657 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

CHAPTER 1.


(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)


EVENTS AND PERSONS.

MUCH of the most valuable local history consists of facts and events supplied by disconnected records and the memories of persons cognizant of the same. Availing himself of these sources of information, the compiler has gathered material which it is believed will be of present interest and permanent value. In the nature of the ease, such must be used without special connection as to either subject or time.

The first known white settlers of the Maumee Valley, were Gabriel Godfrey and John Baptiste Beaugrand, who established a trading post at the foot of' the Maumee Rapids about 1790. Other French settlers came, including La Point, Momenee and Peltier. James Carlin, a blacksmith, and his son Squire Carlin (now of Hancock County) came from Monroe about 1807. At that time six American families were there. David Hull, a nephew of Gen. Isaac Hull, resided at Maumee.

Near the month of the Maumee River, and opposite Manhattan, a small French settlement was established about 1807. It was near to a Village of Ottawa Indians, which is said to have existed from the time of the Pontiac Conspiracy (1763), and the widow of Pontiac, with her son (Kan-tuck-ee-gun), and his son (Otussa), were yet there. Mesh-kee-ma, a cousin of Otussa, was a Chief on the West side of the River, where he was prominent as an orator. A-bee-wa, a young Chief, was poisoned, and died while young. At this time, there were in this region about 8,000 Ottawas, living chiefly by fishing and hunting. Of these, the remnant, made up largely of vagabonds, were removed to the Nest in 1837.

No name is more prominent among the earls' settlers of the Maumee Valley, than is that of Peter Navarre. He was said to be a grandson of Robert Navarre, a French army officer, who visited this section in 1745. Peter was born at Detroit in 1785, where his father before him was born. fit 1807, with his brother Robert he erected a cabin near the mouth of the Maumee (East side), which continued to be his residence while he lived. Beside Canadian French, he could speak the Pottawatomie Indian dialect, and partially those of other tribes. In woodcraft and Indian methods he was very skillful, while his bearing was ever that of a "born gentleman." For several years he was employed by a Detroit house in buying furs of the Miamis near Ft. Wayne, Indiana, whose he made the acquaintance and friendship of Chief Little Turtle. The war of 1812-15 closed the fur trade, when Peter and his three brothers-Robert, Alexis and Jaquot (James)-tendered their services to General Hull. He also besought General Hull to accept the services of the Miamis, which were declined, and they afterwards took part with the British. Before seeing active service, the Navarres were included in the surrender of' General Hull and paroled, although they denied the right to treat him as a prisoner of war, and at once took an active part for the United States ; whereupon, General Proctor, the British Commander, offered a reward of £200 for Peter's head or scalp. Until the close of the war, he acted as scout for General Harrison. He used to say that the worst night he ever spent, was as bearer of a dispatch from General Harrison, then at Fort Meigs, to Fort Stephenson (now Fremont). Amid a thunderstorm of' great fury and fall of water, he made the trip of over 30 miles through the unbroken wilderness, and the morning following delivered to General Harrison a reply. Because his names was not on an enlistment-roll, the law provided no pension for his great service, but by special act of Congress, his last days were made more comfortable by pecuniary relief. At the close of the war he returned to his home, near the mouth of the Maumee River, where he spent the balance of his life, dying in East Toledo, March 20, 1874, in his 89th year. For several years previous to his death he served as President of the Maumee Valley Pioneer Association.



On next page is given a portrait of Peter Navarre, as passing through a forest in his favorite character as a Scout. It is from an oil painting by Mr. W. H. Machen, formerly of Toledo, and now of Detroit, a work of special artistic merit. The likeness is considered a good one by those long acquainted with Mr. Navarre.

Prominent among the very earliest settlers at Toledo, were John T. Baldwin and family-. This fact, together with their other relations to this region, will make proper brief mention of their movements and experiences in such connection. Mr. Baldwin and his family left Litchfield County, Connecticut, in 1805, for Northern Ohio, settling at Palmyra, Portage County, on a farm. Here they remained until September 4, 1817 At that time his family consisted of his wife, four sons-Alvah, John, Tibbals and Marquis, and one daughter


658 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

Uranius. At the latter date the family, Alvah excepted, sat out for Detroit. At Cleveland they took the Schooner Leopard, a 28-ton craft, previously built on the Cuyahoga River, a short distance above its mouth. This vessel was built with reference to trade at the West end of Lake Erie and the Detroit and Maumee Rivers. At Cleveland, Mr. Baldwin killed a fat cow, and sold a hind-quarter of the same to N. Hawley Merwin, for four barrels of flour, subject to warehouse charges for storage.

Marquis Baldwin, of Toledo, has a joint diary and account book kept by his father for several

years, which is replete with local and general interest. As shown by that record, Mr. Baldwin and his family were among the earliest of the traders who came to this region as soon after the close of the War of 1812-15 as the condi-


EVENTS AND PERSONS. - 659

tion of things justified such venture, and he and the most of his family spent the balance of their days in useful and honorable activity here. Citations from Mr. Baldwin's record, necessarily brief, will be found of interest

Leaving Cleveland, September 6, 1817, the Leopard arrived at Detroit, after a tedious passage of 10 days, on the 16th. There his attention was divided between the manufacture and erection of Cider Mills and the limited traffic which the Leopard, chiefly in charge of his sons, was able to secure. He made several mills, while the vessel. until the close of navigation, was kept usually employed in transportation on the Detroit River.

April 1, 1818, Mr. Baldwin left Detroit for "Orleans of the North," as the settlement on the Maumee River below Fort Meigs, was then called. They arrived on the 3d, and occupied a small house. Here they remained until July, 1818, when they left, going first to Put-in Bay, for the purpose of getting out a cargo of cedar pickets for the Detroit market, which latter place they reached during that month, and where their former life, substantially, was repeated until November, when they returned to Orleans, taking up their abode in a position of Seneca Allen's house. Here their experiences were about as at their former, sojourn, the family suffering severely on both occasions from fever and ague-so much so as often to have no one with strength to care for the sick. They all were active at such employment as might be had. Marquis in April, 1819, dropped" corn for General Vance, a farmer above Orleans.



June 27, 1819, once more discouraged by Maumee life, Mr. Baldwin and family again left; this time for their old home in Palmyra, where they arrived July 30.

In September, Mr. Baldwin, with John and Tibbals, took the Leopard at Cleveland and sailed for Put-in Bay, there occupying the board shanty of a Mr. Hill, where they got out timber for Cider Mills, and for use at Detroit, where the father was busy with his mill jobs, while the sons continued traffic with the Vessel, making several trips to Orleans on one of which she was loaded with Corn for Detroit by Jonathan Gibbs. This sort of life was kept up more or less, until 1821, when Mr. Baldwin returned to Palmyra.

On the 10th of February, 1823, Mr. Baldwin, with his family (Alvah only excepted), for the third time, essayed to make a home oil the Maumee, with Port Lawrence for his destination. For conveyance for himself, family and goods, he had two ox-sleds and a one-horse sleigh_ ; Marquis (then 15 Years of age) driving two cows. At Black River (now Lorain County), the snow failed them, and they were compelled to take the Lake, then covered with solid ice, which they followed throughout to the Maumee River and up to Port Lawrence, where they arrived, after a passage of nine days from Palmyra.

At Port Lawrence Mr. Baldwin settled in the old log Warehouse at the foot of Monroe Street, built in 1817. There they remained until 1833, when John Baldwin purchased lot 11, Summit Street (North side), and next to the corner of Monroe, and built thereon a brick two story building, the lower part of' which he occupied until 1836 as a Provision Store, the family living on the second floor. In 1836 John built on Superior Street, between Washington and Lafayette, Marquis remaining with him, and the father and Tibbals going on a farm, a part of which is now the site of the Manhattan .Flouring Mills. Afterwards they removed to Grassy Point (on the River between the Wabash Round-house and the Lake Shore Railroad bridge). Subsequently, the family returned to Town, where the father died in 1838, John having preceded him in death in 1837. Tibbals then returned to Palmyra, where he died. Alvah, taking the farm at Palmyra in 1823, remained oil it until his death, February 22, 1886, at the age of 90 years and 6 months. Marquis never left Toledo after the return in 1823, which, at the end of 65 years, is yet his residence. He is the last member of the family living. The brother John occupied a prominent and honorable position here, in both business and public trust, having been one of the three first County Commissioners.

The experience of Mr. Baldwin and his family was in some respects peculiar. Called to meet reverses in business, his removal to the West was made in the hope of recovery of losses. Farm-life failing to secure such end, he adopted the varied business shown in his history, without special financial success. But the condition thus given the family greatly developed the energy and industry of' all. Thus, we find in Mr. Baldwin's accounts, charges for the making of pants, shirts and other garments by Mrs. Baldwin, and shoes by John; while the other members were constant in contributing by all means available to the common fund. John and Tibbals largely managed the Leopard, while the father was employed in making Cider Mills and other work ; Marquis, the youngest, doing his share of work according to his years-the household labors taxing the utmost strength of the mother and daughter. The record of' this family is cited, not so much as exceptional, as because it shows something of the trials and privations common to the mass of pioneers who opened rip the great West to civilization and wealth.

From Mr. Baldwin's carefully kept accounts, we are enabled to learn something of the prices current at the outset of civilization here:

In April, 1818, his charges for transportation of freight from Miami to Cleveland, contained the following: Wood, per cord, $2.00; Fish, per bbl., 75 cents; Pickets, per 100, $12.50. Between Miami and Detroit-Passengers, with baggage equal to three barrels bulk, $5.50; Salt Pork and Fish, per bbl., 50 cents; Corn, per bushel, 10 cents ; Shingles, per M, 50 cents; Furs, per pack, 75 cents. From Put-in Bay to Detroit-Cargo of Lumber, $30.00.



Of articles of trade, the prices of the following are given : Ploughs, $15.00; Flour, per 100 lbs., $4.00; Potatoes, per bushel, 62 1/2 c.; Bacon, per lb., 20c.; Butter, 31 1/4 c.; Beef Steak, 10 c.; Pork, 18 3/4c.; Bread, 12 1/2 c.; Shoes, $2.50; Castor Hats, $7.00 ; Tin-pans, 25c.; Nails, per lb., 25c.; Salt, per bbl., $8.00; Fish,


660 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

per bbl., $10.00; Rosin, per lb., 25c.; Tar, per gallon, $1.50; Whisky, per quart, 50c.; Chickens, each, 25c.; Tin plates, 31c.; Pine boards, per 100 feet, $3.00; Buffalo robes, $6.00; Tobacco, per lb., 50c.; Cider, per bbl., $8.50; Apples, per bbl. (October, 1818), $1.50.

The rates for labor are indicated by Mr. Baldwin's charge of $3.00 for footing a pair of boots ; and those of Mrs. Baldwin-for making woolen pantaloons, $1.50; for linen do., 50 cents ; and for making fine shirts, $1.00 each. Ordinary laborers were paid $25.00 per month and board. Sailors got the same.

Mr. Marquis Baldwin furnishes the following as among the residents of this section when his father's family went to Orleans, in 1818, to wit:

At Maumee-John E. Hunt and Robert A. Forsyth, merchants; Jonathan Gibbs, James Carlin, Dr. Horatio Conant, and a Frenchman, named Pelkee.

At Miami-Daniel Hubbell and Wm. Herrick.

At Perrysburg-John and Frank Hollister, merchants; Coleman I. Keeler, Sen., John Webb, David M. Hawley and Wm. Wilson.

At Orleans-Wm. Ewing, James McElrath, Jacob Wilkison (Tavern-keeper), Samuel Spafford, Seneca Allen, Martindale, James Murray, Aurora Spafford, Gen. Vance, Samuel Wilkison, Amos Pratt, James Wilkison, David Wilkison, - Broughton.

Up the River. East side, four or five miles-Guy Nearing, Isaac Richardson (murdered)*.

Up the River, West side-David Hull, Isaac Hull, Joseph Hull.

Still further up-The Prays, Francis Manor, and -- Gunn. Others may have been there, who are not remembered.

Mr. Marquis Baldwin also furnishes the following statement of what was found at Port Lawrence, when his father's family arrived there in 1823:

At the foot of Monroe Street. North side, the log warehouse belonging to the Cincinnati Company, with a frame addition thereto. The back part of this building became the residence of the Baldwin family for some 10 years. On the South side and at the foot of the same Street, stood the Warehouse of D. C. Henderson, also built in 1817-a frame structure, much dilapidated, and in 1823 unoccupied. A small frame house stood on Perry Street, just back of the Alley, between Summit and St. Clair, and owned and occupied by Joseph Prentice, the father of Frederick Prentice. A log-house stood near the present site of the Police Station-owned and occupied by Joseph Trombley. A hewed log-house, on the North side of Summit Street, near Jefferson, owned and occupied by Wm. Wilson. Remains of Fort Industry were yet on Summit Street, from near Jefferson, two-thirds the distance to Monroe Street, and to the bluff in the direction of the River. Pickets of the fortification were yet standing.



Down the River, and on what is now Stickney Avenue, stood the brick dwelling of Major B. F. Stickney

* Mr. Richardson was killed July 22, 1830, a few miles above Perrysburg, by Geo. Porter. It seems that Richardson, keeper of a hotel at the Maumee Rapids. was sitting in the piazza of his house, conversing with a guest, when he was shot in the head from a corner of the house, and expired without a groan His guest received in his breast a portion of the charge of shot. The murderer, Porter, was taken the next day, when he confessed the act, expressing his gratification thereat. He bore a bad character, and had for some years been on unfriendly terms with Mr. Richardson. Porter was tried for the crime, convicted and hung.

- the only residence then on what became the Vistula plat. Back from the River, and now on Collingwood Avenue, was Noah A. Whitney's house. Next, the log house of Major Coleman I. Keeler, Sen., near the rear end of the lot now owned by J. W. May's heirs. Eli Hubbard's house stood out Lagrange Street, on the North side of Ten-Mile Creek, Thomas Bishop lived nearly opposite Mr. Hubbard. Wm. Sibley lived near the present residence of Peter C. Lewis, now Washington Township ; and next West, was Andrew Jacobs, on the Prairie Road. Then John Walworth, where J.C. Harris lived ; and one other house, occupied by a Mr. Owens, on the Smith farm on Half-way Creek.

A little below the Manhattan Mill, Francis Loveway ; and near the mouth of the Maumee River, Leo Guire.

About where Ironville now stands, lived the five brothers-Jacob, Peter, Francis, Alexis and Antoine Navarre.

Such constituted the population between Maumee and the Bay Settlement (now Vienna), in 1823. The same year Cyrus Fisher and John Baldwin brought a small stock of' Dry Goods to Port Lawrence, being the first store opened within the present limits of Toledo. During that year, John Baldwin owned the Schooner Vermilion, and sailed her between Port Lawrence and Buffalo.

In 1827, '28 and '29, John Baldwin & Co. sold Dry Goods in the building at the foot of Monroe Street.

About 1828 Alvin Evans was on what is now the Ed. Upton farm, Washington Township. The same year (as recollected), Capt. David Wilkison built the Schooner Eagle, on Swan Creek, and at the foot of Washington Street, Port Lawrence. In 1832-33 the Steamboat Detroit was built at the same place, by the Detroit Navigation Company ; Tibbals and Marquis Baldwin doing the iron-work, and John Baldwin sailing her as Master in 1834. In 1831 Sanford L. Collins came here as cleric in a new Dry Goods and Grocery Store, for which was fitted up the Wilson Block-house, on Fort Industry Grounds.

In the Spring of' 1810, Jacob Woodruff left Griersburgh (now Darlington), Pennsylvania, for Ohio, accompanied by his wife and six children, of whom Nancy (16 years of age), was the eldest. Ho stopped first in what is now Summit County; the next year went to Cleveland, and to the mouth of Black River(then in Huron, now in Lorain County), where he put up a cabin. Cleveland then was in its beginning, with one store, that of Nathan Perry, and a small tavern. At Black River, John S. Reed had a small trading post, beside whom was Jonathan Seeley-the three families constituting the entire white population of that locality, with a plenty of Indians, whose behavior depended upon the quantity of whisky obtained at the trading-post. In the Summer of 1811, Mr. Woodruff went to the mouth of Vermillion River, where was the single family of a Mr. Sturgeon, who kept a ferry. In the Fall of 1811, Nancy Woodruff accompanied a


EVENTS AND PERSONS. - 661

family named Young, who were removing from Cleveland to Cold Creek (now Castalia, Eric County), the passage being made in the Sloop "Sallie," Capt. Abijah Baker, stopping where Venice was located some years thereafter Sandusky then being called the "Ogontz Place," the Town plat not being made for some six years thereafter. At Cold Creek, then, were Major Frederick Falley, and Mr. Snow (who was subsequently killed by the Indians, and whose daughter Eletta was taken captive at the same time). In December, 1811, Miss Woodruff was married with Captain Abijah Baker, the Captain of the "Sallie." The same Winter the young couple moved to Huron River, as also did the Woodruff family, when they put up log-houses on the River below the Abbott place (afterwards the County seat of Huron County). In June, 1812 (War with England, meantime, having been declared), Captain Baker set sail from the Huron River for the foot of the Maumee Rapids, where he expected a load of General Hull's Army baggage for Detroit, his wife accompanying him. As they entered the Maumee, its banks seemed alive with noisy Indians. Darkness overtook them when near the mouth of Swan Creek, where they anchored for the night. With them was John Laylin (of Norwalk, Ohio). They landed and examined Fort Industry on the bluff near the mouth of Swan Creek. A small Schooner met them on its way from the foot of the Rapids with the Army baggage which Captain Baker was expecting for his Vessel. His disappointment was relieved, however, when he subsequently learned that the loaded Schooner was captured by the British. On the vessel was Dr. Reynolds, a Surgeon of General Bull's army, who afterwards was killed at Detroit. Captain Baker continued his way up the Maumee to the foot of the Rapids, where he obtained a cargo of flour (probably belonging to an Army contractor), for Erie, whence the voyage was made, when they returned to the Huron River, in time to participate in the historical flight of the settlers of that section to the South, upon hearing of huh l's surrender and the probable approach of the British and Indians. The Woodruffs stopped at Mt. Vernon, but Captain Baker and wife, on two horses, returned to Pennsylvania, he enlisting in the Army and dying at Williamsport, that State, in 1813. Mrs. Baker soon returned to Ohio with an infant son, whose name was Abijah Woodruff Baker, and who in after years came to be extensively known as a printer and publisher, having started many newspapers in Ohio and elsewhere. he lost his life in the War with Mexico. In 1818 Mrs. Baker m as married with T. K. Rudulph, in Knox County, and soon was again a widow, with another son and a daughter. In 1831 she again married, Thomas Morrell being her third husband, who died in 1848, when Mrs. Morrell came to Wood County, to make her home with her son, J. R. Rudulph, and daughter, Mrs. George Williams. She died at Bowling Green, December 7, 1878.

In a letter to the Blade, August 20, 1850, Major B. F. Stickney says he left Washington, D. C., March 8, 1812, under appointment as Indian Agent at Fort Wayne, Indiana Territory. Going Westward to Pittsburgh, he descended the Ohio to Cincinnati in arks, arriving there April 1st, that place then being " a good sized Village," the Post Office receiving $600 per year. Thence, he passed the present localities of Dayton, Troy and Piqua, a few families being at each, with a log tavern at the former. The Western line of Ohio then had not been fixed, and Fort Wayne was supposed to be in this State; Lake Michigan was supposed to extend 20 miles farther North than it does. Maj. Stickney reached Ft. Wayne April 11, 1812. He seems to have had some peculiar views as to the policy best in the management of the Indians. He thought Gen. Harrison, as Governor of Indiana Territory, in that regard relied too much on military force, and not enough on strategy, and attributed the superior influence of the British in that respect to the fact that they employed intrigue and bribery of Chiefs. Again, American Soldiers were constantly urging measures for ridding the country of the Indians, to which policy the Government yielded. Major Stickney's plan, as suggested in this letter, would have been-when it was decided that a certain tribe must be removed to call them together (say for a space of 500 miles square), furnish them with plenty of good meat and bread, a little tobacco and some whisky, and hold them for six weeks, when disease would probably ensue, resulting in the death of 20 per cent., with a continued decrease of 15 to 20 per cent. per annum ; while those remaining would be so enervated as not to be dangerous. "In this mode," said Major Stickney, all the lives of the troops would be saved, and at least three-fourths of the cash, and the Indians well satisfied with that mode of doing business." He says he communicated to the Government this plan fin' the treatment of the Indians, before his appointment as Agent. In leis letter to the Blade, he recognized the "question of morality " which his scheme might raise, but thought it no worse to dispose of Indians in that way than in battle. It is a relief to know, that among the forms of management of that race, that of insidious poison thus proposed, never has been tried. Nor does such device seem to have been entertained by the Government.

James Thomas was one of the young adventurers who came to this County as early as 1817. He was born in Brighton, Monroe County, New York, in 1798, and reached Maumee April 19, 1817, having made the trip on loot after 15 days of hard travel. There was at that time no improved road between Buffalo and the


662 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

Maumee River, nor a road of any sort for much of that distance. Cleveland was then a very small Village; there was a tavern at Elyria; a small settlement at Florence Corners, Huron County; a few houses at the County-seat, below Milan ; a few settlers at Lower Sandusky; one house between that place and the Maumee River, consisting of a log shanty on "Carrying " (Portage) River, which furnished shelter for. a Frenchman on his trips as mail-carrier on foot, guided by blazed trees. Mr. Thomas remained here for three years, when he left. In 1824, he purchased a farm in Hartland, Huron County, which continued to be his home for nearly 60 years, he dying in January, 1886, in the 88th year of his age.

The opening of the Wabash and Erie Canal was celebrated at Fort Wayne, July 4, 1843, with much demonstration and enthusiasm. General Lewis Cass was orator of the clay and delivered an address of special interest and value, both in the thoughts presented and the historical and other facts furnished. Of the Maumee Valley and its aboriginal inhabitants, he said

The line of your Canal was a bloody war-path, which has seen many a deed of horror. And this peaceful Town (Ft. Wayne) has had its Moloch, and the records of human depravity furnish no more terrible examples of cruelty, than were offered at his shrine. The Miami Indians, our predecessors in the occupation of this district, had a fertile institution, whose origin and object have been lost in the darkness of aboriginal history, but which was continued to a late period, and whose orgies were held upon the very spot where we now are. It was called the Man-Eating Society," and it was the duty of all as societies to eat such prisoners as were preserved and delivered to them for that purpose. The members of this society belonged to a particular family, and the dreadful inheritance descended to all children, male and female. The duties it imposed could not be avoided ; and the sanctions of religion were added to the obligations of immemorial usage. The feast was a solemn ceremony, at which the whole tribe were collected as actors or spectators. The miserable victim was bound to a stake, and burned at a slow fire with all the refinement of cruelty which savage ingenuity could invent. Here was a traditionary ritual, which regulated with revolting precision the whole course of procedure at these ceremonies. Latterly, the authority and obligation of the institution had declined, and I presume it has now wholly disappeared. But I have seen and conversed with the head of the family, the chief of the Society, whose name was White Skin, with what feelings of disgust, I need not attempt to describe. I well knew an intelligent Canadian, who was present at one of the last sacrifices made to this horrible institution. The victim was a young-American, captured in Kentucky, toward the close of the Revolutionary War. Here where we are now assembled, in peace and security, celebrating the triumph of art and industry, within the memory of the present generation, our countrymen have been thus tortured, murdered and devoured. But thank God, that council-tire is extinguished-the impious feast is over-the war dance is ended-the war song is sung-the war drum is silent -the Indian has departed, to find, I hope, in the silent West a more comfortable residence ; and to find also, I hope, under the protection, and if need be, under the power of the United States, a radical change in institutions, and a general improvement in his morals and condition. A feeble remnant of the once powerful tribe which formerly won their way to the dominion of this region by blood, and by blood maintained it. have to-day appeared among the passing shadows flitting around the places that now know them no more. * * To-day the last of the race is here. To-morrow they will commence their journey toward the setting sun, where their fathers, agreeable to their rude faith, have preceded them, and where the Red Man will find rest and safety.

In coming to this place, I passed along the Canal, and marked with delight the beautiful River on whose banks it has been constructed, and the charming country to which it gives new life and value. I was forcibly struck with the contrast between this journey and a former one. Nature has been prodigal of her favors to the Valley of the Maumee. I can never forget the first time it met my eyes. It was at the commencement of the late War (1812), when the troops destined for the defense of Detroit, had passed through the forests from Urbana to the Rapids of the Maumee. The season had been wet, and much of the country was low, and the whole of it unbroken by a single settlement. We had to cut our way and transport our provisions and baggage with great labor and difficulty. We were heartily tired of the march, and were longing for its termination, when we attained the brow of the table-lands through which the Maumee had made a passage for itself, and a fertile region for those who have the good fortune to occupy it. Like the mariner, we felt we had reached a port -like the wanderer, a home. In a subsequent journey, led by official duty, I ascended the River, in a birch canoe. There is something romantic associated with that mode of conveyance, but it soon palls upon the traveler. During many a weary mile and hour, I have been borne by this aboriginal skiff over the Lakes and Rivers of the Northwest, and seen it carried through the dense forests, across wild portages, and then floated upon some little stream, which, gradually swelled by successive tributaries, became a large River. It was thus I passed from Lake Superior to the Mississippi, launching my frail barque upon a mere rivulet, and descending before the peculiar characteristics of the stream announced that we were upon that mighty River, which flows from its fountains in the North to the tropical seas. * *

Here, where your Canal prepares to leave the basin of the Lakes for that of the Mississippi, I left the River with my birch canoe, and placing it upon a wagon, it was transported to Little River, where my faithful voyageurs re-embarked in it, and joined me at the White Raccoon's Village, to which I rode and where I passed the night. My friend, the Raccoon, treated me with great hospitality, but he was a little too hospital to himself and his kindred. He produced his keg of "tire-water," to do honor to the arrival of the " Chee-mo-kee-main," but unfortunately he was too free at his own feast. One of those scenes of intoxication followed, which are the bane and the attendant of Indian life, and I retired to my blanket, leaving my host and his friends at their orgies. In the morning I embarked on the Wabash and descended that River to its mouth, stopping occasionally to examine and admire the beautiful country through which it flows, unsurpassed, probably, upon the face of the globe.

I revert to these incidents of frontier life, to place in bolder relief the change which has rescued this region from the Indian, and has crowned it with the precious work of civilization.

Mrs. Fanny L. Allen died in Cleveland, December 11, 1875, aged 82 years and 9 months. She was a daughter of Moses Brigham, and


EVENTS AND PERSONS. - 663



born in Hanover, Massachusetts. On invitation of the celebrated Mohawk Chief Brandt, who was educated at Dartmouth College, Mr. Brigham removed to Delaware, Canada, where he engaged in trade. About 1811 the daughter was married with Seneca Allen, a Civil Engineer, and they soon removed to Detroit, where they lived at the time of hull's surrender in 1813. They had 13 children, of whom seven survived the mother-George Allen, of Michigan; Hiram, of California; Mrs. Hamilton Colton, of Milan, Ohio; Mrs. J. W. Keith and Mrs. Geo. B. Truax, of Detroit; Mrs. Geo. H. Standart and Mrs. J. H. Blinn, of Cleveland. Mrs. Allen was the elder sister of Mrs. Carlos Colton, of Toledo. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were among the earliest settlers of the Maumee Valley, having come here in 1816, 72 years ago, and first settled six miles above Maumee City, at Roche do Pont, now Waterville, where Mr. Allen opened a small trade with the Indians. Several other families came at the same time and in the same vessel, among whom were those of Jacob Wilkison, Elijah Gunn, Charles Gunn and Christopher Gunn. Minerva, eldest daughter of Elijah Gunn, married David Hull, brother of Isaac Mill. Elijah Gunn, Jr., married Jerusha Jennison, whose family lived below Perrysburg. In 1818 Mr. Allen removed clown to Fort Meigs (Orleans of the North), where then were halt a dozen families, including those of Amos Spafford, Aurora Spafford, Samuel Vance, Thomas McIlrath, Mr. Plum, Samuel Ewing and Isaac lull (father of' David and Isaac.), and brother of General Hull. In January, 1834, Mr. Allen removed to Port Lawrence (Toledo), employing pirogues lashed together for that purpose, the River being open. At that time there were living at that place the families of' John T. Baldwin, Joseph Prentice, and a Frenchman, named Trombley. A mile below lived Major Stickney, and below him Wm. Wilson. Mrs. Hamilton Colton, With Dr. Walter Colton, in the Sumner of 1824, made the trip to Detroit and back in a small Schooner, Capt. Truman Reed, being three days in going and six in returning. Mrs. Colton thought that Daniel Murray cause to Port Lawrence ill 1824, and built a house on the Monroe road, half a mile from the mouth of Swan Crock. Mr. Fisher came, in 1825, and his son and r. Baldwin opened the first dry goods store iii that locality. Mr. Bartlett (brother-in-law of Mr. Fisher) the same year conic and bought Mr. Murray's place, that gentleman then pawing West. Mr. Allen, in the Spring of 1824, purchased of John and William Hollister, of Perrysburg, at $3.00 per acre, 160 acres of land, now in the heart of Toledo, and erected a log cabin near the Whitaker residence, corner of Monroe and Tenth Streets, in which job he was assisted by the late Carlos Colton. Unable to meet his payments, this purchase was relinquished, as was that of another buyer at the same price, and subsequently (1832) 70 acres of the tract was purchased by the late Jessup W. Scott at $12 per acre. The tract included the present Central School building. In February, 1823, Seneca Allen, then of Fort Meigs, and heman Alfred, of Vermillion, Huron County, left the mouth of Carrying (Portage) River for Detroit by cutter, on the ice. After traveling some miles they struck thin ice, and were immersed. Mr. Allred died and Mr. Allen escaped with his life. The horse was lost. Mr. Allen, in the Winter of 1824-5, taught the first School opened within the present limits of Toledo, for the sum of $11; per month (boarding himself), continuing the same for two winters. In the Summer of 1827, Mr. Allen and family removed to Monroe, Michigan, going by the Maumee Packet, and spending four days in the trip. On removing to Monroe, Mr. Allen was made Clerk of' the Michigan Territorial Legislative Council, holding that office until his death by cholera, in 1834. Mrs. Allen was a woman of rare personal qualities, which enabled her to pass through the severe trials of pioneer life with heroic firmness and earnest activity, meeting all the demands of a large family and of many needy neighbors. Mr. Allen was a roan of high character, and of the strictest integrity.

The following memoranda of early times, were supplied by Mrs. Allen not long before her death

When Captain Allen and a portion of his family, visited the Valley in October, 1831, they found the principal Ottawa Indian Village located on the Manhattan side of the River, near its mouth, where the Government made its payments to the tribe ; and their Bunting-rounds were on the opposite side. " I well remember,'' said she, " the beautiful road leading front Vistula to this Indian Village. It was winding and shaded by magnificent trees. We frequently rode thither with Major Stickney in his one-horse wagon; and as we passed through the Village, the little Indians would run out calling him `Father! Father!' which would please film amazingly. What is now chiefly the track of Summit Street, formed then a most charming ride through a delightful forest. The banks of the River were bold, high bluffs, and the graceful little fawns and flocks of wild turkeys often crossed our path as we were riding, and disappeared in the woods. I had two fawns for my especial playmates--each having a bell attached to its neck, and were daily companions in my rambles through the woods. The streets of Vistula bear the pauses originally given them-myself naming Lagrange, in memory of the home, in France, of Lafayette. Major Stickney gave Summit Street its name; and Captain Allen suggested the names of all the others. The Indians were uniformly kind and hospitable. Their title was extinguished by treaty made on the part of the United States by tile Territorial (governor of Michigan, in 1833. The Canadian French were also courteous and obliging, and many of their suggestions regarding the diseases then peculiar to the country, and means to avoid there, were ascertained to be valuable. Venison, will geese, turkeys, ducks, etc., were abundant. In the Summer and Autumn of 1833, the feeble colony, as well as the French and Indians, suffered much from sickness. The first weeping willow transplanted on this


664 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

soil, was brought from Columbus by myself, and the slip had been used on the route as a riding whip." The willow tree referred to by Mrs. Allen, which sprang from the branch placed in the ground by her own hands in 1832, attained a large growth, and, having lived 40 years, was destroyed by a storm, in 1872, the same year that her own death occurred. It occupied a corner of Lagrange and Superior Streets. The remains of Captain Allen and wife now rest in Forest Cemetery.

Two residents of Erie Township, Monroe County, Michigan, have been more or less familiar with the history of Toledo and vicinity from the earliest settlement here. Reference is made to Mrs. Sarah Rowe, widow of the late John Y. Rowe, and to Mr. Samuel Mulholland, her brother, both children of Daniel Mulholland. The first named was born in 1807, the second in 1811, and both at Monroe, Michigan. The family removed to Erie Township in 1828, when the father entered 160 acres of land in Section 17, Town 8, Range 8. The same year he built a frame house for his residence, that being the only structure of the sort then between Monroe and the present limits of Toledo. The house was located on what was known as the United States Turnpike, about half a mile South of the present Village of Vienna. The son Samuel had personal charge of the clearing of the land, which was covered with heavy timber. In 18'29, a hotel was opened by Mr. Mulholland. The mails were then carried between Detroit and Maumee City, via Monroe, and along the Turnpike, being conveyed chiefly in ordinary wagons. Dr. Horatio Conant, of Maumee, had been carrying the mails, but was succeeded by John P. Converse and Reese, who took the contract between Detroit and Cleveland. The hotel was kept in the name of the father until 1837, when Samuel and a widowed sister, Mrs. Mary Stowell, mother of Mrs. Reed M. Brigham, of Erie, jointly took charge of the establishment, and conducted it until 1841, when it was closed. About 1835, Mr. John P. Rowe was married with Miss Sarah Mulholland, and became associated in the hotel business. The mail stage line was continued on the United States Turnpike for several years after Mr. Mulholland went to Erie. As elsewhere stated, it passed Toledo on what is now Detroit Avenue, and about two miles from the mouth of Swan Creek, so long the center from which all distances were calculated. Mr. Mulholland well remembers the arrangement under which the firm of W. J. Daniels & Co., for the purpose of securing such divergence of the stage route as would include Toledo, purchased of Converse & Co. the section between Maumee City and Monroe, and then ran the stages via Toledo, the extra cost of which was paid to Daniels & Co. by the proprietors of Port Lawrence and Vistula.



Mr. Mulholland and family resided in Monroe at the time of Hull's surrender,-in 1813, when they fled to Cleveland and the interior and did not return until three or four years after the close of the war. At the time they removed to Eric, there was but one building between them and Tremainesville, and that was the log-house of Wm. Wilkinson, on the site of the present residence of Mr. Wilkinson, a grandson of that gentleman, about one-half mile Southwest from Alexis Railroad Station. Mr. Wilkinson entered land and afterwards purchased 10 acres of John E. hunt of Maumee. About that time Dr. Cyrus Fisher, Philip Gardinier and others settled about Ten-Mile Creek, where is now Tremainesville. The house of Mr. Mulholland became prominent during the Toledo War," from the fact that it often was made the stopping place of the Michigan officials and Military. Oil the occasions of the repeated forays and other visitations from Monroe to the insurrectionary scene at Toledo, his hotel was made a stopping place, going and coming, where the "situation" and the plans for the subjection of the "Toledo Rebels," as they were called, were freely discussed. Mr. Mulholland is still sensible to the alarming seriousness of the state of things which then had all the terror of actual state of War. The only question in the ease, was, as to the probability of Ohio meeting the force which Michigan provided for vindicating her dignity and territorial rights. " If Ohio will fight," was the only contingency on which "bloody war" was supposed to hang. Not least of their anxieties arose from the fact of their mid-way location between the headquarters of the two parties. Such was especially the situation at the time of the holding of the memorable Court of Common Pleas at Toledo, in September, 1835, the prevention of which was counted a matter of prime concern by Governor Stevens. The force raised by him for that purpose (about 1,200 men), made a halt at Mulholland's when on its way to Toledo, and camped in a lot near the hotel. During the night they stopped there rain fell in torrents, completely soaking the wholly unprotected " rank and file," their officers, or most of them, having found cover in the hotel or barn. The next day they moved towards Toledo, and were gone two days. Mr. Mulholland's understanding was, that Governor Stevens and other officials were then at their headquarters at the, hotel of Christian Hertzler, at Vienna. The chagrin of the Michigan leaders upon learning of the successful holding of the Court while they slept, was illy disguised on their return from the bloodless expedition to Toledo. They then looked upon the situation as very serious, although not wholly desperate. They would sooner have been defeated in a square fight than to be circumvented by strategy so simple and so effectual. That event virtually closed hostile demonstrations on both sides, which quietly awaited arbitrament by peaceful


EVENTS AND PERSONS. - 665

means of the dispute, which, extending over 30 years of time, had possessed the aspect of hostility by open war for more than half a year. Mr. Mulholland says the Michigan people were thoroughly in earnest, fully convinced of the complete justice of their case. Their only source of doubt as to the outcome of the case, consisted in the fact that, with nothing but the inchoate condition of a helpless and impotent Territorial Government, they knew that they were called to maintain their rights against a powerful opponent enjoy in- all the political and other advantages of State Government, representation in Congress and votes in the Electoral Colleges to convene for the election of President and Vice President the following year. To this source they then, as they have since, attributed largely their weakness with the Government at Washington, in whose hands they so completely were. Mr. Mulholland has since been much gratified at the steady advance of better relations between the parties to that dispute, until save in the memory of the participants in the contest now fifty years past, no such disturbance of neighborly relations as the 1: Toledo War" is known. Mr. Samuel Mulholland several years since suffered the sad affliction of a loss of eyesight, and no longer able personally to manage his farm, has now (1887), with a daughter, Miss Jerusha, taken up his residence in Toledo, where another daughter (wife of Dr. O. S. Brigham) also resides.



Mrs. Rowe's memory covered the period beginning with the close of the War of 1812-15, when she was 8 years of age ; and she specially knew more or less of Toledo and vicinity after 1825. She spoke of a sleighing party from Erie, which visited Vistula in March, 1832, (previous to its consolidation with Port Lawrence in Toledo). There was then no public house in Vistula, and it was necessary for parties on such occasions to engage their suppers at the Tremainesville hotel on their way, to be taken on their return. They made their stop in Vistula at the house of Sam. Allen, who, though not a hotel-keeper, yet entertained the few strangers who needed accommodations. He lived in Major Stickney's brick house. There was at that time a small store in Vistula (that of Lewis Godard) ; also, a small Wind Mill. Mrs. Rowe was made familiar with the stirring events of the " Toledo War," and, with other residents on the line between the headquarters of the two parties (Toledo and Monroe), shared in the intense alarm and anxiety which for about six months prevailed. Mr. Rowe died at his farm residence, near Vienna, Erie Township, June 11, 1865, aged 58 years. He had long been a successful farmer and a leading citizen of Monroe County. Mrs. Rowe continued to reside at the family homestead with her son, Charles B. Rowe, until her death, June 16, 1887.

Mr. A. J. Keeney, for 60 years also a resident of Erie, Michigan, well remembers that while he was yet a boy, a man came into that section seeking assistance from the settlers in raising a building in the neighborhood of Toledo, and explaining such appeal with the statement, that the immediate neighbors of the owner of the proposed building refused to assist at the raising, for the reason that he would not furnish liquors for the occasion. The result of such call, was, that while the scattered French and English settlers on the Bay Shore and vicinity were not especially averse to the use of intoxicating drinks, at raisings or elsewhere, they so fully sympathized with the conscientious fidelity to his convictions shown by the pioneer Teetotaler, that they turned out and furnished all the help needed, and were quite willing, for the time, to accept " Temperance drinks." Mr. Keeney does not remember the name of the settler committing so great an innovation on universal practice. It might or might not have been Deacon Samuel I. Keeler, who about that time raised his house on the sane principles of Temperance.

Cornelius G. Shaw was among the early settlers at Toledo, coming here in 1832, the year in which the two Towns (Port Lawrence and Vistula) began the bitter rivalry, which was soon measurably abated upon their corporate union as Toledo. He came from Western New York, having been married with Miss Sallie Starr in Cattaraugus County, in 1828. Three years thereafter, they started for the West, locating first at Stony Creek, near Monroe, Michigan, whence in 1832, they came to Toledo, bringing their limited stock of household goods in a Row-boat. Reaching the mouth of the Maumee River at night, they camped upon at) Island, sleeping on the ground, notwithstanding Mrs. Shaw's sickness from the ague. May 15th they arrived at the subsequent site of Manhattan, where they found many Indians, gathered to consider the proposed sale of their lands in that locality. Mr. Shaw was a Carpenter and Joiner by trade, and is said to have built the first frame house in what is now Toledo. It « as located near the corner of Summit and Locust Streets, a portion yet remaining in that vicinity. Mr. Shaw built the first Jail for Lucas County, near the corner of Summit and Cherry Streets, being the log structure elsewhere mentioned as on Water Street, near Cherry. Mr. Shaw acted as Deputy under the first Sheriff of Lucas County (Munson H. Daniels), in 1836, and was elected Sheriff in 1837 and in 1839. He was connected with a Copper Mining enterprise at Isle Royal, Lake Superior, in 1847-8, and returned to Toledo in 1849. In the Spring of 1850, he left for California, but not finding mining what he expected, he took the first return Steamer for home, the Panama, on board which he was taken with the cholera, and died about Septem-


666 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.



ber 4th. The disease was taken at Acapulco, Mexico, where the Steamer stopped, and about 40 passengers died before reaching the Isthmus. He was a man of much energy and force of character, and usually a leader in what engaged his attention. Mrs. Shaw continued to reside at Toledo from the time of their return from Lake Superior, in 1848, until her death, July 18, 1886, over 54 years from the time of her arrival here. She was highly respected by a large circle of friends. They bad three children. C. D. Shaw, now of Aurora, Illinois; Mrs. John B. Marston and Mrs. John Turner, of Toledo.

The Ohio and Michigan Register and Emigrant's Guide, was the title of a monthly periodical of 16 pages, 5x8 inches in size, started by the late Jessup W. Scott, at Florence, Huron (now Erie) County, in 1831. As indicated by its title, it was designed chiefly as a medium for communicating information in regard to the condition and advantages of Northern Ohio and Michigan for settlement by Eastern people. In his introductory article, the editor said

We enter upon the performance of our task with much pleasure, because the subject which will occupy the most prominent portion of this journal, is one to which we have directed much of our attention, and because we believe that, properly conducted, our sheet will be of great service to this whole section of country, and to the thousands of individuals at the East, to whom a correct knowledge of the Western country will be communicated.

A correspondent of that paper (" D. B."), writing from Perrysburg, in 1832, said that Town had an indifferent Court House, two taverns, one store, and 40 or 50 dwellings and shops. Land could be had in the neighborhood at from $1.25 to $10.00 per acre. The outlet of the Miami and Erie Canal was then supposed to lie between Perrysburg and Maumee City, the Towns below those points then being understood as "probably belonging to Michgan." Of the locality of the present City of Toledo, the correspondent said:

The new Town, " Vistula," just being born, and mentioned in your last, makes a great noise, and

attracts much attention from the numerous immigrants who are seeking the most eligible site for a Town on the Maumee. A considerable number of lots, according to the information obtained from Major B. F. Stickney, one of the proprietors, had been sold in the course of the Spring and Summer, and improvements of a permanent character and on a large scale engaged to be made. This nascent Village is handsomely situated on the left bank of the Maumee River, about three miles from its mouth, and immediately below the site of Port Lawrence. These places will probably some day grow together and become one, provided my opinion shall turn out to be correct, that the great Town of the Maumee shall be situated there.

It was in that year (1832) that Mr. Scott made his first purchase of real estate at this point. Of that investment, he thus wrote in a letter some years before his death, in 1874:

The only possible chance (for purchase) that I found, was a very wild and rude piece of ground, then possessed by Dr. Sutphen, being the Southwest fractional quarter of Section 36, Township 9 South, Range 7 East, embracing a small piece of Section 35. Of this I bargained for 70 acres at $12 per acre. I also wrote to Major Oliver, who resided in Cincinnati, offering to become part owner of his tracts, and to become agent for their management. When my letter reached the Major, there was an applicant with him, having the same object in view-Dr. D. 0. Comstock-who bought one-fourth of tracts one and two, and with his brother, Stephen B. Comstock, became the agent of what was called the Port Lawrence Company, owning tracts one and two. At the time I bought the 70 acres, I could have bought the whole fractional quarter of 86 acres, by giving $15 per acre for what remained; but as I thought the part bought was worth more by the acre than what was left, I declined to buy.



Having, as I thought, got a fair chance to participate in the advantage of the future rapid growth of the great City, I embarked with my horse on the Steamboat Pioneer for Sandusky City, elated with high hopes for future profits from my purchase. On the steamer I fell in with a man who had just come from the West Shore of Lake Michigan, where he bad pre-empted (or rather bought the preemption of) an 80-acre lot at the mouth of the Milwaukee River. This was the first time I had heard that name. I think the land cost him $6 per acre; and as he could hardly spare so much money, he offered to let me in as joint purchaser, at, I think, the cost price. I declined, telling him he would do better to make the new Town of Vistula the theatre of speculations, as it might, and probably would, become a considerable City before settlements to any extent would reach as far West as Milwaukee.

The purchase by Mr. Scott, above mentioned, is referred to on page 509.

In 1877, the First Ward, Toledo, was represented in the City Council by two pioneer Physicians, each of whom, at that time, had resided within the territory of the Ward for over 40 years. One of these was Dr. Jacob Clark, who was born near Plattsburg, New York, June 8, 1807, afterward removing to Pottsdam, same County, where he studied medicine. In the Spring of 1834, he sat out for Toledo. His attention was first called to Toledo, then known as Port Lawrence, by an article from Captain Samuel Allen, and published in a Detroit paper, in which was set forth the peculiar advantages of the place as a market for Northern Ohio and Indiana, and Southern Michigan. An examination of' a map gave Dr. Clark a highly favorable impression of the Town, and April 10, 1834, he left Canton, St. Lawrence County, New York, with the intention of locating at Toledo. At Cleveland he was compelled to wait for 48 hours for an upbound Steamer for Detroit-no Boat then running direct to the Maumee River, for the reason as alleged at Cleveland, that there was not there sufficient water or trade to justify the connection, the Town being in the midst of a great marsh and its in habitants Indians, musk-


EVENTS AND PERSONS. - 667

rats and frogs. Hence, he was compelled to reach his destination via Detroit. At that place he remained two days, being meantime regaled with the Cleveland description of Toledo, materially emphasized. Altogether, the prospect thus presented was anything but inviting to a stranger seeking a home. Yet, it did not prevent his coming to judge for himself as to the facts of the case. About the 20th of April, in company with a Mr. Ward and an Attorney from New York, on his way to Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Doctor took the small Steamer General Brady, Captain S. F. Atwood, the three constituting the passengers. His confidence in Toledo had become so far affected by the representations made to him, that he proposed, if' Mr. Ward would wait for him three days at Toledo (giving him time to visit a brother-in-law, Guy Carpenter, at Blissfield, Michigan), he would go on with him to Fort Wayne, an uninviting journey of 60 miles through the wilderness from Defiance, with nothing but an Indian trail by land, or with a canoe by water. Mr. Ward declining such offer, from fears caused by the Cleveland and Detroit stories, Dr. Clark decided to stop at Toledo long enough for an inspection of the conditions.

On arriving at his destination, he found the situation essentially different, so far as topography was concerned. Both banks of the River were high and well stocked with vigorous timber, and altogether his hopes were materially strengthened. The Steamer landed at the foot of Monroe Street. The only persons at the landing were John and Henry Goettel (two Germans). The warehouse there consisted of an old log-building of many years' standing (see page 466), and contained a few boxes and old chairs, with a counter about eight feet in length, behind which was Andrew Palmer and a few shelves. Dr. Clark went to the Hotel of the place, at the corner of Summit and Perry Streets, then kept by Captain Ezra Dodd. He could be kept over night, though he might not be able to get abed. Upon inquiry, he learned that that was the only Hotel in the place. Accepting the situation, he spent the night with a blanket between himself and the floor. There was a cot in the house, then occupied by Stephen Porter, to which Dr. Clark fortunately succeeded the next night.

Early the following morning, the Doctor started out for a survey of the premises and the "Town." Climbing a steep bank of about 25 feet at the foot of Monroe Street, corner of Summit, he had a fine view of the River for miles up and down the stream. There was an open space for about 40 rods along the bank to the East, beyond which was nothing but an Indian trail until Lagrange Street was reached. The sun shone brightly, and the impression made by the fine shading oaks, with ample branches, was very pleasing, and confirmed his purpose to remain.

Dr. Clark learned that Toledo was divided into" Upper,"" Middle " and ' Lower" Towns. The first named consisted of that part extending from Jefferson Street to Perry and up Swan Creek as far as the old City limits. At the corner of Jefferson and Summit stood an old Government block-house, between which and the River was old Fort Industry. Where Fort Industry block now stands (Southeast corner of Summit and Monroe Streets), was a sharp point of land, about 25 feet high, formed by the River bank on one side and a curve of a bank which ran back to near to what is now the old Canal bed. At that point was an opening for 200 or 300 feet, the banks then continuing up to where the Canal aqueduct subsequently crossed Swan Creek, and forming nearly a semicircle. The low grounds from Monroe Street to Swan Creek, had the appearance of the bed of an old Bay, the waters from which passed through the opening referred to, to Mud Creek below, and thence to the Bay and Lake. The topography of the route of Mud Creek yet strongly corroborated the view that it was at ono time the bed of a considerable stream.

Beside the Hotel already referred to, there were in " Upper Town " a frame house across Perry Street, where the Burnet House now stands, and occupied by Oliver Stevens (yet a resident of Toledo); a small brick building in the woods, almost under the bank and about 25 rods back from Summit Street, and occupied by Clement Bodette ; together with a few shanties, scattered along down the River. But one road led out of the " settlement." It was out Monroe Street, and passed the present residence of Judge Fitch, and on to Tremainesville. About half-way to that place lived Dr. J. V. D. Sutphen, who there kept the only Postoffice in this section.

"Middle Town " consisted of a log-house, located about 60 rods from Monroe Street, down the river, which was occupied by a washer. woman, by the name of Whitten, whose husband sailed some small craft.

" Lower Town " extended from Oak to Magnolia Street. It contained one store -that of Theodore Bissell and Junius Flagg, at the corner of Summit and Lagrange Streets, who also had a small frame Warehouse at the foot of Lagrange Street. On the corner opposite their Store, was a small one-story house, owned and occupied by Elkanah Briggs. On the West side of Lagrange lived Captain Samuel Allen, one of the proprietors of the Town, whose office was opposite. At the corner of Summit and Elm Streets, was a frame house occupied and owned by Ira Smith, who there kept a boarding-house for men employed in erecting a Steam Saw-Mill for Edward Bissell, at the corner of Elm and Water Streets. About halfway between Locust and Lagrange, on Summit Street, lived Cornelius G. Shaw, who the following Summer made an addition to his story-


668 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

and-a-half house, and opened the second Hotel in Toledo, naming it the Mansion House, afterwards called the Franklin House. In August, Mr. Shaw turned the house over to M. G. Sweet, from Southern Ohio, who added a small Livery Stable to the establishment, the first of the kind in Toledo. The balance of that portion of the Town, consisted of shanties, as far down the River as Bush Street, where lived the old Indian Agent, Major B. F. Stickney. About a half-mile below was Colonel Wilkison ; and below that, in the forest, was yet the settlement of the Ottawa Indians, where Manhattan subsequently was built.

The first brick manufactured in Toledo, were made by Peter H. Shaw and E. L. Babcock. The latter, in 1834, had a contract with the proprietors of the Town for 1,500,000 bricks, but he died in August of that year.

Among the settlers here in 1834, -were the following:

Physicians-Dr. J. V. D. Sutphen, Dr. Baxter Bowman and Dr. Clark.

Mechanics--George Bennett, D. B. Mooney, R. W. Stowe, Clement Bodette, - Long and - Jenney, Carpenters and ,pipers ; and Granville Jones, Mason.

Druggists--Luke Draper, from Lockport, New York.

Brickmakers-P. H. Shaw and E. L. Babcock.

A Saw-Mill, located on Summit Street, between Elm and Chestnut (owned and run by Edward Bissell), commenced operations in July, 1834.

The first Foundry in Toledo, occupied the present site of the Lagrange Street School building. For such purpose the ground was cleared of a dense forest, the work of preparation beginning in June, 1834. Samuel McDowell was the builder. The location then seemed a great way into the wilderness from the little settlement near the River.

Hotels in 1834--The Port Lawrence (afterwards the Indiana) House, corner of Summit and Perry, kept by Captain E. S. Dodd ; and the Mansion House, between Lagrange and Locust, by C. G. Shaw; afterwards by M. G. Sweet.

During the Summer of 1834, the firm of Smith & Macy, of Buffalo, purchased or were given an interest in the Town. They controlled several Steamboats on the Lake, and the arrangement was that two of these should stop at Toledo each week. They usually carried good loads of passengers, but did not come as regularly as was expected.

By May, 1834, the arrivals had so far exceeded the accommodations of the Town, that boarding-places were very scarce. Under such state of things, Dr. Clark, J. Irvine Browne, J. Baron Davis and J. W. Fellows (the latter two from Troy. New York), united for the establishment of a " Bachelor's Hall," the object being mutual protection and care in sickness, no less than in the supply of food. For such purpose, they had to provide quarters. To do this, they were compelled, by the scarcity of lumber, to go to the only Saw-Mill in this section, located on Swan Creek, where the Maumee and Monroe Pike crossed that stream, about three miles distant from Lagrange Street. Taking a Scow up Swan Creek to the mill, they were able to pick up boards and slabs sufficient for a shanty 12x12 feet in size, which were brought down the Creek in the Scow, the propelling force for which consisted of poles moved by hand-power. The Saw-Mill was run by a man named Goodale, and driven at brief and very uncertain periods by a scanty supply of water from the Creek. With such materials the four partners proceeded to erect their home, about 150 feet North of Summit Street, and half-way between Locust and Walnut. That completed, they got a cook-stove; bought a cow ; sent to Detroit for a stock of provisions, consisting of hams, dried meat, crackers, flour, etc. Their bedsteads were made of round poles, and so constructed that they could be leaned up against the sides of the shanty when not in use-an arrangement which was found to be very convenient, not only during the day, but often at night also, when, in cases of rain, owing to the flow of water through their slab-roof, they found it necessary to vacate their beds, raise them up against the wall, and themselves stand up as straight as possible where the fall of water was the least. Their beds consisted of straw, the ticks being manufactured for them of cotton cloth by Mrs. Sam. Allen. To these were added a few blankets picked up at different places. Their dishes and cooking utensils corresponded with the other appointments named. Thus provided, they applied to Mrs. Allen for instructions in the art of "housekeeping," and more especially in bread-making, in which art they came to be adepts, their bread being the envy of the neighborhood. Having little else to do, they spent most of their time in providing for and conducting their household affairs. They were enabled to obtain a good supply of game for their table, in which they were much assisted by a Mr. Crane, who afterwards kept a Hardware Store on Perry Street. In this shanty, the "Bachelor" household remained for the balance of the Summer and into the Fall_*

Meantime, there was a great extent of malarial disease among the settlers of the Town,

* It was within the privacy of this rude shanty, and by the young men its inmates, that was concocted the plan (elsewhere referred to) for inducing the renewed and more vigorous action taken by the Ohio authorities in the enforcement of the State's claim as to the boundary line between Ohio and Michigan. To what extent such obscure action may have operated to control the important events of the following year, can never be definitely known ; but the probability as to its influence in that connection, seems to be very clear.


EVENTS AND PERSONS. - 669

the larger portion of whom remained but a short tine, and left to give room for succeeding arrivals. Dr. Clark remained until October, when, the "Fever and Ague" becoming too much for him, be returned to the East, remaining there until the followings April (1835), when he cause back to make his permanent home in Toledo, and to live to see the rude scene of his early experiences on the Maumee become the site of a large and thriving City, active with every description of industry and trade.

Dr. Clark is able to settle one point in Toledo history, which has not been definitely understood, but which is important, to wit: The establishment of the first newspaper, at this point. As elsewhere mentioned, he states that the first paper issued here was not the Gazette, as heretofore accepted, but the Toledo Herald. Dr. Clark and Mr. Browne, the conductor of the paper, were young adventurers together; co-owners and co-occupants of the board shanty already described; warm friends, living together and sick together. Mr. Browne afterwards returned to Pennsylvania, where he died.

Dr. Clark, though in his 82d year, is yet active and able to devote attention to his business affairs.

Mention is elsewhere made of Dr. Chase's residence and experiences in Lucas County.

Among the pioneers of the Toledo Bar, were John P. Osborn and Myron H. Tilden, who came to the City in April, 1838, as partners in the practice of the law, and remained such until 1839, when Mr. Osborn left Toledo and settled at Norwalk, remaining there until 1856, at which time he returned to Toledo as the Treasurer of the Wabash Railway Company, which position be held for several years.

It was Mr. Osborn's practice to keep a diary, not only of his individual acts and experiences, but more or less of current events coming within his knowledge, which were rioted with much care and detail. Such record is always valuable for the reliability of the facts. It is regretted that space can here be found for but a small portion of the historical material with which Dl. r. Osborn's ample fund abounds.

The diary was commenced January 1, 1838, at which time Mr. Osborn was the Clerk of the Ohio Senate, and until the close of the session the proceedings of the Legislature largely occupied his attention. The return to Norwalk, which hall been his residence since 1835, was made by stage in 36 hours traveling time.

April 20th, he left Norwalk for Toledo to make his home here. His route was via Huron, where he was compelled to take a Detroit Steamer, which did not stop at Toledo on its upward trip. Leaving Detroit at 5 P. M., the boat reached Toledo at 4 the next morning, having grounded in the Maumee River be low Toledo.

At that. time the Whig party in this section were much divided in sentiment between Henry Clay and Gen. Harrison, as their Presidential candidate for 1840. The latter had been the Whig candidate in Ohio and some other States in 1836. A meeting of 30 Whigs at Perrysburg April 26th, stood 16 for Clay and 14 for Harrison. The friends of Clay predominated at Toledo.

May 3d B. F. Stickney was sued in a number of cases where he had forfeited his recognizance to appear at Monroe, to answer for violations of the laws of the Territory of Michigan, committed during the "Toledo War" of 1835. His bail had been compelled to pay the amounts, for recovery of which they then brought suit, and judgments were rendered in their favor in all cases. He had asked the Ohio Legislature to remunerate him in these and other damages sustained from the Michigan parties.

At Pierre M. Irving's suggestion, Mr. Osborn prepared an appeal to the people of Toledo for contributions for starting the Young Men's Association, for which a charter had been obtained, which appeal, over the signature of " Pliny," appeared in the Blade.

May 11th, is given a report of the interview with Adolphus Kramer, a resident of Manhattan, and since for 45 years a leading citizen of Hartford, alias Oak Harbor, Ottawa County. Mr. Kramer, himself a German, was a student at the University of Goettingen during the "three days' revolution" of France, in connection with which the overthrow of the Government of Hanover was proposed. In the spirit of the latter movement Mr. Kramer so largely participated, that upon its failure, he determined to seek his fortune in the United States. Coming to this country, he at first stopped at Lancaster. Ohio, where he devoted himself to peddling clocks, trading horses and making cigars--selling for $75 clocks which cost him $15. He had a chancery suit at the time stated, involving the ownership of Hartford, and for services as counsel, was to give Tilden & Osborn one lot each, which then was worth five or six dollars, though during "the mania of Towns," in 1835-6, such were "held at" one or two hundred dollars each.

May 12th. On the adjournment of the Court of Common Pleas, Judge Ozias Bowen presiding, there were 350 causes on the issue and 400 on the appearance docket, which (considered from the standpoint of litigants, probably) Mr. Osborn regarded as " a desperate state of affairs." The opinion was recorded, that " this County cannot pay its debts in many years. No produce was raised, and the value of Town property, until the public improvements (the Canals) have progressed, will not be of one-tenth of what it has been rated."

May 22d is recorded the marriage of a mulatto, named Richardson, to a. white girl from Norwalk, the first recorded case of the kind occurring in Toledo. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Isaac Flagler, Pastor of tine Presbyterian Church, and the affair caused an intense excitement, and no little feeling against the officiating clergyman. The groom was an industrious, respectable until, and tine bride (supposed to be the chief promoter of the union) seemed to act upon clear convictions as to the propriety of such connection, she being of a respectable family, and having a brother a student at Oberlin College, then the most pronounced Anti-Slavery School in the country. Mr. Flagler no doubt acted conscientiously in the matter, but evidently against the prevailing sentiment of the community and a large portion of his own Church. he was a conscientious Christian ; and although at that time in feeble health, he remained in Toledo until April, 1839, and lived till a few years since, dying at Bellevue, Ohio. It is credibly stated, that during a severe malarial attack while in Toledo, his life was saved by the administration of 60 grains of quinine, that being 10 times a good dose for an invalid.

June 20th. Mr. Osborn, on horseback, made the


670 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

trip from Toledo to Manhattan, for the purpose of obtaining a draft at the Bank at that place, there being no facilities of that sort then at Toledo. But the Cashier had gone to Toledo, and the draft could not be had. The next day he went to Detroit to make deposit in the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of that City, and to secure a debt against the Washtenaw Bank.

June 25th. Made the trip to Perrysburg, by Steamer Sun, Captain Calvin K. Bennett; returning on the 29th, per the Steamer General Jackson.

June 30th. Daniel Segur, as landlord, closed the American Hotel, on account of excessive rent (some $1,500 per year).

July 1st. Rev. Mr. Muzzey, Unitarian, of Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, held services in Toledo, with about a dozen attendants. Mrs. J. Baron Davis, a superior singer, assisted by Mr. Osborn, furnished the music.

July 2d. In consequence of the closing of the American, Mr. Osborn began boarding with Chester Walbridge. and liked it very much.

July 3d. The Toledo guards, a military company then just formed, had their first parade, with a band of music.

July 12th. Went to Manhattan Bank to get New York draft for the Bank's bills; could only get Buffalo and Albany drafts, at 4 1/2 per cent. premium, and $15 in New York Bank bills at two per cent. premium.

July 14th. Preaching by Rev. John Janes, then Presiding Elder of Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the father of Mr. Frank ,lanes, now (1888) of Toledo.

August 3d. A great amount of sickness in Toledo, especially among the poorer classes. Large numbers, principally Irish, were employed in the construction of the Canal. and these, from the twofold cause of lack of suitable food and quarters and improvident habits, suffered very much; while the public treasury was in no condition to render aid.

August 9th. Attended the celebration at Tecumseh of the opening of the Palmyra and Jacksonburg Branch of the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad. Tecumseh was then a pleasant Village of about 1,200 inhabitants-the houses mostly of wood, and much scattered.

August 10th. Attended, at Perrysburg, the closing out sale, by order of Court, of " Marengo City," located on the River and between Toledo and Perrysburg. Mr. Osborn represented one of the owners, John Miller of Norwalk (father of John Miller, who died in Toledo in 1885). Present at the sale were Judge David Higgins, General John Patterson, Rev. H. O. Sheldon and Nathan Jenkins of Milan. Directors of the Marengo Company; also, Charles Borland, of Mansfield, a stockholder. The lots were appraised at about $100 per acre, some higher, on account of expected valuable " miff-privileges" from the Canal then under construction.

August 13th. The Steamer Rochester was at Toledo. It was then " run upon Sunday and Temperance principles "-lying by on the Sabbath and excluding the sale of liquors on board.

August 16th. Visited Sharon, Michigan, with $650 in bills, of the Bank of Sharon, on $500 of which the preliminary demand provided for by law had been made 60 days before. The Bank was a " Wild Cat" and without funds but had the "paper of good men," which Mr. Osborn accepted as security for final payment of the Bank's dotes. The trip from Manchester to Sharon and return was made on foot, no other means of conveyance being available.

August 19th. Wrote several editorials for the Blade-one on the "Treasury," and another in the interest of the Young Men's Association. The Blade at that time was largely dependent on gratuitous contributions for its editorial matter.

August 20. Two of Mr. Walbridge's children (Hiram and Heman D.) were sick with fever, though not severely. The fellow-boarders of Mr. Osborn then were Dan. Segur, John Poag, Gid. W. Weed and Robert W. Titus.

August 23d. Severe sickness and suffering continue. It is a dark day for Toledo. Mechanics and workingmen are disheartened. None are coming in, and many here are talking of leaving. Speculators grasp the real estate, and it requires a fortune to obtain a foothold. When the unwary adventurer's capital is exhausted in procuring a home, disease comes upon him and his family, and they are destitute of means for obtaining even the necessaries of fife.

August 30th. Had some talk with Hiram Walbridge about buying of him 80 acres of land in Sandusky County, eight miles from Toledo, which he offered for $200, or $2.50 per acre, payable in two years, which was cheap. He wanted to raise requisite money for educating himself.

Edward Bissell's property was then estimated to be worth $1,000,000, and his debts at $200,000.

September 9th. Met Alfred P. Edgerton, from Hicksville, a Town laid out in Williams [since Defiance] County. He appeared to be a very lively and sprightly young loan; was from New York, and is looking after the property of the Hickses, in that County. He said they entered 40,000 acres of land at $1.25, which they were selling at $5.00. [Mr. Edgerton, subsequently a member of Congress, is now (1888) a member of the United States Civil Service Commission.]

October 22d. The Court of Common Pleas finds great difficulty in obtaining a Grand Jury, about one half of the venire excusing themselves on the ground of sickness.

The price of board at the Mansion House was then $3.00, and at the American $4.00 per week.

October 29th. With Oliver Stevens and J. Baron Davis, Mr. Osborn was appointed all Examiner of Public School Teachers by the Court of Common Pleas. The Board organized by the choice of Mr. Stevens as Chairman, and Mr. Davis as Secretary. Two candidates applied and passed examination-E. Lathrop and -- Birdsall.

November 6th. It seemed utterly impossible to sustain a clergyman in Toledo or in neighboring Towns. " Never knew such a period of calamity and distress in money matters. Every (lay the money in the pace was going to other points, and every day finds the inhabitants poorer."

November 11th. Made the trip over the Monroeville and Sandusky Railroad (16 miles) in two hours, the motive-power being horses, and the track without iron except a short distance from Sandusky.

January 26, 1839. With A. AV. Fairbanks, S. S. Blanchard, C. G. McKnight and T. S. Manly, skated on the River to Manhattan and return.

February 3d. Rev. Mr. Nightingale, Unitarian, preached in Toledo. The Church was a small one, largely supported by a Boston Missionary Society. Mr. Nightingale remained until February, when a lack of success compelled a suspension of his labors and he went to Chicago.

April 19th. The effect of the medicine taken the previous eve left Mr. Osborn very weak, but with the hope that he would have no more ague. Felt a weakness and lankness all day.

April 20th. Most of the former part of the day have been very sick, from effects of medicine taken yesterday. Walked toward the office, and met Mrs. Chester Walbridge and Mrs. John Berdan, who informed him that Judge Berdan then had a severe shake. Soon called on the Judge, and found him over his fit, but suffering from its effects. He had the ague for eight days in succession. While the fits were on, he was very sick and for several hours there-


EVENTS AND PERSONS. - 671

after ; but mornings and at night he could work in the warehouse, and while thus engaged felt to be himself again. Until last fall, his family had not been affected by sickness, although he had been for three years. " Dearly have they paid for their immunity. Every one of them has been sick, and that incessantly. The Judge has not escaped a chill for more than three weeks at a time since last summer." Was much entertained by the account the Judge gave of Lake matters as early as 1819. The Government then had made no improvements in harbors, and at nearly all the present commercial ports sand-bars excluded the entrance of vessels, except at Detroit and Black Rock, which latter place it was thought, would be the principal City instead of Buffalo, no pier having then been built at the latter place, which otherwise was inaccessible. The Steamboat Walk-in-the-Water had been built by General Porter of Black Rock. At the mouth of the Cuyahoga (Cleveland), Judge Berdan said he had seen persons walk over on dry land, from one side to the other.

April 21st. Hiram Walbridge was at the office, to whom I gave sundry suggestions as to a vigorous prosecution of his proposed studies at Athens College. He stated that he was the author of a couple of articles upon Toledo (signed" W."), just published in the Blade, its prospects, improvements, etc. Was astonished at this information. The articles abounded in matters of minute statistical detail, and were well written and generally admired. He showed the original manuscript and told of the sources of his information.

April 23d. At 8:30 A. M., took the cars at foot of Lagrange Street for a trip into Michigan. Were detained half an hour at Upper Town. A pretty rapid movement brought us to Palmyra, a distance of 27 miles, in little more than two hours. At this place, dinner was had at the tavern kept by Mr. George E. Pomeroy, who seems to be a very clever man. But one other passenger in the car on leaving for Tecumseh, which place was reached about 3 P. M., where a stage was taken for Niles. On return to Tecumseh, April 27th, took lodgings at the Stage-house, kept by General J. W. Brown, of " Toledo War " fame. Board was $1.50 per day. Went to Sharon to get returns of the claim on the Bank there. Got only $50, and left balance for collection by law.

May 3d. The American Hotel, Toledo, had 20 boarders.

May 7th. Went to Dr. McLean's Drug Store, and procured an ounce of Peruvian bark, to use instead of quinine. In bed all day, the chill being succeeded by fever and headache.



May 16. At suggestion and solicitation of Chas. W. Hill, agreed to accept the position of Colonel of the Militia, and was elected at Maumee City.

May 19th. Attended services of the Presbyterian Church, then held in the School-house on or near Lagrange Street. A small congregation was assembled. Judge Berdan read a printed sermon, with the text. "Rejoice always in the Lord."

May 21st. C. W. Hill conducted the editorial department of the Blade throughout the previous winter.

May 22d. At Manhattan met Daniel Chase, F. M. Follet, of Sandusky, and Henry D. Ward, Cashier of the Manhattan Bank.

June 19th. At Perrysburg, the members of the Bar from abroad enjoyed the hospitalities of "Count" Coffinbury at his home, where were his two daughters. He had a geological cabinet, including some 400 specimens of petrifactions which he bad gathered within the previous three years, and many shells and other curiosities.

June 20th. The officers of the Militia Brigade met at Maumee, to choose a Brigadier General. The polls were opened by Colonel Osborn, who chose Capts. Brintnal and Woodruff to assist as judges of the election, and Sidney C. Sloane, of Perrysburg, as Clerk. The vote stood-for Colonel J. W. Smith, of Perrysburg, 19; Colonel E. S. Dodd, of Lucas, County, 16-a result disappointing to the Lucas officers. As was the manner of those days, General Smith signalized his election by producing a basket of champagne, which, for the time, at least. materially mollified the feelings of the defeated ; but did not remove the informalities which would render his election void in case of a contest, which subsequently was successful.

June 23d. With Mr. Tilden discussed firm affairs. Had some $5,000 due on their books, but Mr. Osborn, who then had decided to leave Toledo, would be satisfied with $500 as his share.

June 29th. The last day of Mr. Osborn in Toledo. The partners divided their library and closed their business. He left on the Steamer Commodore Perry for Columbus via Sandusky, arriving at the latter place at 11 P. M.

June 30th. At 4 A. M. took stage for Columbus, arriving at Marion (60 miles) at 6:30 P. M. Here the stage stopped for the night.

July 1st. At 4 A. M. again started, and arrived at Columbus about 4 P. M., making the time of riding 2412 hours for about 100 miles.

Before leaving Toledo, Mr. Osborn had made arrangements for going to Norwalk, where he arrived July 18th, and at once resumed his practice as a partner of Courtland L. Latimer, which relation was continued for 15 years.

November 26th, Mr. Osborn and Miss Elizabeth P. Hartwell, of Columbus, were married by Rev. Dr. Hoge, of the First Presbyterian Church of that City. Thence the couple soon proceeded to Norwalk, and there made their home until their removal to Toledo in 1858, which is yet (January, 1888) the home of Mr. Osborn, Mrs. Osborn having died November 15, 1884, aged 65.

The articles written by Hiram Walbridge, and referred to by Mr. Osborn, appeared in the Blade of April 3d and 17th and May 1, 1839. Mr. W. was then but 18 years of age. The productions fully justify the favorable mention by Mr. Osborn, and supply valuable historical facts, some of which are not elsewhere found. Among other statements were the following:



The site of Toledo continued in its primitive condition until the summer of 1831, when a small settlement was commenced. The following Winter the Town was platted, in lots of 4x12 and 3x9 rods each. In the Summer of 1832 and during the year following, accessions of population were made; a small wharf commenced; a warehouse erected; and a building for a hotel enclosed. The Town, meantime, received the name of " Vistula " from that of the River in the Southwest of Europe. " Port Lawrence" -about three-fourths of a mile West, at the confluence of Swan Creek and the Maumee River-had been commenced, and the Toledo House (of brick) finished. This season two mercantile stores were opened. The next Winter (1833-4) this building was destroyed by fire. A Steam Mill, raised during that Winter, was completed the following Summer. In July, 1834, the two Towns were united, under the name of Toledo. A press (the Toledo Herald) was established at that time, and edited by J. Irvine Browne. But one large Steamboat arrived during


672 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

that season (the Daniel Webster), though many small boats plied between Toledo and Detroit. The population of the united Town was increased to 300. The following Winter much was done toward clearing the land of its heavy timber, as a portion of the plat was cleared of the more serious encumbrance of a question of ownership. The season of 1535 was marked by rapid increase in population, business and improvement. This state of things was greatly promoted by the close of the "Toledo War," which resulted in the early location of the Canal, which hinged upon the boundary question. Operations, however, were not a 'little interrupted by the continued attempts of Michigan, through most of the season, to exercise jurisdiction here, including the frequent appearance of armed posses, patrolling the Streets and vicinity.

Mr. Walbridge in this connection quoted the Gibbon's reference to the career of an ambitious man of another age as follows :

The march of Tarik, from the Boctis to the Tagros, was directed through the Sierra Morena, that separates Andalusia and Castile, till he appeared in arms before the Walls of Toledo. The question was raised whether the future historian would make record of "nocturnal marches of those motley collections, who, plundering as they advanced, appeared before, not the ` Walls' of the Western `Toledo,' but directed their way to its very center and there encamped." The Spring of 1836 was signalized by two important events-the appearance of the Toledo Blade, and the completion of the American Hotel. This was the year in which the spirit of speculation raged most furiously. The Streets were thronged with people given up to the work of acquiring sudden wealth. Industry and economy were largely abandoned to the passion for greed, and " paper Cities" appeared on every hand. The population that year was swelled to 2.072 (according to a local canvass); with 41 mercantile establishments, with Fall purchases of $231,300 ; six hotels, renting for $5,100 per annum ; six warehouses, whose advances for freight that season amounted to $54.000; 35 mechanic shops; two saw mills, using four saws; two printing offices, two newspapers, one of which (the Gazette) has been discontinued ; one iron foundry ; four lumber yards ; 12 lawyers, offices, etc.; three School-houses ; 390 Steamboat arrivals, beside small boats plying between Toledo and Detroit, and 211 arrivals of Schooners. The united City was incorporated in the Winter of 1836-7, and its first corporation election held March 4, 1337.

FLOODS.

The Maumee, in common with most other streams of' any considerable size and extent, has always been liable to overflow its banks and flood adjacent territory, especially at the breaking up of heavy ice. The damage arising from such cause has been much greater within the past 20 years, than previously. This fact, no doubt, is chiefly clue to two causes-(1) the larger amount of destructible property which recent improvements have brought within range of such floods; and (2) the fact, that in consequence of improved drainage, by ditching and tiling, surface water more promptly and rapidly finds its way to the River from the adjacent lands. The latter fact has special hearing in cases of " breaking up " of the River after a cold Winter, when the heavy volume of water finds the ice in full thickness, unimpaired in strength, and thus more formidable for damage than when weakened and partially reduced in thickness.

Various floods of note are recorded of this River ; although, in early years little damage was thereby caused, for the reason that there was little property along its banks to be injured. The breaking up of the River in 1832, swept away pretty much all that was left of the pioneer Town of the Maumee Valley, the once pretentious "Orleans of the North," located under the hill on which stood Fort Meigs. At the date named there was not there much of value-little more than remains of a small Village abandoned to decay and history. The flood of 1847 was very high, covering the Cemetery at Maumee. That of 1849 carried away the Hubbell Warehouse on the River at Maumee. In 1855 the water was eight feet deep on the Island between Maumee and Perrysburg.

The highest water then known in the Maumee River, occurred in 1849, in connection with the breaking up of the ice. At, Miami it tore the front of J. Austin Scott's warehouse nearly off; injured Smith's warehouse some ; drowned four horses for B. F. Hollister at Perrysburg ; threw his Canal boats from their stocks, and ruined 400 barrels of salt for him ; carried away Kirk's slaughter-house, the ferryhouse, and 15 head of cattle from the Island between Perrysburg and Miami. March 7th, the water was much higher and carried away the bridge at Maumee, and completely destroyed the warehouses at Miami. Swan Creek bridge at Toledo was carried away.

The floods of the River most serious in damage to property, were those of 1867, 1881 and 1883. In the former case the water (February 17th) stood at a depth of three feet in Water Street for most of the distance between Monroe and Elm. The Cherry Street bridge, then the property of a corporation, was carried away by the water. The Middle Grounds were completely submerged, the water standing about 15 inches deep on the floor of the Island House (the hotel in connection with the Union Railroad Depot). A few cellars on Water Street were at that time entered by water, and small damage caused.

March 10, 1868, was an ice flood. Water Street and the Middle Ground were submerged. A portion of the Cherry Street bridge was carried away. Two of the abutments were injured. About 100 logs jammed in under the South side of the bridge, having been swept away from Mitchell & Rowland's Saw-mill. Part of the boom of logs owned by David Smith, on the East side, was swept away.

The flood of 1881 in its damage was the most serious in the history of the River. For a week preceding February 11th, there was apprehension of an unusual freshet, from the movement of the ice then rapidly giving way


EVENTS AND PERSONS. - 673

several miles above Toledo. The main cause for alarm consisted in the heavy fall of rain during a large portion of the period named, which had both increased the volume and strength of the current and weakened the ice. Step by step the burdened flood moved down the stream, bringing with it, beside the liberated ice, large quantities of debris of various kinds. About 7.30 P. M. of the 11th, the ice opposite the upper portion of the City began to give way. The first damage done, consisted in sweeping away logs outside the boom at Mitchell & Rowland's and Tracy Brothers' Mills, on opposite sides of the River, in that locality. The ice-12 to 15 inches thick-massed in large and compact bodies, moved with terrific force. The Dayton and Michigan Railroad dock, on the Bayou through which the water made a' passage, was seriously torn. Four Schooners-the Mediterranean, Atmosphere, Dunford and Stalker-and the Steamer Emerald, were torn from their moorings and taken along by the current. The Water rose to such height that it stood several feet deep in Water Street at Adams, and in Summit at Monroe. Water Street was the bed of a strong channel, in which passed immense cakes of ice, with lumber and other articles. On the night of the 12th, water stood in the Island House about five feet deep. Some 75 persons were spending the night in the house, all of whom were kept inside until morning, when a portion left by boats for higher parts of the City. So sudden was the rise of water, that passengers who had taken berths on the Wabash train, had to wade to the car doors in getting to boats. The Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge (crossing the River from Elm Street) was wrecked. Railway property on the Middle Ground suffered severely. For several days trains were unable to reach the Passenger Depot or the Island House. The Lake Shore trains, for most of the time, were enabled to pass East and West on a branch of the "Y," at the West end of the Middle Ground, leaving and taking passengers on its tracks, near the Broadway bridge. The lumber districts suffered severely. The mill of Mitchell & Rowland was submerged to a depth of 8 or 10 feet, seriously injuring the machinery. Nelson, Holland & Co., J. B. Kelley, and Barbour & Starr, were also heavy losers, their aggregate losses amounting to $30,000. Merchants and other tenants on Water Street, tool on Summit about Perry and Monroe, suffered more or less from inundation.

In addition to the flood caused by the direct overflow of the River, was that arising from the back set of water through the Servers connected with the River--mainly that of Monroe Street.

The entire loss from the flood was estimated at about $1,000,000.

The next and latest serious flood here, was that of 1883, which, in the rise of water exceeded all of its predecessors, so far as we have record. It occurred in February, the water being highest on the 17th. At that time, the River was 15 feet above the ordinary stage, and about three feet above that of 1881. The extent of damage, however, was far less than of that year. The water stood five feet deep in the office of the Island House, being about six in the adjoining depot. The Wabash Elevators on the River were flooded to the depth of five feet. The Union Railroad Bridge (belonging to the Wabash and Pennsylvania Railroad Companies) lost a span ; the Pennsylvania Bridge, three spans; while three of the four spans of the Cherry Street Wagon Bridge (then, as now, the property of the City), were swept away. The damage caused by the water, consisted more in the property submerged, than in that carried away. This was sustained chiefly in cellars of warehouses, stores and dwellings, which were reached both from the River direct and through the Sewer connecting the lower portion of the City with the River. Many dwellings were subjected to serious inconvenience and dampness for weeks after the subsidence of the water. At the time, much apprehension was felt as to subsequent sickness to arise from such condition ; but such alarm was not justified by the fact, very little disease resulting from such cause.

THE "COLD NEW YEAR'S."

The first day of January, 1864, was made specially memorable in this country on account of the extraordinary, if not unprecedented change of temperature which occurred the preceding night. At 9 o'clock P. M., it was raining at Toledo, with every indication observable of a wet New Year's. About 11 o'clock the rain turned to snow, and soon a strong' Nor'wester " set in, when the temperature rapidly fell until 6 A. M., when the thermometer stood at 12° to 15° below zero. The range in temperature for the five days ending January 5th, was as follows ;

December 31st-Highest point, 9 P. M., 42° above zero ; mean for the day, 38° above.

January 1st--Mean, 11.66° below zero ; lowest, (9 P. M.), 15° below.

January 2d--Mean, 5.33° below; lowest (7 A. M.), 13° below.

January 3d--Mean, 11° above ; lowest (7 A. M.), 5 below.

January 4th-At 7 A. M., 8° above.

It will be seen that the range from 9 P. M., December 31st, to the same hour next day, was 57 degrees.

The effect of this state of things was seriously damaging in many directions, and especially to water and steam-pipes, and unprotected contents of vegetable and fruit cellars; while fruit trees were much injured, in addition to the destruction of buds.

That extraordinary change extended throughout the West and South. The thermometer at Chicago, January 1st, stood at 30° below ; in


674 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

Central Wisconsin at 38° below; at Louisville, Kentucky, at 19 1/2 ; at St. Louis, at 25°; and at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, 50° below zero. The Mississippi at Cairo was frozen over sufficiently solid for crossing. On the North Missouri Railroad 10,000 hogs were frozen to death, with immense numbers of cattle. Soldiers in different parts of the South suffered very severely from the extreme and sudden change, neither their clothing nor their quarters being suitable for such state of things.

An incident occurring at Green Island, near Put-in Bay, indicates something of the extent of the change in temperature. On the night of December 31st, and at about midnight, the Light-house there took fire, and burned so rapidly that Colonel Charles F. Drake, the keeper, and his household, consisting of Mrs. Drake, a son and female servant, were able to secure but little of the contents. Included in what they saved, was a feather-bed. The women were put into a small hen-house, the only remaining building on the Island, where, with aid of the bed, they were kept from freezing. The Colonel and his son spent the balance of the night in keeping as comfortable as the burning remains of the building would make them. The fire attracted the attention of the people on South Bass Island-about half a mile distant-and numbers of them came to the shore, expecting to cross and extend relief to the party burned out; but so rough was the water, that no boat would have survived it, and they were compelled to postpone any attempt to cross until morning. When morning came, so great had been the change in temperature within six or eight hours, that they were enabled to cross to Green Island on the ice, formed meantime.

Probably the most extreme change in temperature during Summer months, occurred in July, 1846, when on the 10th the thermometer indicated 98°, and the 16th, 32°.

In one year the thermometer on the 4th of July indicated a lower temperature at Toledo than it did on the 1st of January previous


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