526 - HISTORY OF CRAW FORD COUNTY. CHAPTER XVII. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) SANDUSKY TOWNSHIP-EARLY ORGANIZATION AND SETTLEMENT-INDIAN AND OTHER INCIDENTS -INDUSTRIES AND OTHER, IMPROVEMENTS-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. THE territory comprising this township was surveyed in 1807 by Maxfield Ludlow. It was part of that extensive tract of land lying south of the Connecticut Reserve, and east. of the land known, after 1820, as the New Purchase. When this tract of laid was surveyed. a narrow strip. three miles wide, was left over, lying next east of the New Purchase, and was called the "Three Mile Strip." It was properly surveyed into fractional townships, six miles long north and south, by three miles wide. Years before the land of the New Purchase was thrown into market. scores of brave pioneers. regardless of threatened hostilities from the Indians, had "squatted" along its eastern border, designing to perfect their title to their farms when the land became marketable, as sooner or later it must. This was a wanton encroachment upon the rights of the Indian tribes, and a violation of treaties by subjects of the United States. But the pioneers had no apparent sympathy for the red man, seemingly believing that he had no rights which the pale-face was bound to respect. Large numbers poured into the Indian reserves, and, afterward. before the land had been ceded to the Government by the Indians, when complaints were made of Indian depredations, no redress could be obtained, as the settlers were trespassers upon the Indian lands. In 1820, when the country was thrown open to settlement, hundreds of "squatters" flocked to the land offices to secure the farms upon which they had been living, in many cases, ten or twelve years. Endless disputes arose regarding titles, which were only settled by the lapse of time, or by Territorial courts, authorized to adjudicate disputed questions. Rarely a case occurred where the "squatter," delaying to enter his land for several years after 1820, found himself supplanted by another pioneer, who had secured the land which the former had endured so much to improve. This was a serious hardship, and the "squatter" had no recourse but to give up the land and locate elsewhere. Sandusky Township derives its name from HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 527 the Sandusky River, which takes a serpentine course across the southwestern corner. This river enters Section 36 coming from the South, and takes a northwestern course through Sections 36, 35, 26 and 27, flowing, when leaving the township, in a southwestern direction. Lost Creek, flowing from Vernon Township, enters Section 24, and unites with Sandusky River near the center of Section 26. These streams, together with several small tributaries, form a complete drainage of the southern half of the township. Broken Sword Creek, a winding branch of the Sandusky River, flows from Vernon into the northern part, entering Section 1, thence crossing Sections 12, 11, 10, and finally leaving the township from Section 3. Its tributaries drain all the northern half except the extreme northern line, where branches of Honey Creek convey the water to Lake Erie by way of the Huron River. The drainage of this division of the county is excellent. although there is one depressed portion, comprising about three hundred acres, lying in Section 1. This swampy tract of land. known as "Bear Marsh," is noticeably depressed below the surrounding country, and, in early times, when shaded by heavy woods, was covered with water the year round. Since the forest has been removed, and the streams draining the marsh have been cleared of fallen timber, the water has been evaporated, or conveyed into Broken Sword Creek: and, although the marsh is yet wet and unproductive, it affords fine pasture land, and is thus used. The surface of the whole township is beautiful and rolling, especially so along the incline which forms the valley of Broken Sword Creek. The northern elevations are gentle, while along the valley of the Sandusky the hills are often precipitous, rendering cultivation on the sides impossible. Considerable coarse gravel and fragmentary bowlders, belonging to the drift deposits, are found on the surface. There have been no extensive quarries in the township, although an abundance of Waverly sandstone may be found underlying the heavy beds of drift in the southern part, and has been taken out in small quantities on the farms of David Wert and Frederick Beech. Considerable dark brown slate, or shale is exposed on Sandusky River, but to which formation it belongs is uncertain. The date of the original creation of Sandusky Township has been lost. The township was, at first. much larger than it is at present; but, on the 2d of June, 1835. a division was made as is shown by the following extract, taken from the County Commissioner's report of that date: "This day came David Reed and filed a petition, praying that some relief may be given to the inhabitants of Sandusky Township, stating that the township is twelve miles in length and three in breadth, and requesting the Commissioners to divide and alter said township and the adjoining townships, so that it may be more convenient, whereupon the Commissioners ordered that all the original surveyed fractional Township 16, Range 21, commonly called the south end of Sandusky Township, and the east tier of fractional sections in Township 3. Range 17 (Whetstone Township), viz., Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, and Sections 34, 35 and 36, Township 17, Range 21, are hereby organized into a separate township, to be designated and known by the name of Jackson. And it is further ordered, that all the original surveyed fractional Township 17, Range 21, except Sections 34, 35 and 36, called the northern end of Sandusky Township, and the east tier of sections of Township 2, Range 17 (Liberty Township), viz., Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, and Sections 34, 35 and 36, Township 18, Range 21 (Cranberry Township), shall consti- 528 - HISTORY OF CRAW FORD COUNTY. tute a separate township, and remain and be known by the name and title of Sandusky Township." The most interesting physical feature in the township is the gas and medicinal springs on the farm of Joseph Knisely. Samuel Knisely, the pioneer, who came to the township in 1819, was, perhaps, the first white man to discover the springs, and, foreseeing their value, not only then, but in subsequent years, purchased the land from which they flow. They are located in the northern half of the southwest quarter of Section 26. There are eleven springs within an area of four rods, and the owner maintains that chemical analysis shows that each one possesses a virtue not found in either of the others. The water of nearly all has been analyzed, and the united springs, are found to contain sulphureted hydrogen gas, carbureted hydrogen gas, sulphur, iron, potassium, sodium. magnesium, calcium, traces of siliceous and other matter and traces of sulphuric and phosphoric acids. These springs are located in a small basin on a little rill that flows into Sandusky River. Scattered along the creek above them are as many as twelve others, and a singular feature connected with some of these, is, that they contain no traces of sulphur. The Knisely Springs are all highly impregnated with sulphur, and, in some instances, a sulphurous precipitate is deposited after the water has left the spring. From one of them an unpleasant-smelling gas is incessantly bubbling at the rate of about 100 cubic feet per day. This gas is lighter than air, is highly inflammable, burning with a light yellow flame, and is evidently carbureted hyrogen gas, doubtless contaming impurities. Some, years ago, a large funnel ending in a tube, was placed upon the surface of the water, so as to collect the gas, which was conveyed by caoutchouc tubing to the residence of Mr. Knisely, about 100 feet distant, where it was burned steadily for over two years. It gave a clear, steady yellow light, with occasional fine scintillations, evidently caused by burning particles of carbon in the flame. One of the springs is very valuable and interesting on account of its medicinal properties, stone box four feet deep, with the same length and width, is sunk over it almost to the top of the box, and up through an orifice in the bottom, the spring water bubbles as clear as crystal. The water is four feet deep, and, seemingly, possesses a slight magnifying power, as objects at the bottom can be seen as plainly as in the open air. The bottom of the box is thickly covered with a beautiful purple sediment of a chalybeate character. The water is a mild cathartic, and possesses valuable diuretic and diaphoretic properties. It is asserted by the owner that animals live but a few minutes in this water. Its properties are not fully known, but several very obstinate cases of skin diseases have been cured. In one instance, a man named Marr, emaciated, and almost on the verge of the grave, from what appeared to be consumption, came there to try the virtues of the water. In four months he gained sixty or seventy pounds in weight, and left the springs, grateful for his restoration to health. The springs have been neglected in the past, but a movement is on foot, having some of the wealthy citizens of Bucyrus, Galion and Crestline at its head, to erect suitable buildings at the springs, and to give their full value and virtue to invalids. About forty rods southeast of Mr. Knisely's residence, is a section of land several rods square, from which large quantities of inflammable gas are continuously escaping into the atmosphere. The intention is to utilize this gas in the buildings that are to be erected. The early records of Sandusky Township were consumed when a portion of the county records were burned many years ago. The HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 529 date of the creation of the township, and the names of its first officers, together with other valuable records, are inaccessible, if known. Thus, those interesting items are necessarily omitted from the history of the township. The first white settler in Sandusky Township is unknown or forgotten. That there was such an individual, no one will deify, and that he lived in the township at quite an early day is proven by a limited amount of evidence. Prior to 1820, but a few settlers had appeared, but, after that date, and previous to 1830, almost or quite all the land was taken up. The flow of emigration into this and adjoining townships, came from the eastern and southern portions of Richland County, which locality had been first settled about 1808. As the settlements were formed and land became dearer, settler: departed for newer localities, where land was cheaper, in order to secure as much as possible with the means at their disposal. Two men are known to have lived in Sandusky in 1818. There were Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Ridgely, the former very likely locating on Section 22 and the latter on Section 14. When they first came to. this division of the county or whence they came are unknown events, which all effort has failed to unravel. Each had a number of acres cleared in 1818, and the weight of evidence is in favor of their having located there in about 1816. This, however, is conjecture. Each had a family which in a great degree was supported by the rifle and traps of the husband and father. Mr. Ridgely had quite a large family of boys and girls, the former being indolent and spending their time loitoring round the Indian camps in the neighborhood. The girls were blessed with dispositions of an opposite nature, being bright, active, and industrious. It is said the girls were very much ashamed of the sloth of their brothers, and would frequently go out into the field with hoes or plows, leaving the boys in the cabin chewing "dog-leaf" tobacco and loafing. The girls were courted and wooed by the young pioneers for miles around, and the young men who finally bore off the prizes were the envy of their set. The marriage of Lucy Ridgely to John Bear, the first wedding in the township, occurred during the summer of 1822. It was announced that a dance was to take place the night of the wedding, and all the neighborhood were invited to be present. This was an occasion not to be missed, and about thirty persons, old and young, assembled, and all was merriment and gayety. Plays, such as "blind man's buff," and "hurlyburly," were played amidst great laughter. Sets were formed upon the floor, and the "French four" and "Scotch reel" were executed with a gusto that would perplex the genius of a modern dancing-master. The young men came down on the "double shuffle " and cut the "Pigeon wing" in a fashion that elicited exclamations of delight from the older men present. Some of these attempted the same exploit, but ingloriously failed, and were in disgrace the remainder of the evening. This marriage is remembered by several of the old settlers yet living, who were present and participated in the dance, and ate of the venison and turkey served at the wedding supper. In 1818 and 1819, large temporary camps of Wyandot Indians were located near the present site of Leesville, Jefferson Township. For some reason unknown to the writer, Mr. Ferguson was known by the Indians as "Governor Ferguson." If any dissension arose between the natives and the white settlers, '`Governor " Ferguson was called upon to arbitrate the claims of each. No serious disturbance is remembered to have occurred. A few years later, two brothers, Phillip and William Beatty, unmarried, came to the township. A number of years before their coming, 530 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. their parents had been cruelly murdered in the forests of Pennsylvania by a war-party of Indians, who attacked their cabin in the night. The absence of the two boys alone saved them from the same fate. The hearts of the two orphans were full of hatred for the red man, and, shortly after their arrival, they determined to wreak their vengeance on the Wyandots. One dark night, they stole cautiously to the Indian camp, and, standing just without the fire-light, selected their victims, and fired simultaneously. No harm was done, but the braves seized their arms and darted into the forest in pursuit. The boys succeeded in eluding them, and in reaching their cabin in safety. The next day, the Indians, with loud complaints, went to Governor Ferguson, and demanded that the guilty ones be punished. Ferguson said it should be done, if the Indians could establish the identity of the persons committing the outrage: but this they were unable to do, and the matter was dropped. The natives were often thievish, apparently not possessing any knowledge of the rights of property: yet they always seemed penitent, and willing to make restitution for any wrong committed. If they borrowed the settler's gun, which was often done, it was promptly returned, in good condition, according to agreement. One day Samuel Knisely heard a great commotion among his swine, which were squealing and taking on at a great rate. Thinking that possibly a bear might be after them, he seized his rifle and ran out to ascertain the cause. He discovered three or four Indian dogs, holding a large hog, which was bleeding profusely and almost dead. He raised his rifle to shoot one of the dogs; but at that instant their owner appeared. in the person of a tall Indian, who leaped in front of the uplifted rifle, and throwing up his hands exclaimed: "No shoot, no shoot! Me pay, me pay." He cast his rifle and tomahawk upon the ground, offering them in payment for the damage done. Mr. Knisely refused to take the rifle, but kept the tomahawk, which remained in his possession for many years. In the year 1819. James Gwell came into the township. He built a small log hut, or "hen-coop." and began clearing and improving his farm. In the following year, Mr. Elder and Mr. Shull arrived and built their cabins, moving their families into them the same year. These men were industrious farmers, and made good citizens: a few of their descendants are yet living in the county. Mr. Shull owned a saw-mill on Sandusky River, in about 1830. It was run by water-power, and the water was collected by a large "brush" darn, which was washed out a few years later. The old mill-race is yet to be seen. In 1821, Samuel Knisely moved his family to the "Spring farm," which he had selected and partially purchased. in 1819. This man was one of the most skillful and successful hunters ever in the township. He acquired his knowledge of wood-craft and of the chase from his father. who was one of the most successful hunters in Northern Ohio in early years. The father lived in Tuscarawas County, and the family tradition is. that he made it his practice to kill 100 deer every winter, a custom he followed for many years. He was also a successful bear hunter, killing many of those animals. His son Samuel, the pioneer of Sandusky, was scarcely less noted. but the larger species of game had disappeared before his arrival. An occasional bear or panther was found, and the woods were full of deer, raccoon and wolves. He owned a large dog named "Lyon," that was trained to hunt the different varieties of game. One evening, his son John, a lad of fourteen, went after the cows, taking the dog with him. He had not gone far before the dog startod rapidly in pursuit of some animal, PAGE 531 - PICTURE OF MRS. JANE STEWRT PAGE 532 - BLANK HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 533 which soon took to a tree. The boy ran forward, and found that the dog had treed a large wildcat, which was crouched upon a limb about thirty feet above the ground. He began clubbing it, and soon the animal sprang to the ground, but was instantly seized by the dog. But the cat, though pinned to the earth, began doing fearful execution with its hind claws on the dog's breast. To prevent this, the boy ran forward and seized the cat by the hind legs, and in a few minutes it was strangled to death by the dog. He returned home driving, the cows, whistling along, with the cat on his shoulder, as though nothing had happened. At another time, when Mr. Knisely was sick. the dog ran a deer into the river near the house. It was a large buck, and had turned at bay. Mrs. Knisely ran out with the rifle, and, taking aim at the deer, fired, but missed it. She reloaded and fired the second tine, shooting it through the head, killing it instantly. She was unable to remove the body from the water, though she tried for some time. At last Conrad Walton, happening along. assisted her in pulling it on to the lank. These are but common incidents in the lives of pioneer wives and children. Mr. Knisely was a successful bee-hunter, and always seemed to know just where to go to find an abundance of wild honey. This was collected and packed in kegs furnished by some of the settlers and taken to Sandusky City, or later, to Mansfield. Trees were often found containing twenty or thirty gallons. Settler; often experienced great difficulty in paying their taxes: but, where they could obtain wild honey, or the skins of wild animals, an abundant revenue for that purpose was easily obtained. One day Mr. Knisely cut down a bee-tree, and, as it fell, a porcupine ran out from a hole in the trunk. It was instantly seized by the dog and killed; but the dog's head was filled with quills, and swelled up to twice its normal size. About twelve gallons of fine Honey were taken from the tree. In August 1821, John B. French erected a hewed-log cabin on Section 23, into which he moved his family. Mr. French had been engaged in the mercantile business in Virginia; but, finding that his health was failing, he determined to come to the wilderness of Ohio for a home. He purchased a tract of land just north of the Sandusky River, and began recruiting his health by engaging in pioneer pursuits. But, at that time, the climate of Ohio was very damp, and did not agree with him and his condition was not altered by his removal from Virginia. The country was covered with bogs, marshes and swamps which were a fruitful source of various fevers and diseases. His health slowly failed, and he died in 1830, his death being one of the first in the township. He was finely educated and was naturally a man of great sociability and intelligence. He was probably the first Justice of the Peace in the township, and was also one of the the three Associate Judges in the county. He had an excellent judgment, and notwithstanding his poor health, had great force of character. Although he did not pretend to keep a real tavern, yet his cabin became quite a resort for travelers, who often traveled out of their way to reach it. His wife, strong and clear minded, is yet living in West Liberty. The Wyandot Indians had temporary camps on the French farm, and often came to the cabin to bed, or out of curiosity or, perhaps to cultivate a spirit of sociability. Often, when Mrs. French was alone in the cabin busily engaged with her household duties, she would look up to encounter the keen eyes of an Indian hunter watching her through the little window, or else she would suddenly become aware of their presence in the cabin, where they came without warning or invitation. They would seat them- 534 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. selves before the fire without a word, take out their pipes, and fill them with pinched-up tobacco leaves from a little pouch hid mysteriously about their persons. The pipe, after being lighted, was handed to Mrs. French, who, to express her good-will and friendliness toward the Indians, would coolly take a few puffs and hand it back, maintaining the same imperturbable silence. Her husband had a sword, a relic of the war of 1812, hanging on the cabin wall. The Indians often took it down and brandished it furiously in the air at some imaginary foe. Mrs. French's nerves were equal to the emergency, she viewing the warlike actions without a tremor. One day she was engaged in boiling sugar-water, in a large iron kettle hanging over the fire. The Indians sat watching her, occasionally stepping up to see how the boiling progressed. When the sirup had been "stirred off" and had cooled, and the sugar had settled from it she gave each a small portion to eat. One old brave, named "Dave Hill," ate his in silence, and Mrs. French asked him if it was not good. He looked at her a few moments without uttering a word, and then, drawing himself up to his full height, while a look of supreme disgust swept over his tawny features, he haughtily said: "Ugh! French's squaw no make sugar like Indian's squaw." It is uncertain whether this was intended as a compliment to Mrs. French, or whether Mrs. David Hill was a superior sugar-maker. Among the Indians that stopped at the cabin was a tall, wiry fellow, named Blacksnake, who was looked upon with distrust by some of the settlers. He often became quite loud, especially after he had taken whisky, and would then proudly boast of his former exploits. He had in his possession quite a large number of scalps, which, he boasted, had been taken from the heads of white men by himself. He said he had ninety-nine, and must have another to make the even hundred. He soon afterward left the neighborhood, going west, and very likely kept his word. The settlers often received invitations to attend some of the peace dances of the Indians, or to participate in some of their great feasts. These invitations were usually accepted, not only to retain the goodwill of the Indians, but because they afforded no little sport and excitement. Shooting matches would be announced, but, notwithstanding the superior vision of the red men, the white hunters generally bore off the prizes. These usually consisted of a nicely dressed deer, wolf, fox or bearskin. Some of the Indians were great runners-one, named Eagle Feather, outstripping his companions, or any of the white settlers. The frontier was not without its excitement in the way of shows, several of which pushed out into the wilderness with commendable enterprise. In 1829, a large menagerie encamped for the night close to French's cabin. There were several lions, an elephant, two or three camels, besides a multitude of small animals, including baboons and apes, otherwise known as the ancestors of the human race. Before the arrival of the show, as it was passing through the woods a few miles north, the lion began to roar very loudly. A man named Bailey, chopping in the woods out of sight of the wagons, heard the ominous sound, and became terribly frightened. He started on the run for a neighbor's cabin, distant about half a mile, and, coming up to it, he told the owner "the devil was coming; he had heard it roar." The neighbor laughed at him, but, thinking there might be some wild animal in the woods, took his rifle, and went with the frightened man. When they saw the caravan, the fears of Mr. Bailey were dispersed, greatly to his relief. In 1823, Jacob Dull, Jacob Ambrose, and Benjamin and William Bowers came to the township. The last two named were brothers, HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY, - 535 and, soon after their arrival, erected a large, hewed-log, two-storied cabin on Lost Creek, not far from its month, designing it for a saw and grist mill combined. This mill, in time, became the most extensive ever in the township. The creek had considerable fall where the mill was located. and first-class waterpower, though limited in extent, was secured in the usual way by means of a race. The nearest mills of any note, prior to this, were eight or ten miles away. There was one near Broken Sword (now the village of Annapolis, or Sulphur Springs ), and one or two in the adjoining townships, but all could not be supplied from these mills, though they were run day and night, during the sawing season. The home demand for lumber was greater than the mills could supply, so that, even after the erection of the Bowers Mill. many settlers were obliged to go to distant mills, or do without lumber. The Bowers Mill, though its capacity was limited, did a fair business, sawing all the better varieties of wood on shares. Excellent black walnut timber, that today would command almost fabulous prices in the Eastern States, was sawed and burned with a prodigality that appears reckless, when viewed from the present. Entire houses were built of the finest black walnut timber to be found in the forest, and rails by the thousands were split from the same wood. The grist-mill was a rather weak concern, and was probably designed for no other purpose than to furnish ground corn and rye for a distillery that was afterward erected as an addition to the saw and grist mills. It could grind corn and wheat after a fashion, and was patronized whenever it obviated the necessity of going to mill through bottomless roads during the wet seasons. However, if a settler had a large grist to be ground. he usually deferred going until the roads were in good condition when he took his grain to a distant and better mill. As has been said. the Bowers brothers built an addition to the mill, designing it for a distillery, in which they placed a large copper still. They did not succeed in manufacturing more whisky than was required for home consumption. About this time, a man named Weaver was found dead in Lost Creek. He had no marks of violence about his person, and some thought he had imbibed too freely, and. in trying to cross the stream on a log, had fallen into the water, and, because of his helpless condition, could not get out. Others declared there had been foul play, and one of the neighbors, with whom Weaver had some trouble, was pointed out as the guilty one. It is likely that the former cause was the correct one. A sort of saloon was kept in connection with the distillery, and became a resort for convivial spirits. This was the only distillery ever in the township. The mills and distillery ran for about ten years, and were then removed. The old race and a few scattered ruins may yet be seen on the site of the old mill. It was near this mill that quite an exciting adventure occurred in about 1838. The neighbors had assembled to erect a schoolhouse, and had completed the work shortly after dark. William Wert had been present, and, while he was passing through the woods on his way home, his dogs treed some large animal and began barking furiously. Wert hurried forward to see what was the matter. The animal was up a small tree, and Wert, believing it to be a catamount, cut the tree down with his ax. But the animal, though stunned by the fall, scattered the dogs in hurry, stretching one of them lifeless on the ground with a blow of its paw, and ran up another tree. This was also cut down, with the same result. Wert's blood was then up, and, determining to kill it at all hazards, he cut the third tree down, which, in falling, pinned the animal to the ground like a vice. 536 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. The night was as dark as pitch, so that the settler could not see what kind of an animal it was, and was, therefore, unable to shoot it. The only remaining dog dared not go near it. The animal could be heard moaning and struggling to get up, and Wert, realizing for the first time its situation, started resolutely forward to dispatch it with his ax. When within a few feet of it, he saw its head faintly outlined against the ground, and, watching his opportunity, he struck it with all his strength on the head, killing it instantly. He struck a light, and saw with astonishment that he had killed a panther of the largest size. Its head was filled with the quills of a porcupine, upon which it had feasted a few days previously. His family at home were no little frightened when he came staggering into the cabin with the huge animal on his back. It was evidently a straggler, and but for the fortunate circumstance of its being pinned to the ground by the tree, would have escaped. It had killed one of the dogs, and badly wounded another. The neighbors flocked in the next morning to view the panther, and to tell stories of hair-breadth escapes of their own in the past. In 1825, James Tarns, Capt. Joseph Smith, Nelson Tustason, William Matthews and William Hanley came in, and erected their cabins in different parts of the township. The last three located in the northern part, near the celebrated "Bear Marsh," which was named by the Indians before the advent of the white settlers. These men became prominent citizens in the township. Tarns entered a quarter-section on the western tier of sections, upon which he built a hewed-log cabin. He was a blacksmith, the first in the township, and, in 1826, built a small log shop a few rods from his cabin. He carried on his trade to a limited extent for many years. Smith had been a commissioned officer in the war of 1812, and, after coming to the township, was elected Captain of the muster company, raised in this and adjoining neighborhoods. He was a graduate of one of the Eastern colleges, and, like many others with failing health, had come to the forests of Ohio to find what virtue there was in the rugged life of a pioneer. A few years after his arrival, he died of consumption. Tustason was well to do, and became an extensive land-holder, finally owning several sections near the central part. He purchased a portion of his land of Benjamin Johns, a speculator, who had entered considerable land in the township, in 1814. Johns did not live on his land, however, but sold it to the different settlers who located in this division of the county. Matthews and Hankey deserve special mention, as being the first settlers in the northern part. No settlers are known to have come in 1827, to this division of the county. In 1828, quite a number came in, among whom were Charles Burns, John Ruth, Peter Long, Isaac Beck, Joseph and William Cox, Dewey, Cove and others. Within the nest five or six years, almost or quite all the land in the township was taken up. During this period there came in John McIntire, Isaac Hilburn, Isaac Davis. Isaac Henry, Abel Dewalt, John Ramsey, James and William Dickson, Lewis and Peter Rutan, Benjamin Lobe, John Kaler, John Luke and others. In 1835, there were as many as thirty or forty settlers in the township. Industries and improvements began to multiply; markets became better and nearer; excellent flour and meal could be obtained within a few miles; Bucyrus and Mansfield were the principal trading-points; money became plenty, and the settlers attained a degree of prosperity unknown to them before. Ruth erected a rude shingle factory, in about 1836, riving them out by hand, and doing the sawing with a large whip saw, run by two men. Blocks of HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 537 straight-grained timber, about two feet long, were sawed, and the shingles, about an inch in diameter, were split from these. The work was slow and tiresome, and, after a few years, was discontinued. Better shingles could be obtained for less money at the saw-mills on Sandusky River. Isaac Beck owned a "one Horse" saw and grist mill on the river, in about 1835. He followed the occupation for about four years. Isaac Darling dressed skins for a short time, about 1828. John Lobe opened a public house in 1834. He followed this calling for nearly twenty years, and made considerable money from it. John McIntire was a weaver, and had a large loom in one end of his cabin. He carried on the occupation when not otherwise engaged upon his farm. John Kaler was a cobbler, who traveled from house to house during the winter, mending shoes. He carried a small box, in which were leather, and all the necessary tools for his trade. Hilburn was a prominent citizen in the northern part. When he reached the township, he was in poor circumstances, but immediately began mauling rails and was soon prosperous. One year his taxes became due, and he found himself unable to pay them. He would maul rails in the woods all day and. when night came would go coon-hunting with torches in the woods. One dark night, while thus engaged, assisted by his son Robert, a lad thirteen or fourteen years old, he was suddenly attacked by a pack of hungry wolves. He quickly placed the boy in the hollow of it large tree and standing in front of him, waved his fire-brand to frighten away wolves. They came dangerously close, snapping and snarling, but were afraid of the fire, and soon went scurrying off into the forest. Coon-skins brought 25 cents each, and. when well dressed, as high as $1. This money was used in paying taxes. Industrious and skillful hunters could make good wages, especially in the winter. They could penetrate the neighboring bogs and marshes, and catch large numbers of mink, foxes, coons, etc., whose furs, at that time, were valued very highly in the Eastern States. Between 1830 and 1840, large fur companies were established in various fur-bearing regions in the United States and Canada, and fur hoods, cloaks, tippets, etc.. were highly prized by the fashionable world. Thus, a valuable source of revenue was opened to the pioneer, and the result was that a vigorous crusade against all fur-bearing animals was begun and carried on so extensively that, in a short time the forests became deserted by those animals, which were shot or trapped or driven to some remote region not yet penetrated by the pioneer. But the result was advantageous to the settler, and. strange as it may seem, the fashionable world of that period deserves the credit and honor, if such they be. In the year 1827, a United Presbyterian Church society was organized in the central part of the township. A few years previously itinerant preachers had beun to visit the neighborhood, calling a number of the settlers together and preaching to thein in the cabin of one of the settlers. These visits brought the desired result, and the preachers were called upon to organize numerous religious societies. The Presbyterian society became so strong that. in 1830, a rude church was built. It was constructed almost wholly of clapboards, which were split out by Patrick McIntire. one of the early carpenters. Adam Stone, also a carpenter, prepared the moldings, door and window casings, etc. Elder Cratty visited and labored with the society for many years, and was one of the men to organize it. It became the strongest church in the township, although it was not the first religious society established. A Sunday school was organized at the time of the erec- 538 - HISTORY OF CIA CRAWFORD COUNTY. tion of the church, and, from the start, had a large membership. The great value of these societies to the citizens cannot be estimated in figures. They strengthened a sentiment of sociability and charity, that bore an abundant fruit of pure lives and morals in after years. In about 1850, a new church was built to take the place of the "clapboard" church, which was removed, and is now used as a barn by William Stone. As early as 1822, a Methodist Episcopal society was organized in John B. French's cabin. John O. Blowers was one of the earliest preachers. An Englishman named Martin, a resident of Holmes Township, often took charge of the meetings. Revivals were held in the cabins of French, Knisely, Henry and others. Great earnestness and enthusiasm were manifested by the members, and every family in the neighborhood was invited to come into the "ark of safety." In about the year 1840, the Lutherans organized a society and built a church on Lost Creek. The society is in a prosperous condition. The religious world had long looked upon the dusky savage as a deserving subject for Christian enlightenment, and, with commendable enthusiasm and energy, had early sent missionaries into the wilderness to teach them the way of eternal life. But the zeal of religious people and the earnest efforts of Christian teachers have been baffled by the natural perversity of the red race. They are today as crafty, cunning and revengeful as when the English landed at Jamestown. Like the Chinese, they have steadily resisted the advances of a higher type of civilization. But Christian teachers have been persistent, and exceptional cases are found where the aborigines have yielded to religious influences. Early missionaries visited the Wyandot Indians in Sandusky Township. A young lady named Melinda Hunt, filled with religious enthusiasm, established herself on the Sandusky River, and paid regular visits to the natives. She was always welcomed, and the untutored children of the forest loved to listen to her voice, while she told the "story of the Cross." There were rumors that, when she was a child, her parents had been murdered by the Indians, and that, instead of cherishing vengeance, her heart had gone out in Christian love for them, and she resolved to devote her life to their souls' salvation. She was kind. zealous, self-sacrificing, and was beloved by every one. Her heart was wrapped up in her work, and her labors were continued until the Indians left the neighborhood. She followed them westward, anal what finally became of her is unknown to the people of the township. Under her teaching, the Indians began to attend the meetings at the cabins of the settlers, and to take great interest, in the early camp-meetings. In 1831, one of these meetings was held on the French farm, and was largely attended. As many as sixty families of settlers erected tents and just without their encampment more than one hundred Indians established themselves in their wigwams, and took an active part in the exercises. Many of these were converted. But they soon went back to their old way of living. Among the ministers in attendance were Elders Prentice, Bell, Palmer, Chase and Havens, the latter being a man of great spirit and enthusiasm. Lines of tents were erected so as to form a square, inclosing about half an acre, and, within this inclosure, rude seats and a rude rostrum made from clapboard; or planks, were placed. Three exercises were held each day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. The ministers took turns in presiding. Supplies of fool were brought to the grounds, and the cooking was done in the tents. Horses were picketed in an adjoining grove, and cows were kept on the grounds to furnish fresh milk. Tobacco, candies. fruits, HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 539 melons, etc., were sold at tents erected without the inclosure. When the services began, the Indians assembled and sat together, with faces upturned. listening soberly to the words of the '`man of God." Occasionally some dusky face would light up with the fire of the occasion, and its owner would begin to manifest all the outward signs of sincere conversion. The most of them understood English sufficiently well to get an idea of what was being said. Large numbers of whites were converted, and the churches were greatly strengthened by additions made thereto. The Indians were in the neighborhood only temporarily, and, when the camp-meeting closed, at the end of three weeks, they journeyed westward to more fruitful hunting and trapping grounds. The citizens in the township have always been temperate and moral. It is likely that the first school in the township was taught during the winter of 1826-27, in a small round-log cabin, used as a dwelling, on the farm now owned by Alexander Smith, by Miss Jane Hogan. who afterward became Mrs. Smith. The cabin, though small, and having but one room, with a solitary window, through which a few shaded rays of light came, was divided off into two apartments, not in reality, but only in name. Into one of these, hastily and rudely improvised seats and desks were placed, and this was the pioneer schoolroom in Sandusky Township. The young lady teacher, who was handsome and quite well educated, taught three months, receiving a small subscription for her services in endeavoring to teach the few children under her charge from scarcely no books or slates or apparatus. Often when classes were called to the floor to read, one book was required to serve the whole class, each member taking it in turn and reading, while the others stared idly about, or mischievously snapped bits of wood across the room at some fellow-student. In early years, two or three terms at such schools as the one just described were considered amply sufficient for any one not desiring a collegiate education, and the young men and women were graduated in accordance with the prevailing opinion. The children were not sent to school until they had attained the age of about fifteen years. Here was held the first spelling-school, and here the neighbors-men, women and children-came to see who could "spell the school down." But the "going home with the gals" was what afforded the most pleasure, and all the different degrees of courage were exhibited by the pioneer boys, when it came to the "asking " point; and the long walk by moonlight through the forest paths, arm-in-arm, when the spelling had ended, was a memorable event, for "Here maidens were sighing, and fragrant their sigh, As the flower of the Amra just oped by a bee ; And precious their tears as that rain from the sky which turns into pearls as it falls in the sea. Oh! think what the kiss and the smile must be worth, when the sigh and the tear are so perfect in bliss, And own, if there be an Elysium on earth, It is this, it is this." Miss Hogan also taught the following summer in the same cabin, but her school was thinly attended. During the winter of 1827 - 1828, Mr. Dewey taught a term of three months in his own cabin. His cabin was twenty by thirty feet, and was sufficiently large to accommodate between fifteen and twenty children, who carne to him for instruction. The interior of his cabin was arranged similarly to the one described above, though it was lighted in a much more satisfactory manner. There were three windows each containing four panes of glass, and these, in connection with the ruddy light of the great fire-place, afforded what was considered abundant light to enable the children to read, write and cipher without fatiguing the eyes. Mr. Dewey was a well educated man, and he has the reputation of having taught an unusually successful school. 540 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. He continued to teach in his cabin until the first schoolhouse was erected, in which he afterward taught many terms. Miss Mary Ann Higby taught a short term in Dewey's cabin during the summer of 1828. She afterward taught many terms in Sandusky and adjoining townships. Several of the old settlers think that school was taught in the township two or three years before 1826, but they are unable to give the date, the name of the first teacher, or any incidents or circumstances connected with such schools. In the absence of any definite evidence, those early schools, if such there were, must remain in doubt as to their existence. Several of the earliest settlers were men of fine culture, who could appreciate the blessings and advantages of education. They had large families of children, in whose rapid intellectual and moral progress they were deeply interested. This would seem to imply that schools were taught as early as accords with the opinions of the early settlers. It was not until 1830, that a hewed-log schoolhouse was built, on the, corner of Isaac Henry's farm. Who the first teachers were, and the incidents connected with the first sessions of school, are items no longer remembered. This building was used about fifteen years, when a frame one was built to take its place. The second schoolhouse was built south of the river, in 1838. The whole neighborhood turned out, as was the custom in those days. and the building was designed and erected in one day. This house was used many years, and it has only been comparatively late that another was built to take its place. Another schoolhouse was built in about 1842, in the northern extremity of the township. Average wages have been paid teacher, and the school system has been inferior to that of no other country township in the county.