CHAPTER IV.
GAME.-THE AGUE IN POETRY AND ELSEWHERE.-PUT-IN-BAY ISLANDS.-THE WORD "MAUMEE."
MARCH 15, 1869, Judge E. D. Potter delivered an address before the Maumee Valley Shooting Association, Toledo, which was devoted mainly to the subject of "Game in the Maumee Valley." It was a very interesting and valuable paper.
By way of introduction, Judge Potter said, that when he came here, in 1835, the entire region, North of a line drawn from the head of Lake Erie to the Pacific Ocean, was one unbroken hunting ground, the settlements in the intervening States interfering very slightly with the game. This region then contained a greater variety and greater abundance of valuable game than ever did any other section of the globe in the same latitude, foremost of which were the Buffalo, the Grizzly Bear, the Caribou, the Elk and the Stag. In this Valley were the Red Deer, Bears, Wolves, Panthers, Lynx, Wild Cats, Foxes and Turkeys, with an almost infinite variety of small game. In 1835 Deer were probably more plentiful here than elsewhere on the continent, and engaged almost exclusively the attention of the sportsman. The Red Deer (the only kind here) gets its growth at five years-the Stag and the Hind, popularly known as Buck and Doe. The terms Buck and Doe are applied to the Fallow Deer, a different kind, with large flattened horns like a hand, and are smaller than ours. The Doe, at one year old, brings forth in May or June one Fawn ; at two years and after, two Fawns, going seven months with young. The Deer relies for safety upon his sense of smell, and no gunner must expect to get within gunshot of him, except from the leeward. Thus located, the hunter will soon, though in open sight, find him coming within a few yards of him, utterly unconscious of danger. Judge Potter stated that he had killed Deer in every Ward of the present City of Toledo. An Oak ridge near the High School building was a favorite resort for them ; there were many in Stickney's Woods, in the First Ward; also on the "Nose," where the Oliver House now stands, in the Fifth Ward. Where the residence of V. H. Ketcham stands, in the Seventh Ward, was a runway for them. He never heard that there were Elk in this Valley ; but in the region of Cleveland, at an early day, they were numerous.
Next to the Deer, the Turkey was important as game. They grew to be very large, often weighing when drawn, 30 pounds. In habit they much resembled the domestic bird, laying from 13 to 15 eggs, and generally hatching a full brood. To get within range of the Turkey, the sportsman must keep out of its sight. An expert hunter, by shooting into the flock or sending in his dog to scatter them, may, with his "call," get them within range and shoot the flock. This "call" consists of a quill or a wing-bone of the Turkey, and the expert may so imitate the bird's voice as to entice them to his very presence, if he be perfectly hidden from sight. They were often caught in great numbers by building a tight-covered pen of rails or poles ; digging a trench leading under one side of it, and then scattering corn in the trench, which they pick up, and following the bait thus placed soon find themselves imprisoned, and not having sense enough to look down, but only up, are made secure.
The Wolf is a cowardly rascal. Like some men, he wants to know who his backers are, before he goes into a fight. At an early day, a bounty was paid for Wolf scalps, ranging from $8.00 to $25.00. He knew two trappers, one of whom was then living, who would get from 10 to 15 scalps apiece during the season, all being males, for they never killed females, for that would injure their next year's harvest of scalps. They were sometimes caught in steel-traps, and sometimes in dead-falls; and in the former case, when secured, are meek as Lambs, and handled with impunity. The trapper is thus enabled to release the female and kill the male. The Judge once sought information as to the mode of catching the Wolf, from an -old experienced trapper, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, who said to him: " Well, Chutch, I vas dinking dis ting all ofer, and ich kon only dell you dat der Volfs are ketch, brincipally, py main art." Seeing his lesson thus suddenly at an end, the Judge said, " Mr. K., I thank you a thousand times;" when the old trapper replied, " Never minte, Chutch, one dime is a blenty."
The Bears were very numerous, particularly in Wood, Henry, Defiance, Williams, Paulding and Van Wert Counties. Their practice of hibernating in hollow trees throughout the winter, made them little more than skin and bones when they came forth in the Spring.
The Red, Black, Silver Grey and Cross Fox, were found in this region. They all were of one family, and intermix with each other-the last named by a "cross" between the Red and the Black. The furs of the Silver Grey and the Black were most highly valued, a single skin having been sold as high as $75.00. The Woods Grey, a very common species, was readily caught by treeing, but his fur was comparatively coarse and brittle. A Black Fox was often scented in this neighborhood, where he was readily found for a number of years, and led the hounds in a straight line for the Cottonwood Swamp, some 15 miles distant; but in a couple of days would be sure to return.
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GAME. - 29
He lost his life by crossing a road near to where John Kaufman, then and yet of Toledo, was watching a Deer runway, on the Manhattan Road below Tremainsville, when Kaufman wounded him with a charge of buck-shot, and he never again appeared. His remains were soon afterwards found near the place where he was shot. Since then very few Cross Foxes have been seen in this region, though previously much the larger proportion were of that description.
Badgers never were numerous in this section, though Judge Potter had occasionally seen them on the sand ridges in Washington Township, near the Haughton settlement. Being gregarious, they burrowed in sand-knolls and dry places. They were a dirty gray on the back and black on the belly. Badger hunting was characterized as "more a barbarous than a civilized recreation." The hunter creeps stealthily to the burrow at night, and inserts a bag in the hole, with a puckering string at the open end made fast to a stake in the ground. The dogs are then turned loose, the field scoured, and the Badgers fly to their home only to be bagged. They are taken one at a time and removed from the bag and despatched by dogs trained for such conflicts, the Badger often making a heroic fight, terribly wounding the dogs.
Panthers were frequently killed on the Fast side of the River, but were not numerous. Once or twice Lynx were found, and Wild Cat in great abundance. The latter offered good sport for the hunter. The Judge had killed as many as three in a day in the swale near East Toledo (the Sixth Ward).
Small game was abundant-Prairie Chicken, Partridge, Quail, Woodcock and Snipe. He had seen on Summit street near Oak, over 500 Prairie Chickens at one time; and thousands together on the open lands within six miles of Toledo. Hundreds of dozens of Quail had been sold in the streets of Toledo for a shilling (12 1/2 cents) per dozen alive, and at 18 1/2 cents a dozen when dressed, having been caught with traps in the neighborhood. Ducks and Geese were plenty in the River above the Town, though very few persons hunted them or any of the smaller birds. Frenchmen from the Bay brought in Ducks and Geese and sold them for 30 cents per dozen.
The first shot-gun Judge Potter ever saw here belonged to Naaman Goodsell; the next brought here were by Dr. H. A. Ackley and Charles M. Dorr. For a long time he that used a shot-gun was not regarded as much of a hunter. The rifle was the popular weapon. But as the Deer and the Turkey became scarce, attention was called to the smaller game, for which the shot-gun was better adapted, until the rifle has pretty much disappeared from among sportsmen.
Of the Hunter of pioneer times, Judge Potter said:
He is a pretty jolly, independent sort of an individual. His appetite never fails him; his digestion is always good. He sleeps well, whether under the open sky or in a wigwam. He has his laws-unwritten, but well understood-and more strictly observed than your City ordinances, with a Police Chief and his posse to enforce them. The Hunter could hang up his game in the woods, and it would hang until it rotted down; and nobody-not even a hungry Ottawa Indian would touch it. Attracted to the forest by a love for the chase and a passion for adventure, the Hunter becomes the pioneer of civilization. The forests disappear before him. Sunlight islet into the dark corners ; the Savage and the wild beast recede before him. The waving Corn, the School-House, the Seminary and the Church spire, that rise up in his path, are the monuments of his courage, his perseverance and his sacrifices. It is no wonder that the Indian Heaven is "the happy hunting-ground," for I look back upon my hunting days in the Maumee Valley as I may probably be allowed to do in the time to come.
Throughout the earlier years of Western settlement, the forests and waters were so abundantly supplied with game that the thought of its protection from undue destruction was not entertained. Hunters roamed and killed, as their need or their pleasure might suggest. The result was, that the more valuable species of wild game were gradually reduced in quantity, and so rapidly that ere long the matter of their preservation from early extinction commanded attention both from citizens and from the State Legislature. In due time laws were passed for the protection of game and fish, which, duly enforced, gave promise of valuable results. But these were so largely at variance with all previous usage, that no little repugnance, and even defiance, were shown by those who looked upon game as upon the air they breathed, as the natural right of all who might seek it. This was specially true in the cases of the owners of the lands and waters where game and fish were found. To say that an owner should not, at his will, trap or shoot the animals or birds grown upon his lands, was an innovation quite revolting to his views of right. Hence, the policy of legal protection to game and fish, was strongly opposed in nearly all localities where it was applicable, and it was found necessary in that, as in many other cases of popular disfavor to law, to give the enactment the organized support of its friends. And here, again, was met a source of weakness, in the fact that such support came largely from nonresidents, and, worse still, from residents of Cities and Towns, to whom, with more effect than justice, could be attributed the motive of
30 - HISTORY OP TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
the English land-owners, in denying to the common people their natural right to game, in order that others might monopolize it. But the laws referred to, while not meeting wholly the end sought, were valuable in materially checking the rapid destruction of game.
The most prominent organization in this region, if not in the State, for the support of the game laws, was the Maumee Valley Shooting Association. It was organized October 28, 1867. Its avowed principal objects were to secure the enactment and enforcement of proper laws for the protection and preservation of fish and game in this section, and to promote acquaintance and social intercourse among resident sportsmen. From December, 1867, until July, 1869, the Association occupied rooms in the Chamber of Commerce (corner of Madison and Summit streets). Thence it went to more commodious quarters in the Drummond Block (corner of Madison and St. Clair streets). For nine years the organization maintained a vigorous activity and accomplished much in inspiring respect for the game laws of the State; enforcing their general observance, and creating a public sentiment in favor of the objects which led to its organization. It also made an extensive and valuable ornithological collection, embracing specimens of nearly or quite all the upland game-birds and water-fowls known to this locality. That collection was destroyed by fire at the burning of the Hall Block, in December, 1880, incurring a loss not only great, but from the nature of the case, irreparable.
The principal officers of the Maumee Valley Shooting Association from October, 1867, to 1876, were as follows : To January, 1868President, Robert Cummings; Secretary, Zebulon C. Pheatt; Treasurer, Dr. C. H. Harroun. For 1868-D. C. Baldwin, President; Z. C. Pheatt, Secretary ; C. H. Harroun, Treasurer. 1869-70-Chas. O. Brigham, President; Z. C. Pheatt, Secretary; E. R. Skinner, Treasurer. 1871-W. B. Wiltbank, President; Theo. Klemm, Secretary; William Schansenbach, Treasurer. 1872-76-Z. C. Pheatt, President; Theo. Klemm, Secretary; William Schansenbach, Treasurer.
Under date of July 17, 1815, Alex. C. Lanier, who had been a soldier in General Harrison's army at Fort Meigs, furnished the Ohio Republican (Cincinnati), a letter in regard to the fish supply in the Maumee River, and suggested "a plan for supplying the State of Ohio with salted fish." His plan was substantially this : To establish a company at Cleveland, with a capital of $40,000; build vessels suitable for Lake service of 70 tons, which should be employed in transporting salt from the port nearest to Onondaga, N. Y., to the different fisheries on the Maumee, as far up as the Rapids of the St. Mary's. He would have four seines of 100 fathoms each in length, to be employed from the breaking up of the ice to close of the season. The fish, when cured, to be taken by the vessels to the different Lake ports, and thence distributed. The fish season over, he would employ the fishermen in building traps up the Maumee, Auglaize, St. Mary's and St. Joseph Rivers, whence the fish thus caught would be taken in keels and pirogues up the St. Mary's and Auglaize, wagoned across to Loramie's, and conveyed down the Miami River to supply the Western portion of the State.
Mr. Lanier stated that he had known of 27 barrels of fish being taken by one trap in a single night above Fort Winchester, on the Auglaize. He said : "Nature has destined the waters of this Lake to supply this country with fish," and asked: "Will the people of Ohio be so neglectful of their own interests, as to let this valuable branch of business be neglected (or fall into the hands of the British), and still continue to import the few fish we now use from the Eastern States?" A writer, under date of Chillicothe, Ohio, June 9, 1813, says, " the quantity of fish taken at Fort Meigs was most surprising. Some days there were not less than 1,000 to 1,500 of an excellent kind taken with the hook, within 300 yards of the Fort." The writer said : "No one can visit this spot and not be charmed by its appearance and the advantages of its situation."
A severe storm of wind occurred about the 1st of November, 1873, causing severe injury to the fishing interests, chiefly about Sandusky. Following the storm the catch of fish was extraordinary. One firm brought to Toledo 44,000 pounds, chiefly white fish, taken from their nets at a single haul. In some cases the fishermen were unable to remove the fish as fast as they got into the nets.
In March, 1858, Robert C. Navarre, then fishing at Cedar Point, Maumee Bay, after 3 o'clock P. M. made three hauls with an 80-rod
THE AGUE IN POETRY AND ELSEWHERE. - 31
seine, taking at the first haul, 50 baskets, at the second, 42 baskets, and at the third, 22 baskets, making 114 baskets of extra size. The weight of fish was 250 pounds to the basket, thus making the total weight 28,500 pounds, or over 14 tons. The fish were mostly pickerel. It was said to be the greatest success ever had in the Bay. The value of the fish, ready for the market, was $950.
So abundant were fish in the Maumee River in early days, that great quantities were caught by spearing with pitchforks and by means of baskets and bed blankets. It is reported that Major Stickney constructed a rude sort of a diving-bell, into which he put one of his sons (possibly Two), and plunged it overboard in the River, the boy catching the fish as they swam by, and passing them up to his father, who sat quietly smoking his pipe in a canoe overhead. But this story lacks somewhat in the verification of absolute history.
While the Maumee Valley has always been reserved in its claims to eminence in the way of poetry, there has been for over 50 years intimately associated with the locality at least one production. It was first definitely recognized as genuine, and as the work of " a genius of the Cat-Fish tribe," by the Maumee City Express, June 24, 1837, although then already familiar to the country. It is as follows
On Maumee, on Maumee,
Potatoes they grow small ;
They roast them in the fire,
And eat them-tops and all.
There's Bass and Mullet, too ;
They run from Spring till Fall ;
They take them by the tail,
And down them-scales and all.
There's 'Possum, Coon and Fox,
So poor they scarce can crawl ;
They catch them in a trap,
And eat them-fur and all.
There's Crows upon the bank,
So lean they never squall ;
They shoot them through the eye,
And take them-down and all.
The soil is rich and black ;
The Corn it grows quite tall;
They take it from the field,
And eat it-cobs and all.
On New Year's holiday
The chaps they have a ball ;
'Tis whiskey in a gourd ;
They drink it-gourd and all.
The Girls are plump and fair ;
The Babes know how to bawl ;
The Boys they always court
The Girl, Mam, Dad and all.
On Maumee, on Maumee,
'Tis Ague in the Fall ;
The fit will shake them so,
It rocks the house and all.
There's a funeral every day,
Without a hearse or pall;
They tuck them in the ground,
With breeches, coat and all.
This certainly shows something of " poetical license." Old settlers, sensitive about such matters, may think it has more lie than sense. And even these have seen the time when they could have better endured the "poetry," bad there been in it less of " truth." The present generation of dwellers on "the Maumee," in view of the exceptionally good health of the region, feel no sensitiveness over the old-time reports in that respect, whether set forth in prose or in rhyme. They can even endure the "old, old story" of the traveler, who, following directions to take " the main traveled road," soon brought up in a grave-yard.
In this connection, may be pertinent an article from the Express of November 24, 1838, in which the then not rare subject, " The Ague," is philosophically treated. It was written by the Editor, Mr. Henry Reed, Jr., now of California, after the issue of two or three editions of his paper on what were called "half-sheets," or sheets half the regular size. In one of these issues lie stated that every body about the office was sick" both seniors and juniors-every person, except the Devil!" The editor said : "As there is a striking affinity between poverty and pickled salmon, so there no doubt exists a near relationship between the fever and ague and profane asseveration ; and if the Recording Angel has not on hand a fountain of tears more plentiful than the washpots of Edom, he has doubtless but a sorry time of it in the expenditure of elbow grease and blotting paper, to keep his accounts with this country posted up between the 1st of August and the last of September. Be that as it may, let a man try it, and if his pious matter does not become hard granite, his crystalline humors get out of all good humor, and the milk of his human kindness turn to rank 'Bonny-Clabber' in his bosom, he may con-
32 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
gratulate himself on possessing more of the spirit of the martyrs, than any man we wot of between the great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean. We know we shall disoblige a young friend of ours, by stealing his doggerel ; but as it expresses what almost everybody feels on such occasions, we shall run the risk. The language has a savor of technology, but we hope no one will from thence infer the author
" I know it's not right to swear and curse,
For it puts no money in the purse ;
Besides, it only makes one worse,
To curse and to swear.
"But when a-body's shivering and shaking,
Os dentes chattering, os human aching,
The spinal pillar twisting and breaking,
Who can forbear?"
The group of Islands lying at the Western end of Lake Erie, and known as Put-in-Bay Islands, although having been partially occupied by a few squatters for many years, never attracted much attention from persons seeking permanent settlement until after the year 1854. At that time Mr. J. DeRivera, a Spaniard, and a merchant in New York, having become acquainted with that vicinity and favorably impressed by its natural attractions, purchased five entire Islands-South Bass (Put-in-Bay), Middle Bass, Ballast, Sugar and Gibraltarthe whole containing 2,500 acres of land. The circumstances of his purchase, as stated by himself in 1886, were as follows:
I was a poor lad, born in Spain in 1813. At the age of 13. I came to America, and in time was engaged as the representative of a New York house which took me much abroad. I did well, and in time went into business for myself. Fortune was with me, and I accumulated wealth in the foreign commission trade. Withal, I had a taste for agricultural pursuits on a large scale. In 1854 I made a tour of the Southern States with the view of opening up a plantation manned with Spaniards. I found a suitable location, but was told a plantation cultivated by whites (in the days of slavery) would never do, and so desisted. I came North and heard of the beauty of the Islands of Lake Erie, and resolved to visit them. A Sandusky boat was engaged for the trip, and three unsuccessful attempts were made' to reach the Islands. I then went to the harbor near where now is Lakeside. A lone fisherman and his boat were chartered and the voyage was made in the night. This was 32 years ago. The old Mansion house was the only structure on the Island, and to this I made my way. Next morning I was up with the sun, and walked about the Island and down on the beach. It was a case of love at first sight, and in forty-eight hours after I first set foot on Put-in-Bay, I owned the five Islands at a cost of $44,000. From that time on I have circulated much between New York and my Island home, generally summering here. I first turned Put-in-Bay into a sheep ranch, at one time having a herd of about 2,000. Gradually I disposed of these and converted the Island into a fruit farm. As other people turned their attention this way, I disposed of my interests until I have only 300 acres left. Jay Cooke paid me $3,000 for Gibraltar, where his castle now stands. Fifteen years ago I retired from business, a millionaire. The estate consisted of slate works in Vermont, a West India sugar plantation, a large property in Kentucky and other interests. Four years ago I came to Put-in-Bay to live permanently, where my family visit me in the summer. It is here I expect to pass quietly the rest of my life, and it was here the news came of my financial ruin.
The financial embarrassment referred to by. Mr. Rivera, was caused by obligations assumed in aid of a son, a Sugar Merchant in New York, who failed in 1886, for a large sum of money. The development and improvement of these Islands, without doubt, were materially promoted by Mr. Rivera's purchase, followed, as that soon was, by successful tests of the soil and climate for grape production, as well as for health and pleasure.
In a letter published in the Toledo Blade of July 17, 1846, Maj. B. F. Stickney, by request of Elisha Whittlesey, made the following explanation of the origin of the name "Maumee," as given to the stream now bearing it:
" At an unknown, but very remote period, the Wyandot Indians were acknowledged to have the most power and wisdom of any of the Eastern part of the Continent-occupying all the country North of the Niagara River and Lakes Ontario and Eriehaving an absolute Monarchical Government, with its seat where Montreal now is. The title of the Monarch, in their language, was Sans-taw-rit-sa. He exercised a general superintending control East of the Mississippi, and probably farther West. The Wyandots acknowledged no superior, on the Continent, except the Mexicans ; and communication was kept up between Sans-taw-rit-sa and Montezuma. The traditions of all tribes of the Eastern part of the Continent show that they all came from the West. The tribe we now call Miamis, came subsequent to the Wyandots. The King of the Wyandots, for some cause, sent a deputation from Montreal as far West as where Fort Wayne now is. There, for the first time, they saw some persons of this tribe, and they were very old or ancient people, Mi-a-mi. The name they use for themselves is Tweet-twee. The French took the name from the Wyandots and gave it their authority. In English the sound would be Mee-a-mee-the French sounding i as we do ee; and a as we do in father. We took the orthography from the
THE WORD "MAUMEE." - 33
French, and they called this River Mi-a-mi, because they found people here whom they called Miamis. They found some of the same on the two Rivers discharging into the Ohio, and called by the same name. To distinguish between them, they said `The Miami of Lake Erie,' and the ` Big' and the `Little Miami of the Ohio.' During the extensive military operations on this River in the War of 1812, much use was made of the name by persons who did not understand French, and took the French sound of Mi-a-mi to be Maumee; and when the City of Maumee was named, this corruption was confirmed.
" The Miamis showed me a treaty on parchment, which they negotiated with William Penn at Philadelphia. They said this was their first treaty with white people. It had a blue ribbon attached to the seal. In addition, there was a pressed dried heart attached to the ribbon. The end of the ribbon appeared to have been inserted into the heart in its undried state, and then dried and pressed. They told me this was the heart of the Indian who was the first signer, and who held it in his possession until his death."
An unsuccessful attempt was once made to change the names " Maumee River " and " Maumee Valley," to "Grand Rapids River" and " Grand Rapids Valley." For this purpose, a number of persons met in Toledo November 7, 1855, and after setting forth by preamble that "the early associations of the River, aided by a poet's wit, had given these an unjust and unfavorable reputation," it was " resolved, that the Maumee River and the Maumee Bay be hereafter known as the Grand Rapids River and the Grand Rapids Bay," and the local press of " Grand Rapids Valley " was requested to publish such action. The Chairman of this meeting was S. J. Kuder, and the Secretary W. M. Scott. No further mention is found of efforts in that direction, the public sentiment not approving the proposed change. The only step taken of that sort was the substitution of Grand Rapids for the name of Gilead, on the River in Wood County. Not long after the above named meeting, the matter of substituting the name " Miami " for " Maumee," was discussed with much favor, but nothing was accomplished. Still later, the people of Maumee City-for a reason substantially the same as given in the case of the River, Valley and Bay-had the name of their Town changed to South Toledo, a change which never commended itself to the general approval of the people of that place, or to the judgment of the public.