(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 48 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY CHAPTER V. EARLY SETTLEMENT. Privations of Early Settlers—Rapid Growth of the County and Its Resources—Incidents of Pioneer Life—Poe's Memorable Fight with Big Foot—Bloody Deeds on the Historic Ohio. People of the present generation can scarcely conceive of the privations of the early settlers. To the lack of creature comforts were added many lurking perils which it was difficult to guard against, and the necessary banishment from many intellectual and spiritual advantages and privileges. The descendants of the brave and sturdy pioneers owe a debt of gratitude which they can never repay. The hardships endured by the ancestors of those who now enjoy the rich heritage of prosperity and civil and religious liberty were many and grievous. But the experience of those early and trying days were, after all, not without their compensation. They developed and ripened a noble race of men and women, in their physical. mental and moral beings, and fitted them to become the progenitors of a race of people who for sterling integrity of character and hardy physical endurance are worthy of so noble ancestry. HARDSHIPS ENDURED BY THE EARLY SETTLERS. A writer in the "History of the Upper Ohio Valley," speaking of the privations of the early settlers of the Virginian "Panhandle"—which description applies equally well to the pioneers of Columbiana County—has left a record from which some of the data for several paragraphs following is drawn. In the days of the pioneers the mode of communication was either by means of a long and tedious journey on foot. or by pack-horses. One horse would be devoted to carrying the mother of the family, who often traveled with an infant in her. arms, her animal being encumbered with the cooking utensils of the family and such table furniture as was necessary for the use of the members. Another horse would pack the family provisions and the various implements of husbandry which it was necessary should be brought with them, as none such could be obtained in the new country. Again, where there were young children of too tender an age to walk and undergo the fatigue incident to physical effort, two large creels made of hickory withes— resembling in size and shape our crates—would be thrown across the back of the horse, one on each side of the horse, in which were packed the beds and necessary bed clothes for the same, together with the apparel of the family. In the center of these creels the young children would occupy a space in a depression of the bedding which was secured by lacing in such a manner as to hold and keep them in their positions. and as the animal moved along, their heads only, which were above, were to be seen bobbing up and down with every motion of the beast as it walked along with measured pace. As the early settlers greatly depended on milk, one or more cows invariably brought up the rear of this unique cavalcade. At night. if fortunate enough to come across a deserted cabin, they AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 49 would take possession of it for the time being and thus secure shelter. But it was seldom that they enjoyed such a comfort and protection. Hence they were mostly compelled to make their camp upon the bare ground, beneath the green arches of the forest trees, and in the vicinity of some spring or stream of running water. It must be borne in mind that a journey to the West in those days was not over beaten roads and well-defined avenues of travel, of which at that period there were none. Hence travel was neither easy nor comfortable. Their way was usually along a trail, a bridle path, or marked by notched trees to indicate their course. These led through wild, primeval forest where the precipice. the ravine and the streams presented natural obstructions to their progress. After reaching their destination and making on, the first thing they undertook was a location of a cabin for the shelter and protection of the family. For this purpose timber was procured by felling the trees suitable for the building, which were chopped into logs of the desired length, and these were then rolled to the spot selected for the site of the house, where strong arms placed them in position, and covered them with a roof of clapboards. Afterward they were furnished with a puncheon floor, the interstices between the logs were filled with "chink" and mortar to make it storm proof, and he chimney, built of sticks and mud, was added on the outside. The next thing in order was the girdling of the trees and the felling of those in the immediate vicinity of the newly erected cabin, to obtain a clearing, which at the proper time was made ready for the reception of seed corn and potatoes. As our pioneer ancestry did not depend on "store clothes" for their outfit, each pioneer had his patch of flax, which the busy housewife spun in her leisure moments, and worked into yards of homespun fabric, out of which she made pretending garments for the family wear. The homes of the people. as has already been indicated, were of the rudest kind. A company of choppers would gather, on a day appointed, and with their teams assist in hauling the logs to the designated place. Then wuld follow the raising, which required many willing hands. In the meantime a carpenter would be engaged in searching for a tree out of which to make the clapboards for the roof. The boards were split, about four feet in length and as wide as the timber would allow. They were used without shaving. The puncheons for the floor were made by splitting trees about 18 inches in diameter, and hewing the faces of them with a broadaxe. These were the usual preparations for the first day. The second day the neighbors collected to finish the house. The third day's work generally consisted in what was called "furnituring" the house, supplying it with a clapboard table, made of a split slab, and supported by four round legs, set in auger holes. Some three-legged stools were made in the same manner. Some pins stuck in the logs in the back of the house, supported some clapboards which served for shelves for the table furniture, consisting usually of a few pewter dishes, plates and spoons, but mostly of w00den bowls, trenchers and noggins. If these last were scarce, gourds and hard-shelled squashes made up the deficiency. The iron pots, knives and forks were brought from the east side of the mountains, along with iron and salt on pack horses. A single fork placed with its lower end in a hole in the floor and the upper end fastened to the joist served for a bedstead, by placing a pole in the fork, with one end through a crack between the logs in the wall. This front pole was crossed by a shorter one within the fork, with its outer end through another crack. From the first pole through a crack between the logs of the end of the house, the boards were put on, which formed the bottom of the bed. Sometimes other poles were pinned to the fork, a little distance above these for the purpose of supporting the front and foot of the bed, while the walls were the support of its back and its head. A few pegs around the walls for a display of the coats of the women and hunting shirts of the men„ and two small forks or buck's horns to a joist for the rifle and shot pouch, completed the carpenter's work. 50 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY The hospitality of the people was proverbial; no one ever appealed in vain for help or food in their emergency, whether it was a neighbor or a stranger, and nothing would give greater offence than an offer to pay for the same. The latch-string always hung on the outside, and the stranger and the wayfarer alike always received a generous and hearty welcome. In their friendships they were firm, constant and true. GROWTH OF THE COUNTY. The earliest settlement of Columbiana County was supposed to have been made in 1792-93 by John Quinn, who built a cabin near Calcutta in St. Clair township, where he seems to have led the life of a hunter for many years. After the organization of the State and the erection of Columbiana County, both in 1803, settlements rapidly increased. The growth of the county for the ensuing quarter of a century is illustrated by the additions of new townships to the tax lists, and by items of contemporaneous history, as given by Hon. H. H. Gregg, of Lisbon, in an address delivered before the Columbiana County Pioneer and Historical Association, September 13, 1873. Said Mr. Gregg: "The first levy of taxes ever made in Columbiana County was made at a term of the court held at the house of Christian Smith (whose hotel was just in the rear of the stone house on Washington street), in New Lisbon, on the 6th of September, 1803, Robert Simpson, Henry Bauchman and William Smith sitting as judges. The levy was made on five townships, for the amounts following: Springfield, $94.69, Peter Forney, Jr., lister or assessor; St. Clair, $98.38, Hugh Clark, lister ; Middleton, $88.62, Benj. Bradfield, lister ; Salem, $27.02 1/2, George Bair, lister; Center $31.94 1/2, Isaac Pierce, lister. Total tax for 1803, $340.66. "At this day the people may wonder why the taxes were only levied upon the five townships named above. The reason is easily given. At that day Springfield, Middleton, St. Clair, Salem and Center were the centers of population, settlement and civilization, and Salem and Center were on the western frontier. The first county seat, at Matthias Lower's barn, was fixed in the center of this population, and all outside was pretty much wilderness and woods. "Two years after, in 1805, when Mr. Blocksom came to New Lisbon, he gave me this description of his journey : 'On the third day of November, 1805, left Steubenville for New Lisbon, on horseback. Came on first day to Gillingham's salt-works, 16 miles south of New Lisbon. At that time there were but three houses, or rather, log cabins, between the salt works of Mr. Gillingham and New Lisbon; one three miles north, occupied by George Clark, who was afterward elected to the Legislature; one about three and three-fourths miles ; and the other at westfork, north side, occupied by Thomas Hoovey, and afterward by Peter Koffel. The country at that time, with the above exceptions, was a dense forest or wilderness, and but a very narrow road through it and,' Mr. Blocksom further says, at that time, on the road to Canfield, there were but three houses, one about where Samuel Berger now lives, a very small log cabin at the creek beyond Franklin Square, and also a house about where Greene village now stands, the balance of the road being all woods.' "Such is Mr. Blocksom's description of the country, south as well as north, two years after this levy of taxes was made, which fully explains the reason why the levy was only in five townships, and only for $340.66. Collectors were then appointed for each township, and were ordered to have the money collected in three months, and the assessor, or lister, was generally the collector. If Springfield, Middleton, St. Clair, Salem, and Center paid all the taxes, they also did all the voting; for the only persons paid for bringing in election returns were the following: Springfield, Moses Blackburn ; St. Clair, Enos Thomas ; Salem, George Bair ; Center, Isaac Pierce; Middleton, Jason Moreland and Benj. Wright. And these election returns were for June and October elections, and had to be taken both to New Lisbon and Steubenville. The court allowed to the persons named for carrying the returns a total sum of $40. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 51 “The number of inhabitants in each township at that early period may be judged of by the following number of grand and petit jurors ordered at the court held December 2. 1803 :

“And, further, it must not be forgotten that the boundary lines of Columbiana County at this early day took in a great portion of Carroll County, including Carrollton. the county seat, which was cut off in 1832 and nearly all of Stark to the Tuscarawas River. including the territory now occupied by the prosperous towns of Massillon, and Canton. and of Alliance and Minerva. which was cut off as early as 1808, and also five of the best townships in Mahoning County. which are bounded on the north by the 41st degree of north latitude, or the old Western Reserve line, and which last-named five townships were cut off in 1845. “If, however. the territory for taxation in 1803 only covered five townships, the court expenses were likewise reduced and very moderate, and the pay of jurymen was so small that they must have lived very cheap. or paid part of their expenses out of their own pockets. For instance. at the March term of court. 1804, the following amounts were appropriated out of the county treasury. to pay the grand jurors : Thomas Gillingham. $1.30; John Babb. $1.30; John Hindman. $1.10 ; John Quinn, $1.30; Jason Moreland. $1.00 ; James McConnell. 85 cents, Samuel Richardson. $1.20 ; Peter Shriver, $1.20; Francis Andrews, $1.20; Matthias Lower. 95 cents ; Samuel Smith. ; $1.05; Nathan Heald. Jr.. 85 cents, and John Gartner, $1.00 as constable of court ; making the whole expenses $16.45. “But our early settlers and pioneers lived economically in those days. had none of the luxuries of our, time, and but few of the necessaries; and they cared so little for show or the glitter of our times. that it is told by reliable authority that one of our very early Representatives actually rode to the Legislature at Chillicothe on a sack well filled with straw, from which we may conclude that saddles were scarce. and straw soft and comfortable, and legislators independent, and not afraid of losing votes. And I say all honor to the old pioneer who could take to the wilderness on a sack of straw. and hunt his way to Chillicothe, through the woods. for the benefit of a constituency who had braved the dangers and hardships of the then Western frontier. Even in my day the Representatives of some of the Western Reserve counties came through Columbiana County to Wheeling, in order to get to Columbus by the National Road. And our own Representatives used to rely on Colonel Harper and his hack ('Perseverance' as it was called) to get to Columbus ; and the Colonel would always take along a hatchet to repair a wheel, in case one turned inside out. "In 1805 the commissioners added Unity, Fairfield and Yellow Creek to the list of townships for taxation, showing some progress in the amount of revenue to be collected. as well as in the settlement of the county. For, instance, the taxes of Springfield on personal property were returned at $74.0 ; Unity. $82.80; Middleton. $67.40; Yellow Creek, $57.50; Center, $174.71; Fairfield. $53.90; Salem, $81.80 ; St. Clair. $76.20 ; making a total of $668.41 to be collected in 1805 ; and 8 per cent waS allowed for collecting the taxes in the remaining townships. And in the year 1805 elections were held in the eight organized townships named above. In 1806 the same eight townships were listed for taxation to the amount of $666.97. "June. 1807. the commissioners added to the tax list the newly organized townships of Elk- run. Greene. Butler. Hanover, Wayne and Lake. and. of course. with taxation comes the privilege of having elections and voting; Lake being the first organized township in the territory which was struck off to Stark County in the following year. The taxes in those six townships were listed as follows : Elkrun, $47.86 : Greene. $66.37: Butler. $45.97 ; Hanover. $66.37; Wayne. $27.99 ; Lake. $46.51. The total taxes on personal property in 14 townships being listed in 1807 at $880.27; land 52 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY taxed on resident proprietors. $464.86; making a total tax for the year 1807 of $,345.13. "September 8. 1807. the first account of an organized township at Canton is the allowance of $3.15 to Christian Bair for bringing in the returns of the election of Justice Leonard to the clerk of our court. Lake township having been struck off to Stark County, the addition of Knox still kept the number up to 14. "June 12. 1809, Madison township was added to the list of townships for taxation. to the mount of $35.70 on personal property, and Thomas George was appointed collector. "The land tax for 1809, upon resident land owned in the county. was $1,410.69. In 1810 the tax upon personal property was $1,187.04, and was confined to the 15 townships of the previous year, and the land tax amounted to $2.207.34; making a total tax of $3.394.38. and no doubt thought to be heavy taxes at that early day; but they were preparing to build a new Court House. "According to the United States census. taken in 1810, Columbiana County contained 10,879 inhabitants. "June 18. 1812. Beaver and Goshen were added to the list of organized townships for taxation and for holding elections. Taxes in Beaver. $35.25; in Goshen, $36.79. "The commissioners at their session on the 13th of June, 1815. added Augusta (now Carroll) to the lists of townships and assessed the tax at $17.97. Columbiana county then consisted of 18 organized townships. and the total tax on personal property was $1,585.03 1/2. In 1816. West. Washington and Franklin townships were added. and the personal property in the county assessed at $1,386.59 1/2. and the land tax at $6,251.63. less than what is assessed and expended in a single union school district of the present day; and to show the vast increase of wealth, as well as of taxation, at the present day. I will add that the tax duplicate of Columbiana County. in 1873. amounted to $299,548.64. and I have no doubt that the people of our county paid it with greater ease than they did the land and personal tax of 1816 named above. "The Ohio Patriot, of December. 1811, contains over two columns of legal advertisements for Cuyahoga County. signed by Elisha Whittlesey, as attorney for the party. At that time the Ohio river counties contained most of the population and representation. Geauga, Ashtabula and Cuyahoga being the only lake counties represented in the House of Representatives. and Cuyahoga, Geauga and Portage by one Senator. At the same session. Belmont, Hamilton. Washington. Butler and Warren had each three Representatives. while Jefferson County had four ; Adams and Clermont each had two. Ross and Pickaway had five. and the three counties of Columbiana. Stark and Wayne. but three Representatives. "The lake shores then were looked upon as almost a barren waste, never dreaming of the population, trade and commerce of the present day, or of the great cities that would grow tip around those inland seas, or of the vast wealth which would be accumulated in them. When we look at the growth of Cleveland. even within our own recollection, how easy it is to imagine a population of a quarter of a million, and to believe that our children will see the city extended to three or four times its present size and population. and witness our rich coal fields and hills hollowed out and transported in innumerable trains of cars to supply the necessary heat and steam to aid in building up manufactures and amassing wealth in that city. Like the wish of old Ben Franklin. who would not like to appear here in a hundred years, to see what was going on? And if the human family (as sometimes prophesied) have the privilege of crossing the Atlantic, or sailing around in balloons, or using patent wings, who would not be tempted to ask for a ride?" The first paper mill in Ohio, and the second west of the Alleghanies, was erected in 1805-06 on Little Beaver Creek, and was called the "Ohio Paper The proprietors were John Bever and John Coulter. The first gristmill in the county was built by Joseph Fawcett. on Carpenter's Run. near East Liverpool ; the first steam sawmill in what was then Columbiana County, by Wilson Teeter and Edwin Webb, at New Albany in Goshen township, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 53 in 1822 ; the first blast furnace by Gideon Hughes at New Lisbon. in 1808: the first tannery probably, at the same place, by John Arter and Daniel Harbaugh, in or prior to 1805 ; a cotton factory of brick, at Salem, by John Strawn and others, in 1814. In 1841, there were in the county 83 grist-mills 167 saw mills. 7 oil-mills, 2 paper-mills. races, 2 furnaces, 8 iron foundaries, 37 tanneries, 6 salt wells, 2 of which were in operation, turning out 2,800 barrels of salt yearly. The following items were returned for taxation in 1840, Mercantile capital, $108,849; money at interest, $44.265 : 215 pleasure carriages valued at $10,443; 8,619 horses, valued at $344,760; 13,657 neat cattle, valued at $109.256. SOME INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE. In a description of the great "Starvation Year” the "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" says: "Among the trials and privations to which the early settlers were subjected was the failure of crops, and hence the scarcity of wholesome food. In the year 1790 famine stared them in the face. An early frost in the preceding fall had cut down the corn before it was fairly dried and ready for the gathering. A great deal of it. however. was gathered and put away notwithstanding, and in this state it was used by many for making bread. which, when eaten, invariably reacted on the stomach, producing intense sickness and vomiting. Even the domestic animals were seriously affected from eating it. Consequently wholesome corn at once went up to $1.50 to $2 per bushel, and even at this price it was difficult to obtain. The scarcity was pronounced and generally felt by the following June. There were but few milch cows in the settlements. and no oxen, cattle or hogs which could be spared for meat. The woods to a great extent had been depleted of game by the Indians. who had slaughtered or driven away the greater portion of it within any reasonable distance of the settlements. But in the midst of the great scarcity prevailing shone out that conspicuous trait of character attaching to the people who readily shared what they had with those who were less fortunate. Such of them as were the fortunate possessors of a cow. shared their milk with their neighbors, notably in cases where families had young children. There was also a scarcity of sugar and molasses, not because there was not an abundance of the maple trees around them, but simply because they were deficient in not having vessels appropriate in which to boil the sap. If it had not been that the rivers and creeks afforded a reasonable supply of fish very p00r families must have suffered from starvation. The green tops of nettles and the tender blades of herbs of. various kinds, as soon as they appeared. were gathered. of which they made a palatable dish of soup, which many persons indulged in to satisfy the cravings of hunger. Potato tops were also utilized in the same way. A great scarcity of salt prevailed and sold in small quantities at 50 cents a quart. By one means and another the settlers struggled through this dire period until early vegetables began to appear. and finally the ripened corn, mixed with a small quantity of wheat, furnished them with the luxury of bread. The crop of the year was excellent. and banished all fear of a want of food. This year marked an episode in the lives of the settlers and was known long afterward. and always referred to as the "Starvation Year." The well-known old pioneer, Uriah Thomas, who died 12 or 15 years ago at a good old age. related the following incident. which occurred in St. Clair township. In the pioneer clays of old St. Clair. an old bachelor farmer. living on the north branch of the Little Bear Creek, had in his employ a young woman— quite a young woman, say 13 or 14 years old. The old bachelor had secured the little girl's consent to a marriage union. Notice was given, and when the time arrived for the ceremony. the justice of the peace was promptly on hand at the cabin. When the intended bride saw the justice coming, she ran and hid in the bushes close by. After passing the compliments of the day, the justice inquired for the bride elect. The groom-to-be replied that when she saw him coming she ran away and hid. "Hunt her up quick." was the command of the official. The future husband went out, shook the 54 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY bushes and the bird came forth. The ceremony was speedily performed. and the justice received his fee in coon-skins. A CURIOUS LETTER. In the early days of the county, when Chillicothe was the State capital, a new member of the General Assembly from Columbiana County wrote a letter which was printed in the Ohio Patriot, which was even at that early day published at New Lisbon. The letter read : "With the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station. it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act. my fervent supplication to that Almighty Being Who rules over the universe, Who presides in the councils of nations. and Whose providential aid can supply every human defect. that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the State of Ohio, a government instituted by themselves. and may enable every instrument employed in this administration. and likewise wish to execute with success the functions allotted to my charge. "Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together. I shall take my present leave. but not without resorting ̊ace more to that benign Parent of the human race in humble supplication. that since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunity for deliberating in perfect tranquility and disposition for deciding with unparalleled equanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of this happiness. So His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations and the wise measures on which the success of this government must depend." If the honorable member. who was the author of the foregoing "hifalutin" effusion, succeeded during the two terms to which he was elected to the legislature. in acquiring some conception of what was expected of him by his constituents, and in mustering his scattered ideas into some sort of working order. he may possibly have so modified his "enlarged views" as to do and say some things within the comprehension and for the benefit of common everyday mortals. THE FIGHT BETWEEN POE AND THE INDIANS. Says Henry Howe in his "Historical Collections of Ohio :" Adam Poe, who, with his brother Andrew, had the noted fight with the Indians. once resided in Columbiana County. in Wayne township. on the west fork of Little Beaver. The son of Andrew—Deacon Adam Poe—was living as late as 1846 in the vicinity of Ravenna, portage County. and had the tomahawk with which the Indian struck his father. The locality where the struggle occurred. he then told the author, was nearly opposite the mouth of Little Yellow Creek. We annex the particulars of this affair from Doddridge's "Notes." substituting. however. the name of Andrew for Adam, and vice versa, as he then stated they should be placed : "In the summer of 1782 a party of seven Wyandots made an incursion into a settlement some distance below Fort Pitt, and several miles from the Ohio River. Here. finding an old man alone in a cabin, they killed him, packed up what plunder they could find, and commenced their retreat. Among their party was a celebrated Wyandot chief, who, in addition to his fame as a warrior and counsellor. was, as to his size and strength. a real giant. The news of the visit of the Indians soon spread through the neighborhood and a party of eight good riflemen was collected, in a few hours, for the purpose of pursuing the Indians. In this party were two brothers of the names of Adam and Andrew Poe. They were both famous for courage. size and activity. "This little party commenced the pursuit of the Indians. with a determination. if possible. not to suffer them to escape. as they usually did on such Occasions, by making a speedy flight to the river, crossing it. and then dividing into small parties to meet at a distant point at a given time. The pursuit was continued the greater part of the night after the Indians had done the mischief. In the morning the party AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 55 found themselves on the trail of the Indians, which led to the river. When arrived within a little distance of the river, Andrew Poe. fearing an wmbuscade, left the party, who followed directly on the trail, to creep along the brink of the river bank, under the cover of the weeds and bushes, to fall on the rear of the Indians, should he find them in ambuscade. He had not gone far before he saw the Indian rafts at the water’s edge. Not seeing any Indians, he stepped softly down he bank with his rifle cocked. When about half-way down. he discovered the large Wyandot chief and a small Indian, within a few steps of him. They were standing with their guns cocked. and looking in the direction of our party, who by this time had gone some distance lower down the bottom. Poe took aim at the large chief, but his rifle missed fire. The Indians, hearing the snap of the fun-lock instantly turned round and discovered Poe, who, being too near to retreat, instantly sprang from the bank upon them, and seizing the large Indian by the cloths on his breast, and at the same time embracing the neck of the small one. threw them both down on the ground, himself being uppermost. The small Indian soon extricated himself ran to the raft, got his tomahawk, and attempted to despatch Poe. the large Indian holding him fast in his arms with all his might, the better to enable his fellow to effect his purpose. Poe however, so well watched the motions of the Indian that when in the act of aiming his blow at his head, by a vigorous and well-directed kick with one of his feet he staggered the savage and knocked the tomahawk out of his hand. This failure on the part of the small Indian was reproved by an exclamation of contempt from the larger one. In a moment the Indian caught up his tomahawk again, approached more cautiously. brandishing his tomahawk. and making a number of feigned blows, in defiance and derision. Poe, however, still on his guard, averted the real blow from his head by throwing up his arm and receiving it on his wrist, in which he was severely wounded, but not so as to lose entirely the use of his hand. In this perilous moment. Poe, by a violent effort. broke loose from the Indian. snatched up one of the Indians' guns. and shot the small Indian through the breast. as he ran up the third time to tomahawk him. The large Indian was now on his feet. and grasping Poe by a shoulder and leg. threw him down on the bank. Poe instantly disengaged himself and got on his feet. The Indian then seized him again and a new struggle ensued, which, owing to the slippery state of the bank, ended in the fall of both combatants into the water. "In this situation it was the object of each to drown the other. Their efforts to effect this purpose ere continued for some time with alternate success, sometimes one being under the water and sometimes the other. Poe at length seized the tuft of hair on the scalp of the Indian, with which he held his head under water until he supposed him drowned. Relaxing his hold too soon.. Poe instantly found his gigantic antagonist on his feet again and ready for another combat. In this. they were carried into the water beyond their depth. In this situation, they were compelled to loose their hold on each other and swim for mutual safety. Both sought the shore to seize a gun and end the contest with bullets. The Indian, being the better' swimmer, reached the land first. Poe, seeing this, immediately turned back into the water to escape, if possible, being shot, by diving. Fortunately, the Indian caught up the rifle with which Poe had killed the other warrior. "At this juncture Adam Poe, missing his brother from the party, and supposing, from the report of the gun which he shot, that he was either killed or engaged in conflict with the Indians, hastened to the spot. On seeing him, Andrew called out to him to 'kill the big Indian on shore.' But Adam's gun, like that of the Indian, was empty. The contest was now between the white man and the Indian, who should load, and fire first. Very fortunately for Poe, the Indian, in loading drew the ramrod from the thimbles of the stock of the gun with so much violence, that it slipped out of his hand and fell a little distance from him he quickly caught it up, and rammed down his bullet. 56 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY This little delay gave Poe the advantage. He shot the Indian as he was raising his gun to take aim at him. "As soon as Adam had shot the Indian, he jumped into the river to assist his wounded brother to shore; but Andrew, thinking more of the honor of carrying the big Indian home, as a trophy of victory, than of his own safety, urged Adam to go back and prevent the struggling savage from rolling into the river and escaping. Adam's solicitude for the life of his brother prevented him from complying with this request. In the meantime the Indian, jealous of the honor of his scalp. even in the agonies of death, succeeded in reaching the river and getting into the current, so that his body was never obtained. "An unfortunate occurrence took place during this conflict. Just as Adam arrived at the top of the bank, for the relief of his brother, one of the party who had followed close behind him seeing Andrew in the river, and mistaking him for a wounded Indian, shot at him and wounded him in the shoulder. He, however, recovered from his wound. "During the contest between Andrew Poe and the Indians, the party had overtaken the remaining six of them. A desperate conflict ensued. in which five of the Indians were killed. Our loss was three men killed, and Andrew Poe was severely wounded. Thus ended this Spartan conflict, with the loss of three valiant men on our part. and with that of the whole of the Indian party, with the exception of one warrior. Never, on any occasion. was there a greater display of desperate bravery, and seldom did a conflict take place which. in the issue. proved fatal to so great a proportion of those engaged in it. "The fatal issue of this little campaign on the side of the Indians occasioned a universal mourning among the Wyandot nation. The big Indian and his four brothers, all of whom were killed at the same place, were among the most distinguished chiefs and warriors of their nation. The big Indian was magnanimous, as well as brave. He, more than any other individual, contributed by his example and influence to the good character of the Wyandots, for lenity toward their prisoners, He would not suffer them to be killed or ill treated. This mercy to captives was an honorable distinction in the character of the Wyandots, and was well. understood by our first settlers, who, in case of captivity, thought it a fortunate circumstance to fall into their hands."