
The celebrated Adam Poe had been here as early
as 1782, and several localities are made locally
famous by his and his brother's adventures.

In this county, on Little Beaver Creek, near its
mouth, the second paper-mill west of the Alle-
ghanies was erected in 1805-6. It was the pioneer
enterprise of the kind in Ohio, and was named the
Ohio Paper-Mill. Its proprietors were John
Bever and John Coulter.

One of the most noted localities in the State is
comprised in Greene County. The Shawanee
town, " Old Chillicothe," was on the Little Miami,
in this county, about three miles north of the site
of Xenia. This old Indian town was, in the an-
nals of the West, a noted place, and is frequently
noticed. It is first mentioned in 1773, by Capt.
Thomas Bullitt, of Virginia, who boldly advanced
alone into the town and obtained the consent of

"^ a r-

HISTORY OF OHIO.

115

the Indians to o-o on to Kentucky and make his
settlement at the fa'i« of the Ohio. His audacious
bravery o-aiued hi^ request. Daniel Boone was
taken prfsoner e^i'ly in 1778, with twenty-seven
others and ke]^ for a time at Old Chillicothe.
Thnau'-h the nfluence of the British Governor,
Hamilton, wh> liad taken a great fancy to Boone,
he Jad ten o-^ers were sent to Detroit. The In-
dians*, however, had an equal fancy for the brave
iroiitiersma i, and took him back to Chillicothe,
and adopt/^d him into their tribe. About the 1st
, of June le escaped from them, and made his way
back to Kentucky, in time to prevent a universal
assacre of the whites. In July, 1779, the town
destroyed by Col. John Bowman and one
ndred ;iud sixty Kentuckians, and the Indians

J^'^lie Americans made a permanent settlement in
•ounty in 1797 or 1798. This latter year, a
^^ -iS erected in the confines of the county.

us
liU

implies the settlement was made a short
^reviouslv. A short distance east of the

which

time pleviouily. A

mill tw(^ block -houses were erected, and it was in-
tended,) .should it bect)me necessary, to surround
them md the mill with pickets. The mill was
used ty the settlers at " Dutch Station," in Miami
County, fully thirty miles distant. The richness
of the coiiQtry in this part of the State attracted a
great, number of settlers, so that by 1803 the
county ^as established, and Xenialaid out, and des-
ignate! as the county seat. Its first court house,
a I'Miitive log structure, was long preserved as a
curikity. It would indeed be a curiosity now.
. _ ZaVe's trace, passing from Wheeling to Mays-
Ville, ^ossed the Hockhocking* River, in Fairfield
l^unty, where Lancaster is now built. Mr. Zane
loii^ted one of his three sections on this river,
covei"S the site of Zanesville. Following this
trace iu^-^^^' ^^*"y individuals noted the desira-
bleness of"^^ locality, some of whom determined
to return ant^®^*^'^- " "^^^^ ^^^^ *^f ^^^ ^'i^J had
in former times^^^° ^^^ ^^me of the Wyandots,
who had a to/ }^^^'^^ ^^^t, in 1790, contained
over 500 wio-w^'* ^^^'^ more than one l,0(iO souls.
Their town y called Tarhee, or, in English, the
Crane-toicii/ -^ derived its name from the princi-

s T},e ^y^ji-jOock-hock-ing in the DeJaware language signifies

#ha\vanee8 liave it Wea-tha-kagh-qua sepe, ie ; bottle

k^hite in the Amorican Pionper Bays: "About seven

-stnf Lancaster, there is a fall In the Hockhocking of

feet. Above the fall for a short distance, the creek

mw and straight forming a neck, while at the falls it

idens on eacli side and swells into the appearance of the

ottle. The whole, when seen from aliove, appears exactly

shape of a bottle, and from this fact the Indians called the

:k-hock-ing.'' — Howti's Collections.

pal chief of that tribe. Another portion of the
tribe then lived at Toby-town, nine miles west of
Tarhe-town (now Royaltown), and was governed
by an inferior chief called Toby. The chief's wig-
wam in Tarhe stood on the bank of the prairie,
near a beautiful and abundant spring of water,
whose outlet was the river. The wigwams of the
Indians were built of the bark of trees, set on
poles, in the form of a sugar camp, with one square
open, fronting a fire, and about the height of a
man. The Wyandot tribe that day numbered
about 500 warriors. By the treaty of Greenville,
they ceded all their territory, and the majority, un-
der their chief, removed to Upper Sandusky. The
remainder lingered awhile, loath to leave the home
of their ancestors, but as game became scarce, they,
too, left for better hunting-grounds."*

In April, 1798, Capt. Joseph Hunter, a bold,
enterprising man, settled on Zane's trace, on the
bank of the prairie, west of the crossings, at a
place since known as "Hunter's settlement." For
a time, he had no neighbors nearer than the set-
tlers on the Muskingum and Scioto Rivers. He
lived to see the country he had found a wilderness,
full of the homes of industry. His wife was the
first white woman that settled in the valley, and
shared with him all the privations of a pioneer
life.

Mr. Hunter had not been long in the valley till
he was joined by Nathaniel Wilson, John and Al-
len Green, John and Joseph McMullen, Robert
Cooper, Isaac Shaefer, and a few others, who
erected cabins and planted corn. The next year,
the tide of emigration came in with great force.
In the spring, two settlements were made in Green-
field Township, each settlement containing twenty
or more families. One was called the Forks of
the Hockhocking, the other, Yankeetown. Set-
tlements were also made along the river below
Hunter's, on Rush Creek, Raccoon and Indian
Creeks, Ple;isant Run, Felter's Run, at Tobeytown,
Muddy Prairie, and on Clear Creek. In the fiill,
— 1799 — Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith,
built a log grist-mill at the Upper Falls of the
Hockhocking, afterward known as Rock Mill.
This was the first mill on this river. In the latter
part of the year, a mail route was established over
the trace. The mail was carried through on horse-
back, and, in the settlements in this locality, was
left at the cabin of Samuel Coates, who lived on
the prairie at the crossings of the river.

*Lecture of George Anderson. — Howe's Collections.

116

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Ill the fall of the next year, Ebenezer Zane laid
out Lancaster, which, until 1805, was known as
Ntiw Lancaster. The lots sold very rapidly, at
$*9 tiiich, and, in less than one year, quite a vil-
lage apj)eared. December 9, the Governor and
Jud<>;(\s of the Northwest Territory organized
Fairfield County, and made Lancaster the county
seat. The next year. Rev. John Wright, of the
Presbyterian Church, and Revs. Asa Shinn and
James Quiiin, of the Methodist Church, came, and
from that time on schools and churches were main-
tained.

Not far from Lancaster are immense mural es-
carpments of sandstone formation. They were
noted among the aborigines, and were, probably,
used by them as places of outlook and defense.

The same summer Fairfield County was settled,
the towns of Bethel and Williamsburg, in Cler-
mont County, were .settled and laid out, and in
1800, the county was erected.

A settlement was also made immediately south
of Fairfield County, in Hocking County, by Chris-
tian Westenhaver, a German, from near Hagers-
town, Md. He came in the spring of 1798, and
was soon joined by several families, who formed
quite a settlement. The territory included in the
county remained a part of Ross, Holmes, Athens
and Fairfield, until 1818, when Hocking County
was erected, and Logan, which had been laid out
in 1816, was made the county seat.

The country comprised in the county is rather
broken, especially along the Hockhocking River.
This brokcm country was a favorite resort of the
Wyandot Indians, who could easily hide in the
numerous grottoes and ravines made by the river
and its uIHuents as the water cut its way through
the sandstone rocks.

In 1798, soon after Zane's trace was cut through
the country, a Mr. Graham located on the site of
Cambridge, in Guernsey County. His was then
the only dwelling between Wheeling and Zanes-
ville, on the trace. He remained here alone about
two years, when he was succeeded by George Bey-
mer, fi-om Somerset, Penn. Both these persons
kept a tavern and ferry over Will's Creek. In
April, 1803, Mr. Beymer was succeeded by John
Beatty, who came from Loudon, Va. His fiimily
consisted of eleven persons. The Indians hunted
in this vicinity, and were frequent visitors at the
tavern. In June, 1806, Cambridge was laid out,
and on the day the lots were offered for sale, sev-
eral families from the British Isle of Guernsey,
near the coast of France, stopped here on their

way to the West. They wfe. ■ n ^ ^^. \.
location and purchased many oitf^f^^ ^^^^ ^^^
land in the vicinity. They werSf" '^^^sf"^ fT
other flimilies from the same pla^"" ;*"7^^^ ^'y
settling in this locality gave the nam\ ^' V ^ '"^
when it was erected in 1810. V ^^^ ^^unty

A settlement was made in the centil
State, on Darby Creek, in Union Co\P^^^"* '^f^
summer of 1798, by James and JosF^' J,° ."'^^
The next year, they were joined by S^^ i^^*^^'
David Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Jr:"'Jf' ^^'^
Kirkpatrick and Samuel McCullough,and, ^^'^^
by George and Samuel Reed, Robert S"^ , '
and Pau! Hodgson. ' Vdgrass

"James Ewing's farm was the site oi
cient and noted Mingo, town, which was _. "

at the time the Mingo towns, in what is novy Xo^
County, were destroyed by Gen. Logan, of K^'^]
tucky, in 1786. When Mr. Ewing took pc-^ss
sion of his farm, the cabins were still stf'^^dii,
and, among others, the remains of a blaclp™Jtl,\
shop, with coal, cinders, iron-dross, etc. JfJnathax
Alden, formerly a prisoner among the indians,V
says the shop was carried on by a renegadt'* white
man, named Butler, who lived among the Mingoes.
Extensive fields had formerly been cil^^^'^^^^d in
the vicinity of the town."*

Soon after the settlement was establi?'^^"' Col.
James Curry located here. He was quite ^i' influ-
ential man, and, in 1820, succeeded in get*;^'J.y' the
county formed from portions of Delaware, ^I'^nk-
lin, Madison and Logan, and a part of the oU In-
dian Territory. Marysville was made the cjunty
seat.

During the year 1789, a fort, called For/ Steu-
ben, was built on the site of Steuben ville, but w/
dismantled at the conclusion of hostilities in I'i^j-
Three years after. Bezaleel Williams and ^
James Ross, for whom Ross County w;""' ■,'
located the town of Steubenville alu'-'T'^ , i , ,'

fort, and, by liberal oflFers of lots, - ,, , ,

. ' ' -^ , f. ...1 T '^oon attracted

quite a number oi settlers. Ln^, qak xi j.
1 . ^ J ] ,, 1 /■ IbOo, the town

was incorporated, and then h:^^ „ , . . „

, , ^ , J ' Ti-'~: a population of

several hundred persons. iJeflf^u.,,,^ (5^^^^ ^^^

created by Gov. St. CI^at, July 29^797 thevear

before Steubenville was laid out. Ii hen' included

the large scope of country west of I nnsylvania •

east and north of a line from the mv,ith of the

Cuyahoga; southwardly to the Muskii..um and

east to the (/Jo ; including, in its territu-ies' the

cities of g^VeJand, Canton, Steubenville ai.1 War

^^^^^Uc^^^JiJco

HISTORY OF OHIO.

119

ren. Only a short time, however, was it allowed
to retain this size, as the increase in emigration
rendered it necessary to erect new counties, which
was rapidly done, especially on the adoption of the
State government.

The county is rich in early history, prior to its
settlement by the Americans. It was the home of
the celebrated Mingo chief, Logan, who resided
awhile at an old Mingo town, a few miles below the
site of Steubenville, the place where the troops
under Col. Williamson rendezvoused on their in-
famous raid against the Moravian Indians ; and
also where Col. Crawford and his men met, when
starting on their unfortunate expedition.

In the Reserve, settlements were often made
remote from populous localities, in accordance with
the wish of a proprietor, who might own a tract of
country twenty or thirty miles in the interior. In
the present county of Geauga, three families located
at Burton in 1798. They lived at a considerable
distance from any other settlement for some time,
and were greatly inconvenienced for the want of
mills or shops. As time progressed, however,
these were brought nearer, or built in their midst,
and, ere long, almost all parts of the Reserve could
show some settlement, even if isolated.

The next year, 1799, settlements were made at
Ravenna, Deerfield and Palmyra, in Portage
County. Hon. Benjamin Tappan came to the site
of Ravenna in June, at which time he found one
white man, a Mr. Honey, living there. At this date,
a solitary log cabin occupied the sites of Buffalo and
Cleveland. On his journey from New England,
Mr. Tappan fell in with David Hudson, the founder
of the Hudson settlement in Summit County.
After many days of travel, they landed at a prairie in
Summit County. Mr. Tappan left his goods in a
cabin, built for the purpose, under the care of a hired
man, and went on his way, cutting a road to the
site of Ravenna, where his land lay. On his return
for a second load of goods, they found the cabin
deserted, and evidences of its plunder by the In-
dians. Not long after, it was learned that the man
left in charge had gone to Mr. Hudson's settle-
ment, he having set out immediately on his arrival,
for his own land. ]Mr. Tappan gathered the re-
mainder of his goods, and started back for Ravenna.
On his way one of his oxen died, and he found
himself in a vast forest, away from any habitation,
and with one dollar in money. He did not falter
a moment, but sent his hired man, a faithftil fellow,
to Erie, Penn., a distance of one hundred miles
through the wilderness, with the compass for his

guide, requesting from Capt. Lyman, the com-
mander at the fort there, a loan of money. At
the same time, he followed the township lines to
Youugstown, where he became acquainted with
Col. James Hillman, who did not hesitate to sell
him an ox on credit, at a fair price. He returned
to his load in a few days, found his ox all right,
hitched the two together and went on. He was
soon joined by his hired man, with the money, and
together they spent the winter in a log cabin. He
gave his man one hundred acres of land as a reward,
and paid Col. Hillman for the ox. In a year or
two he had a prosperous settlement, and when the
county was erected in 1807, Ravenna was made
the seat of justice.

About the same time Mr. Tappan began his
settlement, others were commenced in other locali-
ties in this county. Early in May, 1799, Lewis
Day and his son Horatio, of Granby, Conn., and
Moses Tibbals and Green Frost, of Granville,
Mass., left their homes in a one-horse wagon, and,
the 29th of May, arrived in what is now Deerfield
Township. Theirs was the first wagon that had
ever penetrated farther westward in this region
than Canfield. The country west of that place
had been an unbroken wilderness until within a
few days. Capt. Caleb Atwater, of Wallingford,
Conn., had hired some men to open a road to
Township No. 1, in the Seventh Range, of which
he was the owner. This road passed through
Deerfield, and was completed to that place when
the party arrived at the point of their destination.
These emigrants selected sites, and commenced
clearing the land. In July, Lewis Ely arrived
from Granville, and wintered here, while those
who came first, and had made their improvements,
returned East. The 4th of March, 1800, Alva
Day (son of Lewis Day), John Campbell and
Joel Thrall arrived. In April, George and Rob-
ert Taylor and James Laughlin, from Pennsylvania,
with their families, came. Mr. Laughlin built a
grist-mill, which was of great convenience to the
settlers. July 29, Lewis Day returned with
his family and his brother-in-law, Maj. Rogers,
who, the next year, also brought his family.

" Much suflPering was experienced at first on
account of the scarcity of provisions. They were
chiefly supplied from the settlements east of the
Ohio River, the nearest of which was Georgetown,
forty miles away. The provisions were brought
on pack-horses through the wilderness. August
22, Mrs. Alva Day gave birth to a child — a fe-
male — the first child born in the township.

120

HISTORY OF OHIO.

November 7, tlie first wedding took place. John
Campbell and Sarah Ely were joined in wedlock
by Calvin Austin, Es(j[., of Warren. He was
accompanied from Warren, a distance of twenty-
seven miles, by Mr. Pease, then a lawyer, after-
ward a well-known Judge. They came on foot,
there being no road; and, as they threaded their
way through the woods, young Pease taught the
Justice the marriage ceremony by oft repetition.

" In 1802, Franklin Township was organized, em-
bracing all of Portage and parts of Trumbull and
Summit Counties. About this time the settlement
received accessions from all parts of the East. In
February, 1801, Rev. Badger came and began his
labors, and two years later Dr. Shadrac Bostwick
organized a Methodist Episcopal church.* The
remaining settlement in this county. Palmyra, was
begun about the same time as the others, by David
Daniels, from Salisbury, Conn. The next year he
brought out his family. Soon after he was joined
by E. N. and W. Bacon, E. Cutler, A. Thurber,
A. Preston, N. Bois, J. T. Baldwin, T. and C.
Gilbert, D. A. and S. Waller, N. Smith, Joseph
Fisher, J. Tuttle and others.

" When this rogion was first settled, there was
an Indian trail commencing at Fort Mcintosh
(Beaver, Penn. ), and extending westward to San-
dusky and Detroit. The trail followed the highest
ground. Along the trail, parties of Indians were
frequently seen passing, for several years after the
whites came. It seemed to be th 3 groat aboriginal
thoroughfare from Sandusky to the Ohio River.
There were several large piles of stones on the
trail in this locality, under which human skeletons
have been discovered. These are supposed to be
the remains of Indians slain in war, or murdered
by their enemies, as tradition says it is an Indian
custom for each one to cast a stone on the grave
of an enemy, whenever he passjs by. These stones
appear to have been picked up_ along the trail, and
cast upon the heaps at different times.

"At the point where this trail crosses Silver
Creek, Fredrick Daniels and others, in 1814, dis-
covered, painted on several trees, various devices,
evidently the work of Indians. The bark was
carefully shaved off" two-thirds of the way around,
and figures cut upon the wood. On one of these
was delineated seven Indians, equipped in a par-
ticular manner, one of whom was without a head.
This was supposed to have been made by a party
on their return westward, to jiive intelligence to

■ Uowe'B Collections.

their friends behind, of the loss of one of their
party at this plac'e ; and, on making "search, a hu-
man skeleton was discovered near by." *

The celebrated Indian hunter, Brady, made his
remarkable leap across the Cuyahoga, in this
county. The county also contains Brady's Pond,
a large sheet of water, in which he once made his
escape from the Indians, from which circumstance
it received its name.

The locality comprised in Clark County was
settled the same summer as those in Summit County.
John Humphries came to this part of the State
with Gen. Simon Kenton, in 1799. With them
came six families from Kentucky, who settled
north of the site of Springfield. A fort was
erected on Mad River, for security against the In-
dians. Fourteen cabins were soon built near it,
all being surrounded by a strong picket fence.
David Lowery, one of the pioneers here, built the
first flat-boat, to operate on the Great Miami, and,
in 1800, made the first trip on that river, coming
down from Dayton. He took his boat and cargo
on down to New Orleans, where he disposed of his
load of " five hundred venison hams and bacon."

Springfield was laid out in March, ISOl. Griffith
Foos, who came that spring, built a tavern, which
he completed and opened .in June, remaining in
this place till 181-4. He often stated that when
emigrating West, his party were four days and a
half getting from Franklinton, on the Scioto, to
Springfield, a distance of forty -two miles. When
crossing the Big Darby, they were obliged to caiTy
all their goods over on horseback, and then drag
their wagons across with ropes, while some of the
])arty swam by the side of the wagon, to prevent
its upsetting. The site of the town was of such
practical beauty and utility, that it soon attracted
a large number of settlers, and, in a few years,
Springfield was incorporated. In 1811, a church
was built by the residents for the use of all denom-
inations.

Clark County is made famous in aboriginal
history, as the birthplace and childhood home of
the noted Indian, Tecumseh.f He was born in

* Howe's Collections.

f Tecumseli, or Tecurashe, was a son of Puckeshinwa, a member
of tlie Kiscopoke tribe, and Methoataske, of the Turtle tribe of the
Shawaiiee nation. They removed from Floricia to Ohio soon after
their ni;irriage. The father, Puckesliinwa, rose to the rank of a thief,
and fell at tt'e battle of Point Pleasant, in 1774. After his deatli,
the mother, Methdata ke, returned to the south, where she died at
an advanced age. Tecum eh was born about the year 1768. He
early showed a passion for war, and, when only 27 years of age, was
made a chief. The next year he removed to Deer f'reck, in the
vicinity of Urbana, and from there to the site of Piqua, on the
Great Miami. In 17il8 h'l accepte<l the invitation of the Delawares
in the vicinity of White River, Indiana, and from that time made

tiie old Indian town of Piqua, the ancient Piqua
of the Shawanees, on the north side of Mad River,
about five miles west of Springfield. The town
was destroyed by the Kentucky Rangers under
Gen. George Rogers Clarke in 1780, at the same
time he destroyed " Old Chillicothe." Immense
fields of standing corn about both towns were cut
down, compelling the Indians to resort to the hunt
with more than ordinary vigor, to sustain them-
selves and their wives and children. This search
insured safety for some time on the borders. The
site of Cadiz, in Harrison County, was settled in
April, 1799, by Alexander Henderson and his
family, from Washington County, Penn. When
they amved, they found neighbors in the persons
of Daniel Peterson and his family, who lived near
the forks of Short Creek, and who had preceded
them but a very short time. The next year, emi-
grants began to cross the Ohio in great numbers,
and in five or six years large settlements could be
seen in this part of the State. The county was
erected in 1814, and Cadiz, laid out in 1803, made
the county seat.

While the settlers were locating in and about
Cadiz, a few families came to what is now Monroe
County, and settled near the present town of
Beallsville. Shortly after, a few persons settled on
the Clear Fork of the Little IMuskingum, and a
few others on the east fork of Duck Creek. The

next season all these settlements received addi-
tions and a few other localities were also occupied.
Before long the town of Beallsville was laid
out, and in time became quite populous. The
county was not erected until 1813, and in 1815
Woodsfield was laid out and made the seat of
justice.

The opening of the season of 1800 — the dawn
of a new century — saw a vast emigTation west
ward. Old settlements in Ohio received immense
increase of emigrants, while, branching out in all
directions like the rndii of a circle, other settle-
ments were constantly formed until, in a few years,
all parts of the State knew the presence of the
white man.

Towns sprang into existence here and there ;
mills and factories were erected; post oflBces and
post-routes were established, and the comforts and
conveniences of life began to appear.

With this came the desire, so potent to the mind
of all American citizens, to rule themselves through
representatives chosen by their own votes. Hith-
erto, they had been ruled by a Governor and Judges
appointed by the President, who, in turn, appointed
county and judicial ofl&cers. The arbitrary rulings
of the Governor, St. Clair, had arrayed the mass
of the people against him, and made the desire for
the second grade of government stronger, and
finally led to its creation.

CHAPTER X.

FORMATION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT— OHIO A STATE— THE STATE CAPITALS— LEGIS-
LATION— THE "SWEEPING RESOLUTIONS"— TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS.

SETTLEMENTS increased so rapidly in that
part of the Northwest Territory included in
Ohio, during the decade from 1788 to 1798,
despite the Indian war, that the demand for an
election of a Territorial Assembly could not be
ignored by Gov. St. Clair, who, having ascertained
that 5,000 free males resided within the limits of
the Territory, issued his proclamation October 29,
1798, directing the electors to elect representatives
to a General Assembly. He ordered the election

his home with them. He was most active in the war of 1812
against the Americans, and from the time he hepran his work to
unite the tribes, his history is so closely ide:ititic(l therewith that
the reader is referred to the history of that war in succeeding pages.
It may notbe amiss to sav that all stones regarding the manner
of his death are Considered erruneous. He was undoubtedly killed
in the outset of the battle of the Thames In Canada in 1814, and his
body secretly buried by the Indians.

to be held on the third Monday in December, and
directed the representatives to meet in Cincinnati
January 22, 1799.

On the day designated, the representatives *
assembled at Cincinnati, nominated ten persons,
whose names were sent to the President, who
selected five to constitute the Legislative Council,

* Those elected were : from Washington County, Return Jona-
than Meigs and Paul Fearing; from Hamilton County, William
Goforth, William McMillan, John Smith, John Ludlow, Robert
Benham, Aaron Caldw-U and Isaac Martin; trora St. Clair County
(Illinois"), Shiidrach Bond; from Knox County (Indiana), John
Small; from Randolph County (Illinois), John Edgar; from Wayne
County, So'omon Sibley, Jac.'b Visgar and Charles F. Chabart de
Joncavie; from Adams County, Joseph Darlington and Nathaniel
Massie; from Jefferson County, James Pritchard; from Ross County,
Thomas Wo thingt^n, Elias Langhani,S»muel Findley and Edward
Tiffin. The five gentlemen cliosi n as the Upper House were all
from counties afterward included in Ohio.

122

HISTORY OF OHIO.

or Upper House. These five were Jacob Burnet,
James Fiudley, Henry Vanderburgh, Robert
Oliver and David Vance. On the od of March,
the Senate confirmed their nomination, and the
Territorial Government of Ohio* — or, more prop-
erly, the Northwest — was complete. As this
comprised the essential business of this body, it
was prorogued by the Governor, and the Assembly
directed to meet at the same place September 16,
171*9, and proceed to the enactment of laws for
the Territory.

That day, the Territorial Legislature met again
at Cincinnati, but, for want of a quorum, did not
organize until the 24th. The House consisted of
nineteen members, seven of whom were from Ham-
ilton County, four from Ross, three from Wayne,
two from Adams, one from Jeff"erson, one from
Washington and one from Knox. Assembling
both branches of the Legislature, Gov. St. Clair
addressed them, recommending such measures to
their consideration as, in his judgment, were suited
to the condition of the country. The Council
then organized, electing Henry Vanderburgh, Presi-
dent ; William C. Schenck, Secretary; George
Howard, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Ser-
geant-at-arms.

The House also organized, electing Edward Tif-
fin, Speaker ; John Reilly, Clerk ; Joshua Row-
land, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Sergeant-
at-arms.

This was the first legislature elected in the old
Northwestern Territory. During its first session,
it passed thirty bills, of which the Governor vetoed
eleven. They also elected William Henry Harri-
son, then Secretary of the Territory, delegate to
Congress. The Legislature continued in session
till December 19, having much to do in forming
new laws, when they were prorogued by the Gov-
ernor, until the first Monday in November, 1800.
The second session was held in Chillicothe, which
had been designated as the seat of government by
Congress, until a permanent capital should be
selected.

May 7, 1800, Congress passed an act establish-
ing Indiana Teri'itory, including all the country
west of the Great Miami River to the Mississippi,
and appointed William Henry Harrison its Gov-
ernor. At the autumn session of the Legislature

* Ohio never existed as a Territory proper. It was known, both
before and atter tlie division of the Northwest Territory, as the
"Territory northwest of the Ohio River." Still, as tlie country
comprised in its limits was the principal theater of action, the short
resume given here is made necessary in the logical course of events.
Ohio, as Ohio, never existed until the creation of the State in
March, 1803.

of the eastern, or old part of the Territory, Will-
iam McMillan and Paul Fearing were elected to
the vacancies caused by this act. By the organ-
ization of this Territory, the counties of Knox, St.
Clair and Randolph, were taken out of the juris-
diction of the old Territory, and with them the
representatives, Henry Vandenburgh, Shadrach
Bond, John Small and John Edgar.

Before the time for the next Assembly came, a
new election had occurred, and a few changes were
the result. Robert Oliver, of Marietta, was cho-
sen Speaker in the place of Henry Vanderburgh.
There was considerable business at this session ;
several new counties were to be erected ; the coun-
try was rapidly tilling with people, and where the
scruples of the Governor could be overcome, some
organization was made. He was very tenacious of
his power, and arbitrary in his rulings, affirming
that he, alone, had the power to create new coun-
ties. This dogmatic exercise of his veto power,
his rights as ruler, and his defeat by the Indians,
all tended against him, resulting in his displace-
ment by the President. This was done, however,
just at the time the Territory came from the second
grade of government, and the State wa>; created.

The third session of the Territorial Legislature
continued from November 24, 1801, to January
23, 1802, when it adjourned to meet in Cincin-
nati, the fourth Monday in November, but
owing to reasons made obvious by subsequent
events, was never held, and the third session
marks the decline of the Territorial government.

April 30, 1802, Congress passed an act "to
enable the people of the eastern division of the
territory northwest of the Ohio River, to form a
constitution and State government, and for the
admission of such States into the Union on
an equal footing with the original States, and for
other purposes." In pursuance of this act, an
election had been held in this part of the Tenitory,
and members of a constitutional convention cho-
sen, who were to meet at Chillicothe, November
1, to perform the duty assigned them.

The people throughout the country contemplat-
ed in tlie new State were anxious for the adoption
of a State government. The arbitrary acts of the
Territorial Governor had heightened this feeling ;
the census of the Territory gave it the lawful
number of inhabitants, and nothing stood in its
way.

The convention met the day designated and
proceeded at once to its duties. When the time
arrived for the opening of the Fourth Territorial

HISTORY OF OHIO.

123

Legislature, the convention was in session and had
evidently about completed its labors. The mem-
bers of the Legislature (eight of whom were mem-
bers of the convention^ seeing that a speedy
termination of the Territorial government was inev-
itable, wisely concluded it was inexpedient and
unnecessary to hold the proposed session.

The convention concluded its labors the 29th of
November. The Constitution adopted at that time,
though rather crude in some of its details, was an
excellent organic instrument, and remained almost
entire until 1851, when the present one was
adopted. Either is too long for insertion here,
but either will well pay a perusal. The one adopted
by the convention in 18l>2 was never submitted
to the people, owing to the circumstances of the
times ; but it was submitted to Congress February
19, 1803, and by that body accepted, and an act
passed admitting Ohio to the Union.

The Territorial government ended March 3,
1803, by the organization, that day, of the State
government, which organization defined the pres-
ent limits of the State.

" We, the people of tlie Eastern Division of the Ter-
ritory of the United States. Northwest of the River
Ohio, having the right of admission into the General
Government as a member of the Union, consistent with
the Constitution of the United States, the Ordinance
of Congress of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-
seven, and of the law of Congress, entitled 'An act to
enable the people of the Eastern Division of the Terri-
tory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio,
to form a Constitution and a State Government, and for
the admission of such State into the Union on an equal
footing with the original States, and for other purpo-
ses ;' in order to establish Justice, promote the well-
fare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves
and our posterity, do ordain and establish the follow-
ing Constitution or form of government; and do mu-
tually agree with each other to form ourselves into a
free and independent State, by the name of the State
of Ohio.'"* — Preamble, Constitution of 1802.

When the convention forming the Constitution,
completed its labors and presented the results to
Congress, and that body passed the act forming

* The name of the State is derived from the river forming its
siuthern lioumlaiy. Its origin is somewliat obscure, l>ut is com-
monly ascrilied to the Indians. On this point. Col. Johnston says:
" The Shawauoese called the Ohio River '■ KU-ke-pirla, Sepe, i. e., 'Eagle
River.'' The Wyan lors were in the conntry generations before the
ShawanoesB, and, consequently, their name of the river is the prim-
itive one and should stand in preference to all others. Ohio may
be called a'l improvement on the expression, '0-he-zuh' and was, no
doubt, adopted by the early French voyagers in their boat-songs,
and is substantially the same wor i as used by the Wyandots: the
meaning applied by the French, fair and beautiful 'la belle river,^
being the same precisely as that meant by the Indians — 'great,
grand and fair to look upon.' " — Howe's Collections.

Webster's Dictionary gives the word as of Indian origin, and its
meaning to be, " Beautiful."

the State, the territory included therein was di-
vided into nine counties, whose names and dates of
erection were as follows:

Washington, July 27, 1788; Hamilton, Janu-
ary 2, 1790; (owing to the Indian war no other
counties were erected till peace was restored); Ad-
ams, July 10, 1797; Jefi"erson, July 29, 1797;
Ross, August 20, 1798; Clermont, Fairfield and
Trumbull, December 9, 1800; Belmont, Septem-
ber 7, 1801. These counties were the thickest-
settled part of the State, yet many other localities
needed organization and were clamoring for it, but
owing to St. Clair's views, he refused to grant
their requests. One of the first acts on the as-
sembling of the State Legislature, March 1, 1803,
was the creation of seven new counties, viz., Gal-
lia, Scioto, Greauga, Butler, Warren, Greene and
Montgomery.

Section Sixth of the "Schedule" of the Consti-
tution required an election for the various officers
and Representatives necessary under the new gov-
ernment, to be held the second Tuesday of Janu-
ary, 1803, these ofiicers to take their seats and as-
sume their duties March 3. The Second Article
provided for the regular elections, to be held on
the second Tuesday of October, in each year. The
Governor elected at first was to hold his office
until the first regular election could be held, and
thereafter to continue in ofiice two years.

The January elections placed Edward Tiffin in
the Governor's office, sent Jeremiah Morrow to
Congress, and chose an Assembly, who met on the
day designated, at Chillicothe. Michael Baldwin
was chosen Speaker of the House, and Nathaniel
Massie, of the Senate. The Assembly appointed
William Creighton, Jr., Secretary of State ; Col.
Thomas Gibson, Auditor ; William McFarland,
Treasurer; Return J. Meigs, Jr., Samuel Hun-
tington and William Sprigg, Judges of the Su-
preme Court; Francis Dunlevy, Wyllys Silliman
and Calvin Pease, President Judges of the First,
Second and Third Districts, and Thomas Worth-
ington and John Smith, United States Senators.
Charles Willing Byrd was made the United States
District Judge.

The act of Congress forming the State, con-
tained certain requisitions regarding public schools,
the " salt springs," public lands, taxation of Gov-
ernment lands, Symmes' purchase, etc., which the
constitutional c(mvention agTeed to with a few
minor considerations. These Congress accepted,
and passed the act in accordance thereto. The
First General Assembly found abundance of work

iiJ

1£

124

HISTORY OF OHIO.

to do regarding these various items, and, at once,
set themselves to tlifi task. Laws were passed re-
garding all these ; new counties created ; officers
appointed for the same, until they could be elected,
and courts and machinery of government put in
motion. President Judges and lawyers traveled
their circuits holding courts, often in the open air
or in a log shanty ; a constable doing duty as
guard over a jury, probably seated on a log under
a tree, or in the bushes. The President Judge in-
structed the officers of new counties in their duties,
and though the whole keeping of matters accorded
with the times, an honest feeling generally pre-
vailed, inducing each one to perform his part as
eflPectually as his knowledge permitted.

The State continually filled with people. New
towns arose all over the country. Excepting the
occasional sicknesses caused by the new climate and
fresh soil, the general health of the people im-
proved as time went on. They were fully in ac-
cord with the President, Jefferson, and carefully
nurtured those principles of personal liberty en-
grafted in the fundamental law of 1787, and later,
in the Constitution of the State.

Little if any change occurred in the natural
course of events, following the change of govez'n-
ment until Burr's expedition and plan of secession
in 1805 and 1806 appeared. What his plans
were, have never been definitely ascertained. His
action related more to' the General Government,
yet Ohio was called upon to aid in putting down
his insurrection — for such it was thought to be —
and defeated his purposes, whatever they were.
His plans ended only in ignominious defeat ; the
breaking-up of one of the finest homes in the [
Western country, and the expulsion of himself and j
all those who were actively engaged in his scheme,
whatever its imports were.

Again, for a period of four or five years, no
exciting events occurred. Settlements continued ;
mills and factories increased ; towns and cities
grew ; counties were created ; trade enlarged, and
naught save the common course of events trans-
pired to mark the course of time. Other States
were made from the old Northwest Territory, all
parts of which were rapidly being occupied by
settlers. The danger from Indian hostilities was
little, and the adventurous whites were rapidly
occupying their country. One thing, however,
was yet a continual source of annoyance to the
Americans, viz., the British interference with the
Indians. Their traders did not scruple, nor fail
on every opportunity, to aid these sons of the

forest with arms and ammunition as occasion
offered, endeavoring to stir them up against the
Americans, until events here and on the high seas
culminated in a declaration of hostilities, and the
war of 1812 was the result. The deluded red
men found then, as they found in 1795, that they
were made tools by a stronger power, and dropped
when the time came that they were no longer
needed.

Before the opening of hostilities occurred, how-
ever, a series of acts passed the General Assembly,
causing considerable excitement. These were the
famous "Sweeping Resolutions," passed in 1810.
For a few years prior to their passage, considera-
ble discontent prevailed among many of the legis-
lators regarding the rulings of the courts, and by
many of these embryo law-makers, the legislative
power was considered omnipotent. They could
change existing laws and contracts did they desire
to, thought many of them, even if such acts con-
flicted with the State and National Constitutions.
The " Sweeping Resolutions " were brought about
mainly by the action of the judges in declaring
that justices of the peace could, in the collection
of debts, hold jurisdiction in amounts not exceed-
ing fifty dollars without the aid of a jury. The
Constitution of the United States gave the jury
control in all such cases where the amount did not
exceed twenty dollars. There was a direct con-
tradiction against the organic law of the land — to
which every other law and act is subversive, and
when the judges declared the legislative act uncon-
stitutional and hence null and void, the Legisla-
ture became suddenly inflamed at their independ-
ence, and proceeded at once to punish the admin-
istrators of justice. The legislature was one of
the worst that ever controlled the State, and was
composed of many men who were not only igno-
rant of common law, the necessities of a State, and
the dignity and true import of their office, but
were demagogues in every respect. Having the
power to impeach officers, that body at once did
so, having enough to carry a two-thirds majority,
and removed several judges. Further maturing
their plans, the " Sweepers," as they were known,
construed the law appointing certain judges and
civil officers for seven years, to mean seven years
from the organization of the State, whether they
had been officers that length of time or not. All
officers, whether of new or old counties, were con-
strued as included in the act, and, utterly ignoi'ing
the Constitution, an act was passed in January,
1810, removing every civil officer in the State.

V k-

(2_

HISTORY OF OHIO.

125

February 10, they proceeded to fill all these va-
cant offices, from State officers down to the lowest
county office, either by appointment or by ordering
an election in the manner prescribed by law.

The Constitution provided that the office of
judges should continue for seven years, evidently
seven years from the time they were elected, and
not from the date of the admission of the State,
which latter construction this headlong Legisla-
ture had construed as the meaning. Many of the
counties had been organized but a year or two,
others three or four years ; hence an indescribable
confusion arose as soon as the new set of officers
were appointed or elected. The new order of
things could not be made to work, and finally, so
utterly impossible did the justness of the proceed-
ings become, that it was dropped. The decisions
of the courts were upheld, and the invidious doc-
trine of supremacy in State legislation received
such a check that it is not likely ever to be repeated.

Another act of the Assembly, during this pe-
riod, shows its construction. Congress had granted
a township of land for the use of a university, and
located the township in Symmes' purchase. This
Assembly located the university on land outside
of this purchase, ignoring the act of Congress, as
they had done before, showing not only ignorance
of the true scope of law, but a lack of respect un-
becoming such bodies.

The seat of government was also moved from
Chillicothe to Zanesville, which vainly hoped to be
made the permanent State capital, but the next
session it was again taken to Chillicothe, and com-
missioners appointed to locate a permanent capital
site.

These commissioners were James Findley, Jo-
seph Darlington, Wyllys Silliman, Reason Beall,
and William McFarland. It is stated that they
reported at first in favor of Dublin, a small town
on the Scioto about fourteen miles above Colum-
bus. At the session of 1812-18, the Assembly
accepted the proposals of Col. James Johnston,
Alexander McLaughlin, John Kerr, and Lyne
Starling, who owned the site ot Columbus. The
Assembly also decreed that the temporary seat of
government should remain at ChiUicothe until the
buildings necessary for the State officers should be

erected, when it would be taken there, forever to
remain. This was done in 1816, in December of
that year the first meeting of the Assembly being
held there.

The site selected for the capital was on the east
bank of the Scioto, about a mile below its junction
with the Olentangy. Wide streets were laid out,
and preparations for a city made. The expecta-
tions of the founders have been, in this respect, re-
alized. The town was laid out in the spring of 1812,
under the direction of Moses Wright. A short
time after, the contract for making it the capital was
signed. June 18, the same day war was declared
against Great Britain, the sale of lots took place.
Among the early settlers were George McCor-
mick, George B. Harvey, John Shields, Michael
Patton, Alexander Patton, William Altman, John
CoUett, William McElvain, Daniel Kooser, Peter
Putnam, Jacob Hare, Christian Heyl, Jarvis, George
and Benjamin Pike, William Long, and Dr. John
M. Edminsou. In 1814, a house of worship was
built, a school opened, a newspaper — The Wtstern
Intelligencer and Columbus Gazette, now the
Ohio State Journal — was started, and the old
State House erected. In 1816, the "Borough of
Columbus" was incorporated, and a mail route once
a weeb between Chillicothe and Columbus started.
In 1819, the old United States Court House was
erected, and the seat of justice removed from
Franklinton to Columbus. Until 1826, times were
exceedingly " slow " in the new capital, and but lit-
tle growth experienced. The improvBment period
revived the capital, and enlivened its trade and
growth so that in 1834, a city charter was granted.
The city is now about third in size in the State,
and contains many of the most prominent public
institutions. The present capitol building, one of
the best in the West, is patterned somewhat after
the national Capitol at Washington City.

From the close of the agitation of the " Sweeping
Resolutions," until the opening of the war of 1812,
but a short time elapsed. In fact, scarcely had
one subsided, ere the other was upon the country.
Though the war was national, its theater of opera-
tions was partly in Ohio, that State taking an act-
ive part in its operations. Indeed, its Uberty
depended on the war.

126

HISTORY or OHIO.

LIST OF TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS,

Fro7n the organization of the first civil government in the Northwest Territory (1788 to 1802), 0/ wAicA the State of

Ohio was apart, until the year 1880.

(a) Arthur St. Clair

*Charles Willing Byrd

(6) Edward Tiffin

Samuel Hunt ingtoa

(d) Return Jonathan Meigs.

■j-Ot hniel Looker

Thomas Worthington

(e) Ethan Allen Brown

fAllen Trimble

J eremiah Morrow

Allen Trimble

Duncan McArthur

Robert Lucas

Joseph Vance

Wilson Shannon

Thomas Corwin

(/■) Wilson Shannon

JThomas W. Bartley

Mordecai Bartley

William Bebb...'.

(^) Seabury Ford ,

(/t) Reuben Wood ,

(./)^ William Medill

Salmon P. Chase

William Dennison

David Tod....,

(k) John Brough ,

^Charles Anderson

Jacob D. Cox

Rutherford B. Hayes

Edward F. Noyes

William Allen

{I) Rutherford B. Hayes

(m) Thomas L. Young ,

Richard M. Bishop

Charles Foster ,

COUNTY.

Hamilton

Ross

Adams

Trumbull

Washington..

Hamilton

Ross

Hamilton ,

Highland ,

Warren ,

Highland ,

Ross

Pike

Champaign ..

Belmont

Warren

Belmont......

Richland

Butler

Geauga

Cuyahoga

Fairfield

Hamilton ,

Franklin ,

Mahoning —

Cuyahoga ,

Montgomery.

Trumbull

Hamilton

Ross

Sandusky.. ...

Hamilton

Sandusky

Term
Commenced.

July 13,

March

Dec.

April

Dec.

Jan.

Dec.

Dec,

April

Dec.

Jan.

Dec.

July

Jan.

Aug.

Jan

Jan.

.Tan.

Jan.

March

Jan.

1788
1802
1803
1807
1808
1810
1814
1814
1818
1822
1822
1826
1830
1832
1836
1838
1840
1842
1844
1844
1846
1849
18.5(t

185;:

1856
1860
1862
1864
1861:
1866
1868
1872
1874
1876
1877
1878
1880

Term Ended.

March 3.
March 4,
Dec. 12!
Dec. 8!
March 25,
Dec. 8

Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.

April 13,
Dec. 3

Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
July
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Aug.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
.Jan.

March 2,
Jan. 14,
Jan. 14,

1802
1803
1807
1808
1810
1814
1814
1818
1822
1822
1826
1830
1832
18.36
1838
1840
1842
1844
1844
1846
1849
1850
1853
1856
1860
1862
1864
1865
1866
1868
1872
1874
1876
1877
1878
1880

(a) Arthur St. Clair, of Pennsylvania, was Governor of the North-
west Territory, of which Ohio was a part,from July 13, 1788, when the
first civil government was established in the Territory, until about
the close of the year 1802, when he was removed by the President.

♦Secretary of the Territory, and was acting Governor of the
Territory after the removal of Gov. St. Clair.

(b) Resigned March .S, 1807, to accept the office of U. S. Senator.

(c) Return .Jonathan Meigs was elected Governor on the second
Tuesday of October, 1807, over Nathaniel Massie, who contested the
election of Meigs, on the gmund that "he had not been a resident of
this State for fovir years next preceding the election, as required by
the Constitution,"' and the General Assembly, in joint convention,
declared tiiat he was not eligible. The office was not given to
Massie, nor does it appear, from the records that he claimed it, but
Thomas Kirker, acting Governor, continued to discharge the duties
of the office until December 12, 1808, when Samuel Huntington was
inaugurated, he having been elected on the second Tuesday of
October in that year

(d) Resigned March 25, 1814, to accept the office of Postmaster-
General of the United States.

(«) Resigned January 4, 1822. to accept the office of United
States Senator.

(/) Resigned April 13, 1844, to accept the office of Minister to
Mexico.

(gi The result of the election in 1848 was not finally determined in
joint convention of the two houses of the General Assembly until
January 19,1849, and the inauguration did not take place until tlic
22d of that month.

(h) Resigned July 15, 1853 to accept the office of Consul to Val-
paraiso.

0) Elected in October, 1853, for the regular term, to commence
on tlie Second Monday of January, 1854.

(it) Died August 29, 1865.

■j- Acting Governor.

X Acting Governor, vice Wilson Shannon, resigned.

1[ Acting Governor, vice Reuben Wood, resigned.

? Acting Governor, vice John Brough, deceased.

(I) Resigned March 2, 1877, to accept the office of President of
the United States.

(m) Vice Rutherford B. Hayes, resigned.

^■.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

127

CHAPTER XL

THE WAR OF 1812— GROWTH OF THE STATE— CANAL, RAILROADS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

—DEVELOPMENT OF STATE RESOURCES.

IN June, 1812, war was declared against Great
Britain. Before this, an act was passed by Con-
gress, authorizing the increase of the regular army
to thirty-five thousand troops, and a large force of
volunteers, to serve twelve months. Under this
act, Beturn J. Meigs, then Governor of Ohio, in
April and May, 1812, raised three regiments of
troops to serve twelve months. They rendez-
voused at Dayton, elected their officers, and pre-
pared for the campaign. These regiments were
numbered First, Second and Third. Duncan Mc-
Arthur was Colonel of the First ; James Findlay,
of the Second, and Lewis Cass, of the Third.
Early in June these troops marched to Urbana,
where they were joined by Boyd's Fourth Regiment
of regular troops, under command of Col. Miller,
who had been in the battle of Tippecanoe. Near
the middle of June, this little army of about
twenty-five hundred men, under command of Gov.
William Hull, of Michigan, who had been author-
ized by Congress to raise the troops, started on
its northern march. By the end of June, the
army had reached the jNIaumee, after a very severe
march, erecting, on the way. Forts Mc Arthur, Ne-
cessity and Findlay. By some carelessness on the
part of the American Government, no official word
had been sent to the frontiers regarding the war,
while the British had taken an early precaution to
prepare for the crisis. Gov. Hull was very care-
ful in military etiquette, and reftised to march, or
do any ofi'ensive acts, unless commanded by his
superior officers at Washington. While at the
Maumee, by a careless move, all his personal
effects, inchiding all his plans, number and strength
of his army, etc., fell into the hands of the enemy.
His campaign ended only in ignominious defeat,
and well-nigh paralyzed future efforts. All Mich-
igan fell into the hands of the British. The com-
mander, though a good man, lacked bravery and
promptness. Had Gen. Harrison been in com-
mand no such results would have been the case,
and the war would have probably ended at the
outset.

Before Hull had surrendered, Charles Scott,
Governor of Kentucky, invited Gen. Harrison,

Governor of Indiana Territory, to visit Frankfort,
to consult on the subject of defending the North-
west. Gov. Harrison had visited Gov. Scott, and
in August, 1812, accepted the appointment of
Major General in the Kentucky militia, and, by
hasty traveling, on the receipt of the news of the
surrender of Detroit, reached t^incinnati on the
morning of the 27th of that month. On the 30th
he left Cincinnati, and the next day overtook the
army he was to command, on its way to Dayton.
After leaving Dayton, he was overtaken by an ex-
press, informing him of his appointment by the
Government as Commander-in-Chief of the armies
of the Indiana and Illinois Territories. The army
reached Piqua, September 3. From this place
Harrison sent a body of troops to aid in the de-
fense of Fort Wayne, threatened by the enemy.
On the 6th he ordered all the troops forward, and
while on the march, on September 17, he was
informed of his appointment as commander of the
entire Northwestern troops. He found the army
poorly clothed for a winter campaign, now ap-
proaching, and at once issued a stirring address to
the people, asking for food and comfortable cloth-
ing. The address was not in vain. After his
appointment. Gen. Harrison pushed on to Au-
glaize, where, leaving the army under command of
Gen. Winchester, he returned to the interior of the
State, and establishing his head(juarters at Frank-
linton, began active measures for the campaign.

Early in March, 1812, Col. John Miller raised,
under orders, a regiment of infimtry in Ohio, and
in July assembled his enlisted men at Chillicothe,
where, placing them — only one hundred and forty
in number — under command of Captain Angus
Lewis, he sent them on to the fi'ontier. They erect-
ed a block-house at Picjua and then went on to
Defiance, to the main body of the armv.

In July, 1812, Gen. Edward W.'Tupper, of
Gallia County, raised one thousand men for six
months' duty. Under orders from Gen. Winches-
ter, they marched through Chillicothe and Urbana,
on to the Maumee, where, near the lower end of
the rapids, they made an ineffectual attempt to
drive off the enemy. Failing in this, the enemy

128

HISTORY OF OHIO.

attacked Tapper and his troops, who, though worn
down with the march and not a Httle disorganized
through the jealousies of the officers, withstood
the attack, and repulsed the British and their red
allies, who returned to Detroit, and the Americans
to Fort McArthur.

In the fall of 1812, Gen. Harrison ordered a
detachment of six hundred men, mostly mounted,
to destroy the Indian towns on the Missisineway
River, one of the head-waters of the Wabash.
The winter set in early and with unusual severity.
At the same time this expedition was carried on,
Bonaparte was retreating from Moscow. The expe-
dition accomplished its design, though the troops
suffered greatly from the cold, no less than two
hundred men being more or less frost bitten.

Gen. Harrison determined at once to retake
Michigan and establish a line of defense along the
southern shores of the lakes. Winchester was
sent to occupy Forts Wayne and Defiance; Perkins'
brigade to Lower Sandusky, to fortify an old
stockade, and some Pennsylvania troops and artil-
lery sent there at the same time. As soon as
Gen. Harrison heard the results of the Missis-
ineway expedition, he went to Chillicothe to con-
sult with Gov. Meigs about further movements,
and the best methods to keep the way between the
Upper Miami and the Maumee continually open.
He also sent Gen. Winchester word to move for-
ward to the rapids of the Maumee and prepare for
winter quarters. This Winchester did by the
middle of January, 1813, establishing himself on
the northern bank of the river, just above Wayne's
old battle-ground. He was well fixed here, and
was enabled to give his troops good bread, made from
corn gathered in Indian corn-fields in this vicinity.

While here, the inhabitants of Frenchtown, on
the Raisin River, about twenty miles from Detroit,
sent W^inchester word claiming protection from the
threatened British and Indian invasion, avowing
themselves in sympathy with the Americans. A
council of war decided in favor of their request,
and Col. Lewis, with 550 men, sent to their relief
Soon after. Col. Allen vras sent with more troops,
and the enemy easily driven away fnjm about
Frenchtown. Word was sent to Gen. Winchester,
who determined to march with all the men he
could spare to aid in holding the post gained. He
left, the 19th of January, with 250 men, and ar-
rived on the evening of the 20th. Failing to
take the necessary precaution, from some unex-
plained reason, the enemy came up in the night,
estabUshed his batteries, and, the next day, sur-

prised and defeated the American Army with a
terrible loss. Gen. Winchester was made a pris-
oner, and, finally, those who were intrenched in
the town surrendered, under promise of Proctor,
the British commander, of protection from the
Indians. This promise was grossly violated' the
next day. The savages were allowed to enter the
town and enact a massacre as cruel and bloody as
any in the annals of the war, to the everlasting
ignominy of the British General and his troops.

Those of the American Army that escaped, ar-
rived at the rapids on the evening of the 22d of
January, and soon the sorrowftil news spread
throughout the army and nations. Gen. Harrison
set about retrieving the disaster at once. Delay
could do no good. A fort was built at the rapids,
named Fort Meigs, and troops from the south and
west hurriedly advanced to the scene of action.
The investment and capture of Detroit was aban-
doned, that winter, owing to the defeat at French-
town, and expiration of the terms of service of
many of the troops. Others took their places,
all parts .of Ohio and bordering States sending
men. \

The erection of Fort Meigs was an obstacle in
the path of the British they determined to remove,
and, on the 28th of February, 1813, a large band
of British and Indians, under command of Proc-
tor, Tecumseh, Walk-in-the-water, and other In-
dian chiefs, appeared in the Maumee in boats, and
prepared for the attack. Without entering into
details regarding the investment of the fort, it is
only necessary to add, that after a prolonged siege,
lasting to the early part of May, the British were
obliged to abandon the fort, having been severely
defeated, and sailed for the Canadian shores.

Next followed the attacks on Fort Stephenson,
at -Lower Sandusky, and other predatory excur-
sions, by the British. All of these failed of their
design; the defense of Maj. Croghan and his men
constituting one of the most brilliant actions of the
war. For the gallant defense of Fort Stephenson by
Maj. Croghan, then a young man, the army merited
the highest honors. The ladies of Chillicothe voted
the heroic Major a fine sword, while the whole
land rejoiced at the exploits of him and his band.

The decisive efforts of the army, the great num-
bers of men offered — many of whom Gen. Harrison
was obliged to send home, much to their disgust —
Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10,
1813 — all presaged the triumph of the American
arms, soon to ensue. As soon as the battle on
the lake was over, the British at Maiden burned

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

129

tlicir stores, and fled, while the Americans, under
their gallant commander, followed them in Perry's
vessel to the Canada shore, overtaking them on
the Eiver Thames, October 5. In the battle that
ensued, Tecumseh was slain, and the British Army
routed.

The war was now practically closed in the West.
Ohio troops had done nobly in defending their
northern fi'ontier, and in regaining the Northwest-
ern country. Gen. Harrison was soon after elected
to Congress by the Cincinnati district, and Gen.
Duncan McArthur was appointed a Brigadier
General in the regular army, and assigned to the
command in his place. Gen. McArthur made an
expedition into Upper Canada in the spring of
1814, destroying considerable property, and driv-
ing the British farther into their own dominions.
Peace was declared early in 1815, and that spring,
the troops were mustered out of service at Chilli-
cothe, and peace with England reigned supreme.

The results of the war in Ohio were, for awhile,
similar to the Indian war of 1795. It brought
many people into the State, and opened new por-
tions, before unknown. Many of the soldiers im-
mediately invested their money in lands, and became
citizens. The war drove many people from the
Atlantic Coast west, and as a result much money,
for awhile, circulated. Labor and provisions rose,
which enabled both workmen and tradesmen to
enter tracts of land, and aided emigration. At the
conclusion of Wayne's war in 1795, probably
not more than five thousand people dwelt in the
limits of the State ; at the close of the war of 1812,
that number was largely increased, even with the
odds of war against th-m. After the last war, the
emigration was constant and gradual, building up
the State in a manner that betokened a healthful
life.

As soon as the effects of the war had worn off,
a period of depression set in, as a result of too
free speculation indulged in at its close. Gradu-
ally a stagnation of business ensued, and many
who found thi-mselves unable to meet contracts
made in "flush" times, found no alternative but
to fail. To relieve the pressure in all parts of
the West, Congress, about 1815, reduced the
price of public lands from $2 to $1.25
per acre. This measure worked no little
hardship on those who owned large tracts of
lands, for portions of which they had not fully
paid, and as a consequence, these lands, as well
as all others of this class, reverted to the
Government. The general market was in New

Orleans, whither goods were transported in flat-
boats built especially for this pupose. This com-
merce, though small and poorly repaid, was the
main avenue of trade, and did much for the slow
prosperity prevalent. The few banks in the State
found their bills at a discount abroad, and gradu-
ally becoming drained of their specie, either closed
business or failed, the major part of them adopt-
ing the latter course.

The steamboat began to be an important factor
in the river navigation of the West about this
period. The first boat to descend the Ohio was
the Orleans, built at Pittsburg in 1812, and in
December of that year, while the fortunes of war
hung over the land, she made her first trip fi-om the
Iron City to New Orleans, being just twelve days
on the way. The second, built by Samuel Smith,
was called the Comet, and made a trip as far
south as Louisville, in the summer of 1813. The
third, the Vesuvius, was built by Fulton, and went
to New Orleans in 1814. The fourth, built by
Daniel French at Brownsville, Penn., made two
trips to Louisville in the summer of 1814. The
next vessel, the ^tna, was built by Fulton &
Company in 1815. So fast did the business
increase, that, four years after, more than
forty steamers floated on the Western waters.
Improvements in machinery kept pace with the
building, until, in 1838, a competent writer stated
there were no less than four hundred steamers in
the West. Since then, the erection of railways
has greatly retarded ship-building, and it is alto-
gether probable the number has increased but
little.

The question of canals began to agitate the
Western country during the decade succeeding the
war. They had been and were being constructed
in older countries, and presaged good and prosper-
ous times. If only the waters of the lakes and
the Ohio River could be united by a canal run-
ning through the midst of the State, thought the
people, prosperous cities and towns would arise on
its banks, and commerce flow through the land.
One of the firmest friends of such improvements
was De Witt Clinton, who had been the chief man
in forwarding the " Clinton Canal," in New York.
He was among the first to advocate the feasibility
of a canal connecting Lake Erie and the Ohio
River, and, by the success of the New York canals,
did much to bring it about. Popular writers of the
day all urged the scheme, so that when the Assem-
bly met, early in December, 1821, the resolution,
offered by 5licajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati,

1£

130

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

for the appointment of a committee of five mem-
bers to take into consideration so much of the
Governor's message as related to canals, and see if
some feasible plan could not be adopted whereby a
beginning could be made, was (juiekly adopted.

The report of the committee, advising a survey
and examination of routes, met with the approval
of the Assembly, and commissioners were ap-
pointed who were to employ an engineer, examine
the country and report on the practicability of a
canal between the lakes and the rivers. The com-
missioners employed James Geddes, of Onondaga
County, N. Y., as an engineer. He arrived in
Columbus in June, 1822, and, before eight months,
the corps of engineers, under his direction, had
examined one route. During the next two sum-
mers, the examinations continued. A number of
routes were examined and surveyed, and one, from
Cleveland on the lake, to Portsmouth on the Ohio,
was recommended. Another canal, from Cincin-
nati to Dayton, on the Miami, was determined on,
and preparations to commence work made. A
Board of Canal Fund Commissioners was created,
money was borrowed, and the morning of July
4, 1825, the first shovelful of earth was dug near
Newark, with imposing ceremonies, in the presence
of De Witt Clinton, Governor of New York, and
a mighty concourse of people assembled to witness
the auspicious event.

Gov. Clinton was escorted all over the State to
aid in developing the energy everywhere apparent.
The events were important ones in the history of
the State, and, though they led to the creation of
a vast debt, yet, in the end, the canals were a
benefit.

The main canal — the Ohio and Erie Canal —
was not completed till 1882. The Maumee Canal,
from Dayton to Cincinnati, was finished in 1834.
They cost the State about $(i,()0((,000. Each of
the main canals had branches leading to important
towns, where their construction could be made
without too much expense. The Miami and Mau-
mee Canal, from Cincinnati northward along the
Miami River to Piqua, thence to the Maumee
and on to the lake, was the largest canal made,
and, for many years, was one of the most important
in the State. It joined the Wabash Canal on the
eastern boundary of Indiana, and thereby saved
the construction of many miles by joining this
great canal from Toledo to Evansville.

The largest artificial lake in the world, it is said,
was built to supply water to the Miami Canal. It
exists yet, though the canal is not much used. It

is in the eastern part of Mercer County, and is
about nine miles long by from two to four wide.
Tt was formed by raising two walls of earth from
ten to thirty feet high, called respectively the east
and west embankments ; the first of which is about
two miles in length ; the second, about four. These
walls, with the elevation of the ground to the
north and south, formed a huge basin, to retain
the water. The reservoir was commenced in 1837,
and finished in 1845, at an expense of several
hundred thousand dollars. When first built, dur-
ing the accumulation of water, much malarial
disease prevailed in the surrounding country, owing
to the stagnant condition of the water. The citi-
zens, enraged at what they considered an innova-
tion of their rights, met, and, during a dark night,
tore out a portion of the lower wall, letting the
water flow out. The damage cost thousands of
dollars to repair. All who participated in the
proceedings were liable to a severe imprisonment,
but the state of feeling was such, in Mercer County,
where the offense was committed, that no jury
could be found that would try them, and the afi"air
gradually died out.

The canals, so efficacious in their day, were,
however, superseded by the railroads rapidly find-
ing their way into the West. From England,
where they were early used in the collieries, the
transition to America was easy.

The first railroad in the United States was built
in the summer of 182(3, from the granite quarry
belonging to the Bunker Hill Monument Associa-
tion to the wharf landing, three miles distant. The
road was a slight decline from the quarry to
the wharf, hence the loaded cars were pro
pelled by their own gravity. On their return,
when empty, they were drawn up by a single
horse. Other roads, or tramways, quickly followed
this. They were built at the Pennsylvania coal
mines, in South Carolina, at New Orleans, and at
Baltimore. Steam motive power was used in 1831
or 1832, first in America on the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad, and in Charlestown, on a railroad there.

To transfer these highways to the West was the
question of but a few years' time. The prairies of
Illinois and Indiana offered superior inducements
to such enterprises, and, early in 1835, they began
to be agitated there. In 1838, the first rail was
laid in Illinois, at Meredosia, a little town on the
lUinois River, on what is now the Wabash Railway.

"The first railroad made in Ohio," writes Caleb
Atwater, in his "History of Ohio," in 1838, "was
finished in 1836 by the people of Toledo, a town

HISTORY OF OHIO.

131

some two years old then, situated near the mouth
of Maumee River. The road extends westward in-
to Michigan and is some thirty miles in length.
There is a road about to be made from Cincinnati
to kSpringfield. This road follows the Ohio River
up to the Little Miami River, and there turns
northwardly up its valley to Xenia, and, passing
the Yellow Sjjrings, reaches Springfield. Its length
must be about ninety miles. The State will own
one-half of the road, individuals and the city of
Cincinnati the other half. This road will, no
doubt, be extended to Lake Erie, at Sandusky
City, within a few short years."

" There is a railroad." continues Mr. Atwater,
"about to be made from Painesville to the Ohio
River. There are many charters for other roads,
which will never be made."

Mr. Atwater notes also, the various turnpikes as
well as the famous National road from Baltimore
westward, then completed only to the mountains.
This latter did as much as any enterprise ever en-
acted in building up and populating the West.
It gave a national thoroughfare, which, for many
years, was the principal wagon-way from the At-
lantic to the Mississippi Valley.

The railroad to which Mr. Atwater refers as
about to be built from Cincinnati to Springfield,
was what was known as the Mad River Railroad.
It is commonly conceded to be the first one built
in Ohio.* Its history shows that it was chartered
March II, 1836, that work began in 1837; that
it was completed and opened for business from
Cincinnati to Milford, in December, 1842; to Xe-
nia, in August, 1845, and to Springfield, in Au-
gust, 1846. It was laid with strap rails until
about 1848, when the present form of rail was
adopted.

One of the earliest roads in Ohio was what was
known as the Sandusky, M ansfield & Newark Rail-
road. It was chartered at first as the Monroeville
& Sandusky City Railroad, March 9, 1835. March
12, 1836, the Mansfield & New Haven road was
chartered; the Columbus & Lake Erie, March 12,

1845, and the Huron & Oxford, February 27,

1846. At first it ran only from Sandusky to
Monroeville, then from Mansfield to Huron. These

* Hon. E D. Mansfield states, in 1873, that the " first actual piece
of railroad laid in Ohio, was made on the Cincinnati & Sandusky
Railroad; hut, about the same time we have the Little Miami Rail-
road, which was surveyed in 1836 and 1837. If this, the generally
accepted opinion, is correct, then Mr. Atwater's statement as given,
is wrong. His history is, however, generally conceded to be correct.
Written in 1838, he surely ought to know whereof he was writing,
as the railroads were then only in construction ; but few, if any,
in operation.

two were connected and consolidated, and then ex-
tended to Newark, and finally, by connections, to
Columbus.

It is unnecessary to follow closely the history of
these improvements through the years succeeding
their introduction. At first the State owned a
share in nearly all railroads and canals, but finally
finding itself in debt about $15,000,000 for such
improvements, and learning by its own and neigh-
bors' experiences, that such policy was detrimental
to the best interests of the people, abandoned the
plan, and allowed private parties entire control of
all such works. After the close of the Mexican
war, and the return to solid values in 1 854 or there-
abouts, the increase of railroads in all parts of Ohio,
as well as all parts of the West, was simply marvel-
ous. At this date there are more than ten thou-
sand miles of railroads in Ohio, alongside of which
stretch innumerable lines of telegraph, a system of
swift messages invented by Prof. Morse, and adopted
in the United States about 1851.

About the time railroad building began to as-
sume a tangible shape, in 1840, occurred the cele-
brated political campaign known in history as the
" Hard Cider Campaign." The gradual encroach-
ments of the slave power in the West, its arrogant
attitude in the Congress of the United States and
in several State legislatures : its forcible seizure of
slaves in the free States, and the enactment and
attempted enforcement of the "fugitive slave" law
all tended to awaken in the minds of the Northern
people an antagonism, terminating only in the late
war and the abolishment of that hideous system in
the United States.

The " Whig Party" strenuously urged the
abridgment or confinement of slavery in the
Southern States, and in the contest the party took
a most active part, and elected William Henry
Harrison President of the United States. As he
had been one of the foremost leaders in the war of
1812, a resident of Ohio, and one of its most pop-
ular citizens, a log cabin and a barrel of cider were
adopted as his exponents of popular opinion, as
expressive of the rule of the common people repre-
sented in the cabin and cider, in turn representing
their primitive and simple habits of life. Though
a rugged man when elected, he lived but thirty
days after his inauguration, dying April 9, 1841.
John Tyler, the Vice President, succeeded him in
the oSice.

The building of railroads ; the extension of com-
merce ; the settlement of all parts of the State ;
its growth in commerce, education, religion and

I [a,

132

HISTOKY OF OHia

population, are the chief events from 1841 to the
jNIexicau war. Hard times occurred about as often
as they do now, preceded by " flush" times, when
speculation ran rife, the people all infatuated with

an insane idea that something could be had for
nothing. The bubble burst as often as inflated,
ruining many people, but seemingly teaching few

lessons.

CHAPTER XII.

MEXICAN WAR— CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE STATE— WAR OF THE REBELLION— OHIO'S

PART IN THE CONFLICT.

THE Mexican War grew out of the question of
the annexation of Texas, then a province of
Mexico, whose territory extended to the Indian
Territory on the north, and on up to the Oregon
Territory on the Pacific Coast. Texas had been
settled largely by Americans, who saw the condi-
tion of affairs that would inevitably ensue did the
country remain under Mexican rule. They first
took steps to secede from Mexico, and then asked
the aid of America to sustain them, and annex the
country to itself.

The Whig party and many others opposed this,
chiefly on the grounds of the extension of slave
territory. But to no avail. The war came on,
Mexico was conquered, the war lasting from April
20, 184G, to May 30, 1848. Fifty thousand vol-
unteers were called for the war by the Congress,
and $10,000,000 placed at the disposal of the
President, James K. Polk, to sustain the army and
prosecute the war.

The part that Ohio took in the war may be
briefly summed up as follows : She had five vol-
unteer regiments, five companies in the Fifteenth
Infimtry, and several independent companies, with
her full proportion among the regulars. When
war was declared, it was something of a crusade to
many ; full of romance to others ; hence, many
more were offered than could be received. It was
a campaign of romance to some, yet one of reality,
ending in death, to many.

When the first call for troops came, the First,
Second and Third Regiments of infantry responded
at once. Alexander Mitchell was made Colonel of
the First; John D. Wellerits Lieutenant Colonel ;

and Giddings, of Dayton, its Major. Thomas

Hanna, one of the ablest lawyers in Ohio, started
with the First as its Major, but, before the regi-
ment left the State, he was made a Brigadier
General of Volunteers, and, at the battle of Mon-
terey, distinguished himself; and there contracted

disease and laid down his life. The regiment's
Colonel, who had been wounded at Monterey, came
home, removed to Minnesota, and there died.
Lieut. Col. Weller went to California after the
close of the war. He was a representative from
that State in the halls of Congress, and, at last,
died in New Orleans.

The Second Regiment was commanded by Col.
George W. Morgan, now of Mount Vernon ; Lieut.
Col. William Irwin, of Lancaster, and Maj. Will-
iam Wall. After the war closed, Irwin settled in
Texas, and remained there till he died.. Wall lived
out his days in Ohio. The regiment was never in
active field service, but was a credit to the State.

The officers of the Third Regiment were. Col.
Samuel Curtis; Lieut. Col. G. W. McCook and
Maj. John Love. The first two are now dead ;
the Major lives in Connellsville.

At the close of the first year of the war, these
regiments (First, Second and Third) were mustered
out of service, as their term of enlistment had
expired.

When the second year of the war began, the
call for more troops on the part of the Government
induced the Second Ohio Infantry to re-organize,
and again enter the service. William Irwin, of the
former organization, was chosen Colonel; William
Latham, of Columbus, Lieutenant Colonel, and

Link, of Circleville, Major. All of them

are now dead.

The regular army was increased by eight Ohio
regiments of infantry, the Third Dragoons, and
the Voltigeurs — light-armed soldiers. In the Fif-
teenth Regiment of the United States Army, there
were five Ohio companies. The others were three
from Michigan, and two from Wisconsin. Col.
Morgan, of the old Second, was made Colonel of
the Fifteenth, and John Howard, of Detroit, an
old artillery officer in the regular army. Lieutenant
Colonel. Samuel Wood, a captain in the Sixth

s^ C

:f-

HISTORY OF OHIO.

133

United States Infantry, was made Major ; but was

afterward succeeded by iMill, of Vermont.

The Fifteenth was in a number of skirmishes at first,
and later in the battles of Coutreras, Cherubusco
and Chapultepec. At the battle of Cherubusco,
the Colonel was severely wounded, and Maj. Mill,
with several officers, and a large number of men,
killed. For gallant service at Contreras, Col. Mor-
gan, though only twenty-seven years old, was made
a Brevet Brigadier Greneral in the United States
Army. Since the war he has delivered a number
of addresses in Ohio, on the campaigns in Mex-
ico.

The survivors of the war are now few. Though
seventy-five thousand men from the United States
went into that conflict, less than ten thousand now
survive. They are now veterans, and as such de-
light to recount their reminiscences on the fields of
Mexico. They are all in the decline of life, and
ere a generation passes away, few, if any, will be
left.

After the war, the continual growth of Ohio,
the change in all its relations, necessitated a new
organic law. The Constitution of 1852 was the
result. It re-affirmed the political principles of
the "ordinance of 1787 " and the Constitution of
1802, and made a few changes necessitated by the
advance made in the interim. It created the
office of Lieutenant Grovernor, fixing the term of
service at two years. This Constitution yet stands
notwithstanding the prolonged attempt in 1873-7-1
to create a new one. It is now the organic law of
Ohio.

From this time on to the opening of the late war,
the prosperity of the State received no check.
Towns and cities grew ; railroads multiplied ; com-
merce was extended ; the vacant lands were rapidly
filled by settlers, and everything tending to the
advancement of the people was well prosecuted.
Banks, after much tribulation, had become in a
measure somewhat secure, their only and serious
drawback being their isolation or the confinement
of their circulation to their immediate localities.
But signs of a mighty contest were apparent. A
contest almost without a parallel in the annals of
history ; a contest between freedom and slavery ;
between wrong and right ; a contest that could
only end in defeat to the wrong. The Republican
party came into existence at the close of President
Pierce's term, in 1855. Its object then was, prin-
cipally, the restriction of the slave power ; ultimately
its extinction. One of the chief exponents and sup-
porters of this growing party in Ohio, was Salmon P.

Chase ; one who never faltered nor lost faith ; and
who was at the helm of State ; in the halls of Con
gress ; chief of one the most important bureaus of
the Government, and, finally, Chief Justice of the
United States. When war came, after the election
of Abraham Lincoln by the Republican party, Ohio
was one of the first to answer to the call for troops.
Mr. Chase, while Governor, had re-organized the
militia on a sensible basis, and rescued it from the
ignominy into which it had fallen. When Mr.
Lincoln asked for vseventy-five thousand men,
Ohio's quota was thirteen regiments. The various
chaotic regiments and militia troops in the State
did not exceed 1,500 men. The call was issued
April 15, 1861 ; by the 18th, two regiments were
organized in Columbus, whither these companies
had gathered ; before sunrise of the 1 9th the Jirst
and second regiments wei'e on their way to Wash-
ington City. The President had only asked for
thirteen regiments; thirti/ were gathering; the
Government, not yet fully comprehending the
nature of the rebelHon, refused the surplus troops,
but Gov. Dennison was authorized to put ten
additional regiments in the field, as a defensive
measure, and was also authorized to act on the
defensive as well as on the offensive. The immense
extent of southern border made this necessary,
as all the loyal people in West Virginia and Ken-
tucky asked for help.

In the limits of this history, it is impossible to
trace all the steps Ohio took in the war. One of
her most talented sons, now at the head of one of
the greatest newspapers of the world, says, regard-
ing the action of the people and their Legislature :

" In one part of the nation there existed a grad-
ual growth of sentiment against the Union, ending
in open hostility against its integrity and its Con-
stitutional law ; on the other side stood a resolute,
and determined people, though divided in minor
matters, firmly united on the question of national
supremacy. The people of Ohio stood squarely
on this side. Before this her people had been di-
vided up to the hour when —

"'That fierce and sudden flash across the rugged black-
ness broke,

And, with a voice that shook the land, the guns of Sum-
ter spoke;

*********

And whereso'er the summons came, there rose the

angry din.
As when, upon a rocky coast, a stormy tide sets in.'

" All waverings then ceased among the people
and in the Ohio Legislature. The Union must be

*^,

134

HISTORY OF OHIO.

preserved. The white heat of patriotism and fe-
alty to the flag that had been victorious in three
wars, and had never met but temporary defeat
then melted all parties, and dissolved all hesitation,
and, April 18, 18G1, by a unanimous vote of
ninety-nine Representatives in its favor, there was
passed a bill appropriating $500,000 to carry into
effect the requisition of the President, to protect
the National Government, of which sum $450,000
were to purchase arms and equipments for the
troops required by that requisition as the quota of
Ohio, and $50,000 as an extraordinary contingent
fund for the Governor. The commissioners of the
State Sinking Fund were authorized, by the same
bill, to borrow this money, on the 6 per cent bonds
of the State, and to issue for the same certificates,
freeing such bonds from taxation. Then followed
other such legislation that declared the property of
volunteers free from execution for debt during
their term of service; that declared any resident
of the State, who gave aid and comfort to the
enemies of the Union, guilty of treason against
the State, to be punished by imprisonment at hard
labor for life; and, as it had become already evi-
dent that thousands of militia, beyond Ohio's
quota of the President's call, would volunteer, the
Legislature, adopting the sagacious suggestion of
Gov. Dennison, resolved that all excess of volunteers
should be retained and paid for service, under
direction of the Governor. Thereupon a bill
was passed, authorizing the acceptance of volunteers
to form ten regiments, and providing $500,000
for their arms and equipments, and $1,500,000
more to be disbursed for troops in case of an in-
vasion of the State. Then other legislation was
enacted, looking to and providing against the ship-
ment from or through the State of arms or mu-
nitions of war, to States either assuming to be
neutral or in open rebellion; organizing the whole
body of the State militia; providing suitable offi-
cers for duty on the staff of the Governor ; re-
quiring contracts for subsistence of volunteers to
be let to the lowest bidder, and authorizing the
appointment of additional general officers.

" Before the adjournment of that Legislature,
the Speaker of the House had resigned to take
command of one of the regiments then about to
start for Washington City ; two leading Senators
had been appointed Brigadier Generals, and many,
in fact nearly all, of the other members of both
houses had, in one capacity or another, entered the
military service. It was the first war legislature
ever elected in Ohio, and, under sudden pressure,

nobly met the first shock, and enacted the first
measures of law for war. Laboring under difficul-
ties inseparable from a condition so unexpected,
and in the performance of duties so novel, it may
be historically stated that for patriotism, zeal and
ability, the Ohio Legislature of 1861 was the
equal of any of its successors ; while in that exu-
berance of patriotism which obliterated party lines
and united all in a common effort to meet the
threatened integrity of the United States as a
nation, it surpassed them both.

" The war was fought, the slave power forever
destroyed, and under additional amendments to her
organic law, the LTnited States wiped the stain of
human slavery from her escutcheon, liberating over
four million human beings, nineteen-twentieths of
whom were native-born residents.

"When Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court
House, Ohio had two hundred regiments of all
arms in the National service. In the course of
the war, she had furnished two hundred and thirty
regiments, besides twenty -six independent batteries
of artillery, five independent companies of cavalry,
several companies of sharpshooters, large parts of
five regiments credited to the West Virginia con-
tingent, two regiments credited to the Kentucky
contingent, two transferred to the United States
colored troops, and a large proportion of the rank
and file of the Fifty-fourth and Sixty-fifth Massa-
chusetts Regiments, also colored men. Of these or-
ganizations, twenty-three were infantry regiments
furnished on the first call of the President, an ex-
cess of nearly one-half over the State's quota ; one
hundred and ninety-one were infantry regiments,
furnished on subsequent calls of the President —
one hundred and seventeen for three years, twenty-
seven for one year, two for six months, two for
three months, and forty-two for one hundred days.
Thirteen were cavalry, and three artillery for three
years. Of these three-years troops, over twenty
thousand re-enlisted, as veterans, at the end of
their long term of service, to fight till the war
would end."

As original members of these organizations, Ohio
furnished to the National service the magnificent
army of 310,654 actual soldiers, omitting from
the above number all those who paid commuta-
tion money, veteran enlistments, and citizens who
enlisted as soldiers or sailors in other States. The
count is made from the reports of the Provost
Marshal General to the War Department. Penn-
sylvania gave not quite 28,000 more, while Illinois
fell 48,000 behind; Indiana, 116,000 less;

t::^i^^M/i^

±.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

137

Kentucky, 235,000, and Massachusetts, 164,000.
Thus Ohio more than maintained, in the National
army, the rank among her sisters which her popu-
lation supported. Ohio furnished more troops than
the President ever required of her ; and at the
end of the war, with more than a thousand men in
the camp of the State who were never mustered
into the service, she still had a credit on the rolls
of the War Department for 4,332 soldiers, beyond
the aggregate of all quotas ever assigned to her;
and, besides all these, 6,479 citizens had, in lieu of
personal service, paid the commutation ; while In-
diana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York
were all from five to one hundred thousand behind
their quotas. So ably, through all those years of
trial and death, did she keep the promise of the
memorable dispatch from her first war Governor :
" If Kentucky refuses to fill her quota, Ohio will
fill it for her."

"Of these troops 11,237 were killed or mor-
tally wounded in action, and of these 6,563 were
left dead on the field of battle. They fought on
well-nigh every battle-field of the war. Within
forty-eight hours after the first call was made for
troops, two regiments were on the way to Wash-
ington. An Ohio brigade covered the retreat from
the first battle of Bull Run. Ohio troops" formed
the bulk of army that saved to the Union the
territory afterward erected into West Virginia ;
the bulk of the army that kept Kentucky from
seceding ; a large part of the army that captured
Fort Donelson and Island No. 10 ; a great part of
the army that from Stone River and Chickamauga,
and Mission Ridge and Atlanta, swept to the sea
and captured Fort McAllister, and north through
the Carolinas to Virginia."

When Sherman started on his famous march to
the sea, someone said to President Lincoln, "T hey
will never get through ; they will all be captured,
and the Union will be lost." " It is impossible,"
replied the President ; "it cannot be done. There
is a mighty sight of fight in one hundred thou-
sand Western menP

Ohio troopsfought at Pea Ridge. They charged
at Wagner. They helped redeem North Carolina.
They were in the sieges of Vicksburg, Charleston,
Mobile and Richmond. At Pittsburg Landing,
at Antietam, Gettysburg and Corinth, in the
Wilderness, at Five Forks, before Nashville and
Appomattox Court House; "their bones, reposing
on the fields they won and in the graves they fill, are
a perpetual pledge that no flag shall ever wave over
their graves but that flag they died to maintain."

Ohio's soil gave birth to, or furnished, a Grant,
a Sherman, a Sheridan, a McPherson, a Rosecrans,
a McClellan, a McDowell, a Mitchell, a Gilmore, a
Hazen, a Sill, a Stanley, a Steadman, and others — all
but one, children of the country, reared at West Point
for such emergencies. Ohio's war record shows
one General, one Lieutenant General, twenty Major
Generals, twenty seven Brevet Major Generals, and
thirty Brigadier Generals, and one hundred and
fifty Brevet Brigadier Generals. Her three war
Governors were William Dennison, David Todd, and
John Brough. She furnished, at the same time,
one Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, and
one Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase.
Her Senators were Benjamin F. Wade and John
Sherman. At least three out of five of Ohio's
able-bodied men stood in the line of battle. On
the head stone of one of these soldiers, who gave
his life for the country, and who now lies in a
National Cemetery, is inscribed these words :

" We charge the living to preserve that Constitution we
have died to defend."

The close of the war and return of peace brought
a period of fictitious values on the country, occa-
sioned by the immense amount of currency afloat.
Property rose to unheard-of values, and everything
with it. Ere long, however, the decline came, and
with it " hard times." The climax broke-over the
country in 1873, and for awhile it seemed as if
the country was on the verge of ruin. People
found again, as preceding generations had found,
that real value was the only basis of true prosper-
ity, and gradually began to work to the fact. The
Government established the specie basis by
gradual means, and on the 1st day of January,
1879, began to redeem its outstanding obligations
in coin. The efi'ect was felt everywhere. Busi-
ness of all kinds sprang anew into life. A feeling
of confidence grew as the times went on, and now,
on the threshold of the year 1880, the State is en-
tering on an era of steadfast prosperity ; one which
has a sure and certain foundation.

Nearly four years have elaped since the great
Centennial Exhibition was held in Philadelphia;
an exhibition that brought from every State in the
Union the best products of her soil, factories, and
all industries. In that exhibit Ohio made an ex-
cellent display. Her stone, iron, coal, cereals,
woods and everything pertaining to her welflire were
all represented. Ohio, occupying the middle ground
of the Union, was expected to show to foreign na-
tions what the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio

138

HISTORY or OHIO.

could produce. The State nobly stood the test
and ranked foremost among all others. Her cen-
tennial building was among the first completed
and among the neatest and best on the grounds.
During the summer, the Centennial Commission
extended invitations to the Grovernors of the several
States to appoint an orator and name a day for his

delivery of an address on the history, progress and
resources of his State. Gov. Hayes named the
Hon. Edward J). Mansfield for this purpose, and
August 9th, that gentleman delivered an addri'ss
so valuable for the matter which it contains, that
we here give a synopsis of it.

CHAPTER XIII.

OHIO IN THE CENTENNIAL— ADDRESS OF EDWARD D. MANSFIELD, LL. D., PHILADELPHIA,

AUGUST 9, 1870.

ONE hundred years ago, the whole territory,
from the Alleghany to the Rocky Mountains
was a wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and
Indians. The Jesuit and Moravian missionaries
were the only white men who had penetrated the
wilderness or beheld its mighty lakes and rivers.
While the thirteen old colonies were declaring
their independence, the thirteen new States, which
now lie in the western interior, had no existence,
and gave no sign of the future. The solitude of
nature was unbroken by the steps of civilization.
The wisest statesman had not contemplated the
probability of the coming States, and the boldest
patriot did not dream that this interior wilderness
should soon contain a greater population than the
thirteen old States, with all the added growth of
one hundred years.

Ten years after that, the old States had ceded
their Western lands to the Greneral Government,
and the Congress of the United States had passed
the ordinance of 1785, for the survey of the pub-
lic territory, and, in lT87,the celebrated ordinance
which organized the Northwestern Territory, and
dedicated it to freedom and intelligence.

Fifteen years after that, and more than a quarter
of a century after the Declaration of Independ-
ence, the State of Ohio was admitted into the
Union, being the seventeenth which accepted the
Constitution of the United States. It has since
grown up to be great, populous and prosperous
under the influence of those ordinances. At her
admittance, in 1803, the tide of emigration had
begun to flow over the AUeghanies into the Valley
of the Mississippi, and, although no steamboat, no
railroad then existed, nor even a stage coach helped
the immigrant, yet the wooden " ark " on the
Ohio, and the heavy wagon, slowly winding over

the mountains, bore these tens of thousands to the
wilds of Kentucky and the plains of Ohio. In
the spring of 1788 — the first year of settlement —
four thousand five hundred persons passed the
mouth of the Muskingum in three months, and
the tide continued to pour on for half a century in
a widening stream, mingled with all the races of
Europe and America, until now, in the hundredth
year of America's independence, the five States of the
Northwestern Territory, in the wilderness of 1776,
contain ten millions of people, enjoying all the
blessings which peace and prosperity, freedom and
Christianity, can confer upon any people. Of these
five States, born under the ordinance of 1787, Ohio
is the first, oldest, and, in many things, the greatest.
In some things it is the greatest State in the Union.
Let us, then, attempt, in the briefest terms, to
draw an outline portrait of this great and remark-
able commonwealth.

Let us observe its physical aspects. Ohio is
just one-sixth part of the Northwestern Territory
— 40,000 square miles. It lies between Lake Erie
and the Ohio River, having 200 miles of navigable
waters, on one side flowing into the Atlantic Ocean,
and on the other into the Gulf of Mexico. Through
the lakes, its vessels touch on 6,000 miles of
interior coast, and, through the Mississippi, on
36,000 miles of river coast; so that a citizen of
Ohio may pursue his navigation through 42,000
miles, all in his own country, and all within naviga-
ble reach of his own State. He who has circumnavi-
gated the globe, has gone but little more than
half the distance which the citizen of Ohio finds
within his natural reach in this vast interior.

Looking upon the surface of this State, we find
no mountains, no barren sands, no marshy wastes,
no lava-covered plains, but one broad, compact

HISTOKY or OHIO.

139

body of arable land, intersected with rivers and
streams and running waters, wliile the beautiful
Ohio flows tranquilly by its side. More than three
times the surface of Belgium, and one-third of the
whole of Italy, it has more natural resources in
proportion than either, and is capable of ultimately
supporting a larger population than any equal sur-
face in Europe. Looking from this great arable
surface, where upon the very hills the grass and
the forest trees now grow exuberant and abundant,
we find that underneath this surface, and easily
accessible, lie 10,000 square miles of coal, and
4,000 square miles of iron — coal and iron enough
to supply the basis of manufacture for a world !
All this vast deposit of metal and fuel does not in-
terrupt or take from that arable surface at all.
There you may find in one place the same machine
bringing up coal and salt water from below, while
the wheat and the corn grow upon the surface
above. The immense masses of coal, iron, salt and
freestone deposited below have not in any way
diminished the fertility and production of the soil.

It has been said by some writer that the char-
acter of a people is shaped or modified by the
character of the country in which they live. If
the people of Switzerland have acquired a certain
air of liberty and independence from the rugged
mountains around which they live; if the people
of Southern Italy, or beautiful France, have ac-
quired a tone of ease and politeness from their
mild and genial clime, so the people of Ohio,
placed amidst such a wealth of nature, in the tem-
perate zone, should show the best fruits of peace-
ful industry and the best culture of Christian
civilization. Have they done so? Have their
own labor and arts and culture come up to the ad-
vantages of their natural situation? Let us exam-
ine this growth and their product.

The first settlement of Ohio was made by a
colony from New England, at the mouth of the
Muskingum. It was literally a remnant of the
officers of the Revolution. Of this colony no
praise of the historian can be as competent, or as
strong, as the language of Washington. He says,
in answer to inquiries addressed to him: "No col-
ony in America was ever settled under such favor-
able auspices as that which has just commenced at
the Muskingum. Information, prosperity and
strength will be its characteristics. I know many
of the settlers personally, and there never were
men better calculated to promote the welfare of
such a community;" and he adds that if he were
a young man, he knows no country in which he

would sooner settle than in this Western region."
This colony, left alone for a time, made its own
government and nailed its laws to a tree in the vil-
lage, an early indication of that law-abiding and
peaceful spirit which has since made Ohio a just
and well-ordered community. The subsequent
settlements on the Miami and Scioto were made by
citizens of New Jersey and Virginia, and it is cer-
tainly remarkable that among all the early immi-
gration, there were no ignorant people. In the
language of Washington, they came with " infor-
mation," ({ualified to promote the welfare of the
community.

Soon after the settlement on the Muskingum
and the Miami, the great wave of migration
flowed on to the plains and valleys of Ohio and Ken-
tucky. Kentucky had been settled earlier, but the
main body of emigrants in subsequent years
went into Ohio, influenced partly by the great
ordinance of 1787, securing freedom and schools
forever, and partly by the greater security of
titles under the survey and guarantee of the
United States Grovernment. Soon the new State
grew up, with a rapidity which, until then, was
unknown in the history of civilization. On the
Muskingum, where the buffalo had roamed; on
the Scioto, where the Shawanees had built theu*
towns ; on the Miami, where the great chiefs of
the Miamis had reigned ; on the plains of San-
dusky, yet red with the blood of the white man ;
on the Maumee, white Wayne, by the victory of
the " Fallen Timbers," had broken the power of
the Indian confederacy — the emigrants from the
old States and from Europe came in to cultivate
the fields, to build up towns, and to rear the insti-
tutions of Christian civilization, until the single
State of Ohio is greater in numbers, wealth, and
education, than was the whole American I'nion
when the Declaration of Independence was made.

Let us now look at the statistics of this growth
and magnitude, as they are exiiibited in the cen-
sus of the United States. Taking intervals of
twenty years, Ohio had : In 1810, 45,365 ; in
1880, 937,903 ; in 1850, 1,980,329 ; in 1870,
2,665,260. Add to this the increase of population
in the last six years, and Ohio now has, in round
numbers, 3,000,000 of people — half a million
more than the thirteen States in 1776 ; and
her cities and towns have to-day six times the
population of all the cities of America one hund-
red years ago. This State is now the third in
numbers and wealth, and the first in some of
those institutions which mark the progress of

>>-

140

HISTORY OF OHIO.

mankind. That a small part of the wilderness of
1776 should be more populous than the whole
Union was then, and that it should have made a
social and moral advance greater than that of any
nation in the same time, must be regarded as one
of the most startling and instructive facts which
attend this year of commemoration. If such has
been the social growth of Ohio, let us look at its
physical development ; this is best expressed by the
aggregate productions of the labor and arts of a
people applied to the earth. In the census statistics
of the United States these are expressed in the
aggregate results of agriculture, mining, manufact-
ures, and commerce. Let us simplify these statis-
tics, by comparing the aggregate and ratios as
between several States, and between Ohio and some
countries of Europe.

The aggregate amount of grain and potatoes —
farinaceous food, produced in Ohio in 1870 was
134,938,413 bushels, and in 1874, there were 157,-
323,597 bushels, being the largest aggregate
amount raised in any State but one, Illinois, and
larger per square mile than Illinois or any other
State in the country. The promises of nature
were thus vindicated by the labor of man ; and
the industry of Ohio has fulfilled its whole duty
to the sustenance of the country and the world.
She has raised more grain than ten of the old
States together, and more than half raised by
Great Britain or by France. I have not the
recent statistics of Europe, but McGregor, in his
statistics of nations for 1832 — a period of pro-
found peace — gives the following ratios for the
leading countries of Europe : Great Britain, area
120,324 miles; amount of grain, 262,500,000
bushels; rate per square mile, 2,190 to 1;
Austria — area 258,603 miles ; amount of grain,
366,800,000 bushels ; rate per square mile, 1 ,422 to
1; France — area 215,858 miles ; amount of grain,
233,847,300 bushels ; rate per square mile, 1,080
to 1. The State of Ohio — area per square miles,
40,000 ; amount of grain, 150,000,000 bushels ;
rate per sfjuare mile, 3,750. Combining the great
countries of Great Britain, Austria, and France,
we find that they had 594,785 square miles and
produced 863,147,300 bushels of grain, which was, at
the time these .statistics were taken, 1 ,450 bushels per
square mile, and ten bushels to each one of the
population. Ohio, on the other hand, had 3,750
bushels per square mile, and fifty bushels to each
one of the population ; that is, there was five
times as much grain raised in Ohio, in proportion
to the people, as in these great countries of Europe.

As letters make words, and words express ideas, so
these dry figures of statistics express facts, and
these facts make the whole history of civilization.

Let us now look at the statistics of domestic
animals. These are always indicative of the state
of society in regard to the physical comforts. The
horse must furnish domestic conveyances ; the
cattle must furnish the products of the dairy, as
well as meat, and the sheep must furnish wool.

Let us see how Ohio compares with other States
and with Europe : In 1870, Ohio had 8,818,000
domestic animals ; Illinois, 6,925,000 ; New York,
5,283,000; Pennsylvania, 4,493,000; and other
States less. Tlie proportion to population in these
States was, in Ohio, to each person, 3.3 ; Illinois,
2.7; New York, 1.2; Pennsylvania, 1.2.

Let us now see the proportion of domestic ani-
mals in Europe. The results given by McGregor's
statistics are : In Great Britain, to each j^erson,
2.44; Russia, 2.00; France, 1.50 ; Prussia, 1.02;
Austria, 1.00. It will be seen that the proportion
in Great Britain is only two-thirds that of Ohio ;
in France, only one-half; and in Austria and
Prussia only one-third. It may be said that, in
the course of civilization, the number of animals
diminishes as the density of population increases ;
and, therefore, this result might have been ex-
pected in the old countries of Europe. But this
does not apply to Russia or Germany, still less to
other States in this country. Russia in Europe
has not more than half the density of population
now in Ohio. Austria and Prussia have less than
150 to the square mile. The whole of the north
of Europe has not so dense a population as the
State of Ohio, still less have the States of Illinois
and Missouri, west of Ohio. Then, therefore,
Ohio showing a larger proportion of domestic ani-
mals than the north of Europe, or States west of
her, with a population not so dense, we see at once
there must be other causes to produce such a
phenomenon.

Looking to some of the incidental results of this
vast agricultural production, we see that the United
States exports to Europe immense amounts of
grain and provisions ; and that there is manufact-
ured in this country an immense amount of woolen
goods. Then, taking these statistics of the raw
material, we find that Ohio produces one-fifth of
all the wool ; one-seventh of all the cheese ; one-
eighth of all the corn, and one-tenth of all the
wheat ; and yet Ohio has but a fourteenth part of
the population, and one-eightieth part of the sur-
face of this country.

■~e)

HISTORY OF OHIO.

141

Let us take another — a commercial view of this
matter. We have seen that Ohio raises five times
as much grain per square mile as is raised per
square mile in the empires of Great Britain, France
and Austria, taken together. After making allow-
ance for the diiferences of living, in the working
classes of this country, at least two-thirds of the
food and grain of Ohio are a surplus beyond the
necessities of life, and, therefore, so much in the
commercial balance of exports. This corresponds
with the fact, that, in the shape of grain, meat,
li(|uors and dairy products, this vast surplus is con-
stantly moved to the Atlantic States and to Europe.
The money value of this exported product is equal
to $ I 00,000,000 per annum, and to a solid capital
of $1,500,000,000, after all the sustenance of the
people has been taken out of the annual crop.

We are speaking of agriculture alone. We are
speaking of a State which began its career more
than a quarter of a century after the Declaration
of Independence was made. And now, it may be
asked, what is the real cause of this extraordinary
result, which, without saying anything invidious of
other States, we may safely say has never been
surpassed in any country? We have already
stated two of the advantages possessed by Ohio.
The first is that it is a compact, unbroken body of
antble land, surrounded and intersected by water-
courses, equal to all the demands of commerce and
navigation. Next, that it was secured forever to
freedom and intelligence by the ordinance of 1787.
The intelligence of its future people was secured
by immense grants of public lands for the purpose
of education ; btit neither the blessings of nature,
nor the wisdom of laws, could obtain such results
without the continuous labor of an intelligent
people. Such it had, and we have only to take
the testimony of Washington, already quoted, and
the statistical results I have given, to prove that
no people has exhibited more steady industry, nor
has any people directed their labor with more in-
telligence.

After the agricultural capacity and production
of a country, its most important physical feature
is its mineral products; its capacity for coal and
iron, the two great elements of material civiliza-
tion. If we were to take away fi-om Great Britain
her capacity to produce coal in such vast quanti-
ties, we should reduce her to a third-rate position,
no longer numbered among the great nations of the
earth. Coal has smelted her iron, run her steam
engines, and is the basis of her manufactures.
But when we compare the coal fields of Great

Britain with those of this country, they are insig-
nificant. The coal fields of all Europe are small
compared with those of the central United States.
The coal district of Durham and Northumberland,
in England, is only 880 square miles. There are
other districts of smaller extent, making in the
whole probably one-half the extent of that in
Ohio._ The English coal-beds are represented as
more important, in reference to extent, on account
of their thickness. There is a small coal district
in Lancashire, where the workable coal-beds are in
all 150 feet in thickness. But this involves, as is
well known, the necessity of going to immense
depths and incurring immense expense. On the
other hand, the workable coal-beds of Ohio are
near the surface, and some of them require no ex-
cavating, except that of the horizontal lead fi-om
the mine to the river or the railroad. In one
county of Ohio there are three beds of twelve, six
and four feet each, within fifty feet of the surface.
At some of the mines having the best coal, the
lead fi-om the mines is nearly horizontal, and just
high enough to dump the coal into the railroad
cars. These coals are of all qualities, from that
adapted to the domestic fire to the very best qual-
ity for smelting or manufacturing iron. Kecollect-
ing these flicts, let us try to get an idea of the coal
district of Ohio. The bituminous coal region de-
escending the western slopes of the Alleghanies,
occupies large portions of Western Pennsylvania,
West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. I
suppose that this coal field is not less than fifty
thousand square miles, exclusive of Western Mary-
land and the southern terminations of that field in
Georgia and Alabama. Of this vast field of coal,
exceeding anything found in Europe, about one-
fifth part lies in Ohio. Prof Mather, in his
report on the geology of the State (^first Geologi-
cal Report of the State) says:

" The coal-measures within Ohio occupy a space
of about one hundi-ed and eighty miles in length by
eighty in breadth at the widest part, with an area
of about ten thousand square miles, extending
along the Ohio from Trumbull County in the north
to near the mouth of the Scioto in the south.
The regularity in the dip, and the moderate incli-
nation of the strata, aff"ord fiicilities to the mines
not known to those of most other countries, espe-
cially Great Britain, where the strata in which the
coal is imbedded have been broken and thrown out
of place since its deposit, occasioning many slips
and faults, and causing much labor and expense in
again recovering the bed. In Ohio there is very

.4^—"

i±.

142

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

little difficulty of this kind, the faults being small
and seldom found."

Now, taking into consideration these geological
facts, let us look at the extent of the Ohio coal
field. It occupies, wholly or in part, thirty-six
counties, including, geographically, 14,000 square
miles ; but leaving out fractious, and reducing the
Ohio coal field within its narrowest limits, it is
1 0,000 square miles in extent, lies near the surface,
and has on an average twenty feet thickness of work-
able coal-beds. Let us compare this with the coal
mines of Durham and Northumberland (England),
the largest and best coal mines there. That coal
district is estimated at 850 square miles, twelve
feet thick, and is calculated to contain 9,000,000^-
000 tons of coal. The coal field of Ohio is twelve
times larger and one-third thicker. Estimated by
that standard, the coal field of Ohio contains 180,-
000,000,000 tons of coal. Marketed at only $2
per ton, this coal is worth $360,000,000,000, or,
in other words, ten times as much as the whole
valuation of the United States at the present time.
But we need not undertake to estimate either its
quantity or value. It is enough to say that it is a
quantity which we can scarcely imagine, which is
tenfold that of England, and which is enough to
supply the entire continent for ages to come.

After coal, iron is beyond doubt the most val-
uable mineral product of a State. As the mate-
rial of manufacture, it is the most important.
What are called the " precious metals " are not to
be compared with it as an element of industry or
profit. But since no manufactures can be success-
fully carried on without fuel, coal becomes the first
material element of the arts. Iron is unquestion-
ably the next. Ohio has an iron district extending
from the mouth of the Scioto River to some point
north of the Mahoning River, in Trumbull County.
The whole length is nearly two hundred miles, and
the breadth twenty miles, making, as near as we can
ascertain, 4,000 square miles. The iron in this dis-
trict is of various qualities, and is manufactured
largely into bars and castings. In this iron dis-
trict are one hundred furnaces, forty-four rolling-
mills, and fifteen rail-mills, being the largest num-
ber of either in any State in the Union, except
only Pennsylvania.

Although only the seventeenth State in its admis-
sion, I find that, by the census statistics of 1870,
it is the third State in the production of iron and iron
manufactures. Already, and within the life of
one man, this State begins to show what must in
future time be the vast results of coal and iron,

applied to the arts and manufactures. In the
year 1874, there were 420,000 tons of pig iron
produced in Ohio, which is larger than the prod-
uct of any State, except Pennsylvania. The
product and the manufacture of iron in Ohio
have increased so rapidly, and the basis for
increase is so great, that we may not doubt that
Ohio will continue to be the greatest producer of
iron and iron fabrics, except only Pennsylvania.
At Cincinnati, the iron manufacture of the Ohio
Valley is concentrating, and at Cleveland the ores
of Lake Superior are being smelted.

After coal and iron, we may place salt among
the necessaries of life. In connection with the
coal region west of the Alleghanies, there lies in
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, a large
sjiace of country underlaid by the salt rock, which
already produces immense amounts of salt. Of
this, Ohio has its fidl proportion. In a large
section of the southeastern portion of the State,
salt is produced without any known limitation.
At Pomeroy and other points, the salt rock lies
about one thousand feet below the surface, but
salt water is brought easily to the surface by the
steam engine. There, the salt rock, the coal
seam, and the noble sandstone lie in successive
strata, while the green corn and the yellow wheat
bloom on the surface above. The State of Ohio
produced, in 1874, 3,500,000 bushels of salt,
being one-fifth of all produced in the United
States. The salt section of Ohio is exceeded only
by that of Syracuse, New York, and of Saginaw,
Michigan. There is no definite limit to the
underlying salt rock of Ohio, and, therefore, the
production will be proportioned only to the extent
of the demand.

Having now considered the resources and the
products of the soil and the mines of Obio, we
may properly ask how far the people have employed
their resources in the increase of art and manu-
facture. We have two modes of comparison, the
rate of increase within the State, and the ratio
they bear to other States. The aggregate value
of the products of manufacture, exclusive of
mining, in the last three censuses were: in 1850,
$62,692,000; in 1860, $121,691,000; in 1870,
$269,713,000.

The ratio of increase was over 100 per cent in
each ten years, a rate far beyond that of the in-
crease of population, and nuich beyond the ratio of
increase in the whole country. In 1850, the man-
ufactures of Ohio were one-sixteenth part of the
aggregate in the country; in 1860, one-fifteenth

HISTORY or OHIO.

143

part; in 1870, one-twelfth part. In addition to
this, we find, from the returns of Cincinnati and
Cleveland, that the value of the manufactured prod-
ucts of Ohio in 1875, must have reached $400,-
000,000, and, by reference to the census tables, it
will be seen that the ratio of increase exceeded that
of the great manufacturing States of New York,
Massachusetts and Connecticut. Of all the States
admitted into the Union prior to Ohio, Pennsylvania
alone has kept pace in the progress of manufiicture.
Some little reference to the manufacture of leading
articles may throw some light on the cause of this.
In the production of agricultural machinery and
implements, Ohio is the first State ; in animal and
vegetable oils and in pig iron, the second; in cast
iron and in tobacco, the third ; in salt, in machinery
and in leather, the fourth. These facts show how
largely the resources of coal, iron and agriculture
have entered into the manufactures of the State.
This great advance in the manufactures of Ohio,
when we consider that this State is, relatively to
its surface, the first agricultural State in the
country, leads to the inevitable inference that its
people are remarkably industrious. When, on
forty thousand square miles of surface, three mill-
ions of people raise one hundred and fifty million
bushels of grain, and produce manufactures to the
amount of $269,000,000 (which is fifty bushels
of breadstuff" to each man, woman and child, and
$133 of manufacture), it will be difficult to find
any community surpassing such results. It is a
testimony, not only to the State of Ohio, but to
the industry, sagacity and energy of the American
people.

Looking now to the commerce of the State, we
have said there are six hundred miles of , coast line,
which embraces some of the principal internal ports
of the Ohio and the lakes, such as Cincinnati, Cleve-
land, Toledo and Portsmouth, but whose commerce
is most wholly inland. Of course, no comparison
can be made with the foreign commerce of the
ocean ports. On the other hand, it is well known
that the inland trade of the country far exceeds
that of all its foreign commerce, and that the larg-
est part of this interior trade is carried on its
rivers and lakes. The materials for the vast con-
sumption of the interior must be conveyed in its
vessels, whether of sail or steam, adapted to these
waters. Let us take, then, the ship-building, the
navigation, and the exchange trades of Ohio, as
elements in determining the position of this State
in reference to the commerce of the country. At
the ports of Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky and Cin-

cinnati, there have been built one thousand sail and
steam vessels in the last twenty years, making an
average of fifty each year. The number of sail,
steam and all kinds of vessels in Ohio is eleven
hundred and ninety, which is equal to the number
in all the other States in the Ohio Valley and the
Upper Mississippi.

When we look to the navigable points to which
these vessels are destined, we find them on all this
vast coast line, which extends from the Gulf of
Mexico to the Yellowstone, and from Duluth to
the St. Lawrence.

Looking again to see the extent of this vast in-
terior trade which is handled by Ohio alone, we
find that the imports and exports of the principal
articles of Cincinnati, amount in value to $500,-
000,000; and when we look at the great trade of
Cleveland and Toledo, we shall find that the an-
nual trade of Ohio exceeds $700,000,000. The
lines of railroad which connect with its ports, are
more than four thousand miles in length, or rather
more than one mile in length to each ten square
miles of surface. This great amount of railroads is
engaged not merely in transporting to the Atlantic
and thence to Pjurope, the immense surplus grain
and meat in Ohio, but in carrying the largest part
of that greater surplus, which exists in the States
west of Ohio, the granary of the West. Ohio
holds the gateway of every railroad north of the
Ohio, from the Mississippi to the Atlantic, and
hence it is that the great transit lines of the coun-
try pass through Ohio.

Let us now turn from the progress of the arts
to the progress of ideas ; from material to intellect-
ual development. It is said that a State consists
of men, and history shows that no art or science,
wealth or power, will compensate for the want of
moral or intellectual stability in the minds of a
nation. Hence, it is admitted that the strength
and perpetuity of our republic must consist in the
intelligence and morality of the people. A re-
public can last only when the people are enlight-
ened. This was an axiom with the early legislators
of this country. Hence it was that when Vir-
ginia, Connecticut and the original colonies ceded
to the General Government that vast and then un-
known wilderness which lay west of the Allegha-
nies, in the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, they
took care that its future inhabitants should be an
educated people. The Constitution was not formed
when the celebrated ordinance of 1787 was passed.

That ordinance provided that, " Religion, mor-
ality, and knowledge being necessary to good

:>L

144

HISTORY or OHIO.

government and the happiness of mankind, schools
and the means of education shall be forever en-
couraged;" and by the ordinance of 1785 for the
survey of public lands in the Northwestern Terri-
tory, Section 16 in each township, that is, one
thirty-sixth part, was reserved for the maintenance
of public schools in said townships. As the State
of Ohio contained a little more than twenty-five
millions of acres, this, together with two special
grants of three townships to universities, amounted
to the dedication of 740,000 acres of land to the
maintenance of schools and colleges. It was a
splendid endowment, but it was many years before
it became available. It was sixteen years after the
passage of this ordinance (in 1803), when Ohio
entered the Union, and legislation upon this grant
became possible. The Constitution of the State
pursued the language of the ordinance, and de-
clared that "schools and the means of education
shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision."
The Grovernors of Ohio, in successive messages,
urged attention to this subject upon the people;
but the thinness of settlement, making it impossi-
ble, except in few districts, to collect youth in suf-
ficient numbers, and impossible to sell or lease
lands to advantage, caused the delay of efiicient
school system for many years. In 1825, however,
a general law establishing a school system, and levy-
ing a tax for its support, was passed.

This was again enlarged and increased by new
legislation in 1836 and 1846. From that time to
this, Ohio has had a broad, liberal and efficient sys-
tem of public instruction. The taxation for schools,
and the number enrolled in them at different pe-
riods, will best show what has been done. In
1855 the total taxation for school purposes was
$2,672,827. The proportion of youth of school-
able age enrolled was 67 per cent. In 1874 the
amount raised by taxation was $7,425,135. The
number enrolled of schoolable age was 70 per
cent, or 707,943.

As the schoolable age extends to twenty-one
years, and as there are very few youth in school
after fifteen years of age, it follows that the 70
per cent of schoolable youths enrolled in the pub-
lic schools must comprehend nearly the whole
number between four and fifteen years. It is im-
portant to observe this fact, because it has been
inferred that, as the whole number of youth be-
tween five and twenty-one have not been enrolled,
therefore they are not educated. This is a
mistake; nearly all over fifteen years of age have
been in the public schools, and aU the native

youth of the State, and all foreign born, young
enough, have had the benefit of the public schools.
But in consequence of the large number who
have come from other States and from foreign
countries, there are still a few who are classed by
the census statistics among the "illiterate;" the
proportion of this class, however, is less in propor-
tion than in twenty-eight other States, and less in
proportion than in Connecticut and Massachusetts,
two of the oldest States most noted for popular
education. In fact, every youth in Ohio, under
twenty-one years of age, may have the benefit of a
public education ; and, since the system of graded
and high schools has been adopted, may obtain a
common knowledge from the alphabet to the classics.
The enumerated branches of study in the pub-
lic schools of Ohio are thirty-four, including
mathematics and astronomy, French, Grcrman and
the classics. Thus the State which was in the
heart of the wilderness in 1776, and was not a
State until the nineteenth century had begun, now
presents to the world, not merely an unrivaled de-
velopment of material prosperity, but an unsur-
passed system of popular education.

In what is called the higher education, in the
colleges and universities, embracing the classics
and sciences taught in regular classes, it is the pop-
ular idea, and one which few dare to question, that
we must look to the Eastern States for superiority
and excellence ; but that also is becoming an as-
sumption without proof; a proposition difficult to
sustain. The facts in regard to the education of
universities and colleges, their faculties, students
and course of instruction, are all set forth in the
complete statistics of the Bureau of Education for
1874. They show that the State of Ohio had the
largest number of such institutions; the largest
number of instructors in their faculties, except one
State, New York ; and the largest number of stu-
dents in regular college classes, in proportion to
their population, except the two States of Connect-
icut and Massachusetts. Perhaps, if we look at
the statistics of classical students in the colleges,
disregarding preparatory and irregular courses, we
shall get a more accurate idea of the progress of
the higher education in those States which claim
the best. In Ohio, 36 colleges, 258 teachers,
2,139 students, proportion, 1 in 124; in Penn-
sylvania, 27 colleges, 239 teachers, 2,359 students,
proportion, 1 in 150; in New York, 26 colleges,
343 teachers, 2,764 students, proportion, 1 in 176;
in the six NewEngland States, 17 colleges, 252 teach-
ers, 3,341 students, proportion, 1 in 105; in Illi-

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

145

nois, 24 colleges, 219 teachers, 1,701 students,
proportion, 1 in 140.

This shows there are more collegiate institutions
in Ohio than in all New England ; a greater num-
ber of college teachers, and only a little smaller ratio
of students to the population ; a greater number of
such students than either in New York or Pennsyl-
vania, and, as a broad, general fact, Ohio has made
more progress in education than either of the old
States which formed the American Union. Such
a fact is a higher testimony to the strength and the
beneficent influence of the American Government
than any which the statistician or the historian
can advance.

Let us now turn to the moral aspects of the
people of Ohio. No human society is found with-
out its poor and dependent classes, whether made
so by the defects of nature, by acts of Providence,
or by the accidents of fortune. Since no society
is exempt from these classes, it must be judged
not so much by the fact of their existence, as by
the manner in which it treats them. In the civil-
ized nations of anti(|uity, such as Greece and
Rome, hospitals, infirmaries, orphan homes, and
asylums for the infirm, were unknown. These
are the creations of Christianity, and that must be
esteemed practically the most Christian State which
most practices this Christian beneficence. In Ohio,
;is in all the States of this country, and of all
Christian countries, there is a large number of the
infirm and dependent classes; but, although Ohio
is the third State in population, she is only the
fourteenth in the proportion of dependent classes.
The more important point, however, was, how does
she treat them? Is there wanting any of all
the varied institutions of benevolence? How does
she compare with other States and countries in
this respect? It is believed that no State or coun-
try can present a larger proportion of all these
institutions which the benevolence of the wise and
good have suggested for the alleviation of suffer-
ing and misfijrtune, than the State of Ohio. With
3,500 of the insane within her borders, she has
five great lunatic asylums, capable of accommodat-
ing them all. She has asylums for the deaf and
dumb, the idiotic, and the blind. She has the
best hospitals in the country. She has schools
of reform and houses of refuge. She has " homes "
for the boys and girls, to the number of 800, who
are children of soldiers. She has penitentiaries
and jails, orphan asylums and infirmaries. In
every county there is an infirmary, and in every
public institution, except the penitentiary, there is a

school. So that the State has used every human
means to relieve the sufiering, to instruct the igno-
rant, and to reform the criminal. There are in
the State 80,000 who come under all the various
forms of the infirm, the poor, the sick and the
criminal, who, in a greater or less degree, make
the dependent class. For these the State has
made every provision which humanity or justice
or intelligence can require. A young State, de-
veloped in the wilderness, she challenges, without
any invidious comparison, both Europe and Amer-
ica, to show her superior in the development of
humanity manifested in the benefaction of public
institutions.

Intimately connected with public morals and
with charitable institutions, is the religion of a
people. The people of the United States are a
Christian people. The people of Ohio have man-
ifested their zeal by the erection of churches, of
Sunday schools, and of religious institutions. So
far as these are outwardly manifested, they are
made known by the social statistics of the census.
The number of church organizations in the leading
States were : In the State of Ohio, 6,488 ; in
the State of New York, 5,627 : in the State of
Pennsylvania, 5,984 ; in the State of lUinois, 4,298.
It thus appears that Ohio had a larger number
of churches than any State of the Union. The
number of sittings, however, was not quite as
large as those in New York and Pennsylvania.
The denominations are of all the sects known in
this country, about thirty in number, the majority
of the whole being Methodists, Presbyterians and
Baptists. Long before the American Independ-
ence, the Moravians had settled on the Mahoning
and Tuscarawas Rivers, but only to be destroyed ;
and when the peace with Great Britain was made,
not a vestige of Christianity remained on the
soil of Ohio ; yet we see that within ninety years
from that time the State of Ohio was, in the num-
ber of its churches, the first of this great Union.
In the beginning of this address, I said that
Ohio was the oldest and first of these great States,
carved out of the Northwestern Territory, and that
it was in some things the greatest State of the
American Union. I have now traced the physi-
cal, commercial, intellectual and moral features of
the State during the seventy-five years of its
constitutional history. The result is to establish
fully the propositions with which I began. These
facts have brought out :

1. That Ohio is, in reference to the square
miles of its surface, the first State in agricukure

146

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

of the American Union; this, too, notwithstand-
ing it has SOOjOUO in cities and towns, and a large
development of capital and products in manu-
factures.

2. That Ohio has raised more grain per square
mile than either France, Austria, or Great Britain.
They raised 1,450 bushels per square mile, and
10 bushels to each person. Ohio raised 3,750
bushels per S(|uare mile, and 50 bushels to each
one of the population ; or, in other words, five
times the proportion of grain raised in Europe.

3. Ohio was the first State of the Union in
the production of domestic animals, being far in
advance of either New York, Pennsylvania or Illi-
nois. The proportion of domestic animals to each
person in Ohio was three and one-third, and in
New York and Pennsylvania less than half that.
The largest proportion of domestic animals pro-
duced in Europe was in Great Britain and Russia,
neither of which come near that of Ohio.

4. The coal-field of Ohio is vastly greater than
that of Great Britain, and we need make no com-
parison with other States in regard to coal or iron ;
for the 10,000 square miles of coal, and 4,000
s((uare miles of iron in Ohio, are enough to supply
the whole American continent for ages to come.

5. Neither need we compare the results of
commerce and navigation, since, from the ports of
Cleveland and Cincinnati, the vessels of Ohio
touch on 42,000 miles of coast, and her 5,000
miles of railroad carry her products to every part
of the American continent.

0. Notwithstanding the immense proportion
and products of agriculture in Ohio, yet she has
more than kept pace with New York and New
England in the progress of manufactures during
the last twenty years. Her coal and iron are prf)-
duciiig their legitimate results in making her a
great manufacturing State.

7. Ohio is the first State in the Union as to
the proportion of youth attending school; and the
States west of the Alleghanies and north of the
Ohio have more youth in school, proportion ably,
than New England and New York. The facts on
this subject, are so extraordinary that I may be
excused for giving them a little in detail.

The proportion of youth in Ohio attending
school to the population, is 1 in 4.2 ; in Illinois, 1
in 4.3; in Pennsylvania, 1 in 4.8; in New York,
1 in 5.2 ; in Connecticut and Massachusetts, 1 in
8.7.

These proportions show that it is in the West,
and not in the East, that education is now advanc-

ing; and it is here that we see the stimulus given
by the ordinance of 1787, is working out its great
and beneficent results. The land grant for educa-
tion was a great one, but, at last, its chief effort
was in stimulating popular education ; for the State
of Ohio has taxed itself tens of millions of dollars
beyond the utmost value of the land grant, to
found. and maintain a system of public education
which the world has not surpassed.

We have seen that above and beyond all this
material and intellectual development, Ohio has
provided a vast benefaction of asylums, hospitals,
and infirmaries, and special schools for the support
and instruction of the dependent classes. There is
not within all her borders a single one of the deaf,
dumb, and blind, of the poor, sick, and insane, not
an orphan or a vagrant, who is not provided for
by the broad and generous liberality of the State
and her people. A charity which the classic ages
knew nothing of, a beneficence which the splendid
hierarchies and aristocracies of Europe cannot
equal, has been exhibited in this young State,
whose name was unknown one hundred years ago,
whose people, from Europe to the Atlantic, and
from the Atlantic to the Ohio, were, like Adam
and Eve, cast out — ^'■the world before them where
to choose y

Lastly, we see that, although the third in pop-
ulation, and the seventeenth in admission to the
Union, Ohio had, in 1870, 6,400 churches, the
largest number in any one State, and numbering
among them every form of Christian worship.
The people, whose fields were rich with grain,
whose mines were boundless in wealth, and whose
commerce extended through thousands of miles
of lakes and rivers, came here, as they came to
New England's rock-bound coast —

" With freedom to worsliip God."

The church and the schoolhouse rose beside the
green fields, and the morning bells rang forth to
cheerful children going to school, and to a Chris-
tian people going to the church of God.

Let us now look at the possibilities of Ohio in
the ftiture development of the American Repub-
lican Republic. The two most populous parts of
Europe, because the most food-producing, are the
Netherlands and Italy, or, more precisely, Belgium
and ancient Lombardy ; to the present time, their
population is, in round numbers, three hundred to
the square mile. The density of population in
England proper is about the same. We may
assume, therefore, that three hundred to the square

±:

HISTORY or OHIO.

147

mile is, in round numbers, the limit of comfortable
subsistence under modern civilization. It is true
that modern improvements in agricultural machin-
ery and fertilization have greatly increased the
capacity of production, on a given amount of
land, with a given amount of labor. It is true,
also, that the old countries of Europe do not
possess an equal amount of arable land with Ohio
in proportion to the same surface. It would seem,
therefore, that the density of population in Ohio
might exceed that of any part of Europe. On
the other hand, it may be said with truth that the
American people will not become so dense as in
Europe while they have new lands in the West
to occupy. This is true ; but lands such as those
in the valley of the Ohio are now becoming
scarce in the West, and we think that, with her
great capacity for the production of grain on one
hand, and of illimitable quantities of coal and
iron to manufacture with on the other, that Ohio
will, at no remote period, reach nearly the density
of Belgium, which will give her 10,000,000 of
people. This seems extravagant, but the tide of
migration, which flowed so fast to the West, is
beginning to ebb, while the manufactures of the
interior off"er greater inducements.

With population comes wealth, the material for
education, the development of the arts, advance
in all the material elements of civilization, and the
still grander advancements in the strength and
elevation of the human mind, conquering to itself
new realms of material and intellectual power,
acquiring in the future what we have seen in the
past, a wealth of resources unknown and undreamed
of when, a hundred years ago, the fathers of the
republic declared their independence. I know
how easy it is to treat this statement with easy
incredulity, but statistics is a certain science ; the
elements of civilization are now measured, and we
know the progress of the human race as we know

that of a cultivated plant. We know the resources
of the country, its food-producing capacity, its
art processes, its power of education, and the unde-
fined and illimitable power of the human mind
for new inventions and unimagined progress. With
this knowledge, it is not difficult nor unsafe to say
that the future will produce more, and in a far
greater ratio, than the past. The pictured scenes
of the prophets have already been more than ful-
filled, and the visions of beauty and glory, which
their imagination failed fully to describe, will be
more than realized in the bloom of that garden
which republican America will present to the
eyes of astonished mankind. Long before another
century shall have passed by, the single State of
Ohio will present fourfold the population with which
the thirteen States began their independence, more
wealth than the entire Union now has ; greater
universities than any now in the country, and a
development of arts and manufacture which the
world now knows nothing of. You have seen
more than that since the Constitution was adopted,
and what right have you to say the future shall
not equal the past ?

I have aimed, in this address, to give an exact
picture of what Ohio is, not more for the sake of
Ohio than as a representation of the products
which the American Republic has given to the
world. A State which began long after the
Declaration of Independence, in the then unknown
wilderness of North America, presents to-day
the fairest example of what a republican govern-
ment with Christian civilization can do. Look
upon this picture and upon those of Assyria,
of Greece or Rome, or of Europe in her best
estate, and say where is the civilization of the
earth which can equal this. If a Roman citizen could
say with pride, " Cwis Romanm mm,'' with far
greater pride can you say this day, "I am an
American citizen."

>» -^— — —

\^ a, r-

-^ e)

CHAPTER XIV.

EDUCATION* — EARLY SCHOOL LAWS — NOTES — INSTITUTES AND EDUCATIONAL JOURNALS-
SCHOOL SYSTEM — SCHOOL FUNDS— COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

WHEN the survey of the Northwest Terri-
tory was ordered by Cougress, March 20,
1785, it was decreed that every sixteenth section
of land should be reserved for the "maintenance
of public schools within each township." The
ordinance of 1787 — thanks to the New England
Associates — proclaimed that, " religion, morality
and knowledge being essential to good government,
schools and the means of education should forever
be encouraged." The State Constitution of 1802
declared that " schools and the means of instruc-
tion should be encouraged by legislative provision,
not inconsistent with the rights of conscience."
In 1825, through the persevering efforts of Nathan
(luilford, Senator from Hamilton County, Ephraim
Cutler, Representative from Washington County,
and other friends of education, a bill was passed,
" laying the foundation for a general system of
common schools." This bill provided a tax of one-
half mill, to be levied by the County Commis-
sioners for school purposes ; provided for school
examiners, and made Township Clerks and County
Auditors school officers. In 1829, this county
tax was raised to three-fourths of a mill ; in 1834
to one mill, and, in 1836, to one and a half mills.
In March, 1837, Samuel Lewis, of Hamilton
County,was appointed State Superintendent of Com-
mon Schools. He was a very energetic worker, trav-
eling on horseback all over the State, delivering ad-
dresses and encouraging school officers and teachers.
Through his efforts much good was done, and

* From the School Commis'iioners' Reports, principally those of
Thomas W. Harvey, A. M.

Note 1. — The first school taught in Ohio, or in the Northwestern
Territory, was iu 1791. The first teacher was Maj. Austin Tiipper,
I'ldestson of Gen. Benjamin Tupper, both Revolutionary officers.
The room occupied was the same as that in which the first Court was
held, and was situated in. the northwest block-house ot the garrison,
called the stockade, at Marietta. During the Indian war Bchool
was also taught at Fort Harmar. Point Marietta, and at other set-
tlements. A meeting was held in Marietta, April 29, 1797, to con-
sider the erection of a school building suitable for the instruction
lit the youth, and for conducting religious services. Resolutions
were adopted which led to the erection of a building called the
Muskingum Academy. The building was of frame, forty feet long
and twenty-four feet wide, and is yet(l.'i7S (standing. Thebuilding
was twelve fpet high, with an arched ceiling It stood upon a stone
foundation, three steps from the ground. There were twochimneys
and a lobby projection. There was a cellar under the whole build-
ing. It stood upon a beauti'ul lot, fronting the Muskingum River,
and about sixty feet back fioui the street. Some large trees were

many important features engraft.ed on the school
system. He resigned in 1839, when the officewas
abolished, and. its duties imposed on the Secretary
of State.

The most important adjunct in early education
in the State was the college of teachers organized
in Cincinnati in 1831. Albert Pickett, Dr. Joseph
Ray, William H. McGruffey — so largely known by
his Readers — and Milo G. Williams, were at its
head. Leading men in all parts of the West at-
tended its meetings. Their published deliberations
did much for the advancement of education among
the people. Through the efforts of the college,
the first convention held in Ohio for educational
purposes was called at Columbus, January 13,
1836. Two years after, in December, the first
convention in which the different sections of the
State were represented, was held. At both these
conventions, all the needs of the schools, both com-
mon and higher, were ably and fully discussed,
and appeals made to the people for a more cordial
support of the law. No successful attempts were
made to organize a permanent educational society
until December, 18-47, when the Ohio State Teach-
ers' Association was formed at Akron, Summit
County, with Samuel Galloway as President; T.
W. Harvey. Recording Secretary ; M. D. Leggett,
Corresponding Secretary ; William Bowen, Treas-
urer, and M. F. Cowdrey, Chairman of the Executive
Committee. This Association entered upon its
work with commendable earnestness, and has since

upon the lot and on the street in front. Across the street was an
open common, and beyond that the river. Immediately opposite
tlie door, on entering, was a broad aisle, and, at the end of the
aisle, against the wall, was a desk or pulpit. On the right and left
of the pulpit, against the wall, and fronting the pulpit, was a row
of slips. On each sideof the door, facing the pulpit, were two slips,
and, at each end of the room, one slip. These slips werchtationary,
and were fitted with desks that could be let -lown, and there were
boxes in the desks for holding books and papers. In the center of
the room was an open space, which could be filled with movable
seats. The first school was opened here in 1800." — Letter of A. T.
Nye.

Note 2. — Another evidence of the character of th»> New England
Associates is the founding of a public library as early as 1796, or
before. Another was also established at Belpre about the same time.
Abundant evidence proves the existence of these libraries, all tend-
ing to the fact that the early settlers, though conquering a wilder-
ness and a savage foe, would not allow their mental faculties to
lack for food. The cliaracter of the books shows that "solid"
reading predominated.

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:i^

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

149

never abated its zeal. Semi-annual meetings were
at first held, but, since 1858, only annual meetings
occur. They are always largely attended, and al-
ways by the best and most energetic teachers.
.The Association has given tone to the educational
interests of the State, and has done a vast amount
of good in popularizing education. In the spring
of 1851, Loriu Andrews, then Superintendent of
the Massillon school, resigned his place, and be-
came a common-school missionary. In July, the
Association, at Cleveland, made him its agent, and
instituted measures to sustain him. He remained
zealously at work in this relation until 1853, when
he resigned to accept the presidency of Kenyon
College, at Gambier. Dr. A. Lord was then chosen
general agent and resident editor of the Journal
of Education, which positions he filled two years,
with eminent ability.

The year that Dr. Lord resigned, the ex oificio
relation of the Secretary of State to the common
schools was abolished, and the office of school com-
missioner again created. H. H. Barney was
elected to the place in October, 1853. The office
has since been held by Rev. Anson Smyth, elected
in 1856, and re-elected in 1859 ; E. E. White,
appointed by the Grovernor, November 11, 1863,
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of C.
W. H. Cathcart, who was elected in 1862; John
A. Norris, in 1865; W. D. Henkle, in 1868;
Thomas W. Harvey, in 1871 ; C. S. Smart, in
1875, and the present incumbent, J. J. Burns,
elected in 1878, his term expiring in 1881.

The first teachers' institute in Northern Ohio
was held at Sandusky, in September, 18-15, con-
ducted by Salem Town, of New York, A. D. Lord
and M. F. Cowdrey. The second was held at Char-
don, Geauga Co., in November of the same year.
The first institute in the southern part of the
State was held at Cincinnati, in February, 1837;
the first in the central part at Newark, in March,
18-18. Since then these meetings of teachers have
occurred annually, and have been the means of
great good in elevating the teacher and the public
in educational interests. In 1848., on petition of
forty teachers, county commissioners were author-
ized to pay lecturers from surplus revenue, and the
next year, to appropriate $100 for institute pur-
poses, upon pledge of teachers to raise half that
amount. By the statutes of 1864, applicants for
teachers were required to pay 50 cents each as an
examination fee. One-third of the amount thus
raised was allowed the use of examiners as trav-
eling expenses, the remainder to be applied to in-

stitute instruction. For the year 1871, sixty-eight
teachers' institutes were held in the State, at which
308 instructors and lecturers were employed, and
7,158 teachers in attendance. The expense incurred
was $16,361.99, of which $10,127.13 was taken
from the institute fund; $2,730.34, was contrib-
uted by members; $680, by county commis-
sioners, and the balance, $1,371.50, was ob-
tained from other sources. The last report of the
State Commissioners — 1878 — shows that eighty-
five county institutes were held in the State, con-
tinuing in session 748 days; 416 instructors were
employed; 11,466 teachers attended; $22,531.47
were received from all sources, and that the ex-
penses were $19,587.51, or $1.71 per member.
There was a balance on hand of $9,460.74 to com-
mence the next year, just now closed, whose work
has been as progressive and thorough as any former
year. The State Association now comprises three
sections; the general association, the superintend-
ents' section and the ungraded school section. All
have done a good work, and all report progress.

The old State Constitution, adopted by a con-
vention in 1802, was supplemented in 1851 by
the present one, under which the General Assem-
bly, elected under it, met in 1852. Harvey Rice,
a Senator from Cuyahoga County, Chairman of
Senate Committee on " Common Schools and
School Lands," reported a bill the 29th of March,
to provide "for the re-organization, supervision
and maintenance of common schools." This bill,
amended in a few particulars, became a law
March 14, 1853. The prominent features of the
new law were : The substitution of a State school
tax for the county tax ; creation of the office of
the State School Commissioner; the creation of a
Township Board of Education, consisting of repre-
sentatives fi-om the subdistricts ; the abolition of
rate-bills, making education free to all the youth of
the State; the raising of a fund, by a tax of one-
tenth of a mill yearly, " for the purpose of fur-
nishing school libraries and apparatus to all the
common schools." This "library tax" was abol-
ished in 1860, otherwise the law has remained
practically unchanged.

School journals, like the popular press, have
been a potent agency in the educational history of
the State. As early as 1838, the Ohio School
Director was issued by Samuel Lewis, by legisla-
tive authority, though after six months' continu-
ance, it ceased for want of support. The same
year the Pestalozzian, by E. L. Sawtell and H.
K. Smith, of Akron, and the Common School

'i^

150

HISTOKY OF OHIO.

Advocate, of Cincinnati, were issued. In 18-46,
the School Journal began to be published by A.

D. Lord, of Kirtland. The same year saw the
Free School Clarion, by W. Bowen, of Massillon,
and the School Friend, by W. B. Smith & Co.,
of Cincinnati. The next year, W. H. Moore &
Co., of Cincinnati, started the Western School
Journal. In 1851, the Ohio Teacher, by
Thomas Rainey, ajDpeared; the JVews and Edu-
cator, in 1863, and the Educational Times, in
1866. In 1850, Dr. Lord's Journal of Educa-
tion was united with the School Friend, and
became the recognized organ of the teachers in
Oliio. The Doctor remained its principal editor
until 1856, when he was succeeded by Anson
Smyth, who edited the journal one year. In 1857,
it was edited by John D. Caldwell ; in 1858 and
and 1859, by W. T. Coggeshall; in 1860, by Anson
Smyth again, when it passed into the hands of

E. E. White, who yet controls it. It has an
immense circulation among Ohio teachers, and,
though competed by other journals, since started,
it maintains its place.

The school system of the State may be briefly
explained as follows: Cities and incorporated vil-
lages are independent of township and county con-
trol, in the management of schools, having boards
of education and examiners of their own. Some
of them are organized for school purposes, under
special acts. Each township has a board of edu-
cation, composed of one member from each sub-
district. The township clerk is clerk of this board,
but has no vote. Each subdistrict has a local
board of trustees, which manages its school affairs,
subject to the advice and control of the township
board. These officers are elected on the first
Monday in April, and hold their offices three
years. An enumeration of all the youth between
the ages of five and twenty-one is made yearly.
All public schools are required to be in session at
least twenty-four weeks each year. The township
clerk reports annually such facts concerning school
affairs as the law requires, to the county auditor,
who in turn reports to the State Commissioner,
who collects these reports in a general report to
the Legislature each year.

A board of examiners is appointed in each
county by the Probate Judge. This board has
power to grant certificates for a term not exceed-
ing two years, and good only in the county in
which they are executed ; they may be revoked on
sufficient cause. In 1864, a State Board of
J]xaminers was created, with power to issue life cer-

tificates, valid in all parts of the State. Since
then, up to January 1, 1879, there have been 188
of these issued. They are considered an excellent
test of scholarship and ability, and are very credit-
able to the holder.

The school funds, in 1865, amounted to $3,271,-
275.66. They were the proceeds of appropriations
of land by Congress for school purposes, upon
which the State pays an annual interest of 6 per
cent. The funds are known as the Virginia Mili-
tary School Fund, the proceeds of eighteen quar-
ter-townships and three sections of land, selected
by lot from lands lying in the United States
Military Reserve, appropriated for the use of
schools in the Virginia Military Reservation ; the
United States Military School Fund, the proceeds
of one thirty-sixth part of the land in the United
States Military District, appropriated "for the use
of schools within the same;" the Western Reserve
School Fund, the proceeds from fourteen quarter-
townships, situated in the United States JMilitary
District, and 37,758 acres, most of which was lo-
cated in Defiance, Williams, Paulding, Van Wert
and Putnam Counties, appropriated for the use of
the schools in the Western Reserve; Section
16, the proceeds from the sixteenth section of
each township in that part of the State in which
the Indian title was not extinguished in 1803; the
Moravian School Fund, the proceeds from one
thirty-sixth part of each of three tracts of
4,000 acres situated in Tuscarawas County, orig-
inally granted by Congress to the Society of United
Brethren, and reconveyed by this Society to the
United States in 1834. The income of these funds
is not distributed by any uniform rule, owing to
defects in the granting of the funds. The territo-
rial divisions designated receive the income in
proportion to the whole number of youth therein,
while in the remainder of the State, the rent of
Section 16, or the interest on the proceeds
arising from its sale, is paid to the inhabitants of
the originally surveyed townships. In these terri-
torial divisions, an increase or decrease of popula-
tion must necessarily increase or diminish the
amount each youth is entitled to receive; and the
fortunate location or judicious sale of the sixteenth
section may entitle one township to receive a large
sum, while an adjacent township receives a mere
pittance. This inequality of benefit may be good
for localities, but it is certainly a detriment to the
State at large. There seems to be no legal remedy
for it. In addition to the income from the before-
mentioned ftinds, a variable revenue is received

HISTORY OF OHIO.

151

from certain fines and licenses paid to either county
or township treasurers for the use of schools;
from the sale of swamp lands ($25,720.07 allotted
to the State in 1850), and from personal property
escheated to the State.

Aside from the funds, a State school tax is fixed
by statute. Local taxes vary with the needs of
localities, are limited by law, and are contingent
on the liberality and public spirit of diiFerent com-
munities.

The State contains more than twenty colleges
and universities, more than the same number of
female seminaries, and about thirty normal schools
and academies. The amount of property invested
in these ife more than $6,000,000. The Miami
University is the oldest college in the State.

In addition to the regular colleges, the State
controls the Ohio State University, formerly the
Agricultural and Mechanical College, established
from the proceeds of the land scrip voted by Con-
gress to Ohio for such purposes. The amount
realized from the sale was nearly $500,000. This
is to constitute a permanent fund, the interest only
to be used. In addition, the sum of $300,000
was voted by the citizens of Franklin County, in
consideration of the location of the college in that
county. Of this sum $111,000 was paid for three
hundred and fifteen acres of land near the city of
Columbus, and $112,000 for a college building,

the balance being expended as circumstances re-
quired, for additional buildings, laboratory, appa-
ratus, etc. Thorough instruction is given in all
branches relating to agriculture and the mechanical
arts. Already excellent results are attained.

By the provisions of the act of March 14, 1853,
township boards are made bodies politic and cor-
porate in law, and are invested with the title, care
and custody of all school property belonging to
the school district or township. They have control
of the central or high schools of their townships ;
prescribe rules for the district schools ; may appoint
one of their number manager of the schools of the
township, and allow him reasonable pay for his
services ; determine the text-books to be used ; fix
the boundaries of districts and locate schoolhouse
sites ; make estimates of the amount of money re-
quired ; apportion the money among the districts,
and are recjuired to make an annual report to the
County Auditor, who incorporates the same in his
report to the State Commissioner, by whom it
reaches the Legislature.

Local directors control the subdistricts. They
enumerate the children of school age, employ and
dismiss teachers, make contracts for building and
furnishing schoolhouses, and make all necessary
provision for the convenience of the district schools.
Practically, the entire management rests with
them.

CHAPTER XV.

" Oft did the harvest to their sickles yield,

Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke ;

How jocund did they drive their teams afield !

How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke."

THE majority of the readers of these pages are
farmers, hence a resume of agriculture in the
State, would not only be appropriate, but valuable
as a matter of history. It is the true basis of
national prosperity, and, therefore, justly occupies
a foremost place.

In the year 1800, the Territory of Ohio con-
tained a population of 45,365 inhabitants, or a
little more than one person to the square mile. At

AGRICULTURE— AREA OF THE STATE— EARLY AGRICULTURE IN THE WEST— MARKETS— LIVE

STOCK — NURSERIES, FRUITS, ETC. — CEREALS — ROOT AND CUCURBITACEOUS

CROPS— AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS— AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES—

POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

this date, the admission of the Territory into the
Union as a State began to be agitated. When the
census was made to ascertain the legality of the
act, in conformity to the '-Compact of 1787," no
endeavor was made to asceitain additional statis-
tics, as now ; hence, the cultivated land was not
returned, and no account remains to tell how
much existed. In 1805, three years after the ad-
mission of the State into the Union, 7,252,856
acres had been purchased from the General Gov-
ernment. Still no returns of the cultivated lands
were made. In 1810, the population of Ohiowa.s
230,760, and the land purchased from the Gov-

'.£.

152

HISTORY OF OHIO.

ernment amounted to 9,933,150 acres, of which
amount, however, 3,569,314 acres, or more than
one-third, was held by non-residents. Of the lands
occupied by resident land-owners, there appear to
have been 100,968 acres of first-rate, 1,929,600
of second, and 1,538,745 acres of third rate lands.
At this period there were very few exports ft"om
the farm, loom or shop. The people still needed
all they produced to sustain themselves, and were
yet in that pioneer period where they were obliged
to produce all they wanted, and yet were opening
new farms, and bringing the old ones to a productive
state.

Kentucky, and the country on the Monongahela,
lying along the western slopes of the Alleghany
Mountains, having been much longer settled, had
begun, as early as 1795, to send considerable quan-
tities of flour, whisky, bacon and tobacco to the
lower towns on the Mississippi, at that time in the
possession of the Spaniards. At the French set-
tlements on the Illinois, and at Detroit, were
being raised much more than could be used, and
these were exporting also large quantities of these
materials, as well as peltries and such commodities
as their nomadic lives furnished. As the Missis-
sippi was the natural outlet of the West, any at-
tempt to impede its free navigation by the various
powers at times controlling its outlet, would lead
at once to violent outbreaks among the Western
settlers, some of whom were aided by unscrupulous
persons, who thought to form an independent
Western country. Providence seems to have had
a watchful eye over all these events, and to have
so guided them that the attempts with such objects
in view, invariably ended in disgrace to their per-
petrators. This outlet to the West was thought
to be the only one that could carry their produce to
market, for none of the Westerners then dreamed
of the immense system of railways now covering
that part of the Union. As soon as ship-building
commenced at Marietta, in the year 1800, the
farmers along the borders of the Ohio and Musk-
ingum Rivers turned their attention to the culti-
vation of hemp, in addition to their other crops. In a
few years sufficient was raised, not only to furnish
cordage to the ships in the West, but large quan-
tities were worked up in the various rope-walks
and sent to the Atlantic cities. Iron had been
discovered, and forges on the Juniata were busy
converting that necessary and valued material into
implements of industry.

By the year 1805, two ships, seven brigs and
three schooners had been built and rigged by the

citizens of Marietta. Their construction gave a
fresh impetus to agriculture, as by means of them
the surplus products could be carried away to a
foreign market, where, if it did not bring money,
it could be exchanged for merchandise equally
valuable. Captain David Devoll was one of the
earliest of Ohio's shipwrights. He settled on the
fertile Muskingum bottom, about five miles above
Marietta, soon after the Indian war. Here he
built a "floating mill," for making flour, and, in
1801, a ship of two hundred and fifty tons, called
the Muskingum, and the brig Eliza Greene, of one
hundred and fifty tons. In 1804, he built a
schooner on his own account, and in the spring
of the next year, it was finished and loaded for a
voyage down the Mississippi. It was small, only of
seventy tons burden, of a light draft, and intended
to run on the lakes east of New Orleans. In
shape and model, it fully sustained its name, Nonpa-
reil. Its complement of sails, small at first, was
completed when it arrived in New Orleans. It
had a large cabin to accommodate passengers, was
well and finely painted, and sat gracefully on the
water. Its load was of assorted articles, and shows
very well the nature of exports of the day. It con-
sisted of two hundred barrels of flour, fifty barrels of
kiln-dried corn meal, four thousand pounds of
cheese, six thousand of bacon, one hundred sets
of rum puncheon shooks, and a few grindstones.
The flour and meal were made at Captain Devoll's
floating mill, and the cheese made in Belpre, at that
date one of Ohio's most flourishing agricultural dis-
tricts. The Captain and others carried on boating as
well as the circumstances'of the days permitted, fear-
ing only the hostility of the Indians, and the duty
the Spaniards were liable to levy on boats going
down to New Orleans, even if they did not take
it into their erratic heads to stop the entire navi-
gation of the great river by vessels other than
their own. By such means, merchandise was car-
ried on almost entirely until the construction of
canals, and even then, until modern times, the
flat-boat was the main-stay of the shipper inhabit-
ing the country adjoining the upper Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers.

Commonly, very little stock was kept beyond
what was necessary for the use of the fiimily and
to perform the labor on the farm. The Scioto
Valley was perhaps the only exception in Ohio to
. this general condition. Horses were brought by the
emigrants from the East and were characteristic
of that region. In the French settlements in Illi-
nois and about Detroit, French ponies, marvels of

^wl%

— ^^^ c:^^<t<,-&'^

ii:

HISTORY OF OHIO.

155

endurance, were, chiefly used. They were impractic-
able in hauhng the immense emigrant wagons over
the mountains, and hence were comparatively
unknown in Ohio. Until 1828, draft liorses
were chiefly used here, the best strains being
brought by the -'Tunkers," "Mennouites," and
'' Ormish," — three religious sects, whose members
were invariably agriculturists. In Stark, Wayne,
Holmes, and Kichlaud Counties, as a general thing,
they congregated in communities, where the neat-
ness of their farms, the excellent condition of
their stock, and the primitive simplicity of their
UKumers, made them conspicuous.

In 1S28, the French began to settle in Stark
Ciiunty, where they introduced the stock of horses
known as '• Selim," "Florizel,"' '•Fo.stBoy" and
'Timolen." These, crossed upon the descents of
the Norman and Conestoga, produced an excellent
stock of farm horses, now largely used.

In the Western Reserve, blooded horses were in-
troduced as early as 1825. John I. Van Meter
brought fine horses into the Scioto Valley in 1815,
or thereabouts. Soon after, fine horses were
brought to Steuben ville from ^^irginia and Penn-
sylvania. In Northern Oliio the stock was more
miscellaneous, until the introduction of improved
breeds from 1815 to 1835. By the latter date
the strains of horses had greatly improved. The
same could be said of other parts of the State.
Until after 1825, only farm and road horses were
re(juired. That year a race-course — the first in
the State — was established in Cincinnati, shortly
followed by others at Chillicothe, Dayton and Ham-
ilton. From that date the race-horse steadily im-
proved. Until 1838, however, all race-courses
were rather irregular, and, of those named, it is
difficult to determine which one lias priority of
date over the others. To Cincinnati, the prece-
dence is, however, generally given. In 1838, the
Buckeye Course was established in Cincinnati, and
before a year had elapsed, it is stated, there were
fifteen regular race-courses in Ohio. The effect
of these courses was to greatly stimulate the stock
of racers, and rather detract from draft and road
horses. The organization of companies to import
blooded horses has again revived the interest in
this class, and now, at annual stock sales, these
strains of horses are eagerly sought after by those
having occa.sion to use them.

Cattle were brought over the mountains, and,
for several years, were kept entirely for domestic
uses. By 1805, the country had so far settled
that the surplus stock was fattened on corn and

fodder, and a drove was driven to Baltimore. The
drove was owned by Greorge lienick, of Chillicothe,
and the feat was looked upon as one of great im-
portance. The drove arrived in Baltimore in ex-
cellent condition. The impetus given by this
movement of Mr. Renick stimulated greatly the
feeding of cattle, and led to the improvement of
the breed, heretofore only of an ordinary kind.

Until the advent of railroads and the shipment
of cattle thereon, the number of cattle driven to
eastern markets from Ohio alone, was estimated at
over fifteen thousand annually, whose value was
placed at $600,000. Besides this, large numbers
were driven from Indiana and Illinois, whose
boundless prairies gave free scope to the herding of
cattle. Improved breeds, '-Short Horns," '-Long
Horns" and others, were introduced into Ohio ;,s
early as 1810 and 1815. Since then the stock
has been gradually improved and acclimated, until
now Ohio produces as fine cattle as any State in
the Union. In some localities, especially in the
Western Reserve, cheesemaking and dairy interests
are the chief occupations of whole neighborhoods,
where may be found men who have grown wealthy
in this business.

Sheep were kept by almost every family, in pio-
neer times, in order to be supplied with wool for
clothing. The wool was carded by hand, spun in
the cabin, and frequently dyed and woven as well
as shaped into garments there, too. All emigrants
brought the best household and fiirming imple-
ments their limited means would allow, so also did
they bring the best strains of horses, cattle and
sheep they could obtain. About the year 1809,
Mr. Thomas Rotch, a Quaker, emigrated to Stark
County, and brought with him a small flock of
Merino sheep. They were good, and a part of
them were from the original flock brought over
from Spain, in 1801, by Col. Humphrey, United
States IMinister to that country. He had brought
200 of these sheep, and hoped, in time, to see
every part of the United States stocked with Me-
rinos. In this he partially succeeded only, owing
to the prejudice against them. In 1816, IMessrs.
Wells & Dickenson, who were, for the day, exten-
sive woolen manufacturers in Steubenville, drove
their fine flocks out on the Stark County Plains
for the summer, and brought them back for the
winter. This course was pursued for several years,
until farms were prepared, when they were per-
manently kept in Stark County. This flock was
originally derived from the Humphrey importation.
The failure of Wells & Dickenson, in 1824, placed

156

HISTORY OF OHIO.

a good portion of this flock in the hands of Adam
Hildebrand, and became the basis of his celebrated
flock. Mr. T. S. Humrickhouse, of Coshocton,
in a communication regarding sheep, writes as fol-
lows :

" The first merinos brought t6 Ohio were doubt-
less by Seth Adams, of Zanesville. They were
Humphrey's Merinos — undoubtedly the best ever
imported into the United States, by whatever
name called. He kept them part of the time in
Washington, and afterward in Muskingum County.
He had a sort of partnership agency from Gen.
Humphrey for keeping and selling them. They
were scattered, and, had they been taken care of
and appreciated, would have laid a better found-
ation of flocks in Ohio than any sheep brought
into it from that time till 1852. The precise date
at which Adams brought them cannot now be as-
certained ; but it was prior to 1813, perhaps as
early as 1804."

"The first Southdowns," continues Mr. Hum-
rickhouse," " New Leicester, Lincolnshire and Cots-
wold sheep I ever saw, were brought into Coshocton
County from England by Isaac Maynard, nephew
of the famous Sir John, in 1834. There were
about ten Southdowns and a trio of each of the
other kinds. He was ofiered $500 for his Lin-
colnshire ram, in Bufl^alo, as he passed through,
but refused. He was selfish, and unwilling to put
them into other hands when he went on a farm,
all in the woods, and, in about three years, most of
them had perished."

The raising and improvement of sheep has kept
steady tread with the growth of the State, and
now Ohio wool is known the world over. In quan-
tity it is e(|ual to any State in America, while its
quality is unequaled.

The first stock of hogs brought to Ohio were
rather poor, scrawny creatures, and, in a short
time, when left to themselves to pick a livelihood
from the beech mast and other nuts in the woods,
degenerated into a wild condition, almost akin to
their originators. As the country settled, however,
they were gathered from their lairs, and, by feed-
ing them corn, the farmers soon brought them out
of their semi-barbarous state. Improved breeds
were introduced. The laws for their protection
and guarding were made, and now the hog of to-
day shows what improvement and civilization can
do for any wild animal. The chief city of the
State has become famous as a slaughtering place;
her bacon and sides being known in all the civil-
ized world.

Other domestic animals, mules, asses, etc., have
been brought to the State as occasion required.
Wherever their use has been demanded, they have
been obtained, until the State has her complement
of all animals her citizens can use in their daily
labors.

Most of the early emigrants brought with them
young fruit trees or gi'afts of some favorite variety
from the " old homestead." Hence, on the West-
ern Reserve are to be found chiefly — especially in
old orchards — New England varieties, while, in the
localities immediately south of the Reserve, Penn-
sylvania and Maryland varieties predominate ; but
at Marietta, New England fruits are again found,
as well as throughout Southeastern Ohio. One of
the oldest of these orchards was on a Mr. Dana's
farm, near Cincinnati, on the Ohio River bank. It
consisted of five acres, in which apple seeds and
seedlings were planted as early as 1790. Part of
the old orchard is yet to be seen, though the trees
are almost past their usefulness. Peaches, pears,
cherries and apples were planted by all the pioneers
in their gardens. As soon as the seed produced
seedlings, these were transpfanted to some hillside,
and the orchard, in a few years, was a productive
unit in the life of the settler. The first fruit
brought, was, like everything else of the pioneers,
rather inferior, and admitted of much cultivation.
Soon steps were taken by the more enterprising
settlers to obtain better varieties. Israel Putnam,
as early as 1796, returned to the East, partly to
get cions of the choicest apples, and, partly, on
other business. He obtained quite a quantity of
choice apples, of some forty or fifty varieties, and
set them out. A portion of them were distrib-
uted to the settlers who had trees, to ingraft.
From these old grafts are yet to be traced some of
the best orchards in Ohio. Israel Putnam was one
of the most prominent men in early Ohio days.
He was always active in promoting the interests of
the settlers. Among his earliest eff"orts, that of
improving the fruit may well be mentioned. He
and his brother, Aaron W. Putnam, living at Bel-
pre, opposite Blennerhasset's Island, began the
nursery business soon after their arrival in the
West. The apples brought by them from their
Connecticut home were used to commence the busi-
ness. These, and the apples obtained from trees
planted in their gardens, gave them a beginning.
They were the only two men in Ohio engaged in
the business till 1817.

In early times, in the central part of Ohio,
there existed a curious character known as "Johnny

HISTORY OF OHIO.

157

Appleseed." His real name was John Chapman.
He received his name from his habit of planting,
along all the streams in that part of the State,
apple-seeds from which sprang many of the old
orchards. He did this as a religious duty, think-
ing it to be his especial mission. He had, it is
said, been disappointed in his youth in a love
affair, and' came West about 1800, and ever after
followed his singular life. He was extensively
known, was quite harmless, very patient, and did,
without doubt, much good. He died in 1847, at
the house of a Mr. Worth, near Fort Wayne,
Indiana, who had long known him, and often
befriended him. He was a minister in the Swed-
enborgian Church, and, in his own way, a zealous
worker.

The settlers of the Western Reserve, coming
from New England, chiefly from Connecticut,
brought all varieties of fruit known in their old
homes. These, whether seeds or grafts, were
planted in gardens, and as soon as an orchard
could be cleared on some favorable hillside, the
young trees were transplanted there, and in time
an orchard was the result. Much confusion
regarding the kinds of fruits thus produced arose,
partly from the fact that the trees grown from
seeds did not always prove to be of the same qual-
ity as the seeds. Climate, soil and surroundings
often change the character of such fruits.
Many new varieties, unknown to the growers,
were the result. The fruit thus produced was
often of an inferior growth, and when grafts were
brought from the old New England home and
grafted into the Ohio trees, an improvement as
well as the old home fruit was the result. After
the orchards in the Reserve began to bear, the
fruit was very often taken to the Ohio River for
shipment, and thence found its way to the South-
ern and Eastern seaboard cities.

Among the individuals prominent in introducing
fruits into the State, were Mr. Dille, of Euclid, Judge
Fuller, Judge Whittlesey, and Mr. Lindley.
George Hoadly was also very prominent and ener-
getic in the matter, and was, perhaps, the first to
introduce the pear to any extent. He was one of
the most persistent and enthusiastic amateurs in
horticulture and pomology in the West. About
the year 1810, Dr. Jared Kirtland, father of
Prof J. P. Kirtland, so well known among
horticulturists and pomologists, came from Con-
necticut and settled in Portland, Mahoning
County, with his family. This family has done
more than any other in the State, perhaps, to

advance fruit culture. About the year 1824,
Prof J. P. Kirtland, in connection with his brother,
established a nursery at Poland, then in Trumbull
County, and brought on from New England above
a hundred of their best varieties of apples, cherries,
peaches, pears, and smaller fruits, and a year or
two after brought from New Jersey a hundred of
the best varieties of that State ; others were ob-
tained in New York, so that they possessed the larg-
est and most varied stock in the Western country.
These two men gave a great impetus to fruit cult-
ure in the West, and did more than any others
of that day to introduce improved kinds of all
fruits in that part of the United States.

Another prominent man in this branch of mdus-
try was Mr. Andrew H. Ernst, of Cincinnati.
Although not so early a settler as the Kirtlands,
he was, like them, an ardent student and propa-
gator of fine fi-uits. He introduced more than
six hundred varieties of apples and seven hun-
dred of pears, both native and foreign. His
object was to test by actual experience the most
valuable sorts for the diversified soil and climate
of the Western country.

The name of Nicholas Longworth, also of Cin-
cinnati, is one of the most extensively known of any
in the science of horticulture and pomology. For
more than fifty years he made these his especial
delight. Having a large tract of land in the
lower part of Cincinnati, he established nurseries,
and planted and disseminated every variety of
fruits that could be found in the United States —
East or West — making occasional importations
from European countries of such varieties as
were thought to be adapted to the Western climate.
His success has been variable, governed by the
season, and in a measure by his numerous experi-
ments. His vineyards, cultivated by tenants, gen-
erally Grermans, on the European plan, during the
latter years of his experience paid him a hand-
some revenue. He introduced the fiimous Catawba
grape, the standard grape of the West. It is
stated that Mr. Longworth bears the same relation
to vineyard culture that Fulton did to steam navi-
gation. Others made earlier effort, but he was the
first to establish it on a permanent basis. He has
also been eminently successful in the cultivation of
the strawberry, and was the first to firmly establish
it on Western soil. He also brought the Ohio Ever-
bearing Raspberry into notice in the State, and
widely disseminated it throughout the country.

Other smaller fruits were brought out to the
West like those mentioned. In some cases fruits

V?'

158

HISTORY OF OHIO.

indigenous to the soil were cultivated and improved,
and as improved fruits, are known favorably where-
ever used.

In chronology and importance, of all the cereals,
corn stands foremost. During the early pioneer
period, it was the staple article of food for both
man and beast. It could be made into a variety
of forms of food, and as such was not only palata-
ble but highly nutritious and strengthening.

It is very difficult to determine whether corn
originated in America or in the Old World. Many
prominent botanists assert it is a native of Turkey,
and originally was known as " Turkey wheat." Still
others claimed to have found mention of maize in
Chinese writings antedating the Turkish discovery.
Grains of maize were found in an Egyptian mum-
my, which goes to prove to many the cereal was
known in Africa since the earliest times. Maize
was found in America when first visited by white
men, but of its origin Indians could give no ac-
count. It had always been known among them,
and constituted their chief article of vegetable diet.
It was cultivated exclusively by their squaws, the
men considering it beneath their dignity to engage
in any manual labor. It is altogether probable corn
was known in the Old World long before the New
was discovered. The Arabs or Crusaders probably
introduced it into Europe. How it was introduced
into America will, in all probability, remain un-
known. It may have been an indigenous plant,
like many others. Its introduction into Ohio dates
with the settlement of the whites, especially its
cultivation and use as an article of trade. True,
the Indians had cultivated it in small ({uantities ;
each lodge a little for itself, but no effort to make
of it a national support began until the civilization
of the white race became established. From that
time on, the increase in crops has grown with the
State, and, excepting the great corn States of the
West, Ohio produces an amount equal to any State
in the Union. The statistical tables printed in
agricultural reports show the acres planted, and
bushels grown. Figures speak an unanswerable
logic.

Wheat is probably the next in importance of the
cereals in the State. Its origin, like corn, is lost
in the mists of antiquity. Its berry was no doubt
used as food by the ancients for ages anterior to
any historical records. It is often called corn in
old writings, and under that name is frequently
mentioned in the Bible.

"As far back in the vistas of ages as human
records go, we find that wheat has been cultivated.

and, with corn, aside from animal food, has formed
one of the chief alimentary articles of all nations ;
but as the wheat plant has nowhere been found wild,
or in a state of nature, the inference has been
drawn by men of unquestioned scientific ability,
that the original plant from which wheat has been
derived was either totally annihilated, or else cul-
tivation has wrought so great a change, that the
original is by no means obvious, or manifest to bot-
anists."

It is supposed by many, wheat originated in
Persia. Others affirm it was known and cultivated
in Egypt long ere it found its way into Persia. It
was certainly grown on the Nile ages ago, and
among the tombs are found grains of wheat hi a
perfectly sound condition, that unquestionably
have been buried thousands of years. It may be,
however, that wheat was grown in Persia first, and
thence found its way into Egypt and Afi-ica, or,
vice versa. It grew first in Egypt and Africa and
thence crossed into Persia, and from there found
its way into India and all parts of Asia.

It is also claimed that wheat is indigenous to
the island of Sicily, and that from there it spread
along the shores of the Mediterranean into Asia
Minor and Egypt, and, as communities advanced,
it was cultivated, not only to a greater extent, but
with greater success.

The goddess of agriculture, more especially of
grains, who, by the Grreeks, was called Demeter,
and, by the Romans, Ceres — hence the name ce-
reals — was said to have her home at Enna, a fertile
region of that island, thus indicating the source
from which the Greeks and Romans derived their
Ceralia. Homer mentions wheat and spelt as
bread; also corn and barley, and describes his
heroes as using them as fodder for their horses, as
the people in the South of Europe do at present.
Rye was introduced into Greece from Thrace, or
by way of Thrace, in the time of Galen. In
Caesar's time the Romans grew a species of wheat
enveloped in a husk, like barley, and by them
called "Far."

During the excavations of Herculaneum and
Pompeii, wheat, in an excellent state of preserva-
tion, was frequently found.

Dr. Anson Hart, Superintendent, at one time, of
Indian Aifairs in Oregon, states that he found
numerous patches of wheat and flax growing wild
in the Yackemas country, in Upper Oregon. There
is but little doubt that both cereals were intro-
duced into Oregon at an early period by the Hud-
son Bay, or other fur companies. Wheat was also

found by Dr. Boyle, of Columbus, Ohio, growing
in a .similar state in the Carson A'^alley. It was,
doubtless, brought there by the early Spaniards.
In 1530, one of Cortez's slaves found several grains
of wheat accidentally mixed with the rice. The
careful negro planted the handful of grains, and
succeeding years saw a wheat crop in Mexico,
which found its way northward, probably into
California.

Turn where we may, wherever the foot of civil-
ization has trod, there will we find this wheat
plant, which, like a monument, has perpetuated
the memory of the event; but nowhere do we find
the plant wild. It is the result of .cultivation in
bygone ages, and has been produced by "progress-
ive development.'

It is beyond the limit and province of these
pages to discuss the composition of this important
cereal ; only its historic properties can be noticed.
With the advent of the white men in America,
wheat, like corn, came to be one of the staple prod-
ucts of life. Iff followed the pioneer over the
mountains westward, where, in the rich Missis-
sippi and Illinois bottoms, it has been cultivated
by the French since 1690. When the hardy New
Englanders came to the alluvial lands adjoining
the Ohio, Muskingum or Miami Rivers, they
brought with them this "staff of life," and forth-
with began its cultivation. Who sowed the first
wheat in Ohio, is a question Mr. A. S. Guthrie
answers, in a letter published in the Agricultural
Report of 1857, as follows:

" My father, Thomas Guthrie, emigrated to the
Northwest Territory in the year 1788, and arrived
at the mouth of the Muskingum in July, about
three months after Gen. Putnam had arrived with
the first pioneers of Ohio. My father brought a
bushel of wheat with him from one of the frontier
counties of Pennsylvania, which he sowed on a
lot of land in Marietta, which he cleared for that
purpose, on the second bottom or plain, in the
neighborhood of where the Court House now
stands."

Mr. Guthrie's opinion is corroborated by Dr.
Samuel P. Hildreth, in his "Pioneer Settlers of
Ohio," and is, no doubt, correct.

From that date on down through the years of
Ohio's growth, the crops of wheat have kept pace
with the advance and growth of civilization. The
soil is admirably adapted to the growth of this ce-
real, a large number of varieties being grown, and
an excellent quality produced. It is firm in body,
and, in many cases, is a successful rival of wheat

produced in the great wheat-producing regions of
the United States — Minnesota, and the "farther
Northwest.

Oats, rye, barley, and other grains were also
brought to Ohio from the Atlantic Coast, though
some of them had been cultivated by the French
in Illinois and about Detroit. They were at first
used only as food for home consumption, and, until
the successful attempts at river and canal naviga-
tion were brought about, but little was ever sent
to market.

Of all the root crops known to man, the potato
is probably the most valuable. Next to wheat,
it is claimed by many as the staff of life. In
some localities, this assumption is undoubtedly
true. What would Ireland have done in her fam-
ines but for this simple vegetable? The potato is
a native of the mountainous districts of tropical
and subtropical America, probably from Chili to
Mexico ; but there is considerable difiiculty in
deciding where it is really indigenous, and where
it has spread after being introduced by man.
Humboldt, the learned savant, doubted if it had
ever been found w^ild, but scholars no less famous,
and of late date, have expressed an opposite
opinion. In the wild plant, as in all others, the
tubers are smaller than in the cultivated. The
potato had been cultivated in America, and its
tubers used for food, long before the advent of the
Europeans. It seems to have been first brought
to Europe by the Spaniards, from the neighbor-
hood of Quito, in the beginning of the sixteenth
century, and spread through Spain, the Netherlands,
Burgundy and Italy, cultivated in gardens as an
ornament only and not for an article of food.
It long received through European countries the
same name with the batatas — sweet potato, which
is the plant meant by all English writers down to
the seventeenth century.

It appears that the potato was brought from
Virginia to Ireland by Hawkins, a slave-trader,
in 1565, and to England by Sir Francis Drake,
twenty years later. It did not at first attract much
notice, and not until it was a third time imported
fi'om America, in 1623, by Sir Walter Raleigh,
did the Europeans make a practical use of it.
Even then it was a long time before it was exten-
sively cultivated. It is noticed in agricultural
journals as food for cattle only as late as 1719.
Poor people began using it, however, and finding it
highly nutritious, the Royal Geographical Society.
in 1663, adopted measures for its propagation.
About this time it beo:an to be used in Ireland as

1>L

160

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

food, and from the beginning of the eighteenth cent-
ury, its use has never decUned. It is now known
in every quarter of the world, and has, by cultiva-
tion, been greatly improved.

The inhabitants of America learned its use
from the Indians, who cultivated it and other
root crops — rutabagas, radishes, etc., and taught
the whites their value. When the pioneers of
Ohio came to its fertile valleys, they brought
improved species with them, which by cultiva-
tion and soil, are now greatly increased, and are
among the standard crops of the State.

The cucurbitaceous plants, squashes, etc., were,
like the potato and similar root crops, indigenous
to America — others, like the melons, to Asia —
and were among the staple foods of the original
inhabitants. The early French missionaries of
the West speak of both root crops and cucurbi-
taceous plants as in use among the aboriginal inhab-
itants. "They are very sweet and wholesome,"
wrote Marquette. Others speak in the same terms,
though some of the plants in this order had found
their way to these valleys through the Spaniards
and others through early Atlantic Coast and Mex-
ican inhabitants. Their use by the settlers of the
West, especially Ohio, is traced to New England,
as the first settlers came from that portion of the
Union. They grow well in all parts of the State,
and by cultivation have been greatly improved in
quality and variety. All cucurbitaceous plants
require a rich, porous soil, and by proper atten-
tion to their cultivation, excellent results can be
attained.

Probably the earliest and most important imple-
ment of husbandry known is the plow. Grain,
plants and roots will not grow well unless the soil
in which they are planted be properly stirred,
hence the first requirement was an instrument that
would fulfill such conditions.

The first implements were rude indeed ; gener-
ally, stout wooden sticks, drawn through the earth
by thongs attached to rude ox-yokes, or fastened
to the animal's horns. Such plows were in use
among the ancient J]gyptians, and may yet be
found among uncivilized nations. The Old Testa^
ment furnishes numerous instances of the use of
the plow, while, on the ruins of ancient cities and
among the pyramids of Egypt, and on the buried
walls of Babylon, and other extinct cities, are rude
drawings of this useful implement. As the use
of iron became apparent and general, it was util-
ized for plow-points, where the wood alone would
not penetrate the earth. They got their plow-

shares sharpened in Old Testament days, also
coulters, which shows, beyond a doubt, that iron-
pointed plows were then in use. From times
mentioned in the Bible, on heathen tombs, and
ancient catacombs, the improvement of the plow,
like other farming tools, went on, as the race of
man grew in intelligence. Extensive manors in
the old country required increased means of turning
the ground, and, to meet these demands, ingenious
mechanics, from time to time, invented improved
plows. Strange to say, however, no improvement
was ever made by the farmer himself This is ac
counted for in his habits of life, and, too often,
the disposition to "take things as they are." When
America was settled, the plow had become an im-
plement capable of turning two or three acres per
day. Still, and for many years, and even until
lately, the mold-board was entirely wooden, the
point only iron. Later developments changed the
wood for steel, which now alone is used. Still
later, especially in prairie States, riding plows are
used. Like all other improvements, they were
obliged to combat an obtuse public mind among
the ruralists, who slowly combat almost every
move made to better their condition. In many
places in America, wooden plows, straight ax
handles, and a stone in one end of the bag, to bal-
ance the grist in the other, are the rule, and for no
other reason in the world are they maintained than
the laconic answer:

" My father did so, and why should not I? Am
I better than he? "

After the plow comes the harrow, but little
changed, save in lightness and beauty. Formerly,
a log of wood, or a brush harrow, supplied its
place, but in the State of Ohio, the toothed instru-
ment has nearly always been used.

The hoe is lighter made than formerly, and is
now made of steel. At first, the common iron
hoe, sharpened by the blacksmith, was in constant
use. Now, it is rarely seen outside of the South-
ern States, where it has long been the chief imple-
ment in agriculture.

The various small plows for the cultivation of
corn and such other crops as necessitated their use
are all the result of modern civilization. Now,
their number is large, and, in many places, there
are two or more attached to one carriage, whose
operator rides. These kinds are much used in the
Western States, whose rootless and stoneless soil is
admirably adapted to such machinery.

When the grain became ripe, implements to cut
it were in demand. In ancient times, the sickle

^ ®

HISTORY OF OHIO.

161

was tlie only instrument used. It was a short,
curved iron/whose inner edge was sharpened and
serrated. In its most ancient form, it is doubtful
if the edge was but little, if any, serrated. It is
mentioned in all ancient works, and in the Bible is
frequently referred to.

" Thrust in the sickle, for the harvest is
ripe," wrote the sacred New Testament, while
the Old chronicles as early as the time of Moses :
"As thou beginnest to put the sickle to the
corn."

In more modern times, the handle of the sickle
was lengthened, then the blade, which in time led
to the scythe. Both are yet in use in many parts
of the world. The use of the scythe led some
thinking person to add a " finger " or two, and to
change "the shape of the handle. The old cradle
was the result. At first it met considerable oppo-
sition from the laborers, who brought forward the
old-time argument of ignorance, that it would
cheapen labor.

Whether the cradle is a native of America or
Europe is not accurately decided; probably of the
mother country. It came into common use about
1818, and in a few years had found its way into
the wheat-producing regions of the West. Where
small crops are raised, the cradle is yet much used.
A man can cut from two to four acres per day,
hence, it is much cheaper than a reaper, where the
crop is small.

The mower and reaper are comparatively mod-
ern inventions. A rude reaping machine is men-
tioned by Pliny in the first century. It was pushed
by an ox through the standing grain. On its
front was a sharp edge, which cut the grain. It
was, however, impracticable, as it cut only a por-
tion of the grain, and the peasantry preferred the
sickle. Other and later attempts to make reapers
do not seem to have been successful, and not till
the present century was a machine made that would
do the work required. In 1826, Mr. Bell, of
Scotland, constructed a machine which is yet used
in many parts of that country. In America, Mr.
Ilussey and Mr. McCormick took out patents for
reaping machines of superior character in 1833
and 1834. At first the cutters of these machines
were various contrivances, but both manufacturers
soon adopted a serrated knife, triangular shaped, at-
tached to a bar, and driven through "finger
guards" attached to it, by a forward and backward
motion. These are the common ones now in use,
save that all do not use serrated knives. Since
these pioneer machines were introduced into the

harvest fields they have been greatly improved and
changed. Of late years they have been constructed
so as to bind the sheaves, and now a good stout
boy, and a team with a "harvester," will do as
much as many men could do a few years ago, and
with much greater ease.

As was "expected by the inventors of reapers,
they met with a determined resistance from those
who in former times made their living by harvest-
ing. It was again absurdly argued that they would
cheapen labor, and hence were an injury to the
laboring man. Indeed, when the first machines
were brought into Ohio, many of them were torn
to pieces by the ignorant hands. Others left fields
in a body when the proprietor brought a reaper to
his farm. Like all such fallacies, these, in time,
passed away, leaving only their stain.

Following the reaper came the thresher. As
the country filled with inhabitants, and men in-
creased their possessions, more rapid means than
the old flail or roller method were demanded. At
first the grain was trodden out by horses driven over
the bundles, which were laid in a circular inclosure.
The old flail, the tramping-out by horses, and the
cleaning by the sheet, or throwing the grain up
against a current of air, were too slow, and
machines were the result of the demand. In Ohio
the manufixcture of threshers began in 1846, in
the southwestern part. Isaac Tobias, who came
to Hamilton from Miamisburg that year, com-
menced building the threshers then in use. They
were without the cleaning attachment, and simply
hulled the grain. Two years later, he began
manufacturing the combined thresher and cleaner,
which were then coming into use. He continued
in business till 1851. "Four years after, the in-
creased demand for such machines, consequent
upon the increased agricultural products, induced
the firm of Owens, Lane & Dyer to fit their estab-
lishment for the manufiicture of threshers. They
afterward added the manufacture of steam engines
to be used in the place of horse power. Since
then the manufacture of these machines, as well as
that of all other agricultural machinery, has greatly
multiplied and improved, until now it seems as
though but little room for improvement remains.
One of the largest firms engaged in the manufact-
ure of threshers and their component mai-hinery is
located at Mansfield— the ' Aultman & Taylor
Co. Others are at Massillon, and at other cities
in the West.

Modern times and modern enterprise have devel-
oped a marvelous variety of agricultural implements

162

HISTORY OF OHIO.

— too many to bo mentioned in a volume like
this. Under special subjects they will occasionally
be found. The fiirmer's life, so cheerless in pioneer
times, and so full of weary labor, is daily becom-
ing less laborious, until, if they as a class profit
by the advances, they can find a life of ease
in farm pursuits, not attainable in any other
profession. Now machines do almost all the work.
They sow, cultivate, cut, bind, thresh, winnow
and carry the grain. They, cut, rake, load, mow
and dry the hay. They husk, shell and clean the
corn. They cut and split the wood. They do al-
most all ; until it seems as though the day may
come when the farmer can sit in his house and
simply guide the affairs of his farm.

Any occupation prospers in proportion to the
interest taken in it by its members. This interest
is always heightened by an exchange of views, hence
societies and periodicals exercise an influence at
first hardy realized. This feeling among prominent
agriculturists led to the formation of agricultm-al'
societies, at first by counties, then districts, then
by States, and lastly by associations of States.
The day may come when a national agricul-
tural fair may be one of the annual attractions of
America.

Without noticing the early attempts to found
such societies in Hurope or America, the narrative
will begin with those of Ohio. The first agricul-
tural society organized in the Buckeye State was
the Hamilton County Agricultural Society. Its
exact date of organization is not now preserved,
but to a certainty it is known that the Society held
public exhibitions as a County Society prior to
1823. Previous to that date there were, doubt-
less, small, private exhibitions held in older local-
ities, pi'obably at Marietta, but no regular organi-
zation seems to have been maintained. The
Hamilton County Society held its fairs annually,
with marked success. Its successor, the present
Society, is now one of the largest county societies
in the Union.

During the legislative session of 1832-33, the
subject of agriculture seems to have agitated the
minds of the people through their representatives,
fur the records of that session show the first laws
passed for their benefit. The acts of that body
seem to have been productive of some good, for,
though no records of the number of societies or-
ganized at that date exist, yet the record shows
that " many societies have been organized in con-
formity to this act," etc. No doubt many societies
held fairs from this time, for a greater or less

number of years. Agricultural journals* were,
at this period, rare in the State, and the subject of
agricultural improvement did not receive that at-
tention from the press it does at this time ; and,
for want of public spirit and attention to sustain
these fairs, they were gradually discontinued until
the new act respecting their organization was
passed in 184G. However, records of several
county societies of the years between 1832 and
18-16 yet exist, showing that in some parts of the
State, the interest in these fairs was by no means
diminished. The Delaware County Society re-
ports for the year 1833 — it was organized in June
of that year — good progress for a beginning, and
that much interest was manifested by the citizens
of the county.

Ross County held its first exhibition in the
autumn of that year, and the report of the mana-
gers is quite cheerful. Nearly all of the exhibited
articles were sold at auction, at greatly advanced
prices from the current ones of the day. The en-
try seems to have been free, in an open inclosure,
and but little revenue was derived. Little was ex-
pected, hence no one was disappointed.

Washington County reports an excellent cattle
show for tliat year, and a number of premiums
awarded to the successful exhibitors. This same
year the Ohio Importation Company was organ-
ized at the Ross County fair. The Company began
the next season the importation of fine cattle trom
England, and, in a few years, did incalculable good
in this respect, as well as make considerable money
in the enterprise.

These societies were re-organized when the law
of 1846 went into eft'ect, and, with those that liad
gone down and the new ones started, gave an im-
petus to agriculture that to this day is felt. Now
every county has a society, while district, State
and inter-State societies are annually held; all
promotive in their tendency, and all a benefit to
every one.

The Ohio State Board of Agriculture was organ-
ized by an act of the Legislature, passed February
27, 1846. Since then various amendments to the
organic law have been passed from time to time as

*The Western TillerwsiB publiBlied in Cincinnati, in 1S20. It was
"miscellaneous," but contained many excellent articles on iigri-
culture.

The Farmers^ Iteeord was published in Cincinnati, in 1831, and
continued for sevcnil years.

The Ohio Furruer was published at Batavia, Clermont County, in
183:}, by Hon. Samuel Mertary.

These were the early agricultural journals, some of which yet
survive, though in new names, and under new management. Others
have, also, since been added, some of which have an exceedingly
large circulation, and are an influence for much good in the State.

HISTORY OF OHIO.

163

tlie necessities of the Board and of agriculture in
the State demanded. The same day that the act
was passed creating the State Board, an act was
also passed providing for the erection of county and
district societies, under which law, with subsequent
amendments, the present county and district agri-
cultural societies are managed. During the years
from 18-16 down to the present time, great improve-
ments have been made in the manner of conduct-
ing these societies, resulting in exhibitions unsur-
passed in any other State.

Pomology and horticulture are branches of in-
dustry so closely allied with agriculture that a
brief resume of their operations in Ohio will be
eminently adapted to these pages. The early
planting and care of fruit in Ohio has already been
noticed. Among the earliest pioneers were men of
fine tastes, who not only desired to benefit them-
selves and their country, but who were possessed
with a laudable ambition to produce the best fruits
and vegetables the State could raise. For this end
they studied carefully the topography of the coun-
try, its soil, climate, and various influences upon
such culture, and by careful experiments with fruit
and vegetables, produced the excellent varieties now
in use. Mention has been made of Mr. Longworth
and Mr. Ernst, of Cincinnati ; and Israel and Aaron
W. Putnam, on the Muskingum River ; Mr. Dille,

Judges Fuller and Whittlesey, Dr. .Tared Kirtland
and tiis sons, and others — all practical enthusiasts in
these departments. At first, individual efforts alone,
owing to the condition of the country, could be
made. As the State filled with settlers, and means
of communication became better, a desire for an in-
terchange of views became apparent, resulting in
the establishment of periodicals devoted to tJiese
subjects, and societies where difterent ones could
meet and discuss these things.

A Horticultural and Pomological Society was
organized in Ohio in 1866. Before the organiza-
tion of State societies, however, several distinct or
independent societies existed ; in fact, out of these
grew the State Society, which in turn produced
good by stimulating the creation of county societies.
All these societies, aids to agriculture, have pro-
gressed as the State developed, and have done much
in advancing fine fruit, and a taste for aesthetic cul-
ture. In all parts of the West, their influence is
seen in better and improved fruit ; its culture and
its demand.

To-day, Ohio stands in the van of the Western
States in agriculture and all its kindred associa-
tions. It only needs the active energy of her
citizens to keep her in this place, advancing
as time advances, until the goal of her ambition is
reached.

CHAPTER XVL

CLIMATOLOGY— OUTLINE —VARIATION

IN OHIO— ESTIMATE
—VARIABILITY.

IN DEGREES— RAINFALL— AMOUNT

THE climate of Ohio varies about four degrees.
Though originally liable to malaria in many
districts when first settled, in consequence of a
dense vegetation induced by summer heats and
rains, it has became very healthful, owing to clear-
ing away this vegetation, and proper drainage. The
State has became as favorable in its sanitary char-
acteristics as any other in its locality. Ohio is re-
markable for its high productive capacity, almost
every thing grown in the temperate climates being
within its range. Its extremes of heat and cold
are less than almost any other State in or near the
same latitude, hence Ohio suffers less from the ex-
treme dry or wet seasons which affect all adjoining
States. These modifications are mainly due to the
influence of the Lake Erie waters. These not

I only modify the heat of summer and the cold of
winter, but apparently reduce the profiision of
rainfall in summer, and favor moisture in dry pe-
riods. No finer climate exists, all conditions consid-
ered, for delicate vegetable growths, than that por-
tion of Ohio bordering on Lake Erie. This is
abundantly attested by the recent extensive devel-
opment there of grape culture.

Mr. Lorin Blodget, author of ''American Clima-
tology," in the agricultural report of 185H, says;
"A district bordering on the Southern and West-
ern portions of Lake Erie is more favorable in this
respect ( grape cultivation ) than any other on the
Atlantic side of the Rocky Mountains, and it will
ultimately prove capable of a very liberal extension
of vine culture."

:l.

164

HISTORY or OHIO.

Experience has proven Mr. Blodget correct in
his theory. Now extensive fields of grapes are
everywhere found on the Lake Erie Slope, while
other small fruits find a sure footing on its soil.

" Considering the climate of Ohio by isother-
mal lines and rain shadings, it must be borne in
mind," says Mr. Blodget, in his description of
Ohio's climate, from which these facts are drawn,
" that local influences often require to be considered.
At the South, from Cincinnati to Steubenville, the
deep river valleys are two degrees warmer than the
hilly districts of the same vicinity. The lines are
drawn intermediate between the two extremes.
Thus, Cincinnati, on the plain, is 2° warmer than
at the Observatory, and 4° warmer for each year
than Hillsboro, Highland County — the one being
500, the other 1,000, feet above sea-level. The
immediate valley of the Ohio, from Cincinnati to
Gallipolis, is about 75° for the summer, and 54°
for the year; while the adjacent hilly districts,
:i00 to 500 feet higher, are not above 73° and 52°
respectively. For the summer, generally, the
river valleys are 73° to 75° ; the level and central
portions 72° to 73°, and the lake border 70° to
72°. A peculiar mildness of climate belongs to
the vicinity of Kelley's Island, Sandusky and
Toledo. Here, both winter and summer, the cli-
mate is 2° warmer than on the highland ridge ex-
t(^nding from Norwalk and Oberlin to Hudson and
the northeastern border. This ridge varies from
500 to 750 feet above the lake, or "850 to 1,200
feet above sea level. This high belt has a summer
temperature of 70°, 27° for the winter, and 49°
for the year ; while at Sandusky and Kelley's
Island the summer is 72°, the winter 29°, and the
year 50°. In the central and eastern parts of
the State, the winters are comparatively cold, the
average falling to 32° over the more level districts,
and to 29° on the highlands. The Ohio River
valley is about 35°, but the highlands near it fall
to 31° and 32° for the winter."

As early as 1824, several persons in the State
began taking the temperature in their respective
localities, for the spring, summer, autumn and win-
ter, averaging them for the entire year. From time
t() time, these were gathered and published, inducing
others to take a step in the same direction. Not
long since, a general table, from about forty local-

ities, was gathered and compiled, covering a period
of more than a (juarter of a century. This table,
when averaged, showed an average temperature of
52.4°, an evenness of temperature not equaled
in many bordering States.

Very imperfect observations have been made
of the amount of rainfall in the State. Until
lately, only an individual here and there through-
out the State took enough interest in this matter
to faithfully observe and record the averages of
several years in succession. In consequence of
this fact, the illustration of that feature of Ohio's
climate is less satisfactory than that of the
temperature. "The actual rainfall of diff"erent
months and years varies greatly," says Mr. Blod-
get. "There may be more in a month, and,
again, the quantity may rise to 12 or 15 inches
in a single month. For a year, the variation may
be from a minimum of 22 or 25 inches, to a maxi-
mum of 50 or even 60 inches in the southern part
of the State, and 45 to 48 inches along the lake
border. The average is a fixed quantity, and,
although requiring a period of twenty or twenty-
five years to fix it absolutely, it is entirely certain
and unchangeable when known. On chaits, these
average quantities are represented by depths
of shading. At Cincinnati, the last fifteen years
of observation somewhat reduce the average of
48 inches, of former years, to 46 or 47 inches."

Spring and summer generally give the most rain,
there being, in general, 10 to 12 inches in the
spring, 10 to 14 inches in the summer, and 8 to
10 inches in the autumn. The winter is the most
variable of all the seasons, the southern part of
the State having 10 inches, and the northern part
7 inches or less — an average of 8 or 9 inches.

The charts of rainfall, compiled for the State,
show a fall of 30 inches on the lake, and 46 inches
at the Ohio River. Between these two points, the
fall is marked, beginning at the north, 32, 34, 36
and 38 inches, all near the lake. Farther down,
in the latitude of Tuscarawas, Monroe and Mercer
Counties, the fall is 40 inches, while the south-
western part is 42 and 44 inches.

The clearing away of forests, the drainage of
the land, and other causes, have lessened the rain-
fall, making considerable diiference since the days
of the aboriiiines.

^tJiU^^

^^— ^

-/ §)

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVII.

TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.

Thk Divide — Water Toirses — Soii.-

■ SiRFACE Deposits — Goi-o-
Geology.

Iron Ore — Geolookal STRrcTURE — Economic

SURVEY OF 1878
In the beginning, the Lord made the heaven and the earth.

RICHLAND COUNTY is situated on the
highest part of the divide between the
waters of Lalie Erie and the Ohio River. The
surface on the north is comparativeh' level, but
rises toward tlie south to the height, in places,
of nearly one thousand feet above the lake.
In the southeast part of the count}- there are
chains of high hills, separated by narrow val-
leys, and exhibiting almost a mountainous
character. The Black Fork of the Mohican
River rises in the north part of the count}', and,
passing through the townships of Blooming
Grove. Franklin. Weller, Mifflin and Monroe,
and thence into Ashland Count}', flows in a deep
channel which connects on the north with the
channels of drainage into the lake. A similar
cliannel. having a similar northern connection,
passes a little west of Mansfield, and, now filled
with silt and gravel, forms the bed of Owl Creek.
Between these valleys the hills rise in irregular
chains, often quite abruptly, and in the southern
and southwestern parts of the county to an
elevation of from 200 to 500 feet al)ove the
valleys. In Jefferson Township a long -chest-
nut ridge.' traversed by the road leading west
from Independence, reaches an elevation of

BY M. C. RE.4D.

450 feet above the railroad at Independence.
On the geologist's table of elevations this rail-
road station is given as 659 feet, but he sus-
pects this to be excessive. If correct, the
elevation of the ridge is 1,059 feet above the
lake, and is one of the highest points in the
State. Two and a half miles northeast of Bell-
ville, and near the north line of Jefferson Town-
ship, the hills reach an elevation of 952 feet
above the lake. About two miles north, and
on the direct road to Mansfield, the surface
rises rapidly to an elevation of 912 feet, and at
three and a half miles, the summit between
Bellville and Mansfield is 932 feet above the
lake, or 370 feet above Mansfield.* The descent
from the top of this divide is much more
gradual to the north than to the south, a
characteristic of all parts of the water-shed in
this neighborhood. The highest points to the
north and toward Mansfield are, by the
barometer. 320 feet. 300 feet. 190 feet, etc..
above Mansfield. About seven miles west of
the city, and near the western line of the county,
is an isolated knob, which is designated by

* The height of Mansfield above the lake is, on the profile of
the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, 581 feet; on the profile of
the Sandusky & Mansfield Railroad, 657 feet ; on the profile of the
Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad, 592 feet; part of the
diflerence being due to the different elevations of the localities
passed by the railroads in the city.

2i:

166

irrsTOHY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

residents in tlie vieinit}- as the higliest land in
tlie county and State. It is, liowever, by the
barometer, only 240 feet above Mansfield, or
832 feet altove the lake, while two and a half
miles further east tlie surface rises by a more
gentle inclination 80 feet higher.

Soil. — The soil over the greater part of Rich-
land County rests upon the unmodified drift
clays, and takes its general character from them.
It contains a large quantity of lime, derived
mainly from the corniferous limestone, frag-
ments of which are eAerywhere mingled with
the drift. The clay in the soil is also modified
and tempered by the deliris of the local rocks,
which is largely mingled with the drift, and is
mostly siliceous. This character, combined with
a high elevation and thorough surface drain-
age, furnishes a soil which renders the name of
the county appropriate, and secures a great
variety of agricultural products.

While all parts of the count}' are well adapted
to grazing, the land is especially fitted for the
growth of wheat and other cereals, and to the
production of fruit. The profusion of rock
fragments in the drift renders the soil pervious
to water, and prevents washing, even in the
steepest hills.

In the southeastern part of the count}' the
higher hills are, in places, capped with a coarse
ferruginous conglomerate, and are so covered
with its debris as not to be susceptilile of til-
lage. Nature has designated a use to which
these sand-rock hills should be appropriated,
as they are generally co^-ered with a dense sec-
ond growth of chestnut. This timlier prefers a
soil filled with fragments of sand-rock, and the
second growth is almost as valuable as red cedar
for fence posts and other similar purposes. If
upon all similar rocky hills the inferior kinds
of timber and tlie useless undergrowth were
cut awa}', and the growth of the chestnut en-
couraged, these now worthless hilltops would
yield an annual harvest scarcel}' less valualjle
than that of the most fertile valle^•s. ( )n the

north side of the divide, the slopes of the hills
are covered by the debris of the local rocks, and
the soil is much less productive.

Snrfacf Dejiosif^i. — The greater part of the
county is covered by a thick deposit of unmotli-
fied bowlder clay, which, in many of the north-
ern townships, conceals from view all the under-
lying rocks. Except upon the mai-gins of the
streams, this bowlder clay, which is often very
thick, is wholly unstratified. The clay near the
surface is 3'ellow; at the bottom, l)lue. Granitic
bowlders and pebbles, and fragments of the local,
rocks are very abundant through the whole mass.
In some places the line between the yellow and
blue clay is sharpl}' defined, but, aside from the
diflf'erence in color, there is no distinction, ex-
cept that the yellow is fissured by vertical, hor-
izontal and oblique seams, through which the
water readily percolates, while the blue is gen-
erally impervious to it. On this account, springs
frequently mark the junction of these clays.
Many of them, however, which afforded an
abundant supply of water when the country
was first settled, have dried up. This is no in-
dication of a diminished rainfall, but may be
explained partly by the more rapid surface
drainage, resulting from the removal of the
forest, and parti}- by the deeper oxidization
of the bowlder cla}', which renders it porous,
and depresses the junction between the yellow
and blue clays, so as to change the line of
drainage, or, from the deeper fissures of the
clay, the water-bearing horizon has been car-
ried below the outlets of the old springs.

The hard granitic and metamorphic bowlders
and pebbles of this drift are well worn, and
often striated with great uniformity along their
greatest diameter. On the contrary, the soft
and friable debris of the local rocks on the top
of the hills is neither water-worn nor striated.
The fragments are often as angular as if just
broken up in a quarry. Away from the water-
courses the surface of the land is undulating,
consisting of irregular j-idges with frequent

TRT

HISTOliY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

167

depressions and cavities having no outlet, and
indicating tliat tlie present contour of the sur-
face is not the result of recent erosion. The
surlace drainage is now filling up and obliterat-
ing these cavities, some of which are still
swanii)s. and generally the wash from the hills
is carrying the silt and humus into these de-
pressions, so that surface erosion is steadily
diminishing instead of increasing these inequal-
ities. Over large areas the clay includes such
an alnnidance of rock fragments that, wherever
surface erosion is facilitated down the slopes of
the hills by road-making or otherwise, the wash
is arrested as soon as a shallow channel is formed
l)y the accumulation of rock fragments on the
surface. If erosion by rainfall excavated the
depressions and ravines, the water would have
had force sufficient only to carry away the clay,
sand, and finer gravels, and the surface would
now be covered Avith bowlders and fragments
of rocks, but such a condition of the surface is
nowhere found. A comparatively few isolated
bowlders are scattered over the surface as
though dropped upon it. In the deeper ravines,
which should he filled with a mass of these
bowlders, they are Aery rarely found, and are
no more abundant upon the slopes than upon
the tops of the hills.

On the margins of the streams there is fre-
quently at the bottom a deposit of laminated
or finel.y stratified clay, with rudely stratified
gravel and bowlders above. The fragments of
the local rocks are here rounded and globular ;
no striated granitic fragments are found. In
places, all the fragments of the local rocks are
ground to powder, and, with all the clay and
finer gravels of the drift, have been washed
away, leaving only coarse, well-rounded gran-
itic pebliles, with occasional bowlders of the
corniferous limestone. In this material, also,
cavities are occasionally found having no out-
lets, the character of the underlying rocks, and
the form of the surface, indicating that they are
not properly sink-holes, such as are often found

in limestone regions. A little east oi' tlie I'ail-
road station at Lexington, two such cavities are
quite conspicuous. They are on a long bil-
low}' ridge, filled with coarse gravel and bowl-
ders, and covered with a foi'cst of hard maple.
In the deepest cavity tlie depression is twenty-
five feet, in the other fifteen feet. The slopes in
each are smooth, without rock fragments, and
covered with the native forest trees. In both
there is an accumulation of humus at the bottom,
and the deeper one contains a little water.
They afford a ready explanation <jf the origin
of the small ponds having no outlet, found in
other places along this divide, with dead forest
trees standing in the water. In the original
cavity the drainage through the porous bottom
was free, and the forests occupied the liottom
and the slopes. The wash of the slopes and the
fine material of the decomposed vegetation
gradually accunudated in the gravelly bottom,
which, like a filter long used, gradually l)e-
came impervious to the water, which encroached
more and more upon the vegetation, ultimately
destroying it, and the dry cavity became a
pond. The accumulation of vegetable debris,
and the growth of water plants upon the mar-
gin, will finally convert the pond into a marsh,
which in the end will be filled up and ol)literated.
To account for the facts exhibited in the pro-
file of Richland County, an agency is required
which shall 1 )ring from their home in the far north
the granitic bowlders and pelibles. the cornifer-
ous limestone, and other hard rocks interven-
ing; shall pulverize to clay the soft, argil-
•laceous rocks; shall leave the hard rocks
brought in from the north rounded and striated ;
shall mingle all this material intimately with
the debris of the friable local rocks, which are
neither water-worn nor striated, but are sharp,
angular fragments; and leave the whole entirely
unassorted upon the high lands in undulating
ridges, but upon the margins of the streams
often washing away all the finer material, wear-
ino- to a sand the debris of the soft local rocks.

ik^

168

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

assorting and depositing in different places the
materials having different specific gravities.
The question, what that agent probably was,
will be discussed when other facts bearing
upon its full solution shall be accumulated.

Gt>/(1. — One of the most interesting surface
deposits of the count}', and one intimately con-
nected with the discussion of the drift, is the
gold found al)out Bellville and other places in
the southern part of Richland County. The
origin of the gold has been attributed to an
ancient drift agency, which brought in the peb-
bles of the Waverly conglomerate ; but the
geologist is quite confident that it should be
referred to the surface drift, and was brought
in b}' the same agency that transported the
granitic bowlders and pebbles. If referred to
the Waverly conglomerate, it should Ue found
at the base of this deposit. It is, in fact, found
most al^undantly about the level of its upper
surface, and in perceptible quantities on the
slopes of the hills fifty to one hundred feet
above it. If it came from the Waverly con-
glomerate, it should be the most abundant
where the quartz pebbles of this conglomerate
are the most numerous, while at Bellville and
the immediate neighborhood this Waverly rock
is comparativelj^ free from pel)l)les. The gold
is found in minute flakes, associated with black
sand (magnetic iron ore), small garnets, and
fragments of quartz. It is most abundant at
the mouth of gorges opening to the south, ris-
ing rather rapidly toward the north, termintiting
in various branches, which start from the top
of the hills two or three hundred feet high.
On the table-land above, large quartz bowlders
are occasionally seen, and angular fragments of
quartz are abundantly obtained in washing for
gold. Pieces of native copper are also found,
some of them of considerable size, occasionally
copper ore. and. very rarely, minute quantities
of native silver. In the stone quarry near
Bellville an angular and partly decomposed
fragment of quartz was picked up. containing

what the miners call "wire gold," interlaced
through it. It had evidently fallen from the
gravel bed at the top of the quarry, which con-
tained quartz fragments, mingled with other
erratics. The most plausible theory of the
origin of the gold is, that the transposing agen-
cies which brought in and deposited the surface
drift, passed over veins of gold-bearing quartz,
which were crushed, l)roken up, and transported
with the other foreign material, and scattered
along a line extending through Richland, Knox,
and Licking Counties. Over what is now the
southern slope of the divide between the waters
of the lake and the Ohio, a thick deposit of the
drift has been washed awa,}', the fragments of
the quartz tooken up and disintegrated, the
gold of the drift concentrated probably a hun-
dred thousand fold, so that in these protected
coves the '-color" of gold can be obtained from
almost every panful of earth. The first dis-
covery of this fact caused much local excite-
ment, and experienced miners and others pros-
pected the whole region in the confident
expectation that these indications would lead
to rich placer mining. One returned California
miner spent the whole of one summer and fall
prospecting, part of the time with one, and the
rest with three, hired assistants. The gross
amount of gold obtained was lietween twent}'-
five and thirty dollars. In the richest localities
about one dollar per day can be obtained by
steady work. As no gold-bearing rocks are to
be found in the State, the occurrence of gold
here can have only a scientific interest con-
nected with the theories of the di-ift.

Iron Ore.— The rocks of Richland County
include a few deposits of iron ore, generally of
little value, and the surface accumulations of
this mineral are rare. In Plymouth Township,
on a small stream near the center, and west of
the railroad, is quite an extensive bed of hy-
drated oxide of iron, containing large masses
of calcareous tufa. No spring of water is appar-
ent which could deposit these minerals, and

HISTORY OF RICHLAND (XJUXTY

109

they probably indicate the bed of an old shal-
low swamp, now five or six feet above the pres-
ent channel of the adjacent stream. The
stratum is from two to three feet in thickness, but
not of sufficient extent to be of any great value.
Geological Structure. — The geological struct-
ure of Richland Count}' is easily- read, and has
little variet3\ No single exposure discloses
all the rocks of the series, and as the dip is
often quite considerable, and is without uni-
formity, the measurements of the different
strata are only approximations. The subjoined
section is the result of many observations and
measurements, and will illustrate the general
character of the geological structure:

Carboniferous conglomerate 8 to 20 feet

Argillaceous and siliceous shales 170 to "ioO feet

Waverly conglomerate 100 to 190 feet

Argillaceous and sandy shales, some-
times bituminous 65 feet

Shales with bands of flaggy sandstone... 235 feet

Berea sandstone..

The highest hills in the northeastern parts
of the county are capped with the carboniferous
conglomerate, which is, in general, quite thin,
rarely attaining a thickness of twenty feet. It
frequently contains fragments of chert, and a
large quantity of iron ore. In many places it
is a siliceous iron ore, and would be valuable if
there were a local demand for it. This conglom-
erate contains, in many places, a great profusion
of calamites — lepidodendra, sigillaria, etc.

Below this is a series of shales correspond-
ing to the Cuyahoga shales of the northeastern
counties, in part argillaceous, with fragments of
crinoids and nodules of iron ore ; and, in part,
siliceous, containing the ordinary sub-carbon-
iferous fossils. The transition is here apparent
through which the varied strata composing the
Cuyahoga shales pass in going southward into
the homogeneous, sandy, olive shales of the
Waverly ; and this member of the series is
much more siliceous than it is further north. It
varies much in thickness, ranging from 110 to

200 feet, and over. In places, the lower part of
it becomes massive, and not distinguishable
from the Waverly conglomerate upon which it
rests. Nowliere in it were minerals of any
economic value observed.

The Waverly conglomerate is the character-
istic rock formation of the county, and, from its
lithological character in many places, it might
readil}' be mistaken for the ordinary carbon-
iferous conglomerate, but its horizon can be
definitely traced at a varying distance of from
one hundred to two liundred and fifty feet be-
low the true conglomerate, and upon careful
study can everywhere be readily distinguished
from it. It is generally more thoroughh- and
evenly stratified than the carboniferous con-
glomerate, the pebbles are usually smaller ; the
orains of sand forming the mass of rock are
mostly globular and transparent. When col-
ored by iron it is oftener in regular bands or
layers, as the result of more perfect stratifica-
tion, and pebbles and grains of jasper are more
abundant. The distinction between it and the
carboniferous conglomerate of this immediate
neighborhood is still more marked. The latter
is quite coarse, containing large pebbles, some
of them but little rounded fragments of fos-
siliferous, cherty limestone, and many coal
plants, including sigillaria, calamites, lepido-
dendra, cordaites, etc. The plants of the
Waverly conglomerate are mainly fucoids. The
iron in the latter, shown only l^y the colgr of
the rock, is magnetic, preventing the use of the
compass in the vicinity of its massive out-
crops.

In Plymouth Township, about three miles
southwest of Plymouth Village, there is a
quarry in the Berea grit, showing something of
a transition lietween this quarry rock and the
coarse conglomerate. About twelve feet in
thickness of the rock has been exposed, the
upi)er layers yellow, thin, and much broken ;
the lower ones more massive, blue in color and
a sandstone grit. The dip of the rock is 5°

■711

!S> i>

170

HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY

north, and the quarry is twenty feet below an
opening in the same I'ock at Plymouth Village.
This is the southern exposure in this neigh-
borhood of unmistakable Berea, and there is
great difficulty in tracing its connection with
the outcrops of massive sand-rOck to the north-
east, and in the central and eastern parts of
the county. The surface rises to the northeast,
is gently undulating, sometimes hilly, every-
where exhibiting a thick deposit of drift, which
conceals all the rocks, until a little north of
Rome, in Blooming drove Township. On the
banks of a small stream aliout fifteen feet of
rocks are exposed, consisting of soft argilla-
ceous shales, with haixl, Ijlue, tesselated bands
which weather yellow, affording poor stone, but
furuishiug the only supply in this neighborhood.
These present somewhat the appearance of the
Bedford shales, belonging l)elow the Berea,
while, topographically, they are by the barom-
eter 170 feet above the Berea last described,
lu Weller Township, one-half mile northwest
of ()lives])urg, awell was sunk, passing through
twenty-one feet of unstratified clay drift, then
striking a hard, fine-grained, blue sandstone,
underlaid with alternate bands of sandstone
and argillaceous shales. These were penetrated
to the depth of nineteen feet, wdien a small sup-
ply of water was obtained, and the explorations
ceased. Four miles west, at Big Hill, the same
sandstone is quarried. South of this, and in
the Jiills immediately north of Windsor Sta-
tion, in AVeller Township, the Waverly con-
glomerate is quarried and exposed l)y outcrops
and bluff's in several places. It is here 100 feet
tliick. and its surface, by barometer, is 400 feet
above the exposure of the Berea in Plymouth
Village. It is a coarse, massive sandstone, in
places white, in others covered with iron, con-
taining many quartz pebbles, and presenting a
strong resemblance to the ordinary conglomer-
ate. In one quarry, about thirty feet of the
structure of the ledge is exposed. It is mnch
broken up, and, except at the top, has no reg-

ular stratification, and is all coarse. In places
it is full of pebbles, and bears little reseml>lance
to any of the northern exposures of the Berea.
Glacial striaj are here observed. l)earing south
32° east.

If this is a continuation of the Berea. its
lithological characters here rapidly changed, and
in the distance of about twenty miles it has
risen about four hundred feet. This may be
the fact, but, from a comparison of all the ob-
servations made, it is pretty certain that it has
no connection with the Berea, but is simply an
ancient shore deposit of coarse material, haA-
ing no great horizontal range, and not always
to be found on the same vertical horizon. The
Waverly rocks in passing northward liecome
much more siliceous, and the sandy layers are
generally composed of coarser materials. In
places they consist entirel}', so far as they are
exposed, of thin, fragile layers of sand}' shale,
constituting the typical olive shales of the
Waverly. These, in places, pass into a com-
pact quarr}' rock, similar to the Logan sand-
stone of Fairfield County, and often, at a dis-
tance of from 120 to 250 feet below the coal-
measure rocks, are succeeded by this coarse
Waverl}' conglomerate. This, it is true, is
about the distance below the coal measures at
which the Berea is found at the north. But
there is a gi''eat thickeuing-up southward of the
Waverly rocks, and this conglomerate has
neither the persistence nor any of the litholog-
ical characters of the Berea. Its base, where
well defined in Knox County, is shown l)y l)or-
ings to be over three hundred and fift}- feet
above the top of the red or chocolate shales,
which there is a well-defined horizon, and ap-
pears to be identical with the Cleveland shales
of the Cuyahoga Valley, which are a))out
seventy feet only below the Berea. These bor-
ings disclose the fact that the Huron. Erie, and
Cleveland shales extend northward through
these counties with little change in their litho-
logical characters — the Erie greatly reduced in

■?i;

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

173

thickness ; that a1>ove them there is a marked
thickening- of the Waverly rocks, and such
change in their mineral constituents and modes
of Reposition, as to make tlieir subdivision into
Cuyahoga shales. Berea grit, and Bedford shales,
so clearly defined in the Cuyahoga, impossi-
ble. The interval between this rock and the
coal measures also varies greatly, and it is evi-
dent that at different horizons the sandy shales
of the Waverly pass into coarse conglomerate,
which form long, narrow ridges, with a north-
erly and southerly l)earing, and nowhere ex-
tending in broad sheets in an easterly and west-
erly direction. The fact is of interest, in this
connection, that the whole bod}' of the A\'averly
here is composed of coarser material, and is
generally more homogeneous than further south.

The following sections will show the general
character of the upper memliers of the Waverly,
and the local character of the Waverly con-
glomerate :

Section from top of hill, near the southwest
corner of Washington Township, to the "oil-
well " on the banks of the Mohican, six miles
south of Loudonville : ^ ,

Feet
No. 1. Coarse ferruginous, cherty conglomerate

No. 2. Olive shales of Waverly 270

No. 3. Alternate bands of sandstone and argilla-
ceous shales 100

No. 4. Argillaceous shales, with nodules of iron ore,

many fragments of crinoids, spirifers, etc. 20

An exposure half a mile west of No. 3 of this
section shows a coarse and more massive sand-
stone, approaching to the WaA'erly conglomerate.

Section three-fourths of a mile northwest of
Lucas:

Feet.

No. 1. Red and yellow conglomerate 10 to 18

No. 2. Hard white sand-rock in three layers... 19

No. 3. Covered 160

No. 4. Sand and argillaceous shales at bottom

of valley

The upper part of the Waverly conglomerate
is represented l)}- the upper part of this sec-
tion. The rock shows occasional seams of peb-
bles, and in places colored bands, not as marked,

but of the same character as the Mansfield
quarry. It is firm and strong, splitting easily
in the lines of stratification, and furnishes a
very good quarry rock.
Section at Newville:

Feet.

No. 1. Olive shales of Waverly 160

No. 2. White sand-rock 10 to 15

No. 3. Coarse sandstone with pebbles and

bands of gravel 80 to 100

The lower 100 feet of this section compose
the rock bluffs at Newville, which present a
striking resemblance to some of the outcrops
of the sub-carboniferous conglomerate. It splits
more readily into thin layers, and its true char-
acter as the WaA^erly conglomerate is apparent
from its mineral composition, as well as from
its stratigraphical position.

Section at Daniel Zent's quarry. Bellville:

Feet.

No. 1. Earth 2 to 4

No. 2. Coarse pebbles of drift 8 to 10

No. 3. Sandstone in thin layers 15

No. 4. Sandstone in massive layers 8

No. 5. Sandstone in layers of one to four feet.... 15

The rock of this exposure is much like the
Logan sandstone, contains few pebbles, l)ut is
on the same horizon as the Waverly conglom-
erate. '■" It affords a large amount of excellent
building-stone, most of which is taken by the
railroad company. This rock forms all the hills
in this part of the county, which rise rapidly to
the north to the height of thirty feet or more.
It is in the coves and gorges cut down in this
rock, and opening southward, that most of the
gold of this county has been found, which is
obtained not only at the bottom of the gorges,
but from the earth which covers the slopes to
the top. These facts, coupled with that of find-
ing many erratics of quartz in the tops of the
hills to the north and northwest, indicate that
this gold was brought in b}' the recent, and not
by the Waverly drift.

Many la3'ers in this quarry are conspicuously
ripple-marked, and remains of fucoids are

174

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

abundant. Northward from this locality, on the
road toward Mansfield, the hills rise through
the olive shales of the Waverly to the height of
350 feet above the base of this quarry. The
character of the rock is well shown in the hills ;
is a yellow, fine-grained, shelly sandstone, and
valueless as a quarry rock. Approaching Mans-
field, it becomes coarser, more massive, and
more highly colored with iron, and finally
passes into a coarse, massive sand-rock, evident-
ly the Waverly conglomerate, the top of which
is 145 feet above the base of the quarry at Bell-
ville. Ninety feet below this, in the bed of a
stream, alternate layers of argillaceous and
sandy shales are exposed.

The top of the quarry east from Mansfield is
twenty feet below the top of this coarse sand-
rock, and is a continuation of it, the town rest-
ing upon this formation, which crops out on all
sides of it. About sixty feet of the rock is
here exposed. It is all much broken ; the
upper thirty feet in thin layers, the lower thirty
feet in layers of from one to six feet thick.
Much of the rock is beautifully colored in
waved bands and lines of black, yellow and red,
as delicately shaded as the best artificial gi-ain-
ing of wood. Very beautiful specimens can be
obtained, and if it were harder it would make
a very ornamental building stone. It dresses
smoothly and endures exposure well, but is
soft and easily worn away by abrasion.

On Brushy Fork, near Millsborough, about
six miles west of Mansfield, and thirty-five feet
above the Mansfield quarry, is the outcrop of
the same rock, of which the following is a sec-
tion : j,,,t
No. 1. Coarse, shaly sandstone in broken layers. 12
No. 2. Ferruginous sandstone, with waved lines

of stratification 6 to 10

No. 3. Coarse, massive sandstone, with irregular

veins of iron 6

No. 4. Shelly Sandstone , 8

No. 5. Blue argillaceous shale, with bands of

hard, fine-grained sandstone, to bottom

of exposure

The upper members are the thinning-out of
the Mansfield rock, the equivalent of the Wav-
erly conglomerate. On the opposite side of
the stream, the yellow sand-rock is about thir-
tj'-five feet thick, coarse, ferruginous, with
black iron streaks. There are about ten inches
of light-colored and firm stone. All the rest,
so far as exposed, is worthless for building pur-
poses.

The rock at the bottom is blue argillaceous
shale, with hard, blue bands, bearing a close
resemblance to the Erie shales ; no fossils dis-
covered. In places, interstratified between the
layers of the yellow sandstone, there is a layer
of ten to twelve inches of white argillaceous
shale, which, when disintegrated, bears a close
resemblance to the fire-clays of the coal meas-
ures. Outcrops of this rock are to be seen
northward, near Lexington, and between Lex-
ington and Bellville, containing quartz pebbles
and many nodules of soft iron ore ; all the rock,
in thin layers, extending to the tops of the
hills, making the connection complete between
the Mansfield and Bellville quarries. The
Clear Fork here flows through a broad alluvial
valley, bordered with heavy hills of modified
drift, generally sandy, in places composed of
coarse, water-worn pebbles and bowlders, the
stream occupying the raised bed of the old
channel, which passes west of Mansfield, and
connects the waters of the lake with the
Ohio.

Between the top of the argillaceous and sil-
iceous shales, which very generally underlie the
horizon of the Waverly conglomerate, there is
ah interval of something over three hundred
feet, before the Berea, which is quarried in the
extreme northwest corner of the county, is
reached. The northern part of the county is
comparatively level, the surface deeply covered
with unmodified clay drift, except along the
lines of ancient erosion, where the sand-ridges
equally mark the geological structure. Hence
there are very few rock exposures, and these so

•^

HISTOEY OF KICHLAXD COUNTY.

175

isolated that the section cannot be constructed
in detail. So far as seen, it is composed of
alternate strata of argillaceous and siliceous
shales having little economic value, though
some of the layers afford a fair stone for ordi-
nary foundation purposes.

Economic Geology. — From what has already
been written, it is apparent that the mineral
deposits of the county are not of very great
economic value.

The heavy beds of the Waverly afford an
inexhaustible supply of stone of good quality
for bridge and foundation purposes, which
would also make a very fair building stone, but
not equal in value to the Berea north of it, or
to the more homogeneous and finer-grained
sandstones of the Waverly, further south. The
peculiarly rich, but rather gaudy, coloring of
the rock from the quarry near Mansfield and
other places would, if properly selected, make
highly ornamental window caps, sills, etc., and
might be used for the entire fronts of buildings.

The Berea is too far beneath the surface to
be accessible, except at the northwest corner of
the county, and does not there present its best
characteristics.

The iron ore of the county consists of the
siliceous ore occupying the horizon of the
conglomerate at the tops of the highest hills,
nodules of clay-iron stone found here and there
throughout the rock formations, and bog ore
found in a few places on the surface. None of
these are in sufficient quantity or of sufficient
purity to pay for transportation to parts where
they could be economically used.

Since the explorations of the county were
made, considerable local interest has been man-

ifested in the reported discovery of coal by deep
borings in the immediate neighborhood of
Mansfield. Coal is exhibited, said to have been
taken from the borings. It is a legitimate part
of the work of a geological survey to expose
and to prevent frauds of this kind so far as it
can be done, but not to assert that any particu-
lar individual has attempted or practiced a
fraud. This is the province of the courts, uix)n
a proper case being presented to them. It is
enough to say here that there is some mistake
in regard to these pretended discoveries. Thin
seams of carbonaceous matter, or thick beds of
bituminous shale may be reached by boring in
this vicinity, but no coal seams will ever be found
beneath the city of Mansfield or the adjacent
country, and all pretended discoveries of them
may at once be set down as either frauds or
mistakes. The only place where coal can pos-
sibly be found in the county is near the tops of
the hills in the northeastern part. In none of
the hills examined, were coal-measure rocks
found, and the highest are capped with the
carboniferous conglomerate, which is below the
coal; so that the probabilities are that.no coal
will be found in any of the hills. Explorations
in Holmes County have shown that hills of
Waverly rock in places rose above the margin
of the old coal swamps, and that coal is now
found near them at a lower level. It is, there-
fore, barely possible that some outlying deposit
may exist in this part of the county, and that
these have not been discovered in making the
survey. It ma}^ be positively asserted, how-
ever, that no extensive and valuable deposits
of coal will ever be found west of the Holmes
County line, in Richland.

^ <i

176

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COl^NTY.

CHAPTER XVTII

ARCHEOLOGY.*

Mound Builders — Mounds Classified — Mounds and Earth-Works in Richland County — Relics — Copper
AND Stone Implements — Axes, Mauls, Hammers, etc. — Mortars and Pestles — Plates, Thread Sizers,
Shuttles, etc. — Wands and Badges — Paint-Cups, Pipes.

Before the white man, the Indian; before the Indian, ?

THE archaeology of any county forms one
of its most interesting chapters. Who
the ancient dwellers were, what the}' did,
what lives they led, are all questions of con-
jecture now. Their history appears only in
their silent monuments, as silent as the race
they perpetuate. The relics they left are the
only key to their lives now possessed, and these
give a history whose antiquity seems almost
Adamic. The principal remains left in this
part of Ohio consist of earthworks, mounds
and parapets, filled with the rude implements
of the people who built them, and with the
bones of these lost portions of humanity.
From their proclivities to build these earth-
works, these people are known as "Mound-
Builders," the only name that now fits their
peculiar style of life. The mounds erected by
them are of all sizes and shapes, and range in
height from three or foiir feet to sixty or seventy
feet. In outline, they are of equal magnitude,
though none of great height were ever known
to exist in the confines of Richland County.
What have been discovered are generally small
in size and irregular in outline. The}' have,
in nearly all instances, been much reduced in
height, as the hand of modern man demands
them for practical purposes.

The earth mounds are classified as sepulchral,
sacrificial, temple or truncated ; mounds of ob-

*The not«8 and material of this chapter were prepared by Mr.
Edw. Wilkinson, who has given the subject some study, and who
has one of the finest private cabinets in tlie county. The chapter
was written from his notes by Mr. A. A. Graham, the compiler of
the history.

servation, symbolical or animal — also known as
emblematic — and mounds of defense. The first
named, sepulchral, are the most common of
any. Emblematical or symliolical mounds are
not known to exist in this county. If they did
in the earliest da^'s of the whites, all traces of
them have lieen olil iterated by that leveler of
savage country — the plow. Sepulchral mounds
were devoted to the purpose of burial, and were
generall}' pyramidal in form, and usually con-
tained layers of clay, ashes, charcoal, various
soils and one or more skeletons, often ver}' many.

Sacrificial mounds are usually stratified, the
strata being convex layers of clay and loam,
the layers alternating above a layer of fine sand.
They also contain ashes, igneous stones, char-
coal, calcined animal bones, beads, implements
of stone, pottery and rude sculpture. They
also have altars of burned clay or stone, rest-
ing in the center of the mound upon the original
earth, on which the people offered sacrifice, em-
ploying fire for the purpose.

Mounds of observation — sometimes termed
defensive — are found upon prominent eleva-
tions. The}' were, doul)tless, alarm posts, watch-
towers, signal stations, or outlooks. They
commonly occur in chains or regular systems,
and still bear traces of the beacon fires that
once burned upon them.

In addition to the division of mounds
already made, some add monumental or memo-
rial mounds, not numerous, supposed to have
been erected as memorials to the distinguished
dead among the Mound-Builders.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

177

But few of the moiuids in Richland County
have been properly opened. The examinations
have rarely been systematic, and hence much
has been lost. Commonly, the plow has been
run over the mounds, regardless of the history
a careful search would develop, until almost all
traces of their existence have been obliterated.
This ruthless leveling of the mounds has not
been accomplished, however, merely to gratify
the iconoclastic propensities of the plowman
— their cupidity moved them. They wanted the

nothing of special interest was found. Numer-
ous stone relics were found in and about the
inclosure. It wafe, mayhap, a place of defense
in the prehistoric days.

In that part of Polk Townsliip, in Crawford
County, formerly a part of this county, about
one and one-half miles southwest of Gallon,
there is an inclosure of about one acre. It is
shaped like a horseshoe, which would bring it
under the head of symbolical mounds. This
inclosure has never been well explored. Relics of

WEDGE-SHAPED IMPLEMENTS.

corn the mounds would produce. Running the
plowshare through the mounds was not a very
successful method of obtaining a knowledge of
their contents. Of the mounds examined in
this co»nty in a systematic manner, mention
may be made as follows :

In the southeast quarter of Section 15, in
that part of Auburn Township formerly in this
county, there is an inclosure of nearly four acres.
There is a well-defined gateway at the eastern
side, and near it a walled well. This well was
dug out to a depth of nearly fifteen feet, but

stone have been found in it, indicating that at
one time it was a resort of those who erected it.

About one mile southwest of this mound, is
another, four or five feet in height, and about
eighteen feet in diameter. It is supposed to
have been a sepulchral mound, and has not. as
far as is known, been opened.

In Spring-field Township, on what is knowu
as the Palmer farm, and just east of the Palmer
spring, is a small mound, about five feet in
height, and ten or twelve feet in diameter. It.
also, has never been opened.

'.^

178

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

In Sandusky Township, near the line between
Sandusky and Polk, exists a mound, six or eight
feet high, and, originally, twenty feet in diam-
eter. It has been greatly reduced liy the plow.

Section 16, there is a double mound about
thirty feet high. It is supposed to be artificial;
but it has never })een excavated. There is also
a depression which the early settlers reported

18 8

.STONE AND CLAY I'IPKS.

It was undoubtedly a sepulchral mound, as
relics are often found about it to warrant such
a conclusion.

In Jefferson Township, on the farm of Mr.
Reuben Evarts, on the northeast quarter of

as a walled well. On the Laflferty form, in this
same township, there is a large mound, seventy
or eighty feet high, and as perfect as a sugar-
loaf in form. It has never been excavated, but
appears to be artificial. On account of its size.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

179

however, many have doubted the authenticity
of the statements made concerning it. The
pioneers say it was used by the Indians as a
place of burial.

In Jackson Township, on John Palmers farm
(Section 29), there is a mound about four feet
high and twenty feet in diameter. Dr. J. W.
Craig took from this mound several spear-heads.
There was also found burnt cla}', with charcoal
and bones, which evidenced that it was a sacri-
ficial mound. A few miles to the east of this
there is another small mound, which has not
yet been explored.

Dr. William Busluiell remembers there was
a mound in Mifflin Township, situated about
fifteen rods to the east of Black Fork, just

east of the city of Mansfield. The work con-
sists of a well-defined oval embankment with
aged oaks growing thereon, and is 594 feet long,
238 feet wide, and contains two and two-thirds
acres. South 75 degTces, and west 710 feet, is
a living spring of considerable power, and it
was evidently here that the prehistoric man, who
made this place his home, obtained water.
From the lower end of the embankment to the
spring is a ravine, perhaps artificial, which made
a very convenient path. On the way to the
spring is a " furnace," an excavated place walled
with uncut stone. Several years ago a portion
of this "furnace" was excavated, and a con-
siderable amount of charcoal, stone implements,
paint, etc.. were discoA^ered ; but the work

SCRAPERS FLINT.

northeast of the A. & (i. W. R. R. bridge. He
thinks it may have been fifteen feet high and
fifty feet in diameter. It had several large oak-
trees gi'owing on its top, showing it to have
been of ancient formation. It has been almost
entirely obliterated by the plow, and could
hardly be located now. There is another mound
in this township, on the farm of Solomon Bal-
liet. It is about eighty rods southeast of
Simpson's Schoolhouse. It is placed on a high
ridge, is of stone, and is about three feet high
and fifteen feet in diameter. It was, doubtless,
a mound of observation, a place of outlook, oi\
did it exist in use to-day, would he termed a
" sentinel mound."

The most noted earthwork in the county is
in Madison Township, aliout one-half mile north-

ceased in its incipiency, owing to a lack of funds.
Leadinaf out from the embankment is a series

O J.

of depressions, arranged geometrically, of va-
I'ious widths and depths, some of which are four
feet in depth, and some ten to twenty feet in
diameter.

A partial investigation of this earthwork
was made in September, 1879, by a few inter-
ested individuals, and a survey made by Mr.
John Newman, the County Surveyor. Owing
to alack of funds, the work was only temporally
made. One of the depressions referred to was
excavated to the depth of eight feet. The in-
dications were that the ground had been exca-
vated by the prehistoric man, but for what pur-
pose was not made apparent. It is hoped that
a full investigation will in time be made of this

'f j g' * ^

_-rf ®

180

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUN^TY

roo

STONE KELIC8. (See page 184.)

(S <r-

~^ a)

rv*

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

181

ancient eartliwork. the principal one in Rich-
land County. About two miles south of this
'■ fort.'' as it may well be termed, there is a
mound al)out five feet high and twenty feet in
diameter, that has never been opened.

Outside of the present limits of this county,
in that part now comprised in Ashland Count}',
there are several remains, all of which have
been examined by Dr. Geo. W. Hill, of Ash-
land, and descriptions of them made. Only an
abridged description of each can be given here.

his face. The other cranial bones showed this
was truly a giant.

About one-fourth of a mile southwest of the
village of Orange, in a sugar-grove belonging
to the estate of the Xorris family, exists an
ancient mount, four or five feet high, and of
considerable extent in outline. When the first
settlers located here, large trees grew upon the
mound. About forty jears ago. Dr. Deming
and others excavated the mound and found well-
preserved skeletons, with remnants of pottery. ^

CHISELS,. GOUGES AND ADZES.

In (Grange Township, about thirty-five years
ago. while excavating a bluflT on the creek, east
of the residence of the late Patrick Murray-,
for the purpose of improving the road, a num-
ber of skeletons were unearthed, among which
was one supposed to have been over seven feet
high. The bones of this giant were in a good
state of preservation, but it is a little doubtful
if his height was equal to that given by his ex-
cited discoverers.

Col. John Murray, who found the bones, found
no difficulty in passing the under jawbone over

flints, etc. In 1850, George Barrick, when dig-
ging a well for Isaac StuU, near his residence,
one-half mile south of Orange Village, at the
depth of five feet l)elow the surface found an
earthen vessel that would hold perhaps two gal-
lons. He unfortunately broke this valuable
relic. It was foimd mouth u^jward. and I'esem-
bled in many respects a common two-gallon
crock. The rim around the top was artistically
made and was intended to be used in lifting
the vessel. It was formed of bluish earth, and
seemed to have been subjected to the action of

■^c

182

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

heat. It was ornamented all over the exterior
surface by finely pulverized white' flint, some-
what resembling rice grains, which adhered
firmly to it. A short time after the discovery
of this vessel, Mr. StuU plowed up a fragment
of the same kind of ware in a field northwest

work when the first settlers came, showing that
it had existed for centuries.

Vermilion, Hanoxer and Green Townships
possess but few remains of a prehistoric age.
In the latter township, near Perrysville, was an
inclosure of an oblong form, containing about

STONE PESTLE.

of his house. He found several specimens of
the same earthware on his place. The Indians
are not known to have manufactured or used
anything of the kind.

On the fifth tier of sections in Montgomery
Township, the surveyors found an ancient in-

one acre. In this inclosure was a conical
stone mound. About one-fourth of a mile east
of this mound there was a similar stone mound,
also one to the west of it. The purpose of these
stone mounds is not clearly defined, unless they
were sentinel posts.

CLU15-HEADED STONES.

trenchment containing about two acres. It was
situated on the north side of Ashland. This
earthwork was circular in form, and had a
gateway facing the west. Its walls were aliout
four feet high, and perhaps twice as wide at the
base. A forest of timber grew on the old earth-

In Mirtlin Townslii}) great numbers of arrow
and spear heads are found. Stone axes, wedges
and other prehistoric signs, as well as Indian
relics, are plentiful. In a ravine, in the north-
east part of the township, an old stone mortar,
twenty inches across the top and seven across

« w.

~3>\^

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

183

the bottom, was found. It is about fifteen
inches deep, and contains four distinct impres-
sions of a drill, one and a fourth inches in diam-
eter, and seven inches long. The inside of this
block has been neatly dressed, and would
answer well for the purpose for which it evi-
dently was intended. Investigations proved the
block to be the work of an old pioneer, front-
iersman, bj' the name of Horrick. hence dis-
pelling the romance of its supposed origin.

Clear Creek Township contains more relics
for the archaeologist than any in this part of
the county. The nature of the soil enabled the
Mound-Builders to erect earthworks that can
yet be seen. On Section 36. there was an
ancient embankment, known as the •• Square
Fort," very few of which have been found in
Ohio. Mr. John Bryte entered the land on
which the fort was situated, about half a cen-
tury ago. Then huge forest trees grew about
and on the fort, showing its antiquity. At the
time Mr. Bryte entered the land, the walls of
this embankment were about three feet high,
and probably twent}' feet wide at the base.
The east and west sides were about 800 feet
long ; the north and south 200. At the south-
west corner was a gateway leading to a very
fine spring. Dr. Hill thinks the walls were at
one time probably seven feet high, as sufficient
soil has been worn down to have made them
that height, if not greater.

Two old and curiously constructed mounds
were found by the pioneers on Section 35. An
elevation, composed of well-rounded bowlders,
gravel and light loam — ancient glacial drift —
lifts its head over one hundred feet above the
surrounding valley's. When the glacial flow
occurred, this large mound, containing over six
acres, was left intact, alone on the plain. The
surface on the top is about one hundred and
twenty -five feet long from north to south, and
about one hundred feet wide. Mr. Thomas
Sprott, one of the early pioneers of this section,
owns the farm on which this mound is placed.

and when he settled here, says he found on the
summit two smaller mounds, about twenty -five
feet apart, nearly four feet high, and about
thirty feet in size at the base. Large forest
trees grew on the summit of this mound, and on
the mounds on its crest. In making exca-
vations about one of the smaller mounds, he
found bones, Indian paint, arrow heads, etc.,
showing that the locality was used b}' the abo-
rigines as a place of burial.

The principal mounds in this county have
now been mentioned. They open a. wide field
of investigation, and may throw light on the
problem that shrouds their makers in the dark-
ness of antiquity. It will also l>e well to notice
the implements made by this race, especially
those found in Richland County.

Very few, if any, copper implements have
been found in this part of Ohio, owing partly
to the fact of the unexplored condition of many
of the mounds, and to the fact that little, if any,
copper exists in this part of the United States.
What does exist is in loose fragments that have
been washed down from the upper lake . region.
When mounds are explored, great care is neces-
sary lest these small utensils be lost, as they
are commonly scattered through the mass, and
not always in close proximity to the skeletons.
The copper deposits about Lake Superior fur-
nished the prehistoric man with this metal,
and. judging from the amount of relics made
of this metal now found, it must have been
quite abundant. The population of the country
then must have been quite numerous, as
occasional copper implements, tempered to
an exceeding hardness, ai-e still found about
the country. These implements are small,
generally less than half a pound in weight,
and seldom exceeding three pounds. There
were millions of these in use during the
period of the ancient dwellers, which must have
been thousands of 3-ears in duration. The
copper implements left on the surface soon dis-
appeared b}' decomposition, to which copper is

';^,

184

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

nearly as liable as iron. Only a part of the
tlead Mound-Bnilders were placed in burial
mounds, and of these only a part were buried
with their copper ornaments and implements on
and about them. Of those that were, only a
small part have been discovered, and, in many
instances, the slight depth of earth over them
has not prevented the decay and disappearance
of the copper relics.

sertion of a helve or handles, but were grooved
to receive a withe twisted into the form of a
handle. Under the head of axes, archgeologists
include all wrought stones with a groove, a bit
and a poll. They are found unpolished, partly
polished and polished. The bit was made sharp
b}^ rubbing, and the material is hard and tough,
generally of trachyte, gi-eenstone, granite,
(pinrtz or basalt. Most of them are straight

PERFORATED PLATES, TH

Articlcis of bronze or brass are not found
with the buildei-s of the mounds. It is evident
they knew nothing of these metals in the Ohio
Valley, nor did they possess any of the copper
that had been melted or east in molds.

Stone relics are very numerous and well
preserved. Stone axes, stone mauls, stone
hammers, stone chisels, etc., are very plentiful
yet, and were the common implements of the
prehistoric man in this part of the West.
None were made with holes or eyes for the in-

READ SIZERS, SHUTTLES, ETC.

on one edge. In Ohio, it is very rare that stone
axes are found in the mounds, indicating that
they are modern, or were not so much prized
by the Mound-Builders as to be objects of
burial. Occasionally, axes of softer material
are found, such as slate, hematite and sand-
stone, but these are small in size and not com-
mon. They appear to have been manufactured
from small, oblong bowldei's, first brought into
shape by a pick, or chipping instrument, the
marks of which are Ausible on nearly all of

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

185

them. They were made more perfect by rub-
bing and polishing, probably done from time to
time after they were lirought into use. A
handle or helve, made of a withe or split stick,
was fastened in the groove by thongs of hide.
The bit is narrower than the body of the ax,
which is generally not well enough balanced to
be of much value as a cutting instrument.

pounds, but are generally less than three
pounds. The very heavy ones must have been
kept at the regular camps and villages, as they
could not have been carried far, even in canoes.
Such axes are occasionally found in the Indian
towns on the frontier, as they were fonnd in
Ohio, among the aborigines. The Mound-
Builders apparently did not give them as much

PERFORATED PLATES, THREAD SIZERS, SHUTTLES, ETC.

It is very seldom the material is hard enough
to cut green and sound timber. The poll is
usually round, but sometimes flat, and, rarel}',
pointed. It is much better adapted to breaking
than cutting, while the smaller ones are l^etter
fitted for war-clubs than tools. As a maul to
break dry limbs, they were very efficient, which
was probably the use made of them. In weight
they range from half a pound to sixteen

prominence among their implements as their
savage successors. Double-headed hammers
have the groove in the middle. They were
made of the same material as the axes, so bal-
anced as to give a blow with equal force at
either end. Their mechanical symmetry is
often perfect. As a weapon in war, they were
indeed formidable, for which purpose they are
yet used among the Indians on the Pacific Coast.

186

HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Implements, known as " fleshers " and " skin-
ners," chisel-formed, commonly called '' celts,"
were probably used as aids in peeling the skins
of animals from the meat and bones. For the
purpose of cutting- tools for wood, they were not
sufficiently hard, and do not sliow such use,
excepting a few flint chisels. They may have
been applied as coal scrapers where wood had
been burned ; but this could not have been a
general thing without destroying the perfect
edge most of them now exhibit. The grooved
axes were much better adapted to this purpose.

Stone pestles are not plentiful in this county,
while stone mortars are rare, indicating that
they were made of wood, which is^ lighter and
more easily transported. Most of the pestles
are short, with a wide base, tapering toward the
top. They were probably used with one hand,
and moved about in the mortar in a circle. The
long, round instrument, usually called a pestle,
does not appear to be fitted for crushing seeds
and gi'ain by pounding or turning in the moTtar.
It was probably used as a rolling-pin, perhaps
on a board or leveled log, not upon stone. It
is seldom found smooth or polished, and varies
from seven to thirteen inches in length. In out-
line they taper toward each end, which is gen-
erally smooth, and circular in form, as though
it had been twirled in an upright position.

There is almost an endless variety of perfo-
rated plates, thread-sizers, shuttles, etc. They
are usually made of striped slate, most of which
have tapering holes through them flat-wise, the
use of which has been much discussed. The
accompanying plates exhibit several specimens
of these; but there are, doubtless, many other
forms and styles. They are generally sym-
metrical, the material fine-grained, and their pro-
portions graceful, as though their principal use
was that of ornamentation. Many of them
may well have been worn suspended as beads or
ornaments. Some partake of the character of
badges or ensigns of authority. Others, if
strung together on thongs or belts, would serve

as a coat of mail, protecting the breast or back
against the arrows of an enemy. A numl^er of
them would serve to size and twist twine or
coarse thread made of bark, raw-hide, or sinew.
The most common theory regarding their use is,
however, lacking one important feature. None
of them show signs of wear by use. The edges
of the holes through them are sharp and per-
fect. This objection applies equally well to
their use as suspended ornaments. Some of
them are shuttle-form, through which coarse
threads might have been passed, for weaving-
rude cloth of bark or of fibrous plants, such as
milk-weed or thistles. There are also double-
ended and pointed ones, with a cross section,
about the middle of which is a circle, and
through which is a perforation.

A great variety of wands or badges of dis-
tinction are found. They are nearly all fab-
ricated from striped and variegated slate, highly
finished, veiy symmetrical and elegant in pro-
portion, evidently designed to be ornamental.
If they were stronger and heavier, some of
them would serve the purpose of hatchets or
battle-axes. The material is compact and fine
grained ; but the eyes, or holes for handles or
staves, are quite small, seldom half an inch in
diameter. Their edges are not sharp, but
rounded, and the bod}' is thin, usually less than
one-fourth an inch in thickness.

The form of badges known as " double-cres-
cents " are the most elegant and expensive of
any yet brought to notice. They were probably
used to indicate the highest rank or office.
The single crescent perhaps signified a rank
next below the double. In Mr. John B. Mat-
son's* collection there is a rough-hewn double
one in process of construction, the horns of
which turn inward. In nearl}' or quite all the
finished ones the points turn outward. The

* Mr. Matson resides in Springfield Towneliip, not far from Spring
Mills. He has one of the largest and finest collections in the connty.
Dr. J. P. Henderson, at Newville ; Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Dr. J. W.
Craig, the Library Rooms, and Mr. Edward Wilkinson, at Mansfield,
have large and interesting collections, showing quite lully the
archajology, not only of this county, but of Ohio.

zfk.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

187

tinish around the bore of all winged badges
and the crescents is the same, and the size of the
bore about the same. — from two-fifths to three-
fifths of an inch. On one side of all is a nar-
row rid^e ; on the other, a fiat band, length-

are also made of green striped slate, highly
polished, with a bore of about one-half inch in
diameter, appai-ently to insert a , light wooden
rod or staff. They were probably emblems of
distinction, and were not ornaments. Nothing

88 (m~

DRILLED CEREMONIAL WEAPONS OF SLATE.
Fig. 87 is a facsimile of a double crescent, owned by Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, at Newville.

wise, like a ridge that has been ground down to
a width of one to two tenths of an inch.
Badges and crescents are invariably made of
banded slate, generally of a gi-eenish shade of
color. The other forms of wands or badges,
such as those with symmetrical wings or blades.

like them is known among the modern tribes, in
form or use, hence they are attributed to the
Mound-Builders.

In addition to stone ornaments, the prehis-
toric man seems to have had a penchant, like
his savage successors, to bedaub his bod}'

:i£

■►

188

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

PERFORATORS FLINT.

ARROW ANii si'EAR HEADS. (See p.ige 191.)

;i^

^v^-^

HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY.

191

with various colors, derived from different col-
ored minerals. These compounds were mixed
in hollowed stones or diminutive mortars —
" paint cups," — in which the mineral mass of
colored clay was reduced to powder and pre-
pared for application to the body. Such paint
cups are not common in this county ; in fact,
they are quite rare, but one being known to
exist — that in the collection of Dr. Craig.

The comparative rarity of aboriginal smok-
ing pipes is easily- explained by the fact that they
were not discarded, as were weapons, when
those by whom they were fashioned entered
upon the iron age. The advances of the whites

lost tribes of America. Arrow and spear heads
and other similar pieces of flaked flints are the
most abundant of any aboriginal relics in the
Ignited States. They are chiefly made of hard
and brittle siliceous materials; are easily dam-
aged in hitting any object at which they are
aimed, hence many of them bear marks of
violent use. Perfect specimens are, however,
liy no means rare. The art of arrow-making
survives to the present day among certain
Indian tribes, from whom is learned the art
practiced that produces them.

A classification of arrow-heads is not within
the scope of this work; indeed, it is rarely at-

SS'^'^v

in no way lessened the demand for pipes, nor
did the whites substitute a better implement.
The pipes were retained and used until worn
out or broken, save the few that were l)uried
with their dead owners. What was the ultimate
fate of these can only be conjectured. In very
few instances does an Indian grave contain a
pipe. If the practice of burying the pipe with
its owner was common, it is probable that the
graves were opened and robbed of this coveted
article by members of the same or some other
tribes.

It only remains to notice the "flints," in ad-
dition to which a few other archaeological relics
of minor importance are found about the
country, but none of suflficient import to merit
mention, or to throw additional light on the

tempted by archaeologists. The styles are
almost as numerous as their makers. In gen-
eral, they are all the same in outline, mostly
leaf-shaped, varying according to the taste of
their makers. The accompanying cut exhibits
a few of the common forms, though the num-
ber is infinite. They may have been chipped—
pro])al:)ly most were— and some may have been
ground. Spear-heads exhibit as large a variety
as arrow-heads. Like arrow-heads, spear-heads
were inserted in wooden handles of various
lengths, though in many tribes they were
fastened l\v thongs of untanned leather or
sinews.

Their modes of manufacture were generally
the same. Sometimes tribes contained '■ arrow-
makers," whose business was to make these

^\(s-

192

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

implements, selling them to, or exchanging
them with, their neighbors for wampum or
peltry. AA^ien the Indian desired an arrow-
head, he could bu}' one of the 'arrow-maker "
or make one himself The common method
was to take a chipping implement, generally
made of the pointed rods of a deer horn, from
eight to sixteen inches in length, or of slender,
short pieces of the same material, bound with

sinews to wooden sticks resembling arrow
shafts. The "arrow-maker" held in his left
hand the flake of flint or obsidian on which he
intended to operate, and. pressing the point of
the tool against its edge, detached scale after
scale, until the flake assumed the desired form.

Note — Of the cuts vised in this chapter, those on pages 177, 178,
179, 180, 181, 184, 185, 187, 188, and that of the club-headed stores,
page 182, are from tlie collection of plates belonging to the Smith-
sonian Institution, Washington, D. C.

.^ «)

HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY.

193

CHAPTER XIX.

AGRICULTURE.

Agricultural Societies— Their History and Progress— The County Society, its Exhibitions and its several
Grounds — The Bellville Fair — The Plymouth Fair — Horticulture and the Horticultural Society,
their Influence on the Growth of Fruit Culture is the County — Statistics of Agriculture, Taxable
Property, etc.

" He that by the plow would thrive.
Himself must either hold or drive." — FrankJin.

PRECEDING pages, detailing the history of
agriculture and agricultural societies in
Ohio, give a resume of the growth of that indus-
try in the West, from its settlement down to the
present time. It only remains to notice the
growth of the same industry in Richland
Count}'.

The first mention of any effort on the part of
any citizens of this county to form a society,
whose object should be promotive of agricult-
ure, occurs in the columns of the old Mansfield
Gazette, under date of July 8, 1829. Some
person had been agitating the subject, evidently,
from the tone of the article, as the paper in an
editorial states that a committee has been ap-
pointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, and,
further, that the citizens held an adjourned
meeting July 4. for the purpose of forming an
agricultural and mechanical society. '' S. Gr.
Bushnell was called to the chair, and S. Rug-
gles, Esq.. appointed Secretary. Gen. Alex.
Enos, of the committee heretofore appointed
for that purpose, submitted a constitution,
which, after some alteration, was adopted."

The constitution provided that members must
be residents of the county, and that, as an ad-
mission to the Society, they should pay into the
treasury, annually, fifty cents. After providing
for the officers, the constitution further stip-
ulated that the yearly meeting should be held
on the " last Friday of October."

The officers of this pioneers' association elected
that day were as follows : M. Bartley, Pres-
ident ; John Stewart and John Oldshoe, Vice
Presidents ; James Purdy, Corresponding Sec-
retary ; Lanus Hays, Recording Secretary, and
Robert Roland, Treasurer. The Board of Di-
rectors consisted of William Riddle, S. G.
Bushnell, Alexander Enos, Robert Bentley,
Jonathan Coulter, Spooner Ruggles and Abra-
ham Hufman. A committee of two was ap-
pointed in each township (twenty-five) to solicit
subscriptions and " forward the views of the
Society."

Of this Society , the above synopsis is all that
is now preserved. It seems never to have attained
any further progress. The country was then
too new to properl}' sustain such an enterprise.
Very few towns and counties in Ohio at that
date were in a position to maintain such things ;
and, after a brief struggle, the Society died out.

From this time until after the passage of a
law favoring agricultural societies, in 1846, no
endeavor seems to have been made to foster
such interests. From time to time, however,
other and older localities began to hold such
fairs, and gradually a spirit of improvement
began to appear. This culminated in the law
referred to, which gave additional impetus to
the question. It revived it again in this county,
now diminished in size by the creation of Craw-
ford and Ashland Counties, and the prospect of
a further reduction liy the proposed county of
Morrow, created liefore the agricultural society

"?-

_g)

194

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

was formed. Three years after the passage of
the above-mentioned law, in 1849, a permanent
agricultural society was organized. Its growth
really began a year or so before, but the organ-
ization was not effected until that year. A
fair was held that autumn, which, for the first
one, was very creditable. The exhibitions were,
it is true, rather meager, yet they showed an
advance in many regards. It is not likely that
any admission fee was charged, as that was not
the custom then. Probably a hat was passed
around at the close of each day's exhibition,
and what money could be collected was used to
defray the light expense. Often the articles
exhibited were sold on the ground at the close
of the fair.

There is no account of the fairs from 1849 to
1857 ; neither can any one give an}' definite in-
formation. It is pretty certain, however, that
the fair was held regularly during that period
of eight years. The report of 1857 speaks of
the "annual exhibitions." The occasidnal pa-
pers preserved of that period refer to the fair
in the same terms, hence the inference is in
favor of a regular exhibition. In addition to
this, no one remembers other than that the
fairs were regularly held. In 1857, the first
printed report of the Agricultural Board of the
State appeared. Reports fi'om nearly all the
county societies are given. That from Richland
County reads as follows:

" The eighth annual fair was held September
22 and 23, 1857. The Society has been holding
its anniversaries upon ground belonging to a
private citizen, without any other right than a
permit, and for no specified time. The Society
has adopted measures to procure and fit up
grounds. The County Commissioners have
agreed to appropriate one-half of the money, and
the citizens of Mansfield agree to furnish one-
half of the remainder, the balance to be
raised b}' subscription in the count}'. The
Society is confident of success in the enter-
prise."

The Secretary, Alex. Mcllvain, speaks hope-
fully of the future and well of the past. He
reports the total receipts from all sources, $223.-
86; the total expenditures, $211.90, leaving a
balance of $11.96 in the treasury. Ezra Osborn
was President of the Society that year.

The report of 1858 shows that steps were
being taken to procure new grounds, which de-
sired change was not accomplished till the next
year. The fair of 1858 was only a partial success.
The fair at Plymouth started that year, and
drew nearly all the patronage from the north
part of the county. The receipts were, how-
ever, increased, and after paying all expenses
(amounting to $726.58) there remained in the
treasury $101.95.

The next 3'ear, the new gi'ounds, on the south
side of the city, were purchased, and there, on
the 12th, 13th and 14th of October, 1859, the
fair, the largest yet. was held. Over fifteen
thousand persons were estimated to have been
on the grounds. The receipts were $879 and
the expenses $1,020.

The new grounds contained about ten
acres, and were in an excellent location, at
the junction of the Lexington and Bellville
roads.

The county fairs continued to lie held here
with varying successes during the years that
followed, when the civil war almost swallowed
every other question. Its influence was dis-
cernible, however, as well as the Plymouth fair,
and the Bellville fair, started in 1860. The
close of the great war, and the return of pi'os-
perity, brought a change over agricultural, as
well as other, interests. The sixteenth fair, held
October 3, 4 and 5, 1865, was, considering the
weather, a success. Ten cents admission was
charged ; 156 membership tickets sold, and 536
entries made. The next year the prosperity
continued, and thoughts of new and larger
grounds were entertained. The fair of 1867 was
still better. The Society made enough to pay
all premiums, and also a part of their indebted-

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

195

ness, incuiTed in the purchase of the grounds,
and the losses occasioned by the depression of
business during tlie war.

The successes of the last two or three years
determined the feasibility of the fair. The
grounds, for the fair of 1868. were too small,
and a committee was appointed to purchase a
new location. Several localities were otfered,
ranging in price from $125 to $300 per acre.
October 1 , a contract was entered into, whereby
Mr. E. Hade sold to the Society a fraction over
twenty-four acres for $3,125.20, and Mr. A. C.
Welch authorized to sell the old ground, which
sale was afterward effected.

The purchase of the new grounds, and the
opening of the fair of 1869, marked an era of
prosperity heretofore unknown. The Society
had introduced many improvements ; had built
commodious halls for floral, mechanical and
agi-icultural displays ; and had completed a
finely graded one-half-mile track. The entire
expenditures for the year were $14,169.68. The
receipts from all sources were $7,396.24, leav-
ing a debt of $6,773.44, which the Society con-
fidently expected to wipe out the following
year. It will be remembered l)y the citizens of
the county who attended this fair, that Mr. 0.
H. Booth wrote an excellent humorous account
of its proceedings, the most complete report b}^
far of any heretofore published.

The report of 1870 was still successful. All
parts of the county were well represented, and,
though the weather for the most time was un-
favorable, the attendance was large. A few
new. halls had been erected for the further con-
venience of visitors, and pipes laid from a
spring of water in an adjacent hillside, which
now sent its waters into the midst of the fair
grounds. The supply of water, however, proved
insufficient, and steps were taken to increase
the volume from other sources.

The report of 1871 shows continued prosper-
ity. The Holly waterworks were in course of
erection in the city, which, when completed, were

expected to convey abundance of water to the
grounds. The meeting this year is declared in
the Secretary's report to be the best ever held
in the county.

The next year, the State Fair was held in
this county. The attendance to this was very
large, and caused a decline in the receipts of
the county fair, held shortly afterward. The
Society lost money this year, though it gained
somewhat in interest caused by the State Fair
that had held its meetings on the Society's
grounds. The additional buildings erected for
the use of the State Fair were retained for the
county society. The number of members this
year was 132. The report of 1873 shows a de-
pression. The Secretary says : "The Society
now numbers only about twenty members,
which will probably be largely increased at the
coming annual meeting of the Society. The State
Fair having been held here for the past two
years, has virtually killed the exhibitions of
the county society, not enough being realized
off the exhibitions of 1872 and 1873 to pay the
premiums awarded. The Society has also
largely involved itself through the fitting up
of the grounds for the State Fair, and it will
only be by careful management that the Society
will come through."

That fall, the First National Bank failed.
The President of the bank, Mr. W. S. Hickox,
was also President of the Society. His fixilure
brought the climax of difficulties on the Society,
and, though a fair was held the next fall, it was
evident to all, particularly to the principal
members of the Society, that it must succumb
to hard times, its debt and the blow it received
from the failure of the bank. The grounds
were sold to pay the debts ; and, at a meeting
held January 2, 1875, it was,

''ResoJced. That it is the sense of this
meeting that the Richland County Agricultural
Society has, by reason of financial difficulties,
outlived its usefulness, and it is hereby declared
formally disbanded." This resolution was

196

IIISTOIIY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

signed by J. W. Myers. Secretary, and the so-
ciety declared adjourned "sine die."

Richland County was now without an organ-
ized society as a county society. The Bell-
ville fair had. several years before, ceased its
exhibitions. l)ut tiie Pl3'raouth fair was still
prosperous. Influential citizens, however, were
determined not to let the matter die out. and,
soon after the above resolution was passed, a
call for those interested in a county agricult-
ural society appeared in the city papers, asking
all such to meet in the I'ooms of the Richland
.Mutual Insurance Company. April 24. That
day a number of citizens met there, and, after
organizing ami hearing the object of the meet-
ing clearly stated, adopted a resolution forming
a new agricultural society, using the con-
stitution and by-laws of the old one, changing
the name only by omitting the word ••county"
from the new society. A committee was ap-
pointed to solicit members, and the 8th of
May set as the day on which to meet and per-
fect the organization.

That day quite a large number of persons
met, and completed the organization by electing
offlcers and a Board of Directors. The com-
mittee repox'ted 177 names of those who had
put down their names and agreed to support-
the new society. The offlcers elected were :
S. B. Sturges, President ; Robert Darling, Vice
President; M. E. Douglass, Treasurer, and J.
^V. Myers. Secretary. The old grounds were
rented, and it was determined to hold a ftiir the
coming autumn.

From that time forward, there is but little to
be written. Annual exhibitions have been held,
increasing in interest and attendance. The So-
ciety were enabled this last year to pay all pre-
miums in full, and all current expenses, and
have a margin over for future operations.
Should the people of the county rally to the
support of the Society, a few years hence will see
it in full possession of its grounds, and in
growing condition.

Incidental mention has already l>een made
of other fairs in this county. aIz.. the Bellville
and Plymouth foirs. The former of these
dates its earliest inception in 1850. Al)Outthe
last of OctoJ)er in that year, Mr. Miller Moody
ol)tained a charter, and, principally through his
efforts, the fair was held. A lot of ground,
just south of the elevator, was secured, where
the out-door exhiliition was held. The in-
door exhibition was held in the Universalist
church, then in an unfinished condition. The
fair is well spoken of now by those who attended
it. and was. undoul)tedly. a good exhibition for
that time. The Mansfield (county) fair was,
however, coming into existence, and. being the
principal agricultural attraction, drew the ma-
jor part of the patronage, and al)Sorbed the
society at Bellville. which seems to have held
but one meeting.

Ten years after, in 186(1. the citizens in the
southern part of the county concluded a fair
could be successfully maintained in Bellville,
and, at an informal meeting, held in the sum-
mer of that year, organized the Bellville Agri-
cultural Society. They leased a beautiful plat
of ground about one-fourth mile from the vil-
lage, and. October 24. 25 and 26, held an excel-
lent exhibition. Mr. Nicholas Fleharty was
among the prime movers in this fair. The So-
ciety held three exhibitions, but, owing to the
war, could not maintain a paying organization,
and allowed it to go down, and turned their at-
tention to the county society, then, like all
others, in a precarious condition. The end of
the war brought new vigor to the county society ;
but the Bellville organization was not revived.

The Plymouth fair was organized June 15,
1855, with the following list of officers : John
Bodine, President ; Mr. Barker and Levi B.
Shaver, Vice Presidents : R. McDonald. Treas-
urer ; D. R. Locke (Nasby). Secretary. Exhi-
bitions of a good character were maintained
nearly every year down to 1870. on rented,
leased or donated grounds. That year, how-

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

197

ever, a joint-stock company was formed, and
not long after thirteen acres of land in the vil-
lage purchased. The grounds were put in the
best of order, and are now among the first in
this part of Ohio. The fair draws a large pat-
ronage from adjoining counties, especially from
Huron and Crawford. Premiums are generally
paid promptly, and bring a good class of exhib-
itors.

The present officers are John K. Brant, Pres-
ident; Joseph Conley. Vice President ; A. B.
Gilson, Treasurer ; J. Frank Beelman. Secre-
tary ; and P. S. Brink, Superintendent.

The foregoing history gives the county three
distinct societies. Whether it can well support
that number, remains a problem. Each one was
a good one in its day: but at present only two
maintain an active existence. A good fair, well
attended l\y the farmers, for whom it is primarily
intended, cannot fail to l»e of great benefit to
them. Strange as it may appear, however,
generally that class is the last to move energet-
ically in the matter, and does not uniformly
give the fair that attention due to it by them.

HortlcnlturaJ ^Societies. — Horticulture, so near
akin to agriculture, may well be noticed in this
connection. From the earliest settlement of the
county there have been those who took a deep
interest in the cultivation of fruit. Probably
the earliest horticulturist in this county, if
not in Ohio, was the famous .John Chapman,
better known as • Johnny Appleseed." whose
singular history is elsewhere narrated. Many
of the best nurseries in this and adjoining coun-
ties trace their beginning to his erratic wander-
ings. Following him. were those early em-
igrants, who, having become accustomed to rich
fruit in their Eastern homes, planted seeds and
sprouts, grafted fruits, and. from time to time, im-
proved the varieties introduced into this region.
Improvement in one place suggested impro^e-
ment in another, and thus gradually better
grades of fruit found their way into the farm-
ers' cellars, and to the market. By and by.

consultations among neighbors, and an exchange
of seeds and grafts, led to the desire in the
minds of many for a society' whose object should
be the discussion of, and the interchange of
views regarding, fruit culture.

Late in tlje season of 1873 (December 11), a
meeting of prominent fruit-gTowers in the county
decided that, on December 20, a meeting of all
those whose minds favored the idea, should be
held in the count}' seat, and a horticultural so-
ciety organizted. That day, about thirty of those
who were interested in fruit culture assembled,
in defiance of the muddy roads, and proceeded to
the formation of the society. Dr. Perkins Bige-
low was called to the chair, and J. E. Wharton
appointed Secretary. The Doctor explained
the object of the meeting, and called upon the
Secretary to read the constitution that had been
prepared by the committee appointed for that
purpose December 11. It was adopted. An
election for officers then ensued, resulting in
the choice of F. R. Palmer, President; Samuel
Nail, Vice President; J. E. Wharton, Secretary,
and Dr. Bigelow, Treasurer. An executive
committee, consisting of the following gentle-
men, was also chosen: John Booth. C. Elliott,
S. S. Smith, R. M. Coulter, and H. Golliday.
By-laws were then submitted and approved, and
the " Richland Horticultural Society " was an
actual fact. Before adjourning, it was decided
that the first meeting for discussion should be
held February 14. 1874, in the library rooms.

That day quite a number of persons assem-
liled, and, after the opening addresses by the
elected officers, an interesting and instructive
exhibition of fruits was shown, exhibiting the
varieties grown in the county. These were dis-
cussed, and views regarding their best modes of
culture given. Subjects for the next meeting
were selected, and the meetings, it was deter-
mined, should be held each month.

Since that time regular monthly meetings are
held during the year, save in the winter, where
all kinds of fruits are exhibited and discussed;

198

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUiYTY.

the best modes of cultivation noted; the ravages
of climate, insects and other drawbacks given;
the best modes of overcoming all difficulties
stated, and the results olitained in each indi-
vidual case.

The effect of the Society's lalior has greatly
advanced the standard of fruit in this county.
It has brought other societies here at different
times, and has awakened a general interest in
most parts of the county, not easily measured
by the standard of money.

Mr. Palmer continued President till the early
part of 1875, when he was succeeded by Adam
Moore. At the same time, Mr. ■ Palmer was
elected Vice President; John Booth, Secretary;
and Dr. Bigelow continued as Treasurer.

These persons remained in office until Janu-
ary 12, 1878, when Mr. Palmer was elected
President; R. M. Coulter, Vice President; C. S.
Doolittell, Secretary; and Dr. Bigelow, Treas-
urer. These officers are still occupying their
respective positions. The monthly meetings are
regularly held during the .proper season, and
would the citizens of the count}^ in general, give
the Society that encouragement properly due,
its benefits would be largely increased.

Regarding the beneficial results of the horti-
cultural society, Mr. Palmer, its President, fur-
nishes the following: ■' In the early settlement
of the county but little attention was given to
the cultivation of small fruits, such as straw-
berries, raspberries, grapes, etc. Not till 1860,
was any considerable quantity grown for mar-
ket."

The soil proved to be well adapted to the
growth of these wholesome and delicious fruits,
and very fine crops were grown. The fruit met
a ready sale at good prices. The acreage in-
creased for several years, until about fifty acres
each of strawberries and raspberries were grown
in the vicinity of Mansfield. Since 1865, the
home market has been well supplied, and thou-
sands of bushels have been shipped to other
parts of the State.

Grape-growing is also comparatively a new
industry in this county. For a long time, it was
the general opinion that grapes could not be
grown with success, except in certain localities,
and near large bodies of water; $80() an acre
have been paid for land on Ivelley's Island and
elsewhere about Sandusky City, for vineyard
purposes. Experience lias proven that the hills
of Richland County will grow as many tons of
grapes per acre, and of as good quality, as could
be raised in any of these localities. The first
vineyard planting in the county was done in
1863 by L. N. Pittenger and F. R. Palmer. Two
years later, John Oswald planted a vineyard.
All these vineyards bore fine crops of choice
fruits. The fifth year after planting, Mr. Oswald
gathered twelve tons of grapes from five acres;
and the next year, gathered the enormous crop
of twenty-seven tons from the same ground.
This fruit sold readily for $100 per ton. The
other vine3ards were not allowed to bear so
heavily, being pruned, and yielding about three
tons per acre. The fruit was larger and of much
better quality, and sold in Fort Wayne and In-
dianapolis for $140 per ton.

The success of these vineyards encouraged
others to plant, and in the spring of 1874, more
than seventy thousand Concord grapevines
were planted in Richland County. There are
now (1880) 150 acres of vineyard in the county,
whose average crops are two and one-half tons
per acre, or nearly four hundred tons, worth
$500 ; surely a profitable investment. But lit-
tle wine is made in the county, the fruit being
principally used for table purposes. The bulk
of the crops have been principally shipped to
Cincinnati, where the}' have commanded good
prices.

The first vines planted in 1863, b}' L. W.
Pittenger, Ijore an excellent crop the third year
after planting, and for thirteen 3^ears the vines
have yielded an annual remunerative supply.
In 1878 and 1879, many of the vine3ards lost
their fruit by reason of rot, This does not ap-

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

199

pear to be the result of any defect in the soil
nor infirmity in the vine : but of some peculiar
atmospheric agency, which growers as yet do
not understand. The prevailing opinion is that
it is the result of excessive rainfall, followed
by hot, sultry weather, and that it will disap-
pear as the seasons change.

The following statistics will give the reader
a pretty accurate idea of the wealth of the
county as represented in the last agTicul-
tural report made to the Auditor for the year
1879.

There was sown in wheat, 36,030 acres, on
which were grown 669,887 bushels ; rye, 730
acres, 9,499 bushels ; buckwheat, 143 acres,
1,118 bushels ; oats, 23,738 acres, 804,274
bushels ; barley, 144 acres, 4,168 bushels ; corn
31,243 acres, 1,020,412 bushels ; meadow, 22,-
1 1 5 acres, 28,041 tons hay ; clover, 13,206 acres,
11,133 tons hay, 5,981 bushels seed ; 739 acres,
plowed under for manure ; flax, 248 acres,
2,121 bushels seed ; patatoes, 1,445 acres, 91,-
052 bushels; tobacco, 1 acre planted, 400 pounds
produced; butter, 827,305 pounds produced;
cheese, 9,728 pounds ; sorghum, 31 acres, 156
pounds sugar, 4,632 gallons syrup ; maple su-
gar in 1879, 38,589 pounds sugar, 17,417 gal-
lons syrup; beehives, 2,137, 23,918 pounds
honey ; grapes and wine, 25 acres planted in
the year 1878, whole number of acres in the
vineyard in 1878, 284; in 1878, 190,005 pounds
of grapes gathered, and 245 gallons of wine
produced. Sweet potatoes, 2 acres, 199 bushels ;

orchards, 6,795 acres, 961,853 bushels apples,
21,416 bushels peaches, 2,067 bushels pears.
Lands owned in 1878— 1 48,852 acres, cultivated;
41,469 acres, pasture; 68,261 acres, wood;
3,849 acres, other uncultivated land ; total 269,-
556. Wool, 227,154 pounds shorn ; sheep killed,
285, value, $788 ; sheep injured, 168, estimate
of injury done, $206.50 ; aggregate of injury
done to sheep by dogs, $1,070.50; domestic
animals died from disease, 888 head, value, '
$2,225 ; sheep, 1,096 head, value, $2,491 ; cat-
tle, 241 head, value, $4,589 ; horses, 113 head,
value, $7,025.

The personal property in the county is thus
exhibited in the same report :

Value of bonds, etc., exempt from taxation,
$76,700 ; horses, 10,329, value, $526,732 ; cat-
tle, 23,075, value, $306,521; mules, etc., 245,
value, $12,210; sheep, 63.310, value, $147,801 ;
hogs, 31,751, value, $65,503 ; carriages, 5,888,
value, $187,072; all other personal property, in-
cluding bank capital and corpoi;ation property,
$437,115 ; watches, 1,232, value, $24,154 ; pianos
and organs, 887, value, $63,148.

The total value of all stocks, bonds, moneys
and credits, is estimated at $3,062,289, there
are 3,440 dogs, whose value (fixed by owners),
is $4,334.

From the above reports the entire value of
personal property is estimated at $4,838,^79.
This, added to the value of real property, gives
a total value of taxable property in the county
of more than $14,000,000.

(S k^

200

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

CHAPTER XX.

INDIAN TRIBES IN THE COUNTY

Wyandots or Huuons^Ottawas — Delawares — Shawanees — Greentown — Jeromeville — Capt.Pipe — Thomas
Armstrong — Other Chiefs — John M. Armstrong, his Education, Marriage, Work and Death —
Indian Villages — Manners, Customs, Food — Hunting — Marriage Ceremonies — Religion — Feasts at
Greentown and Jeromeville — Removal.

'• I have given you lands to hunt in,
1 have given you streams to fish in,
1 have given you bear and bison,
I have given you roe and reindeer,
I have given you brant and beaver.
Filled the marshes full of wild-fowl,
Fil'ed the river full of fishes." — Longfellow.

COL. CHARLES WHITTLESEY'S map of
the Indians of Ohio gives to this coitnty
fonr principal tribes, the Wyandots or Hu-
rons, the Ottawas.. the Delawares and the
Shawanees. The division lines between these
nations diverged in three directions from
a point a few miles north of the site
ot Mansfield, east, west and sonth. All
the northern part of the connty was the comitry
of the Hurons and 'Ottawas; the southeastern
of the Delawares. and the southwestern of the
Shawanees. In 1764, these nations were esti-
mated by Mr. Hutchins, the United States
geographer, to possess L600 warriors, divided
among them as follows: Delawares, 600; Shaw-
anees, 500; Wyandots. 300; Ottawas, 200. A
brief history of each of these nations may not
be out of place here, and, in as concise a man-
ner as possible, it will be given, following the
order given above.

The Delawares, the strongest nation, who
had a representation in Richland County, ac-
cording to their own traditions — all the
authority possessed of Indian history — origi-
nally came from the West, crossing the Missis-
sippi, gradually ascending the Ohio, fighting
their way, and continuing on east until they

reached the Delaware River, where the city of
Philadelphia now stands, in which region of
country they for a time obtained a fixed habi-
tation. As time passed, they became very
numerous and very powerful, and, while here,
they welcomed to the shores of the New World
that good man, AVilliam Penn, and his peaceful
followers, for whom ever after the}^ entertained
a very kind and friendly feeling. Col. John
Johnston, so long the Indian Agent in the
West, relates that, generations after the found-
ing of Philadelphia, the Delaware Indians in
speaking of a good man, would say •• Wa, she, a
E, le, ne" — such a man is a Quaker, i.e., all good
men are Quakers. It seems that a portion of
the tribe remained on the Delaware until
1823, when Col. Johnston removed them to the
West. By their removal to the West, they
called themselves '-Wa. l)e, nugh, ka;"" that is,
"the people from the East," or "the sun-rising."
What remained of the tribe then, the Colonel
says, '-were the most wretched, squalid and
debased of their race, and often furnished
chiefs with a subject of reproach against the
whites, pointing to these of their people and
saying, ' See how you have spoiled them,' mean-
ing they had acquired all the bad habits of the
white people, and were ignorant of hunting, and
incapable of making a liA^elihood as other In-
dians." In 1819, Col. Johnston enumerates
eighty Delawares residing in his agency in
Ohio, who were stationed near Upper Sandusky,
and 2,300 in Indiana. The Colonel mentions

■^

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

201

Bockinghelas and Capt. Pipe, principal chiefs
of tlie Delaware tribe, and Killbuck, who had
received a liberal education at Princeton Col-
lege, and who retained the principles of Chris-
tianity until his death.

Strong as the Delawares may have been in
their halcyon days, disease and the vices of the
whites rapidly diminished their numbers, until,
when the Greenville treaty was made, only 381
were enumerated. They were represented at the
second Greenville treaty, in 1814, and in Sep-
tember. 1817, at a treaty held at the foot of the
Maumee Rapids with Lewis Cass and Duncan
McArthur, Commissioners on the part of the
United States, a reservation of three miles
square was granted to them near the Wy-
andot reservation, near the northern bound-
ary of Marion County. This reservation was
equally divided among sixteen principal In-
dians, among whom were Capt. Pipe. Zeshanau.*
or James Armstrong, and others who had lived
in Greentown, in this county, and whose history
will be noticed hereafter. By the treaty con-
cluded at Little Sandusky August 3, 1829, the
Delawares ceded their reservation to the United
States for $3,000. and removed west of the
Mississippi.

The most noted Lidian town in old Richland
County was in the part assigned to the Del-
awares. This was Greentown. situated on Sec-
tion 18. in Green Township. -^ Greentown was
started aV)out 1783," says Dr. Hill, "on the
Black Fork of Mohican by an American Tory
from the blood-stained valley of Wyoming.
After that sanguinary slaughter, Thomas Green,
who had aided the fierce Mohawks to murder
his countrymen, fled to the wilds of Ohio with
Jelloway. Armstrong, Billy Montour, Tom Lyons
and others. The village received thename of
the white fiend, and was called Greentown."

When the Indian war of 1790 broke out, the
Greentown Indians were led by Thomas Arm-

*Dr. George W. HiU fays ArnistroDg's Indian name was " Pa-
moxet."

strong, while that portion of the tribe living
about Upper Sandusky were led 1)y Capt. Pipe.
For a while they were able to repel the whites,
but, in 1794. Gen. Wayne met them at the
" Fallen Timbers," and so signally routed them
that their power was forever Ijroken. Ever
after the name of Wayne was a terror to them.
After the treaty of 1795, part of the tribe
returned to Greentown and part to Jeromeville,*
established at that time. The Indians remained
at Greentown at peace with the whites until the
war of 1812. During this interval their village
grew to a population of more than a hundred
souls, and became one of the best known in
Northern Ohio. It was one of the chief towns
among the aborigines, and in it were held many
of their feasts, an account of two being given
in succeeding pages. They cultivated fields of
corn adjacent to the village, built good cabins,
and entertained, as best they could, any white
person applying for their hospitality.t

Capt. Pipe, who was one of their ruling spir-
its, and long time a chief, was, after the peace
of 1795, a fervent friend of the whites. He had
been an inveterate foe, and was the principal
actor in the cruel execution of Col. Crawford,
in retaliation for the wanton murder of their
Moravian brothers. This was in strict accord
with the ideas of Indian justice, and, had Col.
Williamson, the commander of the militia who

* Jeromeville, another important Indian town in tUis part of the
State though not in "old Kichland," well deserves a description.
It was founded by John Baptiste Jerome, a Canadian Frenchman,
who came about 1784 to the Huron River, where he married an
Indian girl, a sister of the noted Indian, George Hamilton. After
marriage, Jerome removed to upper Sandusky, where he remained
until the outbreak of hostilities in 1790, when, with Capt. Pipe, of
the Delawares, he engaged in battle against the Americana, only to
be defeated by Gen. Wayne. After the treaty of Greenville Jerome
Capt. Pipe, and a number of Delaware Indians, came to the site ot
Mohican Johnstown, on the south side of the stream, about three-
quarters of a mile from the present Jeromeville, where they estab-
lished a town. This was about 1802 or 1803. Jerome crossed the
stream and built a cabin a little northeast of a mill site long after-
ward used for such. He was here when Joseph Larwill surveyed
the country, in 1806 and 1807. He was still here when the first set-
tlers came, and had considerable land cleared in the creek bottoms.
He resided in this cabin with his Indian wife and daughter until
the Indians were removed by orders of Capt. Murray, an account ot
which is given in this volume. The removal caused their death.
He was never the same man again. He married a German woman,
sold his farm, and, after one or two moves, died at his old home, on
the Huron River.

t Another old Indian town in this vicinity was Helltown. Its
location was not far from the present village of NewviUe. It is
fully described in the history of Worthington Township.

'If-

202

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

so cruelly slew the inoffensive Moravians, been
captured, Col. Crawford would have been spared,
(^apt. Pipe seemed to accept the results of war,
and, knowing that the power of the Indians was
gone, lived peaceably until his death. He was one
of the Indian chiefs who signed the treaty of
peace at (Ireenville, July 22, 1814, between the
United States and his and other tribes. By this
act he fully identified himself with the American
cause.* When he came to Mohican John's
town, or Mohican Johnstown, as it is variously
written, he built his cabin about one mile north-
west of the old Mingo town, south of the stream,
and on what is now the Haysville roatl. There
he lived several years. Dr. William Bushnell
says he has often been in his caliin, and par-
taken of his hospitality. He describes Capt.
Pipe as humane, fine looking, dignified, courte-
ous, a magnificent specimen of physical man-
hood, fully six feet high, and exceptionally well
proportioned. He thinks the cabin was about
twelve feet square, and was well made for an
Indian's work.

The Armstrong family of Indians, members
of the Delaware nation, became better known
among the whites than any other famil}'. Dr.
Hill mentions Thomas Armstrong as the chief
of the Delawares at Greentown, and their
leader against the Americans in the Indian
wars between 1790 and 1795. He was associ-
ated with Capt. Pipe, leader of the Delawares,
upon the Sandusky and the Huron Rivers.
Both were defeated by Gen. Wayne, whose
power tliey ever after feared. After the treaty
of peace at Greenville, Capt. Pipe, with Jerome
and others, came to this part of Ohio, and es-
tablished Jeromeville. Dr. Hill does not men-
tion the fact of Thomas Armstrong returning,
but in after jears, other authorities record the
fact of there being other Indians by that name.
These may have been his sons. The treat}- of
peace made by Lewis Cass and Duncan Mc-
Arthur in September, 1817, which gave a res-

* statement of Dr. Hill.

ervation to the Delawares adjoining that of the
Wyandots, specifies the following persons
among whom it should be divided : " Capt.
Pipe, son of old Capt. Pipe; Zeshanau, or James
Armstrong; Mahanto, or John Armstrong; San-
oudoyeasquaw, or Silas Armstrong ; Teorow, or
Black Raccoon ; Hawdorouwatistie, or Billy
Montour ; Buckwheat, William Dondee, Thomas
Lyons, Johnnj-cake, Capt. Wolfe, Isaac and
John Hill, Tishatahoones, or Widow Armstrong,
Ayenucere, Hoomawon, or John Ming, and
Yondorast."* Many of these had lived at
Greentown, others at Jeromeville. The Arm-
strong family seems to have been well rep-
resented at this time. No mention is made
of the old chief Thomas Armstrong. He may
have lost his life in the Indian war, and these
mentioned may have been his sons and his
widow\

Dr. Bushnell and other old citizens knew
John M. Armstrong quite intimately. He was
well educated, receiving his education at Noi*-
walk. He returned to Mansfield when his course
was completed, and studied law with Hon.
Thomas Bartley, afterward Governor of Ohio.
He also studied with Judge Stewart, when his
law office was on the southeast corner of the
square where the court house now stands.
While studying in Mansfield he recited a few
branches of learning to Rev. Russell Bigelow,
and thereby became acquainted with the minis-
ter's daughter, Lucy, a most excellent girl,
whom he afterward married, to the great aston-
ishment of her friends. -'He is such a fine
man, so dignified and so manly," said she in
response to the inquiry of a friend. ''■ I cannot
help but respect and love him, and I think I will
marry him. " ' He proved an exemplary and model
husband, and, when his studies were completed,
he went to Upper Sandusky, where he became
the chief of his tribe. He regulated their affairs,
did much to elevate them, and while there was
associated with "Chub,"' "Monque," "Blue

* Howe's Collections.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

203

Eyes," " Between-the-logs," and other noted
Christian Indians. They were Methodists, and
supported a church established by Rev. James
B. Finley, about 1820. The first person to
preach to them was John Stewart, a mulatto, a
member of the Methodist Church, who came to
the Wyandots of his own accord in 1816, and
gained much influence over them. His efforts
on their behalf paved the way for the estab-
lishment of a permanent mission by the church,
the first of this denomination among the In-
dians in the Mississippi A' alley.

The mission church building was built of
blue limestone, in 1824, from government funds.
Rev. Mr. Finley having permission from the
Secretary of War, John C. Calhoun, to apply
$1,333 for this purpose. The church still re-
mains, and around it the graves of many of the
Indian converts, who became most excellent
citizens, many of whom were very loath to go
farther West when their final remove was made

in 1842.

Speaking of the Shawanees or Shawanoes,
Col. Johnston, a most excellent authority on
such subjects, says: "We can trace their his-
tory to the time of their residence on the tide-
waters of Florida, and, as well as the Delawares,
they aver that they originally came from west
of the Mississippi. Blackhoof, who died at
Wapaghkonnetta, at the advanced age of 105
years, and who, in his day, was a very influen-
tial chief among the Indians, told me that he
remembered, when a boy. loathing in the salt
waters of Florida; also that his people flrmly
believed white or civilized people had been in
the country before them, having found in many
instances the marks of iron tools, axes upon
trees and stumps, over which the sand had
blown. Shawanoese means "the South," or
- people from the South."* After the peace of
1763, the Miamis removed from the Big Miami
River and a l)ody of Shawanees established
themselves at Lower and Upper Piqua, which

* Howe's Collections.

became their principal headquarters in Ohio.
They remained here until driven off by the Ken-
tuckians, when they crossed over to the St.
Marys and to Wapaghkonnetta. The Upper
Piqua is said to have contained at one period
over four thousand Shawanees. They were
very warlike and brave, and often were quite
formidable enemies.

In the French war, which ended in 1763, a
bloody battle was fought near the site of Col.
Johnston's residence, at Upper Piqua. At that
time the Miamis had their towns there, which on
ancient maps are marked as -Tewightewee
towns." The Miamis, Ottawas, Wyandots, and
other northern tribes, adhering to the French,
made a stand here, assisted ])y the French. The
Delawares, Shawanees, Munseys, parts of the
Senecas, residing in Pennsylvania; Cherokees,
Cataw]ias, and other tribes, adhering to the
English, with English traders, attacked the
French and Indians. The latter had built a
fort in which to protect and defend themselves,
and were able to withstand the siege, which
lasted more than a week. Not long after this con-
test, the Miamis left the country, retiring to the
Miami of the lake, at and near Fort Wayne, and
never returned. The Shawanees took their
place, and gave names to many towns in this
part of Ohio.

The part assigned to this nation by Col.
Whittlesey, extended to the line before men-
tioned, i. e., to the center of the county east
and west, and north as far as the southern line
of the Hurons, a short distance north of the site
of Mansfield. The only village of the tribe
known to have existed here was in the edge of
Crawford County, at a place known as Knise-
ty's Spring, now Annapolis. The water of the
spring is highly impregnated with sulphuretted
hydrogen, tarnishes silver, and deposits a sul-
phurous precipitate a short distance from the
spring. Dr. William Bushnell says the spring
was a favorite resort of the Indians after he
came to the county. He says also that the

204

HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY.

locality was a very sickly one, and that, in his ca-
pacity of a })hysiciaii, he often visited the Indians
who lived tliere. He has often placed silver in the
water to note the tarnish which is quickly im-
parted to it. The water is a gentle cathartic,
and, since the advent of the whites, the place
has been improved, and accommodations made
for visitors and those desirous of benefits ft'om
the spring water. The Indians, doubtless, an-
nually' came here during their occupancy of the
country. They were well acquainted with all
such localities, and often placed great confi-
dence in the waters, whose effects they could
perceive, but which they could not explain.

A small village, hardly worth the name, also
existed in Troy Township, a history of which is
given in connection with that of the township.
There were several such •' camps " in all parts
of Richland County. They were really hunt-
ing-places, and were not considered as vil-
lages. The county was rather a good hunting-
place, and as such, especially along its streams,
was much traversed by wandering tribes of In-
dians from all the nations dwelling in this part
of Ohio. In the histories of the townships
these various camps are more fully noticed.

The northern portion of Richland County be-
longed in ancient times to the Eries, who were
exterminated by the Five Nations in some of
their wars. The Wyandots, who, at the time
the French missionaries came to America, were
dwelling in the peninsula of Michigan, were al-
lowed by the Five Nations to occupy the land
of the Eries, and thus came to dwell in this
county. The Ottawas, another conquered tribe,
and one allowed existence only by paying a
kind of tribute to their conquerors, the Iro-
quois, were also part occupants of this same
part of Ohio. This nation produced the re-
nowned chief Pontiac, who was the cause of
such widespread desolation in the West, an ac-
count of which is given in the history of the
Northwest in preceding pages. The Ottawas
were often known as " Canada Indians " amona;

the early settlers. Their principal settlements
were on the Maumee, along the lake shore, on
the Huron and Black Rivers, and on the streams
flowing into them. The nation were distin-
guished for cunning and artifice, and were de-
void of the attributes of true warriors. The}-
were often employed as emissaries, their known
diplomacy and artifice l)eing well adapted to
such iKisiness. The Wyandots, on the other
hand, were a bold, warlike people. Gren. Har-
rison says of them: "They were true war-
riors, and neither fatigue, famine, loss, nor any
of the ills of war could daunt their courage.
They were our most formidable and stubborn
enemies among the aborigines in the war of
1812."' They, like all tribes in the West, were
often influenced by British rum and British
gold, and found in the end, as their chiefs so
aptly expressed it, that they were " only tools
in the hands of a superior power, who cared
nothing for them, only to further their own sel-
fish ends."

Many of the Indians of all these tribes were
friendly to all whites until the breaking-out of
the war with Great Britain, when they left the
country to join the forces of the king, and
destroy the whites who occupied their country.
They considered them then their enemies, and
acted accordingly on all occasions, save where
personal friendship, so strong in the Indian,
developed itself and, in many instances, saVed
the lives of those in danger. Instances of this
kind are frequently given, which appear in the
narrative as they occurred.

The manners, customs, feasts, war parties and
daily life of these sons of the forest, form in-
teresting chapters in aboriginal history. It will
be well to notice such in these pages, as far as
space permits. The character of the Indians
was largely the result of their lives. They
judged and lived by what the senses dictated.
They had names and words for what they could,
hear, see, feel, taste and smell. They had no
conceptions of abstract ideas until they learned

^ k-

^fv

tiL

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

205

such from the whites. Hence their language
was very symbolical. They could see the sun
in his brightness, they could feel his heat,
hence they compared the actions of a good man
to the glory of the sun, and his fervent energy
to the heat of that body. The moon in her
brightness, the wind in its fury, the clouds in
their majesty, or in their slow, graceful motion
through a lazy atmosphere; the grace and
flight of the deer; the strength and fury of
tiie l)ear; the rush or ripple of water as it
coursed along the bed of a river, all gave them
words whose expressiveness are a wonder and
marvel to this day. They looked on the beauti-
ful river that borders the southern shores of
our State and exclaimed "0-he-zo!" beauti-
ful ; on the placid waters of the stream border-
ing the western line of Indiana and ejaculated,
'■ Wa-ba" — a summer cloud moving swiftly ; on
the river flowing into Lake Erie and said,
"Cuy-o-ga" (Cuyahoga), crooked; and so on
through their entire vocabulary, each name ex-
pressive of a meaning, full and admirably
adapted to the object. At one time in the
history of the Indians in the South, one tribe was
driven from the homes of its ancestors, and in
their flight they came to the green banks of a
beautiful river. The spot was charmingly
beautiful, and the chief thrusting his spear
into the earth, cried in a loud voice, "Al-a-ba-ma"
— here we rest. A river and State now perpet-
uate the name and story.

The Indians in Northern Ohio, the tribes
already mentioned, had learned a few things
from their intercourse with the whites on the
borders of Western Pennsylvania, when they
were first seen by the pioneers of Richland
County. Their cabins or wigwams were of two
kinds, circular and parallelogram. The former,
the true wigwam, was in use among the Otta-
was when the whites came to their country. It
was made of a number of straight poles driven
firmly into the ground, their upper ends being
drawn closely together ; this formed a kind of

skeleton tent. The squaws plaited mats of
thongs, bark or grass, in such a manner as to
render them impervious to water. These were
spread on the poles, beginning at the bottom
and extending upward. A small hole was left for
the egress of smoke from the fire kindled in
the center of the wigwam. Aroiuid this fire,
mats or skins were spread, on which the Indians
slept at night, and on which they sat during the
day. For a door, the}' lifted one end of the
mat. and crept in, letting it fall down behind them.
These tents were warm and dry, and generally
quite free from smoke. Their fuel was nearl}^
always split by the squaws in the fall of the
year, and kept dry by placing it under an in-
verted birch-bark canoe. These wigwams were
easily moved about from place to place, the
labor of their destruction and construction
being always performed by the squaws — these
beasts of burden among all savage nations.
The wigwam was very light and easily carrietl
about. It resembled the tents of to-day in
shape, and was often superior in points of com-
fort and protection.

The cabins were more substantial aflOairs, and
were luiilt of poles about the thickness of a
small-sized telegraph pole and were of various
sizes, commonly, however, about twelve by fif-
teen feet in size. These poles were laid one on
the other similar to the logs in a cabin, save
that, until the Indians learned to notch the
point of contact near the end. from the whites,
they were held by two stakes being driven in
the angles formed in the corners, and fastened
at the top by a hickory or bark withe or by a
thong of buckskin. The pen was raised to the
height of from four to six feet, when an arched
roof was made over it by driving at each end
a strong post, with a fork at the upper end.
which stood a convenient height above the top-
most log or pole. A stout pole was laid on the
forks, and on this was laid a small pole reach-
ing down to the wall. On these rafters small
lath were tied, and over the whole pieces of

*7-

ik^

206

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

linn l)ark were laid down. These were cut from
the tree, often of great length and from six to
twelve inches in width. The}' were then cut
into proper lengths to cover the cabin. At the
ends of the cabin sj^lit timbers were set up, so
that the entire cabin was inclosed except a
small aperture at one end, which was left for
a door. This was covered b}' a deer's or bears
skin. At the top of the cabin an opening was
left for the smoke to escape, for all Indians
built their fires on the ground in the center of
the cabin or wigwam, around which they spread
skins and mats on which to recline and sleep.
The cracks between the logs were filled with
moss gathered from old logs. When made, the
cabin was quite comfortalile, and was often
constructed in the same manner by the pioneers,
while making improvements, and used until a
permanent structure could be erected.

In regard to food, the Indians were more
careful to provide for their future needs than
their successors of the West are to-day. In the
spring they made maple sugar by boiling the
sap in large brass or iron kettles which they
had obtained from the French and English
traders. To secure the w^ater they used vessels
made of elm bark in a very ingenious manner.
" They would strip the bark," says Dr. George
W. Hill, of Ashland. '• in the winter season, when
it would strip or run. by cutting down the tree,
and, with a crooked stick, sharp and broad at
one end, peel the bark in wide strips, from which
they would construct vessels holding two or
three gallons each. They would often make
over a hundred of these. They cut a sloping
notch in the side of a sugar-tree, stuck a toma-
hawjv into the wood at the end of the notch,
and, in the dent thus made, drove a long chip
or spile, which conveyed the water to the l)ark
vessels. They generally selected the larger trees
for tapping, as they considered the sap from
such stronger and productive of more sugar.
Their vessels for carrying the sap would hold
from three to five gallons each, and sometimes.

where a large camp was located and a number
of squaws at work, using a half-dozen kettles,
great quantities of sugar would be made. When
the sugar-water would collect faster than they
could boil it, they would make three or four
large troughs, holding more than a hundred
gallons each, in which they kept the sap until
ready to boil. When the sugar was made, it
was generally mixed with bear's oil or fat, form-
ing a sweet mixture into which they dipped their
roasted venison. As cleanliness was not a
reigning virtue among the Indians, the culti-
vated taste of a civilized person would not always
fanc}' the mixture, unless driven to it liy hunger.
The compound, when made, was general!}" kept
in large bags made of coon-skins, or vessels
made of bark. The former were made h\ strip-
ping the skin over the bod}' toward the head,
tying the hole§ made by the legs with buckskin
cords, and sewing securely the holes of the
eyes, ears and mouth. The hair was all removed,
and then the bag blown full of air, from a hole
in the upper end, and allowed to dry. Bags
made in this way. Dr. Bushnell says, would
hold whisky, and were often used for such pur-
poses. When they became saturated they were
blown full of air again, the hole plugged, and
they were left to dry. Some times the head
w^as cut off without stripping the skin fi'om it,
and the skin of the neck gathered in folds like
a pui-se, below w-hich a string was tied and
fastened with a pin. Skin vessels were very com-
mon to the natives of America. All Oriental
countries possess them, and there the traveler of
to-day finds them the rule. They are as old
almost as time.

The Indians inhabiting this part of Ohio
were rather domestic in their tastes, and culti-
vated corn, potatoes and melons. Corn w^as
their principal crop, and was raised entirely by
the squaws. When the season for planting-
drew near, the women cleared a spot of rich
alluvial soil, and dug over the ground in a rude
manner with their hoes. In planting the corn

■7^

^Zp c<^y^ (y^ ^sJ^^^-t^^

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

209

they followed lines to a certain extent, thus
forming rows each way across the field. When
the corn began to gTOw, they cultivated it with
wonderful industry until it had matured suffi-
ciently for use. Their corn fields were nearly
always in the vicinity of the villages, and
sometimes were many acres in extent, and in
favorable seasons yielded plentifully. The
squaws had entire charge of the work. It was
considered beneath the dignity of a brave to do
any kind of manual labor, and, when any one
of" them, or of any of the white men whom
they had adopted, did any work, they were
severely reprimanded for acting like a squaw.
The Indian women raised the corn, dried it,
pounded it into meal in a rude stone mortar, or
made it into hominy. Corn in one form and
another furnished the chief staple of the In-
dian's food. They had various legends concern-
ing its origin, which, in common with other
stories, they were accustomed to recite in their
assemblies.

The Indians were always fond of amusements
of all kinds. These consisted of races, games
of Imll, throwing the tomahawk, shooting at
a mark with the bow and arrow, or with the
rifle after its distribution among them, horse
races, and other sports incidental to savage
life. Their powers of endurance were remark-
able, and astonishing accounts are often now
told of feats of prowess exhibited by these ab-
origines. Of the animals hunted by the Indians,
none seems to have elicited their skill more
than the l^ear. To slay one of these beasts was
\ proof of a warrior's prowess, and dangerous en-
counters often resulted in the hunter's search
for such distinction. The vitality of bruin was
unequaled among the animals of the forest,
and, because of the danger attached to his capt-
ure, he was made an object of special hunts
and feats of courage.

'^The Black or Canesadooharie River," says
Dr. Hill, " had always been famous among the
aborigines of Northern Ohio for the number and

largeness of its bears. Some of the pioneers
yet surviving often visited this country in
search of bruin, when they first settled in the
country, and can relate astounding stories of
their exploits at the time. The haljit of these
animals was to search out a hollow tree or a
warm clump of bushes late in the autumn,
where they could remain three or four months,
during the extreme cold of the winter, subsist-
ing entirely on the fat of their bodies. They
would emerge in the spring very lean, and when
so were exceedingly ferocious. When searching
out their places of winter solitude, they often
left the impress of their feet on the bark of the
tree they ascended, or on the grass in the lair
they had found. These signs were easily discov-
ered by Indians and expert bear hunters. They
were then very fat, and were eagerly sought
by the Indians for their flesh and fat. Some-
times they would ascend trees thirty or forty
feet high, and find a good wintering place and
take possession. Again they would ascend the
tree, if hollow, from the inside, and, finding a
good place, occupy it. Then the hunters would
divide forces, one ascend the tree and with
a long pole, sharpened at one end, or wrapped
with a rag or dry skin saturated with grease
and set on fire, thrust the same down on the
bear and compel him to descend, only to meet
his death at the foot of the tree from the ar-
row or bullet of the hunter below.

The skin of a fat bear was a great prize to
an Indian. It made him an excellent couch on
which to sleep, or a cloak to wear. His flesh
was supposed to impart bravery to those who
ate it, hence when dipped in sweetened bear's
fat, it was considered an excellent dish and one
often oftered to friends. Venison, prepared the
same way, was also considered a dish fit for the
most royal visitors ; a hospitality always ex-
tended to all who came to the camp, and if not
accepted the donor was sure to be off"ended.

The domestic life of the Indians was very
much the same in all parts of America. Among

210

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

the Northern (3hio tribes, marriage consisted
simpl_y of two persons agreeing to live together,
which simple agreement, among many tribes, was
never broken. Sometimes the young woman
courted the young brave, much after the fash-
ion of the white people during leap years. This
custom was considered quite proper, and favor-
ably looked upon by the braves. In some lo-
calities the chief gave away the young woman
to some brave he considered competent to sup-
port her in the chase, a part of the domestic
economy always devolving on the man. When
the game was killed, the squaw was expected to
cut up and prepare the meat for use, and
stretch and tan the hide.

The marriage relation among the most of the
tribes was held strictly by all, a variation from
it on the part of the female meriting certain
death. The Wyandots and Delawares prided
themselves on their virtue and hospitality, and
no authenticated case of the misuse of a female
captive, except to treat them as prisoners of
war, can now be quoted. They always evinced
the utmost modesty toward their female cap-
tives. Respect for the aged, for parents and
those in authority prevailed. When one among
them spoke, all listened, never, under any cir-
cumstances, interrupting him. When he was
done, then was the time to reply.

In theology, the natives were all l^elievers of
one deity, denominated l)y them the Great
Spirit. They firmly believed in his care of the
world and of his children," though different
theories prevailed among the tribes regarding
their creation. Their ideas of a divinity, as
expressed by James Smith, a captive many
years among them, are well given in the follow-
lowing story, preserved in Smith's memoirs.

He and his elder Indian brother, Tecaugh-
retanego, had l)een on a hunt for some time,
and, meeting with poor success, found them-
selves straitened for food. After the^' had
smoked at their camp-fire awhile, Tecaugh-
retanego delivered quite a speech, in which he

recounted how Owaneeyo ((irod) had fed them '
in times gone by ; how He fed the white people,
and why they raised their own meat ; how the
Great Spirit provided the Indian with food for
his use ; and how. that though the prospect was
sometimes gloomy, the Great Spirit was onl}-
trying them ; that if they would only trust Him
and use the means diligently, they would be
certain to be provided for. The next morning
Smith rose early, according to the Indians in-
structions, and ere long killed a buffalo cow,
whose meat kept them in food many days.
This was the occasion of another speech from
his Indian brother. This trust often led them
to habits of prodigality. They seldom pro-
vided for the future, almost literally fulfilling
the adage: "'Let each day provide for its own
wants." The}^ hunted, fished and idled away
their days. Possessed of a boundless inherit-
ance, they allowed the white race to come in
and possess their lands and eventually drive
them entirely awa}'.

Their manner of feasts may also be noticed.
After the county- began to settle, and while the
Greentown Indians yet remained in Green Town-
ship, a number of the early settlers, Andrew
Craig, Capt. James Cunningham, James Copus,
who preserved the following account of the
feast, and a few others, were invited to one of
their feasts. '• The ceremonies," says Dr. Hill,
" took place in the council-house, a l)uilding
made of clapboards and poles, about thirty feet
wide and fifty feet long. When the Indians en-
tered the council-house, the squaws seated
themselves on one side of the room, while the
braves occupied the opposite side. There was
a small mound of earth in the center of the
room, eight or ten feet in diameter, which
seemed to be a sort of sacrificial mound. The
ceremonies began with a sort of rude music,
made by beating on a small brass kettle, and on
dried skins stretched over the mouths of pots,
making a kind of a rude drum. The pounding
was accompanied by a sort of song, which, as

HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

211

near as can be understood, ran: ' Tinny, tinny,
tinny, ho, ha, ho, ha, ho,' accenting the last syl-
lal)les. Then a chief arose and addressed them.
During the delivery of his speech a profound si-
lence prevailed. The whole audience seemed
to be deeply moved by the oration. The speaker
seemed to be about seventy years of age, and
was very tall and graceful. His eyes had the
fire of youth, and shone with emotion while he
was speaking. The audience seemed deeply
moved, and frequently sobbed while he spoke.
Mr. Copus could not understand the language
of the speaker, but presumed he was giving a
summary history of the Delaware Nation, two
tribes of which, the Wolf and the Turtle, were
represented at the feast. Mr. Copus learned
that the speaker was the famous Capt. Pipe, of
Mohican Johnstown, the executioner of Col.
Crawford. At the close of the address, dancing
commenced. The Indians were clothed in deer-
skin leggins and English blankets. Deer hoofs
and bear's claws were strung along the seams
of their leggins, and, when the dance com-
menced, the jingling of the hoofs and claws
made a sort of harmony to the rude music of
the pots and kettles. The men danced in files
or lines by themselves around the central
mound, the squaws following in a company by
themselves. In the dance there seemed to be
a proper modesty between the sexes. In fact,
the Greentown Indians were always noted for
being extremely scrupulous and modest in the
presence of one another. After the dance, the
refreshments, made by lioiling venison and
bear's meat, slightly tainted, together, were
handed around. The food was not very pal-
atable to the white persons present, and they
were compelled to conceal it al)oat their per-
sons until they had left the wigwam, when they
threw the unsavory morsels away. No greater
insult could have been offered the Indians than
to have refused the proffered refreshments.
Hence a little deception was necessary to evade
the censure of these untutored sons of the

forest,"whose stomachs could entertain almost
anything."

A feast was held by these same Indians in
1811, a short time before the opening of the
war of 1812. It is believed to be the last one
held in this part of Ohio, as the war took away
all the principal Indian characters. It was con-
ducted very much as the one described — held
in the fall of 1809. John Coulter, an old
pioneer, recollects it very well, and, through
Dr. Hill, gives a full description of it. Mr.
Coulter says that, while the food was cooking,
an occasional morsel was thrown in the fire as
as offering to the Great Spirit. Also, while the
supper was being prepared, the chiefs, a large
number of whom from all parts of Northern
Ohio were present, connnenced to move around
the mound in the center of the cabin, some-
times singing and sometimes delivering short
speeches in their native tongue. While this
was going on, the balance of the audience were
arranged in lines two or three deep around the
inside of the council-house, which Henry Howe
estimated, from narratives of pioneers given him
in 1849, was sixty feet long, twenty-five feet
wide, one story high, and inclosed by clap-
boards, or broad pieces of split lumber. The
singing of the Indians at this second feast was
a low kind of melancholy wail, accompanied
by a sort of griint, contortions of the face and
singular gesticulations of the arms. The Indians
were dressed as those described in the feast of
1800, and, though Mr. Coulter could not under-
stand their language, he thought it was either
a recital of then* history, or portended war.
The ceremonies lasted two or three hours, when
the provisions were handed around, and a gen-
eral handshaking and congratulations followed,
closing the feast. All the white men present
at this feast gave it as their opinion that
old Capt. Pipe was there. There were three
or four hundred Indians present. Dr. Hill
thinks, from all the evidence he can gather.
Capt. Pipe was at this feast, and that soon

212

HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY.

after he left for the war, which soon fol-
lowed.

Concerning the murders committed by the
Indians in Richland Count}', their narration
will be deferred to that part giving the histor}-
of the pioneer settlements, as they more prop-
erly belong there. The Indians did not all
disappear from this part of Ohio for many
years after the advent of the white^. During
the war of 1812 they were rather troublesome,
and about that time the murder of the Zimmer
family, the militia at the Copus cabin, Mar-
tin Ruffner and Levi Jones, occurred. After
the war closed, the Indians found their town
destroyed, as has been narrated, and from that
time until their removal from the country they
had no fixed habitation. They often came to
Mansfield to trade. Dr. Bushnell says he has
often seen them come to town, gather under the
forest trees in the public square, and there talk,
smoke, trade, or idle away their time as suited
their fancy. He says they were sometimes the
finest physical specimens of mankind he has
ever seen. " Tall, straight as an arrow, unex-
ceptional physique, clad only in leggins and

breech-clout, they exhibited a physical body,"
says the Doctor, " I could not tire contemplat-
ing." Sometimes they would get drunk, when
they were a little dangerous. They traded
peltry for hatchets, powder and ball, and trinkets
of various kinds. By practice they became as
sharp in bargains as the white traders and
peddlers. Experience taught them to rely on
their own judgment in all such matters.

By the treaty of September 29, 1817, the
Delawares were deeded a reservation on the
south of the Wyandot reservation, both in
Marion and Wyandot Counties. When this
was done, Capt. Pipe, son of " Old Capt. Pipe,"
was the principal Delaware- chief The Dela-
ware Indians remained on their reservation
until about 1829, when they ceded their reser-
vation to the United States for $3,000, and moved
west of the Mississippi. The Wyandots ceded
theirs in March, 1842, and left for the Far West
in July of the next year. At that date they
numbered about seven hundred souls, and were
the last Indian tribe to relinquish their claims
to the soil of Ohio.

•^ (B r-

(2 i^

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

213

CHAPTER XXI.

FIRST WHITE MEN IN THE COUNTY.
James Smith and his Captivity-Ma.i. Robert Rogers and his M.litia-The Old Sandusky Trail-G.rtt
AND other White Renegades— Moravians and their Missionaries -Crawford s March through
the County— Captivity of Christian Fast— Explorers and Hunters.

" Dressed for travel, armed for hunting."
A S far as is now known, James Smith, a
-l\- native of Western Pennsylvania, was the
first white man to set foot on the land embraced
in "Old Richland." He was captured near
Bedford, Penn., when about eighteen years of
age, by three Indians on a marauding expedi-
tion in the spring of 1755, a short time before
the defeat of Gen. Braddock. He was taken
to the Indian village on the Alleghany opposite
Fort Du Quesne, and compelled to run the
gantlet, where he nearly lost his life by the
blow of a club from a stalwart savage. After
his recovery and the defeat of Gen. Braddock,
he was taken by his captors on a long journey
through the forest to the village of Tullihas,
on the west bank of the Muskingum River,
about twenty miles above the forks. This vil-
lage was occupied by Mohicans, Caryhnewagas
and Delawares. Here he was adopted by the
Indians into one of their tribes. The ceremony
consisted in first plucking all the hair from his
head except the scalp lock, which they fixed ac-
cording to their fashion; in boring his ears and
nose and placing ornaments therein; in putting
on a breech-clout and painting his body and
face in fantastic colors, and in washing him
several times in the river to wash out all the
white blood in his veins. This last ceremony was
performed by three young squaws, and, as
Smith was unacquainted with their usages, he
thought they intended to drown him, and re-
sisted at first with all his might, to the great
amusement of the multitude on the river's

bank. One of the young squaws finally made
out to say " Me no hurt you," and he gave them
privilege to souse and rub him as they desired.
When brought from the river he was allowed
other clothes, and in solemn council, in an im-
pressive speech, he was admitted to full mem-
bership in the nation. He says in his journal,
he always fared as they, no exceptions being
made.

He remained at this town till the next Octo-
ber, when he accompanied his adopted brother,
Tontileaugo, who had a Wyandot wife on the
shores of Lake Erie, on a visit to that nation.
" Their route," says Dr. Hill, "was up the Lake
Fork to near the present village of Tylertown,
thence up the Jerome Fork, through the town-
ships of Mohican, Montgomery and Orange, to
the south borders of Sullivan, and across the
same to the head branches of the Black River,
called by the Indians, Canesadooharie. Then
they journeyed across Medina and Lorain Coun-
ties, following the Canesadooharie to where it
falls into the lake, some distance north of Elyria,
where they found a large camp of the Wyau-
dots, and the wife of Tontileaugo."

Smith remained among the Wyandots, Otta-
was and Mohicans about four years, traversing
all parts of Northern Ohio. He undoubtedly
hunted over this part of the State, as the
streams here afforded good hunting-grounds.
He was probably the first white man who saw
these valleys in their pristine beauty. At any
rate, he is the first one known to have been
here. If any preceded him they were French

i±

214

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

traders, of whom no records or legends exist
in this part of Ohio. At the end of four years
he escaped, and made his way to Pennsylvania,
where he published a memoir from whic^h the
al)ove facts are obtained.

About two years after his escape, '^ Mohican
John,'" a noted chief, with a band of Connecti-
cut Mohicans, emigrated to Ohio, and settled
on the west side of the Jerome Fork, on the site
subsequently covered by the farms of Elijah
Vocun^ and Judge Edmund Ingmand, in Ash-
land County. Soon, after Baptiste Jerome and
his Wyandot wife came and located. This was,
however, just east of the original boundary of
Richland County ; yet the village was so inti-
mately connected with the early history of this
locality, that it well deserves a place in the
county's history.

The next white men to see Richland County
were Maj. Rol)ert Rogers and his band of rang-
ers. It is noticed in the history- of the North-
west in this volume, in the account of his expe-
dition to take possession of the post at Detroit,
in November, 1760. As the narrative is given
there, only that portion relating directly to this
county need be noticed here.

After providing for the garrison, he began
his return trip by land December 23, for Pitts-
burgh, following the Indian trail from San-
dusky Baj', where he arrived January 2, 1761.
It is not known just how many rangers he had
with him on this journey, but good authority'
places the number at more than one hundred.
Dr. Hill thinks there w^ere 120, or more, men.
He accounts for the number l)y the fact that
Pontiac's intentions were none of the best, and
that, as many of the Indians in Northern Ohio
had given onl}' a reluctant consent to the rule
of the British after the close of the French and
Indian war and the cession of Canada and the
Upper Mississippi Valley- to the "Red Coats,'
Maj. Rogers, knowing the dangers that beset
the route through the country, would not
trust himself unless a sufficient force accom-

panied him to render safety comparatively
sure.

Different opinions concerning his exact route
have prevailed, only one of which, however, has
stood the test of inquir}'. He undoubtedly fol-
lowed the old Indian trail from Sandusky Bay
to Fort Du Quesne. This trail crossed the
northeastern parts of Richland Count}'. It en-
tered Richland Count}- on the north, near the
division line between Plymovith and Cg,ss Town-
ships, probably a little to the east of it ; pro-
ceeding thence southeasterly, it passed over the
site of Shiloh, on down over the site of the old
village of Richland; thence over Blooming
Grove Township, over the sites of Rome and
Shenandoah, and Olivesburg in Weller Town-
ship; through Milton Township, through Mont-
gomery, a little south of the site of Ashland,
and thence southerly through the northeast
corner of Vermillion Township, where it
emerged from " old Richland, " continuing in a
southeasterl}^ direction to the forks of the Ohio.
A public highway follows the old trail over
much of the ground above described. Do the
people of to-day, as they pass over it in wagon
or carriage, know they are traveling a high-
way centuries old ?

This little army, the first ever seen on the
soil of this county, stopped once or twice by
fine springs found here, rested, and secured
game for food while on the journey home. They
were uxrmolested while on the wa}', and reached
the forks of the Ohio in safet}'.

Following Maj. Rogers and his rangers, the
next whites to see Richland County were the
missionaries of the Moravian Indians, who
dwelt at their towns on the Muskingum River,
whither they had come to escape their enemies
in Western New York and Pennsylvania. In
the history of Ohio, in this book, the narrative
of their persecutions, their removal and their
settlement in Ohio, is given. It will only be
necessary to notice that part of their history
relating to their removal from their prosperous

^'.

HISTORY OF RICHLAI^D COUNTY

215

towns on the Muskingum to the Sandusky
River. The British were jealous of the power
of these missionaries over the Indians ; the
traders hated them because they stood in their
way in selling rum to other Indians, and the
Americans feared them because they were
neutral, refusing to aid either side. The Brit-
ish were the main ones in causing their removal.
Through the notorious Girty and Elliott, two
renegade whites, well known in border histor}^,
the command for their removal was given.
The}' were ordered to leave their peaceful
homes, their schools, their churches, their
fieldsof vegetables and grain, and repair to a
colder part of the territory- and there begin
anew.

They were commanded to move September
10, 1784, and, abandoning all that was dear on
earth to them, they set out on their perilous
journey . Their route was up the river, thence
up the Waldhoning, and on north by a little
west, thi'ough the townships of Hanover,
Green, and northwesterly through the county,
turning west near the western boundary-, went
on to the site of Bucyrus. where they established
their camp. Among the company was Mar}-
Heckewelder, daughter of the missionary, John
Heckewelder, supposed to 1)e the first white fe-
male child born in Ohio. She thus describes
the march :

'^Our journey was exceedingl}' tedious and
dangerous ; some of the canoes sunk when on
the creeks and rivers, and those that were in
them lost all their provisions and everything
they had saved. Those that went by land
di'ove the cattle — a pretty large herd. The
savages now drove us along, the missionaries
with their families usually in the midst, sur-
rounded by their Indian converts. The roads
were exceedingly bad, leading through a con-
tinuation of swamps. We went by land through
Goseuchguenk [Coshocton] to the Waldhoning,
and then parti}- l:»y water and partly along the
banks of the river to Sandusky Creek." From

the nature of the ground. Dr. Hill thinks the
Black Fork is meant.

Not long after the removal of these Indians
occurred the raid by Col. Williamson and the
brutal massacre of many of these peaceful sons
of the forest as they were gathering their corn.
This was the next March, and the act stands
unequaled on the annals of war for brutality
and wickedness. This is also narrated in the
history of Ohio. The act aroused the animos-
ity of all other Indians, who, though not
agreeing with the 3Ioravian converts in their
attitude, yet, because many of them were
Delawares and Wyandots, felt called upon
to revenge the deep injury done to their rela-
tions.

Capt. Pipe and other warlike spirits at once
took the war path, determined to revenge the
injury. News of the impending uprising of
the Indians reached the borders of Pennsyl-
vania, and excited great fear. Another expedi-
tion was at once raised, to again go against
the Moravian Indians, a second time wrongly
supposed to be the cause of all the trouble.
Nearly fi^-e hundred men gathered at the de-
serted Mingo town near the site of Steubenville,
and, electing Col. William Crawford commander,
started across the country for the old Moravian
towns on the ^luskingum, thinking there might
still be Indians there, and also the towns being
nearly on a direct route to the new settlements
on the Sandusky River.

They found the Indian towns deserted of in-
habitants, and, gathering suflBicient corn to feed
their horses, pushed on for the towns on the
Sandusky.

Mr. C. W. Butterfield, of Bucyrus, has made
'■ Crawford's campaign ' an especial study, and
given the results of his study in an excel-
lent and exhaustive work of nearly four hun-
dred pages. It is not the intention here to note
the campaign any further than it relates to
Richland County. As a campaign, its history
is o;iven elsewhere.

216

HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Speaking of the route of the army after it
left the Muskingum, Mr. Butterfield saj'S :

" The marcli was continued on the morning
of the29th, "[May,1782]." The guides, taking a
northwest course through the wilderness from
the Muskingum, brought the army to the Kill-
buck, some distance above the present town of
Millersburg, the county seat of Holmes County.
' Thence, says Dunlevy, in his application for a
pension, 'we marched up the Killbuck.' At not a
great distance, the army reached a large spring,
known at the present time as Butler's or Jones'
spring, near the line of Wayne County, ten miles
south of Wooster, where, on the evening of
May 30, (Thursday), the army halted.

"At this spring one of the men died and was
buried. His name was cut on the bark of a
tree close by his grave.

" From this point the army moved westward,
along the north side of Odell's lake — ' passing
between two small lakes, where they found the
heads of two large fish, freshly caught, lying
on the ground, which awakened a suspicion
that Indians were near.'* Thence they passed
near the spot where was afterward the Indian
village of Grreentown."'

This brought the army to Eichland County.
It will be observed they entered near the north-
east corner of Green Township, near where old
Helltown existed and thence proceeded north-
westerly through it. Mr. Butterfield's account
continues :

"From this point — Helltown — they struck
across to the Rocky Fork of the Mohican, up
wliich stream they traveled until a fine spring
was reached, near where the city of Mansfield
now stands."

This spring, almost undoubtedl}", was what
is now known as the "Big Springs," on Fourth
street, in the city. Here, then, an army camped
nearly one hundred years ago, and white men
gazed on these then densely wooded vales and
hills. Perchance they thought of the numbers

* Recollections of William Smith.

of their race that were then making their way
westward, driving the lone Indian slowly
toward the setting sun.

Leaving Big Spring, the army went north-
ward " to a fine spring, five miles farther on, in
what is now Springfield Township, a place now
known as Spring Mills, where, on the evening
of June 1, the army halted and encamped for
the night.

"The army had now reached, as was sup-
posed, the head of streams fiowing north into
Lake Erie. This, howcA^er, was an error; these,
in reality, flow into the Mohican. A short
distance traveled on the 2d of June brought
the cavalcade to other small streams, having a
northern trend, which were, in fact, aflfluents
of the Sandusk}'. The army crossed into what
is now Crawford County at 1 o'clock in the
afternoon, and about an hour after reached the
Sandusky* River, at a point immediately east
of what is now the village of Leesville, at the
mouth of a small creek called Allen's Run,
when a halt was called and the volunteers took
a half-hour's rest on the banks of the stream
for which they had been for some time very
anxiously looking."

The army was now about three miles west of
the present city of Crestline. The next day it
came to the Plains, now embraced in Crawford,
Marion and Wyandot Counties. Of its subse-
quent marches but little need be said here. As
has been stated in the State historj^, the cam-
paign ended in defeat and disaster, the army
being attacked two days afterward and defeated,
at what is known as "Battle Island," a grove
of timber in Crane Township, Wyandot County,
and, after two days' fighting, the Americans were
driven away in a sadly demoralized condition.

Crawford was lost when the retreat began,
and was seen by the main body no more, as it

*The Sandusky River rises in "Palmer's Spring,' in Spring-
field Township. Several small streams, commonly known as its
heads, flow into it before it reaches Crawford Coiinty. The word
"Sandusky" is of Indian origin. It was pronounced by them
" Snn-rfoo<-«fe," or "Sa-undus<e#," meaning "clear, cold water," or
" at the cold water."

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

317

hurriedly retreated over the route by which it
came. He was captured, in company with Dr.
Knight, Lieut. Ashley- and Capt. Biggs, as they
were endeavoring to escape, about a half-mile
south of the site of the former camp at Lees-
ville. The band of Delaware Indians were
under command of a chief named Wingenund,
to whose camp Crawford and the Doctor were
taken, where they found several other prisoners,
stragglers like themselves.

Capt. Pipe was among the warriors, and was
the chief instigator in the cruel death of Craw-
ford, which ended the ill-fated expedition, Dr.
Knight making his escape and saving himself
from a horrible death.

It should be stated, to the credit of Capt.
Pipe and other Indians, that, had Williamson
been captured, Crawford would doubtless have
been spared. As it was, he was put to the
most cruel death they could devise, at the Del-
aware village of Capt. Pipe, situated a short
distance northeast of the present town of
Ci'awfordsville. Almost all other prisoners
were horribl}' tortured in one form and
another, but none so fearfull}- as the "Big
Captain," as the Indians called Crawford,
on whom all the hate of their passions was
expended.

The failure of the expedition excited the
fears of the borderers, none of whom cared to
venture far into the Indian country. A few
venturesome spirits made the attempt along
the Ohio River, but the danger was too great,
and, moreover, the validity of claims not well
established. Not till 1788, when the "Ordi-
nance of 1787" had secured freeholders in
their rights in the " Territory northwest of the
Ohio," was a permanent settlement made in the
State.

x\nother captive among the Indians before
the settlement l\y the whites was Christian
Fast, 8r., afterward one of the earliest settlers
in Orange Township. He often narrated the
incidents of his capture and captivity, which

Mr. Knapp preserves in his " History of Ashland
County." Mr. Knapp says:

" When a boy of sixteen, Mr. Fast was capt-
ured by the Delaware Indians near the Falls of
the Ohio. He had enlisted in Fayette County,
Penn., in a company of 200 men, organ-
ized for the purpose of chastising the In-
dians, for depredations committed upon the
frontier settlements. Such expeditions were of
frequent occurrence in those times. This force
descended the Ohio in boats, and. some distance
above the falls, became separated into two
parties, 3'oung Fast being among those in the
rear. The advance party had driven posts in
the river, upon the top of which they placed
written directions, addressed to those who were
following them, indicating the point where they
would find the anchorage of the party, who
would be in waiting for them. These written
directions, it was supposed, fell into the hands
of the Indians, who had whites among them
competent to read, and who thus became in-
formed of the movements of their foes. Before
the latter could form a junction of their forces,
the rear part}', a short distance above the falls,
was attacked b}' parties of Indians on both
sides of the river, while the men in the boats
were making toward the shore to cook a heifer
they had killed. The largest boat in the fleet,
in which was Mr. Fast, had landed, and the
others were making preparations to do so when
the attack commenced. The smaller boats im-
mediately put up stream, but the larger one was
hard aground and could not get off. Of the
one hundred, all but about thirty were killed.
Young Fast jumped into the water, receiving,
at the same instant, a flesh-wound in the hip,
and swam to the opposite shore, where he was
met by three Indians, who demanded that he
should surrender, assuring him of friendly
treatment. He declined their request and again
plunged into the current, the three Indians
firing at him as he swam, one of the balls
grazing his cheek, momentarilv stunning him.

-:^.

'iU

218

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Reaching the middle of the stream, he took
observations to determine the course of safet}',
and conckided to strike the shore several rods
below where the large boat was grounded ; but,
on approaching the shore, he again encountered
the bullets of the Indians, and again made for
the middle of the river. Some distance below,
he discovered a horse-boat belonging to his
party, and at once resolved to reach and board
it. Just as he had succeeded in getting aboard,
the Captain received a wound in the arm, and
waved his hand to the Indians in token of sur-
render. The boat was immediately boarded by
the Indians, and the whites taken prisoners.

" An old Indian took charge of Fast, by whom
he was taken to Upper Sandusky. The prison-
ers were divested of their clothing, and. as their
march led through a rank growth of nettle-
weeds, it was indescribably painful. Fast,
becoming maddened with pain, at length refused
to go forward, and, baring his head to his
captor, demanded that he would tomahawk
him, and thus put an end to his sufferings. The
Indian took compassion on him and restored
his clothing. During the remainder of the
journey, he was treated with marked kindness.
At Upper Sandusk}', he was adopted into a dis-
tinguished family of the tribe. He visited the
lamented Col. Crawford after the failure of the
expedition and during his imprisonment, and
was within hearing of his cries during the
horrid cruelties he suffered at the stake.

" About eighteen months after Fast's capture,
an expedition left Upper Sandusky for the pur-
pose of attacking the white settlements and
fortifications at Wheeling. Connected with this
expedition was the notorious James Girty. Fast,
who now possessed the full confidence of the
Indians, was also of the party. The expedition
reached its destination, and had besieged the
fort at Wheeling three daj's and two nights. On
the third night Fast determined upon an attempt
to effect his escape. Approaching his adopted
brother at a late hour of the night, he awoke

him, complaining of thirst, and urged his
brother to accompany him to a place where they
could procure a drink of water. The Indian
pleaded weariness, and urged his brother to go
alone, insisting that no harm would befall him.
Thereupon, Fast, taking his camp-kettle, steered
dii-ectly for his father's house in Fayette County,
Penn., about thirty miles distant. The night
being excessivel}- dark, he made slow progress,
and at daylight was yet within hearing of the
guns of the besiegers and besieged. As soon as
daylight appeared, he pushed forward, and soon
discovered, liy a fresh trail, that about tliirty In-
dians were in advance of him, making for the
white settlements in Washington County, Penn.
On reaching the spur of a ridge, he discovered
that the trails separated, and that the Indians
had formed two parties, each pursuing parallel
lines through the valleys. He hoped, by vigor-
ously pursuing the middle and straighter course,
to get in advance of the Indians, and in this
effort he was successful. Before night he reached
the margin of the settlement in Washington
County, the Indians l)eing but a short distance
in his rear. A few rods in advance of him and
advancing on his own trail, he discovered a
white man. with a couple of bridles on his arm,
evidently in search of horses. Placing himself
behind a tree. Fast waited until the white man
was within a few feet of him, when he suddenly-
placed himself in his path, and gave a hurried
explanation of his name, object, and the imme-
diate danger that threatened the white settle-
ment. The man was paralyzed with fear ; he
could not believe that the savage-looking man
before him, with his painted face, his ears and
nose filled with brooches, his hair (all except a
tuft in front, which was passed through a silver
tube) nearly plucked from his skull, was any-
thing else than a veritable Indian. Mechanic-
all}-, however, the man obeyed his directions,
and each, seizing and mounting horses, which
were near at hand, made for the settlements with
all practicable speed. They gave the alarm to

HISTORY OF RICHLA:N^D COUNTY.

219

all the families in the neighborhood, and suc-
ceeded in securing all in the fort except one
boy, who was killed at the instant he reached
the gate, which was thrown open for his in-
gress.

"After the beleaguered fort was relieved by the
retirement of the Indians, he sought his father's
house; but was so completely metamorphosed
by his Indian costume that his parents could
not, for a considerable length of time, recognize
him. At length his mother, recalling some
peculiar spots near the pupils of his eyes, gave
a scrutinizing look, and at once identified her
son. She sprang forward to embrace him, and
would have fainted in his arms, but he repulsed
her, exclaiming that his person, as was the case
with all the Indians, was covered with vermin.
He retired from the house, committed his In-
dian clothes to the fire he had made, purified his
body as best he could, and then clothed himself
in garments furnished by his father.

" On the very day of his arrival in Orange
Township, in 1815, he met with Tom Lyons, a
chief and one of his original captors, and a
party of Indians by whom he was recognized.
The Indians, who had not suspected that he had
deserted, but who believed that he had been
drowned in the river, evinced much "joy at the
discovery of their lost ^'brother," and ever
afterward offered numerous tokens of their
friendship."

Following Crawford's campaign, and the cap-
tivity of Mr. Fast, the next member of the white
race was the renegade Thomas Glreen, who came
to the site of Greentown in 1783, and estab-
lished that village. He was a Tory from the
bloody Wyoming Valley. There he had been
associated with the cruel Mohawks in the wan-
ton murder of his countrymen, and, to escape

their vengeance, fled with Billy Montour, Gello-
wa}', Armstrong, Thomas Lyons and others, to
the wilds of Ohio, and founded a town among
the Delawares, which, in honor of this renegade,
they called Greentown. The village became
well known in Northern Ohio annals, and is
fully noticed elsewhere.

The rapid encroachment of the white race on
the domain of the red men, and the arrogant
manner of many of the borderers, coupled with
British gold, stirred up the tribes of Ohio to an
endeavor to exterminate the on-coming flood of
emigrants. The savages persisted in their bar-
barous mode of warfare, and the expeditions of
Harmar. St. Clair and Wayne were the result.
The former two proved disastrous to the whites,
and ended in the route and almost total ruin of
the armies. Their defeat caused wide-spread
alarm, and effectually checked emigration to all
parts of the territory. Washington selected the
best man at his command, Anthony Wayne
(" Mad Anthony '), and sent him to command
the Western army, and subdue the savages. His
campaign ended in 1794, and the peace of Green-
ville, in 1795, secured comparative freedom, on
all the frontiers.

Emigration began again to pour in. The
survey of the public lands, practically stopped,
like all o'ther advances of the whites, was now
resumed, and gradually extended northwesterly.
The surveyors were kept in advance of the set-
tlements wherever it could be done, and land
offices established for the sale of land. At the
date of the survey here, Richland had not a
single pioneer in its limits. Indeed, no white
men, save hunters, are known to have been o-^'er
her hills and vales between the date of the cam-
paign of Crawford and the beginning of the
survey.

'^^ — *-

^ S)

220

HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

CHAPTER XXII.

THE SURVEYORS.

Ordinance for the Survey of the Northwest Territory — Ranges — Townships — James Hedges, Maxfield
AND William Ludlow and Jonathan Cox — Descriptions of the Surveyors' Field Notes, etc.

How canst thou walk these fieldf
them for thy feet?

and woods? Who measured

THE advance of settlements into the North,
w^est Territoiy forced Congi-ess at an early
day to prepare for the survey of the lands. In
May, 1785, that body passed an ordinance pre-
scribing the mode of such a survey. In 1787,
the Territory was accepted by the General Gov-
ernment, and Gen. St. Clair was appointed
Governor in October, and soon after came to
Marietta, to perform the functions of his office.

The ordinance prescribing the mode of the
survey of the lands northwest of the Ohio
River, stipulated that a corps of surveyors —
one from each State — should be appointed by
Congress, and placed under Thomas Hutch-
ins, Geographer of the United States. This
corps of engineers was to divide the Territory
into townships, each six miles square, by run-
ning lines due north and south, and crossing
these by other lines running due east and west,
the squares thus formed to constitute the town-
ships. This was to be the rule over the entire
Territory as far as practicable. It will be ob-
served, however, that it was not followed in
many parts of Ohio, the Western Reserve
being surveyed into townships five miles
square.

The point of beginning the survey was at the
Ohio River, at a place due north from the west-
ern termination of the southern boundary of
Pennsylvania. From this point lines were run
north and west, extending through the Terri-
tory. The townships, whole or fractional, were
to be numbered from south to north, from a
certain base line. What that line is in the sur-

vey of Richland County, Mr. John Newman,
the present Surveyor, ssljs he cannot determine.
It is some irregular line, as the numbers of the
townships diflTer very materially. The ranges
were numbered progressively westward. Had
the same base line been used for all ranges,
the townships would have all had the same
number in corresponding ranges, as they pro-
gressed from east to west.

After the county was surveyed into townships,
these were to be divided into thirty -six sections,
of 160 acres each, each township having 640
acres. Since the survey was first made, the
sections have been divided into quarters, eighths
and sometimes sixteenths.

The first range of townships in Richland,
as originally created, was range numbered six-
teen. This included the townships of Hanover,
Green, Vermillion, Montgomery and Orange.
These were numbered 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23.
The next range, 17, included — following the
numbers, as the townships were then not named
— Nos. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. Range 18 in-
cludes Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23; Range 19
contains also the same numbered towniships.
The three ranges, 16, 18 and 19, were evi-
dently numbered from the same base, as their
numbers are all the same. Range 20 includes
Townships Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

The county was surveyed in 1807, by James
Hedges, Jonathan Cox and Maxfield Ludlow.
Gen. Hedges was a citizen of Virginia, and was
a Deputy United States Surveyor under Mr.
Hutchins. He was born in Ohio County,
Virginia, in a family of eleven children — nine
brothers and two sisters. His parents were

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

221

from Eastern Virginia. He came to Ohio
about 1800, and settled in Belmont Count}',
but in a short time returned to Virginia and
studied surveying, then an excellent employ-
ment for young men. He received an appoint-
ment as Deputy Surveyor, and, returning to
Ohio, entered on active field work. The lalwr
was very arduous, not to say dangerous, and
required not only bodily strength, but nerve
and discretion. Gen. Hedges assisted in the
survey' of this county, as will be obsei'ved from
the description of the survey, and while here
entered three quarters of land now covered
partly by the city of Mansfield. He was the
prime mover in locating the city. After the
location of the village destined to be the counts-
seat, he returned to Belmont County, where he
was elected Sherift'. When the war of 1812
broke out, he received the appointment of Cap-
tain of cavalr}- in the regular army, and served
with distinction during the war, under the
immediate command of Gen. Harrison. Soon
after the close of the war, he resigned his com-
mission and returned to Mansfield to look after
his interests here, and those of the town iden-
tical with his own, and remained here in the
active pursuits of life until his death, October
4. 1854. For manj- ^-ears he was Register of
the Virginia Military- Lands, then a ver}' im-
portant oflftce. He also served a term in the
Ohio Legislature. He was always a prominent
man in the State militar}' operations, and became
a Major General of militia.

" Gen. Hedges was, in all respects," says one
who knew him well, " a man of mark. In per-
son, he was over six feet high, and well propor-
tioned ; a man of iron frame and nerve. He
was also a man of extreme modesty, and
strong attachment to his friends. He was an
open-handed, generous-hearted man, and was
iniiversally popular among the people. He was
continued in oflBce under all administrations,
and was one of the foremost men among the
pioneers of Ohio."

The survey began at the southeast corner of
the county — Range 16 and Township 19. The
plat of the survey is now in the Surveyor's
office, and from it the annexed facts are gleaned :

The first township (19) in this range was sur-
veyed by James Hedges, in March, 1807. In
his field-notes he gives the quality and quan-
tity of timber he found, the character of the
soil,the surface of the country , the water-courses,
the springs and whatever else interested him
as he passed over the land. This township,
afterward named Hanover, is noted as having
on the east boundary much burnt woods. On
the fifth mile, going south, the surveyors came
to the old Indian boundary line, 'perhaps,"
says Dr. Hill, '-the north line of the Gellowaj'
Reservation, in Knox County. The line runs
southwest across the township, passing out
nearl}' in the middle of Section 31." Between
Sections 1 and 2, Armstrong's Creek, running
southwest, was crossed. It was so named from
Capt. Thomas Armstrong, an old Indian chief,
who resided at Greentown, eight miles above.
The Indian trail running north, and to the
Gelloway settlement on the Waldhoning, is
mentioned. The land of Hanover is noted as
rough and poor, covered with stunted timber,
much burnt on the northeast part of the town-
ship. Green Township was also surveyed by
Gen. Hedges, in April, 1807. "In running the
south and east boundar}', Gen. Hedges seems
to haA'e been much embarrassed," says Dr.
Hill, '-over the variations in his compass. In
order to test the accuracy' of the survey, the
lines were resurvejed. He could not determine
the cause of the variation." Magnetic ores
may have existed in the earth on the line and
influenced the needle. On the south line ol
this township, the timber was much burnt ; un-
derbrush was plent}'. On the west boundary.
Mohican John's Creek was crossed, and on
the fourth mile to Muddy Fork of Mohican
John's Creek, the}- crossed the stream and
came to the Indian village of Greentown, which

222

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

at that date contained fifty or sixty families.
The village occupied rolling land, in Section
18. A number of well-used trails led in va-
rious directions from the town. The survey-
ors drove a section post in a corn field, which
they mention as being well cultivated. The
village and graveyard were estimated to con-
tain five or six acres. The Indians offered no
resistance to the survey. In fact, they hardly
comprehended its significance. The land in
this township, down the valley, is regarded as
prime, other portions, poor. The varieties of
white oak, burr oak, ash and other hard timber
are noticed.

The next township in this range, No. 20
— Vermillion — was surveyed by Jonathan Cox,
while Gen. Hedges was surveying Green. The
southern boundary was run by Gen. Hedges, in
October, 1806, soon after he received his com-
mission and orders from the Surveyor General
of the United States. Gen. Hedges experienced
considerable difficulty in running this line,
owing to the variations of his compass. He
resurveyed it three times, and observed, "I am
at a loss to know to what cause to attribute the
increased length of the south boundary of this
township." On the third survey, he says: "I
find the chaining correct; I am now much per-
plexed to know the cause of my westing or
turning south. The variation must operate very
partial, or my compass must have been un-
luckily altered." 'Te then resurveyed the west
l)oundary, and, coming to the southwest corner,
observes : '' Here I experience troubles of a
new kind. Having already spent two days and
a half waiting on an Indian chief, who appeared
hostile to our business, I also labored under
the difficulty of a hand being absent thirteen
days on a tour for provisions; in the mean time
having lived eight days on parched corn. I
now find my camp rol)bed of some necessary
articles, and two hands that I left to keep the
same, revolted and run away. These difflcult-

ing finished — expecting other surveyors after
me to subdivide — all conspire to make me un-
happy. No alternative remains but to proceed
to Owl Creek, and get hands and provisions,
this being the 20th day of October, 180G."
This suspended operations on this township un-
til the following April, when Jonathan Cox
subdivided it into sections. The land is de-
scribed as gently mountainous ; the timber of
oak, hickory, ash, and other forest trees. On
the eastern boundary several Indian trails were
found, the majority leading to Greentown.

The range boundaries of ^Montgomery Town-
ship, No. 22, were surveyed by Maxfield
Ludlow, in October, 1806. In running the
southern boundary of this township, seventeen
chains west of the southeast corner, he crossed
the famous trail leading from Sandusk}' to the
fork of the Ohio. It is described in the notes
of the survey as a well-worn trail or path. It
was the well-known trail followed by Maj.
Rogers and his rangers in 1761, on his return
from establishing the station at Detroit. It
was afterward followed by Gen. Beall in his
expedition to Sandusky. The eastern boundary
of this township is described as " low, wet and
marshy, with bottoms subject to overflow."
The timber was of the kind found in all parts
of the county, the principal varieties already
mentioned. The eastern part of the township
is noted as good land; the middle and western
parts as rolling and good. Jonathan Cox sur-
veyed the township into sections in November,
after Mr. Ludlow had completed the boundary-
survey.

The next township. No. 23 — Orange — was
surveyed by Maxfield Ludlow in October,
1806. He surveyed both the boundaries and
the sectional lines. On the south boundary,
about three miles west of the starting corner,
they came to an Indian trail, bearing north-
west and southeast. Its course was one leading
into Mohican John's Town, and was surveyed

ies increased ; my range and town lines not be- | in 1816, by Rev. James Huney, to Rowsburg

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

223

and on to Wooster, and opened as a road. It
was the common highway for the pioneers of
Orange and Clear Creek Townships, and adja-
cent countr}^ who for many years traded in
Wooster.

"The evidences of Indian occnpation in
Orange Township," ^ays Dr. Hill, -at the time
of its occupation by the whites, were very
numerous. The aborigines, it seems, were ac-
customed to assemble annually in the spring, in
large numbers, to make sugar and hunt. They
were here as late as 181 G, and were accustomed
to get Mr. Peter Biddinger, a gunsmith, to repair
their broken gun-locks."

The next range of townships— 17 — now lies
partly in Ashland and partly in Richland
County, as it now exists. The first township
in this range, No. 21 — Worthington — was sur-
veyed by Gen. Hedges, after his return from
Owl Creek, where he had gone, as has been
stated, in search of hands and food. What
time in the autumn he surveyed the township
is not given on the records in the county, but
it is probable he completed all the townships in
this range, save the north one, No. 25. l:»efore
the close of the year, or before the following
spring. It is certain he began Township 23 —
Mifflin— October 28, as two of his note-books
are yet preserved, and are in the hands of the
present County Surveyor, Mr John Newman.
This note-l)Ook states, that, after an absence of
six days. Gen. Hedges returned from Owl
Creek, having procured hands and provisions.
This would imply that he surveyed Mifflin be-
fore Worthington and Monroe. As no records
exist, the exact date of the survey of these two
townships cannot now be ascertained. Gen.
Hedges continued the survey of Mifflin until
December 2, when he completed the township.
His field-notes of this township state that the
southern boundary passes over steep hills, and
crosses the Black Fork, near the center of the
line. He also notes the same of part of the
eastern boundary. He notes the varieties of

beech, hickory, ash, oak, etc. He was troubled
again with the variations of his compass, which
he was at a loss to account for, Init which was
probably disturl)ed by metallic ores in the earth.
In Section 21, he noted the existence of a small
lake — Petersburg Lake — into and out of which
he found a stream of clear water flowing.

The next township north, No. 24, compris-
ing part of Weller and all of Milton Townships,
was surveyed by Gen. Hedges, late in the fall
of 1806. The southern boundary was found
uneven and hilly ; the land, second rate ; the
timber, mostly beech, oak and hickory. The
eastern boundary was generally level ; soil
good, and the timber the same as in the south,
save maple, dogwood and wild cherry are also
found. The land of the township is described
as " of gentle ascents and descents, some places
level, soil good for farming, and. generally,
more or less clayey. It has abundance of clear
water flowing from never-failing springs." In
the neighborhood of the " Short farm " is found
one of the strongest springs in the county.

The last township in this range. No. 25,
now Clear Creek, in Ashland County, and
part of Butler, in Richland County, was not
surveyed and subdivided until the next autumn
— 1807. The work was performed by Maxfield
Ludlow. The land of the township is described
in the surveyor's notes as level and second rate
in places, and in others as rich and well adapted
to farming. On Sections 13 and 24 he found
an excellent lake of pure water, which jNIr.
Ludlow found to be twenty chains wide from
east to west. Several Indian trails are men-
tioned, generally leading to Greent(.)wn. or to
the main Sandusky trail below.

This township was found to contain more
archijeological remains than any in the county.
An excellent field is here open for the student
of the extinct tribes that once inhabited this
region of Ohio. The remains are noted else-
where in the chapter on that subject, and need
not be repeated here.

224

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The next range, 18, was surve^'ed entirel}' by
Maxfield and William Ludlow, in 1806 and
1807. The records in the Count}' Surve_yor's
office show but xery little regarding this range.
Many of the townships have no record of any
returns. They were evidenth' made directly
to the State Capitol or to the Surveyor Greneral.
After much inquir}^ by mail, the j^ear of the
survey' of each of the remaining ranges was
ascertained, but the fleld-books could not be
found. In this range, William Ludlow sur-
ve3'ed Townships 21 and 22, and Maxfield Lud-
low, Township 23, while together they surveyed
Townships 19 and 20.

Range 19 was surve3'ed entirely' in 1807.
Maxfield Ludlow surveyed Townships 19, 20
and 21 ; 22 and 23 were surveyed by himself
and William. Range 20, the last one in the
county, was all surveyed by Maxfield Ludlow, in
1807. It is evident that the survey' proceeded
from the east to the west, and that this range

was the last one in Richland Count}^ (not then
created), to be reached l\y the surveyors.

As was their custom, they carefully noted
all peculiarities of timber, land, the springs, the
topographical features, etc. Afterward, when
travelers or persons came in search of land,
these surveyors knew just where to take them.
Gren. Hedges kept a man who had been on the
survey, ready, in after years, to show settlers
where desirable lands could be found. Other
early settlers soon explored the country, and
became, in their time, guides to those who came
after them.

No l)etter and more truthful accounts of the
new lands in the West could have been pub-
lished than the notes of the surveyors who trav-
ersed the county in advance of civilization.
The same is true of the West of to-day, and,
did people rely more on scientific observations,
many a disappointment might he averted.

\t.A^-t^^^

(2 Ji^

^ 2)

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

227

CHAPTER XXIII.

DIVISIONS INTO TOWNSHIPS.

Wayne Cocnty Fairfield County — Knox County— Eichland County, attached to Knox — Madison Township

Green Township — Richland County — Act for Organization — County Seat — First Division of the

County Madison, Green, .Jefferson and Vermillion Townships — Troy and Mifflin — Worthington

AND Montgomery — Blooming Grove, Springfield and Washington — Orange — Milton — Franklin —
Leepsic (name changed to Perry) — Monroe — Plymouth and Sandusky — Hanover — Clear Creek —
Sharon — Auhurn — North Bloomfield — Vernon — Congress — Formation of Crawford County —
Ashland County — Morrow County — Jackson Township — Butler — Weller — Cass.

IT will be uecessaiy, to give a clear explana-
tion of the various divisions of Richland
Count}-, to go back to the original county form-
ations into which this part of Ohio was
divided, and trace their alterations, made from
time to time as the settlement of the country-
required.

The present county of Richland was origi-
nally a part of Wayne Count}- — the third erected
in the Northwest Territory. Wayne was created
by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, August 15,
1796, and embraced all of Northwestern Ohio,
Northwestern Indiana, Michigan, Northern Illi-
nois and Wisconsin. This immense tract of coun-
try Avas then practically uninhabited by Ameri-
cans, save a few 'settlements in the central part
of Ohio. The Indian war had closed, however,
and people were rapidly occupying all parts of
the West, hence a division of the county soon
occurred. December 9, 1800, Fairfield County,
embracing a lai'ge tract of countr}- now included
in Licking, Knox, Richland and other counties,
was created, and Lancaster made the county
seat. Again, the increase of settlements ren-
dered the formation of new counties out of
Fairfield necessary, and, in compliance with the
urgent petitions of the people residing in the
interested localities, on the IGth of January-,
1808. a bill passed the (jreneral Assembl}' of

Ohio, creating the counties of Knox, Licking
and Richland. By the provisions of this act,
as expressed in its seventh article, Richland
was placed under the jurisdiction of Knox
County, '-until the Legislature ma}- think
proper to organize the same." June 9, 1809,
the Commissioners of Knox County declared
" the entire county of Richland a separate town-
ship, which shall be called and known by the
name of Madison."

This township of Madison, the original Rich-
land County, was thirty miles in extent each
way, save on the east line, which lacked a few
miles of this length. This was occasioned by
the southern boundary being made on the old
northern boundary line of the Greenville treaty,
which diverges slightly northward about the
middle of Range 17. At the date of its
creation there were very few settlers in the
county, so few that at the election of 1809,
but seventeen votes were polled in the entire
township ; the year following, this number was
increased only two. The same year, several
families moved into what is now Mifflin Town-
ship ; a few came to the vicinity of Perrysville,
near where the Indian town of Greentown ex-
isted, so that it was deemed expedient to divide
Madison Township. January 7. 1812, Green
Township was made by dividing Madison as

£.

228

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

follows : •' The division line of the township
sliall be one mile east of the center of the sev-
enteenth mnge, in the lower townsliip, and shall
be known and designated by the name of
Green." This gave the new township a terri-
tory eight miles wide and almost thirty miles
long. The order for this division is on the
reeonls of Knox County, and seems to lie the
last otftt'ial one regarding the division of Rich-
land County while attached to Knox.

The original act for the creation of Richland
County, passed in January. 1808. reads as fol-
lows : '• And be it further enacted that all that
tract of country lying north of the aforesaid
county of Knox, and south of the Connecticut
Western Reserve, and so far east as the line
between the fifteenth and sixteenth ranges
of Congress lands, and so far west as the west
line of Range 20. shall be and is hereby erected
into a separate county by the name of Rich-
land, and shall be under the jurisdiction of
Knox, until the Legislature may think proper
to organize the same.

"This act to take eft'ect and be in force from
and after the first day of March next."

As soon as the return of peace was assured,
following the war of 1812, even before the war
had actually closed, enough inhaljitants resided
within the limits of Richland County to justify
its erection into a separate count}- with entire
control of its own aft'airs. In 1809, the Legis-
lature provided for the location of the county
seats of Wayne and Richland Counties. The
Commissioners located the seat of justice for
Richland (^)unty at the town of Mansfield, and
returned the same to the Court of Common
Pleas of Waj'ne County, who gave it to the court
in Knox County, who recorded the decision of
the Commissioners. By this act the county
had a seat of justice ready whenever the Leg-
islature should ■' think proper to organize the
same." Only a few years elapsed from the fix-
ing of the seat of justice until the increase of
population rendered the organization of the

county necessary ; hence, January 7, 1813, the
following act was passed :

AN ACT FOR THE RECOGNITION OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
the State of Ohio, That the county of Richland be, and
the same is hereby, organized into a separate county.

Sep. 2. Be it enacted. That all suits and actions,
whether of a civil or a criminal nature, which shall be
instituted, and all crimes which shall here be commit-
ted within said county of Richland prior to the taking
effect of this act. shall be prosecuted to final judgment
in the county of Knox, as though the county of Rich-
land had not been organized ; and the Sheriff, Coroners
and Constables of the county of Knox shall execute
within the county of Richland al! such process as shall
be necessary to carry into effect such suiis, prosecutions
and judgments, and the collectors of taxes for the
county of Knox shall collect within the county of Rich-
land all such taxes as shall be levied and unpaid previ-
ous to the taking effect of this act.

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That, on the first day
of April next, the legal voters residing in the county
of Richland, shall, without further notice than tliis act,
assemble in their respective townships, and elect their
several county officers, who shall hold their offices until
the next annual election. This act to take eflectandbe
in force from and after the first Monday of March
next.

Richland County, as then organized, was one
of the largest counties in Ohio. It should have
always contained its original boundaries, but
in later years a mania arose for county seats,
resulting in the creation of other adjacent
counties, which took from Richland County
much of its territory. This will be noticed,
however, in the chrouological order in which
it occurred.

The election of April 1, 1813, resulted in the
choice of Samuel McCluer, Samuel Watson and
Melzar Tannahill, Commissioners ; Hugh Cun-
ningham, Coroner, and John Wallace, Sheriff.
The Commissioners met in Mansfield Monday.
June 7, 1813, and appointed Winn AVinship
Clerk ; Andrew Cofflnberry. Recorder, and
William Biddie, Surveyor. This was tlie first
act of that body, and the county stood ready
to enter upon its course.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

229

The Commissioners granted petitions for
roads, provided for the use of the block-houses
as court house and jail, and such other business
as came before them, from time to time, until
August 9, 1814, when a division of the county
was made in accordance with a request of a
majority of the inhabitants therein. This was
the first division of the county after its organ-
ization, and, as shown l\v the old Commission-
ers" records, was as follows :

■' Ordered that said county l)e divided into
four townships, and that said townships lie
bounded as follows, to wit : The range line
between Range 17 and 18 to be the division
line north and south, and that the second town-
ship line from the south lioundary of the
county be the division line east and west be-
tween said townships. Ordered further, that
the northwest township in said county retain
its original name, to wit, Madison Township ;
and that the name of. the southwest township
in said county be Jefl'erson Township ; and that
the southeast township retain its original name,
to wit, (Ireen Township ; and that the northeast
township in said county be named Vermillion
Township, and that they are hereby named as
above. "

This division gave (Ireeu Township a bound-
ary of twelve miles each way; Vermillion and
Jefferson, twelve by eighteen, and ^ladison.
eighteen, the southeast corner of the present
Madison Township being the point from which
the division lines between each of the townships
radiated.

The line defining the western boundar}- of
(rreen and Vermillion Townships was made
by this last division four miles west of the line
established by the Commissioners of Knox
County in 1812. Whether these oflficers failed
to understand the proper township lines, or
made the division as indicated Ijy the settle-
ments, is not stated ; probably, however, the
latter cause was the reason of its establishment.
This division seems to have sufficed but a very

short time, for, on September 5, Jeflei-son
Township was divided on •• the first township
line from the southern boundary- of the county,"
the southern township retaining the original
name, Jefl'erson, while the northern one was
called Troy. Each of these new towaiships was
six miles wide from north to south, and eighteen
miles long from east to west. December 5,
Vermillion Township was divided in like man-
ner, on a north and south line, making a new
township of its western half called Miflilin. the
eastern part retaining the original name, Ver-
million. This left Richland County, at the close
of the year 1814, with six townships, one of
which, Madison, was eighteen miles square ;
another, (Ireen, twelve, and four others, ^'er-
million, Jefferson, Troy and 3Iifflin. six by
eighteen in extent.

The opening of the season of 1815 brought
a fresh arrival of settlers to the county, neces-
sitating a new^ division of the townships. June
6, the Board divided Crreen Township "^on the
range line running through the center of the
said township," enacting that the part " l3nng
east of the said line, retain the original name,
to wit. Green, and that the part lying west of
the line lie named Worthington."

They further " orderetl that the township of
Vermillion be divided in the following manner,
to wit : That Township No. 21 of Range No.
16 he and liereb}' is set apart a sepai'ate and
distinct township, which shall retain the orig-
inal name, to wit, Vermillion, and that alt the
residue of said township constitute one other
township, and that the same l)e and is heix^by
named Montgomer}'."

This last division left Vermillion Township six
miles square, or the same as a government town-
ship, it being the first to be reduced to its final
limits ; the division left Montgomery six miles
wide, from east to w'est, and twelve miles long.
These were the only changes made that 3'ear.

The spring of 181G brought large numbers
of settlei's, and hence more chanoes were

230

HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

necessary. March 4, the County Commissioners,
Michael Beam, Samuel Watson and Melzar
Tannahill. " Moved to the division of Madison
Township, out of which the township of Blooming
Grove is erected, containing the original sur-
veyed townships, No. 22 and 23 of Range No.

18 and Townships No. 22 and 23 of Range No.

19 : and Townships 21 and 22 of Range No.
20. Also, Springfield Township is erected of
Township No. 20 of Range No. 20 ; and Town-
ship No. 21 of Range No. 19 ; reducing the
township of Madison to the original surveyed
lines of Township No. 20 of Range No. 18."'
This division made Blooming Grove twelve
by eighteen miles in extent, or two townshijjs
wide by three long. Springfield Township was
made six miles wide and twelve long.

On the same da3% the Board divided Troy
Township, by " erecting the township of Wash-
ington, consisting of Township No. 29, of Range
No. 18, only."

This division lasted only till June, when " on
application of the inhabitants of Township No.
23 in Range No. 10, it is ordered that the
said township be set off as a new township by
the name of Orange."' This township was six
miles square, and was taken from Montgomery,
leaving that one the same size.

The next day, June 4, Miflflin Township,
heretofore six miles wide and eighteen long,
was divided, and Milton created out of its north
two-thirds, reducing Mifflin to a Congressional
township's limits, and making Milton six miles
wide and twelve long.

It is very evident from succeeding records
that Franklin Township was erected the same
day with Milton. Almost the last entr^' in the
first book of the Commissioner's records — a
little, square, unruled book of ninety pages —
is that of the creation of Orange Township.
When the next book was purchased, a much
larger volume was procured, which in the lapse
of time became very much worn. Auditor
Ward, recognizing the necessity of preserving

these old records, a few years ago had them
securely rebound. In this second book, com-
mencing June 4, 1816, two leaves — pages one
two, three and four — are lost ; and, as succeed-
ing pages do not record the erection of Frank-
lin Township, l)ut do mention it among the
others as taxed in 1817, it is very safe to
assume it was created on the date given, and
the record lost with the leaves mentioned. At
least, such will be assumed in these pages,
leaving others to ferret out the m^'stery. As-
suming such to be the case. Blooming Grove
was left with five Congressional townships, an
inference succeeding facts will develop to be
true.

At the next term of the Commissioner's
Court, held September 3, it was " ordered that
the original surveyed townships, numbered 19,
in Range 19, and 18, in Range 20, be set off
and created a new township, to be known and
distinguished by the name of Leepsic." This
name, for some unexplained reason, does not
seem to have been very satisfactory to the
people, for, October 11, it was "ordered that
the township heretofore set off and established
b}^ the name of Leepsic, be hereafter known
and distinguished by the name of Peny." This
township was then twelve miles long and six miles
wide, and, by its construction, Jefferson was
left its present size. Perry was the last town-
ship erected in 1816, the year closing with
Richland County divided into fifteen town-
ships.

February 11, 1817, at a meeting of the Board,
it was "ordered that the original surveyed
township, No. 22, in Range 17, be set off and
created a new township, to be known and dis-
tinguished by the name of Monroe." By its
creation Worthington was left its present size
— each one six miles square. Monroe Town-
ship was the onl}' one erected that year.

On the 12th of February, 1818, the court
" ordered that the two townships by original
surve}'. No. 23, in Range 19, and No. 22, in

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

231

Range 20, be set off and established a new
township, to be known and distinguished b}' the
name of Plymouth.'' Also, "that the two
original surveyed townships, Nos. 21 and 20, in
Range 20, be set off and established a new
township in said count}", to be known and dis-
tinguished b}- the name of Sandusky."' It will
be observed that each of these two townships
included a territory six miles wide by twelve in
length, or two Congressional townships.

October 4, 1818. the minutes record that -on
application of the inhabitants of Township 19,
in Range 16, which formerly comprised part of
Green Township, be set off and established a
new township, to be known liy the name of
Hanover." This new township was made six
miles square, and left Green, one of the first
made, the same dimensions.

The next day an order was passed -'that
the original surveyed township. Xo. 25, in
Range 17. formerly making part of Milton Town-
ship, be set off and established a new township
to be known by the name of Clear Creek."
This division brought both to same size, six
miles square. At the close of 1818, there were
twenty-one townships.

February 9, 1819, -on application of the in-
habitants of Township 22, in Range 19, accord-
ing to the original survey, it was set off from
Blooming Grove Township, and established a
new township, to be known by the name of
Sharon. " This division left Blooming Grove
six miles square.

April 3, 1820, the limits of Auburn Town-
ship were defined, as the -original surveyed
township numbered 22 of Range 20, which has
hitherto stood attached to Plymouth Township,"
and that township created, leaving Plymouth
six miles square.

For two years no other changes were made.
An increase of settlers in Sharon by that time
necessitated its division, and, March 4. 1823, it
was '-ordered that Township 19 in Range
20 be set off a separate township, to be known

by the name of Bloomfield." This left Troy
six miles square.

Another interval of two years occurred, when
it was deemed best to complete the division of
the county into Congressional townships. March
9, 1825, Township •• Xo. 21, in Range 20,
was set off and declared a separate township by
the name of Vernon. " This reduced Sharon to
the required limits, leaving only one division to
be made. This was done June 0, when •■ Town-
ship Xo. 18, in Range 20," was organized into
an independent township, '• to be known by the
name of Congi-ess."

This last division completed the work of the
County Commissioners in this direction until
new counties were formed, which took some of
the territory from Richland, and made neces-
sary new divisions. As it was, there were
twenty-five townships, each six miles square,
save Hanover, whose southeast corner lacked a
little of being complete ; in all nearh* nine
hundred square miles of territory. Richland
County should have remained in this shape.
Practically square, with the county seat as
near the center as it could be located, it made
one of the best counties in Ohio, and, had no
changes been made, would, to-day, be still in
the advance lines.

The county remained intact until early in
1845. At the session of the Assembly that
year, February 3, Wyandot County was created
largely from the western part of Crawford
Count}'. In order to compensate the inhabit-
ants of Crawford for the territory taken from
them, a portion of Richland, four miles wide
and nineteen miles long, two-thirds of the town-
ships of Auburn, Vernon, and Sandusky, and
one mile in extent of the north part of Bloom-
field, were attached to Crawford. Soon after
this was done, the Commissioners of Richland
County ordered the remainder of Auburn and
Vernon Townships, left in their county, to be
attached to Plymouth and Sharon. Sandusky
was left the same width as the others, but the

282

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY.

change made it seven miles long, hence the
Board thouglit best to organize it into a sep-
arate township, and did so. Its sliape remains
the same at this day.

A year from tliis date, the Legislature again
listened to the appeals for new county seats,
for which new counties must be created, and,
I'^ebruary 18, 1846, erected Ashland County.
tJiereby making a seat of justice of Ashland,
the principal town in Montgomery Township.
This act took from Richland the entire tier of
the most eastern townships, two-thirds of Clear
(^reek and Milton, and a little over one-third
of Mifflin; in all al)out 240 square miles of ter-
ritory. March 17, the County Commissioners
met, and ordered that the remainder of Clear
Creek Township, in Richland County, should
constitute a separate township, and retain
that name ; also the same with. Mifflin, while
what remained of Milton should be attached to
Franklin.

Two years after this was done, Mount Crilead,
an enterprising town near the southwest corner
of the county, asserted her claims to a county
seat so strenuously that the new county of
Morrow was created, of which Mount Gilead
was made the seat of justice. This new county
took from Richland all of Congress and Bloom-
ticld Townships — the latter known as North
Bloomfield, since the creation of Bloomfield in
Knox County, now also a part of Morrow
County — the west half of Perry and the west half
of Troy, save Sections 28 and 33. This last
act reduced Richland to its present size, an area
of 485 square miles.

The creation of these new counties, it will be
observed, left again irregularly shaped townships,
some of which contained only twelve sections.

No act of the Commissioners seemed to have
been passed regarding the portions of Troy and
Perry in this county. They seem to have been
simply allowed to retain the original names, and
as such yet exist. In the northern part of the
county, however, the inhabitants soon expressed
a desire for new divisions, and. in compliance
there with, the next year after Ashland County
was created, the citizens of the eastern part of
Sharon petitioned the court for the erection of
a new township. ^larch 2. 1847. the request
was granted, and Jackson Township was created.

In the spring of 1849, the citizens of Clear
Creek and the eastern part of Blooming Grove
requested a similar organization, and, March 5,
1849, Butler Township, comprising two miles
in width of the eastern part of Blooming Grove,
and all of Clear Creek, in all four miles wide
by six in length, was erected. June 5, in re-
sponse to a request from the residents of the
eastern part of Franklin Township, four miles
in width of that township were erected into a
new township, and named Weller.

When Butler was organized, it left Blooming
Grove an equal extent of territory. Plymouth
was now left with its original six by six miles
in extent, and that part of Auburn remaining
in Richland County, when Crawford County
was created. The residents of the eastern half
of Plj^mouth asked for a separate organization
in the autumn of 1849, and. December 6, the
Board granted the request, creating Cass Town-
ship. The erection of Cass completes the list
of divisions in the county, leaving it with its
present organizations. In all there have been
about thirty divisions of the county made since
1807, each division until 1845 marking an in-
crease in population.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

233

CHAPTER XXiy.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND THEIR EXTENSION.

The Territory of Richland Count/ — First Settler and Settlement — The Newmans and Brubakers — The
Newman Cabins — "Pole" Cabins — Catharine Brubaker — First Saw-Mill — Arrival of Michael
Newman — The Fountain Cabin — Early Settlers on the Black Fork — First Gbist-Mill — Laying out
a Town — Jacob Newman — Michael and "Mother" Beam — Second Settlement in the County — The
McClueb Settlement — First Roads — Settlements in 1809 — Settlements in 1810 and 1811 — Opening of
the County by the Army in 1812 — Settlements in 1814 and 1815 — Wagon Trains and other Means of
Transportation — Products and Prices — "Taverns'" and Towns — Social Matters — Ring Fights —
Wood Choppings, Quiltings, Corn Huskings, etc. — Wolf Pens — First Temperance Society — The Irish
Schoolmaster — Fourth of July and Militia Musters — Ax Presentation — Agricultural Statistics
— Health — Congressmen from Richland.

" Should auld acquaintance be forgot
An' never brought to min' ? " — Vld Son//.

" 1 hear the tread of pioneers,
Of nations yet to be,
The first low wash of waves where soon
Shall roll a human sea." — Whidier.

WHEN Gen. James Hedges was sent West
to " spy out the land." the territory now
embraced in Fairfield. Licking, Knox. Richland,
and parts of Morrow and Ashland Counties, con-
stituted one count}', called Fairfield, with the
county seat at Lancaster. But few settlers were

man. Several white men were here before Jacob
Newman, and some of them became, afterward,
permanent settlers. Gen. Hedges himself was
here a year or more before Newman, and after-
ward became a permanent resident of Mansfield,
but he was not here as a settler in 1807, when
Jacob Newman came— he was simply in the em-
ploy of the Government as surveyor : and the
same luay be said of his employes. Thomas
Green, who established the Indian village of
Greentown. might have been called the first set-

then in Knox and Licking (1805-6), and none i tier in Richland County, had he been consid-

whatever in the others. This territory was then
covered thickly with the original forest, and was
the favorite himting-grounds of the Indian tribes
of the Northwest. Hedges began the survey in
1806. and in February, 1808. "Old Richland '
came into existence, not as a county proper, but
as a township called '' Madison," not having a
sufficient number of votes within its limits to en-

ered a settler at all in the proper sense of that
term ; but. although here years before Mr.
Hedges, he Avas looked upon as a renegade, and
not a settler, though he lived many years at
Greentown, and his name is perpetuated in the
history of that village, and the name of the
township, which is now Avithin the limits of
Ashland County. Other renegade white men,

title it to a county organization. It therefore { may, and probably did, occupy the village tem-

remained under the jurisdiction of Knox Count}'
until 1813, and included nearly- all of Ashland,
and part of Morrow, within its limits. The ques-
tion of who was the first permanent white settler
within this territory, has Ijeen settled beyond
any reasonable doubt. The man was Jacob New-

porarily. Just what date A])raham Baughman
and John Davis came, has not been ascertained ;
but the}' came to the neighborhood of Green-
town at a Aery early date : it might have been
before 1807. V)ut there is no evidence of it.
They are mentioned in Knapp's history as

234

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

being here before Peter Kinney, who arrived in
1810. The evidence is very conclusive that
Jacob Newman came to the Rocky Fork witliin
tlie present limits of Richland County, in the
spring of 1807, making him the earliest per-
manent settler. Mr. Newman was then living
near Canton, Stark County, whither he had
moved from Pennsylvania. He may have been
here to visit his kinsman, Gen. Hedges, once
or twice before he located his land or built his
cabin. He, however, sold out at Canton, and,
in the spring or summer of 1807, built his cabin

Jacob Newman, was his housekeeper. The
settlers of Richland County then, during the
year 1807, can be numbered on the fingers of
one hand ; viz., Jacob Newman, Catharine,
Isaac, Jacob and John Brubaker. The Bru-
bakers were from Paint Creek, Ross County,
Ohio. Mr. Newman's children (four in num-
ber) were yet in Pennsylvania, except the
youngest, Henry, who remained near Canton.
The nearest neighbors of these hard}' pioneers,
were, on the east, at Wooster, and on the south
at Fredericktown, Knox County, the distance

riRST CABIN HUII.T IN RICHLAND COINTY.

on the bank of the Rocky Fork, three miles
southeast of the present city of Mansfield, near
the present site of Groudy's mill. Here he
preempted three quarter-sections of land,
and three brothers, b}' the name of Brubaker,
came out with him and assisted in building
his cabin. He may have been assisted by
Gren. James Hedges and his employes, who, no
doubt, made his cabin their headquarters, while
survej'ing portions of the county. At this time
Mr. Newman was a widower, his wife having
died in Pennsylvania; and Catharine Brubaker,
a sister of the three brothers, and a niece of

to either place about twenty-five miles. They
erected a small cabin on the bank of the
beautiful Rocky Fork, near a clear, sparkling
spring that yet gushes from the bank, emptying
its waters into the first mill-race in Richland
County. The cabin is fairl}- represented in the
upper right-hand corner of the accompanying
sketch. The sketch of these cabins was made
from a description given by Henry Newman, one
of the children of Jacob Newman, who is yet liv-
ing at Bryan, Ohio, a hale, hearty, well-pre-
serA'ed old gentleman, who was here before
Richland Count}' was formed, and has lived

4 ^^
^

■V

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

235

to see it peopled by its thousands ; its well-
cultivated farms take the place of its dense
forests; its thousands of cattle and other domes-
tic animals, in place of its wolves and bears ; its
beautiful towns and farmhouses, in place of
the wigwam of the savage. He was a bo}' of
nine or ten when this cabin was erected, but
remembers it well, and sa^'s it was a little log
pen, with a roof over it ; a wide fireplace occu-
P3'ing nearly all of one end, with a stick and
mud chimney running up on the outside, no
floor but mother earth; windows made of a
little twelve-l)y-tweh'e piece of oiled paper, put
in where a log was sawed oft' for the purpose.
It contained but a single room with a loft over-
head ; was made of rough, round beech logs
with the bark on ; chinked and daubed with
sticks and mud to keep out the wintry blast.
The door was so low that a man of ordinary
height must stoop to enter ; but the latch-string
always hung out, for these pioneers were men
of large and open hearts, warm hands, and no
stranger was turned away empty. Indian or
white man, it mattered not. he was welcome to
unroll his blanket by the great log fire, and par-
take of the homeh" fare of venison and corn
bread, served upon a table of puncheons.

The Newmans lived in this little hut aljout
two years, when, by hard work, having accum-
ulated some means, they began to feel aristo-
cratic, and erected a new cabin. This cabin is
also shown in the sketch. It was of hewed logs,
was built about eight or ten feet from the old
one, and a covered porch extended from the old
one over tliis space. By the time they were
ready to erect this larger and better cabin the}-
had a saw-mill in operation, and this enabled
them to put a board floor in it, and. as it was a
half-story higher than the old one, a board loft
was put in, which was reached by a ladder and
used as a sleeping-room. The doors and win-
dow frames were made of sawed lumber ; the
logs were nicely hewed and fitted, and they
were able to procure glass for windows. The

usual gi-eat cheerful fireplace occupied the end,
and the never-to-be-forgotten iron crane was
suspended therein, with its numerous hooks
upon which to hang the iron cooking kettles.

It was not often that an early settler of Rich-
land County was found who could afford to have
a cabin like this hewed-log one of the Newmans.
The earliest settlers often lived for weeks and
months, with their families, in what was called a
'' pole cabin ;"' that is, a cabin made of small poles
and sticks, and covered with Ijrush and bark.
These could be erected by the head of the
fiimily, without assistance, in twenty-four or
fort^-eight hours, and during the summer sea-
son were not unpleasant habitations. Hundreds
of these brush cabins were erected. The set-
tlers generally arrived in the spring, and the
first consideration was to put in a crop of corn
or wheat, and establish a '' truck " patch ; there-
fore they put off building their permanent
cabins until fall, or until the spring crop was
attended to, and in the mean time these tempo-
rary brush structures were erected to shelter
the family. Sometimes the}- brought tents
which they pitched upon the bank of some
beautiful stream, and lived in them until they
could make a little clearing in the gi-eat woods,
and put in the spring crop ; at other times they
camped out without shelter except such as their
covered wagons aflforded. They did their cook-
ing by a fire in the open air and used their
wagons for sleeping-rooms.

It maj^ be imagined what these five pioneers
at the Newman caliin did during the long sum-
mer, autumn and winter of 1807, occupying
their solitary cabin far in the deep, dark woods,
surrounded by wild animals and wilder men.
There was much more to do than could be ac-
complished in one season ; indeed, years must
elapse — years of the hardest kind of pounding —
before a home could be shaped out of this wil-
derness. Catharine Brubaker, the pioneer
woman of the county — the first wliite woman to
settle in Richland County, so far as known —

■^

236

HISTOEY or RICHLAND COUNTY.

had enough to do to cook for those four brawny
backwoodsmen, with their appetites sharpened
by Uvbor and the pure air of the woods. It is
not on record that they raised a crop that first
Huninier, the^^ were too hite for that, and the
wootls were to be cleared away and buildings
erected. Their provisions were brought from
Canton, to which place Mr. Newman frequently
returned. But four of them could get through
with a good deal of work, and, knowing they
would soon be followed b}' other pioneers, who
would need lumber for their cabins, the}' made
preparations to erect a saw-mill. This saw-
mill was not finished, however, until the spring
of 1809, and was the first mill of any kind in
the county. It was not until the spring of 1808,
that an addition was made to the settlement —
then Michael Newman came — a brother of
Jacol)'s. He brought his wife with him from
(,'anton, and went into that little cabin with
one room. ITpon his arrival (^atharine Bru-
})aker returned to her home, and Michael
Newman's wife became the housekeeper. The
location of this first cabin was upon the right
bank of the creek, back several hundred yards
from it, near the present dwelling of H. L.
(loudy. a few feet west of his barn. The spring
is a short distance west of the site of the cabin.
The saw-mill they erected stood almost on the
exact spot where Goudy's mill now stands.

The spring of 1808 opens Avith six settlers
in this little cabin. People may now wonder
how so many could be accommodated, and it
must be remembered that, in addition to these,
Gen. Hedges and his employes were frequently
there a day or two, so that without doubt, eight
or ten people or more were often crowded
into this cal)in. During this summer the men
worked upon the mill race, and put in crops of
corn and wheat in tlie clearings they had made
during the winter. In the foil of this year
Jacob Newman brought his son Henry, from
Canton, and he constituted the seventh perma-
nent occupant. This was not enough, however;

the cal)in must have looked very empty and
cheerless to Jacob Newman; for he went back
to Pennsylvania and married again, bringing his
bride out, on horseback probably, to occupy
and render cheerful the vacant places in that
cabin, which now contained but eight people.

It is not remembered whether the Brubaker
boys remained at the Newman cabin during the
winter of 1808-9. but Michael, his wife and
others, occupied it, and Gen. Hedges made it
his headquarters.

In the spring of 1809 the saw-mill was in
operation, and the}' probably had an addition
to their settlement during this 3'ear. A family
by the name of Fountaine came, and erected a
cabin near the Newmans. Other pioneers were
b}' this time coming in along the Black Fork, a
few miles further east. The Copus and Zimmer
families, Martin Ruffner. Samuel Lewis, Henry
McCart, James Cunningham, Mr. Schaffer, Arch-
iljald Gardner and Andrew Craig, arrived and
settled near tlie Indian village of Greentown,
in Green Township, now Ashland County.

The saw-mill erected by the Newmans was a
rude log affair, and had all the business it could
do from the start. It worked very slowly.

In the spring of 1810. Michael Newman
moved out of Jacob Newman's cabin and into
the one erected near, by Moses Fountaine, the
latter having moved away, probably east to his
former home.

About this time the Newmans saw the neces-
sit}' and l)egan the erection of a grist-mill. Thus
the first grist-mill in the county was established ;
and a mill is yet in operation on its site, though
nearly all evidences of the first mill have dis-
appeared.

There is little doul)t that James Hedges and
Jacob Newman thought, when Mr. Newman
entered his land on the Rocky Fork, that it was
near the center of the territory which they
knew would soon be erected into a county,
and they desired to make their fortunes by
establishing a county seat. With this in view

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

237

they laid out a town near the mill. They
soon changed their minds, however, regarding
this location, and went further up the Rocky-
fork where Gen. Hedges had entered land, and
nearer the center of what afterward became a
county, where they established the present
city of Mansfield. In 1811 Jacob Newman j
sold his possessions on the Rocky Fork, and
moved to the present site of Mansfield. Mr.
Newman was in all respects a superior man.
He is described as an imposing-looking man,
over six feet high, well proportioned and of
light complexion. He was of a social disposi-
tion and very popular among his associates.
He was temperate in his habits, never using in-
toxicating liquors of any kind or tobacco in
any form. He was always a friend to the poor,
and had many of them about him dependent
on him. He was a man of the highest character
in all respects, and died greatly beloved and
regretted. In the winter of 1812, he acted as
guide to Gen. Crooks, contracting a disease
from which he died. Thus passed away the first
settler in Richland County. His remains were
among the first to occupy the old cemetery that
had been established on the southwest corner
of the town plat. They were removed about
twenty years since, and now rest in the new
cemetery, in Lot 100.

Michael Beam purchased the Newauan place
on the Rocky Fork, finished the grist-mill,
which l)ecame celebrated and widely known as
"Beam's mill." It was a crude water-mill the
buhrs being made of "nigger-heads," which did
poor work, but it was a great deal better than
no mill, and was patronized by the early settlers.
who came from great distances, from ever}' di-
rection through the unbroken forest. Mr. Beam
was often compelled to turn away patrons,
being unable to do all the grinding that came
to him. His wife, familiarly known as " Mother
Beam," was largely instrumental in l)ringing cus-
tom to the mill. 8ett!ers were often compelled
to wait several days for their grinding, mean-

while boarding with Mother Beam, who was
celebrated for the excellence of her corn-cakes,
corn-dodgers, and her general superiority as
cook.

Mr. Beam remained here many years, and. in
1812, erected a block-house near the mill, well
known as • Beam's block-house," where squads
of soldiers w-ere stationed at different times
during the war, and to which the settlers looked
for protection from the Indians.

The second settlement in Richland County,
so far as known, was on the site of the city of
Mansfield, in the fall of 1808. made by one
Samuel Martin, from New Lisbon, Columbiana
Co., Ohio. Martin was somewhat of an advent-
urer, had followed the current of the pioneers
westward, stumbled upon the Newman settle-
ment, heard of the new town which li^d been
laid out in June, 1808, came up, and, with the
help of Jacob Brubaker, one of the employes
of Gen. Hedges, erected the first cabin and be-
came the first settler in Mansfield. The record
is silent as to whether Martin brought his fam-
ily with him ; but he lived in this cabin during
the winter, and sold whisky to the Indians,
which, being against the law, compelled him
to leaA'e the country. When he moved out,
the cabin was occupied by James Cunningham,
in 1809. From this date, the settlement at
Mansfield began a steady and permanent growth,
the details of which will be found in another
chapter.

The next settlement in the present limits of
Richland County was upon the present site of
Bellville. in 1809, and was known as the " Mc-
Cluer settlement."

James McCluer seems to have wandered up
the Clear Fork in 1808, entered land and erected
a cabin thereon, but did not bring his family
until the spring of 1809, from which time,
therefore, the settlement must be dated.

At that time there were no roads in Richland
Coimty, nor anything resembling a road more
than an Indian trail. McCluer was a small

1£

238

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

mnn, but one of those bold, daring spirits tliat
always stand ready to act as' the picket-guard
of civilization. He walked up through the
woods from Mount Vernon, then a little hamlet
and frontier town, and erected his cabin far in
advance of all others. Proba1)ly the first road
that entered the county came from the east at
Wooster and ended somewhere about Green-
town, and was probably soon extended to the
Newman settlement, and thence to Mansfield.
The next road was the one leading from Mount
Vernon north through the McCluer settlement.
A settlement existed at the mouth of Huron
River, and this road connected Mount Vernon
and other frontier towns with that settlement,
and was opened through Richland County in
1811. McCluer was so well pleased with the
country and his prospects that he induced some
of his relatives, among whom was Jonathan
( )ldfleld and Samuel ^IcCluer, his nephew,
to accompany him and his ftimil}- in the
spring of 1809, and make a permanent set
tlement. Thomas McCluer also came, and
worked as a hired hand, helping to clear up
the land.

This James McCluer afterward became prom-
inent in the affairs of the county, being one of
its first Associate Judges. When Mansfield
began to grow, he left his farm, at Bellville, and
resided in Mansfield a few years, occupying a
cabin on the southwest corner of Main and
Fourth' streets (present site of the savings
bank), and afterward moved to the vicinity of
Leesville, in Crawford County, where he had
previously purchased a piece of land, and where
he resided until his death, occupied with farm-
ing pursuits.

During this year (1809) settlements were
made in different parts of the county, mostly,
however, along the tributaries of the Mohican,
the Black Fork, Clear Fork and Rocky Fork.
They came partly by boat up these streams,
and partly l)y the Indian trails. David Hill made
the first settlement at Lucas, in this year. A

number of his kinsmen followed, and consti-
tuted quite a settlement of Hills in this neigh-
borhood. Samuel Lewis settled in the northern
part of Worthington Township, and afterward
erected the ''Lewis block-house"' on his prem-
ises. Settlements were also made in Green
Township, in what is now Ashland County, and
in Mifflin Township, within the present limits
of Richland. Mansfield also received two or
three additional settlers during this year.

During the j^ear 1810, the road before men-
tioned, from Wooster to Mansfield was opened,
and settlers came more rapidty ; none, however,
settled west or north of Mansfield. A few
were added to each of the settlements already
made ; and the same may be said of the year
1811, except that Archibald Gardner, and, per-
haps, one or two others, pushed on up the
Black Fork, settling near the present site of
Windsor; a settlement was made in the vicinity
of Lexington, another in Vermillion Township
(now in Ashland County), east of Hayesville :
one in Monroe and one in Worthington Town-
ship. The war of 1812 checked emigration
somewhat, but after it ended the tide began
again to fiow in greater volume than ever. The
jDassage of the armies of Gens. Crooks and
Beall, as well as the presence and passage, at
different times, of ' smaller bodies of troops,
served the purpose of opening roads in diflfer-
ent directions, as well as introducing into the
new country thousands of men who would never
otherwise haA^e known of its beaut}' or advan-
tages, and who, when they were at liberty to do
so, returned and settled in it. The county, no
doubt, settled far more rapidly tlian it would
had there been no war of 1812.

The march of Bealls army opened up the
county to the north, hence, in 1814 and 1815,
quite a number of settlers followed -Beairs
trail,'' and settlements were made at Trucks-
ville, Pl3'mouth, and in different parts of Mont-
gomer}', Milton, Weller, Franklin, Blooming
Grove, Plymouth, Cass and other townships in

-v

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

239

the northern part of the county. The march
of Crook's army opened the road west of Mans-
field through to Upper Sandusky, and settlers
followed this road, settling in Springfield and
other townships west.

The road from Mansfield to Ashland, or a
point near Ashland— Treckle's cabin— was cut
in 1813. Samuel Lewis cut six miles of it.
beginning at Mansfield, and Capt. Ebenezer
Rice the remainder, beginning at the cabin
mentioned. It was ten feet wide, and they re-
ceived $9 per mile, and went to Chillicothe to
draw their pay.

Where no roads existed, numerous '• blazed "
trails led off through the woods in every direc-
tion, from the diflferent settlements to the home
of the solitary settler in the great woods. One
of the most important and most used of the
early roads was the one north and south from
Mount Vernon to the lake. From Mansfield this
road bore directly north to Brubaker Creek, in
Eranklin Township, thence northeast through
what is now Shiloh, to Plymouth and New Ha-
ven, in Huron County, thence to the mouth of
Huron River. At Plymouth it intersected BealFs
trail, which is followed from that place to the
lake.

This road was the great outlet for grain and
produce in the rich and older settled counties
of Knox, Licking and others. Great covered
freight wagons, with tires seven or eight
inches broad and an inch thick, drawn by
six horses or mules, made regular trips from
Baltimore and Philadelphia over the national
road to Zanesville ; thence over this mud road,
stopping at the little stations on the way to re-
ceive and discharge freight. Many of those
teamsters were men of high character, standing
and credit, and, in transacting their business,
would require persons who shipped goods by
their wagons to make out three bills of lading,
all properly signed, with as much regularity as
a ship at sea or the freight trains of to-day;
one bill to accompany the goods, one to be re-

tained by the shipper, and one to go by mail to
the consignee. One of those teams would to-
day be a greater curiosity than a steamer or a
train of cars. They are yet to be found on the
gTcat prairies of the West, transporting freight
to points not yet reached by the iron horse.

These wagons did most of the carrying trade
of the country. The merchant who wished to
purchase goods in the East, sent his order and
received his goods by these wagons, and, in
order to pay for the goods, often intrusted large
sums of money to these teamsters. The prod-
ucts of the country, received by the merchant
in exchange for goods, consisting mostly of
wheat, whisky, furs, etc., were also shipped by
these wagons, going, generally, to the lake, where
they were sold, or shipped on a vessel for some
point east, and months would often elapse
before returns could be received.

Another source of outlet for the produce of
the country was by the water-courses, which
were then untrammeled by mills, or bridges, and,
by reason of the swampy condition of the coun-
try and the consequent abundance of water,
were navigable for small boats to points which
would seem incredible at this time. Flat-boats
were built, carrying from twenty to fifty tons.
These were loaded with pork, flour, whisky, the
products of the chase, etc., and taken to New
Orleans, where the cargo and boat were sold,
and the pioneer, with his money in his pocket,
would return across the country, walking per-
haps the entire distance, or may be, purchasing
a mule or horse by the way, or taking occa-
sional advantage of the well-remembered stage
coach for short distances. In this primitive
way, the early pioneers of Richland County com-
municated with the outside world. Nearly forty
years elapsed from the time of the first settle-
ment before these means of transportation were
superseded by that great civilizer— the railroad.
The products of the country, for want of
a market, brought very low prices: The
average being, for wheat, 35 cents per bushel ;

■^

240

HISTORY OF RICHLAI^D COUNTY.

oats, 12 cents per bushel ; corn, 20 cents per
bushel ; whisky, 15 cents per gallon ; pork, $1.50
per cwt. ; cows, $8 to $10 each ; horses, |30 to
$40 each. Coffee bought from 75 cents to $1
per pound ; salt, from $4 to |G per barrel ; cali-
coes from 50 cents to $1 per 3'ard, etc. Money
was the exception, traffic and trade the rule.
The great wagons carried the produce to Port-
land (now Sandusky City) and Huron, and re-
turned with salt, fish, etc.

In trading witli the Indians it was customary
to set a bottle of whisky on each end of the
counter, that the purchasers might help them-
selves gratuitously, and thus facilitate the busi-
ness. These cabins for the purposes of trade
and traffic sprang up along the new roads, and
were occupied by some hardy pioneer and fam-
ily, who procured his living partly by hunting,
partly by trading whisk}', tobacco, blankets,
knives, tomahawks and trinkets with the Indi-
ans and settlers, and, as travel on the roads
increased, by keeping travelers over night,
finally converting his cabin into a ''tavern."
Frequently these taverns were the means of
starting a town, which afterward grew and pros-
pered, or became extinct. p]stal)lishinga town
was like investing in a lottery ticket, which
might draAV a prize or a blank. Nothing now
remains to mark the site of many early towns
platted on the soil of Richland ; others are
marked by small clusters of partially deserted
houses.

One of the earliest settlers thus writes :
" Our social parties consisted of cabin-raisings,
log-rollings, quilting parties, corn-huskings, etc.
Our sports were various gymnastic exercises
and shooting matches. There was no punctil-
ious formality, nor aping after fashions. The
rich and poor Avere dressed alike. The clothing
of the men consisted of coarse material for
hunting shirts, and pants made of buckskin.
The women were also attired in coarse fabric ;
if a young damsel wanted a magnificent wed-
ding dress, she Avould have her highest aspira-

tions in this respect gratified by obtaining a
suit of American cotton check, which then cost
from 50 cents to $1 per yard, but which can
now be obtained for one shilling. Silks, satins
and other varieties of fancy go(jds. which now
infest society, were never thought of Our
drink was whisky toddy, which we thought was
good enough for a king. The Avoods furnished
us with abundance of meat, and corn-pone sup-
plied the place of the present dyspeptic-produc-
ing pastry."

This pioneer might have added that, in addi-
tion to their gymnastic exercises and shooting
matches, the}' frequently engaged in ring-fights
b}' Avay of variety. Mr. John M. ^lay. the firet
law3'er in Mansfield, thus describes one of these
affairs :

•' Every neighborhood had its bully or chief
fighter, and these were pitted against each other
like game-cocks. These fights often ended in
a general melee, in which whole neighborhoods
Avere sometimes engaged against each other. I
remember one fight of this kind which took
place on the public square in Mansfield, be-
tween the Clearforkers and Blackforkers. The
Clearforkers Avere the fighting men living in the
southern portion of the county, in the valley of
the Clear Fork, and the Blackforkers were from
the northern and eastern portions of the county,
liAdng along the Black Fork. These two regions
AA'ere alAA'ays at enmity, and ahvays getting up
fights Avith each other.

" Among the Blackforkers were the Prossers,
Burrels and Pittengers, noted fighting men.
Jonathan Prosser was their champion man.
Among the Clearforkers were the Brodies,
Slaters and Driskells. Of these Stephen Brodie
was the champion.

" At the time referred to, I noticed Stephen
Brodie and Bill Slater riding up to the North
American corner.

'• They hitched their horses, and there I no-
ticed Burrell and tAvo of the Prosser boys ride
up also.

'f^

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

241

• Jonathan Prosser jumped off his horse and
told Brodie he was going to whip liim. I saw
there was to he a figlit. so I and 83'lvenus Day
mounted a big stump on tlie square to see the
fun. A crowd gathered and joined hands,
forming a ring around the champions. Pi'osser
and Brodie stepped into this ring, stripped and
prepared for battle. Tliey looked like giants.

•' The fight soon commenced, and was going
on in due order, according to the rules of the
ring, when suddenly Bill Slater, who was out-
side, made a rush to break through the ring.
As he came up, Burrell let go and knocked him
down like a l)eef I thought he was dead.

•• The ring was re-formed, and tlie light con-
tinued as before. Pretty soon, however, Slater
came to, and, raising up, caught Burrell l)y the
leg, threw him down. and. getting on top of
him, began pounding him. This brought on a
general fight, and all hands went in with a will.
The result was, the Clearforkers came out
ahead."'

The early settlers were a rough, hardy set of
backwoodsmen ; and, if they were always ready
for a fight, the}' were also always ready to help
each other on any and all occasions, and for
this purpose would put themselves to great in-
convenience and go great distances. Did one
of them want a cabin raised, he had only to let
his neighbors (and all were neighbors who lived
within a circle of five or ten miles) know they
were wanted on a certain day, and they would
be there, the only compensation asked being a
generous supply of whisk}-.

Log-rollings were almost an every-day occur-
rence ; every settler would have one or more of
these gatherings every 3'ear. Settlers would
come for miles around, with their handspikes,
oxen and axes ; the logs were cut, hauled to-
gether and piled in great heaps, to be set on
fire after drying. The younger members of the
community, girls and boys, piled the brush and
smaller sticks in immense heaps ; and boys, not
very old, can remember when these heaps were

set on fire at night, and how all the young peo-
ple for miles around gathered, and played
'•goal ■' and "round-town"' by the light of the
cracking brush.

Then there were • wood-choppin"s "" and •• cpiilt-
in's,"" where everybody, old and young, would
go — the men with their teams and axes, the
women with their needles. Aunt and Uncle
Somebody would get wood enough in a few
hours, delivered at their cabin door, to keep
the great fireplace roaring the whole winter ;
and enough quilts and things to keep them
warm in spite of the snow that drifted through
the clapboard roof upon their beds. The de-
lightful part came in the evening, when the
older people went home, and the younger danced
the happy hours of the night away to the music
of the violin and the orders of some amateur
cotillion caller.

The red man of the forest was often the silent
and amazed spectator of these happy gather-
ings. In the simplicity of his heart, he did not
dream the white people were •' like the leaves
of the forest," and that the}- would soon over-
run and possess all the soil that for centuries
had been the hunting-grounds of his tribe. He
could not realize the fate that awaited him, so
beautifully expressed in Longfellow's verse —

" Wrapt in thy scarlet blanket, I see thee stalk through

the city's
Narrow and populous streets, as once by the margins

of rivers
Stalked those birds unknown, that have left us only

their footprints.
What, in a few short years, will remain of thy race but

the footprints ?"

In later years, when Johnny Appleseed's or-
chards began to bear fruit, ■' parin" bees ' were
in order, and also " corn-huskin's."' These were
gotten up on the principle that ■• many hands
make light work," and, in addition to the work
accomplished, they furnished excuses for social
gatherings. Fashionable calls, were, of course,
unknown ; work was the order of the day, and.
all feeling the necessity of continual labor, the}-

243

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

varied its monotony and made it lighter by as-
sembling together and getting through with a
large amount of it at one time, at the same
time enjoying the social advantages thus of-
fered.

A moonlight night was selected for the corn-
huskings. Sometimes the corn was husked as it
stood in the field, and large fields were thus
cleared of corn in a single evening. At other
times, the owner of the corn field would go
through it a day or two before the husking was
to take place, jerk the ears from the stalk, and
haul them to some dry place in the meadow,
where they were piled in a huge circle. About
this circle, on the outside, the men would gather
in the evening, and, amid the rattle of husks,
and the general hilarity, the yellow ears would
flow toward the center of the circle in a con-
tinual stream, while the buskers buried them-
selves deeper and deeper in the husks, until
after a time they emerged and stood upon the
inner line of the circle, with a great pile of corn
in front and a pile of husks in the rear.

Occasionall}" the corn was, as nearly as pos-
sible, equally divided into two heaps ; captains
or leaders were chosen b}- the men, who, choos-
ing their men, arranged themselves in opposi-
tion. P^ach of the opposing captains endeav-
ored to finish his pile first, the bottle being
passed frequently, each one helping himself to
as much of . the contents as he desired. The
successful captain was elevated upon the shoul-
ders of his men, amid prolonged cheers, and
carried around the pile. Sometimes the beaten
party were aggravated until knock-downs en-
sued, after which they would repair to the
house of the host and partake of the good
things prepared for the occasion.

A good deal of ingenuity was exhibited
among the early settlers in making traps to
secure the wild animals of the forest. At one
time it seemed utterly impossible for the
pioneers to raise sheep or hogs, on account of
the depredations of wolves and bears : the latter

invariabl}- preferred pork to mutton, but the
wolves always attacked the sheep in preference.
The State offered $6 each for wolf scalps ; this
and other considerations stimulated the settlers
in the work of capturing and destroying them.
Many of the young men devoted their time al-
most exclusively to this business. For the pur-
pose of trapping them, a '• wolf-pen " was " con-
structed of small logs, six feet long, four feet
wide and three feet high. It was formed like a
large box, with a puncheon floor. The lid was
made of heavy puncheons, and was moved b}'
an axle at one end, made of a small round
stick. • This trap was set b}' sticks placed in
the shape of a figure 4, and baited with any
kind of meat, except wolf meat, the animal pre-
ferring an}' other to his own. Upon gnawing
the meat the lid fell, inclosing the unwary na-
tive for the benefit of the trapper."

The continual and common use of whisky
among the pioneers, received its first check in
Richland County, on the 29th of March, 1828,
at which time the first temperance society was
organized, at the house of Samuel Smith, in
Monroe Township, near the east line of Wash-
ington. This society was entirely indigenous
to the soil of old Richland, none of its mem-
bers having had any previous knowledge of
such an organization. On this occasion, Thomas
Smith was called to the chair, and Samuel
Ritchey appointed Secretary. Thomas Smith,
Alexander McBride and Samuel Smith were
appointed a committee, and presented the fol-
lowing as a basis of action :

Where'fS, The common use of intoxicating liquors
as a beverage is injurious to the health of the consumer,
and ruinous to the morals of the community,

Resolved, That we form ourselves into a society to
be known by the name of the Washington and Monroe
Temperance Society, and that we adopt the following
pledge for our guide:

We, whose names are hereunto attached, do pledge
ourselves to dispense with the common use of ardent
spirits in our families, and at our gatherings and frolics ;
and, as far as our influence extends, use all laudable
means to discourage the use of it in others.

o^ffB^^^,:^

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

245

This was adopted after considerable discus-
sion, in which many expressed their fear that
they could not get along with their raisings,
rollings and harvestings without liquor. The
pledge was signed by Thomas Smith, Sr., Henry
INIosar, Lambert Larnee, Joseph Coe, Jedediah
Smith, Robert McDermot, Levi Tarr, David New-
lin, Thomas Smith, Jr., Samuel Smith, John Con
well, Joseph Reed and Alexander McBride.
Thus began a crusade in this county which has
not yet ended. The pledge was for one year,
but at the end of that time it was renewed, and
continued gaining in strength until more than
five hundred names appeared on its list.
This was a society of earnest workers.
The}' met on the 1st day of January, j'earlj^,
and continued the organization more than thirty
years.

This curse of intemperance permeated all
classes and conditions of society. Even the
children of the earl}' schools, when they barred
out their teacher on New Year's Day, as was
the custom of the time, frequently demanded
a certain amount of whisky, among other things,
as the price of admission. The children could
hardly be blamed, since both teachers and par-
ents, perhaps, as a rule, indulged more or less
in strong drink. In this connection. Judge
Jacob Brinkerhotf. in his address at the laying
of the corner-stone of the new court house,
tells an anecdote characteristic of the times.

'• I have told you who was the first tavern-
keeper in Mansfield. Now, among his success-
ors in that hospitable employment, was a Mr.
Moore, whose weakness it was to entertain what
were then deemed extravagant notions of the
future prosperity and glory of the town of
Mansfield.

"The village school was taught or rather
kept by an Irish schoolmaster, who, before cross-
ing the water, had kissed the blarney-stone, was
always ready to make free use of the gift thus
derived, and well aware of the ' powerful weak-
ness ' of Mr. Moore.

" In those days to keep a tavern was to sell
whisky, carefully measured out at a fippenny-
bit a gill, and it happened that the schoolmas-
ter's weakness for whisky was quite equal to
that of Mr. Moore, for the future of Mansfield.
And the cases were not infrequent, that, when
the ardent spirit was most ardently desired, the
requisite fippenny-bit would be wanting and
the blarney would be the only available substi-
tute. And so he would begin — 'Ah! Mesther
Moore, there are few gintlemen in this wilder-
ness counthry that have your sagacity — your
gifts of foresight. I tell you what it is, Mesther
Moore, Mansfield is predestined to be a great
say-port yit some day ! ' No sooner would this
prediction be uttered than the heart of Mesther
Moore would soften, and then would follow the
coaxing question — ' Mesther Moore, couldn't
yees trust us for a gell of whisky, this blessed
mornin'?'

^' The coveted potation would at once appear,
and go where so many of the like had gone
before — to cheer the heart and thaw the blood
of the ' poor exile of Erin," as he went forth to
the arduous labor of dusting, with his hickory
rod, the buckskin breeches of boys, who, in
those days, were not always ruled by moral
suasion alone."

The great days among the pioneers were the
Fourth of July and those upon which the
militia assembled for muster. These were the
holidays, when the people ceased from labor
and turned out en masse, and when plenty of
fun and whisky were expected. The place of
assembling was generally in some clearing, near
some " tavern,"' the landlady of which had the
reputation of being a good cook. There was
plenty of drumming, fifing and noise, and
somebody was always found who could readily
perform the duties of President of the meeting ;
somebody who could read the toasts, and some-
body who had been under Harrison or Van
Rensselaer as Orderly Sergeant, to act as mar-
shal. Plenty of men were ready to read that

-7P

246

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

wonderful document, the ■ Declaration," for
aniong the settlers were not only many excel-
lent scholars and gentlemen, l)ut here and there
could l)e found a veritable graduate of Yale
College. When no minister was present to
act as chaplain, a good pious man was called
to that post. If the meeting did not end with
a grand ring fight, the people went home dis-
appointed.

At a meeting of the pioneers of the county
in 1858, of which Mr. Jabez Cook was Pres-
ident, an ax was presented to each of the fol-
lowing persons, they being the oldest pioneers
then living in the county; Jacob Stoner, who set-
tled here in 1807 or 1 808 ; Michael Newman, who
settled in 1808 ; Jonathan Oldfield. 1809 ; Thos.
McCluer, 1809; Henry Nail. 1810, and John
Coulter. Uriah Matson was also presented
with an ax in consideration of his having
cleared more land than any man in the county.

Richland County is only seventy-two years of
age — yet in its infancy. What mighty changes !
The human mind can hardly comprehend it.
Yesterda}^, a wilderness, full of wild animals
and wild men ; to-day, rejoicing in the bright
light of the highest civilization.

" I ask myself, Is this a dream ?
Will it vanish into air ?
Is there a land of such supreme
And perfect beauty anywhere ? "

There are over three hundred thousand acres
of tillable land in the coiuity, valued at about
eleven millions of dollars ; property in city
and villages valued at about four millions, and
chattels and personal property, nearly twenty
millions ; all in seventy-two years.

Statistics prove that Richland (Jounty is one
of the best in the State for agricultural pui'-
poses, generally. Almost everything gTown in
the Northern States can be grown on its soil.
It does not largely excel in any one thing, but
in some things stands first among the best.

Out of eighty-eight counties in the State,
only nine raised more wheat in 1878 than Rich-

land, and these were generally larger counties,
with more acreage sown. The average j'ield
was a little more than fifteen bushels to the
acre ; the average in the State, for twenty-eight
years, being a little more than eleven bushels
per acre.

In the same year, only two counties in the
State raised more oats than this ; these were
Stark and Wayne, in both of which the acreage
was greater. The average is in favor of Rich-
land, it being a little more than forty Inishels
per acre, while both Stark and Wayne averaged
a little more than thirty-nine bushels. The
yield of wheat was 488.041 l)ushels. and of
oats, 982,993 bushels.

The average yield of corn in the State for
twenty-eight years was a little over thirty
bushels per acre ; Richland, in 1878, averaged
over thirty-five bushels, the yield being 1.063.-
045 bushels.

These are the principal crops, and it will be
seen that Richland excels. In all other crops
her standing is high.

For a healthful climate and the longe\ity of
its citizens the county stands almost unrivaled.
The purity of its water and air, and the general
intelligence of its citizens, have tended to
lengthen their days. There are a numl)er of
hale, hearty pioneers who have passed the three-
score and ten allotted to man ; a few who walk
with comparatively firm step under the weight
of eighty or ninety, or more years, and one at
least — John Wiler, Esq. — -who, in this year
(1880) completes a century of existence.

The political history of the county is not
unlike that of other counties in the State. Its
first member of Congress was jMordecai Bartk\v,
who was elected in 1823, to the House of Rep-
resentatives, serving four terms, or until 1831.
The second, William Patterson, was elected to
the Twenty-third Congress in 1833, serving as
a member of the House until 1837. The third
was Jacob Brinkerhoff*. elected to the House in
1843, serving two terms, or until 1847. The

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

247

fourth was John Sherman, elected to the Thirty-
fourth Congress, in 1855, serving as a member
of the House until 18G1. when he was called
to the Senate to take the chair vacated by Sal-
mon P. Chase, who became Secretary of the
Treasur}'. The county was honored by the
presence of Mr. Sherman in the Senate from
that time until called to the cabinet of President

Hayes. The fifth man elected to the House of
Representatives from this county was William
Johnson, who served one term, from 1863 to
1 805. The present member, Greorge W. Geddes,
resides in Mansfield, and was elected in 1879,
making the sixth furnished Ijy this count}' to
the councils of the nation.

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348

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

CHAPTER XXV.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

Cabins and their Furniture — Early Educational Facilities — Clothing and its Manufacture — Super-
stitions — Salt — Hominy Blocks — Meal — Distilleries — Whisky and its Use — Singing, Spelling and
Dancing Schools — Camp Meetings — Modes of Emigration — Emigrants' Trials — Observance of the
Sabbath — Marriages — Deaths — Incidents — Mills and Milling — Flat-Boats on the Bl4ck Fork —
Militia Drills — Pioneer Jokes — Johnny Appleseed's Nurseries — Old Indian Landmarks.

" Which naming no names, no offense could be took."

— Sairi/ Gamp.

THE primitive log cabins built b}' the earl}'
pioneers, as long ago as from 1809 to 1820,
were rarely double. The}' were generally 14x
16 feet, covered by clapboards held on by
weight-poles placed on each tier, a ridge-pole
in the center. The floors were made of punch-
eon, split out of logs, and roughly hewn with a
broad-ax. The windows were square or long
holes, made by sawing through one or two of
the logs; slats were nailed across, and the ori-
fice made into a window by covering it with
greased paper, which was pasted over. In-
stances are well remembered in which there was
no flour of which to make the paste, and burnt
Angers and scowling brows attested to the in-
efficiency of corn-meal for that purpose. Bed-
steads were improvised of rough dogwood
poles, with the bark left on, and bottomed very
serviceably with strips of elm bark, woven in
and out skillfully; or, they were made fast to
the wall, requiring only two posts. A substi-
tute for chairs was found in small benches,
hewn out roughly, as were the puncheons. The
cupboard, or "dresser," was made by boring
holes in the wall, driving wooden pins therein,
and placing boards on them. A row of wide
shelves, made the same way, was likewise nec-
essary, and considered an article of furniture,
furnishing a place to store bed-clothes. If the
family had not a square, four-legged table, they

constructed one after this same fashion of bed-
stead, cupljoard and wardrobe.

The chamber, or '-loft," was reached by a
ladder from the outside; or, if the family could
spare the room for it, the ladder was placed
inside, and if, from lack of skill or thrift, this
necessary manner of ingress was wanting, a
row of stout pegs, placed equidistant apart,
could be climV)ed with wonderful agility. The
rosy, bright-eyed nieces of Johnny Appleseed
never appeared so beautiful and graceful as
when they ran, hand over hand, with twinkling
feet, lightly touching the smooth pins that
served them well for a stairway.

The fireplace occupied the greater part of
one end of the cabin. Sometimes it had
"wings," that came in reach of the hand. In
the more modern cabins, jambs were built on
the hearth. The trammel and hooks were found
among the well-to-do families, as time pro-
gressed. Previous to this, the lug-pole across
the inside of the chimney, about even with the
chamber floor, answered for a trammel. A
chain was suspended from it, and hooks were
attached, and from this hung the mush-pot or
tea-kettle. If a chain was not available, a
wooden hook was in reach of the humblest and
the poorest. When a meal was not in prepara-
tion, and the hook was endangered by fire, it
was shoved aside to one end of the lug-pole
for safety. Iron ware was very scarce in those
days. Instances are related where the one pot

dzzziW

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

249

served at a meal to boil water in for mint tea
or crust coffee, to bake the bread, boil the pota-
toes and fry the meat. Bj" fine management
this was accomplished. Freqiienth* the kettle
had no lid, and a flat stone, heated, and handled
with the tongs, was used instead of one when
a loaf or pone or pumpkin pie was baked. A
short-cake could be baked by heating the kettle
moderately, putting in the cake, and tipping it
up sidewise before the glowing fire. Bannock,
or board-cake, was made b}' mixing the corn-
meal up with warm water, a pinch of salt and
a trifle of lard, into a thick dough, spreading it
on a clean, sweet-smelling clapboard, patting it
into shape with the cleanest of hands, and
standing it slanting before the fire, propped in-
to the right position by a flat-iron behind it.
Baked hastih', this made a delicious cake,
sweet and nutty and fresh, and the pretty
stamp of the mother's dear, unselfish, loving
fingers was plainl}' detected in the crisp crust.
There was little in the waj' of ornament in the
homes of the pioneers. The looking-glass, with
a snow-white towel ironed into intricate folds
and checks, hung under it against the bare
mud-daubed wall ; a pin-cushion, that puzzled
the novice b}' its points and corners, made out
of gay pieces of plaid and bombazine and bom-
bazette and camlet ; a row of tiny pockets ; a
black cloth cat with a rickety head dispropor-
tionate to its size, and a comb-case, com-
pleted the list of embellishments. If the fam-
ily owned a Buckeye clock, abundant room for
the ample sweep and swing of its pendulum
was granted, but generall}' the time was marked
by the sunshine on the puncheon floor, the
cracks measuring off the hours with a tolerable
degree of certainty. The pouch and powder-
horn held the place of honor beside the clock ;
the gun rested on two wooden hooks, secured
to a joist overhead. The saddle, wheels, reels,
quilting frames, beds, - chists," meal-bag and a
few rude, splint-bottomed chairs completed the
furniture. From the joists depended dried

herbs, dipped candles, little pokes of dried
plums, blackberries, hazel nuts, yarn, ginseng
roots and golden-seal, hops, stockings, and gen-
erally an old pair of white linen breeches
stuffed full of dried pumpkin.

One would presume that the weeks spent by
pioneers in block-houses where they fled for
safety, would have been doleful in the extreme,
but assurances are frequent that they were not
so. The poor old cracked voices laugh heartily
yet over the fun they experienced in those
times. In the twilight the roll would be called,
and men and boys would answer in differ-
ent voices, so that if Indians were prowling
about meditating an attack, they would be sur-
prised at the vast number ready to confront
them in a fight. Names would be called and
responded to, of men lining awaj' back in Penn-
S3'lvania, Virginia, New York and Massachu-
setts, or perhaps they would be names made up
for the occasion. This constituted an immense
amount of fun.

Girls would steal out some of the horses
and run races and chase one another up and
down the hills, recklessly, excusing themselves
before angry parents, "I didn't think!"

A heedless lad, given to wandering along the
trail out of sight of one of the forts, was sud-
denl}' scared by one of the men hiding behind
a tree, who gave a piercing 3'ell imitating an
Indian. The bo}' flew back to the fort s.cream-
ingpiteously. "Oh! mam, they're a-comin', they're
a-comin ! "' - Who is it coming, son? " said the
mother ; but he only cried the harder, " Oh! mam,
the3''re a-comiri', they're a-comin'!" In after
years when the boy became a man and held
oflflces of trust, his laugh was a dr^', little
abashed sniff Avhen reminded of the inci-
dent.

Education Avas not neglected. Books were
few, but to those who longed to improve their
opportunities the way was not hedged up en-
tirely. They could study spelling, reading,
writing, arithmetic and geography at all

"Ti:

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250

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

times. Instances are related of the father
teaching spelling and geography wliilo at work
out in the clearing with his boys. He could
drill them on the geography of other countries
while they sat nooning, and eatiug their coru-
l)r('ad and butter, and l)oiled turnips, under the
trees and beside the brook. Tn the evenings
tliey could study the multiplication table and
the rules, and lia\'e good times spelling aloud.
Once a week the young men in some localities
met to compare writing and see how much or
how little they had improved. Paper was -very
scarce, and narrow strips only were used. It
was no disadvantage to the eager boys of those
days to browse among the few old books that
had been their father's and their grandfathers.
One boy, after he had mastered the alphabet,
which was pasted on a smooth, board paddle.
set traps and caught rabbits, and sold the skins
for one cent apiece, and bought a new spelling-
book with a nice wooden back.

Any kind of a book was a school-book in
pioneer times. The large reading class was the
History of the United States, the lesser ones
read in the Life of Capt. Riley. English Reader,
Huck's Theological Dictionary, Book of Martyrs,
Encyclopedia, Introduction, etc. Teacher's
wages in the winter wei-e |8 or $10 a month
and boarding round — the pay raised by sul)-
scription and left at any of the mills within a
dozen miles. More than usual was the prepara-
tion made for the master's week — the time when
the family expected the teacher to board with
them a week. If they all slept in the same
room, the teacher and his host, or one of the
big boys. '• sat close to the fire and patted in
the ashes,"' until the women retired, then the
embers were buried, the room in darkness, and
he could retire. In the morning he lay liiding
his time, with one eye open. The pounding or
grinding of the coffee was the signal bell that
intimated it was time to '^ face the music."
When the women went out to get the sausage
in the lean-to. or to cut tlie meat, the delay was

favorably lengthened, and he availed himself of
the opportunity.

Then, if he pulled down his A'est, cracked his
knuckles, milked his beard, or did anything else
that betokened his emliarrassraent. his host un-
derstood, and. giving his head a side-wise jerk,
said. " down to the brook " — then down to the
brook, where there was plenty of water, went the
master, and washed openly, and under the
canopy of heaven, where there was no stint of
accommodations, and where the oxygen was
fre^h and free. Nowadays, people dignifv the
calling, and don the teacher, professor; but then,
wherever he went, a stranger and unknown, the
parents of his pupils invariably, and away ahead
of Young America, jovially called him • Jimmy,"
or '-Johnny." or " Greorgie." or • Billy. " He was
fortunate if he escaped a nickname. They
liked him. They wanted to prove it hy making
him '■ one among 'em," and very often he was
called '■ Nosey." or •' Boots. ' or ■ Parson," or
•' Blinkey. " It was not uncommon for the
teacher to be obliged to sleep with a couple of
little scratching boys — all packed into one bed,
like sardines in a box. A treat was expected
on or about Christmas. Sixty years ago the
treat was the bona-fide one of good whisky.
Sometimes the master and the boys held their
pow-wow in the schoolhouse, but generally, per-
haps on account of the girls, they adjourned to
a fence, where they sat like a row of rooks on
the top rails, and passed the grog from one to
another, with bits of jokes and repartee follow-
ing the l)ottle in quick succession. An instance
is recalled in which the teacher, a confirmed
smoker, lighted his pipe, and passed it round
among the boys and girls, inviting all to partake
of the treat. Candies and raisins formed the
staple of the more modern treat. If the
teacher ignored the custom, or was too
stingy to conform to it. he was •• barred
out," — the windows were fastened secui-ely,
the benches piled high against the door, and
his entrance was impossible, unless some

!> \ "

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HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

251

stipulations were made whicli proved satis-
factory to all.

This foolish and barbarous custom was such
an enorafted and fixed one that it has not be-
come entirely rooted out yet, after all these
years. Even parents and school officers sjnile
half-approvingh'. still, wdien their boys threaten
to '• bar out the master."'

The best men on x\merican soil once belonged
to this profession, and among their older memo-
ries and reminiscences they treasure the recol-
lections of '■ Iveepin' school and boardin" "round;"'
of grandfathers stories of the Revolution, told
from his seat in the warmest corner : of the sup-
pers of mush and milk ; of the farmer's ros}'.
robust daughter, toward whom the}^ cast
" sheep's eyes ;" of the nightly feast of walnuts
and doughnuts and cider ; of the countr}' sing-
ing-schools, and of the jealous swain in gay
wamus ; of the first love that only survived
one winter ; of the monej' they earned all them-
selves, and of the pride that swelled them when
the school officers said '■ Well done." The vent-
urous boy of a few months before stood up,
strong in his new manhood, full of a sound,
sweet taith in himself feeling the force of the
poetasters creed, when lie sang :

Better lore did never Science
Teacli to man tiian self-reliance.
'Tis the law of Him who made you —
Aid yourself, and God will aid you.

The spinning and weaving and clothing of
large families comfortably, as did the thrifty
pioneer mothers, is to the women of nowadays
a marvel beyond their comprehension. How
could they do it. those nursing mothers with
large families ! They rose early and worked
late, and improved every moment of time. They
did nothing by halves. When they went visit-
ing they took tlieir worli. not embroidery, or
migniardise. or crocheting, as of present times,
but substantial sewing or knitting. The min-
ister's wife, for an afternoon's employment,
one time, took a bed-tick and a paii- of panta-

loons, both new linen, and made them with her
deftly flying left hand too. She was the woman
who hurriedh' told her day's work, saying, " I've
w^ashed an" baked an' ironed six pies to-day."

Linen for Sundaj^ clothes was made of cop-
peras and white, checked or striped, and when
bleached was ver}' pretty and soft. For very
choice Avear it was all flax; for every da}' or
second best, the warp was flax and the filling
tow. Linsey-woolse}', or linsey, was wool and
cotton, ver}- much the same as water-proof
or repellent is now, onl}' that it was harsh and
not finished. Dye-stuffs in early times were in
reach of all — butternut or walnut hulls colored
brown ; oak bark with copperas d^ed black ;
hickory bark or the blossoms of the golden-
rod made yellow ; madder, red ; and indigo,
blue : green was obtained by first coloring yel-
low, and then dipping into blue dye. Stocking
yarn was dyed black, brown or blue ; and, for
very choice stockings, strips of corn husks
were lapped tightly in two or three places
around a skein of ^arn, and dyed blue. When
the husks were removed, whitish spots were
found, and the rare *■ clouded yarn " was the
result. The little tub of blue dye, with close-
fitting cover, stood in the warm corner in every
well-regulated household, and it made a very
convenient seat, and the cover was always worn
smooth. Man}' a lad inclined to matrimony
has sneaked slyh' along and seated himself on
the dye-tub as soon as the old folks retired.
When carding machines came and lessened the
labor of the toiling women, one of the first in-
dications of anything as fine as " store clothes "
was the soft, pressed flannel, grand enough for
an}' uncommon occasion, called "London brown."
The fijlds lay in it. and it shone to eyes accus-
tomed to look upon nothing finer than home-
made barred flannel, like lustrous satin. It
smelt of the shop. howcAcr ; the odor of d}e-
stuff' and gTease and gummy machinery clung
to it for a long while. Al)Out tiiis time a bet-
ter (luality of men's wear appeared in the same

253

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

wonderful color of London brown ; and, to
young men coming of age, who had been in-
dentured boys, the beautiful "freedom suit"
was valued higher than the horse, saddle and
bridle. Previous to this, the suit was often
home-spun jeans, or home-fulled cloth in the
rough, dyed a dark yellow or a snuffy brown ;
cf)at, pants and vest cut and made by the hand-
iest woman in the vicinit3\ The wamus ,was
the common garb of the pioneer ; in color red,
blue, brown, yellow or plaid, and not unfre-
(pientl}', plain white flannel, made in a hui'ry,
at the sudden approach of cold weather, and
worn temporarily, which meant only until the
time came in which the over-busy wife or
mother could concoct a simple dye and give it
a solid color. Long before this period of full-
ing-mills, the ingenuity of the pioneer and his
thrifty wife had devised a novel method of
thickening the texture of flamiel so as to make
it suitable for men's winter wear. It may not
have l)een a practice everywhere. The web of
goods was stretched out and held loosel}^ at
each end, while men with bare feet and rolled-
up trousers sat in rows on each side of it.
Then the women poured strong hot soapsuds
on the web while the men kicked it with all the
vigor possible, making the white foam of the
suds fly all over their persons. It proved a
very good substitute, and caused an immense
sight of fun and laughter. This was alwaj's
done in the evening, was a "bee" the same as
a husking bee or a chopping bee ; and, if the
work was done b}^ the beaux, the belles poured
on the hot suds and shared in the fun and wit-
nessed the agility of the contestants, and after-
ward refreshed themselves by a dance on the
wet puncheon floov. This way of fulling cloth
was called a " kicking bee, ' and was a feature
of those times of privation and exigency.
The stiff new linen shirts, trousers and sheets
could hardh' Ije ironed into smoothness in those
days, when no family owned more than one flat-
iron, and there was not much time to be given

to unnecessary work. Garments were gener-
ally drawn back and forth, Ijriskl^', over the top
of a chair-back, to take out the big wrinkles
and give them a tolerable degree of softness,
while plain wear, such as bed and table linen,
and petticoats and aprons, were folded down
as smoothly as possible on a chair, and the
woman who spun at the little wheel sat upon
them a day or two. A new tow-linen shirt
could be compared to nothing else than a ver^^
guilty conscience by the man who wore it.
The shives sticking in the linen pricked into
the flesh continually, and were a source of
great annoyance.

In every neighborhood there were a few
families who had brought with them the super-
stitions of their forefathers, and the result was
that some poor man or woman was reputed to
be a witch. Not much proof was required. If
a woman had very l)lack eyes, or stepped
stealthily, or spoke in a low tone of voice, and
the gossips said she was in league with the
prince of the black art, it did not take long to
fasten the reputation upon her, and the ignorant
looked with awe and fear upon the poor hunted,
watched creature. And so they greased their
broom handles, and laid dead snakes head fore-
most in the paths, and hung horse-shoes over
the cabin doors,, and were careful to spit in the
fire, and not look over their left shoulders when
they passed the abode of the doomed one. But
sometimes her wrath fell upon them, and the
oxen would lie down in the furrow, and no
power could move them, not even hot coals, nor
boiling soap, when poured upon them. One
time, when the family of a poor man rose in the
earl}' morning, one of them lay still, and slept
heavily and breathed noisily. On examination
it was discovered that he had been witch-rid-
den; his sides were black and blue from the
kicking heels that had urged him on to his best
paces, and the corners of his mouth were torn
from cruel bits guided by jerking hands. Peo-
ple who were objects of the witch's spite found

^ c

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

253

a brood of downy young chicks in their chests,
and piles of sprawling kittens under the half-
liushel ; and they overheard deep, cavernous
voices, and fine piping ones, in conclave at mid-
night up in the air and the treetops, and under
the dead leaves, and beside the chimney, and
tracks, with a cloven hoof in among them, were
discernable. Think of the misery of a poor
creature reputed to be a wntch. met in her own
lowlv cabin b}' a weeping mother beseeching
her to remove the spell of incantation that her
sick child might recover ! No denial of the
absurd charge could avail her ; no sympathy
offered was accepted ; and the foolish mother
could do no more than return home, burn some
woolen rags to impregnate the out-door air ;
stand the child on its head while she could
coiint fifty backward : grease its spine with the
oil of some wild animal ; cut the tip hairs off
the tail of a black cat, and bind them on the
forehead of the persecuted one, while she re-
peated a certain sentence in the Lord's Pra3'er.
Then, in her own language, •' If the child died,
it died ; and if it lived, it lived. "

One verj' singular old man, a soldier of the
Revolution, known to all the early settlers of
the county, was remarkal)le for his peculiarities,
his drolleries, and his fund of big stories. One
of his little boys was a very good child, and
he accounted for it from the ftict that the pros-
pective mother had read a book of sermons,
and the i-esult had made a favorable impression
upon the mind of the boy. Relating this to a
neighbor, he said : ■• ( )h. he's the piousest little
cuss you ^ver saw I"

Hauling logs out in the clearing one day with
his hired man. the two sat down to rest, and
make plans for lirush and log heaps. In an
idle way the man said he would be satisfied if
he had as mucli money as he wanted — sa^', a
wagon loaded with needles, and ever}' needle
worn out with making bags to hold his mone}'.

" Poh ! " said the soldier ; '• now, I wish I had
a pile so big, that your pile wouldn't be enough

to pa}' the interest on mine so long as you could
hold a red-hot knitting needle in your ear ! "

He used to say to his nephew, in his strange,
w'eird way, '• After I'm dead, I mean to come
back, an' set round on the stumps, an' watch
you, an' see how you're gittin' along. I'll set
in the holler yonder, in the gTay o' the evenin',
an' obsarve you; see "f I don't." And, though
a half-century has elapsed since the old man
was gathered to his fathers, the pioneer or his
children never pass the - holler," a round,
scooped-out basin in an old roadside field,
without thinking of the words of the old
man ; and involuntarily they turn their gaze
upon the few gray stumps remaining, and the}'
seem to see him sitting there with his queer,
baggy breeches fastened b}' a wide waistband,
his shirt collar open, and his long white locks
tossed by the dallying breezes from the south.

Another superstitious old man used to divine
secrets, tell fortunes, foretell events, find the
places where money Was buried, cure wens by
words, blow the fire out of burns, mumlile over
felons and catarrhs, remove warts, and, with
his mineral ball, search out where stolen goods
w-ere hidden. The '■ mineral ball '" to which the
superstitious ascribed such marvelous power,
was no less than one of those hairy calculi
found in the stomachs of cattle, a ball formed
compactly of the hair which collects on the
tongue of the animal while licking itself This
man, one of that class whose taint infects every
neighborhood, could not from any considera-
tion be prevailed upon to leave a grave3'ard
first of all. •• Why, drat it! " he would say,
•'it's sure and sartin death; ncA'cr knowed
a fellow to leave the graveyard fust but what
he'd be the next 'un planted there! " ' When an
old neighbor of his died suddenly, this man
said, with his thumbs hooked into his trousers'
pockets restfully: "■Wy, drat him, he might a
knowed niore'n to leave the graveyard fust
man! As soon as I seed him do it. I says to
m^'self says I. "Dan. you're a goner; j'oure

iRT

254

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY,

done for; tlievll tuck you uuter next time, an'
nobody but your 1)ooby of a self to l)lame for
it!"

Tn very early times one of the sorest priva-
tions that the poor pioneer encountered, was
the scarcity of salt, Mush, hominy and corn-
bread without a savor of salt was very insipid
food. It was very precious, and when they had
a little, they dealt it out generously to all, even
though a teacupful was a man's allowance to
carry home to his family. Women used to bor-
row a '-mite of salt," and a "settin' o' butter."
The workingmen — and they all belonged to this
class — nearly starved at first for meat victuals.
The}- wanted pork. Turkey and bear and ven-
ison did not seeiii to touch the right place. Tn
1811, a few of them joined in killing a large
hog which had been lost so long in the wilder-
ness that he had become wild, and was a fero-
cious creature, with over-jutting white tushes
and standing bristles. After several ineffect-
ual rifle and musket shots, he was brought to
the ground. The meat tasted well to the poor
men, and the hide made good sole leather.

Inthose early times, say before the pioneer had
raised crops, and when mills were distant, they
lived on mush and corn-bread made from the
meal of corn that they had pounded in a hom-
iny-block. The block was made by bmniing
out, or hollowing out, a stump. By placing
wood in the center of it, and laying on stones
to become red-hot, a hollow could be made
deep enough for use. The corn was pounded l)y
an ax, or an iron wedge in the end of a stick.
When sifted, the finest of the meal made bread,
the next mush, and the third grade was grits
or hominy. This, with butter and milk, con-
stituted the daily food. Without salt, one can
imagine what the living of the poor pioneer
amounted to ; and it must not lie forgotten that
manj?^ of them owned no cow. One of this class
of men when interviewed not long ago said,
" Yes, times were pretty hard for new-comers,
but I want you to remember that there was a

smart sprinkling of Virginians ahead of us here
in Richland County, and the Lord never made
better people. If they killed a deer, or a beef,
they always shared liberally with their neigh-
liors, and especially with those in need. I mind
the year after we came, my father took down
with the ague, and things looked dark enough
for a while ; but, when old Billy Slater, on the
Clear Fork killed a fat cow, he loaded a lot of
the choicest on to a horse and brought it to us ;
and old John Davis, another Virginian, looked
after us as though we were his kindred. The
hospitality and good will and courtesy of the
^^irginia pioneer were without a parallel; they
were so kind and cordial, so much ahead of the
thi'ifty, selfish Yankees, in their gracious deeds
and their generous conduct. That phrase,
' the latch-string is always out,' is full of mean-
ing" — the quivering old voice grew husky with
emotions that overpowered him, and he was left
alone with his thoughts and olden mem-
ories.

Salt was obtained at Zanesville and San-
dusky, and, as there were no roads, it had to l>e
packed on horses, following the trail, one be-
hind another. At one time, Andy Craig, in
company with two other men, brought a barrel
of salt — 280 pounds — from Sandusk}', on the
back of one horse. Andy had a daughter,
a tair, fat girl, a young woman toward
whom Johnu}' Appleseed was somewhat at"
tracted, and for a time Johnny frequently
spoke of "Ilanner Craig." Boys and girls
laughed slyly, l)ut they did not venture to joke
the kind old man.

Distilleries were common. Tn one township
alone thei'e were no less than six in full blast
at one time. Whisky was currency for which
grain was exchanged. It was a common liev-
erage among all classes, a social habit, and its
use was not abused over-much. It helped men
at log-rollings and raisings and gatherings, kept
their spirits up. and made them friendly and
chatty. Sometimes it was the incentive to fights

HISTOKY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY

255

and quarrels, but the verdict invariably was, " the
whisky was to blame."" Where stood those six
seething still-houses, near beautiful springs and
never-failing fountains, now stand churches and
sehoolhouses. and the pure waters are not pttl-
luted to base uses.

Singing schools were a source of enjoyment
in earl}^ times — healthful, pleasurable and in-
structive. The music was better, no doubt,
than it is now. judging from the pioneer's stand-
point, although fine culture was wanting.
Those stalwart lads with sound lungs, and the
rosy girls with strong, sweet voices, untrained
as now. made excellent music. As with spell-
ing schools, the 3'oung people went far and
near, night after night, some of the young men
following the singing master through his week's
round of appointments and not missing a week-
day night in a month. Some of them went
eight miles and returned home the same night.
The rivalry at spelling schools went beyond all
bounds. Brothers, proud of their little sisters,
took them on horseback behind them, eager to
"show off sis ;"' parents studied the spelling-
book with their children, and pronounced to
them, encouraged them bv cheering words, and
were strong incentives in their laudable and
zealous efforts.

Dances and dancing schools were one of the
sources of entertainment in the long ago. In
very early pioneer times, and quite before the
heroic and enthusiastic INIethodist preacher had
pushed his way into the wilderness of the Far
West, heads of families sometimes hurried
through with their day's work, made a kettle
of mush for the children, gave the elder one his
orders about caruig for the little ones, told
him to bury the embers carefully at bedtime,
and, if remiss, would give him a good scutch-
ing, and then mounted the same horse from a
stump at the door, and hied awa}' on liAcly
gallop to the dance, perhaps five miles dis-
tant. But, when the ^' still, small voice of
conscience whispered of a wiser and a better

way, and of the mysteries of life and death,
and that —

" There'll come a day when Ihe supremest splendor

Of earth, or sky, or sea,
What e'er their miracles sublime or tender.
Will make no joy in thee,"

then the men and women were ready and will-
ing and eager to seek and find that pearl of
greatest price.

These people had all the warmth and fire in
their souls of which to make active Christians.
At their camp-meetings in the beautiful wild-
wood, with their frank, honest, luistudied man-
ners, their native intelligence, and their cordial,
winsome ways, religion was attractive and lovely,
and they could not help being zealous workers.

One poor woman, in giving her experience,
jears afterward, unconsciously drew an exquisite
picture for the pencil of the beauty-loving artist.

She said she was working near the roadside,
poorly clad, when the sound of singing came to
her ear — sweet singing of men's and women's
voices mingling together. It came nearer, and
her surprise increased, when, in glimpses among
the dense branches of the trees, she saw a pro-
cession on horseback. Abashed, she hid her-
self behind a tree and peeped around. It was
a company of men and women returning home
to the southern part of the county (Richland),
from a great Methodist camp-meeting that had
been held at "the springs."' The class-leader
and his wife rode foremost ; her bonnet hung
by the ribbons down her back, her light brown
hair lay in loose curls on her shoulders. Her
face was lighted up beautifully, it seemed the
glorified face of an angel ; all their ftices glowed
with a joy such as she had never known in her
life, and, as they rode, some horses carrying
double, in and out among the low hanging
branches, their voices blent in harmony and
sweetness as they sang that old hymn :
" What is this that casts you down,
* What is this that grieves you ?
Speak, and let the worst be known.
Speaking may relieve you."

■7;

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256

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

As the music died away in the grand arches
of the wildwood cathedral, the poor woman
cried aloud from the great burden of unrest
that filled her poor soul, and she sank upon her
knees and wept out her first praj'ei*. She
wanted to walk in the light, to know the jo}' of
a soul redeemed, to share in the blessedness
with those who love the Lord, and, loving Him,
find peace. Religious meetings were held in
groves and barns and beside woodland springs,
and the hospitality of Christian people was
heavily taxed, but the}' were never cognizant of
the fact. They enjo3'ed it ; they longed for it ;
they were the gladdest when the lirethren lay
crowded in a great "field-bed." on the floor,
so crowded that perhaps the host and hostess
had to sleep sitting with their backs against
the jambs all night, each holding a restless,
slumbering child, while the sisters lay in the
"loft." on the loose, clattering clapboards.
What must the few remaining pioneers think of
nowadays, when the mistress of the house
keeps a caller waiting while she arranges her
clothing or the dear bangs on her prett}- fore-
head !

The early pioneers in Richland Count}' came
from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New
York and the New England States. Many of
them were poor, and, like Jack in the story,
"came to seek their fortunes." A few came
with ox teams ; some with horses, two, three or
four of them ; some in two-wheeled carts, while
others packed all their worldly possessions on
a couple of old ''critters." Instances are re-
lated of a bag on top, or snugged down in
among the bundles, made somewhat after the
fashion of a double knapsack, and a couple of
babies poked their little bronzed faces out of
the slits in this novel conveyance, and rode
along like little "possums." The grandfathers
will tell how knapsacks were made, if the unin-
itiated will inquire, and they will tell how, with
their own white-muslin knapsacks slung upon
their shoulders, they went back to visit the

old homes of their early boyhood, with hearts
aching and sorrowing, and hungiy to look upon
the beloved scenery that was so indelibly
stamped in their memories. This they did,
ten or twenty years afterward, on foot, staff in
hand, like pilgrims going to Mecca.

From fifteen to fifty-five da^^s were required
in making the toilsome journey to the Far
West, by the first pioneers. Streams had to be
forded frequently. It was not unusual for a
team to give out on the way and cause a delay
of a fortnight or a month to one of the fami-
lies. The joy was very great when the team
hove in sight and the family rejoined the party
who had found "the end of the road," or
stopped until the men looked for a suitable lo-
cation. The nois}^ joy of Paddy in America,
meeting Micky, fresh from Ireland, would be a
suitable comparison to the welcome given to
the new arrival.

The Sabbath day was observed in very early
times by the pioneer families. Thej' met at
the largest cabin, some one read a sermon, and
the}' had prayer and singing. Whenever a
preacher came, an appointment was made and
word sent out to all the fiilnilies for many miles
around.

The first marriages were solemnized by " Par-
son Scott," a minister living near Mount Ver-
non. They were conducted as became the solem-
nity of the occasion. There was no fun, no " run-
ning after the liottle," and no undue or rude
merriment at weddings in one part of the
county, at least. An incident connected with
one of the first deaths, in 1812, is touching. It
was agreed upon that if the sick man was in
danger of. death before morning, the musket
was to be fired off. Just after midnight the re-
port of the gun was heard, its echo reverber-
ated among the hilltops until the ominous
sound died mournfully away. Men sprang
from their humble beds, hardly waiting to clothe
themselves entirely, hurried through the thicket
path, crossed the creek in the canoe, and when

s) "5* '

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

257

they reached the cabin on the beautiful hill-
side, they found their neighbor, dead.

When the iirst grist-mills were made the
earl}' settlers felt that they would begin to en-
jo}^ a luxury in bread made of good ground
corn-meal. Going to mill meant riding off
from fifteen to thirty miles on horseback, in a
path through the woods, not wide enough for a
wagon. A boy, bundled up in the spare clothes
of his " daddy and mamma," with a chunk of
corn-bread in his pocket, generall}- made the
trip in two daj'S. At night he la}" in the mill,
or in the miller's cabin, on the floor, with his
feet to the fire. If it was at Beams mill.
Mother Beam invited the lad to eat mush and
milk with her family. The fame of " Mother
Beam's good mush " lives yet. and the pioneer
boy, remembers how she made it. and he can
give no higher meed of praise to that article of
food nowadays, than to say, •' Oh, it tastes just
like Mother Beam's did ! carries me awa}- back
to my boyhood ! You must have cooked this
three or four hours, slowly, like she used to!"
There are instances of the bag of meal fiiUing
off the horse, and of the bo}' crying and de-
spairing ; but, like the good ending to Sindbad's
stories, a woman, a willing, tender hearted wom-
an, with cheery words came bareheaded and
bare-armed from the nighest cabin, and flopped
the heavy bag back where it belonged and
swung the lad in place upon it, and patted his
shoulder and sent him on his way thankful and
rejoicing ,

In 1820 Judge Thomas Coulter, of Grreen
Township, devised the plan of constructing a
large flat-boat, capable of carrying three or
four hundred barrels, and taking produce to
New Orleans. This opened a new branch of
trade, and was successful, and was a means of
exchanging surplus produce for mone}-. Tlfe
boat was made large and strong, framed to-
gether, and the plan was feasible during the
early spring months, or the breaking-up of
winter, when there was a freshet. This trade

was kept up for several years ; perhaps twenty
or twentj'-five boats went from Perrysville,
thougli they were nearly all loaded at Loudon-
ville, below the dam. The Legislature had de-
clared the Black Fork to be navigable to Trux-
ville — now Ganges — and some men taking ad-
vantage of this decision loaded a boat at Per-
rj'sville and ran over the dam at Loudonville,
carrying it with the lioat. In the letter of the
law it was an obstruction.

The boats were loaded with pork, flour, beef
and whisky. One very enterprising young man
took a load once of thirty liarrels of good
whisky pickles, of his own raising and making.
He raised the cucumbers on one acre of rough
ground, and tended them himself He took
the boat to New Orleans, sold at good figures,
sent the money home, went away into the
mountains, was abundantlj- prospered, hired a
tutor for his five brothers at home, bought
farms in time for all of them, struck into the
territories bravely, and at last was shot by the
Indians, and. Smith was his name.

" And I shall not deny
In regard to the same
What that name might imply."

After the Ohio Cana). was made, there was a
dam at Roscoe, but, previous to this, no ob-
struction was found save the dam at Loudon-
ville. After boats reached the Muskingum
River they could travel all night. In the trib-
utaries they fastened to the bank at night.
They floated with the current, and men with
long poles guided when necessary.

Ninety days were required to make the round
trip. The man or men were obliged to walk
home. If they had purchased part of the
boat load on credit, the notes were given pay-
able at ninety days. One man took a boat on
to Richmond, Va., sold out there and walked
home. Judge Coulter took one to New York
once. They were at no expense going down
the rivers, and not much on their way back.
Judge Coulter was the leading man in the

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258

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

southern part of the count}-. He was a good
friend to boys and young men ; he was enter-
prishig, conscientious and a sound, lionest Clu'is-
tian. His good deeds live after him. He often
remarked to liis special friends that he was so
ashamed one time during court in Mansfield,
when he was Associate Judge. His son-in-
law, the Sheriff, lighted candles at nild-(hiy, and
went humming around like an old humblebee.
He had been looking ■• upon the wine when it
sparkled in the glass."

The military drill, in pioneer days, was the
grand occasion, (leneral muster, or regimental
drill, was for a long while held twice a year at
Mansfield. At that time, the militia of the whole
county came together ; old friends met, and
new acquaintances were formed. They asseml)led
in parade on the square, marched through the
streets and then went down to the " meadow "
to drill. If they had arms, they carried them,
if not, they used canes or mullein stalks. If
one of the fathers was sick, one of his boys
took his place — by permission of the C-aptain
— with gun. cartridge-box and scabbard, answer-
ing to the name of his father when the roll was
called. The men met at 10 o'clock, and were
dismissed at 4, some of them walking to their
homes, a distance of sixteen miles. Some-
where between the years 1820 and 1822, a ver}'
severe storm came up, and the Colonel rode
down the lines shouting, •■ Dismissed ! Dis-
missed ! " The Captains repeated the order,
and the crowd ran for shelter. Some new
buildings just roofed gave shelter to a great
many, but there was not room for all in town,
and many started home. Some I'ushed to the
••taverns " for something to drink after such a
wetting, and then a few good fights ensued, as
the natural result. Old pioneers rememl)er the
funny fights these occasions afforded.

It was common among rude l)oys, who luul
disagreements to settle, to fix the time for
adjustment on the Fourth of July, the last day
of school or next o:eneral muster.

The nearest mails were at Mansfield and
Mount Vernon. Postage was high, and not
many letters were written. Later, the mail
was carried to villages once a week by a boy
on horseback, who tooted a horn as he rode in
on a gallop. The sound of the horn was the
gladdest music known to the hills and vallej'S.
A man who took one newspaper was called a
large-hearted, liberal man ; generall}- two or
three men joined together and subscribed, and
took turns reading it. Some people refused to
take a newspaper, for fear of spoiling the chil-
dren, and making them lazy. The mail-boy,
who rode on the gallop and tooted the horn,
was as attractive to imaginative little boys
then, as the circus-rider is now, and more than
one little man-child looked longingly forward
to the time when he could ride, and toot, and
carry the mail-bag, and enjoy the delectable
freedom and honor of this enviable place.

Some old jokes among the pioneers were
really' funny, and they still have the pith and
point that they had when the old boys in tow
shirts and deer-skin breeches laughed over
them, sixty years ago. One was of a good-
feeling young fellow, who, in singing schools,
always sang the line, '• Cover m}' defenseless
head," as '• Cover mj' deficient head."

Another was of a woman who prided herself
on her systematic housewifely accomplish-
ments ; she never did anything slovenly or
carelessl}', and, one time when making mush,
stirrisg it pompously, she stopped and squinted
into the pot, and then, lifting out a little shoe,
she said : '• Lawful suz ! who d a thought
jNIaudy's shoe 'd got lost in the mush ! But.
then, I might 'a knowed 'twan't lost, for I never
Jose anything !''

And one. too, of an old man whose child was
drowned in the creek, and the body not re-
covered. The neighbors sought in vain for it
man}' days. One morning, the old man, with
his great red, meat}' nose, his fishing-tackle
over his shoulder, his trousers harnessed on by

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

259

one s