1900 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY prises the present townships of Crawford, Tymochtee and Sycamore, which extend along the northern part of Wyandot County. An election was held in Crawford township April 1, 1821, the first to be held in the present limits of Wyandot County. It was conducted at the home of Henry Lish, who operated a ferry across Tymochtee Creek. Thirteen voters elected the following officers: John Gordon, James Richards and Ichabod Merriman, trustees; Ira Arnold, clerk; Elijah Brayton, and Rufus Merriman, appraiser; Thomas Leeper, treasurer ; Philip Peer and Henry Lish, supervisors ; Myron Merriman and James Whitehead, fence viewers; Isaac Walker,constablee; Ciprian Stevens, justice of the peace. By the provisions of an act of the legislature, approved February 3, 1845, Wyandot County was erected, a provision of the organization being that none of the county buildings could be built more than a quarter of a mile from the road leading from "Columbus, through Delaware, Marion and Upper Sandusky to Lower Sandusky." Thirteen townships were finally formed, the county being nearly square. The northern tier is composed of Ridge, Crawford, Tymochtee and Sycamore townships; the cen-tral tier of Richland, Salem, Crane and Eden townships; the southern tier of Jackson, Mifflin, Marseilles, Pitt and Antrim townships. In accordance with the provisions of the act of the legislature the legal voters went to the polls on Monday April 7, 1845, and deposited 1,289 ballots, electing the following county officers: William Griffith, Stephen Fowler and Ethan Terry, county com-missioners; Abner Jury, treasurer ; Samuel M. Worth, auditor; Lorin A. Pease, sheriff ; John A. Morrison, recorder; Albert Bix-by, coronor ; Peter B. Beidler, surveyor; Chester R. Mott, prosecuting attorney. Griffith, Jury, and Pease were Whigs, the others Democrats. Shrenk's first newspaper was Whig politically, but the "Old Hickory" lead was so strong it was little influenced and young Wyandot County aligned itself in the Democratic column, where it has since remained entrenched, so far as the greater part, of the county offices are concerned. The new officers at once began the county business in the old council-house, this soon being replaced by a substantial temple of justice. The county commissioners at a meeting on June 2; 1845 ordered a tax of $1 to be assessed upon each lawyer andphysiciand practicing in the county. In October, 1870, Tilman Balliet, A. H. Vanorsdall and Geor TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1901 Harper were elected as infirmary directors and the county infirmary was established on the Carey road, four miles north of Upper Sandusky. A good portion of the original building, which was constructed of brick, and is now known as the county home, is still in use. THE NEWSPAPERS Since the organization of Wyandot County its news disseminating resources have always stood in the forefront. Today, the county with no town above 3,500 population, boasts of two daily papers and three weeklies. Upper Sandusky is the only town of its size in Ohio and one of the few in the United States of equal population possessing two daily newspapers. The Wyandot Telegraph was the first newspaper published in the county, appearing in 1845. The editor was John Shrenk, who had previously published papers in Bucyrus and Kenton. Early editions of the Telegraph contained business cards of local attorneys, an advertisement for Thomas Spybey's tailoring shop in Kirby's hotel and praise for Wistar's balsam of wild cherry. Also there were copied legislative proceedings received by the Baltimore American from the national capital by "magnetic telegraph." In the issue of August 9, 1845, John Rummell advertised his fulling mill in Tymochtee township, operated by steam and water power. As democratic county commissioners would not advertise in a Whig newspaper the publication ceased to exist soon after the first election. The Democratic Pioneer published by William T. Giles, that succeeded the Telegraph, paid this complimentary notice to the departed editor: "The thing that decamped from this place and took up his abode in Napoleon, and is issuing a filthy sheet, is said to be doing a great service to the Democrats of that county." The Pioneer was published in an orchard on Wyandot Avenue, west of McCutchen's store. In 1849 the editor disposed of his holdings to Josiah Smith and Elijah Giles. In 1850 Smith withdrew. In 1853 William T. Giles again entered the firm and the name was changed to the Wyandot Pioneer. The publication of the Pioneer continued for a number of years under various managements and with various political complexions. Beginning in 1848, and continuing for several months, the Wyandot Tribune, a Whig newspaper, was published by James S. Foulke & Co. On August 20, 1857, Nathan Jones and J. W. Wheaton issued 1902 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY the first number of the Democratic Union. In 1858 Robert D. Dumm took control. The newspaper continued to be the organ of the Democratic party for many years. On September 27, 1868, Pietro Cuneo assumed control of the Pioneer and shortly afterward changed the name to the Wyandot County Republican. In 1870 Mr. Dumm left the Wyandot Union, but returned again in 1873, when the firm became Dumm & Brunner. Sometime later the firm disposed of the paper, but again purchased it in 1879 and for many years published it in a. building erected for that purpose on the corner of Sandusky Avenue and Hicks Street. In 1878 H. A. Tracht, who had started at printing cards, began the publication of a small monthly sheet called The Wyandot Chief. The following year he issued the first number of The Weekly Chief. This was rapidly enlarged, and a daily finally established. Later in addition to the Chief, Mr. Tracht published Die Germania, a German newspaper. In 1903 the Union was purchased by the Wyandot Republican and the name changed to The Wyandot Union Republican. Publication was continued by Mr. Cuneo until his death in 1906, the paper having passed from the weekly to the daily stage. For several years Mr. Cuneo's sons continued publication of the newspaper. In 1914 it was disposed of to The Wyandot Union Publishing Co., and the name changed to The Daily Union, under which title it is still published, the editor being L. M. Newcomer. H. A. Tracht continued the publication of The Daily Chief very successfully until 1917, when because of the condition of his health, he disposed of it to The Daily Chief Co., that company still being the publishers and Charles U. Read, the editor. Carey's first newspaper, The Carey Blade, was established by Franklin Dame in 1872, but only four numbers were issued. The Carey Weekly Times was established in 1873 by Frank T. Tripp, Jr. It was sold to Louis A. Brunner, of Upper Sandusky, who in turn disposed of it to Samuel M. Gillingham. He conducted it until 1880. George H. Tallman & Co., published it as The Wyandot County Times. Later Homer Thrall became the owner and published the paper as The Carey Times until his death several years ago. Since that time it has been published by his capable daughter, Miss Eloise Thrall. The Nevada Enterprise first came into existence at Nevada in 1872, being issued by Rev. A. B. Kirtland. In 1876 he sold TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1903 it to T. H. and J. H. Harter. The former sold his interest in 1879 to J. M. Wilcox, who subsequently purchased J. H. Harter's interest and took in Frank Holmes as a partner. Mr. Holmes finally became sole owner and publishes the paper under the title of The Nevada News. At Sycamore, The Sycamore Star was established in 1880 by S. W. Holmes & Son. Its name was changed to The Sycamore News, when its publication was begun by the News Publishing Co., in 1883. After several changes of control H. C. Ramsdell be came the owner and is at present the publisher, the paper being known as The Sycamore Leader. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION There are still residing in Wyandot County doctors who can recall the "fever and ague" and "milk-sickness" days. Those were the days when physicians rode horseback over all kinds of roads at all hours of day or night to benefit mankind. When a doctor could not be easily secured, the family afflicted with illness in pioneer times probably tried pills made from boiled butternut bark, or swallowed pulverized blue-flag, mayapple or bloodroot. The "fever and ague" came mostly from impure water and bad dietetics. It was exceedingly awkward. "When you had a chill you couldn't get warm and when you had a fever you couldn't get cool." Frequently the whole family would be sick at the same time. When the disease finally wore out the last remedy used was generally given credit for the cure. Tymochtee township is believed to have boasted of a physician as early as 1825 but no record of the name of the first doctor has been left. When the physicians of the county were first taxed in 1845 they included Joseph Mason and David Watson, Crane township ; Noah Wilson, Ridge township ; David Adams, Richland township; William Cope, Jackson township ; Wells Chisney and Orrin Ferris, Marseilles township ; Howard Clark and John Foster, Crawford township ; Alvin Bingham, John Free, Ziba A. Letson, Erastus Ranger, George W. Sampson, father of George W. Sampson, still practicing in Upper Sandusky, and H. Dunn, Tymochtee township ; Augustus W. Munson, Antrim township ; James H. Drum, Stephen Fowler and James B. McGill, Pitt township. Others who practiced in Upper Sandusky years ago included James McConnell, Orrin Ferris, William Kiskadden and George 1904 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY T. McDonald. Later came I. N. Bowman and G. O. Maskey, both still practicing ; R. A. Henderson, William Irwin, I. H. Williams, J. W. Smalley, D. Kilmer, J. W. Barnes, J. W. White, R. N. McConnell, D. W. Byron, W. K. Byron, L. P. Walter and J. W. Davis. Dr. Stephen Fowler, of Pitt township, was one of the first physicians to locate within the present limits of Wyandot County. He gained quite a reputation for surgical skill in an army hospital at Burlington, Vt., in the War of 1812. He finally settled in Ohio and represented the district composed of Crawford, Marion and Union counties in the state legislature from 1837 to 1839, He was one of the first Wyandot County commissioners. Dr. George W. Sampson settled in McCutchenville in 1828. The only road then laid out was from Upper Sandusky to Tiffin. His other routes led over Indian trails. His practice extended to Melmore on the east, Little Sandusky on the south, ten miles be-yond Findlay on the west and Tiffin on the north. Owing to the absence of bridges he was compelled to ford or swim all streams' and during the fever season often traveled seventy miles in a day and night. He practiced a great deal among the Indians and had much success in treating "milk-sickness" and "trembles." Dr. Westbrook, a pioneer doctor, located in Marseilles in 1835, TRANSPORTATION Wyandot County is provided with excellent transportation facilities and contains one railroad that was projected as early as 1832. A network of improved roads traverses the county, in-cluding both federal and state highways. The Lincoln Highway crosses the middle of the county from east to west, an artery of travel from ocean to ocean. An historic highway pierces the center of the county from north to south. It was first a crude Indian trail, then the route of traders' pack horses, a military road hewed out by General Harrison's axemen, an ordinary wagon road, a considerable portion of it corduroy; a county pike and finally a paved state highway. Another im-portant highway, known as the Kilbourne road cuts through the county at an angle in a northeasterly direction. Wyandot county's main roads connect directly with many of the larger cities of the state. For many years, in pioneer days, ferries were maintained across Tymochtee Creek on the Upper Sandusky-Tiffin road, and over the Sandusky River, east of McCutchenville. The Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad was given the right in TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1905 1832 to build a railroad extending in a northerly direction through the western edge of the county. The road was subsequently built, passing through the towns of Carey and Wharton. It is now a part of the Big Four system. In 1845 a branch, known as the Findlay branch, was built from Carey to Findlay. In 1848 a futile effort was made by citizens of Upper Sandusky to have a branch extended to that town. The Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, part of the Ohio & Indiana Railway, now the main line of the Pennsylvania system, was built through the central part of the county in 1853 and 1854. It passes through the towns of Nevada, Upper Sandusky and Kirby. In 1850 the citizens of Wyandot County voted to subscribe $50,000 to the capital stock of the company, but an injunction prevented this amount being raised. However, Upper Sandusky subscribed and paid $15,000 to the Ohio & Indiana Railway Company. The completion of the railroad to Upper Sandusky and the finishing of the bridge over the Sandusky River were celebrated on November 11, 1853, with the firing of cannon, music and speeches. For many years the trains were run over a wooden trestle across the Sandusky River valley, but this was later supplanted by a high embankment of earth. The first train over the railroad reached Upper Sandusky January 20, 1854. The Columbus & Toledo Railroad, now the Hocking Valley, was commenced in 1876. It extends north and south through the county, passing through the towns of Harpster, Upper Sandusky and Carey. W. W. Winterhalder, Upper Sandusky ticket and freight agent, has been employed with the railroad at Upper Sandusky for more than fifty years, practically ever since the railroad was built. In 1879 the Atlantic & Lake Erie Railroad, now the Toledo & Ohio Central, was projected through the northeastern part of the county and was built a few years later. It passes through .the towns of Sycamore and McCutchenville. The final railroad to be built in the county, the Lake Erie & Western, known as the Northern Ohio, was constructed through the northern tier of townships several years subsequent to the building of the Toledo & Ohio Central. It passes through Sycamore and Carey. Because of the meandering course of its right of way it is commonly known as the "Pumpkin Vine." Wyandot County has never had a street car line although 1906 -STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY numerous attempts were made to obtain interurban connections in the early days of the present century. Bus, truck and railway lines provide excellent means of transportation in all directions today. The rural free delivery of mail has reduced the number of post offices in Wyandot County to eight. In early days when every village had a post office, the following such offices were to be found in the county : Belle Vernon, Big Turtle, Crawford, Carey, Deunquat, Kirby, Little Sandusky, Lovell, McCutchenville, Marseilles, Mexico, Nevada, Harpster, Pleasant Dale, Seal, Sycamore, Tymochtee, Upper Sandusky, Warpole, Wharton and Wyandot. THE FIGHTING MEN Wyandot County citizens have always nobly upheld the honor of the republic. Although today Wyandot is a peaceful, rural county, containing no military organization, it has until recent years been the headquarters of fighting men since the days when redskin battled redskin. It was the scene of Crawford's final engagement, also the battleground of lesser known conflicts be-tween reds and whites. In 1812 several battalions of Pennsylvania militia encamped here, cutting out roads as they came. They built Fort Ferree in Upper Sandusky. It was a square stockade, inclosing two acres of ground, with a block-house at each corner. The Pennsylvanians, stationed at the fort several months, were poorly provisioned. Many were taken ill and died. They were buried in what is now the heart of Upper Sandusky. Numerous skeletons have been unearthed in making excavations for buildings. More than a dozen soldiers who fought in the Revolution are buried in cemeteries in Wyandot County. General Harrison occupied Fort Ferree several months during the War of 1812. His "light horse" camped in the bottom lands on what is now the Reber farm. Governor Meigs, with the Ohio militia camped north of Upper Sandusky, near the site of Old Mission Church. Although Wyandot County had been organized but a few months when the Mexican war broke out, a company known as the Sandusky Rangers was at once assembled, but was mustered out without seeing service. A second company failed to be accepted. Among several Wyandot County residents who saw service in that war was Capt. John Caldwell, who was appointed TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1907 commissary of a regiment of Ohio volunteers and proceeded to Mexico in 1846. Then came the great Civil war. Hardly had the call for men been issued until three full companies of Wyandot County volunteers stood ready for service. They were commanded by Capts. William T. Wilson, Isaac M. Kirby and Peter A. Tyler. From that time until the close of the war Wyandot County supplied nearly enough fighting men to form two full regiments. The three companies first recruited were in service three months. When the Fifteenth Regiment was organized Company D, representing Wyandot County, was captained by Isaac M. Kirby. He resigned May 4, 1862. After the initial period of service had ended most of the survivors reenlisted for another three years, in 1864. Many Wyandot County residents were enrolled in the Forty-ninth and Fifty-fifth O. V. I. Company D, Eighty-first O. V. I., commanded by Capt. Peter A. Tyler, was composed entirely of Wyandot County men. The names of numerous citizens were on the roll of the Eighty-second Regiment. The One Hundred and First Regiment was organized in 1862 in Erie, Huron, Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot counties. Isaac M. Kirby was made captain of Company F. The regiment performed noble service and Mr. Kirby, son of the notable pioneer, Moses Kirby, was mustered out at the close of the war as colonel and brevet brigadier-general. Until his death several years ago he remained a highly esteemed resident of Upper Sandusky. A large number of Wyandot County men served in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment was formed by the consolidation of the Nineteenth Battery, Ohio National Guard, of ,Wyandot County, and the Sixty-fourth Battalion, Ohio National Guard, of Wood County. Lieut. Cyrus Sears served with other Wyandot County men in the Eleventh Ohio Independent Battery. He was later made a colonel. The names of over 200 citizens of the county, not in the fighting units already mentioned, are to be found on the roster of other Ohio regiments, including cavalry and artillery, and also in the fighting ranks of other northern states. Thirty-five of the 16,000 "Squirrel Hunters" were Wyandot County men. The county received credit for 1,545 men during the war, of which number only nineteen were drafted. 1908 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY In the Spanish-American war Wyandot County supplied Company B, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The company was captained by J. W. Marston. It did not see actual service, being stationed at various times at Chickamauga, Knoxville and Macon. The company was mustered out and returned home in February, 1899. Company L, Second Regiment, Ohio National Guard, located at Sycamore, and captained by George Tuttle, saw service on the Mexican border prior to the World war and its members were part of the fighting men from Wyandot County who went overseas and did their share in the great World war. The county furnished its quota of brave boys for that conflict. A number died in the camps of disease. Others gave their lives or were wounded on the battlefield. SCHOOLS There were few school ma'ams in pioneer days. Stern schoolmasters not afraid to use the rod presided. In the log schools rough benches served as seats. The writing desks were slabs resting on inclined pins driven into the wall. The schoolmaster often sat on one end of the bench with the scholars. There was no school bell. The master called "Books" when it was time for school to open. There being no desks the pupils had to hold the books in their hands while they studied and every pupil was expected to keep a thumb paper under his thumb, to preserve the pages, for books were scarce. Recess was known as the "little play time." Spelling was an important part of the program. The pupils had to toe a line and were sent to the head or the foot as they spelled correctly or misspelled a word. Spelling and singing schools were held at night. Rowdies often interrupted the proceedings and sometimes considerable mischief was done. The spelling bee, like the old husking bee, was always a great occasion for the young folks. After the spelling bees in the winter the swain would take his heart's desire "a-sleighing." The first teachers' institute was held in the old council-house at Upper Sandusky, August 25, 1848, and with a few exceptio has been an annual affair since that time. Since the adoption of county superintendency in Wyandot County, the schools have been well organized and under able management. A regular school system for Upper Sandusky was established in December, 1854, with Frederick Mott superintend- TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1909 ent, the grade teachers being Elizabeth Mott, Rebecca Zimmerman and Delia Chaffee. The four-room structure was a modest affair, added to in 1866, as the population increased. One of the finest brick high school buildings for the times in this section was built in 1882-83. This again became inadequate, and a beautiful, finely equipped structure has lately been occupied. Backed by a board of education made up of men of progress and advanced ideals, and under most competent superintendency and principalship, Upper Sandusky schools rank high in the public school system of Ohio. The present superintendent (1929) is Prof. Thomas I. Curtis, with Prof. L. H. Houpt principal. In religion as in education Wyandot County has kept abreast of the times and numerous handsome structures have taken the place of simply constructed houses of worship of early days. Min-isters licensed to solemnize weddings from 1845 to 1851 included the following denominations, some of which have ceased to exist in the county : Christian, Presbyterian, German Reformed, Luth-eran, Predestinarian Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran, German Lutheran, United Brethren and Bible Christian. The Wyandot County Agricultural Society was organized at a meeting held at the courthouse in Upper Sandusky January 3, 1852. The first fair was held in the vicinity of the old council-house. For three years after that the fair was held on land leased from Dr. Orrin Ferris. A stock company then purchased ground north of Upper Sandusky. This has been enlarged and improved upon several occasions and is still used for the annual agricultural exhibition. A fair has been held nearly every year since the society was organized. In the fair ground is located a memorial cabin built in 1888. The logs came from every section of the county and were donated by 119 citizens. The cabin was erected in true pioneer style by the early settlers of the county, nearly seventy being present who were then more than seventy years of age. While a crowd of 10,000 persons watched, the cabin was erected in one day. THE TOWNSHIPS Each township of Wyandot County has interesting historical sidelights of its own. There are also several combined features worthy of note. All of the townships have advanced from the days of the log and frame schoolhouses, past the time of the little 1910 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY red brick home of education to the magnificent centralized buildings. ANTRIM Germans who squatted on the Delaware reserve in 1819 at what was then known as Germantown, are believed to have been the first settlers of Antrim township. They included John, Jacob and Adam Coon, John Heckathorn, Jacob Snyder and Valentine Mutchler. The township was formed as it now exists in 1845. John Kirby settled in the township in 1819 and Col. Moses H. Kirby settled there in 1820. Zachariah Welch resided in 1821 where now the village of Wyandot is located. Jesse Jurey came in 1822. Isaac Longwell, William. T. Howe and Thomas Terry came soon afterward. Thomas Thompson, who arrived in 1827, became a missionary at Old Mission. Colonel Kirby built the first house in 1819. Isaac Longwell and Sarah Winslow, married in 1822, were the first couple joined in wedlock in the township. In 1826 David Bibler built the first grist mill. He was also the first tavern keeper. John Kirby was the first merchant in the township. The first schoolhouse was erected at Wyandot in 1827. In 1838 a Methodist Episcopal Church was built south of Wyandot. It was afterward abandoned. Part of the town of Nevada is located in this township. The founders of Nevada were Jonathan Ayres and George Garrett. It will be noted that nearly all the towns of Wyandot County, except Upper Sandusky, are located near the edge of the county. This was caused by the fact that the center of the county was an Indian reservation until 1845 and the outlying districts were settled by whites long before they occupied the central portion of the county. William McJunkins was Nevada's pioneer merchant. He erected the first store room in 1853. The Commercial Hotel was established in the town in 1862. The first grist mill was built by a stock company in 1861. A planing mill was established in 1863 for the manufacture of patent beehives. The history of Nevada shows that besides a general mercantile business it also housed in early days blacksmith shops, a brick and tile factory, carriage and wagon works, an elevator and a weaving loom. The United Brethren Church was organized in James McLaughlin's barn in May, 1857. The Nevada Deposit Bank was incorporated in 1873. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1911 CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP Asa Lake, who came to Crawford township in 1819, was the first settler. Daniel Hodges arrived in 1821, Christopher Baker in 1822 and John Carey in 1823. The township was organized in 1825. In this township Col. William Crawford was burned at the stake and Matthew Brayton was stolen by the Indians. Elijah Brayton, one of the first millers of the county, who began operations in Tymochtee township, later assisted John Carey in the operation of a saw and carding mill on Mr. Carey's land. In 1823 Mr. Carey built a hewed log house on the south bank of Tymochtee Creek, near the old Delaware village of Captain Pipe. The first road in the township extended from Tymochtee to Carey's mill. The first store was established in 1824 by William Buell. A schoolhouse was erected in 1828. The first religious society was organized the same year. The first church building was erected by the United Brethren Society, in Carey, in 1845. St. Joseph's Catholic Church was organized in 1849. A log church 20 by 26 feet was built and in it Christian Brooks, a member, designed and erected a brick altar. The thriving town of Carey was laid out in 1843 by R. M. Shuler and William Buell. The latter was also the pioneer merchant of the town. A mill operated by Enos and William Wonder is said to have been the oldest in the county except the Indian Mill at Upper Sandusky. The Carey Mills were established in 1845. The People's Bank was organized in 1866. Other old-time organizations were Henry Waters' planing mill and sash factory, Manecke & Company's planing mill and sash factory, Van Buren & Ryder's foundry and machine shop, Wyandot Chief hand hay rake works, Samuel Lytle's wagon and carriage shop, Roll & Galbroner's wagon and carriage works, Charles Stief's tile factory and D. Straw's elevator. The Commercial Hotel was opened soon after the town was organized. The Galt House, still a hostelry of the town, was erected in 1847. The Evangelical Association of North America built the first church in Carey in 1856. Our Lady of Consolation Church was erected in 1868. It is the shrine of the Image of the Blessed Virgin, purported to carry a particle of the cross. Great healing powers have been credited to this particle and twice annually pilgrimages are held to the shrine. Afflicted pray for the return of health and many remarkable cures have been reported. Although the original church still 27-VOL. 2 1912 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY stands, a magnificent new brick church, parish and pilgrim houses have been built, mainly through contributions from the thousands of pilgrims who come from all parts of the United States. In 1843 the first school building was erected on the corner of Findlay and High streets. It was a frame structure and seats were placed along all four walls, leaving a sort of arena in the center where the floggings were inflicted. EDEN TOWNSHIP The first settlers in Eden township, then a wild region, were Isaac Miller and Judge George W. Leith, who arrived in 1827. It was originally known as Leith township and was organized as at present in 1845. In the early days of the township a small school house was built. The Union Church and the German Baptist Church were organized in 1859. JACKSON TOWNSHIP Jackson township was organized shortly prior to 1845. The settlement of this township was quite slow. Thomas C. Beayen was the first resident, coming in 1826. The early residents went to Marseilles and to Patterson, in Hardin County, for their sup-plies. The first school was built in 1840 on land owned by James McDaniel. Preaching in early days was generally held at the cabin of some pioneer. The Church of God was organized in 1855. MARSEILLES TOWNSHIP Marseilles township was organized in 1824. The Bellefontaine Road, which runs through the township and also through the village of Marseilles, was laid out in 1822. Samuel Simpson, a stage driver, came to the township in 1821. The following year Garrett Fitzgerald and David and Jerry Terry settled in the township. Maj. Hugh Long located in the Village of Marseilles in 1823. He was a tanner. During his residence he filled nearly every township office. In 1823 the first log schoolhouse was erected with puncheon floors and greased paper window. Charles Merriman opened the first store. Doctor Westbrook was the first physician. The first mill was built in 1822. In 1827 Garrett Fitzgerald laid out the Village of Burlington. Josiah Jackson had laid out one adjoining called Marseilles. In 1845 a strip of land separating the two was laid out into lots and the two villages were consolidated as Mar- TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1913 seilles. The first store was built in the village in 1828. In 1852 a five-story mill was constructed. The mill did a good business for many years and was finally destroyed by fire. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1823 and the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1825. MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP Mifflin township assumed its present dimensions in 1845. Samuel Stansbery was the first settler in 1830. James Halstead and John Clinger came the same year. The first schoolhouse was built on land owned by Martin Dickens, two miles east of Brownstown. The Salem Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1858. Wesley Chapel dates its beginning from 1859. Brownstown, now little more than a name, in days of yore contained an inn that was daily crowded with travelers. PITT TOWNSHIP Pitt township was formed in 1845 from part of Salt Rock township, Marion County, and part of the Wyandot Indian Reservation. A large portion of its area is made up of prairie land. John Wilson and Walter Woolsey came to the township in 1820 and the latter built a cabin in Little Sandusky that same year. It is said that Ebenezer Roseberry, a noted hunter of that day, located in the township a short time in 1818, but did not build a home. Before 1820 had passed into history Ora Bellis, William Morral, Samuel Morral and Nehemiah Staley had entered the township to reside. Maj. Anthony Bowsher was also one of the first inhabitants. In 1828 Major Bowsher erected a hotel and store at Bowsherville, which he conducted for forty years. He also had a race track at that place and it was long the rendezvous for lovers of fast horseflesh for many miles around. The first school in the township was held in a dwelling. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1824. Thomas Holmes built the first water power sawmill in 1839. Ora Bellis established the first store in Little Sandusky in 1820. He also was the first person to die in the township. In 1844 a United Brethren Church was erected in Little Sandusky. Emanuel Reformed Church, built of hewed timbers and mud was erected in the township in 1855 and in 1928 a diamond jubilee and home coming was held in the third church to be constructed on the same site. 1914 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Joseph Wilson and Cloy Woolsey, wedded in 1821, were the parents of Hannahret Wilson, born in 1822, the first white babe in Pitt township. The village of Little Sandusky, established and named by the Indians, was laid out in 1830 by Dr. Stephen Fowler, John Wilson and Walter Woolsey. For many years the village was a main point on the stage line between Columbus and Detroit. The town of Fowler, since changed to Harpster, was founded in 1876 by David Harpster and John Wood. The town never contained a saloon as the deed for every lot stipulated that intoxicating liquors should not be sold thereon. Mr. Harpster, who was known as the "wool king of Ohio," was largely responsible for the Hocking Valley Railroad passing through the Village of Harpster, having offered the company three and a half miles of right-of-way and a wool clip. The greater part of Pitt township was settled by Swiss from Canton Berne. Soon after the land sales of Marion County in 1821, the north part of that county and south part of what afterward became Wyandot County was sparely populated, and one of the pioneers, Mr. Anthony Bowsher, the first resident of Bowsherville, made a trip on horseback to his former home in Pennsylvania, and upon his return to Ohio, a thirteen-year-old Dutch boy, David Harpster, accompanied him, riding on the same horse behind Mr. Bowsher. Thus David Harpster as a boy, and with less than one dollar in his pocket, became one of the first settlers of what is now Pitt township, and with other settlers, occupied that portion south of the Wyandot Indian Reservation Line, the Reservation not being subject to entry until after its purchase by the government in 1842, soon after which time Mr. Harpster became one of the first settlers and land owners in the Reservation, and his descendants still own his first land entry. David Harpster never had the educational advantages of a common school, but being endowed with good common sense, he grew to young manhood capable of caring for himself. He became a farmer and stock raiser, buying young cattle in Illinois which he drove here for feeding, and when fattened drove them to Philadelphia market for sale. His flocks of sheep numbered as many as 8,000 head, thus having more sheep of his own raising and more wool of his own growing than any man East of the Mississippi, and became known as the "wool king." His farms grew in size to more than 7,000 acres, and, though starting with TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1915 nothing, and with no aid from others or inheritance, through his own exertions and good business management he became one of the most successful and wealthy business men in the State. In 1883 Mr. Harpster organized and, as president, with J. L. Lewis as cashier, operated the Harpster Bank until the time of his death in 1898. The Harpster Bank then became the property of his two daughters, Mrs. Sarah A. Sears and Mrs. Iva H. Bones, who, with J. L. Lewis as cashier and Charles H. Lewis as assistant cashier, continued the business of the Harpster Bank until the death of Mrs. Sears in December, 1926, at which time the undivided one-half of the bank and other ownings of Mrs. Sears became the property of her four children, Mr. Horace H. Sears, Mrs. Iva S. Fowler, Mrs. Frances S. Lewis and Mrs. Jane S. Hare, and with Mr. Horace H. Sears as president, J. L. Lewis as cashier, and Herbert E. McBride assistant cashier, the bank was thus continued until the death of Mr. Sears in November, 1927, since which time the Harpster Bank became the property of Mrs. Iva H. Bones, owner of an undivided one-half interest, and Mrs. Iva S. Fowler, Mrs. Frances S. Lewis, Mrs. Jane S. Hare and Mrs. Mary H. Sears, wife of Horace H. Sears, deceased, owners of an undivided one-half interest, the business of the bank being conducted with Mrs. Iva H. Bones, president; Cyrus H. Sears, son of Horace H. Sears, vice president; J. L. Lewis, cashier; and Herbert E. McBride, assistant, cashier. The Harpster Bank has ever been an important factor in the community, and, though unincorporated, beginning with a capital of $60,000, now has a capital of $60,000, surplus of $90,000, and undivided profit of $100,000, which, added to the Harpster estate and property of the present owners, all of which is security to the depositors, make it now, as ever, a safe home for the finances of those of the community. RICHLAND TOWNSHIP Richland township was organized in 1835. It is said to have been named by Conrad Wickiser and Charles Smith, who were out logging when a chain they were using broke and tore up some bushes, revealing very fertile soil. Dr. Samuel Pickett came to the township in 1830, and Nathan Benjamin in 1832. John Roberts and Abigail Wickiser, in 1834, were the first couple to be wedded in the township. James P. Ward created a sensation in 1838 by purchasing the first buggy ever seen in those parts. 1916 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY The first grist mill was constructed in 1855 and the first sawmill in 1858. The first school was held in 1835 and the first sermon was preached in the house of Joshua Cole by James Peters, an old-school Baptist. A Methodist Church was built of hewn logs in 1852. St. Mary's Church, at Kirby, was organized in 1861. The places of worship increased until fifty years ago there were seven churches in the township. An Indian burying ground is located on what was once an island in Potato Creek Swamp. Two mounds of peculiar formation exist in the township. The town of Wharton was laid out in 1848 by Samuel Rathburn. RIDGE TOWNSHIP Deriving its name from its location on the ridge, in the northwestern part of the county, Ridge township was established in 1845 from Amanda township, Hancock County. William Homan and Jacob Jackson, who came to the township in the early thirties, are believed to have been the first residents. At first the township had no roads, which was a great inconvenience. Isaac Wohlgamuth operated the first grist mill, the motive power being supplied by a horse. The first store was established by Eli Ragon at what he had planned as the Village of Ridgeville, but neither the store nor the village remained long in existence. The first sawmill, erected in 1836, was an old-timer even in those days, requiring about two hours to saw through an ordinary log. First schools were held in dwellings, but finally a log schoolhouse was erected. Among the first teachers was J. N. Free, then a brilliant young college graduate, who later developed into an eccentric character and became known throughout Ohio and adjoining states as the "Immortal J. N." Mr. Free, who came from Tymochtee township, in his youth was a brilliant Latin scholar. It is said he brooded over the Civil war and arrived at the conclusion it could be settled without bloodshed. He visited both Jefferson Davis and President Lincoln in an effort to have his plan adopted. He lived to a ripe old age wandering about and always announcing he was going "To lift the veil and assume the pressure." For many years he was permitted to ride free on practically every railroad. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1917 In 1834 the first church was organized in Ridge township. It was of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. SALEM TOWNSHIP Salem township, named from Salem, Mass., was organized in 1845. Ezra Stewart, the first settler, located in the township in 1831. Other early arrivals were John Nichols, Arnold B. Inman, Daniel Baughman and John Mann. The last named used to do teaming with a novel turnout consisting of a horse and a bull. However, these were later supplanted by a yoke of oxen. Roads in the township were unknown until 1837. In 1836 John Mann set up a hand-power mill in one end of his cabin, his wife often supplying the motive power to turn the stone. He later built a horse-power mill, increasing its size until it took eight horses to operate it. It was capable of grinding seventy-five bushels of grain a day and Mr. Mann's patronage extended into near-by counties. He also built a water-power sawmill, digging a ditch a mile and a half long to obtain a supply of water. As a mechanic he had few equals in those days, serving as blacksmith, carpenter, gunsmith and shoemaker for the whole neighborhood. James Hibbins, said to have been one of the first white children born in the county, resided in the township a number of years and is credited with one of the most remarkable woodchopping feats ever performed. Selecting a tall tree as it stood in the forest, he felled it, cut it into four-foot lengths, split and stacked a cord of wood from it, all in forty-five minutes. A number of industrious German families settled in the township in early days. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1838. A Catholic Church, Methodist Episcopal Church, Church of God and a German Evangelical Protestant Church were established. Lovell B. Harris laid out the Village of Lovell, which once boasted of a two-story flouring mill. SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP The township of Sycamore was one of the earliest settled townships in the county and also one of the most quickly cleared of timber. The township was included in Crawford County in 1821. It gained its name from Sycamore Creek, which traverses it, the creek doubtless gaining its cognomen from the many sycamore 1918 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY trees that formerly lined its banks. Samuel Harper and family moved into the township, March 1, 1821. He was a soldier of the revolution and was wounded during the battle of Bunker Hill. Peter Baum, Sr., and Daniel Walters were the next to arrive. The following year George Kisor settled in the township. Mr. Harper erected the first cabin, an unusual structure one and one-half stories high. William Griffith built the first sawmill. The first election was held at the home of George Kisor, near Petersburg, in 1823. The first marriage took place in 1826, the contracting parties being Daniel Walters and Susannah Baum. In the town of Sycamore the first store was opened by George Harper. The Village of Petersburg, a name now practically unknown to the residents of the county, at one time boasted of a dry goods store, a grocery and a drug store. The first school in the township was built of round logs in the Village of Sycamore in 1825. Nancy Parmenter, the first teacher, received the magnificent sum of $1 per week, which was raised by subscription, when it was possible to get that much subscribed. John Stewart, colored missionary, and Rev. James B. Finley held religious services at homes in the township as early as 1822. The Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church in Pipetown was built in 1834. The town of Sycamore was laid out in 1842. New plats, subsequently laid out became the main part of the town and the original section, being of slow growth, still goes by the title of "old town." TYMOCHTEE TOWNSHIP Tymochtee township, formerly part of Crawford County, dates its organization from 1825. For a number of years it was one of the most populous rural sections in this part of the state. It received its name from the creek of the same name passing through the township, the word in the Indian language meaning "the creek round the plains." In this township was located the land set aside for Cherokee Boy. The Village of Tymochtee is located in the center of its western limits. Cherokee Boy lived to the unusual age of 110 years, being summoned to the happy hunting grounds in 1834, TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1919 Robert Cherokee, son of Cherokee Boy, went west with the Wyandots. James and John Whittaker and other half-breeds were also allotted large tracts of land in the township by the government in 1817. The township, which is one of the most fertile portions of the county, is a veritable land of streams. They include the Sandusky River, Tymochtee Creek, Sycamore Creek, Taylor Run and numerous brooks. The earliest roads in the county were cut through this township. The first white settler was Henry Lish, who came about 1816 and built a log cabin eighteen by twenty feet. Other early settlers included Cyprion Stevens, Joseph Chaffee, Robert Gibson, E. Brayton, William Hodge and Thomas Leeper. The last named arrived in 1821. Soon afterward came Peter Baum, William Combs, Levi Bunn, John Taylor, and George Bogart, who settled at what is now the Village of Belle Vernon. Lish operated a government ferry across Tymochtee Creek. Michael Brackley, also an early settler, served in both branches of the Legislature. Ira Aikens and Joseph Chaffee opened the first tavern. Christopher Hufford came to the township in 1825 and resided in it for more than half a century. John Sigler, who served in General Harrison's campaign against the Indians, settled in the township in 1826. Abraham Corfman was born in the township in 1830. Robert Gibson, brought to the township by his parents when two years of age, afterward became the first white miller at the Indian mill at Upper Sandusky. John Freet was the first blacksmith and E. Brayton built the first grist mill. Robert Lish was the first white child born in the township. The first store was opened at Tymochtee by James Whittaker. In 1829 Col. Joseph McCutchen had the Village of McCutchenville laid out by Dr. G. W. Sampson. The same men built the first dwellings in the village and Aaron Welsh opened the first store. James Wright, a pioneer resident of the township, had lived among the Indians as a captive, working for them as a silversmith. In 1845 when the township became a part of Wyandot County 162 persons were assessed for real estate. At that time the following villages had been established in the township : McCutchenville, Belle Vernon, Peru, Old Tymochtee, Mexico and North Tymochtee. 1920 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY The township possessed no lack of religious opportunity, at one time supporting nine churches. A log church built by the Methodists was the first house of worship. About 1835 a Catholic Church was built in the township, but owing to removal of practically all members it came to be seldom used and was finally destroyed by fire. The Ebenezer Evangelical Church was organized in 1835 and the Zion United Brethren Church in 1846. An account of a Fourth of July celebration held in McCutchenville in 1843 states that Colonel McCutchen ran one hotel and Frank Nye another. Meals were twelve and a half cents apiece and no one ever left the table hungry. Homemade bunting decorated the stores of Henry Freet, James Chamberlin and John Plott. There were decorations also on the wagon shop of Henry Houpt, the stage blacksmith shop of Samuel Freet, Dock Rhoads' shop, Durboraw's coffin and furniture depot and Hugh Mullholland's spinning wheel factory. Doc Free ran the drug store. A man by the name of Clayton was the only Britisher in the neighborhood. He stayed at home all day. The Village of Tymochtee, today without even a store, once contained two dance halls, two saloons, a grocery, a doctor's office, post office and a blacksmith shop. The population of Tymochtee township in 1850 was 1,817. Today it is 1,110. CRANE TOWNSHIP Crane township, laid out with the organization of Wyandot County in 1845, contains Upper Sandusky, the county seat. The town, which is 287 feet above Lake Erie has wide, well-shaded streets, making it one of the most beautiful towns of its size in Ohio. After the Indians departed in 1843 Colonel Chaffee, who engaged in farming and land speculation, sowed in wheat what a couple of years later became the original town plat. At the same time George Garrett, whose wife was one-quarter Indian, kept the Garrett tavern. Jude Hall, Upper Sandusky's first attorney, and Chester R. Mott, the first prosecuting attorney, lived in Upper Sandusky in 1844, and during the same year Col. Andrew McElvain was made the first postmaster. Anxious to secure a good location, business and professional men rushed to Upper Sandusky by the score in 1845 and by the close of the year hundreds of lots had been sold. The town soon had a number of stores and a population of nearly 400. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1921 Residents when the town was laid out included Andrew M. Anderson, later associate judge; Anthony Bowsher, merchant; George Garrett, tavern keeper; Moses H. Kirby, receiver of land office; Andrew McElvain, postmaster and inn-keeper; Dr. Joseph Mason, physician; Joseph McCutchen, merchant; John D. Sears, attorney; Dr. David Watson, physician; William K. Kear, attorney; David Ayres, merchant; Henry Zimmerman, merchant. In November, 1845, Chiefs Gray Eyes, Jaques and Washington, enroute from Kansas to the national capital on business, paid their final visit to their old home. In May 1846 the Wyandot Pioneer published a social item in part as follows : "The ladies and gentlemen of our town went fishing yesterday. There isn't a town three times its size and age in Ohio that owns a greater number of sweet, charming and beautiful girls. Armed with beanpoles, pin hooks and twine the maidens and a slight sprinkling of the rougher sex headed for the Sandusky. The fishing being only ostensible was soon finished, and the folks gathered around the Big Sycamore. The greensward was the table and there was plenty of cake and pie. Of course there was coquetting, ogling, honeyed words and tender glances, but the anxiety of careful mammas was relieved when all returned before dark." The town in its early stages made rapid progress. The jail and courthouse were built. In a little over a year the population increased to about 600. There were then six dry goods stores, the same number of groceries, four hotels and mechanical shops of various kinds. Upper Sandusky at that time was considered a western town. It was incorporated in 1848. Numerous very interesting characters were connected with the early history of the town. These included T. Spybey, intellectual tailor, whose shop in 1845 stood on the present site of St. Peter's Catholic Church; Russell Bigelow, an Indian who did not go west with his tribe and who could shoot an arrow every time through a chip thrown into the air; J. McCurdy, who built the first jail and put in stones to indicate on the outside wall where the first story ended and the second began; A. Bivens, shoemaker and mayor, who could scarcely read and whose administration was the sport of the time; Rev. Jeremiah Tabler, evangelist, who conducted services in Old Mission and who while murdering the king's English could charm his hearers with the destruction; and Abe Trager, who loved fat chickens, first sweat and then roasted in the charcoal pit at Chaffee's mill. 1922 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY The first theatricals were tragedies enacted by the Amidelphian society. Music for the shows was furnished by a band composed of William Ayres, Deacon McGill and James G. Roberts. A number of residents departed from Upper Sandusky in 1848 when the California gold rush was on. The first hearse made its appearance in the town in 1851 and looked much like the chicken wagons of the days of not so long ago, except that its sides were closed with curtains of black muslin. It was hauled by one horse, produced not infrequently by the party supplying the corpse. About this time they tell of the funeral of Abe Roseberry. According to the story handed down from that far-gone day Abe's will provided that a barrel of whiskey and a tub of honey should be given his friends and that they should not bury him until the contents of both were exhausted. Accordingly the corpse was laid out in state and the wake lasted three days and three nights. When the last tinful had been passed around the funeral march commenced. But sad to tell, the grave digger had made a mistake. The grave was not nearly big enough for the coffin, so it was carted back home and the mourners sought further liquid refreshments. By the time the grave had been enlarged night had come. The funeral procession again wended its way, this time through the darkness, to the grave, only to discover on arriving there that the corpse had been lost enroute. The casket was finally located, lowered into the grave and the clods piled upon it. Prof. Van Gundy, a violinist, established the first singing school in 1846. He was a nervous and excitable man. When the girls arranged their bustles and made a flying leap for the high notes he indeed presented a picture of despair. Men and boys outside the building raised such a disturbance it soon became evident that while a prayer meeting could be conducted in the old council-house a singing school was out of the question. In 1874 Sandusky Avenue, the first improved street, was macadamized from the railroad to Walker Street. The fire department was organized in 1857 and was later the possessor of a fine steam engine. The hook and ladder company of early days was one of the best organizations of the kind in central Ohio. Upper Sandusky's first bank was organized in 1854 by George Harper, David Ayres, James G. Roberts, John D. Sears and William C. Hedges. The Stevenson machine works was established in 1865. The TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1923 Upper Sandusky strawboard company was organized in 1881. Both organizations have long since ceased to exist. The Upper Sandusky mills were completed in 1858. Daniel Walborn built the City mills in 1875. Beery's elevator was erected the same year: However, Col. Samuel S. Hunt, by utilizing part of the Pennsylvania railroad depot, did a profitable business in handling grain long before the first elevator was built. The Upper Sandusky gas light company was organized in 1878 and supplied the town with artificial gas until it was supplanted by natural gas in the early nineties. Both the Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal churches were organized in Upper Sandusky in 1845. St. Peter's Church was organized in 1847. Other religious organizations followed during the next few years. The Wyandot County Bible Society was established in 1845. The first county Sunday school association was established at Upper Sandusky in 1872. The W. C. T. U. was instituted in 1882. The Wyandot Mutual Relief Association, an insurance organization still in existence, was organized in 1874. The Wyandot Saengerbund, organized in 1858, gave concerts, balls, and theatrical performances and celebrated faithfully the birthdays of its members. Other organizations in the township, whose doings made them famed in the community in early days were the Kirby Light Guard, the Little Six Band and the Wyandot County Pioneer Association. For several years the old council-house was the only temple of learning in the town. When it burned down a little old log shanty near Gloeser's tanyard was utilized for a time. In 1854 a proposition to levy a tax of $1,000 to build a schoolhouse was voted down. Later a state law permitted the town to issue bonds in the sum of $4,000 with which a brick school was built near the site of the old council-house. Another early school was erected on Fifth Street for pupils in the north part of town. In 1842 Charles Dickens stopped overnight at a log tavern just south of Upper Sandusky, while enroute by stage from Columbus to Sandusky and gives an interesting description of the visit in his "American Notes." The following morning he stopped to drink at the old spring near the site of Fort Ferree. John Smith, residing northeast of Upper Sandusky, the oldest living pioneer resident of the county (September 19, 1928) will be ninety-eight years of age December 31. He was born in Seneca County and was brought to Wyandot County by his par- 1924 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY ents when two years of age. He has resided since near the north edge of the old Indian Reservation. He was quite a lad when the Wyandots departed, and recalls many events of the days of the redskin. CHEATING THE GALLOWS A man lurched through the darkness on a lonely road, beside a horse and rider, on the night of August 28, 1879. It was a warm night and the man afoot gave the rider his coat to carry. That simple act resulted in the building of the only gallows ever erected in Wyandot County, but which bore a noose that was cheated of its victim. On the afternoon of August 28, 1879, there sat in the Julien saloon one Thomas McNurty, alias James Wilson. The saloon was in a dingy room in Upper Sandusky, blue with tobacco smoke and foul with the echo of vile talk. A number of loungers lolled about, but paid no attention to McNurty, who was gulping down the strongest liquor he could buy. He had been working a short time on the farm of John Sell, east of Upper Sandusky. He had quit his job and received his pay that morning. He observed that Sell had a large roll of bills and determined to return that night and get the money at any cost. McNurty had been sent to Upper Sandusky from Chicago with a gang of laborers on the Pennsylvania Railroad, but like all jobs he had ever held he tired of the work before many days had elapsed. As the afternoon waned McNurty, his elbow on the table, his chin resting in the palm of his hand, recalled with a sneering smile many of the events of his checkered career. He could not remember the day when he had not been a thief. Born in New York in 1853 he at ten years of age was a vender of newspapers and oranges in that city, having been expelled from school long before that time. He next became a prize package boy on Hudson River boats, a jockey, a brakeman on the New York Central, a hack driver at Niagara Falls and a professional baseball player. Then he trained as a prize fighter, and moved westward and down the Mississippi, stealing and fighting. The winter of 1873 McNurty spent in San Francisco. He came back as far as Denver and married. From there he proceeded to the Black Hills, his wife refusing to accompany him, being afraid of Indians. In the TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1925 Black Hills McNurty shot an Indian squaw, but ran away without finding out if she died. Still later McNurty took up gambling in Cheyenne, where he killed men both for money and for revenge. Therefore, murder was taken into consideration as a possibility when he planned the robbery of the John Sell home. As McNurty lingered over memories, an innocent man drifted into the melodrama. George W. Hite, a farmer of south of Nevada, strolled into the saloon and sat opposite McNurty at the table. They ate crackers and cheese together. Unwittingly Hite made a fatal mistake. He boasted of his wealth. However, McNurty was little impressed at the time, saying later, "I led him to talk about money, but made up my mind that it was all wind." Just before dark McNurty left the saloon and proceeded west along the Pennsylvania Railroad, to see if his pistol was in working order. The first trial satisfied him. Previously he had talked trade at the saloon in the hope it would give him an opportunity to test it there, but no one was interested in acquiring another revolver. When McNurty returned to the saloon Hite had departed. McNurty took a last big drink and completed his plans to rob Sell. He would ask lodging for the night, feeling sure this would not be denied him. During the night he would get the money quietly, if possible, but would do away with the whole Sell family, if necessary. He proceeded down Main Street and at Hunt's livery stable again came upon Hite, who had saddled his horse and was ready to start for home. McNurty passed on and proceeded eastward, having crossed the Sandusky River when Rite overtook him and opened a conversation. This annoyed McNurty, who wanted no one to see where he was going. He told Hite he thought the horse did not belong to him, that it looked like a livery animal. This nettled Hite, who retorted that he had a lot of horses and furthermore had collected a number of bills that day and had a lot of money. McNurty, finally convinced that Hite was telling the truth gave him his coat to carry. He walked beside him until the Sell woods was reached. He then drew his revolver and demanded Hite's money. The action was so unexpected that Hite was unnerved and scarcely able to get his pocketbook from his pocket. He handed it over without a word. McNurty opened it. There was only a small sum in it. This angered McNurty. 1926 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY "Is that all the money you've got?" demanded the bad man. "Yes," faintly answered Hite. "Then take that," exclaimed McNurty with an oath, and fired. He held the horse's bridle and shot Hite at close range. He then slapped the horse, jumped into the woods and ran several yards before he recalled that Hite had his coat. He dashed back into the road and ran after the horse. He had nearly reached the animal again when it turned into the lane of the Henry Keller home and McNurty dared follow no further. Hite was still in the saddle. McNurty again took to the woods. He soon heard a farm bell ringing the alarm. When the horse reached the Keller house Hite fell from the saddle. He had been shot through the heart and apparently killed instantly, but he still clung to McNurty's coat. The following day McNurty was apprehended at Nevada and lodged in the county jail. In due time he was indicted for the murder of Hite, who left a wife and five children. Hon. Chester R. Mott and Curtiss Berry, Jr., defended McNurty, who was tried under the name of Wilson, but he was found guilty in February, 1880 and sentenced by Judge Beer to be hanged on June 18. The death warrant was duly issued by the state and the scaffold built under the direction of Sheriff Houston, who is said to have been loath to participate in a hanging. The day for the execution was almost at hand when the Boyd & Peters show came to Upper Sandusky. The streets were crowded with people, who had come to town to witness the performance. However, of more interest than the show was the condemned murderer and all day long spectators filed past his cell in the county jail, while he sat reading the Bible. On that day someone smuggled into McNurty's cell a vial of cyanide of potash mixed with oil of cloves. At 11 o'clock that night his unnatural breathing attracted the attention of other prisoners, who called the sheriff. He summoned Drs. R. Heyn and J. W. White, but McNurty soon expired. His body was carried to the undertaking establishment of L. Bowman on Wyandot Avenue and crowds of people visited the place to view it. McNurty was buried in the southeast corner of Old Mission Cemetery, but watchers that night saw ghouls dig up the body. The cell in which McNurty committed suicide is still a part of the Upper Sandusky city prison, having been placed there when the old county jail was dismantled and a new one built. CHAPTER LXXXV HANCOCK COUNTY REVOLUTIONARY WAR-WAR OF 1812—FIRST SETTLERS-RECOLLECTIONS- FINDLAY PLATTED-TRANSPORTATION-NEWSPAPERS-CHURCHES- EDUCATIONAL- TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES. All Northwestern Ohio, north of the Greenville treaty line, belonged to the Indians and was known as "Indian Lands" until mostly released to the government by the treaty at the Maumee Rapids, signed September 29, 1817. On February 12, 1820, the Ohio General Assembly passed an act creating from this ceded territory twenty new counties, among which was Hancock. The part of the act concerning Hancock is as follows : "Fifth, to include townships one and two north of the forty-first degree of north latitude (base line) and one and two south of the same line, in the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth ranges from east to west, and to be known by the name of Hancock County." The title given was in honor of John Hancock, first president of the Continental Congress. The act creating Hancock further provided that the county, for governmental purposes, should be attached to the County of Wood. The commissioners of Wood County in 1822, ordered that the township of Waynesfield heretofore referred to, should be co-extensive with the boundaries of Wood and Hancock counties, and in 1823 the Hancock portion thereof was made a separate township, named Findlay. An election ordered, was held at the home of Wilson Vance on the first day of July following. There is, however, no record available of an election until that of April 5, 1824, when eighteen votes were cast and Wilson Vance, Job Chamberlin and Jacob Poe were elected trustees; John Gardner and John Hunter, fence viewers; William Mooreland and Robert McKinnis, overseers of the poor, and William Vance, assessor. On January 21, 1828, the Ohio Assembly passed an act providing for the organization of the county which reads in part as follows : "Sec. 1. That the County of Hancock as heretofore laid off, shall be and is hereby organized into a separate and distinct - 1927 - 1928 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY county, and suits and prosecutions which shall be pending, and all crimes which shall have been committed within said County of Hancock previous to its organization, shall be prosecuted to final judgment and execution within the County of Wood, in the same manner they would have been had the County of Hancock not been organized ; and the sheriff, coroner and constables of Wood County shall execute within the County of Hancock such process as shall be necessary to carry into effect such suits, prosecutions and judgments, and the treasurer of Wood County shall collect all such taxes as shall have been levied and imposed within the County of Hancock previous to the taking effect of this act." The act took effect March 1, 1828, and at the election at Findlay following, the officials chosen were : Commissioners, John Long, Godfrey Walford and John P. Hamilton; auditor, Matthew Reighly ; treasurer, Joshua Hedges; sheriff, Don Alonzo Hamlin; coroner, Thomas Slight; assessor, William Hacknes. At this election there were seventy-two votes cast. The county had no courthouse and most of the officials evidently had their places of business wherever most convenient, or "in their huts." It is recorded that the county treasurer carried the tax duplicate in his pocket and whenever a taxpayer would meet up with him, the official would take his tax money, and carry the county funds around in his jeans. The base line for surveys, as noted, ran through the center of the county. Consequently, the lands south of the line were described as "township south" and north of the base line the reverse. The number of people living in the county when it was organized was near 350. There was one settlement at Findlay, another at Mt. Blanchard, a third at the McKinnis place, and a few other scattered homes. The population in 1830 was 813. Blanchard River, known early as Blanchard Forks, with its headwaters in Hardin County, flows in a northerly direction from the vicinity of Kenton, and entering Hancock County in the southeast corner, takes a tortuous course northward until arriving about four miles east of present Findlay, it flows westward through Hancock and Putnam, where it enters the Auglaize. With its tributaries, it is the principal drainage system for Hancock County. From east to west its principal tributaries are Silver, Eagle and Ottawa creeks from the south. Rocky Ford and Portage river drain a portion of the northeastern section, consequently most of Hancock County is within the Maumee Valley. The Blanchard was by the Indians called Sho-po-quo-to-kepe 1930 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY or Tailor River. As tradition says, it was named for Jean Jacques Blanchard, a Frenchman, who was by trade a tailor. As the story runs, Blanchard, a mysterious character and adventurer, came north from Louisiana some time about 1771 and took up his abode with the Shawnees. He married a squaw of the tribe on the upper Sho-po-quo-to-kepe and his Shawnee wife bore him twelve children. It is stated that his death occurred in 1802, near the site of later Fort Findlay; that he spoke Parisian French, was a Greek and Latin scholar and a man of culture. One theory is that he may have been a refugee from justice, or for his outlawed opinions in his native country. Others believed him connected with Spanish piracy. He had a genius for wood carving and wrought strange works of art for the Indians. When the Indians moved westward, one of Blanchard's sons, a chief, headed a part of the emigrating tribe. The regions of the Blanchard were favorite grounds for the Indians before the white man came. There were two Indian villages on the river. Above and below the later Fort Findlay there were open plots of ground tilled by the squaws, and Indian huts were built along the south bank of the stream. As late as 1815, there were near a dozen families of the Wyandots living in the vicinity of the old fort and in the block-houses. Kugha was a chief and one of his sons, Tree-top-in-the-water, it is claimed, died in his cabin west of the fort before the removal of the tribe to the Big Spring reservation. Down the river some six miles was another Wyandot village, named Indian Green. Here the appearance was almost like crude civilization, with a large plot of open ground where corn and vegetables were produced; with some fruit trees, including wild plums. There were also several Indian burial grounds along the Blanchard west of Findlay. As late as when courts were established at Findlay, members of the bar who passed down the Blanchard in canoes, told of Indians being located along the river. There were also Indian burials near Van Buren, Mt. Blanchard and in the eastern edge of Findlay. Harley F. Burket, the attorney, interested in the early history of the Northwest, in his research has found and displays many interesting relics of this region. Coming to the beginning of civilization, Col. James Findley who was detailed with his regiment by General Hull to cut the wilderness path for the American army from Fort McArthur on the Scioto River near now Kenton to the Blanchard Forks, headed by the guide Isaac Zane and two others, first viewed the swamps TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1931 and ridge lands of now Hancock County, in June, 1812. This was when Fort Findlay was built on the south bank of the river, just west of present Main Street, Findlay. Quoting from the American State Papers: "From Urbana the army, on the 16th of June, 1812, moved, on its march towards the foot of the Maumee Rapids, as far as King's Creek, and from this point opened a road as far as the Scioto, where they built two block-houses, which they called Fort McArthur, in honor of the officer whose regiment had opened the road. To this Fort the whole army came on the 19th, and on the 21st Colonel Finley was ordered to open the road as far as Blanchard's Fork, whither the army, excepting a guard left at Fort McArthur, again followed on the 22nd. Here, amid rain and mud, another block-house was erected, which was called Fort Necessity. From this point the army soon after moved to Blanchard's Fork, where Colonel Finley had built a block-house, which was called in honor of that officer." There lie buried in the cemeteries of Hancock County an astonishing number of patriots of the War of 1812, and of the American Revolution. The list is as follows: Revolutionary War: Lee Cemetery, Amanda Township; Zebulon Lee, Ephraim Hulbert, John Fisher, William Brown. Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Portage Township—Nicholas Helmuck, John King. Flick Cemetery—Jacob Fox, born March 12, 1764, died August 16, 1849; served under Col. Joseph Heiser as a private in Capt. Sebastain Miller's company, also in Captain VanHeer's troop. Cannonsburg Cemetery—William McKinley, who also served in the War of 1812. Maple Grove Cemetery—Isaac Teatsorth, Jacob Beam, David Tod. A man named Katzenberger was buried in the woods on his former farm, near Benton Ridge. War of 1812: Cannonsburg Cemetery—Stephen Baldwin, Jonathan Ballard. Maple Grove Cemetery—Jesse Whitney, Jacob Mains. McComb Cemetery—Jacob Switzer, Miles Wilson, William Edgar, John Edgington, Benjamin Todd, David Willfong, John Walford, William H. Bansbek, Jonah Porter, S. Bechtel, Peter Hockenburg, Jonathan Routzon, Thomas H. Brown, Elisha Todd. Thomas Cemetery—Henry Rader, John S. Miller, D. W. Ankrum, Richard Wall. McKinnis Cemetery, six miles west of Findlay—John Barr, born in Pennsylvania, 1772, private in Captain Myers' company, Fourth Regiment, Second Brigade, Third Division, Ohio Militia; died March 17, 1825. Dukes Cemetery—George Shaw, born in Pennsylvania, December 24, 1783, and died in Hancock County, February 6, 1861. He served in 1932 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY the War of 1812 as a private in Capt. David Moreland's company of volunteers, belonging to the Fifth Detachment of Pennsylvania Militia, under command of Col. James Fenton. Mount Blanchard Cemetery—Samuel Pickett, Ronsey Latham, David Glick, William Moore, are buried in the above cemetery. Arcadia Cemetery —George Bramor, Grand P. French, Valentine Karn and Grafton Baker are buried in the cemetery at Arcadia, and their graves are decorated by the citizens May 30th every year. Cloys Cemetery, south of Mount Blanchard—Rev. Philip Hoy and Rev. John Smith. Vanlue Cemetery—Hugh Pierce. Williamstown Cemetery—Jacob Wagner. Houcktown Cemetery—James Sheldon. Arlington Cemetery—Thomas Stark. During the building of Fort Findlay sixty soldiers died, but the only one whose name is known was Abel Varney. The fatality was terrible. Squire Carlin, one of the earliest arrivals, said of the old fort in 1826 : "The pickets next the river were in a good condition of preservation ; but travellers who had camped in the fort had chopped off the tops of many of those enclosing the other three sides, for firewood. Within the enclosure was a block-house yet standing, and two small houses which had probably been used for barracks. The pickets inclosed about one acre of ground." It was quite natural that the first settlers after the War of 1812 would find the vicinity of the old stockade and block-houses a magnet, with attractive surroundings in other ways and being adjacent to the river. It is claimed that the first white man to locate here was named Thorp. He was at Fort Findlay during the war and with several of the garrison remained there after its close and engaged in the Indian trade. While also at the fort during hostilities, Edward Bright, a young private in Hull's army, became attached to the surroundings, and in 1824 returned and entered 160 acres of land, built a cabin and made permanent improvements. The family of Benjamin Cox arrived, according to his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Eberly, in 1815. Her story, as told many years ago to the late Dr. J. A. Kimmel, is as follows: "I am the daughter of Benjamin Cox, and was born in Green County, Ohio, in 1806, and when about nine years old, my father removed his family to Findlay, in Hancock County. Our family was the first white family to settle in that county. My sister Lydia, born in 1817, was the first white child born in that county. We lived in a hewed-log house, located where the brick residence of the late Wilson Vance now stands, on the south bank of the river, and on the east side of Main Street. When Mr. Vance TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1933 came to the place, we had to move into a log cabin a little east of the hewed-log house, into which Mr. Vance took his family. "My father was engaged in farming—if the cultivation of a small tract of cleared land surrounding our cabin could be called farming—and keeping a public house. Shortly after we came to the place, Hamilton, Moreland and Slight came. Some other families came in, stayed a short time and then left. For, to be candid about it, Findlay was but two or three block-houses, and some pickets; the remains of Fort Findlay were standing when we came. The Ottawa Indians made frequent visits to the place, as it was stated that they were in some way related to the Wyandots. "Before we left Findlay, the Morelands, Hamiltons, Slights, Chamberlains, Frakeses, McKinnises, Simpsons, Vances and Rileys had moved to the county. Hamilton and some others had started a settlement above the town, and Frakes and the McKinnises below the town. I was at that time too young and too busy to make the acquaintance of many of these persons. But I shall never forget Susy Frakes—as she was called—the wife of Nathan Frakes. Many a day did I spend with them in their cabin on the river side, and I thought Susy the best woman I ever knew, kind-hearted, almost to a fault, hospitable and intelligent. "I was but a girl when Vance came to Findlay. The first mill in the county was built whilst we were there. Mrs. Vance had gone to Urbana just previous to the birth of their first child, and Mr. Vance's sister, Bridget, came to keep house for him, but had been with him but a short time when she was attacked by the ague. I then went to live with them, and not only cooked for the men who were digging the mill race, and boarded at Vance's, but I even worked in the race. My mother, my sister and myself gathered the stalks of nettles which grew on the river bottoms below. the town, from which we stripped fiber enough, that on being dressed like flax was spun and woven into linen to the amount of forty yards, and was made into clothing for the family. "At one time We-ge-hah, or Tree-top-in-water, son of In-opqua-nah, a Wyandot chief, became sick, and the Indians believed him to be bewitched by a bad spirit, and sent to Tawa-town (Ottawa section) for Big Medicine to exorcise the spirit. My mother did not like the Indians very well, and never went amongst them Much. On this occasion, however, when the Indians sent out their invitations for the great pow-wow, my mother reviewed one. It 1934 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY was after much persuasion on the part of my father, and with the understanding that I should accompany her, that she finally consented to attend. When we arrived at the place of meeting, which was a log house a little west of where Judge Cory later lived—Blackford-German Block—we found a few Indians assembled. The Big Medicine and his interpreter occupied the center of the room. The lights were extinguished. The tom-tom was beaten and a great noise and hubbub was made. The lights were again set to burning, and after a short silence refreshments were passed around. During this time my mother and myself having been seated in the circle which was formed around the room, clung closely together, not a little frightened at the performance." Mrs. Elizabeth (Cox) Eberly was the wife of Jacob Eberly, who was the grandfather of C. B. Eberly of Bowling Green. As noted, Benjamin Cox arrived about 1815, Findlay then being a wilderness except the cleared surroundings of the fort. William Mungen, one of the early settlers about the time Squire Carlin came, says that the date of the arrival of Wilson Vance, a brother of Joseph Vance, an early governor of Ohio, was in 1818, and in 1822 came John P. Hamilton, with Robert McKinnis and the latter's sons Charles, Philip, James and John, and also his son-in-law, Jacob Poe. On the Blanchard below Findlay's site were in 1827 John Fishel and his sons Michael and John, and his son-in-law, John Magee. Prior to 1830 were George Shaw, William Downing, John, Richard and Lewis Duke; from 1830 to 1835, William and John Moffit, William Birckhead, Thomas Hobbs, Daniel Cusack, Isaac Corner, John Povenmire, John Byall, James Jones, John Fletcher, John Lytle and George Chase; from 1835 to 1840, James Jones, Absolom Hall, John Price, Thomas Cook, Solomon Lee, Richard and William Watson, Johnson and Robert Bonham, William Fountain, Robert L., Isaac and John Stroter, Rev. George VanEman, William Ebright, Van Burson, Thomas Cook, Moses Predmore, Nathan Frankes, Thomas and John Jones, John Smeltzer, B. McClish, Enos Haddox and A. C. Worden. In the Findlay neighborhood from this time on the settlement increased rapidly, the list of names being too long to record here. Among the prominent characters were William Marvin, Ebenezer Wilson, John Moore, William Cameron, Samuel Huntington, John Schoonover, John P. Ebersole, Jacob Hissong, Francis Redfern Sr., James M. and Charles Coffinberry, M. C. Whiteley, Dr. Bass Rawson, John Mungen, Parlee Carlin, Jacob Ewing. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1935 Drake Taylor, with part of his family (including his two sons, Stephen and Henry D.), removed to the farm two miles below Gilead (now Grand Rapids) in November, 1828. The families then at the head of the Rapids were Edward and Robert Howard and William Pratt; and between these and Mr. Taylor's place were Joseph Keith and a Mr. Laughrey. On the north side, at Providence, resided Peter Manor, the only inhabitant on that side between Waterville and Prairie du Masque, where Samuel Vance, Mr. Scribner (father of Edward Scribner, later of Napoleon) and Mr. Bucklin resided. There was a settler opposite Damascus, on the south side, named Delong, and below him, on the same side, were Jacob Brown and Amos Pratt, who lived about two miles above Grand Rapids. Returning to the north side, and above Mr. Patrick, resided the families of Elijah Gunn, senior and junior; and above them, at the place now called Florida, lived Jesse Bowen and Mr. Hunter. Opposite, at Snaketown, were the families of Messrs. Mayhew and Hunter. Wilson Vance, before mentioned, may be regarded as one of the fathers of Findlay. He first came to the place as representative, under a power of attorney, of the one-fifth interest of his brother, Joseph Vance. The family of Wilson Vance made the seventh household of Hancock County. John Eckles, with his wife and three sons, settled in Cass Township, Hancock County, from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, arriving on the 17th of April, 1836. Robert Hurd, who came to the county in 1839 or 1840, laid out the Town of Arlington, in 1841. Doctor Osterlin, representative in 1871-73 in the Ohio House of Representatives, settled in Findlay in 1834, and John Adams about the same time. It was in 1824 that the commission appointed to locate the county seat selected the Town of Findlay. On account of the conditions then existing and the situation of the various settlements, there was no competition, as was the case in many counties. The names of the first county officials have already been given. When the town was platted thirty-nine lots were donated to the county commissioners in trust, the proceeds when sold to be used in the construction of county buildings. As to the history of the early courts, reference is made to the chapter on The Judiciary. The first court session was held March 14, 1828, seemingly in a small log schoolhouse of the "village." The associate judges were Ebenezer Wilson, Robert McKinnis and Abraham Huff. Anthony Casade of Bellefontaine was appointed the first prosecuting attor- 1936 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY ney. His year's salary was $40. The names of the first grand jurors were : John P. Hamilton, Joseph DeWitt, Jacob Poe, Charles McKinnis, Asa Lake, Reuben Hoiles, Mordecai Hammond, William Wade, John Boyd, Henry George, William Morland, James McKinnis, William Taylor, Edwin S. Jones and John C. Wickham. The first petit jurors who reported were : John Huff, John Beard, Joseph Johnson, William Moreland Jr., John Tullis, John P. Hendricks, James Pettis and Thomas Thompson. As there was no business for a jury, the panel was not filled. Edson Goit, who later established himself at Bowling Green, Wood County, was Findlay's first lawyer. Coming to Ohio from Oswego County, New York, he stopped at Lower Sandusky (Fremont), where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. When Findlay became the seat of justice it had no lawyer. Learning of the fact young Goit struck out by way of Tiffin and from that point reached Findlay in August, 1832, on foot, after a three days' journey from Lower Sandusky. Within a month he was appointed prosecuting attorney. Business was so poor that he was obliged to take up school teaching to meet his board bill and other expenses. The second lawyer at Findlay was Arnold Merriam, who located there in 1835, but he remained only a few years. Other attorneys who followed were John H. Morrison, Jacob Barnd, Judge Hall, Charles W. O'Neal and Abel Parker. Hall was also a preacher and carpenter. For later attorneys here, including the Coffinberrys, the reader is referred to the article on the courts of the Maumee and Sandusky valleys. Before 1832 court sessions were held in the log schoolhouse mentioned. In that year a frame courthouse was built. It was 24 by 36 feet in size, two stories. The building was weather boarded with black walnut, except the front. A hall ran through the first story, with an inside stairway leading to the courtroom above. Bids for the building were opened January 16, 1832, and only two proposals filed. The cost was $700, and the structure stood on the southwest corner of Main and Crawford streets. It was used also for church services and school purposes until the more pretentious brick courthouse was completed in 1841. The religious societies paid 75 cents per month for its occupancy. Later it was remodeled and used for a tavern. The present fine courthouse of stone was completed and occupied in October, 1888. The first jail was built in 1830. It was one story, 16 by 24 feet in size, with a partition in the center, was constructed of 1938 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY white oak timber and had two doors and three iron-barred windows. The present sheriff's residence and jail was built in 1877. The earliest permanent physician in the county and Findlay was Dr. Bass Rawson, who located in the town in 1829, when there were only twelve white residents. Dr. William H. Baldwin came in 1832, and was followed in 1836 by Dr. Charles Oesterlin, a German. Dr. William H. Carlin, who began the practice of medicine in Findlay in 1839, was a surgeon in the Mexican war and one of the most widely, known physicians in all that section. Other early physicians were Dr. Lorenzo Firmin, Dr. Anson Hurd and Dr. W. D. Detiler. FINDLAY PLATTED The first plat of Findlay was surveyed in 1821 for Joseph Vance and Elnathan Cory. A resurvey and new plat was made in 1829, which contained 156 lots. Main Street was laid out 100 feet in width, which was rather extraordinary except where towns were platted by the Government. A public square for county buildings in the center of the survey was also provided for. Squire Carlin, who located there from Maumee, built on the southwest corner of Main and Front streets Findlay's first frame house. William Taylor built the second frame structure, which he utilized as a storeroom, hotel and a residence. For some years Findlay was only a hamlet of log cabins and a night stay-over for travelers on the old military trail between Bellefontaine and the lower Maumee. What was known as East Findlay, east of Eagle Creek, was platted for James H. Wilson in 1847, and what was called North Findlay, north of the Blanchard River, was platted for William Taylor in 1854. The town was incorporated March 17, 1838. As noted, the first road through Hancock County and Findlay was General Hull's Trail, which ran north and south, practically on the line of present Main Street. The first mail carrier on this route was Joseph Gordon, who entered the service in this region about 1823—and, by the way, named Bowling Green, Wood County. William Mungen, when editor of the Findlay Courier, in the issue of January 23, 1847, said : "Few, indeed, have constitutions sufficiently strong to endure such labor, for such a length of time. To think of carrying a weekly mail, ninety miles through a wilderness, under the scorching rays of a summer's sun—through the chilling winds and rains of winter—and that, too, for a mere pittance, is enough to make a person shudder. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1939 It is to such men as Mr. Gordon, to our hardy pioneers, who were ready to encounter all kinds of toil and privation, that Ohio owes her present state of prosperity and advancement. For such men we cannot but cherish sentiments of respect. "Joseph Gordon was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the 29th day of January, A. D. 1784. In the year 1801, when but seventeen years old, he commenced carrying the mail, on horseback, from Russellville, Kentucky, via Bowling Green, to Glasgow, a distance of eighty-five miles, once in two weeks, for which he received $12 per month. In 1802 he took a contract to carry the mail from Shelbyville, Kentucky, to Nashville, Tennessee. In consequence of the route being changed, he carried this mail only two months. From that time till October, 1804, he carried it from Shelbyville to Russellville, Kentucky. In October, 1804, he commenced carrying the mail, on horseback, from Wheeling, Virginia, to George Beymer's, in this state, semiweekly, a distance of fifty miles, with a led horse and a heavy mail on each. In 1805 and 1806, until the stages commenced running, he carried it from Wheeling, Virginia, through Saint Clairsville, Zanesville, and New Lancaster, to Chillicothe. In February, 1823, he commenced carrying the mail from Bellefontaine, Logan County, to Perrysburg, Wood County, a distance of eighty-one miles through a wilderness, there being but one family residing in Hardin County, and but one post office on the route, and that at this place (Findlay) . Now there are eleven post offices on the route, which produce about $3,200 per annum. Mr. Gordon was the only contractor on this route from February 7, 1823, to December 31st, 1839. Since 1839 he has carried the mail semi-weekly from Bellefontaine to this place, a distance of fifty-five miles." Mr. Mungen also contributed the following : "For a long time what goods were purchased and brought here (Findlay) came via the Maumee, Auglaize and Blanchard, to Findlay, from Perrysburg, the head of navigation on the Maumee. The furs and such articles of sale and commerce as the new country furnished went there by the same route. The vessels used in the transportation of these articles were pirogues, or the bodies of large trees hollowed out by the axe and by fire. "Sometime about 1814, Michael Price, William Taylor, John McKinnis, his father, Robert McKinnis, and one or two others not now remembered, who had been on a trading trip to Perrysburg, were returning with goods, etc., and having got up into 1940 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Blanchard a few miles above its mouth, and landed, discovered a large bear running past them. They gave chase, overtook or intercepted it, attacked and killed it with the poles they used to propel their pirogues, after a serious and dangerous combat. They had no gun in the fight, their guns being in the boats when bruin made his appearance." One of the early county roads opened is shown by the following entry on the commissioners' journal in 1829 : "A petition being presented by sundry citizens of Hancock County, praying for a county road, commencing at the county line at John Smith's farm, running thence in a northwesterly direction to John Long's, in Section One, thence to cross Blanchard Fork at or near John J. Hendricks', thence to run down the river to the mouth of the three-mile run, thence in the nearest and best direction to Findlay, which was granted, and John Huff, John J. Hendricks and William Moreland were appointed viewers, and William Taylor, Surveyor." TRANSPORTATION Evidently tiring of the slow method of transportation clown the Blanchard River in pirogues to "Taway Village," now Ottawa, Putnam County, a road through the wilderness was opened "on the most direct route between the two points" about 1831. The Hull Trail road from Bellefontaine to the Maumee River and Perrysburg, was bridged on Main Street, Findlay, by trestle support, after a vote of the people, in 1843. It was replaced by a covered bridge in 1850, which was used until within the memory of many men yet living. In 1839 a railroad was projected from Perrysburg to Bellefontaine, and the Hancock County commissioners on April 26th that year subscribed to 100 shares of the capital stock, amounting to $100,000. However, the enterprise fell through and the first railroad for Findlay ran to Carey and was completed in December, 1849. This was the Findlay branch of the old Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, now a branch of the Big Four. By a vote of the people the county commissioners subscribed for 1,200 shares of the capital stock, shares $50 each, total $60,000. To this amount $15,000 was added later. This road between Findlay and Carey, sixteen miles in length, was equipped with the old strap-iron rails laid on wooden stringers. When the old Dayton & Michigan Railroad was projected in 1853, between Toledo & Dayton, now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio System, TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1941 Findlay made great efforts to secure its location through that town. But the line was located on a more direct route, further west, where Deshler grew up, and Ottawa. Years later a branch was built from Deshler through McComb to Findlay. At the present time Findlay has fine transportation facilities, including three electric lines, which have their junction there, and where the general offices of the Toledo, Bowling Green & Southern Traction Company are located. The steam lines are the Ohio Central Division of the New York Central, the Lake Erie & Western, the Big Four, the Findlay, Fort Wayne & Western, the Baltimore & Ohio branch, and the "Nickel Plate" at Mortimer. It was about 1854 that the line from Fremont to Union City, Indiana, was established. Henry Brown, a then young lawyer, and the editor of the Hancock Courier, took the lead in the matter, and through his efforts, in the news columns of his paper, the project took shape. A company was organized and chartered under the name of the Fremont & Indiana Railroad Company. After much delay caused by the inability to secure subscriptions, and railroad iron, the company became embarrassed and the road was sold under the name of the Fremont, Lima & Union Railroad Company. This company consolidated in 1865 with the Lake Erie & Pacific Railroad Company under the name of the Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad Company. The road was rapidly completed and after a series of changes attended by many hard knocks it became the L. E. & W. This was Findlay's first trunk line. The other roads entering the city were several years on paper before they became actual facts, but by persistent efforts on the part of the projectors and the public spirit of the citizens of the towns through which they passed, their building was made possible. While Findlay, most desirably located, has for many years been a prosperous city, the gas and oil industries gave it a new birth and a more important standing among the cities of wealth in the northwest. The pioneer gas well of the section was the Oesterlin, drilled in October, 1884. It was followed by a great rush of prospectors, which could be likened to the California gold pilgrimage of '49 and reached its peak with the completion of the monstrous Karg well. A history of the gas and oil industry cannot be given here. However, the following story is quoted from an early historical sketch of Findlay: "During the exciting period of the later gas boom, in the late 1942 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY '80s, on the morning after the coming in of the Adams Foundry well, an old man, slightly bent with age, stood looking at the wonderful display of nature's fireworks, the tears coursing down his wrinkled cheeks. 'Had they listened to me, the people of Findlay might have enjoyed the blessings brought by this gas thirty years ago, but they called me an old fool "The speaker was Jacob Carr, many times mayor of Findlay, and a dentist by profession. He had discovered a strong vein of gas in his water well on the property now occupied (1912) by Miss Minnie McKinley, the milliner, and Mrs. John Heldt, who conducts a ladies' fancy work store. The building was Hancock County's first courthouse, and became the residence of Mr. Carr after being moved from the present courthouse site. Mr. Carr, being a genius, constructed pipes leading from the well to his house, first erecting a crude gasometer in the well. These pipes were run through his house, and from about 1865 to the time of Mr. Carr's death nearly thirty years later the gas from the well furnished both light and fuel to his family. The residence was frequently visited by residents and strangers to witness this 'wonderful freak of nature,' as it was called. "Shortly after Mr. Carr made his discovery, a number of progressive citizens, including the late Capt. James Wilson, his brother, Sheriff Cloyce Wilson, Robert Mungen, and others, formed a company and secured a franchise from the village council to drill gas wells within the corporate limits. But beyond the act of drilling the Carr well, to a depth of about 175 feet, nothing else was done by the company, and the subject of natural gas was gradually forgotten. "Somewhere about the year 1840 gas was discovered in this city, then a mere hamlet, of course, the same being at a point several hundred feet south of the Carr residence. A blacksmith had a shop on South Main Street, on the lot now occupied by the Majestic Theatre (1912). The man had a well directly in the street, in front of his shop, and he one day discovered that it was full of gas. Many people were attracted to the scene, and one Sunday afternoon a party of young men and women visited the spot. One of the young men struck a match at the mouth of the well, lined with the familiar old sycamore gum, to see if the gas would burn. He found out promptly. The covering of the well was blown many feet in the air, and a vast sheet of flame followed, badly scorching the thoughtless fellow, as well as the other TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1943 young men and girls in the crowd, the young ladies having their hair and feathers scorched to a frazzle. This well was later filled up, and now crowded street cars pass over the spot that was a near tragedy. "At the time of the Carr well excitement, in the early '60s, the late Jacob Huber and D. R. Locke (Petroleum V. Nasby) conducted a drug store in this city, on the corner now occupied by the National Clothing Store (1912). One day a crowd had assembled at the store, and the principal topic of conversation was the newly discovered natural gas. Among those present was the late Dr. Charles Oesterlin, who treated the subject with contempt, and pooh-poohed the various ideas advanced, stating that the gas was nothing but surface matter, such as may be found in almost any community, and giving it a long Latin name that nobody understood. "But Doctor Oesterlin must have then and there experienced a change of opinion, for after considerable thought he personally became a persistent, though quiet, investigator, visiting many sections of the country in his researches, and finally came out boldly in his advocacy of his theory that vast resources of oil and gas underlaid this section. He worked to such good purpose that the company was ultimately formed that drilled the first gas well in Northwestern Ohio—the Oesterlin—and the final results left the Doctor a comparatively wealthy man, and many other Findlay citizens were classed in the same category." Findlay is noted for its many large and prosperous manufacturing industries, which add to its wealth and population. Another important factor in its prosperity and wealth is the fact that here is located the home office and headquarters of the Ohio Oil Company and subsidiary concerns. Findlay has three strong banks with resources aggregating near fourteen millions of dollars. They are The Buckeye-Commercial Savings Bank, The American First National Bank, and The Ohio Bank & Savings Company. The oldest banking institution was The First National, organized in 1863, by E. P. Jones and Charles E. Niles as the principal stockholders. It was merged with the American National Bank, near the same time of the merger of The Buckeye National and The Commercial Savings Bank. Findlay also has two or three prosperous building and savings institutions. The retail mercantile trade is strongly represented in the various branches.' 28-VOL. 2 1944 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY NEWSPAPERS Findlay boasts of two daily newspapers which would do credit to a much larger city. The Findlay Morning Republican and the Evening Courier, while under an entirely separate editorial force, are owned and controlled by The Findlay Publishing Company. The Weekly Jeffersonian was established June 8, 1854, under the name of the Home Companion, with Samuel Spear editor and publisher. In June, 1857, the name of the publication was changed to the Hancock Jeffersonian and suspended publication in November, 1861. Later, the same year D. R. Locke, afterwards of the Toledo Blade, arrived from Bucyrus and purchased the outfit. He revived the weekly under the same name and while in control published the early series of his "Nasby Letters." The old press he operated is still a valued relic of The Findlay Publishing Company. After passing through several hands including the editorship of Otis Lock, later of Tiffin and father of 0. T. Lock of the Tiffin Tribune and postmaster of that city, in April, 1870, the name was again changed to the Findlay Jeffersonian, and after more changes, A. H. Balsey became the proprietor. The Evening Jeffersonian, daily, was started in 1880. Many further ownerships brought the publication down to January, 1911, when it was merged with the Morning Republican. The Findlay Weekly Republican was established in February, 1879, by J. M. Beelman and James E. Griswold. In January, 1881, Jason Blackford, a well remembered Findlay attorney and E. G. DeWolf, then postmaster there, became the proprietors. This paper also appeared under many ownerships and the daily Morning Republican made its appearance in 1886, one of its editors in its career being H. P. Crouse, associated with H. A. Eoff. In the changes which followed Crouse and Eoff sold the plant to I. N. Heminger, S. P. DeWolf and Jesse Huber, and purchased what is now the Toledo Morning Times. The Findlay Publishing Company was organized in 1903, with I. N. Heminger, business manager, one of the ablest newspaper men in the business or editorial department to be found anywhere. As first noted, this organization now publishes the Evening Courier, formerly the democratic organ of Hancock County. The Weekly Courier was established in 1836 and the Daily Courier in 1887. Findlay has a live wire Chamber of Commerce, which keeps its civic and business affairs always abreast of the times. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1945 CHURCHES One of the earliest ministers of the gospel to preach in Hancock County was Rev. James Gilruth, who arrived at Findlay in 1822 by way of Fort McArthur and Hull's Trail. At the time there was no pioneer home between Findlay and the McArthur block-houses. The Dukes settlement in Blanchard township was one of the earliest in the county and it was there that the first church in Hancock County was built of hewn logs and long occupied as the "Dukes Meeting-House," by the Methodist Society. Missionary Finley, and such prominent organizers as Thompson, Wilson, Gurley and others, preached there. The early denominations in Findlay were the Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Lutheran. OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FINDLAY The Presbyterian Society of Findlay was organized in 1830, with Rev. Peter Comfort, pastor. William Cowan and Ebenezer Wilson were the first ruling elders. The first church was built in 1836, and the second, a pretentious brick structure, stood on the site of the present Ohio Oil Company's block, corner of Main and 1946 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Hardin streets. The present fine church built in 1900, is located at Main and Lincoln streets. The Methodist Society was organized here in 1832, as a mission, and was made a regular station in 1850 with Rev. S. W. Hunt as pastor. The congregation possesses a fine church edifice, the membership exceeding one thousand. Other thriving religious organizations of Findlay are the First Lutheran, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran, Trinity Lutheran, the First Church of Christ, the Central Church of Christ, German Reformed, First Church of God, the Assembly of God mission and St. Michael's Catholic. This latter society has one of the most beautiful auditoriums of any church in this section of Ohio. The membership exceeds one thousand, and there is attached a parish school with good attendance. EDUCATIONAL Naturally the first schools were opened at Findlay. The first schoolhouse in Hancock County was built there of unhewn logs, fifteen feet square, with the old "puncheon" desks and benches. The original teacher was John C. Wickham. As the settlement expanded, educational facilities progressed accordingly. Today Findlay boasts as fine, highly equipped school buildings as any city of its class in Ohio. It has a magnificent central high school building, containing a fine gymnasium, and athletics are stressed as of importance to the life of the student. Concerning the early clays of Findlay, 1912 being its centennial, counting from the date Fort Findlay was built, the late Rev. John D. Sours, who died at the age of ninety-seven years, told his daughter Myrtle the following story, which she wrote in 1912, and which is reproduced here, as follows: "I was in Findlay from October 9, 1836, to the beginning of May, 1841. The first frame schoolhouse in Findlay was built in 1840, on the north side of a street running east from Main. (Crawford Street.) It was a two-story building, with two rooms below and two above. Only two rooms were ready for use that year. A broad hallway divided the lower rooms and a broad stairway extended to the rooms above. "A lawyer by the name of Charles O'Neal taught the school on the north side of the hall. He had the higher or more advanced scholars, and had, I think, from thirty to forty enrolled, or perhaps from thirty to fifty. I taught all the other children in Findlay, of school age, including at least two families outside and TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1947 west of town. One family was the Didway, the other the Whitney. I had on my daily roll during the six months' term 150 scholars. My school became so large that the directors employed a Miss Yonkins to assist me. The highest number present in one day was 107. Before the schoolhouse was built, school was held in the courthouse. I taught there also, but the use of the room could only be secured for a short time, and as there was no other place to hold school, it was discontinued. "During the winter of 1838-39 I taught in the country, seven miles north of Findlay, at VanBuren. The schoolhouse stood in the woods. In that schoolhouse oiled paper was used instead of glass in the windows. Some kind of bird that stayed in the woods all winter tore the paper and ate it as often as it was replaced. Finally paper that had not been oiled was used, and that was not disturbed, but it made a poor light. A 'poor light' was not the only thing that disturbed the schools of that day—the swales and swampy roads, and ague contributed their share. The ague treated teachers and scholars alike. I took a 'shake' in school one day and became so ill that I was obliged to dismiss school and go to my boarding place, where the good people worked over me until midnight, when I grew better and was able to be at school next day. "I received $16 a month for teaching this school and boarded 'round among the patrons. I was a 'pioneer teacher' in that part of the county. "In the summer of 1837 the first Presbyterian church (Findlay) was contracted to be built by Jesse Wheeler and James Edgar. They were brothers-in-law, and both Methodists. They hired me and a young man from the country to help them. We built a one-story frame church on one of the east cross streets—(East Crawford). We also built a two-story hewed-log house for the pastor, Rev. George VanEman. This was built four miles west of Findlay. Reverend VanEman lived in log cabins up to this time. He had two cabins united endwise. In the older cabin were two beds, a table and his library. This library consisted of shelves hung up against the wall by ropes, and his books placed on these shelves. In those two beds we four carpenters slept at night, while building his house. The VanEman family consisted of himself, one daughter, and another girl. Reverend VanE man was pastor of the Presbyterian Church all the time I was in Findlay. The first Methodist church was built the same summer, that is, the summer of 1837, by Jonathan Parker and his em- 1948 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY ployes, on the south side of East Main Cross Street. I think there was but one house east of it." Findlay College is spoken of elsewhere. TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES Hancock County's seventeen townships are as follows : Pleasant, in the northwest corner, then eastward joining Wood County, Portage, Allen, Case and Washington. The next tier from west to east consists of Blanchard, Liberty, Marion and Big Lick. In the tier next south are Union, Eagle, Jackson and Amanda. The four southern townships from the west and bordering on Hardin County, are Orange, VanBuren, Madison and Delaware. The largest town in Hancock County outside of Findlay is McComb. This enterprising village was platted in August, 1847, for Benjamin Todd and first called Pleasantville, after the township in which it is located. It was in 1848 that a post office was established, with William Mitchell the first postmaster. Later the name was changed to McComb and the town was incorporated May 19, 1858, with William Chapman the first mayor. Dewayville, a stave and lumber town, also on the Findlay branch of the Baltimore & Ohio, was laid out in 1880 for John B. Williams. Olney was platted in 1837, for Isaac Fairchild, and Shawtown, another hamlet in Pleasant Township, and on the Nickel Plate Railroad, was surveyed in June, 1882. In 1861 there was a post office called North Ridgeville established at Picken's Corners, but in 1869 the office was discontinued. Arlington is a prosperous little village in the southern part of Hancock County and on the west branch of the Toledo & Ohio Central division of the New York Central Railroad. It was platted for Robert Hurd in November, 1844, and when a post office was established there in 1846, Dr. B. Beach was the first postmaster. With enterprising business men, thriving churches and good schools, Arlington is in the midst of a prosperous community. VanBuren, named for President VanBuren, is one of Hancock County's oldest towns and in the midst of one of the oldest settlements. The first plat made in December, 1833, for John Trout and George Ensminger, contained fifty-three lots surrounding a public square. For some years it was one of the leading trading points on the old Bellefontaine-Perrysburg route. The post office was established in 1837, with Dr. George Springer the TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 1949 earliest postmaster, followed by such well known names as John Zarbaugh, S. M. Heller, C. S. Wilkinson, Lewis Michaels, Dr. E. C. Wells, Daniel Frick, J. L. Hissong, Solomon Zarbaugh, H. C. Hartman, Mrs. E. Wells and John Lee. After its incorporation in June, 1866, the first mayor of VanBuren was Daniel Frick. Seven miles north of Findlay, the village is on the west branch of the Ohio Central division of the New York Central, and is traversed by the Toledo, Bowling Green & Southern electric line. In the midst of the oil development, the prosperity of that section was enhanced by that industry. Amanda Township early had several quite important hamlets. There was Capernaum, with Aquilla Gilbert postmaster, and Ashery, whose postmaster was Joseph Twining. The plats of these villages are now long vacated. Vanlue, platted for William Vanlue in 1847, is now Amanda Township's only town and is an important stock and grain market. The first postmaster when the office was established in 1849 was Dr. W. P. Wilson. The village has good schools and church societies and is surrounded by a prosperous community. Benton Ridge, finely located in Blanchard Township, was platted for William Wires in November, 1835, and named for the famed Missouri statesman, Thomas Benton. David M. Baldwin was the first postmaster when the office was established in 1840. The town was incorporated in March, 1875. The Township of Blanchard once had a platted town named Louisville, laid out for William H. Powell, David Millham and Michael Shearer in 1851. A post office called Oak Ridge was established in 1848, located at the home of William Downing, who was the postmaster. Mount Blanchard, in Delaware Township, located in a beautiful situation on the headwaters of the Blanchard River, and about fourteen miles southeast of Findlay, was platted in October, 1830, for Asa M. Lake. It is in a section favored by the Indians, who had a village near at hand, as shown by the Indian burials on the river. The first postmaster was John P. Gordon when the post office was established in 1834. It is a live business point in a prosperous agricultural community. About midway between Findlay and Fostoria, is located the progressive Village of Arcadia, in Washington Township. The, first town plat was made in 1854, and with now the Nickel Plate and Lake Erie & Western steam lines and the Toledo, Findlay & Fostoria electric road, there exist excellent shipping facilities. Rawson, southwest of Findlay, in Union Township,, and on