200 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Boyd, 1894; C. W. Smith, 1895-6; P. Mengert, 1897; W. W. Pennell, M. D.. 1898-1900; A. C. Huddle, 1901-02 ; J. N. Braddock, 1903-04 ; E. V. Ackerman, M. D., 1905-06 ; L. J. Duke, 1907-08 ; F. B. Levering. 1910. DANVILLE MASONRY. A Masonic lodge was instituted at this point, known as Antioch No. 286, October 23. 1856. with charter members as follows : Dr. John White. Wait 'Whitney. U. B. Kinsey, Isaiah Hieth, S. \V. Corner, Zachariah John Biggs. Daniel Hess, B. S. Church. A. S. Church, Miner Hildreth, Solomon W. Sapp. B. Casteel, C. W. Page. Henry Hibbetts was the first to be made a Mason at this point, while the lodge was still working under dispensation in 1856. Up to 1881 fifteen deaths had occurred from this lodge and it seems to have surrendered its charter. The present lodge at Danville is known as Danville Lodge No. 456, whose charter was granted October 14, 1888. and its present membership is ninety-six, with officers as follows: H. F. Whitney, worshipful master ; O. Hunter, senior warden ; W. C. Burris, junior warden ; C. P. Rice. treasurer : C. T. Motz. secretary; F. M. Weirrich, senior deacon ; Dana Snow, junior deacon; A. J. Black, tyler ; M. M. Ryan. chaplain. The past masters here are : Andrew T. Workman. Cheyney V. Burris, Clinton M. Rice and George W. Snow. CENTERBURG MASONRY. Bloomfield Lodge No. 422. at Centerburg, was instituted in October, 1868. and now has a membership of one hundred and thirteen, with officers as follows : J. Van Horn, worshipful master ; R. B. Ramey. senior warden : J. T. Best. junior warden; L. M. Bell, treasurer : S. Robert Best, secretary ; F. C. Bishop, senior deacon ; H. B. Ramey, junior deacon; A. W. Brown, tyler. The following shows all past masters of this lodge, in the order in which they have served : C. S. Pyle, E. B. Cook, A. J. Roberts, O. C. Chase, Lester Gloyd A. T. Roberts, E. B. Cook. Lester Gloyd, John Throckmorton, W. C. Bradfield, A. J. Roberts, Lester Gloyd, G. W. Jones. C. A. Sprague, A. T. Borden, Daniel Paul, B. C. Smith, E. B. Cook, Dr. W. O. Phillips, B. D. Austin, J. M. Huddleston, L. M. Bell, Dr. S. R. Best, Fred C. Bishop, D. C. Oberholtzer, E. E. Kile, J. Van Horn. This Masonic lodge was first located in Bloomfield township in territory now within Morrow county. hence its name "Bloomfield." It was at the village of Sparta. It was moved to Center- KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 201 burg in 1890, since which time it has grown rapidly. In 1897 the lodge room, with all its contents, was burned, and a new charter was granted it. They first occupied their present hall in 1911. Those petitioners whose names appear on the charter are as follows: C. S. Pyle, worshipful master; E. B. Cook, senior warden; A. J. Roberts, junior warden; H P. Ashley, Miller Ashley, Henry Blinn, L. Cohan, C. Gunsaulus, F. G. McFaden, Leonard Murry and J. H. Osborne. All of these brethren are now deceased. Ohio Lodge No. 199, at Bladensburg, Knox county, was chartered in 1851, and in September, 1911. had a membership of one hundred and eleven. Its present (191 I ) officers are : Eli Briggs, worshipful master ; M. C. Cummins, senior warden ; T. J. Hess, junior warden ; Timothy Morningstar, senior deacon : Robert Melick, junior deacon ; D. K. Blystone, treasurer; W. B. Mosholder. secretary. CLINTON CHAPTER NO. 26, ROYAL ARCH MASONS. The charter for this order of Masonry was granted May 12, 1843, and is located at Mount Vernon. The first officers were : J. N. Burr, eminent high priest; B. F. Smith, king ; James Huntsberry, scribe ; Columbus Delano, principal sojourner ; S. W. Burr. secretary ; James Huntsberry, treasurer ; B. H. Taylor, captain of host ; S. W. Burr, royal arch captain; A. Corbin, A. C. Rowland and J. Garrison, masters of veils; Joseph Muenscher, chaplain. The present membership of this chapter is two hundred and seventy-one, and its present officers are : George E. Beeney, high priest; Jed S. Montis, king; L. E Rawlinson, scribe; Russell J. Ash, captain of host ; Lyle T. Cromley, principal sojourner ; Gail O. Cooksey, royal arch captain; E. V. Ackerman, grand master third veil ; C. N. Williams, grand master second veil; Charles E Ayers, grand master first veil ; William P. Welshmyer, treasurer ; Samuel H. Peterman. secretary ; Charles P. Gregory, guard. KINSMAN COUNCIL NO. 76, ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS. This order of Masonry, located at Mount Vernon, was chartered September 27, 1892, and now enjoys a membership of two hundred and thirteen, with the following officers in charge: Leonard E. Rawlinson, thrice illustrious master ; William M. Brickner, deputy illustrious master ; Russell J. Ash, principal conductor of work Michael Garber. captain of guard ; Charles E. Avers, conductor of candidate; John C. Levering, steward ; Charles C. Jams, treasurer; S. H. Peterman, recorder; Frank McGugin, sentinel. 202 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. CLINTON COMMANDERY NO. 5, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. This commandery was granted a dispensation July 22, 1843, and was instituted in October of that year by Em. Sir William J. Rees, general grand generalissimo, United States America. Its past commanders have been: Em. Sir Rev. Joseph Muenscher, D. D., 1843 to 1852 ; Em. Sir Benjamin F. Smith, 1852 to 1855; Em. Sir Jonathan N. Burr, M. D., 1855 to 1873; Em. Sir C. Sherman Pyle. 1873 to 1874 ; Em. Sir Alexander Cassil, 1874 to 1881; Em. Sir Richard B. Marsh, 1881 to 1883; Em. Sir C. Sherman Pyle, 1883 to 1884; Em. Sir W. F. Baldwin, 1884 to 1886; Em. Sir Samuel C. Thompson, M. D., 1886 to 1887; Em. Sir W. F. Baldwin, 1887 to 1888; Em. Sir William M. Koons, 1888 to 1889; Em. Sir Joseph C. Gordon. M. D., 1889 to 1890; Em. Sir William J. Vance, 1890 to 1891 ; Em. Sir Howard Harper. 1891 to 1892; Em. Sir Will E. Fisher, 1892 to 1893; Em. Sir William J. McFeely, 1893 to 1894; Em. Sir Harvey H. Cassil, 1894 to 1896; Em. Sir Robert S. Hull, 1896 to 1897; Em. Sir Dennis Quaid, 1897 to 1898; Em. Sir Charles C. Tams, 1898 to 1899; Em. Sir Frank 0. Levering, 1899 to 1901; Em. Sir Russell J. Ash, 1901 to 1902 ; Em. Sir Henry C. Devin, 1902 to 1903; Em. Sir William H. Thompson, 1903 to 1904 ; Em. Sir Oren Poppelton, 1904 to 1905; Em. Sir Robert M. Greer, 1905 to 1906; Em. Sir Banner M. Allen, 1906 to 1907; Em. Sir George E. Canning, 1907 to 1908; Em. Sir William E. Grant, 1908 to 1909; Em. Sir Henry J. Shipley, 1909 to 1910. The 1911 officers of this Commander), were: Leonard E. Rawlinson, commander: Gail 0.. Cooksey, generalissimo; Charles C. lams, captain general; William A. Ackerman, senior warden; Clinton Williams, junior 'warden; Rev. William E. Hull, prelate; Charles A. Bope, treasurer; Samuel H. Peter-man, recorder; Charles F. Hall, standard bearer; John C. Levering, sword bearer ; Charles E. Ayers, warder. MASONIC CLUB, MT. VERNON. This club is composed entirely of members of the Masonic fraternity and is purely of a social nature. The dub parlors are on the second floor of the Temple, and are open every day and evening, except Sunday. Visiting Masons are always welcome. The object is to interest and supply harmless amusement for the members. To provide a place where one can bring his guests and feel that they will be well entertained. To promote friendship among Masons and to advance the general welfare of Masonry. No hook, periodical, newspaper or other article of property is allowed to be mutilated or removed from the club rooms without permission from the board of directors. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 203 During all sessions, regular and special of the Masonic bodies, members of said bodies are prohibited the use of the club rooms. ODD FELLOWSHIP. This old and excellent fraternal order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was early in the field in Ohio. It organized a lodge, known as Mt. Vernon No. 20, only thirteen years after the first lodge was formed within Ohio. It dates its history from June 21, 1843. The charter members were as follows : Richard Blake, Liberty Waite, Lorenzo D. Nash, William Sullivan and Robert Wright, all long since deceased. Up to 1881 there had been more than five hundred names enrolled as members of this the pioneer Odd Fellows lodge in the county of Knox. Its present standing is one hundred and fifty-one, with officers as follows : James Neibarger, noble grand; Stephen Rine, vice grand ; George Moore, secretary; M. M. Murphy. treasurer; Charles Van Wicklen, George Clark and James Latta, trustees. This lodge leases a hall in what is known as the National Union Hall. Quindaro Lodge No. 316, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Mt. Vernon, was instituted June 9. 1857. by the following charter membership: G. B. Arnold, J. M. A. C. Elliott, J. Frank Andrews, John Lamb, T. P. Frederick, Sr., and John Jennings. all having withdrawn from Lodge No. 20 for the purpose of organizing this new lodge. At their first meeting were initiated Israel Underwood and L. Munk. This lodge purchased the James W. Miller property and remodeled it for hall purposes and purchased other desirable property and have ever been in a good financial condition. The membership in 1911 was two hundred and twenty-five, with officers as follows : John Simpson, noble grand ; Bruce E. Gleason, vice-grand; William Denman, chaplain ; C. A. Beck, secretary : John Calvin Hunt. financial secretary : Frank L. Bennett, treasurer. The trustees are G. R. Hagaman, Charles Scottie, S. A. Green. Kokosing Encampment No. 38, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Mt. Vernon, was instituted October 23, 1849. The encampment branch is the higher branch of Odd Fellowship, made up of the fifth degree members. The charter members of this organization were : I. M. Campbell, A. Ehle. L. G. Prentis. R. C. Kirk. Henry Phillips. A. P. Mather. U. Stevens. The encampment now enjoys a membership of seventy, with officers as follows : Oscar G. Swanson, chief patriarch ; Thomas Trick, high priest : Melvin D. Rice, senior warden ; C. G. Harris, junior warden ; John C. Hunt. scribe : M. M. Murphy, treasurer; Charles Scottie, William P. Hough, S. A. Green. trustees. 204 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Centerburg Lodge No. 666, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Centerburg, Knox county, June 22, 1877, by Grand Master Henry Hedges. The charter members were: C. M. Jennings, George W. Granstaff. William A. Dumbauld, George Peardon, M. F. Hasson, John Burkholder, Ira Barr, William Mahan, William Crowell, J. E. Esterday, Levi Kile, William Smith, A. M. Murphy. John Miller. J. W. Hopkins. T. O. Freeman, James Headington and W. A. Paul. The lodge now has a membership of sixty-five. It has had twenty-three past and present noble grands. The lodge meets every Saturday evening in lodge rooms over Hicks & Wooline's store, corner Main and Hartford streets. Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 553, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Brandon, Miller township. Knox county. July 31. 1873, by the following charter membership : John L. Slater. A. M. Welsh. H. C. Harris, Adam Williams, W. S. Harrod, N. A. Chambers, H. J. Glaze, Orlando Truman, John C. Jacobs, G. H. Phillips, J. Hartsook. Morgan Beaver, William Beaver and T. D. Poland. In 1880, aided by the community, this lodge erected a fine two-story frame hall on the corner of Granville and Sycamore streets, the same costing one thousand dollars. At this date (1911) this lodge is possessed of a membership of one hundred and sixty. They have owned their own hall since 1878. The present officers are: Frank D. Ward, noble grand : Alfred D. Shutt vice-grand ; Charles G. Weaver, financial secretary; T. F. Ward, recording secretary; Anson E. Lockwood, treasurer. Ellicott Lodge No. 267, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Fredericktown. was instituted April 11, 1855, with the following charter membership: A. Love, T. Mosure, G. Cole, B. F. Mosure, R. Cole, N. B. Rowley, G.- W. Condon, J. Z. Griffith. Alden Snow, Jr., J. B. Roberts and J. W. Condon. At their first regular meeting the following were made Odd Fellows : D. S. Headley, C. G. Mount and R. Ewers. In 1881 this lodge had a membership of one hundred and ten. In 1872 this lodge dedicated their new hall, a frame structure sixty by sixty-five feet and three stories high, the lower rooms intended for commercial rooms, the second as a hall and the third floor as a lodge room. proper. The cost of this building was about six thousand dollars. Knox Encampment No. 211, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Fredericktown, June 30, 1877, by Grand Patriarch J. W. Porch, of Mansfield. The charter members of the encampment were: William Gordon, Henry Cassell, Abraham Stephens, G. W. Glosser, Levi Cassell, M. P. Howes and J. C Ebersole. Bartholo Lodge No. 692, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in Pike township. at the village of Amity, was instituted October 23, 1879. with a KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 205 charter membership of ten men, J. L. Black, C. W. Wright, James McGinley, Jeremiah Belt, L. G. Mavis, L. A. Wright, James Reed, Ziba Leonard, H. W. Phillips and J. Hetrick. In 1881 the lodge enjoyed a membership of twenty-nine. At present it has eighty members, with officers as follows: S. D. Simmons. noble grand; G. M. Keoshig, vice-grand; recording secretary, A. J. Kunkle; permanent secretary, Mr. Fletcher; H. E. Fletcher, treasurer. This lodge has owned its own hall since 1899. At Brinkhaven, Lodge No. 905 was instituted June 30, 1908, and now has a membership of thirty-six. The present officers are: E. C. Jones, noble grand; H. W. Titus, vice-grand; C. E. Slate, secretary. This lodge, though young, is prospering well and adding to its membership. Owl Creek Lodge No. 686 was instituted in 1879 with nine members. Its present membership is fifty-five. They occupy a leased hall. This is located at Levering. Kokosing Lodge No. 807, at Howard village, was instituted June 16, 1893, by fifteen charter members. The lodge now has a membership of forty. They have o\\ fled a hall of their own since 1908 which cost near four thousand dollars. The present officers of this lodge are : J. L. Lentz, noble grand ; W. H. Humbert, vice-grand: M. M. Critchfield, recording secretary: F. C. Morris, financial secretary; E. A. Wolfe, treasurer. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. This modern civic "society was first represented in Knox county by the formation of a lodge known as Timon Lodge No. 45. of Mt. Vernon, April 18, 1872. The first officers and charter members were W. A. Crouch, chancellor commander; J. Monroe Till, vice-chancellor ; Richard F. West, prelate; Edward Vincent, keeper of records and seal: John M. Armstrong, master of exchequer: William T. Elwell, master of finance; Henry H. King, master at arms: William B. Norton, inner guard. Those first initiated here were : J. H. Trimble, Hon. A. J. Beach, 'William M. Harper, Samuel H. Peterman and j. Allen Mitchell. In 1880 this lodge had a membership of one hundred and sixty. Its present membership is three hundred and twenty-nine, and the present officers are: William C. Appleton. chancellor commander; John W. Champion, vice-commander: C. R. Appleton, prelate Arthur M. Mitchell, master of work; George A. Faddis, keeper of records and seal ; L. F. Strang, master of finance: P. A. Berry, master of exchequer : J. H. Masteller, master at arms. Castle Hall was built in 1906 on Gambier street at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. including lots. It was erected by the Pvthian Castle Hall 206 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Company. the present trustees of which are: L. A. Culbertson, William M. Koons, George C. Doup, Jed S. Montis, George A. Faddis, Clarence Crippen and S. D Church. There is also a Uniform Rank division here. At Fredericktown this order is well represented by Wayne Lodge No. 303, instituted August 8. 1888, and now has a membership of one hundred and eighty The officers at the present time are : W. A. Kinney, chancellor commander : Herbert Wharton, vice-commander ; Harry Vance, prelate; Ralph Duke, master of work ; C. J. Lovell, master of arms; A. M. Terry, keeper of records and seals; C. F. Fink, master of finance; L. C. Zolman, master of exchequer; George Schroeder, inner guard ; Foster Gay, outer guard. The trustees are W. L. Ely, D. B. Purdy_ and E. V. Ackerman, M. D. At Bladensburg is Colfax Lodge No. 688, organized in 1895: has twenty-two members. At Centerburg is Hawthorne Lodge No. 228, with a membership of one hundred and forty-nine. The Bladensburg lodge has at present the following officers : C. V. Horn, chancellor commander; E. V. Hall, vice-commander; Lee McKee, master of exchequer: C. F. Cummings, master of works; inner guard, J. C. McQueen ; outer guard. H. Merideth ; keeper of records and seal, W. W. Stonehocker. Hawthorne Lodge No. 228. Knights of Pythias, at Centerburg, was organized September 26, 1886. Its present officers are : J. L. Waldorf, chancellor commander ; J. B. Messmore, vice-commander : D. M. Hasson. prelate; E. B. Walter, master of work ; J. W. Rinehart, master at arms; H. E. Dilger, keeper of records and seal; W. D. Willis, master of finance; A. T. Willey, master of exchequer; Glen Baker. inner guard ; Vint Robertson, outer guard. Kokosing No. 71, Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, was established at Mt. Vernon, August 8, 1887, by thirty members and officers. The original officers were : L. G. Hunt, captain ; William Appleton, first lieutenant ; H. C. Parker, second lieutenant. The order has grown and been doing excellent work. Its membership is now thirty-seven and its officers are: C. L. Mild, captain ; G. C. Wagner, first lieutenant ; L. B. Hunt, second lieutenant; C. G. Hunt, recorder; W. C. Appleton. treasurer. Of its officers it may be said that Col. L. G. Hunt served four years for the Fifth Regiment of Ohio, and twelve years as quartermaster-general. Major William Appleton, of the First Regiment. commenced his duties in 1900, serving twelve years, having served eight years as adjutant of the Fifth Ohio Regiment. This Mt. Vernon company has won several prizes in drills, commencing in 1889 at Lancaster and again at Zanesville in 1890. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 207 At this date W. C. Appleton is major of the Second Battalion of the First Ohio Regiment of Uniform Rank of Knights of Pythias. BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. This modern social and fraternal order is well sustained at Mt. Vernon. Lodge No. 140 was organized here with about fourteen members. November 14, 1889. They first met on the east side of the square, then in the old Crescent Club building on South Gay street. then on South Main street in the McDermott building. Since 1904 they have leased fine quarters in the Kirk building at the southwest corner of the square. The present membership is two hundred and seventy-two and the officers are as follows : George S. Allspaugh. exalted ruler; J. M. Conroy, esteemed leading knight ; E. L. Parker. esteemed loyal knight ; W. H. Fitz, esteemed lecturing knight; D. B. Tuttle, chaplain. The secretary is W. C. Appleton and the treasurer is R. W. Stauffer. The trustees are George R. Spearman, E. M. Conroy and A. L. Byrns. The total number of deaths in the order thus far in its history is twenty-three. CHAPTER XVI. MILITARY HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. Whatever may be said for or against warfare, such has been the almost universal method of settling differences between one nation and another ever since the creation of man, and how much longer this idea will obtain we leave the reader to conjecture. THE WAR OF 1812-14. Some of the citizens of Knox county have participated in five special wars for the betterment of the United States and its territories and possessions, the war with England, known as the war of 1812-14 ; the Texan war, in 1836; the Mexican war, 1846-48; the Civil war, 1861-65, and the Spanish-American war, 1898. When the war of 1812 broke out between the United States and England, it must be remembered that Knox county was still only a wilderness, covered with dense forests, with only here and there a clearing and its accompanying log cabin, the wave of white emigration having just commenced to be felt on the soil of this goodly territory. Mt. Vernon was but a small collection of log houses, within a thick forest and underbrush not fairly cleared from the few laid-out streets. Yet Mt. Vernon became the rendezvous for volunteers for that war, the last real tussle with the English lion. Two and more companies of men were raised from this vicinity. Col. Samuel Kratzer was a prominent man of the village and the militia part of the soldiers were placed under his able command and he, with his brave men, marched to the defense at Mansfield. He came to Mt. Vernon certainly as early as 1805 as a tavern keeper and had a part in the county-seat contest which made Mt. Vernon and not Clinton the permanent county seat. He had acted as a tax collector in 1805 in Fairfield county. At Lancaster he had failed and. half dejected. came to Knox county to start life all over. He was a fine. large man and wore buckskin breeches, it is said. Here, at his new place, he appears to have been major of a regiment of militia, of which command Alexander Enos was the colonel. Capt. Joseph Walker, another important factor in early Knox county affairs. also had his part in this war. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 209 He owned land and built the first cabin home on what came to be platted as Mount Vernon. He came here from Pennsylvania in 1804. Major Jeremiah Munson, who resided near Granville, Licking county, was the officer designated by the government to recruit for this war, and came to Mt. Vernon for that purpose on a day when the militia was to assemble for general muster and drill exercise. This was July 8, 1812, and upon the call of Major Munson for volunteers the whole of Capt. Joseph Walker's company, numbering forty-two men, volunteered. The following is the roster, or muster-roll, of this company under command of Col. Lewis Cass, who mustered them into the United States army for one year : Joseph Walker, captain ; R. M. Brown, lieutenant ; John Elliott. first sergeant; John Barney, second sergeant ; Archibald Crawford. third sergeant; Peter Kyle, fourth sergeant ; Samuel Everett, first corporal ; George Dickinson, second corporal; Josiah Trimby, third corporal ; Lewis Grandstaff, fourth corporal. Privates: Abraham Everett, James Wood, Harley Strong, Michael Barton, David Elwell, John H. Mefford, Philip Walker, Andrew Welker, Paris Sprague, Joseph King. John McConnell. Riverius Newell, Emanuel Hawn, Michael Davis, William Wallace. John Smith, Samuel Yoeman, John Sunderland, Alex Enos, Jacob Wolf. Alexander Walker. Robert Davidson, Powell Walker, Isaac Rogers, John Ryan, Benjamin Simpkins, Daniel Swigart, Adam Lynn, Nicholas Kyle. Rawley Clark. fifer : Henry Clemmens, drummer. John H. Mefford served later as lieutenant and was in Captain John Spencer's company from Licking county. He was a justice of the peace at Mt. Vernon many years. a Man of much executive ability, was associate judge and generally popular. He died at Findlay. Ohio, in 1845. When Hull surrendered Captain Walker's company returned home by the way of Greentown. Another active man in that strife was Captain John Greer. who raised a company in the eastern part of Knox county, of which Daniel Sapp was lieutenant and George Sapp, ensign. When the frontier was threatened by the Indians and the Zimmers, Ruffner and James Copus were murdered. the militia was called out and marched from Mt. Vernon under Major Kratzer to Mansfield. where they constructed forts and assisted in quarding the frontier line from that place to Wooster. Not a few of the brave men of Knox county, with gun and bullet pouch, went to the defense of Fort Meigs without organization. but the decisive battle was over before they reached that point. Among these is now recalled John Stilly, an 'adjutant in Colonel Kratzer's militia, and rendered service in defense of the northern borderland against the Indian raids. 210 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. The nearest the seat of war got to Knox county was in that part now within the hounds of Richland county. Hitherto, for many years, the Indians had been peaceable and friendly, therefore the whites had not once thought of protecting their homes by block-houses, and so it was when the war broke out that none were in existence along this southern frontier, where they were the most demanded for safety. It was not until the surrender of Hull, August 16, 1812, that the pioneer settlers began the erection of such fortifications. Before that event people had confidence in the army, feeling that it would stand between them and danger from the savages, hence his surrender came like a clap of thunder from out a clear sky at noonday. Upon the surrender of Hull, the entire militia of Ohio was sent forward to the scene of strife. A company of men under Captain Williams. from Coshocton, had preceded Colonel Kratzer, of Mt. Vernon, and erected a block house on the public square at Mansfield (then a village), and one at the same place by Captain Shaffer. As if by magic, these protective block-houses sprang up all along the frontier lines. Among them was the ong at Fredericktown and also one at Clinton, this county. Many families too far distant to get into these block-houses, or preferring to remain near their own homes, collected together and fortified the strongest of their cabins. It was not long after Hull's cowardly surrender that the frontier was fairly well protected. Gen. William Henry Harrison, at West End, near Upper Sandusky, awaited supplies and reinforcements at Mansfield was Colonel Kratzer with several block houses finished: at Wooster, General Beall was collecting a good-sized army, and between Wooster and. Mansfield the different block-houses were rapidly garrisoned by the troops of Beall and Kratzer. This was the condition of affairs in September, 1812. GENERAL HARRISON'S FAMOUS SPEECH. General Beall's army was halted for a rest and a council with men of standing in the state of Ohio. This stopping place was called "Camp Council." It was almost impossible to secure rations, as the army had advanced into and through a section unsettled to any great extent. This made the men discouraged and mutiny was in sight. After being in camp about one week, and the evening before the men who did not believe in such treatment of soldiers were to leave the post and wend their way homeward as best they could, a stranger suddenly made his appearance from the south on the Huron trail. The sentinel, named Hackethorn, who was stationed on this post, says the stranger was on horseback and was followed by seven mounted Indians, in single file. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 211 "Halt !" said the sentinel. The stranger stopped and said he desired to pass the lines. "You can't pass without the countersign." "I don't know the countersign." "You can't pass then," replied Hackethorn. "But I must pass," said the stranger, and started up his horse. Hackethorn cocked his musket, and the man halted again. He then informed the stranger if he moved a step forward that he would be a dead man. "You would not shoot a man. would you ?" said the stranger. "I would." After some further parley, Hackethorn called to the next sentry. and in this way conveyed the intelligence to the officer of the guard, who came out and at once addressed the stranger as General Harrison, and allowed him to pass. Harrison turned to Hackethorn and said, "That's right, young man. Let no one pass without the countersign : it's the only way to keep 'em at gun's length." Harrison rode into camp at dark and located his headquarters. At six in the morning the men were all ordered to parade in close columns, standing at "parade rest." Some fifty of the men appeared with their knapsacks and blankets buckled on ready to commence their homeward march. At this moment, all unbeknown to the men, the commander of the armies of the Northwest made his appearance from his tent and, mounting an old tree top lying between him and the column of soldiers, addressed the troops as follows : "Fellow-soldiers, we are called upon to vindicate our rights, to repel the insults and chastise the arrogance of a supercilious nation, which has invaded our rights, insulted our flag, impressed our citizens and totally disregarded our remonstrances. It is thus demonstrated, that we must either teach that nation that the progeny of the Revolutionary fathers have not degenerated and become Bastards, or tamely submit to the dictation of that haughty people. and be reduced to vassalage. Can there be found a man in this brigade who is willing to surrender to the British government the liberties achieved by the Revolutionary patriots? I trust no such individual can be found in the state or nation. "I have been informed that rebellion against the authority of your general has been threatened and that mutiny is to he consummated this morning by the mutineers departing for home. Soldiers, if you go home, what will your neighbors say? Will they not frown upon you ? How will your wives look upon you? They will shut the door against you. Young men, your sweethearts would scorn you all would call you cowards. No class of people are so immediately interested in defending their country as those in Ohio. The Indians have already commenced their incursions in your state, and already have barbarously murdered several families. Should we abandon the defense of the state. the British army could safely march to the Ohio river, 212 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. and take possession of the state. You are defending your wives and children, your fathers and mothers and your property. It is true you have met with some privations, but, as soon as we can obtain the necessaries required, all crooked things shall be made straight. Your sufferings are light, compared with those of your sires in the war of the Revolution. They were content with such fare as the limited means of the colony at that time could furnish. They could ofttimes be traced when marching to meet the enemy in bloody conflicts, by the blood that issued from their bare feet upon the frozen earth. Fellow soldiers, cultivate a spirit of subordination, patriotism and courage, and ere long the recent victory gained at Detroit by the enemy shall be refunded with double interest, and ultimately the haughty British lion shall be subdued by the talons of the American eagle." During the delivery of this speech. those troops who had their knapsacks and blankets on began to unbuckle and drop them to the ground one by one, and at its conclusion not one appeared in his marching rig, and, from that time on, until honorably discharged, no better soldiers were found in the army. Soon after General Harrison delivered this telling address he departed for the scene of other military duties. General Beall declined to obey orders and march to Cleveland, as he knew that the frontier along about Richland and Knox counties was in great danger of the Indian and British invasion—no part of Ohio was more in need of protection than this locality. His superior officer, an old Revolutionary soldier who had outlived his usefulness as a military commander, General Wadsworth. caused his arrest and he was court-martialed, handing his sword over to General Perkins, but he was released and no stigma attached to his bright, brave, thoughtful military record. He joined and reinforced General Winchester in keeping peace in the very country he had sought to protect, and farther to the north. Later he was seated in Congress and had the chance to vote for his old commander, General Harrison, for President. He was a Whig and a delegate to the nominating convention. He died at Wooster, Ohio, in 1843. None of the heroes of that short. but terrible and all-decisive conflict remain with earth's shining circle today, but history will ever keep sacred their memory on its foremost pages. THE TEXAS AND MEXICAN WARS-1836-1846-8. Again Knox county was called upon to respond to the call of war. This time it was over the colony of Americans who had emigrated to that portion of Mexico now known as Texas, by the invitation of the citizens of that re- KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 213 public several years before. But the two bloods—the Northern and Mexican mongrel bloods—could not agree and trouble followed, much blood being shed on both sides. This was the war that made famous such men as Samuel Houston, David Crocket, on the one side, and Santa Anna of the Mexican army. It took place in 1836, ten years prior to the Mexican war, proper. When a prisoner of war. Santa Anna made a treaty with this country, which the Mexican government refused to acknowledge. Then commenced the second invasion of Texas by the Mexicans. Then it was that Houston fired the hearts of all northern men to rally round the flag and put down such a war against their own fellow-countrymen. Men responded everywhere at this call. Among such patriots was Charles Colerick, of Knox county, who organized a rifle company, of which he became the captain, and the muster-roll of the company as well as of the companies commanded by Captain Harle ten years later will follow in this narrative. Colerick rendezvoused at Louisville, Kentucky, with other companies from Zanesville and Morgan's of Pennsylvania. Colerick's men were all uniformed in green : Burrough's men in Scotch plaid, and Morgan's in blue. The three companies embarked in a covered flat boat, propelled only by the current of the river, for New Orleans, and the starry banner of the Union and the "lone star" of Texas floated side by side over the prow of the boat. While the boat was taking wood, an up-bound steamer headed for St. Louis with many passengers, for malicious sport struck the flat-boat with sufficient force to somewhat jar its make-up and especially ruffle the temper of the men headed for the Lone Star country. The ready wit of Captain Colerick turned the whole affair to practical account. Water was pumped out of the boat on one side and filled up with camp kettles on the other side. The boat looked to be in had condition. The three captains repaired to the deck of the superb steamer with a strong guard and at once demanded reparation and the captain was given to understand that his boat would not be allowed to go on its northward voyage until things had been settled. The captain, clerk and carpenter of the steamer repaired to the flat boat, where they found the men pumping water out. A sufficient sum was paid over for the damages to allow the first steamer going down stream to carry the entire three companies to New Orleans. Colerick, of Knox county, Ohio. the hero, was disappointed in not being made colonel of his regiment that was soon formed by various commands. He returned to Ohio and died at Cincinnati en route. Others from this county were Sergeant Lorenzo Jones and George McKee. Ten years had passed away and Texas was not free yet, but under the domination of Mexico, and was not recognized as such until after the war 214 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. with Mexico in 1846-8. In 1844 it was the main issue in the Presidential campaign in which Polk and Dallas defeated Clay at the polls. Texas wanted to be annexed to this country and she was so declared by the Texas Legislature and was so ordered by Congress December 27. 1845. Mexico was defiant over this and prepared to retake her old territory. Early in the spring of 1846 a squadron of dragoons commanded by Captain Hardy and Captain Thornton, was captured and taken to Old Mexico as prisoners of war. This immediately brought on the war. The brilliant victories achieved by Taylor at Palo Alto on May 9th thrilled the country with a spirit of enthusiasm, and there was a general cry to arms ! Congress authorized the President to organize fifty thousand volunteers, and an appropriation of ten million dollars was voted to maintain the integrity of the Union. In Ohio three regiments of men were asked for. Samuel R. Curtis was appointed adjutant-general of the state. A meeting was called to he held in Mt. Vernon to plan for such warfare and to organize a company of troops. Daniel S. Norton was called to the chair and addressed the meeting. L. W. Strong, Eli Miller and Hosmer Curtis were appointed vice-presidents. The files of the Times, of this county, show that there was considerable division in the meeting, the Whigs being opposed to the manner in which the government went into the war, yet they were willing to say, "Our country, right or wrong." The Second Brigade, Third Division. Ohio Militia, called out by Brig. Gen. G. A. Jones, was formed on the flat facing High Street and west of where now stands the Baltimore & Ohio tracks. Captain Morgan addressed the brigade The same afternoon those who proposed to volunteer assembled at the court house to organize. George \V. Morgan was elected captain, Simon B. Kenton was chosen first lieutenant and Thomas M. Morton, second lieutenant. Caleb J. McNulty enlisted as a private soldier. He was but thirty years of age, but had thrice represented Knox county in the Legislature, had been clerk of the lower house of Congress and was the candidate for that body against Columbus Delano, the Whig nominee in 1844. Delano was elected by a majority of twelve votes. Mr. McNulty did not live to see Mexican soil. but died a victim of intemperance on the steamer which bore the right wing of the Second Ohio Volunteers to New Orleans. The boat stopped in the night at Memphis to obtain a coffin, and the next morning poor McNulty was buried at the foot of a grand old oak near Helena, Arkansas. Daniel S. Norton, afterwards United States senator from Minnesota, was another. seventeen-year-old boy who enlisted and remarked that he wanted to become an officer, but if he could not, he wanted to be the best soldier in the private ranks of his regiment. He was a faithful soldier, but owing to sickness was finally discharged and read law with R. C. Hurd. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 215 In the great struggle over the trial for impeachment of Vice-President Andrew Johnson, he, with others like Cowan, Trumbull, Doolittle and Rose, sustained the Vice-President. He died before his term expired in the Senate and his seat was taken by William H. Windom, also a native of Knox county. Another private in the "Young Guard" was Robert B. Mitchell. He was made quartermaster-sergeant in Morgan's regiment and second lieutenant in Captain Harle's company in the reorganized Second Ohio. He removed to Kansas and at the breaking out of the Civil war he organized and became colonel of the First Kansas Infantry ; distinguished himself at Wilson's Creek, Missouri. Later was made a brigadier-general and governor of New Mexico. During ten successive days after the organization of his company Captain Morgan drilled his men eight hours each day. One half of this time was given exclusively to the school of the soldier. The command was an excellent body of young and middle-aged men who made rapid progress in drill service. On Saturday, June 6, 1846, the ladies of Mt. Vernon, through Col. D. S. Norton, presented the "Young Guard" with a flag, upon which folds were inscribed their names, and a few shreds of the old banner were still in the possession of General Morgan in 1880. The company then took up its line of march for Columbus, accompanied for a long distance by friends and citizens, and was greeted with banquets along the route. On Sunday afternoon it was respectfully escorted into Columbus by the companies of Captains Walcott and Latham. The general rendezvous of the Ohio troops was at Camp Washington, near Cincinnati, where thirty-eight companies soon assembled, and others were ready to march from different parts of the state. So fierce was the desire to go to the field that an armed collision seemed inevitable and was only prevented by an address of Brig-Gen. John E. Wool, of the United States army, who had charge of the mustering service. T. L. Harmer was appointed by President Polk as brigadier-general and when Morgan was made colonel, Simon B. Kenton was elected captain and Charles D. Miller first lieutenant of Company B, formerly known as the "Young Guards." Arriving in Mexico, every man was eager to get in the fore front of the scenes of war. It was then past mid-summer. The hospitals were all full, but, thanks to the skill and devotion of Surgeon William Trevitt, the loss of the Second Regiment from sickness was less than that of any other regiment in the entire army. Before advancing from Carmargo, Morgan's regiment was well drilled in military tactics. While there a breastwork was 216 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. erected of five bastions which was christened Fort Wall, and since then has become well known in the civil wars of Mexico. Colonel Morgan seeing that some of his men were being murdered out of real battle by brutish Mexicans, sent forth an order and took three of the wealthiest. most highly honored of the Mexican citizens and held them as hostages against private rapine and murder within their jurisdiction. These were held as prisoners, but kindly treated and cared for. They were allowed to communicate with their friends, but were given to understand that for every American murdered, not really killed in battle. there would be prompt retaliation. This caused hitter complaint, and the matter was referred to the two governments, but Morgan was fully sustained and not another assault or murder was committed in that section afterwards. When all was over the three wealthy men were allowed to go home in peace. One historic incident must not fail of being recorded in this chapter. This is concerning an incident that happened in Mexico and in which Hon. Columbus Delano, of Knox county. was implicated and became a target. The annexation of Texas was bitterly opposed by the Whig party. who charged that it had brought on the Mexican war, which was true, too. Although both Taylor and Gen. Winfield Scott were Whigs, and many of their officers belonged to the same political party, many of the leading Whigs were denouncing it in Congress and wanted no war. Foremost among these were the two Ohians, Hon. Thomas Corwin, of the United States Senate, and Hon. Columbus Delano, of the House. When the intelligence of this opposition to war reached the army it-created intense feeling. and one night just before tattoo a sudden flame shot up on the parade grounds of the Third Ohio, and loud groans rent the air. Morgan was field officer of the clay, and happened to be making a call on Colonel Curtis, when, seeing the flames and hearing the groans, he sprang to his feet to suppress the strange and unlooked-for disorder in camp. Colonel Curtis said, "Remember, Colonel, this is my parade ground," intimating that it was for him and not for Morgan to interfere. Morgan answered, "Yes, but T am field officer of the day." On reaching the grounds a large crowd of the troops of different regiments were gathered around a burning effigy which was addressed with jeers and taunts by the soldiers. Morgan ordered the men to cut down the figure and return to their regiments. but the order was only answered by a good laugh, and it was not until a detachment of guards arrived that the crowd dispersed, and by that time the effigy was totally consumed. Another incident, which was altogether too sad, occurred just before the march was taken up by the Ohio troops at Buena Vista for the Rio Grande. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 217 Noah F. Johnston, of Licking county, Ohio, was a law student in the office of Miller & Morgan when the first company from Mt. Vernon was sent to the field. He was a private, and was always prompt in the discharge of his duties but had no desire for promotion. He was a great wag and a practical joker. On the evening referred to near the guard tent he was teazing another soldier, who became angry and called Johnston some harsh name. As a joke, of which the other knew nothing. Johnston challenged him to fight with muskets. The intention was that the muskets should not be loaded, and that of Johnston's was not. By some sad mistake the gun of the other was regularly charged. The distance was only eight paces. The word was given ; a smile of merriment was playing on Johnston's lips, when he was shot dead in his tracks. At Camargo Colonel Morgan bid good-bye to his comrades and set out for Vera Cruz to take command of the Fifteenth Regular Infantry to which he had been promoted as colonel. While under Lieutenant-Colonel Irwin the Second Ohio proceeded to New Orleans, where it was honorably discharged. Lientenant-Colonel Irwin obtained authority to reorganize the Second Regiment. of which he was made colonel. Capt. William Latham was made lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Lick was made major. For this new regiment a new company was organized at Mt. Vernon. September 4, 1847. James E. Harle, the old captain of Company B, was chosen captain. Robert B. Mitchell was made first lieutenant and Silas L. Thrift was, together with Jabez J. Antrim. made second lieutenants. Harle. Morton and Mitchell had all been field officers in the old Second. On arriving in Mexico Lieutenant-Colonel Latham, with four companies, was stationed at Pueblo, and Colonel Irwin, with six companies, at Agua Frio. the highest part of the mountain before descending into that beautiful valley of Mexico, and continued to occupy those points until the close of the war and returned home with much joy. On February 22. 1879. at Columbus. Ohio, there was held a reunion of the Ohio regiments that took active part in the war with Mexico. Upon that occasion a speech—a real oration—was delivered by General Morgan. His long and eloquent address closed with this paragraph : "Thinned by the bullets and diseases of two wars, it is not strange that after the lapse of a third of a century so few of us should be still lingering along the lines. But while we do remain, let us meet often as now and recall the legends of the past, cherish the memory of the heroic dead, and offer up our earnest prayers for the liberty, peace and prosperity of our glorious land." 218 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. FROM THE MUSTER ROLLS. The following is a list of the officers who served in the Mexico and. Texan border wars from Mt. Vernon and Knox county, Ohio. Commissioned Officers (enrolled August 22. 1836)—Charles Colerick, captain; John Lemon. first lieutenant : Edward Smith, second lieutenant. Non-Commissioned Officers—Thomas W. Carter, first sergeant; Joseph Meix, second sergeant ; Jackson Blackmore, third sergeant : Lorenzo Jones, fourth sergeant ; Benj. West, first corporal ; Jesse Axtel, second corporal ; Benj. Downs. third corporal ; Orlando Forest, fourth corporal. These all belonged to the First Regiment in the Texas service. SECOND REGIMENT (COL. GEORGE W. MORGAN) . Commissioned Officers (enrolled July, 1846)—G. W. Morgan, colonel; S. B. Kenton, captain : C. D. Miller, first lieutenant ; T. P. Morton, second lieutenant. Non-commissioned Officers—F. 13. Davis, first sergeant:      J. McFarland, second sergeant ; William Watson, third sergeant ; William N. Color, fourth sergeant ; N. F. Johnston, first corporal ; John Watson, second corporal ; Charles White, third corporal ; Mamley Foote, fourth corporal ; John P. Miller. musician ; J. I. Antrim, musician. RE-ORGANIZED SECOND REGIMENT-COMPANY B. Commissioned Officers (enrolled September 4, 1847)—James E. Harle, captain ; Robert B. Mutchell, first lieutenant; Stiles L. Thrift, second lieutenant ; Jabez J. Antrim, second lieutenant. Non-commissioned Officers—Peter T. Morton, first sergeant ; Andrew S. Glessner, sergeant ; Jared M. Hord, sergeant ; John Hawn, sergeant; Lemuel L. Ireland, corporal ; Hiram. Miller, corporal ; James J. Runyon, corporal; William Campbell, corporal. There were one hundred and ninety-two privates who served under the three sets of commissioned and non-commissioned officers from Knox county, as shown by the muster rolls. But few, if indeed any, are still survivors of those two wars with Mexico. Many of them took part in the Civil war of 1861-65. KNOX COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. The true patriotism of the men of Knox county has always been high in standard and those who went forth to defend the flag of the Union, both KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 219 at home and abroad, have been men with daring, soldier-like qualities. "Thank God! the fathers had not to blush to own their sons in many a well fought field," was once penned, and but tells the poetic story of those who fell on Southern battle grounds, and who now sleep in an "unknown" marked grave in the far-away Southland. Ohio furnished in round numbers, according to official count, about three hundred and ten thousand soldiers in the war for the Union, from 1861 to 1866, the strife ending in the spring of 1865. Of this number of true Americans Knox county furnished, in round numbers, three thousand. Something more than twenty companies were organized in this county; besides a large number of detachments and companies raised in other counties, not credited to Knox county. Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri all had many regiments with Knox county men within their ranks. When the thunders of cannon echoed back their noise of war and Southern secession from Fort Sumter, on that historic day in April, 1861, Ohio was not long in offering more men to the call of President Lincoln than were asked for. Knox county was not behind the other counties in the matter of volunteering. The whole nation was ablaze with excitement, and here in Knox county the war spirit was unbridled. The first war mass-meeting in Mt. Vernon was held April l0th, only one week after the first gun of the Rebellion had been heard. This meeting was presided over by Hon. Henry B. Curtis. Thousands of people were present, and party lines, which up to then had been tightly drawn, were almost obliterated. With, a few dishonorable exceptions, Republicans and Democrats met on common ground, to counsel together for the safety and welfare of the nation and the starry flag that had been shot down in South Carolina by guns aimed by traitors at the Union so long cherished by both the North and South lands. Indeed this was more notable then than later in the war. This mass-meeting was held in front of the court house. Speeches were made by Hon. Columbus Delano and others, after which the following resolutions were adopted : "Resolved. that civil war exists by the act of the seceding states and we hold the traitors banded together under the Southern Confederacy, or otherwise, responsible before God and the world for all the evil that may arise from the unnatural war, thus inaugurated. "Resolved, that in this crisis the people of Ohio know but one party—friends of the Union. We ignore all former partisan distinctions and declare with one voice for our country, our whole country. and nothing less than our country. 220 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. "Resolved, that we pledge to our government, in support of the constitution and laws, our property, our lives and our sacred honor. "Resolved, that we hereby pledge ourselves to the volunteers who may go from this county that we will support their families during their absence in the service of their country ; and for that purpose therefore. "Resolved , that there he a central executive committee of five in the town of Mt. Vernon, and a county committee of twenty-two, one from each township, appointed." These resolutions were presented by Messrs. C. Delano, Rigby L. Harper, Major Sapp. William Dunbar and were voted and adopted amid deafening cheers and wild excitement. The central committee consisted, when appointed, of the following: W. Sapp. William Dunbar, William Mefford, A. J. Beach, and Columbus Delano. Their hands were soon full of business which continued throughout the four and more long years of the Rebellion. The township committee was composed of these worthy gentlemen : Jackson township, A. J. Butler ; Butler township, James McCammett; Union township, Doctor Moffett ; Jefferson township, Mark Greer ; Brown township, -Wait Whitney : Pike township, Samuel Popham ; Howard township, U. T. Porter ; College township, James Head ; Morgan township, George Hughes: Clay township, Thomas Rogers ; Harrison township, Moses Dudgeon : Miller township, L. W. Gates ; Milford township, Nathan Bostwick : Pleasant township, Robert Graham ; Hilliar township, William Mitchell ; Liberty township. James Severe ; Clinton township, John Welch ; Middlebury township, Stephen H. Sherwood ; Berlin township. James Markley ; Monroe township, Peter Hoke. In addition to these one name was added for each ward in Mt. Vernon so that soldiers' wives and families were well cared for during that terrible four-year conflict. Meetings of a like nature were held at once in Amity and Brownsville. In the last named place a company was immediately formed, and elected John F. Cunningham captain ; William L. Brook, first lieutenant, and Square Williams. second lieutenant. This meeting was held in the Methodist church and after the volunteering one side of the house was cleared and those who would contribute to the support of the families of volunteers requested to take that side. Immediately that side of the house was filled. April 23, 1861, a meeting was held in Morgan township and a company of home guards formed, and still another at about that date in Mt. Vernon. C. P. Buckingham was captain of this company. Two of this company subsequently rose to high military positions in the army. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 221 Up to June, 1862, there had volunteered from Knox county eight hundred and fifty-two men. The people who remained at home were loyal and busy in collecting money and provisions to care for soldiers and the families left behind. The county auditor's books are the evidence as to the amounts contributed up to that date for the payment of soldier's bounties in this county, the same being refunded in 1866 by an act of government and state departments, by direct taxation, the only just and honorable manner in which it could be done : Jackson township - $14,830 Butler township - 10,610 Harrison township - 16,100 Milford township - 8,500 Middlebury township - 9,327 Jefferson township - 12,040 Morgan township - 14,388 Morris township - 9,910 Wayne township - 37,500 Union township - 15,610 Brown township - 4,709 Clay township - 18,760 Pleasant township - 7,905 Pike township - 12,315 Clinton township - 7,605 College township - 10,348 Berlin township - 15,670 Mt. Vernon city - 40,527 Liberty township - 10,444 Hilliar township - 18,105 Howard township - 20,160 Monroe township - 3,040 Miller township - 22,131 County-at-large - 28,170 The total amount raised during the war, including the above for bounties was $368.748. This was largely to fill the quota under President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand more men, in 1862. Under this call, Knox county was asked to furnish two hundred and twenty volunteers for the Ninety-sixth Regiment, and they were easily raised and no draft had to be instituted in the "Kingdom of Knox." This was not enough. and President Lincoln called for an additional three hundred thousand men and the county's quota was immediately filled. Two companies were raised within fifteen days from the legal call. These entered the One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, under Captains Stephens and Yager, Preparations for a draft were made in August, 1862, but none was needed. However, in October of that eventful year one (lid occur and a number of the men were assigned to the Sixty-fifth Regiment. Yet few men, comparatively, were drafted from Knox county. The newspapers at Mt. Vernon carried the following notice : “One hundred men wanted for the Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Four hundred and two dollars bounty paid to all old recruits, and three hundred and two dollars to new recruits. "WALTER L. BURR, Recruiting Officer," "December 1, 1863.  222 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. The following year the demands were pressing and the reward was increased as shown below : "Every able-bodied man who will come forward and volunteer for one year and be credited to the first ward of Mt. Vernon, on or before the 25th day of August, will receive five hundred dollars in cash for one year's service." But still the war was raging. Knox county had paid out by contributions toward the support of the "war widow" and children the sum of $8,835. In 1863 the county commissioners set apart $11,339, and the following year (1864) did the same. In 1865 the amount of $12,000 was set apart for a like use. Then thousands were paid by free donations. During the last year of the war large sums—anything a man would have the face to ask for to go as a substitute—were given by those possessed of wealth and sometimes not much courage and patriotism! This helped on the "bounty-jumping" business and men would enlist under bounty, desert and go to some distant point and gain another bounty. In that wonderful call of 1864 for five hundred thousand more men, Knox county's quota was five hundred and eighty-nine men—after all the brave sons she had sent to the front before. These were for one, two and three year terms. The general government paid from one to three hundred dollars for such men and the county and private individuals had the balance to provide for. It should be said that all townships finally in 1863 had to submit to a draft, except Berlin, Milford, Morgan. Morris and Union. LADIES' AID AND SANITARY COMMISSION SOCIETIES. Not alone did the men of Knox county do well their part in sending the best men of the county to the battle fields, and pay large sums to keep the home affairs running, but the wives, sisters and daughters worked heroically, and sacrificed as much as did their fathers and brothers. All praise to the noble-hearted ladies of Knox county ; long should their good deeds be remembered. Soon after the breaking out of the war, the need of sanitary and hospital supplies began to be felt, and this demand increased with every battle and every new regiment sent to the scene of conflict. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 223 Ladies' aid societies sprang up all over the Northland. Knox county was early in the ranks of this charitable work for the soldiers. Early in 1861 such a society was formed in Mt. Vernon, with Mrs. J. E. Woodbridge as its president. This was followed by one in nearly every township within the county. These co-operated one with the other and the goods and supplies were all shipped from the county seat. The list given herewith will give some idea of what was sent to make life and army difficulties easier for those who were suffering in hospital and on the long, weary marches in defense of the flag, the same being articles which one society furnished : Pleasant township, as shown in the president's report, Christmas day, 1863: Shirts, ninety-one ; drawers, sixty-five pairs ; pocket handkerchiefs, one hundred thirty-eight ; pillow slips, forty-two; sheets, six; towels, thirty-five : socks, nine pairs ; mittens, two pairs ; compresses, thirty-five; bandages, fifty-nine rolls ; papers and magazines, five bundles ; hops, one pound ; fifty-three pads ; fans, thirteen; neckties, two; three boxes, two rolls and one sack of lint : thirty-two pounds crackers ; dry toast, six pounds; pickles, ten dozen ; vinegar, four quarts ; jugs canned fruit and pickles, eighteen ; apples, four and one-half bushels ; seven quarts dried peaches; elderberries, twenty-three quarts ; driedy cherries, fourteen quarts; sweet corn, seven quarts, dried ; potatoes, thirteen bushels ; onions, three bushels; beets, two bushels ; cabbage. one bushel. The total estimated value of this one township's offering for the relief of sick soldiers was $225.31. The closing paragraph of Mrs. J. E. Woodbridge, president of the Knox County Soldiers'. Aid Society, dated December 1, .1864, shows the spirit of womanly, Christian patriotism that obtained here. It is as follows: "They have faithfully performed arduous labors, but with willing hands. They also, like most of the gallant soldiers, enlisted for 'three years or the war,' and as their three years of faithful service has but lately expired, they will not be mustered out, but have re-enlisted, without draft, substitute, or bounty. They have become veterans in the good sense of the cause, and ask no further bounty than an approving conscience and the continued aid and generosity of the community in furnishing funds and material to the society, that it may be enabled to do good in a good cause." EARLY CIVIL WAR 1NCIDENTS. The first contribution of Knox county to the war of the Rebellion was two companies, A and B. of the Fourth Ohio Regiment of infantry. Only those who lived in those days can realize what the excitement was here. The sound of drum and fife was heard daily on the streets of Mt. 224 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Vernon about the public square and the young life of the country sprang to arms as quickly as did older ones. The first man to place his name upon that honored roll of heroes that went from Knox county was Israel Underwood. Sixty-three others followed quickly, and in less than twenty-four hours after the first call for troops flashed over the wires sixty-four men were ready to march to the imperiled national capital. Mr. Underwood, who had virtually raised the company, generously turned them over to Lorin Andrews, the president of Kenyon College, who had told the governor three months before the firing upon Fort Sumter that if war came he would go. So it was that Mr. Andrews was made captain in place of Underwood. Underwood, however, through Captain Andrews' influence. was made quartermaster of the Fourth Ohio. Andrews was at once appointed colonel of his regiment by the governor. Then James C. Irvine became captain of Company A. the first raised in Knox county. The company repaired to Camp Jackson. at Columbus, and there united with other companies in making up the Fourth Regiment. In reorganization, Leonard W. Carpenter was made captain of Company A. At the same time another company was being raised at Mt. Vernon by Henry B. Banning, who later became brigadier-general, and the two companies were ready to depart for Columbus at the same time. It will he observed all was accomplished in short time, because the men were formed into companies and went to Columbus in time to be made a part of the Fourth Regiment, which was organized April 25, 1861, only thirteen days after Fort Sumter was fired upon. While it is not practicable to give a roster of the men who went into the Union ranks from Knox county, as the list would be too lengthy, and for other reasons, vet it will be the aim of the writer to give some important facts regarding the various commands here organized, by whom and the dates of most of them. Companies A and B of the Fourth Regiment, two full companies, were organized at Columbus April 25, 1861. Their history is noted above. Upon the return of the Fourth Regiment in June, 1864, the newspaper at Columbus had the following to say : "This old and gallant regiment. or rather what is left of it, arrived in this city Saturday night under command of Col. L. W. Carpenter. It has done good and noble service for the country. In the battles in which this regiment was engaged prior to General Grant taking command of the army, it had dwindled down to four hundred men. They were in Grant's campaign in 1864 and went in with three hundred men, and came out with just ninety-one, and a part of these wounded."