200 - CHAMPAIGN AND ment to the Indian cause, they would not hesitate to grant his request. If they would indulge him in granting his request to spare the life of this young man, he would pledge himself never to ask them again to spare the life of a hated American. Several chiefs spoke in succession on this important subject ; and with the most apparent deliberation, the council decided, by an overwhelming majority, for death. After the decision of this great court was announced, Girty went to Kenton, and embracing him very tenderly, said that he very sincerely sympathized with him in his forlorn and and unfortunate situation ; that he had used all the efforts he was master of to save his life, but it was now decreed that he must die—that he could do no more for him. Awful doom ! It will be recollected, that this was in 1778, in the midst of the American revolution. Upper Sandusky was then the place where the British paid their western Indian allies their annuities ; and as time might effect what his eloquence could not, Girty, as a last resort, persuaded the Indians to convey their prisoner to Sandusky, as there they would meet vast numbers to receive their presents ; that the assembled tribes could there witness the solemn scene of the death of the prisoner. To this proposition the council agreed ; and the prisoner was placed in the care of five Indians, who forthwith set off for Upper Sandusky. What windings, and twistings, and turnings, were seen in the fate of our hero. As the Indians passed from Wapatomika to Upper Sandusky, they went through a small village on the river Scioto, where then resided the celebrated chief, Logan, of Jefferson memory. Logan, unlike the rest of his tribe, was humane as he was brave. At his wigwam the party who had the care of the prisoner, staid over night. During the evening, Logan entered into conversation with the prisoner. The next morning he told Kenton that he would detain the party that day—that he had sent two of his young men off the night before to Upper Sandusky, to speak a good word for him. Logan was great and good—the friend of all men. In the course of the following evening his young men returned, and early the next morning the guard set off with the prisoner for Upper Sandusky. When Kenton's party set off from Logan's, Logan _shook bands with the prisoner, but gave no intimation of what might probably be his fate. The party went on with Kenton till they came in view of the Upper Sandusky town. The Indians LOGAN COUNTIES - 201 young and old, came out to meet and welcome the warriors and view the prisoner. Here he was not compelled to run the gauntlet. A grand council was immediately convened to determine upon the fate of Kenton. This was the fourth council which was held to dispose of the life of the prisoner. As soon as this grand court was organized and ready to proceed to business, a Canadian Frenchman, by the name of Peter Druyer, who was a captain in the British. service, and dressed in the gaudy appendages of the British uniform, made his appearance in the council. This Druyer was born and raised in Detroit he was connected with the British Indian agent department—was their principal interpreter in settling Indian affairs; this made him a man of great consequence among the Indians. It was to this influential man, that the good chief Logan, the friend of all the human family, sent his young-men to intercede for the life of Kenton. His judgment and address were only equaled by his humanity. His foresight in selecting the agent who it was mast probable could save the life of the prisoner, proves his judgment and his knowledge of the human heart. As soon as the grand council was organized, Capt. Druyer requested permission to address the council. This permission was instantly granted. began his speech "by stating, "that it was well-known that it was the wish and interest of the English that not an American should he left alive. That the Americans were the cause of the present bloody and distressing war—that neither peace nor safety could be expected, so long as these intruders were permitted to live upon the earth." This part of his speech received repeated grunts of approbation. He then explained to the Indians, "that the. war to be carried on successfully, required cunning as well as bravery—that the intelligence which might be extorted from a prisoner, would be of more advantage, in conducting the future operations of the war, than would be the life' of twenty prisoners. That he had no doubt but the commanding officer at ,Detroit could procure information .from the prisoner now before them, that would be of incalculable advantage to them in the progress of the present war. Under these circumstances, he hoped they would defer the death. of the prisoner. till he was taken to Detroit, and examined by the commanding general.. After which he could be brought. back, and if thought advisable, upon further consideration, he might be put to death in any manner they thought proper." He next noticed, "that f hey had already a great deal of trouble and 15 202 - CHAMPAIGN AND fatigue with the prisoner without being revenged upon him ; but that they had got back all the horses the prisoner had stolen from them, and killed one of his comrades ; and to insure them something for their fatigue and trouble, he himself would give $100 in rum and tobacco, or any other articles they would choose, if they would let him take the prisoner to Detroit, to be examined by the British general." The Indians, without hesitation, agreed to Captain Druyer's proposition, and he paid down the ransom. As soon as these arrangements were concluded, Druyer and a principal chief set off with the prisoner for Lower Sandusky. From this place they proceeded by water to Detroit, where they arrived in a few days. Here the prisoner was handed over to the commanding officer, and lodged in, the fort as a prisoner of war. He was now out of danger from the Indians, and was treated with the usual attention of prisoners of war in civilized countries. The British commander gave the Indians some additional remuneration for the life of the prisoner, and they returned satisfied to join their countrymen at Wapatomika. As soon as Kenton's mind was out of suspense, his robust constitution and iron frame in a few days recovered from the severe treatment. they had undergone. Kenton remained at Detroit until the June following, when he, with other prisoners, escaped, and after enduring great privations, rejoined their friends. About the year 1802, he settled in Urbana, where he remained some years and was elected brigadier-general of militia. In the War of 1812, he joined the army of Gen. Harrison, and was in the battle of the Moravian town, where he displayed his usual intrepidity. About I he year 1820, he moved to the head of Mad river. A few years after, through the exertions of Judge Burnet and General Vance, a pension of $20 per month was granted to him, which secured his declining age from want. He died in 1836, at which time he had been a member of the Methodist church about 18 years. The frost of more than eighty winters had fallen on his head without entirely whitening his locks. His biographer thus describes his personal appearance and character : General Kenton was of fair complexion, six feet one inch in height. He stood and walked very erect ; and, in the prime of life, weighed about one hundred and ninety pounds. He never was inclined to be corpulent, although of sufficient fullness to form LOGAN COUNTIES - 203 a graceful person. He had a soft, tremulous voice very pleasing to the hearer. He had laughing gray eyes, which appeared to fascinate the beholder. He was a pleasant, good-humored and obliging companion. When excited, or provoked to anger (which was seldom the case,) the fiery glance of his eye would almost curdle the blood of those with whom he came in contact. His rage when roused was a tornado. In his dealing he was perfectly honest ; his confidence in man, and his credulity, were such, that the same man might cheat him twenty times ; and if he professed friendship, he might cheat him still. 204 - CHAMPAIGN AND JONATHAN ALDER. Jonathan Alder was born in New Jersey, about eight miles from Philadelphia, September 17, 1773. When at about the age of seven years, his parents removed to Wythe county, Va., and his father soon after died. In the succeeding March, (1782,) while out with his brother David, hunting fora mare and her colt, he was taken prisoner by a small party of Indians. His brother, on the first alarm, ran, and was pursued by some of the party. "At length, says Alder, "1 saw them returning, leading my brother, while one was holding the handle of a spear, that he had thrown at him and run into his body. As they approached, one of them stepped up and grasped him around the body, while another pulled out the spear. I observed some flesh on the end of it, which looked white, which I supposed came from his entrails. I moved to him, and inquired if he was hurt, and he .replied that he was. These were the last words that passed between us. At that moment he turned pale and began to sink, and I was hurried on, and shortly afterward saw one of the barbarous wretches coming up with the scalp of m; brother in his hand, shaking off the blood. The Indians having also taken prisoner a Mrs. Martin, a neighbor to the Alder's, with her young child, aged about four or five years, retreated towards their towns. Their route lay through the woods to the Big Sandy, down that stream to the Ohio, which they-crossed, and from thence went overland to the Scioto, near Chillicothe, and so on to a Mingo village on Madriver. Finding the child of Mrs. Martin burdensome, they soon killed and scalped it. The last member of her family was now destroyed, and she screamed in agony of grief. Upon this, one of the Indians. caught her by the hair, and drawing the edge of his knife across: her forehead cried, "scuip! sculp!" with the hope of stilling her cries. But, indifferent to life, she continued her screams, when they procured some switches, and whipped her until she was LOGAN COUNTIES - 205 silent. The next day, young Alder having not risen, through fatigue, from eating, at the moment the word was given, saw, as his face was to the north, the shadow of a man's arm with an uplifted tomahawk. He turned, and there stood an Indian, ready for the fatal blow. Upon this he let down his arm and commenced feeling his head. He afterwards told Alder it had been his intention to have killed him ; but as he turned he looked so smiling and pleasant, that he could not strike, and on feeling of his head and noticing that his hair was very black, the thought struck him, that if he could only get him to his tribe he would make agood Indian ; but that all that saved his life was the color of his hair. After they crossed the Ohio they killed a beat, and remained four days to dry the meat for packing, and to fry out the oil, which last they put in the intestines, having first turned and cleaned them. The village to which Alder was taken, belonged to the Mingo* tribe, and was on the north side of Mad river, which we should judge was somewhere within or near the limits of what is now Logan county. As he entered, he was obliged to run the gauntlet, formed by young children armed with switches. He passed thro’ this ordeal with little or no injury, and was adopted into an Indian family. His Indian mother thoroughly washed him with soap and warm water with herbs in it, previous to dressing him in the Indian costume, consisting of a calico 'shirt, breech clout, leggins and moccasins. The family having thus converted him into an Indian, were much pleased with their new member. But Jonathan was at first very homesick, thinking of his mother and brothers. Everything was strange about him ; he, was unable to speak a word of their language ; their food disagreed with him ; and, childlike, he used to go out daily for more than a month, and sit under a large walnut tree near the village, and cry for hours at a time over his deplorable situation. His Indian father was a chief of the, Ingo tribe, named Succohanos ; his Indian mother was named Whinecheoh, and their daughters respectively answered to the good old English names of Mary, Hannah and Sally. Saccohanos and Whinecheoh were old people, and had lost a son, in whose place they had adopted Jonathan. They took pity on the * I am satisfied this town Was on the farm of Alfred Johnson, in Mingo Valley. 206 - CHAMPAIGN AND little fellow, and did their best to comfort him, telling' him that he would one day be restored to his mother and brothers. He says' of them, "they could not have used their own son better, for which they shall always be held in most grateful remembrance by me." His Indian sister Sally, however, treated him " like a slave," and when out of humor, applied to him, in the Indian tongue, the unladylike epithet of "onorary, [mean,] lousy prisoner !" Jonathan for a time lived with Mary, who had become the wife of the chief, Col. Lewis. "In the fall of the year," says he, "the Indians would generally collect at our camp, evenings, to talk over their hunting expeditions. I would sit up to listen. to their stories, and frequently fell asleep just where I was sitting. After they left, Mary would fix my bed and with Col. Lewis would carefully take me up and carry me to it. On these occasions they would, often say—supposing me to be asleep—"poor fellow ! We have sat up too long for him, and he has fallen asleep on the cold ground :" and then ho v softly would they lay me down and cover me up. Oh ! never have I, nor can I, express the affection I had for these two per sons." Jonathan, with other boys, went into Mad river to bathe, and on one occasion came near drowning. He was taken out senseless, and some time elapsed ere he recovered. He says, "I remember, after I got over my strangle, I became very sleepy, and thought I could draw my breath as well as ever. Being overcome with drowsiness, I laid down to sleep, which is the last I remember: The act of drowning is nothing, but the coming to life is distressing. The boys, after they had brought me to, gave me a silver buckle, as an inducement not to tell the old folks of the occurrence, for fear they would not let me come with them again ; and so the affair was kept secret." When Alder had learned to speak the Indian language, he became more contented. He says, "I would have lived very happy if I could have had health ; but for three or four years I.. was subject to very severe attacks of fever and ague. Their diet went very hard with me for a long time. Their chief living was meat. and homminy; but we rarely had bread, and very little salt, which was extremely scarce and dear, as well as milk and butter, Honey and sugar were plentiful, and used a great deal in their cooking, as well as on their food," LOGAN COUNTIES - 207 When he was old enough, he was given an old English musket, and told that he must go. out and learn to hunt. So he used to follow along the water courses, where mud turtles were plenty, and commenced his first assay upon them. He generally aimed under them, as they lay basking on the rocks ; and when he struck the stone, they flew sometimes several feet in the air, which afforded great sport for the youthful marksman. Occasionally he killed a wild turkey or a raccoon ; and when he returned to the village with his game, generally received high praise for his skill—the Indians telling him he would make "a great hunter one of these days." We cannot, within our assigned limits, give many of the incidents and anecdotes related by Alder, or anything like a connected history of his life among the Indians. In the June after he was taken, occurred Crawford's defeat. He describes the anxiety of the squaws while the men were gone to the battle, and their joy on their returning with scalps and other trophies of the victory. He defends Simon Girty from the charge of being the instigator of the burning of Crawford, and states that he could not have saved his life, because he had no influence in the Delaware tribe, whose prisoner Crawford was. Alder was dwelling at the Macacheek towns when they were destroyed by Logan in 1786 ; was in the attack on Fort Recovery, in 1794, and went on an expedition into "Kaintucky to steal horses" from the settlers. Alder remained with the Indians until after Wa3 ne's treaty, in 1796. He was urged by them to be present on the occasion, to obtain a reservation of land which was to be given to each of the prisoners ; but ignorant of its importance, he neglected going, and lost the land. Peace having been restored, Alder says, "I could now lie down with out fear, and rise Upend shake hands with both the Indian and the white man." The summer after the treaty, while living on Big Darby, Lucas Sullivant made his appearance in that region, surveying land, and soon became on terms of intimacy with Alder, who related to him a history of his life, and generously gave him the piece of land on which he dwelt ; but there being some little difficulty about the title Alder did not consent and so lost it. When the settlers first made their appearance on Darby, Alder could scarcely speak a word of English. He was then about 24 208 - CHAMPAIGN AND years of age, 15 of which had been passed with the Indians. Two of the settlers kindly taught him to converse in. English. He ad taken a squaw for a wife some time previous, and now began to farm like the whites. He kept hogs, cows and horses, sold milk and butter to the Indians, horses and pork to the whites, and accumulated property. He soon was able to hire white laborers, and being dissatisfied with his squaw—a cross, peevish woman—wished to put her aside, got a wife from among the settlers, and live like them. Thoughts toe, of his mother and brothers, began to obtrude, and the more he reflected, his desire strengthened to know if they were living, and to see then: once more. He made inquiries for them, but was at a loss to know how to begin, being ignorant of the name of even the State in which they were. When talking one day with John Moore, a companion of his, the latter questioned him where he was from. Alder replied that he was taken prisoner somewhere near a place called Greenbriar, and that his people lived by a lead mine, to which he used frequently to go and see the hands dig ore. Moore then asked him if he could recollect the names of any of his neigh bats. After a little reflection, he replied, "Yes ! a family of Gulions that lived close by us." Upon this, Moore dropped his head as if lost in thought, and muttered to himself, "Gulion! Gulion !" and then raising up replied, "My father and my self were out in that country, and we stopped at their house over one night, and if your people are living, I can find them." Mr. Moore after this went to Wythe county, and inquired for the family of Alder ; but without success, as they had removed from their former residence. He put up advertisements in various places, stating the facts, and where Alder was to be found, and then returned. Alder now abandoned all hopes of finding his family, supposing them to be dead. Some time after, he and Moore were at Franklinton, when he was informed there was a letter for him in the post office. It was from his brother Paul, stating that one of the advertisements as put up within six miles of him, and that he got it the next .day. It contained the joyful news, that his mother and brothers were alive. Alder, in making preparations to start for Virginia, agreed to separate from his Indian wife, divide the property equally, and take and leave her with her own people at Sandusky. But some difficulty arose in satisfying her, He gave her all the cows, 14 in number, worth $20 each, 7 horses, and much other property, reserv- LOGAN COUNTIES - 209 ing to himself only 2 horses and the swine. Besides these, was a small box, about 6 inches long, 4 wide and 4 deep, filled with silver, amounting probably to about $200, which he intended to take, to make an equal division. But to this she objected, saying the box was hers before marriage, and she would not only have it, but all it contained. Alder says, "I saw I could not get it without making a fuss, and probably having a fight, and told her if she would promise never to trouble nor come back to me, she might have it ; to which she agreed." Moore accompanied him to his brother's house, as he was unaccustomed to travel among the whites. They arrived there on horseback, at noon, the Sunday after new years. They walked up to the house and requested to have their horses fed, and pretending they were entire strangers, inquired who lived there. "I had concluded," says Alder; "not to make myself known for some time, and eyed my brother very close, but did not recollect his features. I had always thought I should have recognized my mother, by a mole on her face. In the corner sat an old lady, who I supposed was her, although I could not tell, for when I was taken by the Indians her head was as black as a crow, and now it was almost perfectly white. Two young women were pressent, who eyed me very close, and I heard one of them whisper to the other, "he looks very much like Mark," (my brother.) I saw they were about to discover me, and accordingly turned my chair around to my brother, and said, "You say your name is Alder ?" "Yes," he replied, "my name is Paul Alder." "Well," I rejoined, "my name is Alder, too." Now it is hardly necessary to describe our feelings at that time ; but they were very different from those I had when I was taken prisoner, and saw the Indian coming with my brother's scalp in his hand, shaking off the blood. "When I told my brother that my name was Alder, he rose to shake hands with me, so overjoyed he could scarcely utter a word, and my old mother ran, threw her arms around me, while tears rolled down her cheeks. The first words she spoke, after she grasped me in her arms, were, "How you have grown !" and then she told me of a dream she had. Says she, "I dreamed that you had come to see me, and that you was a little onorary [mean] looking fellow, and I would not own you for my son ; but now I find I was mistaken, that it is entirely the reverse, and I am proud to 210 - CHAMPAIGN AND own you for my son." I told her I could remind her of a few circumstances that she would recollect, that took place before I was made captive. I then related various things, among which was that the negroes, on passing our house on Saturday evenings, to spend Sundays with their wives, wauld beg pumpkins of her, and get her to roast them for them against their return on Monday morning. She recollected these circumstances, and said she had now no doubt of my being her son. We passed the balance of the day in agreeable conversation, and I related to them the history of my captivity, my fears and doubts, of my grief and misery the first year after I was taken. My brothers at this time were all married, and Mark and John had moved from there. They were sent for, and came to see me ; but my half brother John had moved so far, that I never got to see him at all." REMARKS OF JOSHUA ANTRIM AT THE PIONEERS' PIC-NIC AT THE LOGAN COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS, SEPTEMBER 10, 1870. MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : If I understand the object of the Western Ohio Pioneers' Association, or any other association of this character, it is to record and preserve, and hand down to posterity, a reliable history of all the important events and incidents that have occurred since the first settlement of our country. The Western Pioneer Association, as its name would indicate, has a considerable breadth of territory to explore, and would cordially invite all those within its bounds to aid them in their labors. I shall not on this occasion attempt to explore but a very small part of this domain, but shall confine my remarks principally to the early settlement of Logan County. I find in the transactions of kindred associations, and in the history of Ohio, incidents recorded which -in themselves are apparently of very little importance, yet they are links in the chain of events that unite the pleasant memories of the past with the present. A desire for immortality is an instinct of our nature, and anything that will secure it is eagerly sought for by mankind. Individuals and nations have expended millions of money and hundreds of lives to reach the North Pole, all for what? Why, if nothing more than this is achieved, the roan, as Professor Sontag says,' who first sets foot on the North Pole has won for himself an imperishable name. Columbus first discovered America, and his name is as farnilliar to us as our own. Balboa first looked upon the broad expanse of the Pacific Ocean. DeSoto was the first to see the great Mississippi and bathe in its turbid 212 - CHAMPAIGN AND waters. Penn settled Pennsylvania, and Boone Kentucky. Herstratus burned the great Temple of Diana at Ephesus for no other purpose but to immortalize his name. Beyond this, very little is known of many of them, yet they have secured an imperishable name. I say now, as I did about one year ago at this place, that the first settlers of this county did not come here actuated by the spirit of adventure. They did not come merely for the purpose of hunting and trapping, like Boone, Kenton and others—not that I would say anything disparagingly of those venerated names—but they were a different class of men. The first white men that set foot on the soil of Logan county, were reared—the most of them—near Philadelphia, in New Jersey, where they were familiar with the refinements, comforts and conveniences of a highly cultivated people. Bred to agricultural pursuits, they sought a home in the State of Virginia ; from thence they came to this county to seek a permanent home. Being Quakers, they were actuated by the noble spirit of the illustrious founders of their sect, Pox and Penn ; nor were they prompted by any mercenary motives of speculation. Out of the reach of civilization, one hundred miles from any markets—Zanesville, Chillicothe and Cincinnati being the nearest—we see them wending their way through the majestic forests of Ohio, to their new home in this county, surrounded by an entirely different class of circumstances from those they had ever seen before. They set themselves down in the dead of winter, in their little tents, with no one to greet or welcome them to their new home. Naught was heard save the sighing of the winter's wind as it passed through the naked tops of the lofty forest trees, that waved for miles around, to. he winter's blast. They soon became familiar to the crack of the Indian's rifle and the war hoop. -Thus defenseless and alone did they trust to the God of their fathers ; in peace and quietness did they pass through life: The first white settler in Logan county was Job Sharp, who came to what is now Zane township, on Christmas day, 1801, with a four horse team. His wife Phebe, and three children, Achsah, his oldest daughter, Joshua his only son, Sarah his youngest daughter, and Carlisle Haines, his brother-in-law, composed the little group. He settled on the farm now owned by Lucius Cochran, where he LOGAN COUNTIES - 213 lived until his death, which occurred in January, 1822. They hastily erected a rude shelter to protect them from the winter blast, from the majestic forest that waved over their defenseless, heads. It was what is called by backwoodsmen a three-faced camp. The day they arrived, the ground being covered with snow they found four bee trees ; they discovered these trees by seeing the bees lying on the snow. In the spring of 1802, Mr. Sharp set out the first apple orchard, containing about four acres ; most of the trees are still standing, and bearing fruit sufficient for the family on the farm, though of an inferior quality. A pear tree now stands-by the door, that was brought from Chillicothe as a riding switch by his wife the next year after they had settled here, which has borne fruit more or less every year since it commenced bearing. Here, too, in 1805, was built the first grist mill. It was run by the water that came from two fine springs on the premises, which were united near the headgate. The traces of the ditches are stilt visible. Though Mr. Sharp built this little mill for his own accommodation, with no thought of public utility, yet as soon as it was known people came from a great distance to get their corn and wheat ground. Here, too, the first respectable hewed log house was erected, in 1808, with a shingle roof. It is yet a good house, of two stories, three rooms and cellar, and two bedrooms up stairs —in all, five rooms. I am told by an old pioneer that the first roof was put on with wooden pins, and the lumber was all sawed with a whip-saw. About the years 1802-3-4-5, the relatives and acquaintances of Mr. Sharp settled around him, and like himself, most of them being Quakers, they built the first meeting-house in the county, which was also used for a school-house. It was built in 1807, near where the present school-house now stands, and hard by the first regular graveyard laid off in the county, about one mile north of Middleburg. I would say just here that the Methodists, those indomitable pioneers of religion, were among the early settlers of the county, and they and the Quakers held their meetings alternately in the same log meeting-house. Around this little nucleus, in a course of time, a great many others gathered, who settled in various portions of the county, and among the rest, our venerable chaplain, George McCulloch. Among. the incidents worthy of note, to be-recorded and placed among the archives of this association, is the birth of the first white child in the county, which occurred in the year 1804, in 214 - CHAMPAIGN AND township. This was Daniel Antrim, son of Thomas Antrim and Esther his wife. Mr. Antrim does not claim any special merit for his being the first white child born in the county in which you live, as it is evident he could not well help it. Another incident occurred, of more startling character, that aroused the sympathies of the people. It was the fearful announcement on the second clay of June, 1816, that the little son of James Curl, about seven years of age, was lost in the woods. Mr. Curl then lived in what is now Perry township, on the farm now owned by Joshua Ballinger. For eight days this little fellow wandered in an unbroken wilderness infested by wolves, panthers and other voracious animals, unharmed, and finally on the evening of the eighth day he found his way to the house of a Mr. Tyler on the Scioto river, being between twenty and thirty miles in a direct line from where he started, having traveled more than one hundred miles in his wanderings through a trackless forest, naked and almost famished ; he was joyfully received and kindly cared for by Mr. Tyler and his family, and speedily returned to his bereaved but now happy parents. Nothing occurred seriously to mar the peace and happiness of this part of the country until 1812, when the tocsin of war was again sounded, and public attention was diverted from the peaceful pursuits of domestic life, when the British again attempted to place the iron heel of despotism on the neck of the American people, and aroused the slumbering malice of the Indian against his white brother by offering a price for American scalps. They then threw down the calumet of peace they had been smoking, and grasped the war club and scalping-knife, and flourished them again over the heads of the defenceless pioneers. It was then that our young men, always ready to respond to the call of their country, left the peaceful pursuits of life and buckled on their armor and rushed to the rescue of their country from British tyranny. It was then that those rude defences called block-houses were built in this country, namely, Zanesfield, McPherson's, Vance's and Manary's. The one at Zanesfield I have seen. It was here Capt. Joseph Euans had his men quartered in 1813. Among those now living that were quartered here are Jose H. Garwood, Caleb Ballinger, Isaac Warner, Walter Marshal and John Sharp. All of them are still living in this county except Mr. Garwood, who now lives in North Lewisburg, Champaign county. LOGAN COUNTIES - 215 In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I would say, just fifty-seven years ago to-day, Oliver Hazard Perry might have been seen in an open boat leaving the wreck of the Lawrence, his flag ship, and making his way in the midst of a heavy fire from the enemy, to the Niagara, where he ran up his flag just as the Lawrence went down, and before night be was master of the lakes and sent the ever memorable dispatch to General Harrison : "We have met the enemy and they are ours." THE NEW COURT-HOUSE. A SKETCH OF THE EARLY CIVIL HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY, DELIVERED BY DR B. S. BROWN, AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF THE NEW COURT HOUSE. Logan county was organized in 1818, and its boundaries at that time extended north to the Maumee river, and included what is now Hardin, Hancock and Wood counties, and also on the east side a small part of what is now Union and Wyandotte counties. A very large proportion of the country included within these boundaries, was however, what was called Indian Territory, it not having been ceded to the United States till after that time. All that part of the present limits of our county north of the Greenville Treaty Line belonged to the Indian Territory, and cut off about one-third of the county. This line was run from the northern part of Darke county through several counties northeast of Logan. It passed about four miles north of Bellefontaine, crossed near the middle of Rushcreek Lake, and was nearly two miles south of the present village of Huntsville. The present limits of the county was divided into nearly equal halves by what is called Ludlow's line, which was to he run from the head of the little Miami to the head of the Scioto river. This line passes through the eastern part of our village. The part lying northeast of that line was called Virginia Military Land ; all between the heads of the Little Miami and the Scioto rivers having been reserved by the State of Virginia for the payment of her Revolutionary soldiers when she ceded the N. W. Territory to the United States. This land was not regularly .surveyed into townships, sections, &c., but warrants were issued by Virginia to each soldier entitled to them, and they might locate them in whatever place and shape they pleased, so that it had not LOGAN COUNTIES - 217 been previously located and surveyed. This produced great confusion in the surveys, and often in the titles, and frequent litigations which greatly enhanced the business of the lawyers and of the courts. These individual land warrants were, however, mostly bought up by speculators and land-jobbers, at a merely nominal price—if at any price at all—so that many could estimate their lands by tens of thousands, and some by hundreds of thousands of acres. The first courts of common pleas of Logan county were held in 1818, in the town of Bellville, a small village of five or six houses a mile and a half directly south of the public square in Bellefontaine. The common pleas courts of those days were composed of three Associate Judges elected by the people of each county, and one Presiding Judge for a district composed of several counties. The first associate judges of this county were James Mcllvain, Levi Garwood and John Shelby, and the first presiding Judge was Orris Parish of Columbus. James Cooly, Esq., of Urbana, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney, Nicholas Pickerell Sheriff, and Samuel Newell, Clerk pro. tem. The first County Commissioners were Robert Smith, Solomon McColloch and William McBeth ; they met at Bellville, April 14, 1818; on the 23d they appointed Martin Marmon, County Treasurer, and on the 25th Thomas Thompson, County Recorder. The fees of County Treasurer for 1819, amounted to the sum of $20,80. - The committee appointed to examine and establish a site for the location of the county-seat of Logan county, agreed in 1818 to locate it on Mad river about two miles below Zanesfield, on Solomon McColloch's farm and some adjoining lands, but upon examination some doubts arose as to the validity of the title to said land, much prejudice existing at that time against the Virginia Military Land titles, in consequence of the frequent litigation which had grown out of them. Consequently in 1819 that location was set aside, and the location permanently fixed on the lands of John Tullis, William Powell and Leonard Houtz, on what was called Congress land. On December 28, 1819; this action was reported to and approved by the court, and Solomon McColloch appointed Director of the town of Bellefontaine, the name of the new county-seat. The proprietors of the land agreed to donate to the county every alternate lot in the town, and also a block of the size of four lots "for building a court-house upon, and one of the same size in the north east corner of the town, the north half of which was to be 16 218 - CHAMPAIGN AND used for a burying-ground and the south half for the purpose of building meeting houses upon." In the fore-part of 1820, Solomon McColloch, director, surveyed and laid off. In lots the town plat ; there were 248 lots, and he received from the proprietors deeds for the public square above mentioned, an all the even numbered lots, according to the agreement. In the summer of the same year these county lots were advertised for sale, and many of them sold at public auction. The two lots which brought the highest price were : No. 140 immediately north of the public square, for $430, and No. 108 opposite the northwest corner of the square, (now called the Rutan corner) for $305. In June, 1820, the County Commissioners —deeming it 'inadvisable to build a temporary court-house on the public square appropriated for a permanent one—contracted to have a frame building put up on lot No. 142, in which to hold the courts till a proper house could 1.e built on the public square, but for various causes they failed to get it finished until 1823. It was finished by Vachel Blaylock. in that year. Its size was 36x24 feet, two stories high, and is the same building which is the north end of the Union House, now occupied as a hotel by Capt. John B. Miller. The courts were not held in Renville but a few terms, for soon after the ideation of the permanent county-seat at Bellefontaine, they were removed to the private residence of John Tullis, one of the proprietors of the town, who lived in a log house near the southwest corner of the town, immediately east of the railroad engine house. In this house the courts were held until 1S23, when they Were removed to the new frame house above spoken of, where they remained till the completion of the brick court-house on the public square, which was recently torn down, demolished and removed to make room for the new and splendid court-house now in course of erection. The town of Bellville has long ceased to exist as a village ; it is now partly a corn field and partly a pasture, in which are many forest trees. The first jail in the county was built on- the public square, near the north. east corner, on the ground now occupied by the present stone and brick jail which is shortly to be taken down. It was built several years previous to the erection of the brick court-house. Although it was u wooden structure, a prisoner would perhaps have found it as difficult to break out of as any in the State, in any other way than by the grated door. The walls were of logs, hewn about 15 inches square, neatly dove-tailed at the corners. LOGAN COUNTIES - 219 Outside of this was another wall all around, of the same. material, and put up in the same manner, leaving a space between the two walls of about 10 or 12 inches which was filled up with loose stones. The floors above and below, were of logs of the same size, but of only one thickness. Some few prisoners were confined in this jail, even before it had a roof, except some loose plank laid upon poles. The Square around at that time, was a thicket of brush, undergrowth, and forest trees. The contract for building the brick Court-house was made September 9, 1831. The stone and brick was awarded to Wm. Bull, for $900, and he received an extra $150 for a few courses of cut stone above ground which had not been provided for in the original contract. The mood work was awarded to John Wheeler and George Shuffleton for $1,000. All the contractors were citizens of this town at the time. The house was built in 1832, and finished in 1833, in the latter part of which year, the courts were first held in it. September 11, 1831, the contract to build the two brick offices north and south of the Court-house, was awarded to Captain William Watson for $650. They were built in 1833, and torn down and removed at the same time that the. Court-house was; viz : in 1870. The contracts for building the new Court-house now in the process of erection on the site of the old one, were awarded in 1870 as follows, viz : 1. The entire mason work to Rouser, Boren & Co., of Dayton, for the sum of $28,168.80. 2. The cut stone work to Webber & Lehman of Dayton, for $20,000. 3. The entire carpenter work (including tiling, clock and bell) to Harwood & Thomas of Cincinnati, for $13,600. 4. The galvanized iron and tin work to W. F. Gebhart of Dayton, for $7,644.60. 5. The entire wrought and cast iron work to D. S. Rankin & Co., of Cincinnati, for $23,000. 6. Painting and glazing to Wiseman and Hays of Cleveland, for $5,132.69. 7. Heating and ventilation to Peter Martin of Cincinnati, for $6,507.80.. 8. Plumbing and gas fitting to Thos. A. Cosby of Cleveland, for $1,419.09. Total on Court-house, $105,598.08. The contract for building the new Jail on lot No. 159, east, of the Public Square, was awarded to Romer & Rouser of Dayton; for $27,895. PIONEER SKETCHES. BY WILLIAM HALLER. John Haller, my father, was a native of Pennsylvania, but went to Kentucky about the year 1796, when quite a young man. He was a spare, active man ; weight, about 135 pounds, auburn hair, medium complexion, of great energy and ingenuity. My mother was a Virginian, and was brought to Kentucky in childhood. Father and mother were married in 1798, but mother died when I was a youth. About 1796 my father came to Ohio, in company with others, on foot, to look at the country, then an Indian wilderness. He was delighted with the rich valleys of Miami and Mad-river. In 1807 he again explored the Madriver valley. I well remember how well pleased he was with the country, and he proposed to emigrate ; but the- war cloud was gathering between this and the mother country, and he with others hesitated, as it was certain that the savages would unite with the British and resent-the intruding pale-faced emigrants. Bat, finally, my father resolved to brave the danger, and in October 1812 bade adieu to Kentucky soil and friends, and landed in Urbana, then of but few inhabitants. Here he followed his trade of blacksmithing until 1814. He bought land, and settled near the mouth of Nettle Creek, still following his trade, and was the only smith that tempered edge tools in these parts. Axes could not then be bought as now. My father could make a good ax, an indispensable article in this timbered country. His fame spread through the Buck Creek country, up the Miami about Sidney, on Lost Creek, among the Hunter's and Enoch's near West Liberty, and on the west side of the river, the Kavanaugh's, and Beard's, and Fuson's, and all inter- LOGAN COUNTIES - 221 vening settlements. At about forty-five years of age he joined the M. E. Church, and was rigid in the observance of discipline. He opposed I he use of alcoholic drinks, nor would he suffer such in anything about the house or on the place. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace a number of years. . He finally sold here, and settled near Defiance, where he died very triumphantly. Land was sold in tracts of 160 acres, in payment of $80 at entry, and payments annually until all paid ; but if not all paid, the land was forfeited to the Government. This being an Indian country, very few moneyed men would risk life of self and family among cruel savages. The emigrants were mostly men of no means, and -those were men of wonderful nerve, beyond civilization, among barbarous savages, a dense forest to hew out, and no means, with all the liabilities incident to emigration. Let our kid-gloved ladies and gentlemen of the present day think what their fathers and mothers endured ! But they had the grit. Don't. be ashamed of them ; they were the highest type of our race. As early as the first of the present century, some families emigrated to what is now Madriver township, and settled on lands, and paid the first installment, and commenced building and clearing. Having to clear first, then make the money out of the products of the soil to pay for the land, is it strange that some failed, as they -did, and lost all the money paid—their improvements and land besides ! As great injustice as was ever practiced by any Government to her subjects. Perhaps but few countries were settled under greater disadvantages; but the fine soil and climate were very inviting to home seekers, and they came. We now call attention to some of these noble families : William Ross, Charles Rector and Christopher Weaver; settled just above Tremont. These were from Kentucky-Rector and Ross were brothers-in-law, and settled in the rich valley of Madriver. Ross was of medium stature, and had wonderful strength and endurance. Rector was larger, was also strong and very hardy. These men and families were fitted for new country life, and were valuable Christian men and families. One of Rector's sons lives near the old homestead, and is a valuable Christian man. Weaver settled on the banks of Stones Creek, just above -the Madriver valley ; a man of fine stature, an upright Christian man; and one of his sons lives in Urbana now, very aged, has ac- 222 - CHAMPAIGN AND quired great wealth, and is one of the finest financiers of Urbana. The above three men, Ross, Rector and Weaver, came here about the first of the present century, and were silvered with gray when I first knew them. Weaver had camp-meeting on his land many years. One Thomas Redman settled just above the falling springs; he had located, but before the war of 1812, retraced his steps back to Kentucky. One Terman settled just up the valley,. but sold to John Pence at a very early day. Pence built a grist-mill on Nettle Creek, but finally sold to Louis Pence and went west. He came from Virginia; and so did William Runkle, afterwards Judge Runkle, who was a tanner by trade, a very kind neighbor, and had an excellent-wife and family, none of whom are in this country now. William Owens settled on Nettle Greek in 1797 or 1798, and was remarkable for eccentricity, but died in middle life: Abram Shocky was from Kentucky, settled on Nettle Creek and built a saw Mill, and was the most remarkable man in some respects that lever knew. He was sandy complexioned, muscular in form, "about 175 pound; weight, and certainly the greatest pedestrian that was ever in the State if not in the United States. He was near neighbor, and I have seen him start with a company of good trotting horses and keep ahead. One circumstance will illustrate his walking abilities. There was a tract of land not far off that was well timbered with poplar, belonging to Uncle Sam. Shocky was hauling to his mill. One evening, as he was coming in with a log, Judge Runkle met and said to him, "You cannot haul any more logs from that land, for I have sent Jo. Sims to Cincinnati this morning to enter. The next looming as Sims was going to Cincinnati, he met Shockey going home. Then Shockey revealed to him that he had entered said land. Circumstances confirmed the fact, and Sims and Shockey went home together, one on foot, the other on horseback. This Sims was a Kentuckian, and as stout as any in Madriver township, then or since; a lean,. broad-shouldered man of about 220 pounds weight. Henry and Abram Pence were among the early emigrants. from Virginia: They were Baptists, and were m good, consistent men, and were a nucleus around which formed a flourishing Baptist Church. They were good- neighbors, and died LOGAN COUNTIES - 223 full of years, and in death exemplified the power of grace to save in a dying hour. Abram was remarkable for honesty. One of his daughters lives near, and a son on part of the old homestead, possessing much of their father's qualities. Some farther up Nettle Creek there was a neighborhood of Shenandoah Valley Virginians. The Wiants, Kites, Loudenbacks, Runkles, Normans, and Jinkenses, many of them valuable citizens and generally the stoutest, hardiest men that settled from any country. John Wiant was a tanner, and was 'nester of his trade ; consequently was highly useful in 'his day. Some of his sons are fine business men, and one is a very talented Baptist Minister. Thomas Kenton (Simon Kenton's nephew,) and Ezekiel Arrow-smith were brothers-in-law. Kenton was a native of Virginia ; Arrowsmith of Maryland, but lived a time in Kentucky ; in 1801 he came to the Madriver valley. Kenton was a good-sized, well-made man—a man of great endurance and energetic industry. Perhaps the first election held in the township in 1805 was held in his house. He lived to a great age. Arrowsmith was slender, rather tall and active when young. With this family I connected. There were five boys and four girls living when I became acquainted with them, and thirty years acquaintance gave me a fine opportunity to know them, and when together, I think they were as agreeable a family as I ever knew. Arrowsmith's wife was Simon Kenton's niece; and all that knew her Will bear me witness, that she was among the kindest women that ever lived. All the Kenton family were remarkable for strength of memory, and the above-named Thomas Kenton seemed never to forget anything that he had known. These were valuable citizens, and the first Methodist society which was organized in this part of the township, net at Ezekiel Arrowsmith's, and his house was a place of preaching for many years. Archibald McGrew came from Pennsylvania. end settled on a fine tract of land. He was a well-made, stout, hardy man, and lived to a great age, and aided in the improvement of the country. Christian Stevens came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and intended to purchase land where Zanesville now stands, but the town site was fixed on his choice, and he left abruptly and went to Kentucky, and stayed there about two years, then came to this part of Ohio. He was a Methodist, and he opened his house as a place for preaching, and there I joined the church fifty-three years since. 224 - CHAMPAIGN AND Elisha and Wm. Harbour were .Virginians, but came to Ohio among the first settlers. They were valuable citizens. I lived by them many years, and more honest men I never knew. I will now speak of Rev. Robert McFarland, of public notoriety, who came to Ohio in the year —. He was a lean, slender man, dark complexioned, black hair ; weight about 155 pounds when in middle life: He was called an exhorter, but he preached as did the Apostles. A Virginian by birth, but was taken to Kentucky when young, and lastly came to Ohio. He unloaded his goods by an oak log near where the Union Church now stands, then a dense orest ; he has pointed me to the spot as we rode by. His purse contained about four dollars, two of which he gave to his teamster for expense money. What a prospect this! After living some time on the east side of the river, he bought land and settled .west on Anderson's creek, in Concord township. He being a Methodist, gathered around him a flourishing society, and his house be-. came a preaching place. Methodism is indebted more to him, than any man in that part of the country. His closing hours were truly exaltic. I may speak a few words of Simon Kenton, of historic fame. I know him in Urbana in 1814; he was then quite old. Afterward; I saw him at his relatives many times. Though bowed by age, yet the beholder could see that muscle and mind gave evidence of former nobleness and strength and generous heart impulses. I only give this as a passing tribute ; western history amplifies his worth. I may be permitted to speak of Thomas Grafton, though not of Madriver township. He grew up, and married among the hills of Virginia; but could see no site for a living there. I was well ac, quainted with Grafton, and got these things from him. He packed up and started towards the northwest, as Jacob of old, not knowing whither he went; he traveled into Ohio until he reached the dense beach forest nine miles west of Urbana. There he unloaded and built a camp for shelter, and soon reared a cabin, and commenced clearing. He, like others, had to clear and then cultivate and sell the products to pay for the land on which the crop grew. He raised wheat, and once sold 400 bushels for $100, to pay for his land ; but salt was hard to get, and as the surest way was to go to the factory, so Grafton steered to the Scioto salt works, cutting his way through, a distance of eighty miles. When he arrived, his LOGAN COUNTIES - 225 clothes were torn, had no money, but told his errand. The proprietor scanned him, and then said, I suppose you will pay me, and let him have the salt, after saying, you wear good clothes. He sold one barrel of that salt for $27. When he became aged, he seemed to be in his elements, if he could take a four-horse load of his neighbor women to Urbana, on a trading expedition. He lived to a great age ; he died without regret, regretted by all. In those days, people manufactured their own wear. There were few sheep in the country, consequently wool was quite an object. My father sent my oldest brother to Kentucky for fifty pounds of wool, which he brought out on a horse. Father brought a flock of sheep to Urbana, and sold them to the farmers around town ; perhaps all the sheep in the country in early times descended from them. One Basset West bought a cow of my former father-in-law on credit, and after long credit he paid for the cow, saying that he did not think he could have raised his family without the cow. But the forest began to be dotted with inhabitants, and as emigration poured in, the hunting grounds of the savages were owned by the pale-faces, and the bones of their ancestors were plowed over by strangers. These things outraged the forbearance and former kindness of the red men of the forest, and depredations were not uncommon, and at one time after certain misdemeanors, alarm spread with both parties, and a council was called to meet at Springfield. The parties met. General William Ward represented the whites. Tecumseh was advocate for the Indians. An amicable adjustment was made. Tecumseh's speeches on that occasion were never translated, and this I regret ; some of my friends were there who thought them as fine specimens of eloquence as they ever listened to. His interpreter said he could not give force to them, he seemed to surpass Ward greatly in point of force. I will be pardoned for speaking more at length of this savage chieftain. He was born in 1768, in Piqua, an old Indian town of the Shawnees, on the west bank of Madriver, five miles west of Springfield, and was one of three at a birth. His father was of the Kiscopoke (or Kicapoo) tribe ; his mother of the Shawnees nation.. He was above medium stature ; his personal appearance was dignified and commanding ; as a speaker, he was fluent and clear, with a musical tone of voice. His speeches were ornamented by striking illustrations and lofty flights at the council. At Spring- 226 - CHAMPAIGN AND field, above alluded to, he evinced great force and dignity. As a warrior, he was brave but humane. Ardent in his country's cause, he keenly resented the encroachments of the whites, yet extended protection to the captive. Early in life he distinguished himself in several skirmishes with the whites, but was not promoted to the chiefship till be was about thirty years of age. In witnessing the onward rolling tide of white emigration, he anticipated the fall of his native land. The thought of the mouldering remains of departed, kindred, whose resting place would be disturbed by strangers, prompted feelings of resentment ; he conceived the importance of concentrating all the Indian forces west, south and north; in one united effort of extermination and opposition ; he see out on a tour to the south, visiting all the Indian tribes contiguous to his route, urging the necessity of immediate action. Meeting one tribe in Louisiana who refused aid, Tecumseh stamped his foot on the ground and said, the Great Spirit would shake the earth, in evidence of His displeasure. The threatened phenomenon strangely occurred as predicted in the shock of 1811, to the great alarm of the delinquent nation: But war spread her wings of blood over the country, and ere the contemplated arrangement could be effected, Harrison had struck the blow on the Tippecanoe that forever sealed the savage fate. But Tecumseh was not yet subdued, but traveled north, gathering to his standard a remnant who, like himself, could be overpowered but not conquered, united with the dastardly Proctor, who was greatly inferior in generalship, intelligence, and humanity, and was charged by Tecumseh with cowardice, and was repeatedly urged by the savage chief to active duty. When Perry Achieved the victory on the Lake, the British gave up Lake Erie, and thought of drawing off their land forces, when Tecumseh addressed them, illustrating their infidelity by keen sarcasm. This speech was translated and read shortly afterward, and may be seen in history at this day, But the land forces under Harrison on the one hand, and Proctor and Tecumseh on the other, were yet pending. Just previous to the engagement, the fated chieftain seemed to realize his doom, and said to his companions, "I shall not survive this conflict ; but if it is the will of the Great Spirit, I wish to deposit my bones with those' of my ancestors." He drew his sword and added, "When I am dead, take this sword; and when my son grows to LOGAN COUNTIES - 227 manhood, give it to him !" Soon the forces engage in deadly conflict. The thundering tones of Tecumseh rose above the roar of battle, in the fiercest of the conflict; at the head of his band he deals death around him, till overpowered by numbers, the mighty chief, taro sinks in death's cold embrace. On seeing their leader slain, the remnant of the savage forces retreated in confusion, leaving the field with the dying and the dead to the victors.. When he fell, Tecumseh was about forty-five years of age. With the opportunities of some great men, perhaps this noble son of the forest would have been second to none that have set foot on the continent of any color. Disheartened and driven back, the poor savage has been compelled to seek a home on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, near the roast of the mighty western waters. The whites again claim their hunting grounds. Like Noah's dove, they have no place on. which. to rest the sole of the foot. Many powerful tribes have become extinct, bearing no trace of former greatness—perhaps in a few revolving centuries not a vestige of the once powerful tribes will remain to rehearse the sad story of their fate. In the language of Logan, the lamenting Mingo chief, not a drop of pure Indian blood will run in the veins of any living creature. Hostilities having now ceased, emigrants of all creeds and nationalities came among us, bringing their predilections with them. An outgrowth of privilege to Worship according to conscientious views was. granted with readiness, and at first it was found expedient to unite irrespective of predilections, and worship harmoniously together. Dwellings were .freely opened, ,and those little bands would worship harmoniously together, until each acquired strength. sufficient, then societies were organized ; soon log meeting houses were built, though of rude construction, yet songs of praise would reverberate in the forests from those temples. A log house was built by the Methodists on the land of William Ross, named above. The next was a Baptist Church on Nettlecreek, also of logs ; and in youth and early Manhood worshiped there, though not a member. In 1820 a log church was built by the Methodists, on the Ian l of Christian Stevens. There I worshiped. for many years. These buildings were not comfortable. As soon as circumstances would permit, more commodious houses were erected. The 228 - CHAMPAIGN AND Methodists have a brick in Tremont, also in Westville—the Baptists have a fine brick church on the site of the old log. Rev. Robert McFarland served as class leader, for the first class organized in this part of the township, and that met at Ezekiel Arrowsmith's. Next said class met at Stevens', and until the log meeting house was built—Bro. McFarland still serving until a society was organized in his neighborhood. His house was opened for preaching and class, until a log house was built partly on his own land, which gave place to a brick, and lately they have built one of the finest brick country churches in the county. These churches stand where the tall trees of the forest once bowed to God who bade them grow. The men who used to bring glad tidings of great joy to the disconsolate, should have a place in history, and be held in everlasting remembrance. I will give the name of some of them, and first of the Baptist brethren, to-wit: John Thomas, John Gutridge, Wm. Harper, Moses Frazee, Willis Hance, Daniel Bryant, Thomas Price, John Norman, Samuel Williams, and some whose names I do not remember ; all these I have heard preach at Nettlecreek. I will add William Fuson. Now of the Methodist brethren—Henry B. Bascom, Moses Trader, Adjet McGuire,Robert, James and John Findly, John Strange, Russel Biglow, John Collins, W. H. Raper, Augustus Eddy, George Marty, George Walker, Michael Manly, Leroy Swormsted and Daniel D. Davidson—these are all gone. It might be matter of interest to some at least, if the peculiarities and personal appearance of some of the most remarkable of these men were given. This I do from memory, and may not be entirely correct. Yet, in the main, I think I will be nearly so. I may not give them in the order as they came. I take the Baptist brethren first. John Thomas was a small, light man, dark hair and complexion, deliberate, cautious, not venturesome, great strength and endurance for one of his size. Gut-ridge was just the opposite ; fluent, bold, assuming ; would dash ahead if he did run against a stump, which he sometimes did. He cared for his stomach. In a travel once he stopped with a sister for dinner, on wash day. It was about dinner time. When seated at table the lady said they had a plain dinner. Yes, said Gutridge, it is plain fare, but wholesome diet. The lady replied : "If you are a good man if is good enough ; if not, a thousand times too good." Frazee was prized by his brethren for his adherence to his doc- LOGAN COUNTIES - 229 trines, and had considerable ability to defend them. Willis Hance was acceptable among his brethren. Daniel Bryant is still living. I have heard him when young, and since he has become aged, and feel it just to say that I consider him among the talented in any branch of the Christian church. For originality, is not surpassed by any of his brethren that I have heard. Thomas Price has been esteemed by his brethren for his piety; I would say a zeal, but not according to knowledge. James Dunlap was an old-times preacher. Was popular in his day. I have spoken of my Baptist brethren that I had known in youth and early manhood ; I may now speak of my Methodist brethren, of whom I know more, and can say more. Bascom was among the first. Somewhat foppish in appearance, of medium stature. He had great command of language. At the time, his audiences were spell-bound ; but soon the enchantment would evaporate, and you had only to fall back on the occasion. Trader was able, but contentious, and seemed to say I am watching you. McGuire was able, benignant, and wished you to see the purity and appropriateness of the gospel system. Old Robert Findly had great ability, even when aged ; was strict, rigid of law and order, and drilled his flock. John Findly was mild, persuasive, and logical. James Findly was a large muscular man, bold, determined, defiant, ready for combat, and was a Boanerges, and would awe into reverence. You would think he intended to try to shake creation, and yet sometimes he would touch the sympathies of his hearers. Rupel Biglow was quite small, and almost homely to deformity. When he preached; he would lay his premises as carefully as a skillful general would arrange his forces for battle, he would comprehend the obstacles to be overcome, see that his forces were sufficient, every officer in his place, men and munitions all properly arranged, and then the word given, shell and shot, small and large arms, grape and cannister, as though the heavens and earth were coming together, and in the consternation would charge bayonets, and complete the destruction. Such seemed to be his power over Men. John Collins was spare, light and sprightly ; his method was conversational ; with rich, mellow voice, a heart throbbing with tender emotions —he would commence talking to you ; his kindness would win on you, till you would be in his power, then he would deal out some circumstance so pathetically given, that the whole audience would weep in perfect response to the preacher's wish. After you were seated and 230 - CHAMPAIGN AND had listened awhile you could not leave if you would, nor you would not if you could. Augustus Eddy was a fine looking man, and had a clear, strong, musical voice. The intonations seemed to have a magic power over you, as he would urge to pause and think, and you would be likely to promise. John Strong I had forgotten. He was a slender, tall man, prepossessing in appearance ; when speaking he would throw out his shrill, strong voice, tilt he would arrest attention, then he would hold you in a kind of suspense as though some commotion in nature was in expectation. The sinner would be in state of alarm, then he would summon all his strength and pierce the wicked as though a well-aimed gun had sent a ball to pierce the heart, and sometimes sinners would fall as if shot in reality. William H. Raper was perhaps as fine a looking man as I ever looked on. The attention of the audience would never fail to be attracted by the Roble dignity of the preacher, and the inevitable conclusion would be, "that you are a finished gentleman and a wise counsellor," and you would cheerfully take a seat near the speaker ; his clear logic and profound thought so modestly given, would prepossess you in his Favor; you would begin to desire his companionship, and thus he could lead you against your preconceived opinions. George Manly was the most remarkable for native eccentricity of any in my knowledge. He had good preaching abilities. His audience would alternate between laughing and crying, just at Marly's pleasure, and it was perfectly natural—it may have been unavoidable. He was desired to preach once at each conference. George Walker was a large, stout man, with s strong voice, vehement in his manner. His assaults were made as by storm ; his spirit was to kill or be killed ; not compromising, nothing daunted or impeding, but onward to victory. His mantle has fallen on but few. Leroy Swarmsted traveled here when a young man, or rather, a white-headed boy; he was medium in stature; I only remember that he was quite able. Daniel D. Davidson was a lean, long man, of good size, and very fine voice and good preaching abilities — a faithful pastor, and able divine. Michael Manly, (the last of a catalogue that I now notice) was a well made hardy man of good size. His appearance indicated a man of thought and fixed principles, and seemed to say "Treat me and my views respectfully, for they are sustainable by the highest LOGAN COUNTIES - 231 authorities." And when put to the test he never failed to make good his purpose. I think I have never known the man that could go into the depths of theology equal with Michael Manly, and he was a student to the end of his life. He would remind one of a man stationed at divergent roads in the wilderness, all unsafe but one, and a departure would hazard life, and it was his business to set them in the safe way. He was able to reconcile apparent conflicting passages of scripture, showing their meaning as they stood connected with other scriptures, thus clearly bringing out and presenting truth ; and when in his strength he had great ability to enforce and apply his logical conclusions. On hearing Alfred Cookman I thought he might be equal to Manly in this respect, but I only heard him twice, and in this he seemed quite able to bring up those deep thoughts that seemed beneath the surface, and to apply them ; and I regret that these great men have gone, and that we can hear them no more. The difference between them as it strikes me, is this ; that Cook-man would point to the safe road, all strewn with flowers and beautified with evergreens, and make the impression that all the flowery paths were paths of peace, and then he would go out with that grateful smile and thus win the misguided to that peaceful way ; while Manly would describe the safety and security of his way, and then point to the danger of those divergent roads, and send out his thrilling warning voice showing the dreadful results, reaching out through countless ages, so as to alarm the fears of the guilty. I could wish to have known some of the valuable Ministers of other orders or branches ofthe Church, the Presbyterian, Lutheran, the Friends (Quakers), and others, but in early life I only knew the Baptists and Methodists, as there was no organization of any other near us. Of late I have become acquainted with some valuable Ministers of whom I could say much of their gentlemanly deportment and christian character. I hope however some one will rescue from forgetfulness Some of those venerable departed spirits, that I did not know. But little more than 0 years since and Ohio was an unbroken forest, the home of the numerous and powerful war-like savage tribes. The fine soil and climate presented unusual inducements to emigration. Some enterprising pioneers found homes for themselves and families among wild beasts, and 232 - CHAMPAIGN AND war-like savages, in the bosom of this fertile country. The anticipated danger incident, prevented capitalists from early emigration. The war of 1812 ( 59 years since ) not only checked emigration, but spread consternation among those that had settled. Some retraced their steps to their former homes, while others, rather than lose their all, collected in forts of their own construction, for personal protection. The Government, as we have seen, was mostly in possession of the land, and sold in tracts of 160 acres and upwards. The purchaser paid eighty dollars in hand, per 160 acres, and the remainder in equal annual payments, till paid. In default of meeting any of the back payments as they fell due, the land was forfeited to the Government, subject to re-entry, or sold to the highest bidder. Some settled on land, and commenced building and clearing, but failed to meet one or more of the back payments, and lost the money paid, their improvements, and land in the bargain, as before mentioned. But those who succeeded in making payments, were debtors to the Government for several years for their land. Let those of the present clay remember that the pioneers of this country first cleared, then cultivated their land with their own hands, and sold the products : if wheat, at 25 cents per bushel ; if corn, at 10 cents per bushel ; and pork at $1.50 per hundred weight. Great inconvenience was experienced for want of good roads. It was a matter of great inconvenience to haul grain a long distance, over bad roads, for such prices as named. Our farming implements, too, were quite inferior, and money was mostly paid for Government lands, and sent. out of the country. Those living in the interior lacked channels of trade. But the last thirty-nine years has changed the figures in Ohio; and this is the true basis of calculation ; and how stands the account ? Well, in that brief period she has rivaled States several times her own age, and is now acknowledged on all hands to be third in the constellation of States, in point of wealth, population and importance. Of an ordinary season, Ohio can send abroad about $150,000,000 worth of surplus. This calculation is made in the absence of statistics, but it may be in the neighborhood of truth. Few States are equal to Ohio in quality and variety of soil. She is capable of a more dense population than any State in the Union. Her vast beds of iron-ore and stone-coal are fast becoming available. Some LOGAN COUNTIES - 233 of her territory is yet unsettled. Much of the distant travel from east to west, and from north to south, will doubtless pass our borders. Our State produces all the grains, vegetables and northern fruits necessary to comfort, every species of stock in general demand, and all the profitable varieties of the grape. When all our resources are fully developed, and all our railroad facilities, all of Ohio will be a garden spot. AARON GUTRIDGE (1872) The following sketch of pioneer life, from the pen of Mr. Aaron Gutridge, is given in his own style, with a few alterations in orthography and syntax. It shows a good memory, and practical good sense, for one that is eighty year old. He now lives in Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, with his amiable lady, formerly Miss Mary Gray, pre-eminent for her social virtues. Everybody honors Aunt Mary.--[ED. My father, John Gutridge, was born in Virginia ; from there he went to the State of Maryland. While there, in the year of 1766, he married a lady by the name of Elizabeth Turner ; remained there until after the close of the Revolutionary war ; from there he moved to the State of Pennsylvania ; lived there till the year of 1785. He and others moved down the Ohio river in fiat boats, to what was then called Lime Stone, but is now known as Maysville, Mason county, in Kentucky, and settled at Washington, near Kenton's Station. For a few years they were much annoyed by the Indian tribes, by killing of men, women and children, and killing their cattle and stealing their horses. I learned from my father, that one dark, wet night the Indians stole his last horse, which was tied to the door-cheek of the house that they lived in. Often the men would follow them across the Ohio river. At one time the white men were about to overtake them. They had taken a negro boy prisoner, cut his throat, and left him bleeding in their path ; then they scattered and made their escape among the drift wood of Eagles Creek, near what was called Logan's Gap. The 17 234 - CHAMPAIGN AND white man's living was deer and buffalo meat. The first settlers of Kentucky underwent many privations and hardships ; but many of them lived to see better days. There my parents buried their oldest son at Washington, Ky. My father was soon put in as Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Court, which office he filled as long as he remained in that State. My brother, Jesse Gutridge, was said to be the first child born, in 1786, in Mason county, Ky., white or black. My father still resided there. In a few years times became better ; he followed farming and teaming on the road from the Ohio river to Lexington, Danville and other points. My brother John was teamster, and was called the wagon boy. Times were fast becoming much better and prosperous. By this time my father got his mind placed on what was then called the Western Territory, north of the Ohio river, and in the year of 1798 moved with his family into the territory. My parents raised twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, and all settled in the territory on a stream of water called Fishing Gut. My lather in a few years was elected Justice of the Peace in Adams county, which office he filed until he moved out of the county. In the year 1807, he moved to the Madriver country, and settled on the east side of Dugan prairie, on the headwaters of Buck creek, in Champaign county, Ohio. The people soon became alarmed about the Indians, and built a fort at John Taylor's mill, on Kings creek, north of Urbana, but the fort was never occupied by the people. At that time, the Indians were quite plenty in the Mad river country butseemed to be friendly. I think it was in the year of 1809 we had a celebration at Urbana on the fourth of July. The people of our town met in mass, under the shade of one white-oak tree that had a large spreading top. The crowd was not large, but their friendship was never excelled ; see strangers meet, then a strong grasp of the bands, with the words "What is your name, where do you live? Do come and see me, and, bring all the family." At a proper time, Joseph Vance, Sr., addressed the little crowd, and read the Declaration of Independence. Then Joseph C. Vance sang a song ; after that Wm. Fife, of Urbana, and a Wm. Lemon, sang a song called the Black Bird ; then men, women and children partook of a bountiful dinner of roasted beef, potatoes, good bread and other luxuries of the day. All this time there was little said about schools—it took a large bound to get scholars enough to make up a school. Our schoolrooms were little cabins, with paper LOGAN COUNTIES - 235 windows to let in a little light. I know it was a poor chance to learn much. We would suppose that the youth of those days did not know much. We will say nature did a great work for them. 'About this time my father was appointed. Judge of the Court held at Urbana, Champaign. County, Ohio, which office he held until his health became impaired by sickness, then he resigned, and lived a retired life from business of any kind, In the year 1812, Moses Corwin printed the first newspaper that ever was printed in Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. About this time came the news of ,15. war between the United States of America, and Great Britain. The army was soon made up, and organized at Dayton. Gen. Wm. Hull marched the army from Dayton to Urbana : a council was held with the Indians, but no good grew out of it. My brother, Joseph Gutridge, was a member of the Spy Company, commanded by Capt. Wm. McColloch. * Wm. Gutridge, and a brother-in-law, Wesley Hathaway, were members of Hull's army. All landed safe at Detroit ; there the Spy Company was discharged, and my brother Joseph returned home safe and well. In the month of August, 1812, Hull surrendered the whole army to Proctor, as prisoners of war. They were sent home on parole ; the most of them got home during the fall months. We had a dark and discouraging time through the fall and winter of 1812-13, :and in the spring of 1813 there was a great call for men to guard the frontiers of our country. My brothers older than myself were gill out on the war-path : they all returned home in harvest, in the month of July, 1813. My father led in the harvest-field, and eight sons followed him, all good reapers, making their hands, with sickles. After harvest there was a call for more men. I had -six brothers out in the war, all at the same time. On account of a spell of sickness I was compelled to remain at home. In the fall my brother Wm. Gutridge went northeast, and joined Gen. Brown's army. While there he got an unlucky fall down a steep bank, from which injury he never got well. He drew a pension through life. My. brother John Gutridge was a baptist preacher for many years before his death. My brothers were all farmers -,on a small scale. I remember of hearing my mother count her * William MoColloch lived near Zanesfield, in what is now Logan County, and is the father of Judge McColloch, now of Bellefontaine.—[ED. 236 - CHAMPAIGN AND children. The number was twelve children and twelve grandchildren. The great-grand-children, perhaps, would overrun that number. I have seen many and great improvements in old Champaign County since the year 1807. I am now living in the town of Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio, Goshen Township, on the head-waters of Little Darby. There are two grist-mills and two saw-mills, one woolen factory, and a good railroad. I am in possession of the family record and dates of all the births and deaths of my brothers and sisters. They are gone, I hope to a better world than this. I was raised on corn and potatoes that grew in the fields that were plowed with long, wooden mould-board plows, then the cast plow ; but the best of all is the steel-plow of the present- day. The improvements in farming are great, and good, and far exceed those of other years. Many places where we used to hear the howling of wolves, and the hunting of the red-man, we can hear the Gospel preached on Sunday, and often on week-days. In 1807 farm-cabins were scarce and far between, but now our country is almost a dense population, dotted over with good farms and good buildings, flourishing towns, and many splendid churches. In the settling of the northern part of Ohio, the people had to labor under many disadvantages. The corn got frost-bitten, but the forest afforded us plenty of wild meat. Deer, bear, and turkeys were plenty. My brothers were sure shots, and killed an abundance Of game. I. have omitted many things of importance, on account of being a poor writer at this age of my life. I was born in Mason County, Kentucky, in the year 1793. I have written these few lines without the use of glasses. Perhaps but few are living that had the Dilworth Spelling Book for their school-book. EARLY RECOLLECTIONS. BY MRS. SARAH M. MOORE. The first settlers of what is now Union township, Logan county, were Robert Moore, Samuel and James McIlvain, Robert Porter, William and Archibald Moore, David Askern, Robert Newel and his sons, Samuel, William, Hugh and John, William and Joseph McBeth, Robert Crocket,David Kirkwood, Billy Gray, John and James Wall, Martin Shields. Subsequently, Hiram White, James Stackhouse, Adam Rhodes, Jonathan Norton, Henry Culp and others settled in the bounds of the township. In those clays we had what was termed overseers of the poor, and fence viewers, who were duly elected at the annual township election. The duties incumbent on the overseer of the poor was to order them out of the township if they were deemed villainous or vagabonds-; otherwise, in case of destitution, the children were bound out servitude, until capable of taking care of themselves. The duties of fence viewers was to examine the condition of fences. There were no picket or board fences in those days in our place ; but split rails were fashionable, with a slip-gap, or pair of bars at best. According to law, a fence must be in a condition to turn stock of any kind, or else the owner could recover no damages for the breach, or the spoiling of his Crops by stock that was running at large. The wild woods and prairies were our pastures in those (lays. A laughable occurrence happened at the spring election one year. The men. wishing to have a little fun, elected Adam Rhodes, he being a remarkably tall man, and Hiram White, a small man, as fence viewers. Adam was to chin the fence, and Hiram to look after the pig holes. 238 - CHAMPAIGN AND RAISING HOGS. Two neighbors got into a dispute about the ownership of a certain hog, which they both claimed. One being more shrewd and less scrupulous about honesty or truth than the other, got a man to. swear before a Justice of the Peace, that he knew it to be his, because he knew that he raised it. It was afterward ascertained that the way he raised it, he stooped over a low fence and lifted it off its feet by the bristles (hogs had bristles in those days.) A lean. shoat could well be compared to a fish, the bristles answering to the fins on the back, and the sides as flat, with mutton hams. Stealing, or killing hogs in the woods, was a very common occurrence. Very frequently hogs would come running home with torn and bloody ears,(being dogged,) and one or two missing. The-poor Indian had to bear the blame often, when the deed was done by some white sinner. Robert Moore suggested that the (then), new county should be called Bristle county. It was a common thing for cattle to come up with one missing. and upon Search being made would be found swamped in the mud, somewhere. Neighbors would assist each other, and with hand spikes and ropes, pry up and drag out. Sometimes the poor creature could stand, after it would get on solid footing ; sometimes it would have to be lifted to its feet for days and weeks. Each owner of stock had to have his own peculiar mark, which done by slitting and cropping, and cutting the ears, and then having their mark recorded in the public records of the county. Men, used to have a cruel and silly practice, of what they called docking: their horses. The manner by which it was done, was to part the.. hair about six or eight inches from the point of the tail, then take a sharp ax, and set the pole on the horse's rump, turn the tail up.. over the edge of the ax, and then with maul or heavy mallet, strikes hard. It took four men to do it ; one to hold the head, one to hold the tail, one to hold the ax, and the fourth was the executioner. Another practice, which was still more ridiculous, was nicking,. which was done by cutting the tendons in the under part of the-tail, and turning it up and fastening it in that position until the-wound would heal up.. Young men thought they made a grant• LOGAN COUNTIES - 239 display when they rode by with a nick-tailed horse; not more ridiculous, however, than the women of to-day, with their high-heeled shoes, their camels hump, or piles of bark or hemp on their heads. But we had some noble boys among us in early times—young men who could cut and split two or three hundred rails in a day, pile and burn brush at night, or shell their sack of corn, and ride on it on horseback to mill. The girls could milk the cows, churn the butter, make the cheese, pull the flax, spin, weave and bleach it, and then make it up for the boys. They could help sheer the sheep, then card and spin the wool, color it and weave it, and then make dresses of it. Such was frontier life, fifty or sixty years ago. Where we now have beautiful green fields, was then a howling wilderness. Meanwhile, heralds of the Cross were not idle. Father Joseph. Stephenson, than whom few could boast a finer physical organization, tall, erect and well proportioned, he stood forth, a giant—for the cause of religion and morality—and as the good Master, "went about doing good," and like the Apostles, "preached from house to house ;" for there were no church buildings here then, no Bellefontaine, with its church bells to call the worshipers together at certain hours ; no railroad, to carry the ministering brethren to their appointments ; but their zeal would prompt them to face the storms of winter, and ride for miles on horseback, to fill their appointments. Camp-meetings were quite common. One year there was one held on the place of Lodman E. Spry, at which there were a large crowd of Shawnee and Delaware Indians—some all the way from Sandusky. Their encampment was back of the preacher's stand. They seemed to enjoy the meeting as well as the whites, and were quite as orderly. Some of thorn were beautiful singers, and would get very happy at the night meetings. But times and customs have changed since those days. Who can tell what may be the changes of the next half century ? Echo answers—Who? Let us all watch and wait, and try to fulfill our mission. ESSAY, WRITTEN BY MRS. SARAH M. MOORE, AND READ BEFORE THE PIONEER MEETING, IN DEGRAFF, ON THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1871. Among the first settlers in Union and Pleasant townships, in 240 - CHAMPAIGN AND Logan county, were Robert Moore; and John and Thomas Makemson, John and Benjamin Schooler, Phillip Matthews, Sen.; and his sons David, Henry, Phillip and Alfred ; James Shaw, Jeremiah Stanbery, John Provolt and Samuel McIlvain. About the year 1810 or 11, there was felt a shock of earthquake, which caused a distinct vibration of some three inches, of skeins of yarn, that were suspended from the joist of our log cabin. Well do I remember how frightened I was when my father told us what it was. Indians were plenty about here at that time, and often came into the settlement to trade their split baskets (which were very pretty, being colored black and red, and striped with the natural color of ash wood), dressed deer-skins and moccasins, for flour, a little cornmeal, or a piece of meat. They were very friendly with the whites, generally, if they were well treated. Of game there was plenty ; deer was often seen in herds, six, eight or ten together. How beautiful they were, leaping over hills or across the prairies, with their white flags waving. But the poor creatures were hunted and slaughtered without mercy, by both white and Indian hunters. Thesly, and sneaking wolf, too, was often seen skulking through the brush, and wo betide the poor sheep that wasn't housed up at night. These depredators were often caught in traps, the price of a wolf-scalp being four dollars. Occasionally a bear was killed: A little son of Win. Moore, living on McKees' creek, near win re the Bellefontaine and West Liberty turnpike crosses it, was sent after the cows one evening, (he always carried his trusty rifle on such occasions,) and in passing through the woods, he espied a huge black bear standing with its paws on a large log close by, apparently watching him. Without waiting to think of the consequences. should he miss his aim, he blazed away, and down came brain—the ball entering his forehead, and away ran Billy home to tell his father, who would scarcely believe his story. ".Bat, father, just come and see," said Billy. He went; and there sure enough, was the bear, a very large animal, weighing nearly 400 pounds, lying dead beside the log. BLACKBIRDS AND PIGEONS. It would be almost impassible to make the young folks of to-day have an adequate idea of the immense swarms of blackbirds that LOGAN COUNTIES - 241 used to collect about our cornfields. They could be seen coming in flocks, by the thousands, and alighting on the corn, about the time it was in good order for roasting, tearing open the husk, and feasting on the soft corn. Then there was work for the boys, with the horse-rattler, old tin pails, or anything to scare off the birds. And, after all, they would destroy some fields of corn dreadfully. Pigeons, though more plentiful still th in blackbirds, were not so mischievous. At certain seasons of the year (or some years) they might be seen flying in such crowds overhead as almost to darken the air, anti in continuous lines for miles in length. One season the pigeon-roost was at a place called the Beaver dam, in Union township, where they would collect in such vast numbers as to break down the timber. Large limbs would be broken off trees, and saplings bent to the ground. Rattlesnakes were also plenty. Well do I remember the time when quite a large one got into our house, and was found coiled up at the foot of the bed where my brothers were sleeping. Feeling something at their feet, they called father, and he grasped a large iron poker and dexterously pitched it into the fire. Shortly after, the dog was making a great ado outside the house;- father went out, and there was another snake, no doubt mate to the one in the house, which he also killed. MAKING HOMINY. In making hominy, the first thing was to prepare the mortar to pound it in, which was done by sawing off a log about two feet in diameter and three feet long, then chop it in from one end, leaving a rim for the bottom, then dress it off smooth in the shape of a goblet, set it up on the bottom and pile chips or bark on the top and burn it out, on the inside, taking care to leave a rim at the outer edge. When this was done it was dressed out smooth and clean. Then shell about half a bushel of corn, pour boiling water on it in some vessel and let it 'stand a spell, then pour the water off and turn it in the hominy block. The pestle for pounding it was made by taking a stout stick about like a handspike, shaving it smooth; splitting one end, and inserting an iron wedge, (such as is used in splitting rails) taking. care to have an iron ring on the stick to keep it from splitting with the wedge while pounding the corn. The chaff, or husk, would part from the grain, and leave it clean and 242 - CHAMPAIGN AND cracked, fit for cooking, then put on the big kettle and boil the hominy. FROLICKS. We used to have spinning bees (as the yankees would say.) A neighbor would send flax enough around the neighborhood to spin twelve cuts for each one, and send an invitation for us to come on a certain day, and bring our dozen of thread, and partake of a good dinner, and a good time in general. The men would have log-rollings, and house-raisings, and corn-huskings. We would have our wool-pickings, and quiltings. We could, and did ride on horseback, for miles to meeting or to market or visiting, and thought it only a pleasant recreation. We could pull flax, scutch it, spin it, weave it, bleach it, and make it up into shirts for the men. THE WAR OF 1812. How many of us can remember the demonstrations of joy and rejoicing there were among us, at the news of Perry's victory on Lake Erie. Well do I remember hearing the shooting and shouting. I have a knapsack in my possession that was in the army, under General Brown, at Sackett Harbor, in 1813 or 14, made of tow linen with leather straps. My aged friends, we who have borne the burden and heat of the day are now walking or wading along the banks of the river. Some of us with our feet in the water waiting to be launched over. We have seen our friends, one by one, passing over before us. Have we all got our lamps trimmed, and oil in our vessels? Did we all go to work in the Master's vineyard at the eleventh hour, or are we still standing idle, making the excuse that no man hath hired us? Let us not murmur because those that came in at the eleventh hour receive as much as we. Let us rather rejoice that they came in, even late, and receive the same wages. "Let not our eye be evil because God is good." LOGAN COUNTIES - 243 WILLIAM BOGGS, Eldest son of Maj. William Boggs, aged 18 years, of Westmoreland county, Virginia, was taken prisoner by the Indiana, about the year 1770, and remained a prisoner with them two years. He -spent a considerable part of that time at the Mac-a-cheek towns, on Mad river, near the present town of West Liberty. He was sick much of the time he was a prisoner, and at times reduced so low that he was scarcely able to walk. A young squaw was very kind to him, and probably saved his life on several occasions. At one time the Indians had a drunken frolic, when he was so weak he could not walk. This Indian woman carried him in her arms, probably in the night time, and hid him in the tall grass, on Mac-a-cheek, covered him over with the grass and set up the grass on her trail so that that the Indians could not find him, fearing the drunken Indians would kill him. He laid in that place two days, and had nothing to eht except once, this young woman carried him some pole-cat brains, which was the best she had to give. After he was released, and returned home, he described that country so well along Mad river, from the head of that stream down south of West Liberty, that persons afterward came from his neighborhood, and had no difficulty in finding the exact localities he had described,. especially about the present site of West Liberty, and along Mac-a-cheek, about the Piatt estate. He described a mound, which is, ..no doubt, the mound situated in John Enoch's field, where the Indians had a track to run, their horses, and .the judges would sit on this mound and view the races, but he gave no account of seeing any prisoner run the gauntlet, and he never had to run the gaunt-. let as my informant is aware of. At the end of two years he was exchanged at Detroit, and returned to his native home. He subsequently removed to Indiana, where he died, many years since, at an advanced age. William Boggs was a relation to Hiram, Nelson and Alfred Johnson of Champaign county. WILLIAM JOHNSON Removed from Pennsylvania in the year 1804, and settled on 244 - CHAMPAIGN AND King's Creek, near where Judge E. L. Morgan now lives. Two years afterward he removed to Mingo Valley, where he died in the year 1818, at an advanced age. JACOB JOHNSON Settled on the farm now owned by his son, Alfred Johnson, in Mingo Valley, in the spring of 1805. He lived on King's Creek one or two year previous. The first time he ever viewed this farm he was in company with James Denny, the original proprietor, and the noted original proprietor of much military land. They were looking over the land; and came to a field that the Indians had cleared and cultivated and found twelve or thirteen squaws in the field hoeing corn on a very warm day. The squaws were attired to suit the weather. This field is very near the village of Mingo. Jacob Johnson died in the year 1844, and was regarded as a very worthy inane He was father of the well-known Johnson Brothers—Hiram, Nelson and Alfred. WILLIAM H. BALDWIN Was a native of Guilford county, North Carolina. He emigrated to Ohio, in 1811, and settled in Champaign county, where he lived until his decease in 1863, aged seventy-five years. He was one of the excellent men of the earth. HENRY COWGILL Was a native of Columbiana county, Ohio. He lived in Cha-paign county from 1817 until his decease in 1870, aged 67 years. He was steady, quiet, industrious, benevolent and economical. He lived a religious life, and was looked upon by all as a good man. LOGAN COUNTIES. - 24 THOMAS COWGILL, Senior, Was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to the Northwestern Territory, and settled in what is now Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1800. In 1817 he removed to Champaign county, where he lived eight miles Northeast of Urbana, until his decease in 1846. He was industrious, liberal and kind, and was regarded as a good and useful man. ARCHIBALD STEWART Was a native of Pennsylvania. Emigrated to Ohio in 1805, and lived in Champaign county until his decease, about the year 1860. He was Commissioner of the county twelve years, and filled many offices of trust. He was a kind and benevolent man, and for his many good qualities, will long be remembered by his neighbors and fellow-citizens. SIMEON MORECRAFT Lived in Champaign county at an early day, and is still living on his fine farm at Cable. He is nature's nobleman; may his shadow never grow less. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. BY F. M. THOMAS. Colonel John Thomas, One of the earliest settlers of Champaign county, was a native of Charles county, 'Wayland, where he had his birth, June 7, 1779. When about eighteen years of age, he left his home and emigrated to the wilderness of Ohio, stopping first in Ross county, near Chillicothe. After a few years he went into Pickaway county, where he married Ann Morris. About the year 1809, he removed to Champaign county, settling on the north fork of Kingscreek in Salem township. At that period, but few white people were in this county. The pioneers were far apart, and in a poor condition for defense against the inroads of the savages, by whom they were frequently threatened during the war. For their better defense, they erected blockhouses, one of which stood on Col. Thomas's farm. Here the families were collected when the alarm of hostile Indians spread dismay and terror among the settlers, whilst the men with their rifles marched to the frontier to search for and-drive back the savages. Col. Thomas accompanied these expeditions and belonged to the same company with Captain Arthur Thomas and son, who were murdered by the Indians near Solomons town, Logan county. The subject of this sketch was peculiarly fitted for the pioneer life, having a strong and vigorous constitution, and always enjoying good health. He was endowed with a large measure of patience and fortitude, that enabled him to successfully battle with the perils and discouragements incident to LOGAN COUNTIES - 247 backwoods life. He was quiet and unassuming in his manners ; possessed a warm, social nature, and was noted for his propriety of conduct, and his kindness and benevolence to the poor and destitute. When there were no churches in the county, Col. Thomas invited the clergy to hold service at his house, and the pioneer missionary of the gospel always met a cordial welcome at his door. He was held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens, and was honored by them with many positions of trust and usefulness ; being chosen as Captain, Major and Colonel in the militia service, and serving as Justice of the Peace for thirty-three years, receiving his first commission from Gov. Othniel Looker, in 1814. Some years after his settlement here, sickness carried off his wife and several of his family. He subsequently married Mary Blair, widowed daughter of Jacob Johnson, of Mingo Village, also a pioneer. His widow still survives him, living with her two sons on the farm where her. husband originally settled. Some time previous to his decease, Col. Thomas united with the M. P. Church in his neighborhood, %ad continued an exemplary follower of the Savior until his death, which occurred January 20, 1851, in the 72d year of his age. SALEM TOWNSHIP, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. BY EDWARD L. MORGAN. This township is situated immediately north of Urbana. Its southern boundary at the centre is the northern limit of the the city corporation. The township is eight miles long, from south to north, and six miles wide, from east to west. It is bounded on the north by Logan county: on the east by Union and Wayne townships, and on the west by Concord and Harrison townships. It contains forty-eight (48) square miles, equal to thirty thousand seven hundred and twenty (30,720) acres of land ; about four thousand acres of this land lies east of Ludlow's line, and is in the Virginia Military District ; the balance is Congress land, and is laid off in sections of one mile square, containing six hundred and forty acres each, except some fractional sections on the west side of, and adjoining Ludlow's line, which are of various sizes. Mad river runs south, and passes through the north-west and south-west parts of the township. King's creek has its source in Wayne township, and runs westwardly across Salem, and enters Mad river near the western boundary of the township. Mack-a-cheek, a tributary of Mad river, passes through the northern part of the township. All these are permanent, never-failing streams, of pure, clear water. They have never been known to go dry in summer, and always furnish an ample supply of water for milling purposes throughout the year. The land is mostly level, or "rolling" dry prairie, and "barrens," as it was once called, and the ridges dividing the streams and prairie, are covered with timber, mostly oak and hickory. In the south-east corner of the township there is a large, low, and once wet LOGAN COUNTIES - 249 prairie known by the name of Dugan's Prairie ; it contains several thousand acres of land, and receives the drainage of the country surrounding it, equal to an area of six miles square. When the country was first settled by the whites, this prairie was mostly covered with water the greatest part of the year, having the appearance of a lake, with here and there a small island thickly' covered with timber, mostly oak and hickory. The "barrens" and dry prairies were covered with wild grass, which in summer grew to an incredible height, and furnished fine pasture for thousands of buffalo, elk and deer, before the intrusion of the white man upon their rich domain. After this grass became dead ripe, or was killed by the frost in the fall of the year, and became dry enough to burn, the Indians, at times agreed upon by their chiefs, would place themselves. with their guns upon the high timbered land adjoining that upon which the grass grew, and at a signal given by the "captain," the squaws would set fire to the grass, and the wild animals of all kinds which lay there concealed, would be suddenly aroused from their quiet slumbers, and run for safety to the high ground, and there inset death by the rifle of the red man. Great numbers of deer were killed in this way by the Indians, even after the commencement of the settlement of the country by the whites. The Indians would invariably give the white settlers at least a week's notice of their intention to burn the grass at a certain time, so they could protect their fences and cabins by plowing a few fresh furrows around them. According to the best information, and that which is entirely reliable, (for I intend to, give no other,) the settlement of that part of the township which lies in the Kings-creek valley, was commenced in the year 1802, or 1803. Samuel and William Stewart, from whom I have received the main part of my information on the subject, and whose statements can be fully relied on, came to this township with their father, Matthew Stewart who settled on Kings creek in the spring of 1804. At that time William Powell was living near the place 'Where Mr. Albert Jackson now lives, having settled there about a year before. Wm. Wood, a Baptist preacher from Kentucky, and father of Christopher Wood, who distinguished himself in the war of 1812, and is remembered by all the old settlers, then lived where the Kingston mills now are, having settled there about a year before. Arthur Thomas, who was afterwards 18 250 - CHAMPAIGN AND killed by the Indians, then lived at the mouth of Kings-creek, where he soon after built a grist mill, which was probably the. first mill of the kind ever erected in this county . Joseph Petty then lived on Kings-creek on the Place where his grand son, Hiram Petty now lives, where he built a water mill soon after. The following named persons came to this township about the same time, or soon after : David Parkison, James Turner, John Gutridge, Abner Barret, William Johnson, George and Jacob Leonard. A majority of the first settlers came from Kentucky and Virginia. Matthew Stewart and John McAdams came from Pennsylvania at an early clay, and lived a short time at Columbia, on the Ohio river, above Cincinnati ; from there they came to this place and settled on Kingscreek, in 1804. John Taylor came from Virginia and settled on Kingscreek in 1806, at the place where the village of Kingston now is. He purchased 640 acres of land from Isaac Zane, for which he paid four dollars per acre. This land, together with two other sections of the same size, was given to Mr. Zane by the United States Government, in consideration of services rendered the army under the command of General Wayne in 1794. In 1810 Mr. Taylor erected a grist and saw' mill, now (1872) owned by Beatty and Willis. In the same year the citizens, who then lived in the vicinity, erected two blockhouses near the mill, as a protection against the attacks of the Indians. To these houses, which were enclosed by tall pickets, the settlers would flee in times of danger ; but the Indians never disturbed them there ; great numbers of them, mostly squaws, were every day to be seen et) ing to, and returning from the mill, with their little buckskin sacks filled with corn, and thrown across the naked backs of their bob-tailed ponies, upon which the squaws rode astride, some of them with their "pappooses" fastened to a board and strapped upon their back. On dismounting, the squaw would place the board to which the baby was tied against the wall of the mill, in an erect position, then take off and carry in her sack of corn, and immediately return and nurse her pappoose. The writer once saw an Indian squaw, in a great hurry, accidentally place her child upon the board wrong end up. The youngster soon discovered the mistake, and although a wild savage, its cries and screams precisely resembled those of a white child. Salem township was organized in 1805, the same year that the LOGAN COUNTIES - 251 county was created. The civil jurisdiction of the township then extended from the southern boundary of the tenth range near Springfield, to the shore of Lake Erie on the north, including a territory almost as large as some of the old States. If the census Chad been taken at that time, it would have shown that for every white person within its bounds there was at least one hundred Indians. I will give some extracts from the township records of early times, which will show the nature of the business then transacted, and the manner of doing it. "Record Book for Salem township: Chapter I, for the year 1805. May 10, 1805, Chris. Wood, Trustee, duly sworn in for Salem township ; Daniel McKinney, Trustee, duly sworn in that office for Salem township." "May 15, 1805: William Davis came before me and was qualified to his office of Constable for Salem township be-tore A. Barritt." May 18, 1805: Daniel Jones was also qualified as above mentioned.—A. Barritt." "May 24, 1805: Champaign county recorded as per certificate, rendered from under hand of John Runyon, Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, that George Jemison was legally qualified to the office of house -appraiser and lister of taxable property." "June 5th, 1805 : There is a bond in this office giving Daniel Jones for behavior for one year as a constable. Justus Jones, Barton Minturn surety to Wm. Johnson, Treasurer for said township.—A. Barritt." It appears from this record that William Johnson was the first Treasurer, and Abner Barritt the first Clerk of this township. By the record of 1806, it appears that Joseph Petty, Thomas Pearce and William Parkison were elected Trustees, and David Parkison Clerk for that year. The following appears upon the record of that year : "August 15, 1806: A memorandum of the business transacted by William Moore and Matthew Stewart, overseers of the poor, in the township of Salem, and county of Champaign, for the year 1806 : October 18, 1806. To one order for clothing for one child - $4 00 To David Parkison—for nursing - 3 00 To Wm. Powell—for the use of a midwife - 2 00 To two days service for Moore and Stewart —Gave an order to Treasurer for the use of Jany Parkison for three dollars, the 8th day of November, 1806. The Trustees allowed Wm. 252 - CHAMPAIGN AND Powel's account for keeping poor woman and child—the. account, $20 00 as per account, October 4th, 1806." Who the poor woman and child were, is not known. The following is copied from the township record of 1808: "Agreeable to the squirrel law, the Trustees of this township have laid on each taxable ten squirrel scalps, and one scalp for each and every twelve and a half cents his tax amounts to. Done the 23d day of April, 1808. Attest David. Parkison, T. C." "July : David Parkison, town Clerk, to making out two alphabetical duplicates of delinquents in squirrel scalps, allowed by the Trustees. David Parkison, town Clerk, to taking in squirrel scalps and giving certificates, to be allowed by the Trustees:" "October 29; 1808: To James Turner and Joshua Baldwin, Trustees, their attendance in Urbana to appoint a collector for to lift the required tax of Salem township, the day and 'date above, $1 50." "November 2, 1808 : David Parkison, town Clerk, to one day going to Urbana to write a bond with security on George Sanders, to collect the squirrel tax, 75 cents." In former times it was customary for the squirrel "to travel from north to south in countless numbers, about once in ten years. They made their journey in the fall of the year, about the time that corn began to ripen. They appeared in such vast numbers, as. apparently to cover the earth for Miles, and if not well guarded, they would clear the corn fields as they went along. They would suffer death rather than turn from their course, and would pass over houses and swim lakes, ponds and water courses. They traveled due south, until they would reach the Ohio river, into which. they would plunge and attempt to swim over ; here an immense number would lose their lives by drowning in the river, and those that got over alive would crawl up on the bank, and after resting a short time, would resume the journey south ward. This accounts for the necessity of-levying a squirrel scalp tax. Captain Alexander Black, Moses McIlvain and others, from Kentucky, settled on Mac-a-cheek and Mad river, in the northern part. Of Salem, in the spring of 1809; at that time James McPherson, called "Squalica," by the Indians, (which means the red-faced man) was then living on Mad .river, at or near the Kavanaugh farm, and there were several Indian families there at the time;: LOGAN COUNTIES - 253 among others, Captain John Lewis, a chief, who had in his family a white woman named Molly Kizer, who was taken prisoner when young and raised with the Indians. She was highly esteemed by the whites. Alexander Black was a soldier, and served faithfully in the army of General Wayne at the battle with the Indians in 1794; he was an officer and served in the war of 1812, under General Harrison. John Enoch came to this township with his father's family in 1812; he was then ten years of age, having been born at Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, in the early part of 1802: he is therefore somewhat older than the State of Ohio. Abram Smith built the first cabin,- and was the first white settler in what was then called the "barrens," between the settlements on Kings creek and Mac-a-cheek. This cabin was "raised" in 1813, and stood a short distance east of the State road, and not far from the residence of Joseph Miller; a few old apple trees still remain to mark the place where it stood. Mr. Smith was a prominent and worthy citizen, and filled some of the most important township offices for several years before his death; he had a wife and two children; the whole family died of "Milk-sickness" within a few days of each other, about the year 1821. Wm. Copes settled at the place now owned by Mr. Lidders, adjoining the farm of Jonathan Parker, on the State road between Urbana and West Liberty, in the spring of 1814; here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the United States, at two dollars per acre, erected .a cabin and made a small improvement, but like many others of that time he came to the conclusion that the country was well named, and that it was really a barren and worthless place. He accordingly sold his farm for the same price that he gave, and bought one hundred and sixty acres in another part at the township, without improvements,' for which he paid four dollars per acre ; this land to-day is .worth one-fifth as much per acre as that on the State road, and no more. Mr. Thomas Thomas purchased the farm of Win. Copes, and after the State road became a highway of some importance, and was traveled by drovers, teamsters, movers, &c.; Mr. Thomas, after putting up a pret- ty good house, kept "entertainment," for travelers of all kinds, and, as was customary in those days he put up his sign upon a tall post in front of the door; this sign was a rather uncouth representa- 254 - CHAMPAIGN AND tion of a sheaf of wheat. Once upon a time a traveler on foot "put up" at the house of Mr. Thomas, and remained all night.; lit so happened (which was common among the folks at that time that the landlady had mush-and-milk for supper. The mush, as usual, was made of corn-meal ; in the morning she provided a breakfast of venison and corn-pone which she had baked in a Dutch oven. After the traveler had fared sumptuously, and paid the bill, he asked the landlord what sign that was before his door. Mr_ Thomas replied that it was a representation of a sheaf of wheat "Well," said the stranger, "I think it would he more appropriate if you would take that down and put a corn-stalk in its place." Mr. Thomas had several children by his first wife, and after her death he married a young woman of the neighborhood, by whom he had other children. This, as usual, caused trouble and strife in the family, which was carried to such an extent that his son William,. by his first wife, became a desperate maniac, and had to be confined, either in a cell or in irons. While in this condition the family moved to one of the new States in the west. Here, as before, the young man was left confined in a small house built for the purpose, a short distance from the dwelling of the family. By some means he one night made his escape from his hut, got an axe, broke open the door of the dwelling house, and entered the sleeping-room of his father and step-mother; on hearing the noise they both sprang up from bed, when, after a short struggle he succeeded in splitting his mother's skull and slightly wounding his father while endeavoring to protect his wife. Some of the neighbors, on going to the house next morning, found the maniac in quiet possession, and both parents dead upon the floor. On being questioned he said he intended to kill his step-mother, but not his father; that he had at first accidentally wounded his father but slightly, but fearing it might become troublesome and painful to his aged parent he concluded to kill him at once and put him out of his misery-Charles McClay settled in the fall of 1814, at the farm afterward owned by Joel Funk, and where the widow Funk now lives. Mr. McClay was brother-in-law to Abram. Smith, the first resident in the "barrens ;" he died many years ago and left several children; but one, Mr. Elija McClay, is now living. Archibald Stewart, Rob't Latta and John Williams, settled on the. highland east of the State road in 1814 or 1815. Wm. Mays, father of George and Archibald R. Mays and Mrs. Put wider, wife of David Fulwider, LOGAN COUNTIES - 255 came to this township at an early day and settled at the place where his son Archibald now lives. He was a prominent, worthy and useful citizen in his time. John Thomas (of Mingo) was the first settler at that place. John Thomas (Colonel) settled on Kings creek in 1809, at the place where his widow, and two of his sons new live. James Turner settled at the place where I. C. Yoder now lives, in 1808 or 9; his wife, Mrs. Ann Turner, was the first person buried in the grave-yard at Kingston; her grave was dug by Thomas Stewart, Isaac McAdams and E. L. Morgan. GOVERNOR VANCE. Joseph Vance, who afterward tilled many important offices in the civil and military departments of the United States and State governments, came to this township with his father's family in 1805. Governor Vance's ancestors were Irish Protestants, or what was called In former times, Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. His ancestors came to America at an early day. His grand-father married, and raised a large family in the colony of Virginia, prior to the war of the revolution. Of this family Joseph Colville Vance, Governor Vance's father, was the youngest son. He was a member of Capt. Saul Vail's company, in Colonel Morgan's rifle-regiment, and sensed through the war of the Revolution ; was married to Sarah Wilson, in Louden county, Virginia, in the year 1781—crossed the mountains and settled near the old Indian town of "Catfish," now the town of Was Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania, where Governor Vance was born, March 21st, 17M. In 1788 the father with his family floated down the Ohio river on a raft, to a station called Vanceburg. At this place he remained a year or mere, and defended the place against the attacks of the Italians on several occasions. He afterward settled on a farm on Mays-creek, a few miles above Mays-lick, in Kentucky ; -his house was one of the stations of what was called the "Kentucky-rangers." Persons. employed to scout up and down the Ohio river, and give the settlers 'notice Of the approach of hostile Indians, were called "Rangers." It was here that Duncan McArthur and Joseph 'Vance be- 256 - CHAMPAIGN AND came acquainted, McArthur being employed and acting at the time as one of the Rangers. Judge Alexander F. Vance, soh of Gov. Vance says when a boy, he has frequently beard them relate some of their early adventures ; one told by McArthur in his hearing, made n lasting impresson upon his mind. On one occasion McArthur, after passing up and down the river on his beat, and having made no discoveries of Indians, concluded to turn aside and visit a "deer-liick" he knew of a short distance from the river. On crawling very cautiously until he came in sight of the lick, and within gun shot of it, he saw a deer, and while he was making ready to shoot, a. gun cracked, the deer fell, and an Indian sprang out of the brush and ran toward it. McArthur instantly shot and killed the Indian, and was immediately fired at by two other Indians. As he teas alone, and out-numbered by the enemy, he started and ran for life, when several guns were fired at him. One of the balls struck his powder-horn, and knocked the splinters from the horn through his clothes into his side, causing considerable pain. The enemy being in close pursuit, he had not time to examine the wound, and the powder from the broken horn falling on the dry leaves, made a pattering noise 'which he supposed was caused by the blood from the wound in his side, and expected his strength must soon fail, and he would he overtaken by the foe. After running for some time, and finding that he had gained ground, and was probably out of danger, he slackened his speed in order to load his rifle, when he found his powder was all gone, and his wound but a slight one. When he arrived at the house of Gov. Vance's father, he detached the powder-horn from the bullet-pouch, and rolling the list around it said: "I will send this to mother, that she may see what a narrow escape I have had." Governor McArthur and Governor Vance were fast friends from this time to the day of their deaths. In. 1801 Gov. Vance's father, in company with General Whiteman, and others, came to Ohio, and settled at Clifton, Greene county, and in 1805 settled near Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, where he died on the 5th day of August, 1809.. Joseph Vance was married in the town of Urbana, on the 17th day of December, 1807, to Mary Lemen, by Rev: John Thomas, a Baptist preacher. He was elected Captain of an independent rifle company in 1809 or 1810. His company was called out several times during the troubles with the Wiens, about the beginning of the war of 1812. LOGAN COUNTIES - 257 He once built a block-house near the place where the town of Quincy, Logan county, now is, which was afterwards known as "Vance's Block-house." He afterward served in the Militia of Ohio as Major, Colonel, Brigadier-General and Major-General. In 1812 he way elected to the Legislature of Ohio, where he represented the county of Champaign for several years. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in the Congress of the United States in 1820, and was re-elected and served in that capacity until 1836 ; was elected Governor of Ohio and served one term ; was elected to the Ohio Senate in 1839, and served a term of two years; was again elected to Congress in 1843, and served a term of two years. His last public service was rendered as a member of the convention to revise the Constitution of Ohio, held in 1851. During the sitting of that convention, he had a severe attack of paralysis, from which he never entirely recovered, and from the effects of which he died on the 24th, 1852, on his farm in Salem township, two and a half miles north of Urbana, and is buried in Oak Dale Cemetery, a short distance east of Urbana. Governor Vance's educational opportunities were limited, his only instructors being his father and a tuition of about six months under an Irish itinerant schoolmaster, in a log hut. He was the architect of his own character and fortune, commencing business in life as a woodchopper at the salt works when a mere boy, and by his industry and economy, .procuring means to purchase an ox team, with which he was accustomed to haul and distribute salt to the scattered settlers of Kentucky ; and he still followed the occupation of ox-driver after his removal to Urbana, making occasionally trips to the salt works. His children have often heard him relate his difficulties and adventures during his lonely trips through the woods. Sometimes, at night, his camp was so beset by wolves and other wild beasts, as to compel him to keep up a large fire, and watch his team through the entire night ; he had at times to detach a yoke of oxen from his team, and test the fords of various creeks and small rivers before attempting to cross with his wagon ; and sometimes he was compelled to-wait several days until the high water abated, so as to make the fords passable, and on one or two occasions, to be without food for two or three days—and it was no rare thing for him to unload and roll his barrels of salt- across swells and mudholes, and then reload, unaided. 258 - CHAMPAIGN AND While connected with the salt works, Governor Vance became acquainted with the Hon. Thomas Ewing. Their acquaintance ripened into warm, mutual friendship, that lasted through life. In. 1815, Gov. Vance and William Neil purchased a stock of goods, and for two or three years carried on the mercantile business in Urbana, when Neil retired, and Vance removed his goods to Fort Meigs, now Perrysburg, where, associated with his brother William, they carried on the business some three or four years. These goods they hauled in wagons to Fort Findlay, in Hancock county, and .put them on board of what was then called Pirogues (large canoes) and floated down Blanchard's fork of the Auglaize. It being in the fall of the year, after a dry summer, the water on the riffles was very shallow, and the boats would frequently get aground. On one occasion, when aground on a long riffle, and after they had worked hard for two or three days to get over, an Indian chief came to them and said, "Get heap brush ! make big fire ! heap smoke--make cloud—get rain !" In 1818 Gov. Vance built a merchant mill on Kings creek, about a Mile above where it empties into Madriver. The mill had four run' of burrs, and all the improvements of modern days ; the patterns for the castings he had constructed on his farm, and conveyed in wagons to McArthur's furnace on Raccoon creek, and the casting when completed they hauled, and also the blocks for the beams by wagon to Urbana. He owned these mills until 1848, when he sold them to Reuben Hagenbach. They now (1872) belong to the Stewart Brothers. The principal part of the foregoing biography was furnished the writer by Judge A. F. Vance, son of Gov. Vance. Gov. Vance was a warm friend and advocate of public improvements, and gave his influence and votes in their favor. He was President of the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad (the first ever built in Ohio), and spent much of his time and means in his efforts to have the road made:. He was a staunch advocate for the repair and extension of the National road, then called the Cumberland road, through Ohio and other States of the west. In 1827, when he was a member of Congress, there was a bill before the House of Representatives, for making an appropriation for that purpose, and on the question of its passage, Gov. Vance made an able speech in its favor. Toward the close of his speech, he bore down pretty