50 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY and then was seen a hunter in buckskin and moccasins. As has been said, the girls of the pioneer families were industrious. They were early taught industrious and economical habits by careful mothers. In this connection a page from the diary of a pioneer miss is given to show what could be accomplished by the willing hands of the grandmothers of the past : "Fixed gown for Prude—Mended mother's riding hood—Spun short thread—Fixed two gowns for the Welsh girls—Carded tow—Spun linen—Worked on cheese basket—Hatchel'd flax with Hannah ; we did 5 lbs—Pleated and ironed—Read a sermon of Doddridge's—Spooled a piece—Spun a piece—Milked the cows—Spun linen, did 50 knots—Made a broom of wheat straw—Spun thread to whiten—Set a red dye—Had two scholars from Mrs. Taylor's—Carded two pounds of whole wool and felt nationally—Spun harness twine—Scoured the pewter." Girls of this sort made excellent wives. The young miss also tells of washing, cooking, knitting, weeding the garden, picking geese, etc., and of visits to neighbors. She dipped candles in the spring and made soap in the autumn. This latter was a burdensome business, but the soft soap was important for home use. Even before they could spin the pioneer girls of Miami County were taught to knit as soon as their little hands could hold the needles. Sometimes girls of six could knit stockings. Boys often had to knit their own suspenders. All the stockings and mittens ror the family were made in large numbers. To knit a pair of mittens was a sharp and long day's work. A story is told of a pioneer boy in Spring Creek Township who came home one night and said that he had lost his mittens in the woods while chopping wood. His sister ran to a bundle of wool in the garret, carded and spun a big hank that night. It was racked and scoured the next morning and in twenty-four hours from the time the brother announced his loss he had a fine new pair of double mitts. Another occupation which obtained among the girls of pioneer days was that of quilting. There was not then the variety of colors to be had now and it took no little ingenuity to make the product of the quilting frame a showy one. There was one satisfactory condition in the work and that was the quality of the cottons and linens of which the patchwork was made. They were none of the slimsy composition-filled, aniline-dyed calicoes of to-day. A piece of " chaney," "patch," and "copper plate" a hundred years old will be as fresh to-day as when woven. A sense of the idealization of quilt piecing is given also by the quaint descriptive names applied to the various patterns. Of these the "Rising Sun," "Log Cabin," and "Job's Trouble" were perhaps the most favored. There were many "quilting bees" during early times and they were great affairs, looked forward to with much interest. More than one resident of the county has heard his grandmother describe them. Not only were the girls taught to quilt, but they were initiated into the mysteries of the spinning-wheel. Their deft fingers were ever busy and all became experts at the various occupations that pertained to the comforts of the family. If such were the useful occupations of the girls, what did the boys do ? Like their sisters they were raised to habits of industry, frugality and self-reliance, and were AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 51 independent and fearless. At an early age they were instructed in the use of the rifle and were taught to imitate the call of bird and beast. Hidden in a thicket or behind a log, they would call like wild turkeys, drawing whole flocks of these gamey birds within reach of their rifles. Bleating like fawns they would lure the timid mothers to their death. Then, barking like squirrels, the treetops would become alive with the little rodents. And packs of wolves far away in the forest or on the prairie would howl in answer to their calls. They also rivaled the Indian in throwing the tomahawk, and in handling the bow and arrow. They assisted their fathers in opening up the farms and in cultivating the soil. At night in the cabins the wonderful jack-knife would be brought forth and all sorts of things, useful as well as ornamental, would be fashioned from the pliant wood. They learned how to repair every sort of farm machinery and became adepts at it. There was no idleness in the boys and girls of pioneer days. Previous to and during the period that witnessed the establishment of the county-seat at Troy—an event which will be treated in a future chapter—the currency of the settlers was poor and peculiar. Coonskins and other pelts became a circulating medium and were accepted at the early stores in exchange for the simple necessaries required by the neighborhood. There were no established banks, as the State Bank was not instituted till later. About the only "money" in circulation was a sort of coin known as "sharp-shins." It is said to have come from Kentucky. It was not received in payment for public lands and had little value in business transactions outside certain localities. The dol lars in circulation were the Spanish milled and in order to have change, the pioneers took them to the nearest blacksmith, who proceeded to cut them into two, four and quite often five pieces, on the anvil, with the assistance of a cold chisel. If cut into five pieces the workman kept one for toll, leaving the owner of the original coin four quarters. These smaller pieces became "bits" and "flips" and the terms ''two-penny bit," " five-penny bit," " two-pence, flip and a bit," were in every day use. The cut pieces were called "sharp-shins" on account of the jagged edges which arose from the cutting, and as they wrought havoc with the pockets of their possessors leather bags were called into use to hold them. With this sort of outlandish currency the early settlers seemed to get along pretty well until better came into use, when the "sharp-shins" were relegated to the rear and eventually disappeared. One of the most important functions connected with the opening up of the county were the frequent musters. These were great, not to say gorgeous events. The fear of Indian invasion and the protection of the settlements brought the muster into being and it held its place for many years. As early as 1788 a law which was passed for "regulating the militia" was approved by Governor St. Clair. All male citizens between the ages of sixteen and fifty were required to furnish themselves "a musket, bayonet, cartridge-box, pouch and powder-horn and bullet pouch, with one pound of powder and four pounds of lead, priming wire and six flints." There were company musters once every two months, except December, January, February and March. The rules of the old 52 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY militia kept the settlers familiar to a certain extent with miltary discipline and they were ready at all times to respond to any call. As a sample of the orders issued for a general muster I append the following: "Regimental Orders. "The commissioned officers of the 3rd, R, 2d B, 10th D. O. M. are hereby notified to appear armed and equipped according to law, at the court-house in Troy, on the 29th instant at 10 o'clock A. M. of said day and continue under the command of the Brigadier General of said brigade until three o 'clock P. M. of the 'succeeding day, for the purpose of muster, inspection and drill. "By order of the Brigadier General. "D. Grosvenor, Col." The regimental and company musters were important events. The occasion was often made a holiday and the whole neighborhood flocked to witness the affair. The brigadier general decked in "all the pomp and panoply of war" was a sight worth seeing, and Solomon "arrayed in all his glory" would have cut a sorry figure beside him. General John Webb, one of the pioneer settlers of Lost Creek Township, was a noted commander of the old militia. The ranking officers in blue coats, glittering with polished brass buttons, Waving plumes and gorgeous epaulets were the observed of all observers and created much suppressed merriment among the poor privates and the concourse of spectators. Among the old county musters whose glories long ago departed the following major generals were conspicuous : Robert Young, Hiram Bell and J. W. Frizell. Then came such brigadiers as James Fergus, Fielding Loury, John Webb, Dr. Keifer, and S. J. Hensley, while a lot of colonels vied with the generals in their brilliant yet grotesque uniforms and "military discipline." The generals were chosen by a vote of the county and it is natural to suppose that a good deal of "log rolling" was indulged in to secure the coveted places. General John Webb was once elected to this position and afterward, according to his personal narrative, became acting major general of the Tenth Division of Ohio Militia, which division embraced the counties of Montgomery, Darke, Shelby, and Miami, and consisted of ten regiments of infantry, riflemen, cavalry and artillery. Nearly all of the participants in the old musters had seen service against the Indians and not a few took part in the War of 1812. When the county became well settled the musters went out of vogue, but their memories remarried for many years. They were excellent things since they taught the manual of arms and prepared the militia for any emergency. Some of the old company rolls are said to be extant to-day, and upon them are to be found the names of many who in later years became prominent citizens of the county, distinguished in various walks of life. ROSTER OF COUNTY OFFICERS, 1807-1908. After the formation of the county in 1807 its official life began. Officers were chosen, some by appointment, others by election. After a few years they were chosen at regular elections, a system which has extended to the present day. Following is a complete list of the officials of Miami County from 1807 to 1908 : Treasurers—Andrew Wallace, William Brown, John G. Telford, Jacob Knoop, William C. Knight, Andrew Patterson, George S. Murray, George C. Clyde, M. D. Mitchell, A. L. McKinney, S. D. Frank, Theodore Sullivan, John A. McCurdy, D. W. Sinks, S. N. Todd, George H. Rundle, J. C. Ullery, John Prugh, E. J. Eby, Jesse Burkett, C. W. Kiser, R. N. Burwell. Of the above Wallace and Brown were ap- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 53 pointed, the latter serving thirty-eight years. Auditors—H. W. Culbertson, David Grosvenor, Thomas S. Barrett, Jacob Knoop, B. F. Powers, Thomas B. Kyle, James Nesbitt, C. N. Hoagland, J. W. De-frees, R. J. Douglass, George C. Clyde, N. C. Clyde (filled a vacancy), Eli Tenney, W. I. Tenney, C. C. Barnett, Horatio Pearson, Boyd E. Furnas, Elmer E. Pearson, Albert E. Sinks. Sheriffs—Stephen Dye, T. W. Furnas, Levi Hart, Leander Munsell, Robert Culbertson, John Shidler, Joseph Defrees, Stephen Johnston, Thomas Jay, Joseph Pearson, James M. Roe, Daniel Ellis, John Hart, C. T. Bear, S. D. Frank, William Evans, David L. Lee, D. C. Miller, John M. Campbell, Alexander M. Heywood, T. M. Ashworth, E. M. Wilbee, F. E. Scobey, W. E. Rogers, Ralph H. Gibson. Clerks of the Court—Cornelius West-fall, John G. Telford, Thomas J. S. Smith, Benjamin W. Leave11, Barton S. Kyle, Charles V. Royce, Smith Talbott, J. W. Cruikshanks, John B. Latchford, J. B. Fouts, Abbott E. Childs, E. A. Jackson, J. H. Landis, Cloyd Smith. Prosecuting Attorneys—E. Adams, William I. Thomas, Thomas S. Barrett, R. S. Hart, Ebenezer Parsons, H. G. Sellers, M. H. Jones, James T. Janvier, Walter S. Thomas, W. F. Ross, H. H. Williams, C. D. Wright, Moses B. Earnhart, Samuel Jones, Thomas B. Kyle, J. Harrison Smith, Alva B. Campbell, William E. Lytle. Surveyors—Armstrong Brandon, Fielding Loury, Andrew Wallace, David Hoover, B. S. Cox, John Devor, James Cregan, William R. Flinn, J. T. Tullis, Simon Loop, James Hanks, John H. Wolcott, Jacob Knoop, William Giffin, John B. Fish, J. E. Alexander, John N. Rouzer, A. C. Buchanan, E. P. Kellogg, H. O. Evans, R. F. Walker, John W. Dowler, Harry J. Walker, H. E. Whitlock. At the beginning surveyors were appointed, but not until a number of years after the formation of the county were they chosen at the regular elections. Commissioners—Joseph McCorkle, Henry Gerard, James Naylor, William Barbee, Alexander Ewing, Thomas Coppock, Alexander McNutt, James Fergus, John Wilson, William Mendenhall, James Orr, James Johnston, William Barbee, Oliver Benton, Hugh Scott, William Wiley, Robert Morrison, Michael Williams, James Brown, E. P. Davis, Samuel Pierce, Richard Morrow, Jacob Knoop, Sr., Samuel Kelley, W. C. Knight, William Elliott, D. H. Morris, Isaac Sheets, William Scott, J. N. Wolcot, Jacob Knoop, Thomas B. Rose, Abner Jones, Ralph Peterson, B. F. Brown, Howard Mitchell, Jeremiah Fenner, Jacob Rohrer, J. C. Coate, James Sims, Jr., D. M. Rouzer, Nathan Jackson, James Saylor, D. M. Coate, Isaac Clyne, W. H. Northcutt, D. C. Branson, William Johnston, Edmund Lewis, John W. Widney, John C. Henderson, John T. Knoop, David C. Statler, B. B. Scarf, S. D. Frank, W. H. Alexander, Robert Martindale, Havilah Coppock, Ira T. Jackson, B. F. Smith, J. B. Studebaker, W. G. Wilson,W. B. Segner, J. E. Anderson, Thomas C. Brown, Joe M. Fink. Infirmary Directors—There seems to be no official roster of this office prior to 1853, but the following is the roster, of the Infirmary Board since that time : James C. McKaig, Jacob Counts, Asa Coleman, George Throgmorton, David 54 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY Huston, S. M. Dickson, William H. Gahagan, James H. Pea, John D. DeWeese, George B. Frye, Jacob Knoop, William Hamilton, S. A. Cairns, Stephen Genslinger, Joseph Bains, B. N. Langston, Samuel Bowerman, John E. Anderson, Harrison Gear, T. M. Aspinall, E. E. Thompson, E. F. Sayers, L. L. Speagh, William E. Foster, Frank Beck, Havilah Coppock, J. W. Underwood. Since 1853 the following citizens of the county have been superintendent of the Infirmary : George A. Murray, Jonathan Batson, Samuel Robinson, James Foster, Price Duncan, Cornelius N. Bowne. Probate Judges—Joseph Pearson, Samuel Davis, W. N. Foster, A. L. McKinney, William C. Johnston, William J. Clyde, John C. Geyer, William B. Freshour, J. Harrison Smith, Eberhart W. Maier. Representatives—Arthur Stewart, the county's first representative in the Ohio Legislature, took his seat at the session commencing December 8, 1808. In the years following, his successors have been : Fielding Loury, Joseph Evans, James Blue, T. W. Furnas, Samuel Kyle, Robert Montgomery, Asa Coleman, James Fergus, John P. Finley, William Mendenhall, Leander Munsell, William Fielding, John McCorkle, William Barbee, Amos Perry, John Wilson, Thomas J. Smith, Stacey Taylor, Hiram Bell, John Briggs, Justin Hamilton, Thomas Shidler, John McClure, David Alexander, James Bryson, J. W. Riley, David H. Morris, Stephen Johnston, Joseph Potter, W. A. Weston, Tanzy Julian, Joseph Worley, Henry S. Mayo, Augustus Fenner, Levi N. Booher, Eli Tenney, M. H. Jones, W. B. McClung, S. E. Brown, J. H. Randall, David Alexander, J. C. Ullery, J. P. Williamson, George C. Clyde, Joseph E. Pearson, Samuel Sullivan, M. W. Hays, D. M. Murry, Noah H. Albaugh, James A. Sterrett, Van S. Deaton, John A. McCurdy, W. I. Tenney, H. J. Ritter. Prominent among the senators elected from the counties comprising the senatorial district of which Miami has been a part were William I. Thomas, John W. Morris, A. Curtis Cable and George S. Long, citizens of the county. Common Pleas Judges—The Court of Common Pleas was not instituted till many years after the birth of the county. The following is the roster of the Common Pleas Court to date : R. S. Hart, Ebenezer Pearson, Ichabod Corwin, Robert C. Fulton, George D. Burgess, H. H. Williams, Calvin D. Wright, Theodore Sullivan, Walter D. Jones. Congressional—Below are found the distinguished men by whom the county has been represented in the National Congress to date : William McLean, Joseph H. Crane, Patrick G. Goode, Robert C. Schenk, M. B. Corwin, B. Stanton, M. H. Nichols, William Allen, J. F. McKinney, William Lawrence, J. Warren Keifer, Benjamin LeFevre, Robert M. Murray, Charles M. Anderson, Elihu S. Williams, Martin K. Gantz, George W. Wilson, Walter L. Weaver, Thomas B. Kyle. Coroners—Dr. J. W. Means, Dr. J. W. Calvin, Dr. J. Funderburg, Dr. Charles Gaines, Dr. John Beamer, Dr. Van S. Deaton. Recorders—Cornelius Westfall, William Barbee, Z. Riley, George D. Burgess, J. Widener, J. P. Williamson, Hiram M. Lukens, George Green, Isaac A. Landis, E. J. Eby, J. 0. Davis, J. C. Moore, Clarkson Coate, Perry Moyer. CHAPTER IV. THRILLING INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE. Contrast of Past and Present—EmigrantTrails—Encounters with Wild Animals—Pioneer Reminiscences—England Pays Bounty on Scalps—Indian Murders—Adoptions into the Tribes—The Moffit Boys—Col. Johnston. During the settling up of the county and the region adjacent there occurred many thrilling incidents which have come down to us in personal narratives and otherwise. If all were to be described, many pages would be taken up, but some of these events are worthy of telling in a work of this nature. The traveler of today, seated in the comfortable railroad coach, speeding away at the rate of fifty miles an hour, along the banks of broad rivers and the shores of inland seas, upon whose waters float the palatial steamer, and the many white-winged crafts of commerce; through a country made up of highly cultivated farms and beautiful rural homes, where contentment and thrift prevail—a country studded with flourishing towns and populous cities, where the smoke is seen curling from the towering chimney tops of the great workshops and factories, and hundreds of spires gleam in the sunshine—finds it difficult to realize that within the space of one hundred years these ships of trade and pleasure have taken the place of the bark canoe of the red man, and these mansions stand upon the spot where stood the Indian wigwam ; and that where now burns the fires of forge and furnace, blazed the council fires of the painted sachem and his dusky braves, around which they danced the wild war-dance, their tomahawks glittering in the lurid light and their demoniacal shouts reverberating throughout the silent and unbroken forests ; and that here occurred the gigantic struggle of the pioneer, with both the wild beast and the Indian, culminating in the successful contest of white man's skill with Indian cunning, civilization with savagery. There is nothing to be found in the annals of chivalry to equal the acts of heroism performed by these people in braving the dangers that beset them on every hand in the accomplishment of the great work they had undertaken. And now before the obliterating hand of time erases from the tablets of our memories the recollection of those perilous times, I shall endeavor to perpetuate the heroic records of the pioneers. It must be remembered that the first settlers of this region entered it poorly equipped for the struggle - 55 - 56 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY before them. The lumbering wagon had transported across the mountains their scanty belongings. They were not rich in this world's goods, and theirs were the "annals of the poor." Yet they brought from beyond the barriers of the Alleghanies healthy bodies and strong wills. They knew what lay before them. They knew that the wilderness of Ohio, vast in extent and practically unknown, a veritable terra incognita, stood ready not only to welcome, but to bury them within its vastness. Many of these people had left more comforts than they could expect to find in the new land. Babes in arms were transported from the newly formed states into the Miami wilderness, their lullabies often being the long, lone howl of the wolf or the grinding of the wheels of the pioneer wagon against the rocks that fringed the forest trail. No doubt there were adventures a-plenty between the old home and the new, but history is silent as to this. The lone watches of the campfires on the way, the attacks by the wolf and wildcat, the battle against the forest storm and many other perils served to keep the immigrants on the qui vine. The smaller children rode in the wagons, while the larger ones tramped alongside. Thus the long and lonesome journey was made. Not infrequently a child sickened and died on the way. Then came the saddest and most pathetic part of the trip. The little body was habited for the grave by the sorrowing mother, a rude coffin of bark was furnished by loving hands and a grave made in the forest. Sometimes the grave was made in the trail and after the simple funeral the wagons were driven over it to obliterate all traces from the eye of the Indian and the scent of the wild beast. Often on these mournful occasions the comforting words of the Burial Service were read : "I am the resurrection and the life," and a hymn sometimes floated heavenward from the grave of the little one. The long trail westward those days was actually dotted with little mounds. The boughs of the forests waved mournfully over them, and when spring came wild flowers bloomed profusely over them. One can imagine the grief of the pioneer mother when she turned from the grave of her child, knowing that never again would she drop a tear upon it, for the new home beckoned her on and on, and trials almost as great as the separation lurked among the forests of the Miami. Not all the adventures of the pioneer families were had with Indians. Many of them were encounters with wild beasts, the bear, the wolf and the ferocious wildcat. Bears, panthers and wolves were quite numerous. The latter at times were very troublesome and dangerous. Collecting in large packs, they would at night roam the forests throughout the settlements. Stock of all kinds had to be kept housed at night during the winter season. Bears, when hard pressed for food, would approach the settlements, looking for a stray pig or calf. I trust I may be permitted to quote from the narrative of an early settler who tells in graphic language an adventure which overtook him when he was a boy within the limits of this county : "One of the many duties that devolved upon me after the death of my father," he says, "was that of providing meat for the family, which I did with my rifle. I was then about sixteen. I was a good marks-. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 57 man and the country abounded in all kinds of game. I never had to go far to get a deer—have often killed them in sight of the house. I remember of having one morning shot a large buck from the doorstep. Wild turkeys were numerous. We often caught them in large numbers, in pens, or traps, made by scooping a large hole in the ground, over which we built a covering by laying rails across each other, as in building a log cabin, or as the boys build their quail traps, then digging a trench or sloping passageway from the surface outside down into the pit. In this passageway and pit grains of corn were scattered, which led them down into the trap. Once in, they were perfectly secure, for a turkey never looks down, only when feeding. Whole flocks were often caught in this way. "One morning, finding one of the bee-gums overturned and rifled of its contents, I saw at once that a bear had been there and concluded that he would be back the next night for more honey. That night I loaded an old musket with several bullets to make sure work of it. I did not have long to wait, for about ten o'clock bruin made his appearance. I saw him sniffing about the hives, which were only a few yards from the house. It was pretty dark, but I could distinguish him very well from a window, or rather an opening covered with a curtain (we had no glass windows until long after that). While my brother held back the curtain I took deliberate aim and let him have it. When the smoke cleared away we saw a large black ball bouncing up and down on the grass for several minutes, when it became quiet. On approaching we found the bear stretched out at full length, dead. It was the largest and fattest bear I ever saw. We now had plenty of meat to do us for a long time. "During the winter following the death of my father an incident occurred which to me proved a thrilling adventure, and came very near winding up my earthly career. As it will serve to show the dangers to which we were exposed, I will tell it. One evening mother informed me that our stock of corn meal was about exhausted. had hoped,' said she 'that it would hold out until the heavy snow had passed away. You and Charley had better shell enough corn to fill two sacks, which will do us until winter is over. This you can take to mill on horseback.' " 'All right,' said I. Brother and myself went to work, and soon had the corn shelled. Bright and early the next morning, throwing the bag of corn across 'Old Doll's' back, with a kiss and a 'God protect you,' from mother, I started on my lonesome journey. The mill was one of the few in the Spring Creek region, and not a house on the entire way, the route being the usual blazed one. The snow was deep and the weather intensely cold. My clothing was light, being made of linsey-woolsey. As a substitute for an overcoat, mother had wrapped her old woolen shawl about my shoulders. "So slow was my journey that it was late when I reached the mill, where I found several persons ahead of me, waiting for their grists. It being a horse mill and a poor one at that, I found that I would not be able to get back for two days. This to me was a great disappointment, as I had expected to return the next day. I knew mother was expecting me. After I had looked after the comforts of the old mare and eaten my lunch, I turned in for 58 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY the night with the others, three of whom were boys near my own age—boys generally had to do the milling. Our bed was the bare earth, the ground floor of the mill, in front of a large fire-place. Whoever awoke in the night was expected to look after the fire. The lunch I had brought with me consisted of corn dodgers and boiled venison, to be washed down with cold water. Having to remain much longer than I had calculated on doing, I ran short of eatables, and might have gone hungry had it not been for a generous-hearted boy who divided his lunch with me. This poor lad had been made an orphan by the last Indian raid. During our stay at the mill, with sobs and tears he told me the heartrending story of the massacre of his family. "I did not receive my grist until about four o'clock of my second day at the mill. It was then snowing hard and had been for several hours. I saw it would be far in the night before I could reach home, but nevertheless I was determined to start, contrary to the miller's advice. As he said, I would have to travel so slow, on account of the great depth of the snow, I might become chilled through and perish on the way. And, then, the country was infested with wolves that by reason of the severity of the long winter were in a famishing condition and had become bold and dangerous. But having made up my mind to see mother that night, I started, making but slow progress through the deep snow. "The snow had now ceased falling, and the full moon was shining brightly, making the night as light as day an oppressive stillness prevailed and an unusual feeling of loneliness possessed me. How I wished for the company of our dear old dog, 'Pomp' anything to break the deathlike silence would be a relief. Just then I heard a sound that sent a chill to my heart. Checking the mare for a moment, I again heard the unmistakable howling of wolves in the distance ahead of me. I knew the sound came from a large prairie or marsh which they always infested, a neck of which I would have to cross two miles from home. "It would not do to hesitate now, so I urged the mare on and soon reached the prairie. I found that the wolves, with a few exceptions, were a great ways off, in the direction of a red-brush thicket. As I started across the opening one sent out a peculiar howl just ahead of me. On passing it, it did not retreat, but sulked along behind me, stopping frequently to give a howl, as if calling the others, and in a short time was answered by a hundred. As I believe to this day, they understood each other, for they were evidently drawing nearer to me; before this they had remained stationary. "On emerging from the prairie to the higher ground and looking back, I could see several of them plunging through the snow on my track. Until then I was confident of reaching home before they could overtake me, but now I saw that it would be impossible to do so. I therefore concluded to dismount and climb the first desirable tree I came to. By this time I could hear the infernal pack coming, and riding up under a large tree, I hastily threw a bag of meal over a convenient limb, for I knew they would tear it to pieces if they could get at it. The mare, comprehending the situation, had become very restless, and just as I threw the bag over the limb, she jumped to one side, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 61 throwing me to the ground, and at once started for home, making fast time, being rid of her load. I saw that I could not get into the tree very readily, so I ran to a small dogwood tree near by, and just as I drew my last leg up a wolf snapped my foot, holding on for an instant, doing me no harm. I was now out of their reach and safe, if I could only keep up the circulation of my blood. I was chilled through and through, but by whipping my arms against my body I soon got all right. My perch was a frail one, requiring considerable effort to keep it. "On looking down I beheld about twenty of the brutes leaping towards me, snarling and gnashing their teeth in mad frenzy. They were of the large grey variety. Numbers kept coming; in an hour's time the pack had increased to at least fifty. They finally got to fighting among themselves; when one got wounded they would tear it to pieces, devouring it, so nearly famished were they. A terrible stench from their fetid breaths and damp bodies assailed me. It was almost unbearable, I being only twelve feet above them. I saw a number leaving on the trail of the mare, but they were too late ; she would reach home before they could overtake her. On seeing the mare returning without me, mother could not help but think that I had been devoured or at least might be perishing with the cold in a treetop, the only possible chance for my escape, and I feared that in the anxiety and excitement of the moment she might start out in search of me and be herself destroyed. I fervently prayed to God that she might not ; and that He would protect me as He did Daniel of old when in the lion's den. "Finally I became calm and hopeful waiting for the night to pass away; but how slowly the hours dragged! At last I noticed streaks of light shooting up in the east ; the welcome sun would soon shine again upon the world, and then I would be relieved. The wolves by this time began to leave. Some of them, after going a short distance, would sit upon their haunches and look wistfully at me, reluctant to give me up, but in a short time all were gone. "Just as the sun, in all its refulgence, burst through the treetops what did I see but mother coming up the trail mounted upon 'Old Doll.' I will not attempt to describe my feelings on that joyous meeting. Suffice it to say that I mounted the mare, taking mother behind me, and we were soon warming ourselves before the roaring fire that brother Charley had prepared for us. After drinking a bowl of strong coffee—real coffee—I felt as good as new. Had I been a minute later in mounting the dogwood tree, in all probability the world would never have known that I ever existed." The foregoing is only one of the many incidents that crowded the lives of the boys who lived in the Miami wilderness. Theirs was a strenuous life, beset with dangers from wild beast and savages, but all acquitted themselves bravely. Their adventures, coupled with the work they did in clearing the land, hardened their muscles and kept them ever on the alert. The writer has heard more than one thrilling story from the lips of the first settlers and the narration of all would tax the capacity of a large volume. Before proceeding to give several thrilling incidents that took place within the county during the war of 1812 I hope I may be 62 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY pardoned for telling the story of a Mrs. Davis, who at one time was a resident of the county in an early day. I had often heard the story from her descendants and its authenticity is not to be doubted. Mrs. Davis was a widow with three small children and occupied a home in the wild wood region on the west side of the Miami River. About the only serious annoyance and drawback to peace was the immense number of wildcats which prowled through the woods and decimated the poultry. Stumpy-tailed, green-eyed, they strolled through the clearing and sunned themselves on the limbs of neighboring trees, blinking calmly at the clucking hens, which they marked for their prey, and even venturing to throw suspicious glances at the infant sleeping in its cradle. Sociable in their disposition, they appeared to even claim a kind of proprietary interest in the premises and in the appurtenances thereof. Shooting a dozen and trapping as many more made little appreciable difference in the numbers of the feline colony. Mrs. Davis at last constructed with much labor a close shed within which her poultry were nightly housed. This worked well for a season. But one evening a commotion in the hennery informed her that the depredators were again at work. Hastily seizing an axe in one hand and carrying a light in the other, she hurried to the scene and two wildcats were found feasting sumptuously on her plumpest pullet. The banqueters were evidently a mother and her well-grown son, whom she was instructing in the predatory art and practice. The younger animal clambered to the hole where it had made its entrance and was about to make a successful exit, when the matron, setting the light on the ground, struck the animal with the axe, breaking its back and bringing it to the ground. Without a moment's warning, the mother cat sprang upon the widow, and fastening its powerful claws in her breast, tore savagely at her neck with its teeth. The poor woman, shrieking with terror, strove with all her might to loosen the animal's hold, but in vain. The maternal instinct had awakened all its fierceness, and as the blood commenced to flow in streams from the deep scratches and bites inflicted by its teeth and claws, its ferocity redoubled. It tore and bit as if nothing would appease it but the luckless victim's death. Mrs. Davis would doubtless have fallen a prey to its savage rage but for a happy thought which flashed across her mind in her desperate straits. Snatching her light from the ground she applied it to the hindquarters of the wildcat. The flame instantly singed off the fur and scorched its flesh. With a savage screech it released its hold and fell to the ground, where she succeeded in dispatching the creature. It proved to be one of the largest of its species, measuring nearly three feet from its nose to the tip of its tail, and weighed over thirty pounds. For many years this colony of pioneer wildcats continued to "make things hot" for the settlers in that region, but most of them were finally exterminated and the remnant emigrated to some more secluded locality. Mrs. Davis had a grown daughter named Nancy, as winsome a lass as was to be found in the Miami wilderness. Nancy Davis had a score of admirers among the young men of the settlements and was the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 63 accredited belle of the region. She was a good rider and an expert shot with the frontier rifle, and on several occasions had carried off honors at the "shooting matches" in vogue in pioneer days. While she was one day wandering through the forest not far from home she was suddenly startled from her reverie by a hoarse, deep, cavernous growl, and as she lifted her eyes they were opened wide with dismay and terror. Not twenty paces from her, rising on his huge-clawed iron feet, was a wide-mouthed, vicious-looking black bear of unusual size, who had evidently been "worked up" and was "spoiling for a fight." That the bear meant mischief was plain, but the girl was a pioneer's daughter and her fright produced no symptoms of anything like fainting. Bears could climb, she knew very well, but then, if she got out of his way quickly enough he might not take the trouble to follow her. It was the only chance, and she sprang for the nearest tree. It was of medium size, with a rough bark and easy to climb. All the better for her, if none the worse for the bear, and in an instant she was perched among the lower branches. For two or three minutes the shaggy monster seemed puzzled and as if it doubted what course he had best pursue if he wanted the pioneer belle ; then he came slowly up and began smelling and muzzling round the roots of the tree as if to obtain the necessary information in order to enable him to decide the important question. The young woman in the tree was no coward, but little as was her hope of being heard in that forest solitude, she let her fears have their own way and screamed for help. As if aroused and provoked by the sound of her voice, the bear began to try the bark with his foreclaw while his fierce little eyes looked up wistfully into the face of the maiden and his little tongue came twisting spirally from his half opened jaws, as if he were gloating over a choice titbit. It happened that a neighbor young man, and by the way, one of the girl's admirers, soon reached the scene of action. Though completely unarmed, he did not hesitate to come to close quarters with bruin, and seizing a heavy stick, he commenced to vigorously belabor the hindquarters of the brute, who, however, only responded to these attentions by turning his head and winking viciously at his assailant, still pursuing his upward gymnastics in the direction of the treed girl, who on her part was clambering towards the upper branches of the tree. The young man redoubled his blows, and for a moment bruin seemed disposed to turn and settle matters with the party at his rear, but finally, to the dismay of both the maiden and her champion, the bear, evidently deeming his readiest escape from attack would be to continue his ascent, resumed his acrobatic performance and was about to place his forefeet on the lower limbs, when his foe, dropping his futile weapon, seized the stumpy tail of the beast with his strong hands and, bracing his feet against the trunk of the tree, pulled with all his might. The girl, seeing the turn that matters had taken, immediately broke off a large limb and stoutly hammered the bear's snout. This simultaneous attack in front and rear was too much for bruin, and with an amusing air of bewilderment, he descended in a slow and bewildered manner and galloped off into the forest. 64 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY It is not on record whether Miss Nancy rewarded the courageous youth with her hand or not, but he certainly deserved some consideration at her fair hands. The foregoing are some of the thrilling incidents that enlivened pioneer days among the wild beasts that infested the lands of the Miami a century ago. At times it was not safe to go far from home for fear of the savage four-footed denizens of the forest. During certain seasons of the year, when food was scarce, it was dangerous to venture far, for the wild beasts were ravenous and did not hesitate to attack the settlers. It is not believed that any of the pioneers fell victims to the rapacity of the wild animals, but narrow escapes were numerous and would thrill the reader if all of the personal encounters could be recorded. With the breaking out of the War of 1812 the pioneers were thrown into a new peril, which discounted anything that they had hitherto experienced. The British did not hesitate to turn loose upon the isolated settlements bands of savages, who swept the forest like a besom of destruction. Not only this, but they placed a bounty on scalps, and many were actually sold by the red fiends at the English posts in Canada. There is extant an old song which had for its refrain a stanza like this : " Scalps are sold at stated prices, England pays the price in gold." This atrocious bargain on the part of the mother country with a lot of bloodthirsty fiends who carried in their hearts no attributes of mercy cannot be condoned. It is no wonder that the settlers along the Miami lived in terror of this red war cloud which hovered over them throughout the whole period of that war. It seemed as if the entire border would be decimated by the tomahawk and scalping knife, and there was a constant fear everywhere. Block houses were established in various parts of the county, and to these the inhabitants would flee at every alarm. When one observes the present state of happiness and prosperity in our midst he can scarcely believe that such a state of affairs as I have described ever existed here. The wild beasts of the forest were outdone in their ferocity by the wilder Indian. The savages, egged on by the English, stopped at no cruelty, and all the time the settler was in the direst peril. Small war parties of Indians reached this locality. Raids were made by them within our borders, but strange to say, but little murdering was done. The settlers were constantly on their guard and the savages feared their murdering rifles. A number of cattle were killed or carried off by the marauders, and several people were slain and scalped. One of the most notable of these killings within our borders was that of the Dilbone family, which occurred in Spring Creek Township. The killing of the Dilbones, which occurred in August, 1813, was preceded by the Indian assault on David Gerard, who lived four miles north of Troy. Gerard, in company with a neighbor named Ross, was cutting timber. They were not apprised of the nearness of the Indians until a shot was fired from ambush and Gerard fell. Ross turned and fled for his life and succeeded in outstripping the redskins, who soon came back to their victim. When the nearest neighbors reached the scene of the attack it was found that Gerard had been scalped and not an Indian was in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 65 sight. But for the alarm spread by the terrified Ross, the entire Gerard family would have been massacred, but, as it was, only one victim had succumbed to the fury of the savages. The Dilbones resided two miles north of the Gerard home. They were among the earliest settlers of the county and were well known people. Dilbone and his wife were found at work pulling flax. As they had heard nothing of the killing of Gerard, they were unsuspicious of danger, and therefore were not. able to make any resistance to their enemies. It was a beautiful summer day and the sun was sinking slowly behind the distant hills, the last rays flooding the flax fields with a shower of golden light. At the first volley by the Indians Dilbone fell with a bullet in the breast, being unable to render his wife any aid. He was mortally wounded, but managed to secrete himself in the corn and was overlooked by the enemy. From his hiding place he saw the fiends shoot and scalp his wife, after which they cleared out with the bloody trophies of their foray. There were only two Indians engaged in this killing, and one was only a half-grown boy, who in all probability was taking his first lessons in warriorship. The twain carried but one rifle, which was lost, but was picked up the following day. Dilbone survived his wound till the next day, but his wife died. It was afterwards ascertained that these same two Indians were seen along Spring Creek the day previous to the killing, but they disappeared so mysteriously that their whereabouts could not be traced. Of course this incursion into the county created the greatest excitement. The whole border was thrown into a state of alarm, and it was for a time feared that a large body of Indians was about to be precipitated upon the Miami settlements. The fact that the two Indians concerned in the murders on Spring Creek went north after their bloody work gave rise to the belief that they were taking the scalps to their white employers for the promised reward. About this time a woman named Martin was scalped by marauding Indians, but she survived her wounds and lived for many years afterward in this county. There came into the county previous to General Clarke's expedition against the Piqua towns, two boys by the name of Moffit. They had passed through the most exciting experiences. Their home was in Greenbrier County, Virginia. One day while hunting squirrels they were sur. prised by a foraging party of Indians and made captives. John, who was the eldest, presented his gun to the redskins, but the Indian made proffers of good intentions and the brothers were deceived and secured. From the date of their unlucky experience began a long captivity. John was forthwith adopted into the tribe and given an Indian name. His brother, whose physique was more delicate, was marked for death, but a squaw who had recently lost a son interceded for the boy and he was handed over to her. The ceremony of Indian adoption was somewhat peculiar and may be given here. George Moffit was first required to run the gauntlet, after which his Indian mother took some dry ashes which she placed on a square bit of bark. She next rubbed the ashes on her fingers and proceeded to pluck from the boy's head every hair but enough which formed a scalplock after the manner of the 66 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY the Miami. Firmly held by several red Indians. This ceremony was not to young Moffit's liking, but he had to submit to it, which he did with no good grace. The conclusion of the adoption ceremonies was an immersion in the waters of Amazons, the bewildered boy was dragged to the banks of the river and was repeatedly soused in the water till he was declared to have no white blood in him. For a year or two afterward he remained to all intents and purposes an Indian. He was still in the hands of his captors when Gen. Clarke entered the Miami country in 1782. During the night battle waged by Clarke's little band against the Indians George Moffit made his escape and fled in the direction of the Stillwater. He did not care to go back to the whites, so accustomed had he become to the wild habits of his tribe, and he looked upon the whites as invaders who were unjustly persecuting the Indians. But the time was coming when George, or "Kiterhoo," as he was called by the Indians, was to leave his captors. His father, who still resided in Virginia, heard through other Indian captives that his boy was alive and with the red tribes. This information eventuallybrought about young Moffit's return to his home. John remained a captive nearly two years after his brother's restoration to the old home, when he was ransomed by French traders, so that both boys saw the family roof again, with exciting experiences that would fill a whole volume. Years afterward the Moffit boys became residents of this county, in 1808, and purchased land not far from Piqua. George Moffit died in 1831 and John survived him a few years. Both married and raised families and became substantial citizens of the county. Singular to relate, the two brothers for many years after their return to civilization retained some of their Indian habits. They were familiar with forest life and could track a deer when the knowledge of a settler was in this particular utterly at fault. Another pioneer of the county who had a large and vivid experience with the Indians was Col. Johnston, who during the War of 1812 was an Indian agent, and by his excellent management and coolness kept a large number of Indians on his land near Piqua and prevented them from taking up arms against the Americans. Among the Indians thus managed by Col. Johnston were Shawnees, Delawares, Wyandots and Senecas. At one time he had six thousand red men under his charge. The Indians hostile to Col. Johnston frequently plotted against his life, for they realized that while he lived he would keep his charges neutral and thus prevent them from deluging the frontier in blood. All these murderous plots failed. At one time it was designed to kill him where he was expected to pass on a journey. Not far from the Indian camp at Piqua, which Col. Johnston visited daily, grew a wild plum thicket. A lot of hostiles secreted themselves among the underbrush and prepared to end the career of the white man whom they so cordially hated. Col. Johnston had not the remotest suspicion of the plot. The day came and the death hour was near at hand. Fortunately, just before the culmination of the scheme some Delaware women warned the agent, and the would-be assassins fled. Pursuit was instituted as soon as possible, but the villains escaped and, it is said. were later on concerned in the killing of the Dilbones. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 67 At another time Col. Johnston proved the stuff he was made of and showed what sort of men it took to keep down the turbulent characters that threatened the Miami frontier. It seems that two members of the militia, in a spirit of pure malice, fired upon a party of friendly Indians protected by a flag of truce furnished by Col. Johnston. Two Indians were killed and the remainder were taken to Greenville as prisoners, a most shameful and unwarranted act. Changing their minds, the militiamen brought the prisoners to Piqua and turned them over to Col. Johnston. He decided to take them back to Greenville and restore them to their people. As the journey at that time from Piqua to Greenville was one full of danger, Col. Johnston applied to the commander at Piqua for an escort. The cowardly militia refused to go. Then Col. Johnston said he would accept the responsibility himself and conduct the Indians twenty-five miles through the forest alone. It was indeed a dangerous journey, for the Indians had recently committed several murders in the region through which the trip had to be made. Col. Johnston saddled his horse, bade his wife farewell, scarcely expecting to see her again, and set out with his charges. He made the journey unmolested, and having delivered the Indians back, set out on his return trip alone. Great was the surprise of the militia at Piqua when they saw the brave old agent safe again in their midst, but not one of the dastardly fellows could look him in the eye without quailing, and the reader can imagine, for we cannot describe, the opinion Col. Johnston had of them. I have not space in this book to narrate all the thrilling personal incidents connected with the settlement of the county. I have given only a few of the many, but from them the reader will form a good idea of the whole. It took courage and perseverance, hardihood and untiring watchfulness to wrench from the wild beast and the wilder Indians the rich and beautiful lands of the Miami. The people who now inhabit the county, while they honor the memory of the pioneers, can never fully appreciate the suffering and heroism which were required to make this region what is is to-day. CHAPTER V. EARLY TRANSPORTATION Corduroy Roads—First Gravel Road—The National Road—Braddock's Road—Early Stage Lines, Stages and Stage Drivers—Famous Taverns—Water Transportation —Freighting on the Miami—To New Orleans by River in 1819; an Unfortunate Voyage —Dr. Dorsey's Recollections of Flat Boat Navigation—Canal Construction —The Miami and Erie Canal—Benefits of the Canal—the Old Mail Service—Postal Rates in 1816—Postoffice Established at Piqua—The Early Postmaster—A Mail Carrier's Adventure—A Century's Progress. Transportation and travel in the early days of the county bordered on the primitive. For a long time there were no roads at all, only the buffalo trails, and these zig-zagged in every direction. They were at first used by the men who opened the wilderness and were followed by the blazed ways from one settlemnet or town to another. As early as 1806 a road was blazed to Greenville through the forest, and was for a time the main thoroughfare, so to speak, in this region. As the various settlements grew and the people increased in numbers by accessions from other localities, better roads became necessary, and the settlers began to construct them. Long before the days of the turnpike came corduroy roads, which for a while seemed to fill a "long-felt want." J. M. Thomas, one of the early pioneers, has written as follows of the corduroy road : " The best roads were the corduroy roads. The manner in which they were constructed was to get together the men and boys of the neighborhood with their axes and oxen, 'Buck and Berry,' as the oxen were almost always called. The men who drove them had a stick about six feet long with a leather strap tied to one end of it, with which he would guide his team. The men would cut down trees, split them into rails and haul them with the ox-teams to the worst places in the road. They would first lay brush in the road to support the rails and prevent them from sinking too deep in the mire; then lay the rails on top of the brush and shovel mud over them. This was the best road we had in those days. We did not dream of steam or electric railways. "I remember when the only road from my father's house to Troy was the old Indian trail. We lived south of where the Peters' nursery now is, about two miles south of Troy. When I was about ten years old I recollect seeing the men surveying the route for the road now called the Northcutt or Westlake Pike. It was then made a corduroy road, laid with brush and rails to give us a better road to Troy than the old Indian trail, which was only a path running through the woods. This path led from my father 's house along the route of the present pike till it reached the point where Henry Wilson's house stands, then it struck off through the bottom lands now owned by John and Henry Wilson, coming into Troy about the south end of Market Street. Woods all the way, no canal to cross, no hoisting bridges and no locomotive whistles to frighten our ponies. About the only noise we heard along the old corduroy road was the barking of the squirrel, the drumming of the pheasant on an old log, or the hoot of an owl." - 68 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY - 69 The early road leading from Troy to Covington was mud almost all the way. Mr. Thomas says that frequently, when traveling between these two places on horseback, he was compelled to dismount and lead the horse for fear the animal would swamp and tumble him off. He would have to go out in the woods and get on the old logs to keep out of the water. Not infrequently a misstep would throw him into the water, where he would be treated to a first-class ducking. After the first Troy-Covington Road had been given a trial, a few Trojans concluded to build a better one. They constructed a plank-road, but alas ! the plank soon rotted in the swampy ground, and gravel was next tried in road building. The last experiment proved a success. It was probably the first gravel road in the county. The lack of good roads was a detriment to the settlement of the county. True, neighbors were few and far between those days, but milling had to be done, and this necessity, to some extent, brought about the construction of better roads than the primitive ones. Intercourse between the towns was another inducement to road building, but many years elapsed before the first rude county roads gave way to the magnificent turnpikes which now reach in every direction. As early as 1806, however, Congress took a hand in road building in Ohio. In that year it passed an act "To regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," and it was this act which enabled Thomas Jefferson to become the official father of the National Road. It is interesting to note that this famous thoroughfare passes through a portion of Miami County. The old National Road enters Bethel Township at its southeast corner, and after crossing the township in a southeasterly direction, passing through Brandt and Phoneton, crosses the Miami at Tadmor and debouches into Montgomery County. This road was to the early West what the Appian Way was to Rome. It was the first great highway from the East to the West, and maintained its prominence until the canal and the steam roads came into vogue. Since the National Road did much to open up the Miami Valley and its adjacent territory, let us briefly consider some of its history and characteristics. It was conceived in the brain of Albert Gallatin, a Swiss, who came to this country in 1780 and afterward became secretary of the treasury under Jefferson. Gallatin broached his project of a great National highway to many distinguished people, and in 1806 President Jefferson appointed a commission to look into the matter. The National Road, as originally designed, was to cost $7,000,000 and was to reach from the Potomac to the Mississippi. It passed through the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois and was "one of the most important steps in that movement of National expansion which followed the conquest of the West." Undoubtedly its construction was one of the influences which secured and held the West to the Union, for the population which by the opening of this highway rushed into the Ohio Valley saved the embryonic western states from threatened perils and hastened their settlement and subsequent prosperity. Everybody—pioneers, traders, adven- 70 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY turers—hailed the National Road with delight. Before the building of the road west the routes of travel followed the zigzagging buffalo trails or the winding pathways of the Indian. These, of course, were not satisfactory. It has been said that the course of the buffalo through Maryland and Pennsylvania is the most historic route in America, and one of the most famous in the world. The old Braddock Road may be called the genesis of the National Turnpike. The blazed trees which marked this route for many years pointed out the trail of the unfortunate British general to the battlefield of the Monongahela. Washington, however, previous to Braddock's expedition, had blazed a way to the Ohio Valley, and this route, strange to say, afterwards became the marching ground of the British army. For seventy-five years Braddock's Road answered all the imperative needs of modern travel, though the journey over it at most seasons was a rough experience. During the winter the road was practically impassible: All that was needed to turn the current of immigration towards the Ohio was a good thoroughfare. Many times was the question asked, "When will it be built?" Not until the nineteenth century was the question answered. It may be said that the creation of Ohio is directly responsible for the building of the National Road. On December 30, 1806, the commissioners appointed by Jefferson to lay out the National Road made their first report. These commissioners were Thomas Moore, of Maryland; Joseph Kerr, of Ohio, and Eli Williams, also of Maryland. After the first report came another, in 1808, and in this it was announced that the contracts had been made for clearing the surveyed road of brush and trees. Contracts for the first ten miles west of Cumberland were signed in April and May, 1811, and the following year they were completed. In 1817 the road was brought to Uniontown, and not long thereafter United States mail coaches were run from Washington, D. C., to Wheeling. The next year it was proposed to open the road to the Ohio River. The cost of the eastern division of the road staggered many. It exceeded the estimate by $3,000 per mile. No sooner had the first division of the National Road been completed than travel across the Alleghany Mountains into the Ohio basin began. Hundreds, aye, thousands of people, faced westward, looking for homes, and the new highway presented an animated scene. It was not until 1825 that Congress authorized the extension of this great road into the State of Ohio, and this act was greeted with immense enthusiasm by the western people. Nearer and nearer the National Road was creeping towards Miami County. In 1837 Lieutenant Dutton, of the United States Engineers, with headquarters at Springfield, advertised for proposals for road building in which he said : "Notice is hereby given to the proprietors of the land on that part of the National Road lying between Springfield and the _Miami River to remove all fences and other barriers now across the line, a reasonable time being allowed them to secure that portion of their present crops which may lie upon the location of the road." As this highway stretched westward, travel over it became tremendous. In a short space of time vehicles of every description from the smallest wagons to the creaking "mountain ships" crowded the new thoroughfare. It was almost blocked with herds of cattle and gaily-painted four AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 71 and six-horse coaches rumbled over its broad bed. Rude taverns sprung into being every few miles, with gaudily painted signs denoting entertainment for man and beast, and, in short, everywhere along the road the scenes were lively and unceasing. The National Road was a toll one from the first. The toll takers were appointed by the governor and there were some lively scrambles for the places. All persons "going or returning from worship, muster, common place of business, on farm or woodland, funeral, mill or place of election, common place of trading within the county in which they resided," were permitted to travel free. School children and clergymen were also on the free list. People who made lengthy trips over the road had the privilege of paying toll the entire distance and receiving a certificate guaranteeing free passage to their destination. The gate keepers usually received a salary of $30 per month. The opening of the National Road, which was the first linking of the West to the East, gave rise to many stage lines which competed with one another for the traffic. These cumbersome vehicles, which disappeared long ago, were marvelous things in their day and were "fearfully and wonderfully made." Many were decorated and richly painted, the linings being often silk plush. They usually had three seats inside and could comfortably carry nine passengers. Some were long, unsightly affairs, without springs or braces, and the harness was heavy and uncouth. There were fifteen-inch backhands, and hipbands of ten inches, and the traces were little less than loads of chains. Nor were the old stages the only vehicles that rattled over the National Road through this county. There were greater ones called "freighters." These were "broad treads," with four-inch tires, and some of the loads they carried were little short of marvelous. One of these freighters crossed the mountains in 1835, carrying eleven hogsheads of tobacco, or a net weight of ten thousand pounds. As to speed over the new roads, ten miles an hour was considered ordinary. The old way-bills which the drivers received were often inscribed, "Make this time or we will find someone who will." Competition in stage line travel was always at fever heat and the rival drivers had their amusements. They were a jolly set of drivers on the " Old National Road," great lumbering fellows, yet active as panthers. They "jollied" one another with all sorts of pleasantries, and even the advertisements of the competing lines dropped into humor. Couplets were often conjured up containing some brief story of defeat with a cutting sting for the vanquished driver : " If you take a seat in Stockton's line You're sure to be passed by Pete Bodine." "Said Billy Willis to Pete Bodine: You 'd better wait for the oyster line." These witticisms were always taken in good spirits and were often posted in the taverns, where they caused all manner of amusement. Fares in the old passenger coaches were not considered extortionate. Two dollars were charged from Columbus to Springfield, and intermediate points five cents per mile. Mails were carried over the National Road. It took three days and sixteen hours to get the mail from Washington to Columbus, which fact provokes a smile nowadays when the "mail flyers" annihi- 72 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY late distance and deliver a letter at our doors almost before the ink is dry.  The first old taverns that dotted the road were built of logs, but these, later, gave way to more pretentious ones of wood and stone, with commodious wagon yards and sheds for horses and cattle. They had the most pretentious names, such as " Temple of Juno," " The Sign of the Green Tree," "The Lion and the Eagle," and so on. The signs that swung at the doors creaked in the wind and were often elaborately decorated by the backwoods artist. "Billy Werden's Tavern," in Springfield, was well known to the early settlers of this county. There were hilarious times in the celebrated taverns of the National Road, buildings which long ago crumbled away as the traffic of the thoroughfare sought other channels. Whiskey cost a "Flippenny bit" at the old bars and there was no adulteration, as nowadays. In some of the best taverns mulled wine, toddy and cider were dispensed. Such, in outline, was this famous thoroughfare of early times. First came the buffalo trail, then the Indian paths, to be followed by the National Road, and later by our splendid system of turnpikes, steam and electric lines. Over the National Road passed some of the most distinguished men our country has ever produced—Jackson, Monroe, Polk, Harrison, Tyler, Clay, Benton and Lafayette. The old stages are. things of the past, and such practiced drivers at Jim Reynolds, Billy Armour, and Davy Gordon have been gathered to their fathers, but the famous pike, though shorn of its pristine glory, still exists, and to-day the farmers of Miami County haul their grain to market over the same thoroughfare which in its day was considered, as indeed it was, one of the wonders of the United States. The forests and sparse clearings that fringed its line have become fertile farms or teeming cities. In many places its eighty feet of road bed has been encroached upon by property owners. An act passed by the Ohio Legislature in 1870 cites that "the proper limits of the road are hereby defined to be a space of eighty feet in width, forty feet on each side of the center of the graded roadway." Notwithstanding this, in some places ten feet of the ground of the National Road has been included within the fences, but since the State does not, or can not, show quit claim deeds for the land, the present holders are not molested. For years prior to the opening of the National Road, freighting on the Miami was a source of considerable income to many of our people, and became quite an industry. The river was navigable both above and below Dayton during the greater part of the year for keel boats—which were built like canal boats, only slighter and sharper—as well as for flat boats, till about 1820. These boats were often loaded with produce taken in exchange for goods, work, or even for lots and houses; for business men, instead of having money to deposit, or invest, were frequently obliged to send cargoes received in place of cash south or north for sale. Cherry and walnut logs were frequently sent down the Miami on flat boats. The trip to New Orleans was frequently made and the boat was sold in that city, its owner returning on horseback. As early as 1819, Fielding Loury conceived the idea of opening up a river trade with the southern cities. Loury was one