300 - DARKE COUNTY ment, which was mustered into service at Camp Clark, Springfield, Ohio, in October, 1861, to serve three years. It soon began service in West Virginia, where winter quarters were established. The principal engagements in which this regiment took part were Lewisburg, W. Va., May 23, 1862, and Dutton's Hill, Ky., March 30, 1863. In January, 1864, its designation was changed to the Eighth Regiment Ohio Cavalry. Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. As above mentioned, this organization was the successor of the 44th Regiment O. V. I., from which it was formed in January, 1864. This regiment was retained in service until July 30, 1865. During its short term of existence it took part in the following engagements: Covington, Otter Creek, Lynchburg, Liberty, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, North Shenandoah and Cedar Creek, Virginia; Martinsburg and Beverly, W. Va. It was mustered out at Clarksburg, W. Va. Sixty-Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Two companies of this regiment were recruited in Darke county, Company D under Capt. Eli Hickcox, and Company E tinder Capt. David Putnam. Jas. Devor and Jas. Wharry also served as Captain of Company D during the course of the war; Jas. Tip King and Wm. S. Mead as first lieutenants; J. W. Shively. and Wm. J. Faulknor as second lieutenants. Geo. W. Moore and Nelson T. Chenoweth served as Captains, John M. Boatman, Jacob J. Rarick and Jacob Leas as first lieutenants in Company E. Captain Hickcox was promoted to Major. L. E. Chenoweth was promoted from private in Company E to quartermaster sergeant. J.- T. King to first lieutenant; A. N. Wilson from private to Hospital Steward. This regiment was organized in the state of Ohio at large, from October, 1861, to April, 1862, to serve three years. On the expiration of its term of service the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the organization composed of veterans and recruits, remained in the service until July 17, 1865. This organization took creditable part in the following engagements: Gallatin, Stone River, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, Tenn.; Resaca, Dallas, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Chattahoochie River, Peach DARKE COUNTY - 301 Tree Creek, Atlanta and at Jonesboro and Savannah, Ga., on Sherman's march to the sea. Their last engagement was at Bentonville, N. C. The Ninety-Fourth Ohio Volunteers. This regiment was organized at Camp Piqua, some three miles above Piqua, Ohio, on the farm originally owned by Col. John Johnson, to serve three years with Col. Joseph W. Frizell, of Greenville, as commander. Three companies were enrolled from Darke county as follows: Company F, with Thos. H. Workman as captain, W. H. Snyder, first lieutenant and H. A. Tomilson, second. lieutenant; Company I, with Wesley Gorsuch as captain, G. D. Farrar, first lieutenant, Chas. R. Moss, second lieutenant; Company K, with Chauncy Riffle as captain, Samuel T. Armold, first lieutenant, M. G. Maddox, second lieutenant. Before being equipped they were hurried to Lexington, Ky., late in August, 1862, and on August 31, became engaged' at Tate's Ferry. During the course of the war they engaged creditably in the following battles: Perryville, KY.; Stone River, Tenn.; Tullahoma Campaign, Tenn.; Dug Gap, Chickamauga, Ga.; Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Tenn.; Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro, Ga.; Bentonville, N. C.; and Johnson's Surrender. One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Was organized at Camp Piqua, in August, 1862, and contained two companies from Darke county, Joseph C. Snodgrass being captain of one. Col. J. W. Keifer was in command. This regiment was ordered to Parkersburg, Va., October 19th. It served honorably in the following battles: Union Mills, Winchester Heights, Stevenson's Depot, Wapping Heights, Brandy Station, Orange Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania C. H., New River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Ream's Station, Snicker's Gap, Charleston, Halltown, Smithfield, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Cedar Springs, Petersburg, Jetlersville, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox in Virginia and Monocacy, Md. 302 - DARKE COUNTY One Hundred and Fifty-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was recruited largely in Darke county, eight companies being comprised of local men. Col. David Putnam, who had formerly served as Captain in the 69th Regiment, was the commanding officer, and John Beers was Sergeant-Major. This regiment left Greenville May 2, 1864, and was discharged Sept. 1, 1864, having been employed on the skirmish line in Virginia, to guard wagon trains and relieve the veteran soldiers, who were needed at the front. They were not in any important engagement. In Hunter's raid down the Shenandoah valley this regiment had charge of a provision train of 214 wagons, and marched from Martinsburg to Lynchburg, on the old Cumberland pike. It then marched over the BIue Ridge mountains to White Sulphur Springs, where it had its main engagement. From this point it marched to Webster, Va., a total distance of about 535 miles entirely on foot. After this the regiment went to Cumberland, Md., where it remained until the return to Camp Dennison and discharge. CHAPTER XIII. SOME NOTABLE EVENTS. There are a few outstanding events in Darke county history which should be known and cherished by every patriotic citizen and kept on record for the instruction and inspiration of coming generations. Prominent mention has been made of Wayne's treaty and its significance as a national affair. Harrison's Treaty. The next event of vital importance was the treaty held by Gen. Wm. H. Harrison and Gen. Lewis Cass, on July 22, 1814. The defeat of the British and Indians and the death of Tecumseh at the battle of the Thames in the fall of 1813 dampened the ardor of the hostile tribes, and made them desirous of peace with the Americans. At their solicitation arrangements were made for a conference and council at Greenville, early in the spring of 1814. Some difficulty was experienced in getting the tribes together as in the former extended treaty negotiations of Wayne in 1795. The British still held out strong inducements which it was hard for the wavering savages to resist. However, it is said, that by the latter part of June, 1814, some three or four thousand Indians were encamped around Greenville and its vicinity awaiting the final assembling of the council. The government was represented by Gen. Wm. H. Harrison and Gen. Lewis Cass, then governor of Michigan territory, together with Little Turtle, Capt. Pipe, Tarhe, Black Hoof and other chiefs acting on behalf of the friendly Delawares, Wyandots, Shawnees and Senecas. After much diplomacy all differences were reconciled and on July 22, 1814, the government agents named above gave peace to the Miamis, Weas, and Eel River Indians and to certain of the Kickapoos, Ottawas and Pottawatomies. All agreed to espouse the cause of the Americans in case of a continuance of the war then in progress. The scene of the principal negotiations was a little grove on the northeast corner of Main and Elm 304 - DARKE COUNTY streets. A large number of people were present for this early date and the occasion was enlivened by the picturesque costumes and decorations of the Indians, who donned their head dresses and painted their bodies according to the traditions of their respective tribes. Departure of the Tribes. The removal of the Indian tribes from northwestern Ohio in 1832 was an event of stirring interest and pathos. To the Redmen the final leaving of old haunts and the hunting grounds of their ancestors is a sad and pathetic affair. Accordingly, when the government decided that the welfare of the tribal remnants of Ohio as well as that of the pioneers would be best conserved by removing the former to a new and more congenial home beyond the Mississippi the Indians expressed a desire to take a last and longing look at their old stamping ground. As this spot was near the shortest route this request was granted and in 1832 the Miamis and Pottawatomies living on the reserves about Sandusky, started on their long journey to Indian Territory. Several of these people had lived at Tecumseh's Point and desired to see the place again. They arrived here on a fine afternoon in May on horseback under the leadership of a government agent, togged out in their picturesque native garb, the bucks in their feathers and their gaudy attire, and the squaws with their papooses tied on their backs. Their arrival was the signal for great excitement, especially among the children, who had never seen it on this fashion. There were five or six hundred in this motley and grotesque band, who camped on the point, remaining three or four days. For the most part they were orderly and well behaved, and furnished much entertainment for the curious. populace. It was especially amusing to observe the culinary operations of the squaws and one of the white boys, who was doubtless present when some of their meals were prepared, has left the following interesting description of the proceedings: "The squaw would go to a ham of beef, laying on the ground in the back end of the tent, chase off the dogs that were gnawing at it, cut off a slice from the same place, take it to the fire and place it in a skillet, return for another, again chase off the dogs, and so on till her pot was full. "When the meal was cooked, or partially so, they would DARKE COUNTY - 305 begin to eat, but without table or dishes, or even any other ceremony than that of helping themselves. They seemed to be merry, pleasant and jolly, and respectful to visitors, but no white folks were seen eating with them. "During their stay the old folks spent their time in looking about the country, here and there recognizing a familiar object. drawing a sigh as of regret and moving away to something else. Some of them went to visit the grave of Blue Jacket and another chief, at the council house about three miles southwest of this point, but were disappointed in finding them, as a party, said to be from New York, many years before had robbed the grave of the old chief, and the plowshare had passed many times over that of Blue Jacket. No trace of the council house, which was thirty or forty feet wide and seventy-five feet long, now remained. But the flash of a retentive memory stirred the countenances of these old men as the stirring events of their youthful days, one by one, arose and passed before their recollection. The young Indians amused themselves by sauntering around town, jumping and running foot races with the whites. These were sports they were accustomed to and at which they were hard to heat." The Wayne Treaty Centennial 1895. As the centennial year of Wayne's treaty approached public minded citizens began to advocate the proper celebration of this notable event. The daily and weekly press responded to the growing public sentiment and urged that fitting ceremonies mark the passing of the centenary of the peace of Mad Anthony. Meetings were held and an executive committee was appointed consisting of J. T. Martz, Daniel Hunter and A. C. Robeson, all patriotic, capable and public spirited citizens, who represented three pioneer families, and had been identified with the history of Darke county for many years. Extensive preparations were made and when the gladsome day arrived, Saturday, August 3, 1895, the streets, stores and public buildings appeared arrayed in lavish and gorgeous decorations. The booming of cannon and the ringing of bells heralded the dawning day. People began to arrive from the surrounding towns and country at an early hour and all the morning trains were crowded with curious and patriotic visitors. The crowd that assembled was estimated at about thirty thousand people. The feature of the morning was an (20) 306 - DARKE COUNTY industrial parade worthily representing some fifty business firms. This was followed by a line of horsemen, various lodges, societies, etc. Several bands, including the noted military band of the Dayton National Soldiers' Home, furnished music for the occasion. A small band of Indians, descendants of some of the tribes who participated in the treaty, were present and attracted much attention. The afternoon program was rendered at the fair ground where Gov. Wm. McKinley, Hon. Samuel Hunt of Cincinnati, Ohio, Judge Gilmore of Columbus, and Hon. Samuel H. Doyle of Indiana, made notable addresses. McKinley had made a strong and convincing address on the 18th of September, 1891, at Morningstar's Park during his gubernatorial campaign, and his presence at the Wayne celebration was greatly appreciated. Among his pregnant utterances were: "The centennial anniversary we meet to celebrate is of far more than local or mere state interest. If we may judge events by their subsequent results, we can heartily agree with the historians that the signing of the peace at Greenville on August 3, 1795, was the most important event necessary to permanent settlement and occupation in the existence of the whole northwest territory. Indeed, its good effects far outstretched even the boundaries of that great domain. * * * To me one of the greatest benefits of the treaty of Greenville has seemed that it opened wide the gateway of opportunity to the free and easy settlement of the great west. * * * "Greenville may justly congratulate herself that she is the site where the treaty was signed, that her name and fame are forever linked with its history. Let us keep alive those precious memories of the past and instill into the minds of the young the lessons of the stirring patriotism and devotion to duty of the men who were the first to establish here the authority of the Republic and founded on eternal principles its free and notable institutions. The centuries may come, the centuries may go, but their fame will survive forever on this historic ground. * * * "It is a great thing to make history. The men who participated in the Indian wars won victories for civilization and mankind. And these victories all of us are enjoying today. Nothing, therefore, could be more appropriate than that this great section of the country, which a century ago was the theater of war, should pause to celebrate the stirring events DARKE COUNTY - 307 of those times and the peace which followed, and do honor to the brave men who participated in them. "It is a rich inheritance to any community to have in its keeping historic ground. As we grow older in statehood, interest in these historical events increases, and their frequent celebration is calculated to promote patriotism and a spirit of devoted loyalty to country. * * * "We cannot have too many of these celebrations with their impressive lessons of patriotism and sacrifice. Let us teach our children to revere the past, for by its examples and lessons alone can we wisely prepare them for a better and nobler future. The city of Greenville, the people of Ohio, the people of the country, should see to it that at no distant day a great monument shall be erected to celebrate this great event." In concluding his long and masterful review of the events leading up to the great treaty Judge Hunt said: "The treaty of Greenville, following the spirit of the imperishable principles of the Ordinance of 1787, extended the hand of friendship toward the Indian, respected his liberty, paid full compensation for his lands and protected his property. It established a code of morals for a free people. When some future Bancroft shall write the history of this people, he will speak of the great Ordinance as the first attempt in the northwestern states and then of the treaty here proclaimed, which supplants the harsher tones of military strife with the softer syllables of charity and love. If, too, the victories of peace are not less renowned than those of war, then the day will surely come when a grateful people, revering their traditions, and conscious of the maxims imperial of their glory, will erect on this historic ground a majestic monument, having an outstretched hand rather than a fixed bayonet, and with the simple yet immortal inscription, "The Treaty of Greenville." Judge Gilmore said among other things in his very interesting speech: "The Treaty of Greenville became a precedent, and the principles it established were those, substantially, that were subsequently applied in extinguishing the Indian title to the residue of the great Northwest Territory, which is now sufficient in itself to constitute an empire in population, and in all things else that constitute goodness and greatness in government; lying at the bottom of which are the lasting effects of the Treaty of Greenville." 308 - DARKE COUNTY Washington's Centenary. Another interesting and stirring event took place at the county seat early in 1832, the memory of which would, no doubt, have been consigned to oblivion but for the public spirit and facile pen of D. K. Swisher, who wrote the following readable account of the occasion for the June 12, 1880, issue of the Greenville "Courier (for Mr. Swisher's biography, see Chapter XXII "Bench and Bar") : "At the beginning of the year 1832, great preparations were made all over the United States for the proper observance of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Gen. George Washington, which occurred on the 22d day of February, of that year. The day was generally observed by military demonstrations, orations and processions. The roar of cannon on the shores of the Atlantic was heard and imitated by the contiguous interior and southwestern towns, till the whole populated union reverberated with the sound. The day was observed by the citizens of Parke county, hundreds of whom assembled at Greenville. The day was pleasant for the season of the year, and the exercises were chiefly outdoor. 'A few months previous to this a small brass cannon, about a four pounder, had been found by some boys at Fort Recovery, by the name of McDowell. They had been digging along the margin of the Wabash river, and fortunately struck upon it. The gun had fain there since the battle and defeat of St. Clair at that place, had sunk into the mud and became concealed so that it was not found by the soldiers, who afterward went there and brought away the property left by him, which the Indians had not carried off or destroyed. This little cannon, which was about 5 1/2 feet long, 6 inches in diameter at the muzzle, and ten at the breech, with 4 inch arms, about 14 inches long, and a knob on the breech, weighed about 400 pounds. It seemed not to be damaged in the least by corroding, and with little rubbing became smooth and bright. The finders of it hauled it to Greenville and offered it for sale. But as money was very scarce here at that time, they were unable to sell it for cash, but Jacob Rush, a farmer just at the south of town, owner of the farm now owned and occupied by his son, Isaac Rush, hearing of the matter, offered to give them a yoke of oxen he then had, valued at $60, for the cannon, which they accepted, and Mr. Rush became the DARKE COUNTY - 309 owner of the gun. He afterward sold it to the citizens of Greenville for the sum of $60, the money to be raised by subscription. But when the effort was made to collect the money in that way it was found that but few were willing to subscribe anything. Frank L. Hamilton having been the chief contractor with Mr. Rush for the gun, and not being able to raise the money otherwise, sold the gun to some citizens of Cincinnati for the sum of $100, as it was understood. Thus for the want of a little patriotism and money in our people, they lost a very interesting relic. It seems to have been the history of this little gun, that it was founded in one of the great establishments of Great Britain, sent over to this country to knock the liberty out of the people, but was captured at Yorktown, and held by the captors, sent west by the government of the United States to defend her people against savage encroachments, but lost as before stated. And though it was a very pretty piece of ordnance, its misfortunes were greater than its beauty. It is understood the citizens of Cincinnati highly prized the little unfortunate, burnished it, and engraved its history upon it, mounted it upon a splendid carriage, and honored it by a front position in all her civic military demonstrations. This gun formed one of the chief attractions of the celebration here. A four pound shot had been found here, with which the gun was charged on that day, John Wharry and Allen LaMotte and Benjamin Devor being the chief gunners, but very bad shots. Four shots were made at a large burr oak tree which stood just upon the north side of the creek, and was about three feet in diameter, at a distance of about 150 yards. Three shots missed the tree, but the fourth struck it about twelve feet from the ground. The ball struck on the side of the tree but entered, and split the tree twelve or fifteen feet up, and down, to the roots. It was amusing, and constituted one of the excitements of the day, to see the men and boys run at each discharge to hunt up and bring back the ball. Small bushes stood very thick along the creek in the bottom land and the ball could be easily traced by the limbs and brush it cut off. The ball generally went about the fourth of a mile. Once it struck the bank that a fallen tree had turned up, which was about three feet thick and frozen hard; it went through the bank, but was entirely spent so that it lay just on the other side. The ball hitting the tree finally, buried itself so that it could not be obtained, 310 - DARKE COUNTY stopped that fun. But still the gun was charged with powder and continued to be shot for perhaps 100 times. At that day Darke county had no orators, no man stood up to speak and stir the patriotic heart, so that the pleasures of the day were chiefly confined to the booming of the cannon. No procession was formed or order observed; no military display, not even the enlivening fife nor the rattling drum was heard; no song to arouse the slumbering echoes, or stir and quicken the fagging memory; nor flags, nor war tattered banners; nor indeed were these things necessary. The tale of the wondrous chief, his great struggle with his little straggling army of heroes for the national independence, against the awful power of the most warlike and potent nations on earth, was not forgotten, but with each boom of the cannon fresh memories were enkindled and the heart swelled to fullness. At that day no disturbing element had awakened a feeling of sectional jealousy, a spirit of national pride alike in Maine and Louisiana was buoyant in every heart. No thought of a dissolution of the union, nor the establishment of a plurality of governments, nor of independence of one section or the other, but as members of one body all living on the pulsations of the one great national heart. Nor had the root of all evil, "the love of money," grown superior to the love of republican government, nor had labor grown weary and dissatisfied with its wages, nor looked on with evil eye upon prosperity and wealth, nor ballot boxes stuffed, or privilege at the polls violated. All these are new, dangerous and disturbing elements now, requiring steady vigilance and watchful care. The pride of the patriot today is not the pride of the patriot of which we write; "that all are patriots," but that a great and overwhelming majority of the people are patriotic, and looking for the perpetuation of the union, and the maintenance of our republican institutions, till the sun approaches his western setting on the last day of time. Till then may our republican institutions be preserved, and only destroyed by the general wreck of nature. No accident happened, or other unpleasant circumstances during the day, and the people retired to their respective homes, well pleased. This was 48 years ago. In 52 years from now, on the 22d day of February, 1932, the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth will occur. Will the people of Greenville and Darke county then celebrate the day? Will they go over the creek into the same DARKE COUNTY - 311 bottom, and let the roar of cannon be heard from the place? Will they then read this little scrap of the history of Darke county? I hope they will do all these things. And if we surely know they would, how greatly paid we should be for making this record. At that day there was about 100 souls living in Greenville and about 1,000 in the county. When our children meet to celebrate the day, 52 years from now, they will not see any here who celebrated the day 48 years ago. They will not see the large tree used by us as a target (it has already passed away), the fill of the Dayton & Union R. R. covers the stump. They will not use the little brass cannon, nor the thick brush woods. But the creek will be there, and the bottom land will be there. The town will still be here; not the town of 100 souls, but a city of 30,000; not a county of 1,000 souls, but a vast community of 75,000. They will celebrate the day greater in proportion as their number exceed ours, by orations, speeches and songs, and processions and flags amidst the roar of many cannon and the enlivening strains of music." The Hard Cider Campaign of 1840. No other man has thus far been elected President of the United States, who had been so vitally connected with the early history of western Ohio as Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison. His memory is especially dear to the citizens of Darke county as he bore a prominent part in the campaign of Wayne and the Treaty of 1795 as a young man, led the forces which gave the final blow to the redskins in northwestern Ohio and Indiana during the second British war, and negotiated the treaty here in 1814 as before noted. No wonder that the announcement of his candidacy for the presidency in 1840 was received with such an outbreak of enthusiasm in Ohio and Indiana as will probably never be accorded another aspirant for this exalted position in this locality. The sentiment of the people was expressed by the construction of log cabins, typifying the hardships of pioneer life, and large canoes suggesting the battle of Tippecanoe. The shibboleth of the hour among the enthused admirers of the heroic Whig was "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." A strong appeal was made to the patriotic feelings of the general populace and with telling effect, as shown by the result of the election. While campaigning in western Ohio Harrison was enthusiastically 312 - DARKE COUNTY received, and it is pleasant to note that he did not overlook the site of old Fort Greenville on this occasion. He had come by boat from Cairo, Ill., and had made speeches at Louisville, Ky., Newport, Ky., and at Cincinnati. From this point he traveled overland through Hamilton, where he also spoke, and then came to Greenville. The 22d of July, 1840, being the twenty-sixth anniversary of his celebrated treaty was happily selected as the time of his appearing. The unique and spectacular features connected with this event have been aptly described by at least two writers, and we take pleasure in quoting again from the pen of D. K. Swisher "The memorable and lengthy campaign for the Presidency of the United States between Martin Van Buren and Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, was conducted with great zeal by politicians of both political parties (Whigs and Democrats) all over the country, and, of course, the citizens of Darke county and Greenville did not remain silent spectators at the huge combat. Not by any means. General Harrison was invited to return to Greenville, where more than a quarter of a century before he had held council with the Indian tribes of the northwest. The invitation was accepted and great preparations were made for his reception. The day for his reception came. The town began to overflow with thousands of visitors from all parts of the country. Some had come hundreds of miles from surrounding states to see and hear the old general and future president. A committee of reception had been appointed, among whom was the writer, which at the hour of 10 o'clock a. m. proceeded out on the road leading to Fort Jefferson, followed by thousands of others on horseback, and in all kinds of vehicles, met the general and his party one mile north of Fort Jefferson and escorted him into town. The general was seated in a carriage accompanied by three other gentlemen and looked very much tired and worried by the trip. Nobody expected to see such a common and plain old gentleman as he was. but instead of this dampening the enthusiasm of his reception it only seemed to inflame it. When it was known surely that we had met the general, and heard him relate in a few words how glad he was to see so many at his reception in Greenville, one long and continued shout of applause rent the air and shook the surrounding foliage as will never occur again on the road from Fort Jefferson to Greenville, for the road all the way was full of people. It has been estimated that DARKE COUNTY - 313 more than ten thousand people heard General Harrison speak that day. General Harrison remained in town over night, and was the guest of Abraham Scribner, who was one of his soldiers in the war of 1812. In the evening of that day Harrison went with others to the top of the house of Hiram Potter (now the Farmers' Hotel, on lot 54), which was a two-story with flat roof with banisters all round. Here he received and was introduced to several ladies of the town, and took quite a long view of the surroundings, in search of something he might recognize. The ground, indeed, was still here, the creek still flowed at his feet, the surrounding forest trees still stood, and the blue sky looked calmly down, but no trace of the dusky savage, no resounding of the clamor of war could be seen or heard. All was changed. Where the soldier boy had brightened up his arms and accoutrements in the former days, and where the savage had strolled, there stood the peaceful hamlet, calm as the great soul that sat upon and moved his own great heart." We append herewith another interesting account of Harrison's reception from "Beer's History of Darke County" (1880): "Up to this time, political enthusiasm had never reached a very high pitch among the hardy settlers, but now the excitement was as great in the woods of Darke county as it was in Hamilton county, Ohio, or in any of the older states, and when it was announced, weeks in advance, that `Old Tip' would address the people, the surrounding country went wild. Immense delegations came from Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. There were more than three hundred ladies present from Kentucky, and the gallants of the backwoods were so much smitten by their graces of person, manners and apparel that from that time till after the election all the young men were Whigs, and `log cabins, canoes and coonskins' became the symbols of their faith, and `hard cider' the favorite libation. Many of the delegations were headed by log cabins on wheels. drawn by horses, and in one or two instances by oxen. One delegation from one of the river counties was headed by a monster canoe mounted on wheels, in which were twenty-seven young ladies, representing the twenty-six states and the Goddess of Liberty. This canoe was drawn by ten white horses. The meeting was held just west of town in a beautiful grove. Facing the speaker's stand, or rather encircling it on three sides, was a bank, well shaded and af- 314 - DARKE COUNTY fording comfortable seats for the vast throng. This natural amphitheater could not have been improved had it been designed for this special occasion. The various delegations as they approached the town were met by one of the `Greenville bands' and escorted in with honor. A brief description of these musical companies will not be without some degree of interest. The `band' par excellence consisted of William Morningstar, mounted on a fine horse, and his instrument a violin, upon which he was no mean performer. He met each delegation in turn, and gave them a medley comprising several of the rollicking airs to which the campaign songs were sung: `Hail to the Chief,' 'Bonaparte's March,' with the more inspiring strains of `Soldier's Joy' and `Money Musk,' and thus, .with the booming of cannon and the cheers of the excited multitude, the delegations were welcomed. The other bands, consisting of drums and fifes, although less singular, were much more noisy, and far and near the martial music resounded, stimulating the feeling, accelerating pulsation, and with rattle and roll of drum and shrill, clear shriek of fife, performing the air of `Yankee Doodle,' and intensifying the excitement with the `double drag.' The principal speakers were Tom Corwin and Gen. Harrison. Corwin argued that the re-election of VanBuren would be the signal for a reduction in the prices of labor and all American products, and, in support of his plea, read several advertisements of well-known produce dealers from Whig newspapers, somewhat after the following effect: `On and after the 1st of December, 1840, the subscriber will pay $1 per bushel for wheat if Harrison be elected and 40 cents if the election favors Van Buren.' Similar notices concerning corn and hogs were also read from the advertising columns of the party press. Various arguments were presented by Corwin in a way and with a force that brought conviction to many a close listener. The speech of Harrison was characterized as an able and eloquent statesmanlike effort in support of republican institutions. He also devoted considerable time to personal reminiscence, and won over many warm friends from the opposing party. He remained two or three days in Greenville, the guest of Mr. Scribner, and, in company with his host and neighbors, visited many points of interest in the town and its environs The old merchant and tavernkeeper had been a staunch Democrat, but from this time on, became and continued an ardent supporter of the hero of Tippecanoe." From Green- DARKE COUNTY - 315 ville Gen. Harrison went to Dayton, Chillicothe and Columbus, O., where he received similar enthusiastic receptions. The Burial of Patsy and Anna Wilson. In the summer of 1871 the Darke County Pioneer Association prepared to observe the nation's Natal day in a most fitting manner. As a special feature of the day's program it had been decided to exhume the remains of the Wilson children, who had been tomahawked by the Indians in October, 1812, and to re-bury them in the new cemetery with impressive ceremonies. Accordingly, good speakers were invited, an attractive program arranged and preparations made on a large scale for the event. The pioneer associations of Preble, Miami, Montgomery and other counties were invited to be present on this occasion, and a speakers' stand was constructed in N. Hart's grove (Meeker's woods) on the north side of the creek near the site of the children's burial. In spite of the rain on the afternoon of Monday, July 3d, and in the early forenoon of the 4th, the people came from all directions, and by 10 o'clock a. m. the main streets were thronged with people. At 11 o'clock a. m. a large procession formed in front of the Wagner House (Public Square) escorted by Col. D. Putnam, Maj. Eli Hickox, Capt. J. W. Smith, Capt. Jas. Creviston and Maj. Frank E. Moores, the officers of the day, and the Arcanum band, and proceeded to the grove. Upon arrival at that place, the singers, orators and invited guests mounted the platform and rendered the following program: Prayer—Rev. Levi Purviance. Music—Choir. Declaration of Independence—J. Riley Knox. Music—"Hail, Columbia"—Band. Oration—Hon. G. Volney Dorsey (of Piqua, O.). Music—"Red, White and Blue"—Choir. Address—Hon. George B. Holt. Music—"Star Spangled Banner." Address—Hon. George D. Hendricks (Eaton, O.). Music—By Choir. Remains of children presented to young ladies for re-interment by Col. J. W. Frizell. Music—Dirge. The address of Dr. Dorsey, which lasted over an hour, was 316 - DARKE COUNTY pronounced a most sound, able, eloquent and brilliant effort and was listened to with profound attention and eagerness by the assembled throng. After the dirge, Barney Collins, the local poet, read the following beautiful and appropriate poem which he had written especially for the occasion: "When Autumn tints had tinged the woods And dyed the grape with blue, By Greenville's stream two maidens stood With cheeks of ruddy hue; Beyond the farther shore they knew Deep in a shady dell, The grape in wild profusion grew— The grape they lov'd so well. To reach these grapes their young hearts sigh'd, Nor could they brook delay; Together they stepped in the tide That flashed the morning's ray, Nor dream'd they then that on that day Ere yet their sports were o'er, Another stream of darksome way Their sports would explore. "With mirthful laugh and joyous song They through the forest strayed, Nor thought that they were doing wrong In being undismayed; But, ah! in deep and somber shade Two dread Wyandots stood; Who had their every act surveyed, Yet did their sight elude. "With axe upraised and gleaming eyes They from their covert sprung; In vain were uttered mercy's cries And hands in vain were wrung- In vain the two together clung And called their mother's name— The whetted axe that o'er them swung Fell swift with deadly aim. DARKE COUNTY - 317 "Their golden locks that in morn A mother's pride had shone Red dripping from their heads were torn To deck an Indian zone; Beside a gray primeval stone Their mangled forms were Where oft in sadness and alone. The mother wept and pray'd. "Yes! on yon hill of gentle rise. Whose base yon brook flows The gallant Cloyd, with streaming eyes Low placed them in the ground; And now, though time with lengthen'd bound Has measured sixty years— He comes to view this spot renowned And shed again his tears. "But O! what changes time has wrought, Since here amid alarms, These murder'd ones he bravely caught Within his stalwart arms; And braving death in all its forms, Wiped from each lovely face The gore that veil'd those youthful charms That death could not efface. "No mother smoothed their silken hair, Nor deck'd the pulseless breast; No funeral hymn rose on the air When they were laid to rest; No words of solace were express'd When closed the lonely grave, All sounds save sighs were there repress'd- The sighs of soldiers brave. "Alas! the breast with grief must swell, The eyes with tears must flow; The heart must ache, and bid farewell To cherish'd ones below; But who that mother's grief could know, Could feel her heart's deep pain, When, wild with tears and nameless woe, She mourned her children slain," 318 - DARKE COUNTY The poem was well read and made a decided impression. After a dinner a procession was formed and a committee the following representative young ladies escorted the coffin containing the few remains of the unfortunate children to the new cemetery: Lilly Perry, Adda Benham, Emma McGinnis, Cora VanTilburg, Isleoel Blessing, Edna Compton, Mary McConnell, Flora Tomilson, Clara Crider, Ella elm, Lizzie Biltimier and Fannie Frizell. A few brief and well chosen remarks were made at the grave by Rev. H. K. McConnell of the Christian church, after which an appropriate selection was sung by the little pallbearers and the benediction pronounced by Levi Purviance. On the same day a large field boulder, weighing about four tons, was swung under a wagon drawn by six horses, and transported to the cemetery where it was placed over the new grave, where it may be seen today inscribed with the brief but impressive words: "In memory of Patsey and Anna Wilson, killed by the Indians at Greenville, O., in 1812, aged 14 and 8 years." Dedication of New Court House in 1874. Many notable scenes took place in the county seat during the stirring days of the Civil War as described and suggested eleswhere. After the close of this conflict, the residents of western Ohio, who were tired of accounts of camps and battles, of slaughter, misery and hardships, eagerly devoted themselves to the arts of peace, and took up the problems of life with renewed determination. Years of hard labor and sacrifice ensued, but before another decade had closed old "Darke" had forged ahead and was assuming an enviable position among the counties of the state. Her progress was well typified by the substantial new court house in 1874. The dedication of that structure is aptly described by a former attorney and historical chronicler. "It has been mentioned before that in the year 1874 the new court house was finished. In the summer of that year the business of the courts was transferred from the old to the new court house. This proceeding was done with considerable ceremony. Notice had been given that on a certain day the new court house would be dedicated. Quite a concourse of people collected in town. At one o'clock p. m. the people collected in the old court house, which was soon DARKE COUNTY - 319 crowded, when Wm. Gilmore, of Eaton, a prominent lawyer, and the same year elected one of the Supreme Judges. of Ohio, and who had practiced his profession a great many years at this bar, and who had also been judge of this court, as orator of the day, ascended to the judge's seat, when he made the following remarks as well as can now be remembered: `Forty years ago this very year, this old house then new was dedicated to the use of the courts as a temple of justice. Here used to assemble in those early days of your county when this house was new such eminent judges and jurists as Joseph H. Crain and William Holt, who in succession first occupied the seat and dispensed even-handed justice to all. In 1840 and 1841, the seat was occupied by-Judge Holt, then by John Beers, and in succession by Clark and Hume, of Hamilton, then by Judge Haines, of Eaton, then by W. M. Wilson and William Allen, of your own county, then by your humble servant, then by Jas. McKema, and last, though not least, by David L. Meeker, your present judge. "'Of the legal gentlemen who attended this bar from abroad were Joseph H. Crain, Wm. Holt, David Stoddard, Charles Anderson, of Dayton; William McNut, Joseph S. Hawkins, David Heaton, Abner Haines and your humble servant, of Eaton; John Beers, Hiram Bell, 1N. M. Wilson, C. F. Dempsey and others of your own county. Besides these, as accasional visitors on special legal business, your bar has been honored by the name of L. D. Campbell, Thomas Corwin and C. L. Valandigham, whose stirring eloquence has reverberated around and through this room and shook and caused to tingle every nerve in your system. "'Of those renowned judges and jurists, whom we were so glad to meet and see, J. H. Crain, David Stoddard, Thomas Corwin, C. L. Valandigham, Wm. McNut, J. S. Hawkins, Abner Haines, John Beers, Hiram Bell and W. M. Wilson have passed away and entered the silent shades. We shall hear them no more. Their eloquence will not again thrill our bosoms, but a voice they left in our hearts and affections is still felt, and long may their memories live. While remembering these legal gentlemen we would not forget another frequenter of this house, and though he was neither judge nor juist, but an humble page and constable, who so fully attended to our wants and comforts about the court house for so many years, and greatly endeared to us all. I allude 320 - DARKE COUNTY to Eleazer Sharp. He, too, has passed away to that home from which no traveler returns, and which we are all nearing with each revolving year. These were the tenants and the life of this house and its business. Some of whom have grown old, and worn down by the cares of business, have fell by the wayside. The tenement they occupied has also grown old and must soon give way for another. We have not met here at this hour to bid farewell to this old house, not the memories and pleasant incidents kindled here but to these old walls. And now, farewell, old court house, the honors that belonged to you we this day transfer to another. Your halls will henceforth be silent. No eloquent appeals will any more resound within you to listening jurors and auditors. No strife nor bickerings. No heart burnings nor backbitings. No more efforts of crime to conceal itself behind a legal dodge or false statements of perjured witnesses. Nor will wrong and oppression any more drive innocence and virtue to the wall. These latter we would leave and bury forever, and ever forget them if we could, but like the fatal ignatus fatuis, unbidden, feared and loathed, undesired, they will follow. Farewell, old court house, forever, farewell.' The people now left the old court house and re-assembled in the new house. Mr. Gilmore again took the judge's stand and spoke somewhat as follows: "'My friends, we are now in the new court house of Darke county, and Darke county needed a new court house. Here you have one, large and finished in all its compartments. I see no marks of either poverty or stinginess about it, nor yet of useless expenditures. A house suitable to the great and growing country of Darke county and an honor to ycu who have furnished the means to build it. This grand and magnificent building we now dedicate and to the purposes for which you have intended it. In this beautiful building you intend your courts to assemble. Here you intend that justice shall be administered, and the public business of your county be transacted. Here is your Recorder's office, the Probate office, the Treasurer's office, the Auditor's office, the Commissioner's office, the Clerk of the Court's office and Sheriff's office, with large and commodious rooms for the use of jurors, a council room, with several other rooms anticipating any further need—and this great court room, capable of accommodating 1,000 persons, all of these are now set apart to their appropriate uses, and will henceforth be occupied by the proper officers, and that pertaining to his DARKE COUNTY - 321 office. This court room is made large and commodious that the people may from time to time assemble here to see and hear the manner in which the courts are conducted, and that they may keep a watchful eye upon the manner in which justice is administered. This is one of your great safeguards, for no court nor jurors, however corrupt in secret transactions, are willing to commit a flagrant outrage against right and justice in the face of the people. In these times of general intelligence it can no longer be presumed that the people will not see partiality or an attempt to evade the law by either court or juries. Justice is easily wounded, and like oppression will cry out, and it is woe to the man who stifles justice or puts the heel of oppression on innocence. The day was when the word of a jury court was law, and the verdict of a jury was not to be gainsaid, but those days have passed away and the decisions of courts and the verdict of juries are as freely mooted and criticized at this day as the conduct of a general in the field, or any other public officer. I would not intend to create, or even leave an impression that courts in any age of the world have been generally corrupt. But on the contrary history will bear me out in the broad assertion that no part of the public administration of any nation, ancient or modern, has sustained a better reputation for honor and honesty than the judiciary. It has been the good fortune of mankind for the ages past, as we may hope it will be for ages to come, to be as a general thing blessed with honest and competent judges. Indeed much of the civilization and liberty enjoyed by the world at this time is due to the construction of the laws by the judges of the past. And great things will yet be done in the future to uphold and perpetuate christianity, civilization and liberty. The life, liberty and reputation of man is often held and treated by the rabble as things of small importance, and tyrants may and have ground to the dust the innocent who have fell into their power. But not so with the courts of justice. The great and leading principle with them is now and always has been to shield the innocent, guard the reputation and preserve the life and liberty of all. "'Away back in the infancy of courts and of civilization justice was sculptured in marble in the habiliments of a female, as less liable to corruption than the male, with a pair of evenly balanced scales in her hand, and blind that she might not be prone to favor by her sight. Such a figure you have affixed to the external front of your court house, not that (21) 322 - DARKE COUNTY you would thereby intimate that you would have your judges blind, but as a hint that they should see no favor on either side, and that they be moved neither by pity nor passion to the prejudice of justice, and right here in this house as year after year shall drop into the great reservoir of eternity, right here as your county shall year after year rise in her greatness and her commercial interests increase with her growth, may justice be done.' " Unveiling of the Wayne Treaty Memorial. In February, 1906, the Greenville Historical Society decided to select a suitable site and place thereon a large memorial boulder commemorating Wayne's Treaty of 1795. Frazer E. Wilson, Jacob W. Morrison and Wm. I. Swartz were appointed as a committee to carry this decision into effect. A search was soon begun for a granite boulder large and shapely enough for this purpose. After diligent search a fine specimen of black diorite boulder was located in the Meeker woods north of Greenville creek, near the site of the killing of the Wilson children before mentioned. On the fourteenth day of March considerable snow fell, a `mud sled' was improvised and the huge boulder, weighing nearly four tons, was transported to the lot belonging to Chas. Katzenberger (No. 70) on West Main street opposite the reputed site of the treaty, through the generosity of Mr. Geo. A. Katzenberger, then president of the soceity. By dues and special subscriptions the society then secured a beautiful bronze tablet 20x28 inches in size, bearing the following appropriate inscription, inclosed in a circle and surrounded by the emblems of savage warfare and peace: "Placed to commemorate the Treaty of Greeneville, Signed August 3, 1795, by General Anthony Wayne representing the United States Government and the Chiefs and agents of the Allied Indian Tribes of the Territory Northwest of the Ohio River MCMVI." DRAKE COUNTY - 323 This tablet was firmly attached to the front face of the boulder and unveiled with appropriate ceremonies on August 3, 1906, the one hundred and eleventh anniversary of the signing of the treaty. President Katzenberger delivered the speech of presentation on behalf of the Historical Society; Mayor Thos. C. Maher accepted the monument on behalf of the city, and S. M. Gorham, Grand Sachem of the Ohio Red Men, and Hon. E. O. Randall, secretary of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, Hon. C. R. Gilmore, of Dayton, and Mrs. Edward Orton, Jr., Regent of the Columbus Chapter of the Ohio Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, delivered appropriate addresses. The unveiling was done by Masters Sanford Irwin and Oscar Kerlin, Jr., descendants of Thos. Irwin and Major Adams, respectively, who served in the Indian wars. Music was furnished by the Greenville band and a salute fired by Company M, Third Regiment, O. N. G. The preliminary parade was participated in by the Greenville band, Jobes Post, G. A. R., Little Turtle Tribe and visiting Red Men, Company M, Third Regiment, members of the Historical Society, Reppeto's drum corps and an improvised troop of "Redskins" led by Mr. Alvin Kerst. Although the day was quite sultry and a small circus offered a counter attraction, a goodly sized crowd witnessed the parade and listened attentively to the dedicatory speeches, which were pronounced interesting, instructive and appropriate to the occasion. The total cost of securing and placing the boulder and tablet and conducting the dedicatory exercise was only about $175.00, showing what a modest sum will do toward marking a historic site when expended by those who are actuated by feelings of patriotism and local pride. Dedication of the Fort Jefferson Memorial. Encouraged by the success of the enterprise of placing the Wayne Treaty Memorial, the Greenville Historical Society next determined to erect a suitable memorial on the site of old Fort Jefferson, the most advanced post established by St. Clair on his unfortunate campaign. Accordingly, the owners of the site, Messrs. Patty and Coppock, of the Greenville Gravel Company, were persuaded to donate and transfer two 324 - DARKE COUNTY lots adjoining the Neave Township House lot on the west to the Township Trustees in trust for a park and monument site. On September 12, 1907, ground was broken for the monument by the citizens of Fort Jefferson, granite field boulders were soon collected from the neighborhood and on October 7th the work of erection began. The shaft was erected by Mr. Fritz Walter, of carefully selected boulders, faced on one side, laid in Portland cement and pointed black. When completed it was six feet and six inches square at the ground line, with a shoulder about two feet high, surmounted by a tapering shaft with a total height of about twenty feet. To the north side of this shaft facing the road, was attached a neat bronze tablet secured from Paul E. Cabaret & Co., of New York, and bearing this inscription: "Fort Jefferson built by the army of General Arthur St. Clair in October, 1791, and used as a military post during the expedition against the Northwestern Indian Tribes MCMVII." The school children of the neighborhood erected a fifty foot flag staff near the shaft. The dedication took place on October 24, 1907, the one hundred and sixteenth anniversary of the naming of the fort, when the following program was rendered: "Hail, Columbia"—Deubner's Drum Corps. "America"—Audience. "Invocation"—Rev. C. H. Gross. Address on behalf of Committee on Erection—Frazer E. Wilson. Address of Presentation—Geo. A. Katzenberger. Unveiling—Elizabeth D. Robeson. Military Salute—Gun Squad Co. M. "Star Spangled Banner"—Drum Corps. Address of Acceptance—Prof. Jacob T. Martz. Historic Address.—Judge Jas. I. Allread. "Yankee Doodle"—Drum Corps. Address on behalf of. the Red Men—Lewis E. Wills. Reminiscenes—Wesley Viets. Benediction—Rev. G. W. Berry. DARKE COUNTY - 327 The weather was crisp and clear and the exercises were a success in every way. A novel scene, not on the program, was enacted when an improvised band of motley attired "redskins" under Chief Scout Alvin Kerst, "attacked the fort" from the low ridge to the south. Flitting from bush to bush they fired random shots and took the crowd by surprise, making a very realistic performance. The cost of the tablet was ninety dollars and the entire cost of the shaft, tablet and dedication about one hundred and ninety dollars. Since the erection of this appropriate memorial the ground has been fenced and nicely planted with trees, providing a nice park dedicated to the memory of St. Clair and his brave soldiers who suffered in the primitive wilderness. CHAPTER XIV. SOME NOTABLE CITIZENS. Every established community has produced or nurtured men of exceptional energy and ability, who by their activity, local pride and steadfast devotion have made a worthy record for themselves which should be preserved for the instruction and inspiration of future generations. Darke county is no exception and should enroll on her scroll of fame the names of her citizens, who have blazed the way in husbandry, business, education, medicine, law, politics and the active affairs of men. Among the pioneers we have especially mentioned the names of Azor Scribner and Linus Bascom, the frontier merchants; Abraham Scribner, the politician; John Devor, the surveyor; Abraham Studebaker, the stalwart farmer, besides many others of less prominence. To this notable list should be added the name of Major George Adams.* This man was born in Virginia, October 26, 1767; served as a drummer boy in the latter days of the Revolution, and was sent in 1790 with important dispatches to General Harmar, then in command of Ft. Washington. Adams came down the Ohio river from Pittsburg in a canoe and when lie arrived at Ft. Washington learned that General Harmar had started with an army for the Maumee town a few days before. Governor St. Clair, wishing Harmar to get the express, fitted Adams out with a good horse, saddle, bridle, rifle, ammunition and rations and sent him forward. He overtook the army at the old Indian town of Chillicothe, near Xenia, some fifty miles out, on the fourth day. Here he delivered the despatches to Harmar, joined the Kentucky mounted men and proceeded with the army on its eventful campaign, described elsewhere in this volume. When the *The main points of this sketch are derived from an article by George A. Katzenberger in Volume XXII of Ohio Historical Society Reports. 328 - DARKE COUNTY whites and Indians met in combat on the 22d of October, near the present site of Ft. Wayne, Ind., a spirited engagement took place in which Adams exhibited marked bravery and was severely wounded. On this expedition, it is said, he killed five Indians and received four or five severe wounds; one ball entering his thigh, one breaking his arm, another lodging under his arm, while the fourth cut his breast and lodged under his shoulder blade. The army surgeons found him in a very weak condition on the evening after the fight, dressed his wounds, but said that he could not live until morning and ordered his grave dug. On the retreat he was carried on a litter betwen two horses and a grave was dug for him three evening in succession. However, Adams, who is described as being about five feet, eight inches tall, with a shock of red hair, had a robust constitution, and arrived safely at Ft. Washington where he recovered completely. Not daunted by these experiences he continued in the service of his country as a scout and was with St. Clair in his disastrous expedition. On this occasion he was with Captain Slough and party, who were sent along the trace ahead of the army on the evening before the battle to ascertain whether any Indians were near. At the beginning of the retreat lie endeavored to form the panic stricken troops in line but without success. On January 26, 1792, he married Elizabeth Ellis, probably of Limestone, Ky. On Wayne's expedition, it is said, Adams acted as Captain of scouts, disguised himself in full Indian rig, and with painted face hung about their encampments where he secured information of value for his commander. It is probable that he continued with Wayne throughout his campaign and was present during the negotiations which resulted in the treaty at Greenville in 1795. After the wars he settled for a short time on a hundred-acre tract south of Hamilton, which he secured on a warrant issued by the government for his services in the revolution. Later he entered four hundred acres of fine land further up the Miami near Silver creek (Hale's), about five miles from the site of Dayton, which he secured on account of his services in the Indian war. Here, in 1797, he established himself with his family in a cabin equipped with scanty furniture and supplies, including his trusty axe and rifle, which he considered pre requisites. DARKE COUNTY - 329 "In the river were fish in abundance, and in the woods, game and wild honey, so that even in the first year there was but little privation for his family. With each year his farm was improved and the furniture and the cabin were made more comfortable. In the fields were cattle and hogs, and the fertile soil yielded abundant crops. The farmer and his family had bread and butter, milk, meat and vegetables in plenty for themselves and gave freely of it to hungry travelers and wandering Indians." During these peaceful years of his life his home was used for various meetings, and the major professed a religious quickening and joined the New Light church. In 1806, probably after the experience, he and his wife united with the Baptist church, called the Union church, near Dayton on the Great Miami river. In this primitive Arcady, under his own vine and fig tree, enjoying for most of the time peace, prosperity and plenty, he lived until the outbreak of the war of 1812, when he again responded to the call of his country and enlisted for service. On account of the hostile attitude of the Indians several block houses were at this time built in Montgomery county as rallying places for the exposed and scattered settlers of Preble, Darke and Miami counties. Troops assembled at Dayton in the spring and summer of 1812, upon the urgent call of Governor Meigs, and on August 26th, six companies, consisting of over four hundred men, were organized into a battalion and chose Major Adams as their commander. "Shortly after this time two regiments of Montgomery county militia were stationed at Piqua, Major Adams' battalion was ordered to St. Mary's and Col. Jerome Holt, and his regiment to Greenville, where they were directed to build a block house and stockade. Later as the Indians were threatening Fort Wayne, it became necessary to obtain reinforcement for Major Adams' battalion, who were about to march to St. Mary's for the relief of that post." At St. Mary's, Adams' volunteers awaited reinforcements which soon arrived from Piqua. The troops thus collected at St. Mary's are said to have numbered four thousand and were led by Gen. William H. Harrison from that place on September 9th. On the 12th, they arrived at Fort Wayne, where they soon destroyed the villages of the hostile Indians. Here Adams' regiment was discharged on the 23d of September after one month's prompt and effective service, which was highly appreciated by the people of Dayton and the Miami valley. 330 - DARKE COUNTY Early in October Major Adams raised a company of mounted riflemen whom he expected to take to Fort Defiance. On the 2d or 3d day of that month Patsey and Anna Wilson were murdered by the Indians near Greenville and reports of depredations and hostile demonstrations by the Indians of the Mississinawa region kept coming in. Accordingly, the new Dayton company was ordered to Fort Greenville, where they soon arrived and garrisoned the stockade. On December 11th, a detachment of regular troops left Dayton in a northwesterly direction and proceeded against the hostile Miami Indian villages near Muncie town on the Mississinawa. As a result of this expedition thirty Indians were killed, some sixty wounded and forty-three taken prisoner. Great hardships were suffered on the return on account of the severe cold, insufficient provisions and forage and almost impassable roads. Major Adams went to their relief with ninety-five men and on the 22d, met and supplied them with half rations. Colonel Holt also assisted them on the 23d and enabled them to march to Greenville, where they arrived on the 24th, with forty-one prisoners. Colonel Campbell soon marched toward Dayton with his regulars, where he arrived on the 27th, and after resting several days, proceeded to headquarters at Franklinton (Columbus, 0.). The Indians taken on this occasion were sent to Piqua on December 26th, under a guard of twenty-five men. Major Adams, it seems, remained in command of Fort Greenville until after Harrison's treaty July 22, 1814, and the conclusion of peace with Great Britain later. During his two years' occupancy of the stockade Adams, no doubt; reconnoitered the country for many miles and selected a site for future residence. Accordingly, it is stated that he entered land at this time about five miles east of Greenville on Greenville creek, where he built a cabin and moved his family. Later he erected a little mill here where he turned out a coarse grade of cornmeal and flour. A little grocery was soon established here where whisky and tobacco could be secured, and the place became a popular resort, where shooting matches, quoit throwing, and fist fights were participated in by the pioneers. "Adams was a genial, fun-loving man, widely known and deservedly popular; a crowd of congenial spirits gathered around him and the little settlement took the name of "Adams' Mill," and when the township was finally organized (1819) it was named in his honor. That Adams DARKE COUNTY - 331 chose a good site for a mill is attested by the fact that a flour mill is still located there (Cromer's) after nearly a century, it being one of the few remaining in the county. Besides his large circle of local acquaintances Adams retained the friendship of old comrades of the late wars, including Col. Robert Patterson, of Dayton, and his sons-in-law, Captain Nesbit and Henry Brown. In the winter of 1826-27 the Major was appointed as associate judge for Darke county and served acceptably in this position until his death, November 28, 1832, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. Major Adams and his wife Elizabeth were the parents of twelve children, probably half of whom died in infancy, or before the age of thirty-five. The record of these children's lives is quite incomplete, but it is known that Elizabeth, the first daughter, was born in 1796, in or near Cincinnati. She married Caleb Worley about 1816 and in 1823 moved to Covington, Ohio, where she resided until she was past ninety years of age. Her granddaughter, Avarilla Fahnestock, of Versailles, Ohio, married Dr. O. C. Kerlin, of Greenville, where she still resides. They have two sons, Oscar, Jr., and Worley and a daughter Doris. On account of his descent from Major Adams, Oscar, Jr., was chosen to assist in the unveiling of the Wayne Memorial tablet in Greenville, August 3, 1906. Nancy Adams, who was born in 1803, lived until near the close of the Civil war. Martha Adams, the last daughter, born in 1816, married Robert L. Harper and lived until 1894. The time of the death of two sons, George, born in 1794, and William, born in 1806, seems to be generally unknown. The remains of Major Adams lie buried under a humble headstone in the Martin cemetery about three miles east of Greenville, and it is hoped that patriotic citizens will soon erect a fitting monument here to perpetuate the memory of his heroic life of service. Abraham Studabaker. As an illustrious example of the stalwart pioneer, perhaps no better example could be taken than Abraham Studabaker. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1785, he came in the vanguard of civilization with his father's family to Scioto county, Ohio, and later to Clinton or Warren county, Ohio, where they settled. Here his parents remained until death, and in 1808 Abraham, then some 332 - DARKE COUNTY twenty-three years of age, with his wife, settled on Congress land on the south bank of Greenville creek, opposite the present site of Gettysburg, in section 25 of Adams township. He is credited with being the first permanent settler in Adams township, and the third in the county. His nearest neighbor was Azor Scribner, the pioneer Indian trader at Greenville, about eight miles distant through the forest. He had other neighbors in Miami county on the Stillwater, some fourteen miles east. When he built his cabin he was compelled to use logs of such size as he could handle- himself. The great Indian trail connecting Piqua and the Whitewater Indian settlement passed near his door and brought him occasional dusky visitors. For the first three or four years these were mostly friendly but at times became troublesome. On one occasion two Indians appeared at the cabin door and demanded some bacon which Mrs. Studabaker was cooking. Refusing to give up the precious meat which had been brought from the Stillwater settlement the day before, she held fast to one end while one of the redskins pulled at the other end and his companion cut the meat off near her hand. Her cries attracted her husband who was preparing ground for corn planting, but he arrived too late to save the bacon as the Indians had disappeared. It is said that Tecumseh, the Prophet, Little Turtle, Black Hoof and other noted warriors frequently visited Studabaker's cabin and that he had visitors almost daily whom he treated with kindness and hospitality and thereby made his life secure in the lonely wilderness prior to the war of 1812. When Studabaker came to this spot he brought along a horse and a cow, and his stock was augmented before long by the birth of a calf. Shortly after he had harvested his first small crop of corn his faithful horse died of the then prevalent disease commonly called "milk-sickness." Not long after this the wolves killed the precious calf. Desiring to catch some of the volves he baited a trap with the carcass of the calf with the sad result that the cow stuck her head in the trap, thereby causing it to spring and break her neck. On another occasion Mr. Studabaker had gone to mill at Milton in Miami county, leaving his family alone over night. Having butchered a hog the day before the scent seems to have attracted a pack of hungry wolves, who created pandemonium about the lonely cabin in the night until a sudden smothered cry of pain from a single wolf was followed by a chorus of sympa- DARKE COUNTY - 333 thetic snarls and yells for a moment when all became quiet again. The cause of this strange procedure was discovered in the morning when a large wolf was found within a few feet of the door with his tongue frozen to the blade of the axe, from which he had attempted to lick the blood and bits of hog flesh which had adhered to it in the butchering operations. It is supposed that his companions turned upon him when he uttered the cry of pain and soon ended his misery. The wolves never returned after this occasion to molest the cabin. The American panther inhabited this region and has left his name in "Painter" creek which drains the county a short distance to the southeast. Mr. Studabaker had many thrilling and dangerous experiences with this stealthy animal and killed many of them during his residence. One specimen which he killed with his rifle after a very narrow escape, had an extreme measure of eight feet. Soon after the outbreak of the war of 1812, Studabaker built a block house on his land and made such defensive preparations as he could to resist any possible attack that might be made on the place. Six soldiers with arms and ammunition were soon sent to protect his family and this out station became an inn, a citadel and official quarters for the small garrison. It is said that upon one occasion he captured five armed Indians and turned them over to the government, but that they subsequently escaped and killed Elliot and Stoner in the summer of 1813, as before mentioned. During the latter part of the war, Mr. Studabaker furnished cattle for the government to feed the Indians, who had gathered around Greenville awaiting peace negotiations. About 1816 he settled on a tract of some eight hundred acres located about two miles south of Greenville in the Bridge creek valley, which, it is said, was ceded to him by the United States government in payment for these cattle. Although his early education was very meager his natural talents and business qualifications early won recognition, as is shown by the fact that he was placed upon the first board of county commissioners and served thirteen years in this capacity; that he was a captain in the early militia; that he did much toward securing the Greenville and Miami railroad for the county; that he advanced the money to build the first court house in the county, raised a large family and accumulated a competence. He is described as a man of excellent judgment, great sagacity, large hospitality, unquestioned integrity and decided, outspoken convictions. He was married 334 - DARKE COUNTY twice, was the father of twelve children and died March 16, 1852, leaving a long record of constructive accomplishments. Dr. Isaac Newton Gard. A history of Darke county would scarcely be complete without a sketch of the life of the veteran pioneer physician, Dr. Isaac Newton Gard. While not the first, he was among the first physicians locating in the county, where he remained during a long, eventful and eminently useful life. His parents, Stephen and Rachel (Pearce) Gard, were natives of New Jersey, but migrated to Ohio early in the last century. Stephen Gard was a Baptist minister and organized many of the churches of this denomination in the Miami valley. Rachel Gard, the mother of the subject of this sketch, died in Butler county in 1816. Rev. Gard married a second time and died in 1839. Dr. I. N. Gard was born March 20, 1811, in Butler county, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools, Miami University and the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1831. At first he practiced in his native county, but in 1834 came to Greenville where he resided until his death on April 24, 1905, a period of seventy-one years. At the time of his arrival there were but few physicians in the county and his associates were probably Drs. Briggs, Perrine and Baskerville. The county was very sparsely settled at that time and was covered with swamps, ponds and pools which bred nausea. Sickness was quite prevalent and the few roads were in a miserable condition. Bilious complaints were especially prevalent. The doctors of those days rode horse back and carried their medicines in saddle bags. As an illustration of the manner of practice, a good story is told in Beer's "History of Darke County," as follows: "Dr. Gard was called in as a family physician to minister to the wants of a sick child. Cold water was forbidden and calomel, as was usual, was administered. The doctor then retired with promise of a return next day. Cold water-was barred; the boy begged for a drink, but entreated in vain, as the doctor's orders were immutable law. He then resorted to strategy. Feigning a desire for rest and repose, the family retired to permit their indulgence. Soon heavy breathing announced that all were asleep, and the patient arose from bed, staggered to the water bucket, and to his dismay, found it empty. This discovery would have been hailed DARKE COUNTY - 335 with imprecations that would have roused in the house had not the necessity of the case demanded control. Water must be had, although the spring was at quite a distance. The coffee-pot was found, and the patient set out to assuage hi consuming thirst. He rested several times in the wet grass, but finally arrived at the spring, drank heartily, and undiscovered, returned to his bed, having placed the well filled coffee-pot at the bedside. This was two-thirds emptied before the suicidal act was known, when the doctor was hurriedly summoned and soon stood with astonished and ominous look, awaiting serious results that did not happen. In a few days the patient had recovered." The doctor often had to ride long distances but he was man of powerful physique and withstood the years of ex- posure and fatigue in a wonderful manner. The doctor was big man, mentally as well as physically, and was called upon by a confiding public to serve in various important capacities. He organized the first medical society, as well as the first agricultural society, and acted as the first president of each. He was also president of the Greenville and Miami railroad during the period of its construction. He represented his district in the state legislature in 1841 or 42, and in the senate in 1858-59. About 1862 he was appointed by the Governor as one of the trustees of the Dayton State Hospital (insane asylum) and held that office for sixteen years. On January 6, 1835, he married Lucy Tod, of Kentucky, and to them five children were born, two of whom are now living, Mrs. A. Wilson Arnold and Mrs. Harry Knox. In politics he was a Republican. He was a very sociable man upon all occasions and an enjoyable conversationalist. Dr. Gard died April 23, 1905, full of years and honors. Edward B. Taylor. On October 21, 1821, there was born in Lewis county, Kentucky a lad who was destined to play an important part in the councils of a political party then unborn and to wield a powerful influence in another state during the decade just preceding the Civil war. I refer to Edward B. Taylor, who, it seems, was descended from the Scotch-Irish settlers of Virginia, a race remarkable for patriotic zeal, intelligence and strife. From the meager records that we have, it appears that the Taylor family moved to Piqua. Ohio, when E. B. was a small boy 336 - DARKE COUNTY and his father died not long afterwards, leaving him a waif wandering about the streets. One of the, newspaper men of Piqua employed him to run errands for a mere pittance, and later discovered that he was a boy of exceptional feeling and intelligence. His schooling from this time was probably neglected but by dint of application he learned the printer's art and educated himself while he labored for a living. His progress is indicated by the fact that before the age of twenty-nine he had become editor and publisher of the Piqua Register. About 1848 or 1849 he removed to Greenville, Ohio, and soon purchased the Greenville Journal, of which he took charge on April 19, 1850. This paper was the ablest defender of Whig principles at that time in the county and at the organization of the new Republican party in 1856 took up the defense of its platform. During this critical period Colonel Taylor gave free utterance to his personal convictions and became prominently identified with local Republican politics. During the historical Lincoln and Douglass campaign of 1860 he acted as chairman of the Republican Central Committee and on November 1st issued the following ringing call: "Dear Sir :- "Tuesday, November the sixth, is the day of the presidential election. We enclose you this circular, containing a genuine Republican ticket, for the purpose of reminding you that we are on the eve of a great contest, and at the same time guarding against the possibility of fraud. It has been announced that our opponents are circulating spurious tickets throughout the state, containing the names of Lincoln and. Hamlin for President and Vice-President, with the Douglass and Johnson electors, for the purpose of imposing upon unsuspecting and honest voters. Enclosed is a genuine ticket—take it to the polls, put it in the ballot-box and you are safe against imposition. "We carried Ohio in October by 25,000 majority; and we can carry it again, if we all vote on the 6th day of November. There are fifteen thousand school districts in Ohio—and two votes lost in each will lose us the state and decide the presidential election against us! Will your district be one of the delinquents? `One more fire and the day is ours!' "Vote early and see that your Republican neighbors vote. By order of the Republican Central Committee. "E. B. TAYLOR, Chairman." DARKE COUNTY - 337 Taylor's patriotism, loyalty and ability attracted the attention of the new party's leaders and in 1861 Lincoln appointed him register of the land office at Omaha, Neb., to which city he soon moved. Here he purchased the Omaha Republican and in 1866 became its editor. He was a member of the National convention that nominated Grant for president in 1868, was a member of the State senate of Nebraska during its first two terms, serving most of the time as speaker. Upon the death of the Governor-elect he served a short time as Governor of Nebraska. At this formative period in the state he is said to have exerted much influence on its progressive legislation, especially in framing the school laws, which were modeled after those of Ohio. Taylor's career was now reaching its climax, but before closing this brief sketch of his eventful life we desire to revert to the period of his residence in Darke county. This was the time of the building of the Greenville and Miami railway and Colonel Taylor took such interest in the enterprise that he was made president of the company, and sent to New York where he negotiated a loan of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars with which to purchase rails and rolling stock. The farmers, who had been hauling their grain over bad roads to the markets at Piqua and Dayton, freely donated labor and ties toward the construction of the road. The county voted a tax of fifty thousand dollars, and Greenville an extra ten thousand dollars to subsidize the project, which turned out to be a great benefit to the county. Taylor continued to be president of this road from 1850 to 1859, filling this office acceptably while at the same time publishing his influential paper and engaging in politics. His was indeed an active life and we are not surprised to learn that his life was cut short before he completed his fifty-first year. He died at Omaha, May 21, 1872, after suffering several strokes of paralysis. In a sketch written for.the Historical Society in 1907, Mr. Calvin Young made the following thoughtful analysis of, his character: His most striking characteristic, we should say, was a strong, clear, fertile brain, that grasped subjects with the strength of a giant, and analyzed them with the most perfect clearness and precision. To know anything with him was to know all about it, and no subject which attracted his attention was left until he had mastered it, not only in a general way but in the minutest detail. When he stated a fact he (22) 338 - DARKE COUNTY always had a reason at his command, and in times of excitement in national or political affairs, his wonderful command of facts and statistics rendered his opinion of very great value. He seemed never to forget anything, and his memory was so tenacious that he could refer to the minutest facts and occurences, although years had intervened since he had studied them, or had been an actor in the scene. As a writer he had few equals; his copy was the pride and boast of the printer, being almost as plain as the print it was to appear in, and his points were made with the greatest clearness and accuracy. He went right forward with sis subject like a commander with his men, and when his editorial or important document was finished, or his resolution drawn, they covered the ground completely. There was no loop-hole of escape for his adversary and nothing wanting to make the whole matter he had in hand perfectly plain, reasonable and intelligible. He wrote with equal facility, whether surrounded by a crowd or alone in his room, and seemed fixed to nothing but his subject, though there might be disturbances enough to distract a man less cool and self-possessed. His power of concentrating ideas was most remarkable. As a public officer he was always efficient, energetic and successful, and his course met the approval of those by whom he was appointed, and the sober second thought of the people. When he held the position of president of the senate, the efficiency of his work was the constant theme of those associated with him in those arduous and perplexing duties. His decisions were correct, his views on all political matters well digested, eminently practical, and his course manly, able and impartial. For these reasons the people learned to admire his ability, to respect his judgment, and to feel for him a friendship that has never waned, but grown stronger with the lapse of time. His friends were perhaps as strongly attached to him as to any public man in the state, and, consequently, he could rally them whenever he needed their aid or council for any enterprise in which he was engaged. It is a source of consolation that Col. E. B. Taylor died surrounded by his family and friends, who administered to him all the comforts that it was possible as he went down into the valley of death." Colonel Taylor was married on March 23, 1843, to Jane B. McClure. Five children were born as a result of this union. Of these one son, Edward A., was recently living in Portland. Ore., and one daughter, Mrs. George Arnold, in Indianapolis, DARKE COUNTY - 339 Ind. Mrs. Blanche Hughes, wife of Attorney Thomas J Hughes, of Greenville, is a daughter of Mrs. Arnold. Enoch Beery Seitz and Family. One of the most distinguished citizens who ever lived in Darke county was Enoch Beery Seitz, of whom one writer said: "He was in mathematics what Demosthenes was in oratory, Shakespeare in poetry and Napoleon in war; the equal of the best, the peer of all the rest." This man was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, August 26, 1846, and was the son of Daniel Seitz, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, where he was born December, 1791. Daniel Seitz was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Hite, by whom he had eleven children; and his second wife, Catharine Beery, by whom he had four sons and three daughters. He died near Lancaster, Ohio, October 14, 1864. Enoch, the third son of Catharine Beery Seitz, was raised on his father's farm and had the advantage of a common school education supplemented by a course in a private school in Lancaster. He took a mathematical course in the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, from which he was graduated in 1870. His another had moved with her family to Greenville, Ohio, in the `all of 1866, where she lived on West Fourth street until her death in February, 1904, at the advanced age of almost ninety-six years. It is said that while a boy on the farm Mr. Seitz exhibited great talent and liking for mathematics and that he mastered and completed algebra alone at the age of fifteen. His mathematical talent early became known in Darke county, where he had been teaching summer school during his course at Delaware and he was elected to the professorship of mathematics in the Greenville high school in the summer of 1872, which position he occupied until the summer of 1879. On Tune 24, 1875, he was united in marriage with Anna F., daughter of William K. Kerlin, at that time treasurer of Darke county, and later president of the Second National bank. Miss Kerlin had been teaching in the public schools for some time and was recognized as one of Greenville's most refined young ladies. During the period of his tutorship in Greenville he contributed solutions to different problems proposed in some of the best known mathematical magazines, including the School-day Magazine, the Analyst, the Mathematical Visitor and the Educational Times, of London, Eng- 340 - DARKE COUNTY land. His specialty was average and probability problems, the solution of which required untiring patience, energy and perseverance. A great problem had been proposed by Professor Woolworth, the great English mathematician, in 1864, which he had solved with great labor and lengthy demonstration. His solution stood unchallenged until Professor Seitz mastered the same problem and demonstrated it clearly in a fraction of the space required by the great English professor and thereby won the plaudits of the mathematicians of England and America. Speaking of his methods a mathematical writer said: "In studying his solutions, one is struck with the simplicity to which he has reduced the solutions of some of the most intricate problems. When he had grasped a problem in its entirety, he had mastered all problems of that class. He would so vary the conditions in thinking of one special problem and in effecting a solution that he had generalized all similar cases, so exhaustive was his analysis. Behind his words he saw all the ideas represented. These he translated into symbols, and then he handled the symbols, with a facility that has never been surpassed." * * * Professor Seitz did not gain his knowledge from books, for his library consisted of only a few books and periodicals. He gained such a profound insight in the subtle relations of numbers by close application, with which he was particularly gifted. He was not a mathematical genius, that is, as usually understood, one who is born with mathematical powers fully developed. But he was a genius in that he was especially gifted with the power to concentrate his mind upon any subject he wished to investigate. This happy faculty of concentrating all his powers of mind upon one topic to the exclusion of all others, and viewing it from all sides, enabled him to proceed with certainty where others would become confused and disheartened. Thread by thread and step by step, he took up and followed out long lines of thought and arrived at correct conclusions. The darker and more subtle the question appeared to the average mind, the more eagerly he investigated it. No conditions were so complicated as to discourage him. His logic was overwhelming." As a teacher few were more successful. In the class-room as well as in society he was a man of few words but his conversation was to the point. "His commanding appearance and amiable disposition endeared him to the heart of every stu- DARKE COUNTY - 341 dent while the purity of his motives, soundness of his judgment, and wisdom of his instruction was not doubted." In March, 1880, he was elected a member of the London Mathematical Society, being the filth American so honored. Greenville was highly honored in having such a distinguished man as a teacher in the public schools for several years, but his unsurpassed talent recommended him to a much higher position and in the summer of 1879 he moved with his family to Kirksville, Missouri, where he assumed a professorship in the State Normal School. This position he occupied with distinction and was marked for a higher and more remunerative position when he was prostrated with a fever in September, 1883, and died on October 8th, after an illness of twenty-four days, in the thirty-eighth year of his age. His death caused a profound sensation among the students and professors of the State Normal school by whom he was highly honored and respected. After appropriate and impressive services at Kirksville, his remains were brought to Greenville, Ohio, whither they were accompanied by President Blanton, who had been appointed for this purpose by the faculty, and by W. T. Baird acting in behalf of the regents of the college and the citizens of Kirksville. The following extract from President J. P. Blanton's tribute which was offered at the funeral service indicates the character and disposition of Professor Seitz: "Enoch Beery Seitz was an etraordinary man. He commanded without effort the respect of everybody. He was a man of the most singularly blameless life I ever knew. His disposition was amiable, his manner quiet and unobtrusive, and his decision, when circumstances demanded it, was prompt, and firm and unmovable as the rocks. He did nothing from impulse; he carefully considered his course, and with almost infallible judgment came to the conclusions that his conscience approved and then nothing could move him. While he never made an open profession of religion, he was a profoundly religious man. He rested his hopes of salvation in the sacrifices of the tender and loving Savior, and I am thoroughly convinced he has entered that rest which remains for the people of God." Also this tribute from Prof. John S. Royer: "Professor Seitz's external life was that of a modest, deep-hearted, perfect gentleman. His great ambition was to be good and true—true to himself, true to his family, true to his friends, and true to his country's welfare. He had a thor- 342 - DARKE COUNTY oughly healthy, well balanced, harmonious nature, accepting life as it came, with its joys and sorrows, and living it beautifully and hopefully without a murmur. Though the grim monster Death removed him from this sphere of action before he fully reached the meridian of his greatness, yet the work he performed during his short but fruitful life will be a lasting monument to his memory, amply sufficient to immortalize his name." Professor Seitz was the father of four sons, one of wham, Clarence, died at the age of five years. The other three sons, William K., Raymond and Enoch B., have all been carefully reared under the guiding hand of their devoted and talented mother. All three of the surviving sons graduated from the Kirksville school. William K., who inherited his father's talent, made the highest average grades in mathematics in the University of Missouri of any student up to the time of his graduation on June 4, 1906. He was an assistant professor of mathematics for two years after his graduation. Then he went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he acted as first assistant city engineer, and engineer of the utility commission, having in charge the parks and boulevards of that progressive city. In 1913, he went to St. Louis where he is now at the head of the Missouri Valley Construction Company, in which he is associated with his brothers. Raymond E. Seitz was born October 30, 1876, in Greenville, Ohio. He moved with his parents to Missouri in 1879, and returned to Greenville some time after his father's death, continuing in the public schools until he had completed the freshman year. He then returned to Kirksville in 1894, and completed the course in the State Normal in 1898. After this he taught history and literature in the high school at Park City. Utah. He then attended the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. Returning to Missouri he taught four years in the high school at Unionville and later was elected superintendent of the schools at Jackson, Mo., where he remained four years. Then he served as superintendent at Caruthersville, Mo., for two years, after which he became a member of the construction company above mentioned, which is now undertaking a large contract for constructing terminal facilities at East St. Louis for a large railway company. This company operates a large quarry at Alton, Ill.. where they secure rock for construction purposes. Enoch Beery Seitz, youngest son of E. B. and Anna F. DARKE COUNTY - 343 Seitz, was born July 26, 1883, graduated from the Missouri State Normal School at Kirksville, Mo., in June, 1901 and taught the next four years in the high school and for two years acted as superintendent. From 1905 until March 15, 1913, he was superintendent of the school at Milan, Mr which position he resigned to engage in construction worm: with his brother, W. K. Seitz. Enoch B. Seitz was married to Miss Hazeldean Bolt, August 20, 1907, and has one child, Ruth, aged five years. He lives at Alton, I11. Dr. Anna E. Seitz, the widow of the subject of this sketch, and mother of three exceptionally able sons, is a woman of unusual ability. After the death of her husband she became principal of the Teacher Training Department, in the Missouri State Normal School at Kirksville, in which capacity she served very ably for four years, advising, criticising and supervising the work of a corps of teachers. At about this time the field of osteopathy was enlarging rapidly and a great demand developed for competent practitioners in various parts of the country. In response to this demand and her own ambitious promptings, Mrs. Seitz gave up her work in the State Normal and entered the Columbian School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, from which she graduated in 1899. She then practiced her profession at Richmond, Indiana, and later at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Phoenix, Ariz. Early in 1904 she completed a post graduate course in the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, and in February of that year established herself in Greenville, Ohio, her home town, where she has remained in the successful practice of her profession ever since, being first and only lady osteopathic practitioner in Darke county. Barnabas Collins and Family. The old saying, "Poets are born, not made," was well exemplified in Barnabas Collins, the son of Wm. Collins, a lawyer and clergyman of high standing. The father had obtained a good English education although handicapped by poverty and adverse early conditions and became one of the clearest thinkers, strongest reasoners and finest speakers of his day. He settled in Randolph county, Indiana, in 1831, where, in 1832, he married Margaret Burres (who was born in Cecil county, Md., in 1811). About 1835 he located in 344 - DARKE COUNTY Euphemia, Preble county, O. When quite a young man lie began preaching in the United Brethren denomination, but was condemned for joining the Masons and subsequently became a Methodist. In 1849, he moved to Greenville. Ohio, where he built up an extensive law practice and, at the same time, officiated in the pulpit. He died in 1855, leaving a family of six children, viz.: Ad, Barnabas, William. James, Lafayette and Rachel. Barnabas, the second son, was born May 26, 1836. He became a printer when a boy and worked at this trade several years, thus supplementing, no doubt, the meager education which he had acquired by a few years' study in the common schools. After a brief pupilage under the well known Calvin Parker, he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware for a short time. Nothing daunted by early difficulties, he continued to read extensively in literature and in science until he became noted for his marked literary attainments. After his schooling he read law under Calderwood and Calkins and was admitted to the bar in 1857, when twenty-one years of age. On March 15, 1858, he married Mary J. Calderwood, a daughter of A. R. Calderwood of the above named firm. In 1861 he located in Adams county, Indiana. He was soon called to his country's service and enlisted in the 89th Indiana Regiment of Volunteers, in which he acted as quartermaster. Ater his return from the army he again settled in Greenville and practiced law. He was nominated by the Republicans as a candidate for the Ohio Constitutional Convention of 1874. In 1876 he represented the Fourth Congressional District in the Republican National Convention at Cincinnati. Ohio, that nominated R. B. Hayes for president. Being of a decided literary turn of mind he gratified his tastes at the expense of his profession and produced considerable literature of a decidedly high class, in the way of historical articles, poems and essays. Some of his most cherished poems were on local themes, and are quoted in this volume. Others were especially metrical and have been set to music. Barney Collins was a lover of the beautiful in nature and art, a fine reader and reciter and an excellent lecturer and an impressive extempore sepaker, with a fine command of the English language. His voice is described as strong, yet soft and musical, and his personal appearance as fine and attractive. He had a florid complexion, heavy, light colored eyebrows, light silken hair and weighed about one hundred and eighty DARKE COUNTY - 343 pounds, making a commanding appearance on the platform. His lecture on "The Rise, Progress and Influence of Poetical Literature" and his defense of Shakespeare in the Baconian controversy are classed as fine pieces of literature. About 1879 the Collins family moved to California, where the sons, William, Ulric and Enos, all made their mark. Wm. C. Collins, later known as "Wilkie," was born at Decatur, Indiana, February 10, 1862, and came to Greenville with his father shortly afterward. Here he received his education, and like his distinguished father, learned the printer's trade when a boy of thirteen, setting type in the office of the Courier and writing locals for that paper. He went with the family to Chico, Cal., in 1879, and soon found employment in the newspaper offices of that city. In 1884, he edited a campaign paper at Biggs, Cal., but soon returned to Chico, where he remained until 1886, when he accepted a position on the editorial staff of the Sacramento Daily Bee. While at Chico he wrote articles that attracted the attention of newspaper men all over the state, and wrote three striking stories that were published and illustrated in eastern newspapers. He was the dramatic critic of the Bee for many years and his "Green Room Gossip" was one of the most readable portions of the paper. It is said that he knew every distinguished man in California and was especially well acquainted with the great actors who played in his city. He remained on the staff of the Bee until his death on December 30, 1908. It was said of him by a contemporary newspaper man: "I always regarded him as one of the best equipped, squarest and most lovable men in the newspaper profession." The editor of the Bee, in the first issue following his death, uttered the following beautiful sentiments concerning him: "To those who had known him so long and loved him so well, his death was not so much of a blow as a relief. They had seen that staunch heart, that noble soul suffering intense tortures daily, and yet never complaining—never a cross word—never a murmur from his tongue. * * * True friend, courageous soul, loyal heart, your brothers left behind stand at salute and bid you Hail and Farewell! God rest you, Christ receive you!" Among his noblest traits were devotion to duty, sacrificing loyalty to his profession, and love of his family and kin. He left a son, Ray, who also became an actor. Ulric Collins, brother of Wilkie, also manifested a decided 346 - DARKE COUNTY talent for the theatrical profession and has become a well known playwright and actor. He wrote "Hearts of Tennessee" and other plays of merit and has appeared as leading man in various popular plays, starring in New York, Chicago and the largest cities of the country and keeping at the top notch of his profession. Enos Collins, another brother, has given his attention to railway business, being several years in the employment of the Western Pacific at Beekville, Cal. Mrs. Bessie Dorritt, a sister, lived for several years at W. Berkeley, Cal. The mother, Mary J. Collins, is a woman of considerable ability, taste and refinement and is much devoted to her family. We close this article by an appropriate tribute from the pen of George Calderwood, a brother-in-law of Barney Collins, and a poem composed and recited by the latter brilliant genius and poet at the opening of the Greenville (now Trainor's) Opera House in 1873, the building having been just erected by Greenville Lodge I. O. O. F. No. 195 at considerable expense and, as proved later, an unprofitable venture: "Darke county produced some very good advocates at the bar—some fairly good stamp speakers, but in my judgment but one orator—Barney Collins. The unfortunate thing about Barney was his timidity. He was afraid to unfold himself. He had the voice, the magnetism, the platform demeanor, the poetry of words, the abundance of information on many topics, the sincerity of his convictions, but it was hard to get him started. But when he did start and got thoroughly warmed up he was a giant. Art, science, literature, politics, history, law and progress, each in its place, were handled in masterly grandeur. Had he left Greenville in his youth and gone to some large city and remained there he would have had opportunities to unfold himself day and night and weave into his mannerism readiness of action. There was nothing in Greenville for a man of his intellect to do and so he just waited and waited and waited for something, he knew not what. He was induced to come to California and locate in a sparsely settled county where the people talked about mining, fruit culture, wheat raising and stock raising. What did Barney Collins know about such things? Nothing, and he cared less. His wasn't the kind of mind that was measured by the metes and bounds of a valley ranch or a 600 foot DARKE COUNTY - 347 ledge. No one seemed to know him and for a long time after he came out here he kept aloof from public gatherings. He appeared a few times at the county conventions and was a delegate to one of two state conventions. About the time that his fame began to spread as an orator he was elected to the Assembly and died before he had an opportunity to address the Speaker." address the Speaker.'' I'm no actor! Greet me with no applause! Nor hiss—unless you first shall find a cause. No prompter I, behind the scenes to call, When speaking ill, or failing not at all. No love of praise commands me here to rise; What! brave the critic's test and beauty's eyes? Proud of this temple and pleased with this stage, Where soon the drama will our thoughts engage. I. midst its richly painted scenes appear, To welcome wit and playing talent here! Icarian Thespis. first in his day, Performed his plays upon a Grecian dray. A generous "Order" patronizing art, Builds here this stage to glad the public heart! Our people need travel now no more abroad To shed tears, to laugh, condemn--applaud. For now, at home, a place has been supplied Where virtue may be praised and vice decried! Where we may weep when pity wounds the breast, Beholding passion's burst, or grief represt. Yes, here tonight the rightly acted part May swell the breast with joy, or melt the heart. Here may our youth life's follies learn to shun, And riper age reverse its faults begun! Happy, some breast, which Nature has inspired With Shakespeare's art, may here this night be fired! Taste, that law which raises art, refines the senses, Turns fools to wits and gives them elegance, Which damns a play and ridicules the line— Though sprung from Genius, lest they purely shine, May, from this date, to us her pleasures bring, Teach us to judge—avoid the critic's sting! To give, when she shall here her standard raise, To sterling worth the recompense of praise! Teach to distinguish quickly truth from fraud, So we may see the point, and then applaud! 348 - DARKE COUNTY For if the chaste, the learned, would have to act, We must be critics, not in name—in fact! The modern stage, of modern life the school, Paints nature true, nor varies in the rule! All follies, vices, shams and things "too thin," With manners, fashions, worldly ways and din; Before our eyes, on colors strong and bright, She spreads, that we may see and choose the right. The Stage explodes the vile imposter's claim, And fraud and falsehood boldly drags to shame. The arts, letters, eloquence, culture, lore, Rose with the Stage in Greece, nor rose before! The hero's—patriot's—cause in every age Has found a friend and ally in the Stage! This neight behold the scene where Emmett stood, Who gave to Erin and Liberty his blood. "Annie Oakley." At this time when much is being said and written concerning "woman's sphere" of activity in the various enterprises of the world, it is. refreshing to study the career and note the opinions of one who has achieved distinction in a unique profession. The use of firearms is not usually associated with the gentler sex, yet who will question the right of developing talent or skill nowadays wherever. found? In fact, is not ideal success that which allows the freest and fullest realization of personality consistent with the welfare of the individual and the greatest good of society? As civilization advances a wider scope is given to the cultivation of special talent, and a keener appreciation of merit is developed. The man or woman who can do one thing better than any one else is the person in demand at this hour, and the question of age and sex is given less consideration than formerly. With these reflections we study the life of "Annie Oakley" (Mozee), who has attained international fame, as a rifle and pistol shot. Along in the '50's her parents left the mountains of Pennsylvania and settled in the northeastern part of Darke county. Here in a wild tract of land known as the "fallen timbers" Annie was born in the early "sixties." Her mother was a Quaker and exhibited some talent for art, which was expressed in pencil sketches and a few paintings, but limited by circumstances of poverty and hard work. Her father was a natural athlete, fond of shooting wild game. but DARKE COUNTY - 349 not an expert shot. From one  prpbably inherited skill and a generous disposition; from the other agility and a love of out-door sports. It is said that when but a small child she would secretly follow her brother on his hunting expeditions, and when discovered and reprimanded, would plead to remain with him and help shoot. One day, when a little over eight years of age, while her brother was away from the house, she caught sight of a fox squirrel frisking along the fence, and taking his muzzle loading rifle, she rested it on the rail of the porch, fired and cut the animal's throat. When the brother re turned he was surprised, and in order to wreak vengeance on his offending sister he secretly put a double load in his shotgun, and giving her the weapon, threw tip his hat as a target. To his surprise this, too, was quickly pierced, and the sister, undaunted, won the day. From this time on she progressed in marksmanship, and at twelve years of age was given a light muzzle loading shotgun and a breech-loading rifle as a tribute to her skill. Anna's early education was limited, and before her ninth birthday she commenced to work for a living. The father died, leaving a family of small children, and a small, heavily mortgaged farm. By hunting and trapping quail and pheasants and other game and doing manual labor she saved enough to pay off the mortgage before her fourteenth year. Being variously employed at housework for a couple more years she finally went to live with a sister at Cincinnati, Ohio, where she married Mr. Frank E. Butler, a frank, genial gen tleman and an expert shot, whom she met at a shooting contest, and with whom she later visited professionally nearly all civilized countries. Mr. Butler was at that time about $1,500 in debt. Many interesting anecdotes might be told of their early trials and struggles. During the first year of her public life she played with vaudeville companies, probably doing feats of fancy marksmanship. The two years following she exhibited with Sells Brothers circus, shooting from horseback. Then followed a long engagement with Buffalo Bill's Wild West, beginning in the early spring of 1885, during which she shot at the London and Paris expositions, and the world's fair at Chicago, and exhibited before nearly all the crowned heads and the aristocracy of Europe. She remained with this world famed show seventeen years, seven of which were spent abroad, during which she visited fourteen countries.