Subscribers' Names.	No. of Shares
Ar. St. Clair Peyton Short Corns. R. Sedam Saml. C. Vance James Walker Ls. Kerr James Findlay Jerh. Hunt Griffin Yeatman Martin Baum C. Killgore P. P. Stuart W. Stanley Jacob White Patrick Dickey C. Avery John Reily John R. Mills Jac. Burnet Jonathan Smith Findlay William Ruffin Joseph Prince David E. Wade Isaac Van Nuys Joel Williams	2 2 2 2 one 2 2 2 one 2 one one one two one one one one one one one one one one one

In all $340. Taking into consideration the great scarcity of money at that time, it was an exceedingly liberal subscription. By a note on the back of the paper we learn that the library went into operation March 6, 1802. Lewis Kerr was chosen 15   II. Thomas Irwin OF the dangers, privations, and sufferings endured by the pioneers of the western country, Thomas Irwin, the subject of this memoir, bore his due share. He was born in the county of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight. The first settlements on the west side of the Alleghany mountains, on the Monongahela river, commenced about this time. The great object which induced people to remove to the western country was land, for, as the saying then was, land was to be had for the taking up, that is, for building a cabin and making a small improvement. The amount to be paid was merely nominal, enough to cover the expenses of surveying and issuing a title. The father of Thomas Irwin was a farmer in humble circumstances, and not being possessed of land in his own right where he lived, he concluded to remove west. Accordingly in 1782 he left Lancaster county and set out for the western frontier of Pennsylvania, then called the " Backwoods," taking young Thomas, then in his fourteenth year, along with him. The removal was, effected on horses, furnished 108 - Pioneer Biography. with pack saddles. They located on a tract of land near what is now the town of Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania. The place was then called "Cat-fish." Thomas remained at home with his father and family, assisting in building cabins and clearing out the farm, until 1789. Reports of the fine lands of Kentucky and the Miami country, the settlement of which was then commencing, reached the ears of young Irwin. Emigration in that direction had just begun. Stimulated by the spirit of adventure, he left his father's house and friends to seek his fortune in the far west, and in company with James Burns and another neighbor, he went to Pittsburg and purchased a small strong flat-boat for the purpose of descending the Ohio river. The crew consisted of Thomas Irwin, James Burns, a Mr. Cunningham, and Mr. Taylor. They set out on their voyage in the last week in March, 1789, and proceeded to Wheeling, where they landed and remained two days. Here they met with a family who had intended going with them to Limestone, now Maysville, and settling in the interior of Kentucky, but who became alarmed at the report of Indian depredations on the Ohio, and would not proceed with them. The Indians were then very troublesome on the river. Scarce a boat descended but was attacked by them, and when captured as they frequently were, the whole party was murdered in the most cruel manner or carried into Thomas Irwin - 109 captivity. Irwin with his friends left Wheeling in company with a large boat destined for the falls of the Ohio, on the last day of March. They floated night and day, and though they were sometimes alarmed, and constantly apprehending an attack from the Indians, they saw but few signs of them during their passage, and arrived at Limestone without meeting with any disaster. The next morning Cunningham and Taylor left them and went into the interior of Kentucky. Irwin and Burns proceeded on their voyage down the river, in company with the same boat which came with them from Wheeling, until they arrived at the settlement of COlumbia, which had been commenced the fall previous, just below the mouth of the Little Miami river. The bOat destined for the falls proceeded on her voyage. Messrs. Irwin and Burns remained at Columbia during the day, examining the place. Mr. Irwin said there were quite a number of families residing there at the time, scattered over the bottom lands, and, as he thought, very much exposed. They offered great inducements to the young adventurers to locate themselves at Columbia, and though they informed them of another small settlement eight miles further down the river, opposite the mouth of the Licking river, they gave them no enc0uragement to go there. They remained in their boat during the night, and the next morning left it in the care of the man opposite 110 - Pioneer Biography. whose house they had landed, and taking their guns started down the river bank in quest of the settlement below. The bank was narrow, and there was no road or trace, the woods were thick, and the way much obstructed by underbrush and vines, so that the traveling was very tedious. Opposite the mouth of the Licking river, they came to a double shanty occupied by seven men. These men, all but two of them, had been employed with the surveyors in surveying Symmes' purchase, during the preceding winter. Their names were David Logan, Caleb Reeves, Robert McConnell, Francis Hardesty, Mr. Van Eaton, William McMillan and John Vance. Joel Williams was also there, and had been with the surveyors a part of the time and was with Israel Ludlow when he surveyed and laid out the town in February previous * (1789), marking the lines * Mr. Irwin makes these statements to Mr. McBride by letter dated Dec. 10, 1841, fifty years after the events. He was, however, in error on some points. The original record of the distribution and sale of lots in Losantiville (as the town was then called) for 1 789 and 1790 is still in the possession of the Ludlow family. The surveying party landed opposite the mouth of the Licking on z8th of December, 1788, and this "record" shows that on the 7th of January, 1789, a distribution was made by lot to thirty actual settlers, an in-lot and an out-lot to each. Of those mentioned by Mr. Irwin, the names of three, William McMillan, John Vance, and Joel Williams, appear among the original thirty. There is a James McConnell also among them, but no Robert. A number of lots were afterward donated. In this list the name of David Logan appears, under date of May 1, 1789, and on the 24th of Thomas Irwin - 111 of the streets and corners of lots on the trees. This shanty had been built by these persons for their accommodation, immediately after they laid out the town. It was the first improvement made in the place, and these persons were the first settlers of Cincinnati. Joel Williams assisted them to build the shanty, and remained with them some time, until, with their assistance, he built a cabin on his own lot near the foot of Main street. He had the plat of the town, was an agent for the proprietors, and encouraged Irwin and Burns to settle themselves at that place. In the evening of the same day, they returned to Columbia, remaining on board their boat all night. The next day they floated down the river and landed at the shanty opposite to the mouth of Licking river. This was about the l0th day of April. The next day was spent in examining the place, and being pleased with the situation, they concluded to remain. Mr. Burns located one town lot and one out-lot. The out-lot contained four acres. Irwin also obtained a town lot.* They cleared one acre of ground which they September he purchased another lot. John Van Eaton enters a lot December, 1789. Francis Hardesty's name is not on the record, though Uriah Hardesty purchased a lot in September, 1789, and Hezekiah Hardesty, one on the 5th of January, 179o. The name of Caleb Reeves does not appear on the record. * Their names do not appear on the Record of Lots. 112 - Pioneer Biography. planted with corn. Mr. Irwin, in speaking of the appearance of the place, the settlement and the inhabitants at that period of time, says there was an exceedingly heavy growth of timber, of different kinds, both on the first and second levels. The lower plain extended back from the river about sixty rods to an abrupt steep bank, about forty feet high, above which was the upper plain or table land. The surface of the ground at the bank of the river was higher than the ground at the base of the hill, forming there a morass or narrow swamp extending from Main street to Broadway. Along the margin of the river was a heavy growth of sycamore and sugar trees. Where the swamp came in between the river bank and the foot of the hill, was a growth 0f white walnut, maple, white elm, and white ash. On the upper or second level was a variety of timber, such as beech, ash, black walnut, hickory, black, white and red oak, interspersed with some poplar. An abundant growth of spice wood was the undergrowth on both the upper and lower plains. The double shanty, before mentioned, occupied by Logan, McMillan, and others, was situated about the head of Front street. Irwin and Burns located themselves near to it, and put up a temporary shanty which they occupied during their stay that summer. The other settlers were scattered principally between Sycamore and Main streets. William McMillan and John Vance originally came from the State of Tennessee to Thomas Irwin - 113 Kentucky. Mr. McMillan was a good scholar and a very intelligent man. He was appointed a magistrate by Governor St. Clair, in January, 179o, and was the first justice of the peace in that place. The families and persons residing in Cincinnati, during the first season of Mr. Irwin's residence there, according to his recollection, were, a Mr. McHenry, who had a large family, two sons and two daughters grOwn, besides several smaller children. A Mr. Ross, who had a grown-up daughter and two or three younger children. A Mr. Kennedy, who had a wife and four or five children. A Mr. Dement, who had a wife and four Or five children. A Mr. White,* who had a wife and One child, he afterward removed to North Bend. Matthew Fowler had a wife, having been married but a short time. Joel Williams, Luther Kitchell, Seth Cutter, and a young man who cooked for them, occupied a shanty near the foot and west of Main street. Robert Benham, and two men he had hired, one of them a carpenter, with a person to cook for them, occupied a shanty on the bank of the river, below Main street. At Sycamore street the river inclined to the south, so that below Main street there was room for a tier of lots between Front street and the river. Benham lived on * Their full names as given on the Record of Lots were Enoch McHendry, Jonathan Ross, Francis Kennedy, Benjamin Dumont, and Sylvester White. 114 - Pioneer Biography. one of these lots and had put up a hewed log-house, the first house of that kind built in the place. The raising was about the 1st of June, 1789. Mr. Irwin and all the other settlers of that place assisted him to put it up. Benham was an industrious and enterprising man. He was an excellent hand to manage and work with horses. All the logs for his house were cut within the town plat, and hauled by himself to his lot. A young man by the name of Daniel Shoemaker lived with Matthew Fowler. He afterward married Miss Ross. Mr. Kitchell* and his father landed at Cincinnati ten days or two weeks after Mr. Irwin arrived there. There were two families in the boat and they brought materials to build a small keel-boat, in which to ascend the river to Wheeling, which they left at Cincinnati and went with their families to North Bend. They afterward returned to Cincinnati, and put up with Joel Williams while building their boat. The settlers at- that time had to depend principally upon the hunters for their meat. Vance and Fowler were excellent hunters. Irwin accompanied them on many of their excursions, and he said that during the three months he resided there, on his first visit, he improved considerably in the art of hunting by being in their company. In those excursions he saw no Indians nor any signs of them. About the last * Mr. Kitchell had been there before, however, as he was one of the original thirty who. drew for the donation lots on the 7th of January. Thomas Irwin - 115 of June, Mr. Kitchell having completed his boat, started for Wheeling. Irwin and Burns accompanied him. Robert Benham also went with them as far as Limestone, to procure nails to finish his house. After a tedious voyage up stream, the boat arrived at Wheeling, and Mr. Irwin returned home to his father's in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until the succeeding year. Burns returned to Cincinnati in April, 1791. In the summer of 1789, Major Doughty descended the Ohio river from Fort Mar-mar at the mouth of the Muskingum river, with one hundred and forty men, and commenced the construction of Fort Washington at the settlement opposite the mouth of the Licking, which was completed before the close of the year. This fort was one of the best forts of wood ever built in the western country. Josiah Harmar, who had borne arms as colonel, with credit, during the war of the Revolution, was commissioned as brigadier general, and assigned to the command of the western army in 1789. He arrived at Fort Washington with three hundred men, on the 29th day of December in that year, and took command. The continuance of Indian hostilities and depredations on the infant settlements of the west, determined the general government to make an effort to terminate the war, by marching an army into the Indian country and attacking the enemy on their own ground. A call for volunteers and a requisition or draft of militia from the States of Pennsylvania and 116 - Pioneer Biography. Kentucky, were made for the contemplated expedition, under the command of General Harmar, against the Indians. Major James Paul, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, raised a battalion of volunteers. Thomas Irwin volunteered and joined them at Cat-fish, the place where the town of Washington now is. He belonged to the company under the command of Captain Faulkner, who had been an officer in the war of the Revolution. In organizing the company, Mr. Irwin was elected ensign, and a Mr. Hueston lieutenant. The Pennsylvania troops were under the command of Colonel Truby. They descended the Ohio river in boats in September, 1790, and landed at Fort Washington on the 19th of that month. The troops from Kentucky, under the command of Colonels Hardin and Trotter, had marched across the country from Lexington, and were then encamped along the bank of the Ohio river, below the mouth of Licking, where Covington now is. The principal object of the expedition was to destroy the Indian villages at and near the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Mary rivers, where they unite and form the Maumee, near where Fort Wayne was afterward built. General Harmar, having made every practicable preparation for the campaign, ordered Colonel Hardin, with six hundred of the Kentucky troops, to advance along what was called "Clark's Old Trace" for about twenty-five miles, and there to halt for further orders. Accordingly Colonel Hardin set out on the twenty- Thomas Irwin - 117 sixth of September, and proceeded to Turtle creek, a short distance west of where the town of Lebanon now is, and there encamped. General Harmar commenced his march from Fort Washington on the 30th of the same month. His force consisted of three hundred and twenty soldiers of the regular army, forming two battalions, commanded respectively by Majors Wyllys and Doughty, and a company of artillery under the command of Captain Ferguson, with three brass pieces, and eight hundred and thirty-three volunteers and militia from Pennsylvania and Kentucky. On the third of October they formed a junction with COlonel Hardin. On the fifth they were joined by Lieutenant Frothingham of the federal troops, with a few sOldiers, and also by Captain Hall with a reinforcement 0f Kentucky militia.* The army followed the trace made by General George Rogers Clark with his army in his expedition against the Indian towns in October, 1782, as far as the Piqua towns. The route pursued was through what is now the north-east part of *Major Denny gives the number of the troops after this reinforcement, as follows : 3 battalions Kentucky militia,} 1 do Pennsylvania militia,} 1,133 1 do light troops mounted,} 2 do of regular troops, 320 Total,  1,453 —Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, vol. viii, p. 346. 118 - Pioneer Biography. Hamilton county; thence passing near where the town of Lebanon now stands in Warren county, some distance west of Xenia in Greene county, crossing Mad river in a corner of Montgomery county, and the Great Miami a short distance above the Piqua towns ; thence they had a tolerably good Indian trace to where there had been a large trading establishment called the "Old French Store," at St. Mary's, and a good Indian trace from that point to the Maumee towns. The following is an account of the daily movements, order of march, and encampment of Harmar's army, as kept in a manuscript journal by Captain John Armstrong of the regular army : September 30th, 1790.—The army moved from Fort Washington at half past ten o'clock A. M. Marched about seven miles north-east course. Hilly, rich land. Encamped on a branch of Mill creek. October ist.—Took up the line of march at half-past eight o'clock. Passed through a level rich country, watered by many small branches, waters of Mill creek. At two o'clock halted for one hour, and at four o'clock halted for the evening, on a small branch of Mill creek, having marched about eight miles. General course, a little to the westward of north. October 2nd.—Moved forty-five minutes after seven o'clock, marched about ten miles a north-west course. The first five miles was over a dry ridge to a lick ; then five miles through a low swampy country to a branch of the waters of the Little Miami where we halted one hour and forty-five minutes. After one o'clock moved on five miles further in north-east, east, and Thomas Irwin - 119 south-east course, and encamped in a rich and extensive bottom on Muddy creek, a branch of the Little Miami. This day's march fifteen miles and one mile from Colonel Hardin's command. October 3rd.—The army at eight o'clock passed Colonel Hardin's camp and halted at Turtle creek, about ten yards wide, where we were joined by Colonel Hardin's command. Here the line of march was formed—two miles. October 4th.—The army moved at half-past nine o'clock. Passed through a rich country (some places broken) a north-east course, and at three o'clock crossed the Little Miami, about forty yards wide, moved up it one mile, a north course to a branch called Sugar creek ; encamped—nine miles. October 5th.—The army moved from Sugar creek forty-five minutes after nine o'clock ; marched through a level country a north-east course, up the Little Miami, having it often in view. The latter part of this day's march through low glades, or marshy land. Halted at five o'clock on Glade creek, a very lively, clear stream—ten miles. October 6th.—The army moved ten minutes after nine o'clock. The first five miles the country was bushy and somewhat broken. Reached Chillicothe, an old Indian village. Recrossed the Little Miami. At half-past one o'clock halted one hour, and encamped at four o'clock on a branch. Nine miles, a north-east course. October 7th.—The army moved at ten o'clock. The country brushy four miles and a little broken until we came on the waters of the Great Miami. Passed through several low prairies, and crossed the Pickaway fork or Mad river, which is a clear, lively little stream about forty yards wide ; the bottom extensive 120 - Pioneer Biography. and very rich. Encamped on a small branch one mile from the former. Our course the first four miles, north, then north-west. Nine miles. October 8th.—The army moved at half-past nine o'clock. Passed over rich land, in some places a little broken. Passed several ponds, and through one small prairie. A north-west course. Seven miles. October 9th.—The army moved at half-past nine o'clock. Passed through a level rich country, well watered. Course, north-west, halted half-past four o'clock, two miles south of the Great Miami. Ten miles. October 10th.—The army moved forty-five minutes after nine o'clock; crossed the Great Miami. At the crossing there is a handsome high prairie on the south-east side; the river about forty yards wide. Two miles further, a north-west course, passed through a large prairie. Halted on a large branch of the Great Miami at half past three o'clock. The country level and rich ; the general course, north-west. Ten miles. October 11th.—The army moved at half past nine o'clock, marched a north-west course seven miles to a branch where French traders formerly had a number of trading houses, thence a north course four miles, to a small branch, and encamped at five o'clock. The country we passed over is very rich and level. Eleven miles. October 12th.—The army moved at half past nine o'clock ; our course a little to the west and north-west ; crossed a stream at seven miles and a half, running north-east, on which there are several old camps, and much deadened timber, which continues to the river Auglaize, about a mile. Here has been a considerable village, some houses still standing. This stream is a branch of the Omi (Maumee) river, and is about twenty yards Thomas Irwin - 121 wide. From this village to our encampment our course was a little to the north of west ; rich, level land. Fourteen miles. October 13th.—The army moved at ten o'clock ; just before they marched a prisoner was brought in, and Mr. Morgan from Fort Washington joined us ; we marched to the west northwest four miles to a small stream, through low swampy land, then a course a little to the north of west, passing through several small prairies and open woods, to an Indian village, on a pretty stream. Here we were joined by a detachment from Fort Washington, with ammunition. Ten miles. October 14th.—At half past ten in the morning Colonel Hardin was detached for the Miami village, with one company of regulars and six hundred militia ; and the army took up its line of march at eleven o'clock; a north-west course ; four miles, a small branch. The country level, many places drowned lands in the winter season. Ten miles. October 15th.—The army moved at eight o'clock, northwest course two miles, a small branch, then north a little west, crossing a stream, three miles north-west course. The army halted at half-past one o'clock, on a branch running west. Eight miles. October 16th.—The army moved at forty-five minutes after eight o'clock, marched nine miles, and halted fifteen minutes after one o'clock. Passed over a level country, not very rich. Colonel Hardin with his command took possession of the Miami town yesterday, the fifteenth, at four o'clock, the Indians having left it just before. Nine miles. October 17th. —The army moved at fifteen minutes after eight o'clock,and at one o'clock crossed the Maumee river to the village. The river is about seventy yards wide, a fine transparent stream. The river St. Joseph, which forms the point on which the vill- 16 122 - Pioneer Biography. age stood, is about twenty yards wide, and when the waters are high is navigable a great way up. (Gist's Cincinnati Miscellany, vol. 1, p. 195.) Thomas Irwin, in his narrative, states that there were about one hundred and fifty of the Kentucky militia mounted. One-third of them were armed with swords and pistols, the others carried rifles. They had good horses, and being accustomed to the woods, were of great service in that campaign. When pack horses or beef cattle strayed away during the night, they would scour the surrounding woods the next morning, and generally bring them into camp. Sometimes they would rouse from their concealment lurking Indians who were watching the movements of the army. In consideration for these services they were exempted from camp duty at night. On the morning of the 13th of October, when the army were within forty or fifty miles of the Miami Indian towns, the object of their destination, ten or twelve of the mounted Kentucky militia, who had been out in search of some pack horses which had strayed, captured a smart young Indian whom they took prisoner and brought into camp, where he was examined by two of the Kentuckians, who could speak the Indian language. He spoke freely and communicated everything he knew respecting the movements of the Indians. He stated that they had at first intended to make a stand and defend their towns; but, after holding a Thomas Irwin. - 123 council, they had abandoned that idea and had removed their families and property further down the Maumee river, intending to burn their houses and wigwams before the army should arrive. These statements were afterward found to be nearly true. When the main army arrived at the Indian town, they found that a large quantity of property had been taken down the Maumee river in canoes, and a considerable quantity of corn was buried in the ground. On the morning of the 14th of October, when within about forty miles of the Indian town, as was supp0sed, C0lonel Hardin and Major Paul with six hundred men were detached, including one company of fifty men of the regular troops, commanded by Major Zeigler, with orders to proceed in advance of the main body and destroy the town in the forks of the Maumee. They arrived at the town at four o'clock of the afternoon of the next day (October 15th). But they found it abandoned by the Indians and the buildings burned. They remained on the ground until General Harmar with the main army arrived on the seventeenth. Being directed by the prisOner they examined the ground over which the buildings had been burned, and discovered large quantities of corn which had been buried for safe keeping. The country around the junction of the St. Mary and St. J0seph rivers, was one of the principal Indian settlements in the western country. In this neighborhoOd they had seven villages,, these were: First, the 124 - Pioneer Biography. Miami village, so called after the tribe of that name, corruptly and by contraction Omee from Aux Miami, the designation given it by the French traders, who resided there in considerable numbers. This town lay in the fork of the St. Joseph and Maumee rivers. Second, a village of the Miamies of thirty houses, Kee-ki-ogue (now Fort Wayne), in the fork of the St. Mary and Maumee rivers. Third, Chillicothe, a name signifying town, being a village of the Shawanoes, down the Maumee river on its north bank. It contained fifty-eight houses. Fourth, opposite the last-mentioned town, the Shawanoes had another village on the south side of the Maumee river, containing eighteen houses. Fifth and sixth, the Delawares had two villages on the St. Mary river, about three miles from its juncti0n with the St. Joseph, one on each side of the river, containing forty-five houses. Seventh, the same tribe had another village on the east side of the St. Joseph river, two or three miles from its mouth, consisting of thirty-six houses. The day (17th of October) that General Harmar and the army arrived at the Indian town, and joined Colonel Hardin, two Indians were discovered by a scouting party, as they were crossing a prairie in the vicinity. The scouts pursued and shot one of them, the other made his escape. A young man by the name of Johnson, seeing that the Indian was not dead, attempted to shoot him again, but his pistol not making fire, the Thomas Irwin - 125 Indian raised his rifle and shot Johnson dead. The same night, the Indians, by some means, entered the camp and succeeded in driving through the lines between fifty and one hundred horses. A number of the soldiers were that day engaged in searching in the hazel thickets for hidden provisions. Large quantities of corn were found buried in the earth. During the evening Captain McClure and a Mr. McClary * fell upon a stratagem peculiar to backwoodsmen. They conveyed a horse a short distance down the river undiscovered, then fettering him, put on a bell and let him loose, concealing themselves with their rifles within shooting distance. It was not long before an Indian, attracted by the sound of the bell, came cautiously up and began to unfetter the horse, when McClure shot him. The report of the gun alarmed the camp and brought many of the troops to the place. The young Indian who had been taken prisoner a few days previous, was brought to see the Indian just killed; he pronounced him to be "Captain Punk—great man—Delaware chief." On the 18th of October, a detachment of three hundred men was ordered to be raised from the different companies, with a view to sending them out to see what discoveries they could make. Captain John Armstrong, with thirty soldiers of the regular troops, formed part of this detachment. There were also about twenty of the Kentucky mounted militia. Ensign Irwin and *According to Major Denny—M'Quircy. 126 - Pioneer Biography. some others of his company, volunteered and joined the detachment. They were to draw two days' provisions as they were expected to be out all night. The command of the whole was confided to Colonel Trotter, of Lexington, Kentucky. The principal Indian town stood on the east side of the St. Joseph river, and had the appearance of a very old settlement. The detachment crossed the St. Joseph river about the center of where the town stood, and formed the line of march on the west bank of the river. They moved in three lines, having the mounted men on the flanks. There was a pretty good Indian trace from where they crossed the river, leading in a westerly direction, which they followed within about one mile of the river. On their advance, the mounted men on the flanks came upon two Indians and killed them both, losing one of their own men. Following the trace until near sunset, they saw c0nsiderable Indian signs, though much scattered and none of them fresh. At sunset, the six-pounder in the camp of the main army was fired, and Colonel Trotter, who had command of the detachment, concluded this was a signal for their return. They consequently countermarched and got into camp some time after dark, where they lay during the night. This day the main body of the troops was moved to the village called Chillicothe, the principal town of the Shawanoes. Some intimations having been made that the conduct pursued by Colonel Trotter indicated more of prudence than belonged to its Thomas Irwin - 127 true character, on the next morning, 19th of October, the same detachment was ordered out anew, and placed under the command of Colonel Hardin. They crossed the river at the same place they had done the day before. The river was low and the ford a good place for crossing. They soon struck a large Indian trace leading in a northerly direction, which they followed four or five miles, and found considerable fresh signs of the savages. Two or three Indian dogs got in among the troops, but discovering that they were not with their masters, disappeared. The direction pursued was nearly west. The numerous Indian signs indicating that they were in the neighborhood of the savages, Colonel Hardin Ordered a halt, directing the different companies to take stations on the right and left of the trace, to sit down and make a hasty meal of the provisions which they had with them, but in the meantime to keep a sharp look out for Indians. Captain Faulkner's detachment of the Pennsylvania militia, to which Thomas Irwin belonged, was ordered to form on the left, which he did, taking a position around the point of a bushy grove, which threw them out of sight of the trace, although they were not far from it. Colonel Hardin sent Major Fontaine with ten or twelve mounted men forward, to reconnoiter, and see what they could discover. After traveling a short distance on the trace, they came to where it crossed a small stream of water ; the banks being muddy on each side, showed plainly 128 - Pioneer Biography. the fresh tracks of Indians, who appeared to have been making a hasty retreat. The Major returned and reported accordingly. Colonel Hardin was so eager for pursuit, that he started off with the principal part of the troops in such a hurry that he neglected to communicate the order to Captain Faulkner's detachment which was posted on the left out of sight of the other troops. Captain Faulkner, after waiting a long time became impatient, and moved his detachment to the trace when he discovered that the others were gone. They then followed on. They had not gone far until they met Major Fontaine, who had returned to inform them of Colonel Hardin's movements. He thought the enemy was on the retreat as fast as they could, and he believed they could be soon overtaken, and excused the Colonel for neglecting to give them orders when the other troops marched. Captain Faulkner explained that they had been directed to halt until they should receive orders to march, but, as soon as they discovered that they were left, they pressed forward to overtake the main body. They then moved on at a quick pace and in a short time met two of the mounted men, riding at full speed, having each a wounded man behind him. They called out, "Retreat! retreat ! The main body in front is entirely defeated, and there are Indians enough to eat us all up." Captain Faulkner and his party, however, moved on until they gained an elevated piece of ground, when they discovered our troops in Thomas Irwin - 129 rapid retreat along the trace, the Indians in close pursuit shouting and yelling like demons. The party to which Ensign Irwin belonged, halted and formed a line across on each side of the trace, and secreted themselves behind trees, with the intention of giving the Indians a fire when they came up. The Indians came within about seventy yards when they halted suddenly. Colonels Hardin and Hall, Major Fontaine and four or five others on horseback stopped when they came up to where Captain Faulkner was posted, and remained with them until all the retreating troops had passed by. None 0f them halted except those on horseback just mentioned. When the Indians came up, the small party posted on each side of the trace gave them a fire which checked them for a moment, the party, then, under the direction of Colonels Hardin and Hall, marched back to camp, holding the Indians in check, and covering the retreat of the defeated troops. It was some time after dark when they reached the camp. The six-pounder was discharged every half hour during the night, until daylight, as a signal for the benefit of stragglers who were lost in the woods. They continued coming in until twelve or one o'clock in the night. Ensign Irwin, having been acquainted with Colonel Hall, in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and knowing that he was near the front of the troops at the time of the attack, called at his tent the next m0rning, in order to learn what had been the movements of the troops in 130 - Pioneer Biography. front and the circumstances that occurred on the day previous. Colonel Hall stated that the trace which they were pursuing passed through a narrow prairie with a heavy growth of timber and underbrush on each side. The Indians had shown every sign of making a hasty retreat, and our officers had urged the pursuit so rapidly that they had got into single file, and it was between a quarter and half a mile from the front to the rear. They moved forward until they discovered what they supposed to be the encampment of the enemy, which was flanked by a morass on each side, as well as one in front. This was crossed with great promptness by the troops, now reduced to less than two hundred men. At this spot, within a few feet of the trace, the Indians had kindled a large fire. Here the advance of the troops halted as they came up. At that moment, the Indians who were in ambuscade both on the front and flank, rose from their coverts and poured on them a deadly fire, so sudden and unexpected that it threw the militia of our troops into the utmost confusion, from which they could not be rallied. Fifty-two of them were killed in a few minutes. The regular soldiers under Captain John Armstrong bore the brunt of the fire in this affair. Captain Armstrong in his journal says they were "attacked by about one hundred Indians, fifteen miles west of the Miami village, and from the dastardly conduct of the militia, the troops were obliged to retreat. I lost one sergeant and twenty- Thomas Irwin - 131 one out of thirty men of my command. The Indians on this occasion gained a complete victory, having killed nearly one hundred men, which was about their own number. Many of the militia threw away their arms without firing a shot, ran through the federal troops, and threw them into disorder. Many of the Indians must have been killed, as I saw my men bayonet many of them. They fought and died hard." Colonel Hall told Mr. Irwin that Captain Faulkner's company saved more lives, and did more essential service, than they could have done if they had been up in the front line at the time of the action. Captain Armstrong afterward frequently charged the militia with cowardice; that they should have returned the fire and charged upon the Indians when they first fired. Major Fontaine, of the Kentucky troops, indignantly repelled the charge and swore that if they got into another battle with the Indians, and he should be in it, that he would let them see that there were as good soldiers among the militia as among the regulars. He afterward nobly redeemed his pledge, in the engagement of the 22d of October, where he lost his life by rashly and imprudently rushing on a group of Indians. The American troops on this occasion were led by brave and experienced officers; but it appears that the Indians set a trap for them, and our troops were completely caught in it. The force of the savages has been 132 - Pioneer Biography. variously stated. Judge Marshall, in his Life of Washington, states them at seven hundred : from what data does not appear. Captain Armstrong, who, I would think, has no reason to under-estimate their numbers, thought there were about one hundred in the action. The great success of the Indians was owing mainly to their ambuscade and the bad conduct of the militia, of which the detachment was principally made up. The scene of this disastrous defeat was about twelve miles west of where the town of Fort Wayne now is, near the spot where Goshen state road now crosses Eel river. The Indians remained on the field, and during the night held a dance of victory, exulting with frantic shouts and gestures over their dead and dying enemies. The militia having retreated so suddenly left Captain Armstrong with his little band of thirty regulars to contend against the whole force of the Indians. They stood their ground, anticipating a rally of the militia, in which they were disappointed, so they were obliged to scatter and retreat each man for himself. Captain Armstrong, after shooting an Indian in the act of scalping the last man he had on the field, threw himself in the grass between an immense oak stump and log which had been blown down, where he remained about three hours until it became dark. At night the Indians commenced their war dance within gun-shot of where he lay. Desiring to sell his life as dearly as possible, he at one Thomas Irwin - 133 time thought of attempting to shoot a chief whom he cOuld distinguish by his dress and trinkets. He buried his watch and compass by the side of the log where he lay, saying to himself, " some honest fellow tilling this ground many years hence may find them, and these rascals sha n't have them." Finding, however, that he was unable to draw a bead by cloudy moonlight and the flickering glare of the fires, and thinking it possible that he might escape, in which case they would be useful to him, he dug them up again soon afterward. Being satisfied that there were Indians very near him and believing that they would prefer taking him prisoner to shooting him, should he be discovered, he cocked his rifle, thinking that he could wheel and fire before the Indians would attempt to shoot. An Indian near him began to rattle in the leaves and mimic ground-squirrels. The Captain moved cautiously, but on the third step was so. distinctly discovered by the Indians, that the savage yell was given, when every thing was instantly silent at the dance. The Captain then took to his heels springing the grass as far as practicable to prevent tracking. After running a short distance he discovered a pond of water into which he immediately jumped, thinking they would be unable to track him there. He seated himself on a tussock of grass, with his gun on his shoulder, and the water up to his waist. He had not been in the pond five minutes when a large number of Indians, foot and horse, were around the pond hunting 134 - Pioneer Biography. for him. Using his own expression, "such yells I never heard. I suppose the Indians thought I was a wounded man, that their yells would scare me, and that I would run and they would catch me; but I thought to myself I would see them d--d first." The Indians continued their search for seven hours, until the moon went down, when they retired to their fires. Captain Armstrong says: "The ice was frozen to my clothes, and very much benumbed, I extricated myself from the pond, broke some sticks, and rubbed my thighs and legs to circulate the blood, and with some difficulty, at first, slowly made my way through the bush. Believing that the Indians would be traveling between their own and the American camp, I went at right angles from the trace about two miles, to a piece of rising ground, thinking to myself, as it is a cold night, if there are any Indians here, they will have fire ; if I can't see theirs, they can't see mine, and fire is necessary for me. I went into a ravine where a large tree was blown up by the roots, kindled a fire, dried myself, and laid down and took a nap. In the morning I threw my fire into a puddle of water and started for camp." Captain Armstrong, being a first-rate woodsman, and conversant with the Indian habits, when he came to open wood passed around it. In wet ground he walked on logs, and sometimes stepped backward to prevent being tracked. About half way from the battle ground to the American camp he discovered three Indians com- Thomas Irwin - 135 ing along the path meeting him ; he squatted in the hazel bushes about twenty steps from the trace and the Indians passed without discovering him. He said: " I never so much wished for two guns in my life. I was perfectly cool, could have taken the eye out of either of them, and with two guns should have killed two of them, and the other rascal would have run away; but with one gun thought it best not to make the attack, as the odds were against me three to one." On reaching the vicinity of the ground, where he had left the main army the day before, the day being now far spent, he expected soon to meet with those he had left there, but was suddenly arrested in his lonely march, by the commencement of a heavy battle, as he supposed, at the encampment. Hesitating for a moment, and then cautiously moving to a position from which he could overlOok the camp; instead of seeing his associates in arms, from whom he had then been separated two days, a different scene was presented. The savages had full possession of the American camp-ground. " Is it possible," said he, " that the main army has been cut off? " Having been two days without eating a mouthful of food, except the breakfast taken early in the morning of his leaving camp, he began to reflect what should be his future course. Much exhausted from fatigue, alone in the wilderness, far removed from any settlements, and surrounded by savages, the probability of his escape 136 - Pioneer Biography. was indeed slight, but duty to himself and his country soon determined him on the attempt. At this moment the sound of a cannon attracted his attention. He knew it was a signal to guide the lost men to the camp. So taking a circuit he passed in the direction from which the sound came, and arrived safely at the camp. The army had changed position, from the time he had left, to a point two miles lower down the creek, which presented ground more favorable for encampment. The dusk of the evening had arrived when he reached the camp, greatly to the surprise of his comrades, who had numbered him with the men who had fought their last fight. Captain Armstrong, in speaking of this engagement and the heavy loss in his command, always evinced much feeling, saying: "The men of my command were as brave as ever lived. I could have marched them to the mouth of a cannon without their flinching." A curious circumstance was related by Mr. Irwin, which he said he heard frequently repeated by the person to whom it occurred. One of the Kentucky militia, when they commenced their retreat, ran through a bushy grove and at the opposite side crept into a large hollow log, feet foremost. The Indians had followed his trace but lost it before they came to the log. Two of them stood near the place where he was concealed, and he thought they were going to shoot into the hollow log at him. He called out pretty loud for them not to shoot. His voice (probably sounding unearthly from the hollow Thomas Irwin - 137 log) alarmed them so much that they ran off, and he never saw them again. He came out of his hiding place, and reached the camp safely. While the army remained at the site of the Miami villages, they destroyed all the property of the enemy within their reach. Three hundred houses and wigwams were burnt. There were several orchards containing a great number of large fruit trees about the villages which were girdled or cut down, and, at least, twenty thousand bushels of corn in the ear was collected and destroyed. Not a vestige of destructible impr0vement or useful property was spared. On the list day of OctOber, the army broke up their camp at Chillicothe, and commenced their return march to Fort 'Washington. They marched about eight miles and encamped for the night. An officer and three mounted men had been pOsted on a high piece of ground a short distance from where the camp had been, on the site of the village, to watch the motions of the Indians. About two hours after the army had left the camp, the Indians began to come in by droves and commenced hunting for their hidden provisions, some of them kindling fires, while Others conducted the search. The officer and men left behind to watch the movements of the Indians came up to the army a short time after dark, and informed General Harmar and C0lonel Hardin of what they had seen. Colonel Hardin was anxious for another trial with the enemy to efface the stigma resting on the American 17 138 - Pioneer Biography. arms in consequence of the affair of the nineteenth. Orders were given to draft a force of four hundred men, of which three companies were mounted men, sixty regular soldiers under the command of Major Wyllys, and the residue militia men on foot. Ensign Irwin and seven men volunteered from Captain Faulkner's company. The detachment assembled immediately on the grand parade and were placed under the command of Colonel Hardin and Major Wyllys. The plan of the attack was arranged before the troops marched. It was, to surprise the Indians before daylight. They marched back on the trace by which the army had come, until they arrived at the eminence where the officer had been posted to watch the movements of the Indians. Here the force was divided into two parties. Colonel Hardin, with one party, took to the left, crossed the St. Mary's river near its junction with the St. Joseph's, and moved up on the west side of the St. Joseph's river until he came opposite to where the town had stood. The other party, under the command of Majors Wyllys, Fontaine, and M'Mullin, followed Harmar's trace and crossed the Maumee river at Harmar's ford. They were then but a short distance from the same place but on the opposite side. Daylight was beginning to appear. They halted a short time on the bank of the river with a view to form. Major Fontaine took the front with a few mounted men. There was a small hazel thicket that prevented them from seeing the Thomas Irwin - 139 enemy. As soon as they turned the point of the hazel thicket, Major Fontaine found himself within a short distance of fifteen or twenty Indians sitting and lying around a fire. There was also a large number of Indians near the same place. The Major gave a yell and charged right in among them, fired both his pistols, and then drew his sword. Ten or twelve of the Indians discharged their guns at the Major all at once, at a distance of not more than eight or ten feet from him. By this time, Major Wyllys, with his regulars and Major M'Mullin with the militia, came up and charged and drove the Indians from their position. One of the Kentucky militia informed Ensign Irwin that when they drove the Indians from the ground Major Fontaine was still hanging on his horse, although dead. Two of his comrades took him off and put him either under the bank of the river or under an old log. That was the last of Major Fontaine; he was a brave and resolute officer. The account of the attack made by Major Fontaine was received from George Adams," who was near him at *George Adams and another man had come down the Ohio river from Pittsburg in a canoe, with an express to General Harmar at Fort Washington. Harmar's army had marched a few days before they arrived. Governor St. Clair, who was there, wished Harmar to get the express, and proposed to furnish Adams with a good horse, saddle and bridle if he would follow the army. He agreed to the proposal and overtook the army in what is now Greene county, about fifty 140 - Pioneer Biography. the time. When the Major found that his troops would not charge with him, he called out to Adams, "Stick to me, my brave fellow." When Major Wyllys with his regulars in the center and the militia on the wings came up, they drove the Indians down the bank into the river. Colonel Hardin and his men were on the opposite side of the river, and gave them a fire when they were in the water. However, as soon as the Indians who were encamped in the vicinity of the town discovered the approach of Colonel Hardin's men, they began to rally for fight; they rushed in from all quarters in great numbers and a severe engagement ensued. The desperation of the savages in the contest surpassed any thing previously known. They appeared to direct the principal fury of their attack against the regular soldiers. A portion of the Indians threw down their guns and rushed on the soldiers, tomahawk in hand, carrying rapid destruction everywhere in their progress. A number of the Indians miles from Fort Washington, and delivered the express to General Harmar. He joined the Kentucky mounted men, and continued with them until he got wounded at the time Major Fontaine was killed. He was close by the Major when the Indians discharged their guns at him. Adams discharged his rifle among them, but being badly wounded by the return fire of the Indians; he was obliged to withdraw. Mr. Irwin said he went to see him in the evening. He looked badly, and was very weak from the loss of blood before his wounds were dressed. After the second day he recruited very fast and got quite well. Thomas Irwin - 141 were killed, but they were so far superior in numbers that our regulars were soon overpowered ; for while the poor soldier had his bayonet in one Indian, two more would sink their tomahawks in his head. While this attack was going on, the rifles of the remaining Indians were fatally employed in picking off the officers and soldiers. The militia and all engaged behaved well on that memorable day, and received the thanks of General Harmar for their good conduct. Our forces maintained possession of the ground until all the Indians retired, and none were to be seen. Colonel Hardin and his men returned by the same route by which they had marched out. Major M'Mullin and his party, after remaining on his side of the river until the Indians had disappeared, marched back to the camp. They, however, had considerable running fighting with the enemy before they reached the camp, where they arrived about sunset. Mr. Irwin thought that if they had had a force of four hundred more men from Harmar's command of those which were not needed in camp, they might have given the Indians the severest defeat they ever received in the western country, and that it would have been a credit and honor to the campaign, if General Harmar had marched his whole army back to the site of the Indian town, and remained there one day with a view of burying the dead and ascertaining how many of the enemy had been killed, instead of leaving the remains of the brave soldiers, who fell on that occasion, to be 142 - Pioneer Biography. scalped and mutilated by the Indians, and their bones to lie bleaching on the ground until four years afterwards, when General Wayne visited the spot and gave them a decent burial. How many were killed in this battle, Mr. Irwin said he never could ascertain. Of the eight men drafted from the company to which he belonged, two were killed. Of the sixty regular soldiers under the command of Major Wyllys, only nine escaped. Among the officers killed were Major Wyllys and Lieutenant Frothingham of the regular army. And of the militia, Major Fontaine, Captains Scott, Thorp, and M'Murtrie, Lieutenants Clark, and Rogers, Ensigns Sweet, Bridges, and Thielkeld were killed. The number of Indians killed never could be ascertained, but Mr. Irwin stated as his opinion that their loss on that occasion was very heavy. The following statement of the killed and wounded in this contest, has since come to my hands: " Killed of the regular troops, one major, one lieutenant, and seventy-three rank and file. Total, seventy-five. Wounded, three rank and file. Killed of the militia, one major, three captains, two lieutenants, four ensigns, and ninety-three rank and file. Total, one hundred and three. Wounded, two lieutenants, one ensign, and twenty-five rank and file. Total, twenty-eight." Thus it appears that there were one hundred and seventy-eight killed, and thirty-one wounded, more than one half of their whole number. The Indians, on this day, as well as in the battle of the Thomas Irwin - 143 19th, were commanded by the celebrated Indian chief, Little Turtle. Their number was not known, but there is no doubt that the savages greatly outnumbered the whites opposed to them. An affecting incident occurred at the place of crossing the river. A young Indian with his father and brother was crossing the river when a ball from the rifle of a white man passed through the body of the yOung Indian. The old man, seeing his boy fall, dropped his gun and attempted to raise his son, in order to carry him beyond reach. At this moment his other son was also shot by his side. The old man drew them both to the shore and then sat down between them, and with fearless composure, awaited the approach of the pursuing foe, who soon came up and killed him also. On the evening of the same day of the battle, General Harmar issued the following characteristic order: Camp, eight miles from the ruins of the Maumee towns, October 22d, 1790. The General is exceedingly pleased with the behavior of the militia in the action of this morning. They have laid very many of the enemy dead on the spot. Although our loss is great, still it is inconsiderable in comparison to the slaughter among the savages. Every account agrees that upwards of one hundred warriors fell in the battle. It is not more than man for man, and we can afford them two for one. The resolution and firm determined conduct of the militia this morning has effectually retrieved their character in the opinion of the General. He knows they can and will fight. 144 - Pioneer Biography. McArthur, formerly governor of the State of Ohio, relates the following circumstance, which tends to show the cool, undaunted courage of Thomas Irwin : Whilst his company was covering the retreat of the troops, and slowly retiring before the fire of the enemy, the strap which held his powder-horn was cut from his shoulder by a ball. As soon as he missed it, he faced about, ran back several paces in the full face of a considerable body of the enemy, secured his powder-horn, and then again joined his companions in their retreat. He was soon again observed to halt and commence picking the flint of his gun. McArthur, who was also along and close by him at the time, addressing him, said: "Damn it, come along, the Indians are upon us." Irwin coolly replied: "I want to get one more shot before I leave them." The morning after the battle, on the 23d day of October, General Harmar sent Captains Welles and Gaines, both belonging to the Kentucky troops, as an express, bearing dispatches to Fort Washington. When they reached the bottoms of the Big Miami river, at a short turn in the trace which they were following, they very unexpectedly encountered five or six Indians coming toward them. On the instant, Captain Gaines wheeled to the left, and Captain Welles to the right, taking to the woods at their utmost speed. By the promptness of their movements they saved their lives. They each made a wide circuit from the trace which Thomas Irwin - 145 they were pursuing. Welles got to the mouth of the Great Miami river and then went to Fort Washington. Captain Gaines reached the Ohio river near where Ripley now is and crossed to Kentucky. The army took up its line of march for Fort Washington the same day and proceeded by slow and easy marches. They arrived at Fort Washington on the 3d day of November. The Indians pursued them, in sight of the army, almost the whole distance, without, however, committing any serious depredations. The Indian prisoners who were taken, were brought to Fort Washington, retained a while and then released and sent home. As soon as the army arrived at the fort the militia were disbanded and dismissed, and General Harmar left soon afterward for Philadelphia, the then seat of government. He resigned his command, and in September, 1791, obtained a court of inquiry which acquitted him of all blame. He then retired to his residence on the banks of the Schuylkill in Pennsylvania, where he lived in comparative obscurity until his death, which happened in 1803. His funeral was conducted with great military pomp, his horse being dressed in mourning, and his sword and pistols laid upon his coffin, which was borne to the place of interment on a bier—hearses not being in use in those days. After the militia was disbanded on the return of General Harmar, Mr. Irwin remained in Cincinnati during the ensuing winter and summer. 146 - Pioneer Biography. Mr. Irwin gives the following account of the attack on Dunlap's Station : Between the first and ninth days of January, 1791, an army of more than two hundred Indians surprised the station. So secret had been their movements that they had approached without discovery within fifty yards of the fort. At the period of their approach the weather was excessively cold, and one of the settlers had gone out at sunrise to cut wood for a fire, and was in the act of getting it in when he discovered the savages within a few rods' distance. He dropped the wood, ran into the fort, and spread the alarm instantly. Lieutenant Kingsbury and his men were just turning out to morning parade. There were two gates to the fort. To the defense of the small one he assigned two or three men, and with the other seven or eight repaired to the large gate. The Indians appeared in compact order, and received a general volley, which constrained them to draw off. They retreated among the corn, and kept up the contest afterward at a distance. As the enemy surrounded the fort, there was no chance of despatching an express for aid. In this difficulty they were providentially extricated by the circumstance that a hunter named Cox, who resided at Ludlow's Station on Mill creek, had been out hunting the day before, and finding game abundant at a spot five or six miles of the fort, encamped over night. The morning being then clear and still, he heard the firing distinctly, and deciding as to the cause in his own mind, he started to Cincinnati and informed Governor St. Clair, who was there at the time, of the danger to the settlers. A volunteer force of 25 or 30 men of which I was one, being in Cincinnati at the time, turned out immediately. About Thomas Irwin - 147 the same number of regulars were detached from the garrison, the whole being placed under command of Captain Truman, and about 30 persons more from Columbia volunteered, on receipt of the news, to start early next morning. The Indians had left, however, before the troops reached the station. On looking around we found lying dead two of the savages, and a white man named Hunt, who had been taken prisoner by the enemy the day before. He was a brother of Col. Ralph Hunt, of New Jersey, and had been out looking for land. He had been killed about 30 rods from the fort. No person was killed or lost in the fort. The enemy did all they could to injure the settlers by destroying the corn, and opening their turnip and potato holes, so as to expose them to the frost. Two Indians who had been killed, were found afterward. A small garrison was kept up at Dunlap's Station, until Wayne's treaty gave peace to the frontiers. We returned to Fort Washington the second day. The Indians had dispersed in small parties to their homes." The following early reminiscences of Cincinnati were furnished me by Mr. Irwin. William McMillan was the first magistrate that performed the marriage ceremony in Cincinnati. He married two couples in the year 1790, and several couples in the ensuing year. The first couple that he married were Daniel Shoemaker and Miss Elsy Ross. The next were Darius Curtis Orcutt and Miss Sally McHenry. Mr. Orcutt was a pack-horse master on St. Clair's campaign, and was with the army at the time of its defeat on the 4th of November, 1791. Darius C. Orcutt subsequently settled in 148 - Pioneer Biography. Hamilton and built a hewed log-house on lot number one hundred and forty-five, fronting the Miami river north of Dayton street. It was afterward weather-boarded. It formed a part of the building in which the late Major William Murray resided and kept a tavern for many years. It is yet standing (1854) but in a very dilapidated condition, and now about to be removed in consequence of the works of the Hydraulic Canal Company encroaching on the site. Mr. Orcutt afterward lived a long time in Rossville, was a constable of St. Clair township many years, and finally died in the vicinity of Hamilton in indigent circumstances. The next couple married were Peter Cox and Miss Frances McHenry. Not long after their marriage, Mr. Cox was killed by the Indians on the Hamilton road, eight or ten, miles from Cincinnati. His widow married Mr. Mitchell, who subsequently lived on Indian Creek in Butler county, and was a justice of the peace. When St. Clair's army moved on their expedition, the citizens and hunters concluded that there would be no danger, as they believed the Indians would be watching the movements of the army. Such, however, was not the case, as the Indians continued to prowl about the settlement and kept the people in constant alarm. Matthew Fowler was killed within one mile of Fort Hamilton. He and his brother Edward were in company. They had two horses with them loaded with venison and deerskins. Edward made his escape on Thomas Irwin - 149 foot, but the horses and their loads fell into the hands of the Indians. A man named Scott Traverse, who resided at Cincinnati, owned an ox-team and a wagon, which he employed in transporting provisions and stores to the army after they moved on the expedition. He would sometimes pass alone, without waiting for an escort, although often cautioned against his foolhardiness, but go he would, when he was ready, escort or no escort. He prided himself on his good fortune. At last on one of his trips he was overtaken by the Indians near Fort Hamilton and himself and his oxen killed, his wagon burned and the loading carried off or destroyed. This was while General St. Clair was out on his expedition. John Ludlow was the first acting sheriff of Hamilton county. At Cincinnati there was a man convicted of murder in the first degree, and he was obliged to put the rope round his neck and hang him. Thomas Gowdy was the first practicing lawyer settled at Cincinnati. He put up a small frame building on the second bank near Main street, for an office, but never occupied it, as it was found to be too far out of town for business purposes. Shortly afterward William McMillan and Ezra Fitz Freeman commenced the practice of the law there. The Reverend James Kemper, a clergyman of the Presbyterian church, was the first minister in Cincinnati. He came from Kentucky and preached there in 1790, and removed to Cincinnati in April or May following. In the year 1792, John Smith, a Bap-