HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 225 on record of the sale of a "mud-hole" for use as suching This instinct has not entirely passed away, for the writer has known of mud-holes that have been diligently cultivated for the unwary automobile driver within this twentieth century of the Christian era. THE MAUMEE PIONEERS Written by Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood, for e reunion of the Maumee Valley Pioneers, eld in Toledo, February 22, 1880. Come friends, around this festal board, Where peace and plenty smile And memories in each bosom stored Are quickening the while; Come, let your hearts go back again, With, more of joy than tears, Unto that sturdy race of men, The Maumee Pioneers. Let others tell the tales of Dee, The Danube and the Don, The Rhine that ripples to the sea, The Iser rolling on ;- New England's glades and palisades, Virginia's vaunted years,— We'll tell of sturdier men and maids, The Maumee Pioneers. We'll tell how came the brave La Salle, Two hundred years ago, To list St. Mary's madrigal, Responsive to St. Joe; To speak the vows that woke the trance Of long unfruitful years, And give to Frontenac and France The Maumee Pioneers. Of Couthemanche whose lonely fort A century before, Stood guard where Fort Miami's port Heard British cannon roar; Vol. I-15 How stripped Perrot the faggot sees Flash through Miami's jeers, 'Till save the swift Outagamis, The Maumee Pioneers. I mind me in those bloody days Of Foxes, Sacs and Sioux, Of Miamis and Ottawas, And Iroquois and Pous, An Indian woman 'tis we see Before her Priest in tears; Her prayers have saved from massacre The Maumee Pioneers. Our. feet are on historic ground. The very streets we tread Re-echo to a solemn sound Above the shroudless dead. Now French, now British we define, Now red ally appears,— They form a vast and shadowy line, The Maumee Pioneers. Here sleeps the braves of Pontiac, There Harmar's hosts go down, And bold "Mad Anthony" brings back The knights of old renown ; Three Harrison's battalions glance Along the burnt frontiers, And in the trail of arms advance The Maumee Pioneers. Fort Meigs and Fort Miami show A sweet and solemn truce, And old Fort Industry I trove Has met a nobler use ; So we above our leveled graves, Across the flood of years, May name with once dishonored braves The Maumee Pioneers. For valor's not of any race, And right of grace has none, If Wayne is given a hero's place, Tecumseh's fame is won; 226 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO  Wells be praised for warlike deeds That wring the heart with tears, Then Simon Girty's fealty leads The Maumee Pioneers. The days of bow and spear are fled, Of tent and bark tepee, The ax is ringing in their stead, The woodman zones his tree; And where the Indian village stood The cabin chinked appears, And white-haired children scour the wood,— The Maumee Pioneers. They fight no barbed and painted foe, They run no gauntlet where The Indian tomahawk is slow A captured foe to spare; They fly no cruel massacre Of plundering 'buccaneers; But deadlier foes they stricken see, The Maumee Pioneers. They fought the famine and the cold, They conquered field and flood, They drove the murrain from the fold, The fever from the blood; Their triumphs blossom in the vales, And blush along the piers, And fleck the lake with snowy sails, The Maumee Pioneers. The wind is up, the sails are spread, The gales of traffic blow ; The Yankee comes with level head, The Teuton sure and slow; The thrifty Scot, the Irish true,— And Quaker grace appears A wholesome leaven running through The Maumee Pioneers. O free born sires! from whom there runs A tide of valor through The hearts of sons' remotest sons! 0 wives, and daughters true ! Who toil and spin, and spin and pray, And hiding homesick tears Keep heart and hope that crown to-day The Maumee Pioneers! Blow soft above their lowly grave, O North wind swift and keen! And South wind that the lily waves Keep aye their grasses green! O Spirit of the Centuries! Blow on his heart who hears, And wake to fragrant memories The Maumee Pioneers! CHAPTER XX THE TERRIBLE TOLEDO TUG-OF-WAR There is nothing that will so arouse the combativeness of an individual as the belief that some one is infringing on the boundaries of his individual and exclusive domain. This has been proved many times by the bloody scrimmages which have taken place between adjoining owners, over the location of a seemingly unimportant line fence. In the litigation that has followed in the courts, both parties have exhausted themselves and all their available resources in an attempt to decide the ownership of a few square rods of ground. In the end even the victor has been the loser. The same bellicose spirit was aroused in the State of Ohio and the Territory of Michigan by an imbroglio over the sovereignty of a strip of ground extending from the Maumee River to the western boundary of Ohio. This disputed land was eight miles in width at Toledo, and five miles broad at the western boundary. The problem was recognized as early as 1802, when the first constitution of Ohio was formed. Congress should have settled the question at that time, as it was well within the power of that body, but like many others it was neglected. As Ohio and Michigan increased in wealth and political importance, however, the factious boundary question began to protrude itself upon the horizon in a threatening manner. Toledo was the chief cause and Lucas County was the chief result of this dissension. Many are today inclined to smile at what is known as the Toledo War. They are not aware that it was for a time a matter of such moment that bloody encounters between armed forces of the state on one hand, and the territory on the other, were barely avoided. Since the Federal Government was bound to protect every just claim of Michigan, it might have developed into a situation where Ohio and the United States would have been the opposing belligerents. In its final analysis, such was really the status. It was the most serious boundary question that has occurred in the Northwest. The question arose through a previous grant in which one of the lines of demarkation began at "a line drawn East and West, through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan." The old maps were not very accurate, for the latitude and longitude had not been well established, and the uncertainty was caused by inaccurate knowledge as to where the exact southern boundary of Lake Michigan lay. The original intention was that the boundary should be a line due east from the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, but it was already becoming known that Lake Michigan extended farther south than was formerly believed. In the act of Congress, granting to Ohio the right to form a constitution, the northern boundary was described as follows: " On the north by an east and west line drawn through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, running east after intersecting the due north line from the mouth of the Great Miami, until it shall intersect Lake Erie, or the territorial line, and thence with the same through Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania line." The State Constitution, formed under said authority, declared the northern boundary of - 227 - 228 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO the state to be "an East and West line, drawn through the Southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, running East, until it shall intersect Lake Erie, or the Territorial line ; "Provided, That if the Southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan should extend so far South, that a line drawn due East from it would not intersect Lake Erie, or if it should intersect Lake Erie East of the mouth of the Miami of the Lake (the Maumee River), then, and in that case, with the assent of Congress, the Northern boundary of this State shall be established by, and extending to, a direct line running from the Southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most Northerly Cape of the Miami (Maumee) Bay, after intersecting the due North line from the mouth of the Great Miami River." The Ohio Constitution was approved by Congress as prepared by the convention. It HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 229 was not many years after the adoption of the Constitution of 1802 that official notice is recorded of the disputed claims which gave all of the site of the present City of Toledo, with its wonderful harbor, to Michigan. This is shown by the following letter to Governor Meigs "MIAMI RAPIDS, January 23, 1812. "SIR: It appears to be the general wish of the people in this settlement (which consists of about 50 families), to have the laws of the State of Ohio extended over them, as we consider ourselves clearly within the limits of said State. The few who object, are those who hold offices under the Governor of Michigan, and are determined to enforce their laws. This is considered by a great majority of the inhabitants as usurpation of power which they are under no obligation to adhere to. If no adjustment should take place, I fear the contention will ere long become serious. Sir, will you have the goodness to inform the people here, whether there has been any understanding between the State of Ohio and the Governor of Michigan on the subject of jurisdiction, together with your advice. I am sir, with high esteem, "Your obedient servant, AMOS SPAFFORD, "Collector of Port Miami." The question undoubtedly became dormant for a while because of the war which followed between England and the United States, in which many important actions and events occurred in this vicinity. In 1821 the matter arose when the assessor of Waynesfield Township, Wood County, undertook to list for taxation the property in this disputed region. But the few settlers were then so busy felling the forests and making a living that they paid little attention to it. Two years later the matter was officially called to the attenon of the Federal Government, and the sub- ject was agitated from time to time for a number of years. It was seen that the line, as designated by Congress, was an impossible one, for it would have divided several of the lake counties east of Cleveland, and have left part of that lake front outside of Ohio. This eventuality certainly was not intended. Two lines had been surveyed. One of these, which laid off the northern boundary of the state practically as it is today, was known as the Harris Line ; the other, which more nearly conformed to the claims of Michigan, was called the Fulton Line. William Harris had made his survey in 1817, under appointment of Governor Cass, of Michigan. As he had been provided with a copy of the Ohio Constitution, and had followed its provision, his report caused much ill feeling in that territory. In 1819 President Monroe commissioned John Fulton to make the survey, and his line, following the Ordinance of 1787, was just as displeasing to Ohio. The mooted problem was brought to a head by the prospect of securing the location of the terminus of the Miami and Erie Canal. Toledo naturally offered the most desirable terminus for the canal, but the thought of Ohio constructing so expensive an undertaking, and turning its traffic into a Michigan port, was not to be entertained. Maumee City and Perrysburg were not worried. They both declared that the proper finality was there. But the year-old-city of Toledo was wide awake. The advantage of a canal in those days was of inestimable advantage in building up a town. This in a measure explains the excessive zeal manifested by these early Toledoans. Unless under the jurisdiction of Ohio; they felt there was no canal for them. A public meeting was held in Toledo, in 1834, and the majority of those present expressed themselves in favor of the jurisdiction of Ohio. A petition to that effect was signed and forwarded to the executive of the state. 230 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Sentiment was not unanimous, for the following letter was sent to Governor Mason : "Monroe, March 12, 1835. " To Hon. Stevens T. Mason, "Acting Governor of Michigan Territory : "We, the citizens of the Township of Port Lawrence, County of Monroe, Territory of Michigan, conceive ourselves (by force of circumstances) in duty bound to apply for a special act of the place appointed for holding our Township meetings (elections). By a vote of the last Town meeting (1834) our meeting of this year must be held at Toledo, on the Maumee River. We apprehend trouble, and perhaps a riot may be the consequence of thus holding the meeting in the heart of the very hot-bed of disaffection. "We therefore pray your Excellency and the Legislative Council to aid us in our endeavors to keep the peace and sustain our claims to the soil as part of the Territory of Michigan, by an act removing the place for the Town meeting from Toledo to the Schoolhouse on Ten-Mile Creek Prairie, to be held on the — day of April, in preference to the usual day and place appointed. "J. V. D. Sutphen, "Coleman I. Keeler, "Cyrus Fisher, "Samuel Hemmenway. "Delegates from Port Lawrence to the County Convention at Monroe." Because of the urgent demands from the citizens of Toledo, Governor Lucas made the boundary question the subject of a special message to the Legislature. That body passed an act extending the northern boundaries of the counties of Wood, Henry, and Williams to the Harris Line. That part west of the Maumee River was created into Sylvania Township, and that part east into Port Lawrence Township. The authorities of Michigan had previously exercised jurisdiction over the territory lying between the two lines, although Wood County had attempted to collect taxes within those limits. Under this act three commissioners were designated to resurvey and mark the Harris Line. The legislative council of Michigan rashly passed an act called "The Pains and Penalties Act," which provided severe penalties for anyone within the limits of the territory who should acknowledge any other sovereignty. A challenge followed when an election was ordered in the disputed strip by the Ohio authorities. Benjamin F. Stickney, Platt Card, and John T. Baldwin acted as judges of this election, which caused excitement to run very high. Michigan at once retaliated by appointing officials who were instructed to enforce "The Pains and Penalties Act." These acts of the Legislature of Ohio and of Governor Lucas evidently aroused the governor of Michigan, as is clearly indicated by the following letter to his military officer: Executive Office, Detroit, March 9, 1835. Sir :— You will herewith receive the copy of a letter just received from Columbus. You now perceive that a collision between Ohio and Michigan is inevitable, and will therefore be prepared to meet the crisis. The Governor of Ohio has issued a proclamation, but I have neither received it nor have I been able to learn its tendency. You will use every exertion to obtain the earliest information of the military movements of our adversary, as I shall assume the responsibility of sending you such arms, etc., as may be necessary for your successful operation, without waiting for an order from the Secretary of War, so soon as Ohio is properly in the field. Till then I am compelled to await the direction of the War Department. Very respectfully your obedient servant, STEVENS T. MASON. General Jos. W. Brown HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 231 Governor Lucas came to Toledo, accompanied by his staff and his boundary commissioners. Gen. John Bell, of Lower Sandusky, who was in command of the seventeenth division of the Ohio militia, had under him a voluntary force of about 600 men, fully armed and equipped. This force went in camp at old Fort Miami, and there awaited the orders of the governor. In order to enlist recruits, General Bell sent a drummer, named Odle, to Perrysburg, believing that the best way to stir up the requisite enthusiasm. Accompanied by a man carrying a flag, Odle marched up and down the streets of that village, beating his drum with the greatest vigor. The courthouse was on his route, and court was in session. The judge ordered the sheriff to stop the noise. The drummer said he was under orders to "drum for recruits for the war," and that he should not stop until assured that the court had more authority than had his office. Even while replying he did not stop his beating. Odle was arrested and Captain Scott summoned. Scott replied that Governor Lucas was at Spafford's Exchange Hotel, and had sanctioned the course. Judge Higgins ordered the captain and drummer to jail. Captain Scott said that when the state was invaded the military authority was paramount, and that he would declare martial law if the imprisonment was made, and arrest the court. The outcome was that the judge simply continued the case at hand, and Odle resumed his drumming more vigorously than ever. As a result, the number of recruits was greatly increased. General Brown, in command of the Michigan forces, issued orders to the militia of Michigan stating that if there is an officer "who hesitates to stake life, fortune and honor in the struggle now before us, he is required promptly to tender his resignation. * * * We are determined to repel with force whatever strength the State of Ohio may attempt to bring into our Territory to sustain her usurpation." He had under his command a body estimated from 800 to 1,200 men, ready to resist any advance of the Ohio authorities to run the boundary line or do anything upon the disputed territory. With him was Governor Mason. The two executives eyed each other (at a safe distance) like pugilists preparing for battle. The "Pains and Penalties Act" of the Legislative Council of Michigan provided a fine of $1,000 and five years' imprisonment for any person other than United States or Michigan officials to exercise or attempt to exercise any official authority in the disputed territory, Both parties were in a belligerent attitude, and the excitement was most intense. A couple of commissioners from the President of the United States, Richard Bush, of Pennsylvania, and Colonel Howard, of Michigan, arrived, and used their personal influence to stop all warlike demonstration. This conference was held on the 7th of April, 1835. The commissioners submitted the two following propositions for the assent of both parties : "1st. That the Harris Line should be run and re-marked, pursuant to the act of the last session of the Legislature of Ohio without interruption. "2nd. The civil elections under the laws of Ohio having taken place throughout the disputed territory, that the people residing upon it should be left to their own judgment, obeying the one jurisdiction or the other, as they may prefer, without molestation from the authorities of Ohio or Michigan until the close of the next session of Congress. To this armistice Governor Lucas assented, but Governor Mason refused to acquiesce, insisting that he could not honorably compromise the rights of his people. Believing that no obstruction would be placed in the way of making the survey, Governor Lucas permitted his commissioners to proceed upon their work and disbanded his military. Things did not 232 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO run smoothly, as is shown by report dated May 1, 1835, of which the following is a copy in part : "During our progress we have been constantly threatened by the authorities of Michigan, and spies from the territory, for the purpose of watching our movements and ascertaining our actual strength were almost daily among us. On Saturday evening, the 25th ult., after having performed a laborious day's service, your commissioners, together with their party, retired to the distance of about one mile south of the line, in Henry County, within the State of Ohio, where we thought to have rested quietly and peaceably enjoy the blessings of the Sabbath—and especially not being engaged on the line, we thought ourselves secure for the day. But contrary to our expectations, at about twelve o'clock in the day, an armed force of about fifty or sixty men hove in sight, within musket shot of us, all mounted upon horses, well armed with muskets and under the command of General Brown of Michigan. Your commissioners observing the great superiority of force, having but five armed men among us, who had been employed to keep a lookout and as hunters for the party, thought it prudent to retire, and so advised our men. Your commissioners with several of their party, made good their retreat to this place. But, sir, we are under the painful necessity of relating that nine of our men, who did not leave the ground in time after being fired upon by the enemy, from thirty to fifty shots, were taken prisoners and carried away into the interior of the country. Those who were taken were as follows, to-wit :— Colonels Hawkins, Scott and Gould, Major Rice, Captain Biggerstaff and Messrs. Ellsworth, Fletcher, Moale and Rickets. We are happy to learn that our party did not fire a gun in turn and that no one was wounded, although a ball from the enemy passed through the clothing of one of our men." The Major Stickney sent the following letter to the editor of the Toledo Gazette, dated April 13, 1835 : * * * " On the morning of the 9th, then on my return home, I was met by some gentlemen some 14 miles from Toledo, with the intelligence that a band of ruffians of 30 or more, had at dead of night come to my house from Monroe, and in a ferocious manner demolished the door leading to the principal avenue of my house and seized a gentleman (Mr. Naaman Goodsell), bore him off and treated his lady and daughter (the only females in the house), with brutish violence, notwithstanding I had exhorted all to exercise moderation. * * * When my daughter gave out the cry of 'murder,' she was seized by the throat and shaken with monstrous violence, and the prints of a man's hand in purple were strongly marked, with many other contusions. Mrs. Goodsell exhibited marks of violence also. This Michigan banditti proceeded likewise to the sleeping apartment of another gentleman (Mr. George McKay), burst in the door, seizing him in bed; and as the first salutation, one of the villains attempted to gouge out one of his eyes with a thumb * * * After two days of Court-mockery at Monroe, these gentlemen were admitted to bail. " On the 10th, it was reported that an armed force was assembling under General Brown, to march to Toledo, and take as prisoners such as accepted office under Ohio (about a dozen). On the 11th, they arrived in force, about 200 strong, armed with muskets and bayonets. The officers of Ohio having been lulled into security by assurances of the Commissioners of the United States (Messrs. Rush and Howard), were not prepared for defense, and retired, giving them full space for the display of their gasconading, which was exhibited in pulling down the flag of Ohio, and dragging it through the streets at the tail of a horse, with other similar acts. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 233 "Cyrus Holloway, of Sylvania Township (one of the first Commissioners of Lucas County), a very good man, was elected Justice of the Peace, under the laws of Ohio, and with others was spotted for vengeance. Apprehending that Michigan officers were after him, he took to the woods, hiding for several days in a sugar-camp shanty. He being a pious man, some of his partisan friends, fond of the marvelous, reported that Providence had wrought a miracle in his behalf ; that little robins daily went to his house, there got food and took it to him during his seclusion in the forest. Many believed this, and accepted it as strong proof of the justness of the claim of Ohio to the disputed territory. The miraculous part of the story had a very slight foundation in the fact, that Mr: Holloway's children, who daily carried food to their father, had a pet robin, and usually took it with them on such visits ; hence, the robin-story." In addition to the outrages upon the surveying party, there were numerous assaults upon individuals. Throughout the entire spring and summer, Toledo was the center of incessant excitement. Each incursion of Michigan officials for the purpose of making new arrests was the occasion for renewed excitement. Attempts were made by Wood County to arrest Michigan partisans, but the proposed victims somehow would get advance information and remain out of sight. Major Stickney went to Monroe on the Detroit steamer to pay some social calls. He was there arrested and imprisoned for acting as a judge in an Ohio election. He was considered an important prisoner, and many gibes were made concerning him. The military spirit was rife, and one of the popular sayings at Monroe during his imprisonment was the one stated at Toledo, which referred to their despoiling his garden. It was in the form of the following toast : "Here's to Major Stickney's potatoes and onions—we drafted their tops and their bottoms volunteered." He wrote to Governor Lucas : "Here I am, peeping through the grates of a loathsome prison, for the monstrous crime of having acted as the Judge of an election within the State of Ohio. From what took place the other day at Port Miami, at a conference between yourself and the Commissioners of the United States wherein we had the honor of being present, we were led to believe that a truce at least would be the result. In this we were again deceived. I left my residence in Toledo in company with a lady and gentleman, from the interior of Ohio, to visit my friend A. E. Wing, of Monroe, and others, conceiving that respect for the ordinary visits of hospitality would have been sufficient for my protection under such circumstances. But vindictiveness is carried to such extremes, that all the better feelings of man are buried in the common rubbish. The officer who first took me, treated me in a very uncivil manner ; dragging me about as a criminal through the streets of Monroe, notwithstanding there are a number of exceptions to this virulent mass." Mr. N. Goodsell was also aroused from peaceful sleep in the middle of the night by a body of men, who demanded admittance. If not admitted, they informed Mr. Goodsell that the door would be broken down. He says : "My journey was rendered unpleasant by the insolence of some of the party, and my life jeopardized by being obliged to ride upon a horse without a bridle, which horse being urged from behind became frightened and ran with me until I jumped from him. I arrived at Monroe, and was detained there until next day, as they refused me any bail from day to day. I was taken before the Grand Jury, then in session, and questioned concerning our meeting the officers, etc., etc. During the second day a large military force, or posse, was raised, armed and started for Toledo. After they had gone nearly long enough to have 234 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO reached Toledo, I was admitted to bail, and returned—passed the force on the road—inquired of the Sheriff whether that was to be considered an armed force or a Sheriff's posse. He answered that he considered it a posse at that time, but it was so arranged that it might be either—as circumstances should require ; that General Brown and aide were along, who would act in case they assumed a military force." The Legislature of Ohio was convened in extra session by Governor Lucas "to prevent the forcible abduction of citizens of Ohio." The members were greatly aroused by the illegal arrests, and passed an act providing heavy penalties for any attempted forcible abduction of a citizen of Ohio. The offense was made punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary for not less than three, nor more than seven years. In spite of all this, a posse of about 250 armed men again visited Toledo, on July 18th, and made seven or eight arrests, chiefly for individual grievances. This posse also committed several overt acts, among which was damage to a newspaper office. The office of the Toledo Gazette was visited by a posse bearing muskets. The door was demolished and a "pi" made of the type already set for the next issue. "We have barely enough type and materials saved from the outrages, we are about to relate, to lay the particulars before the public," said the Gazette in its next issue. Public sentiment in Michigan was kept in as belligerent a state as possible. An act was also passed by the Ohio Legislature to create the new County of Lucas out of the northern part of Wood County, to embrace the disputed territory, together with a portion of the northwestern corner of Sandusky County. Of this county, Toledo was made the temporary seat of justice. Three hundred thousand dollars was appropriated out of the public treasury, and the governor was authorized to borrow on the credit of the state $300,000 more to carry out the laws in regard to the northern boundary. Governor Lucas called upon the division commander of this state to report as soon as possible the number of men in each division who would volunteer to sustain him in enforcing the laws over the disputed territory. Fifteen of these divisions reported over 100,000 men ready to volunteer. These proceedings on the part of Ohio greatly exasperated the authorities of Michigan. They dared the Ohio "million" to enter the disputed ground, and "welcomed them to hospitable graves." Prosecution of citizens within this territory for holding offices under the laws of Ohio were prosecuted with greater vigor than ever. For a time the Monroe officials were kept busy. Most of the inhabitants of that village were employed in the sheriff's posse making arrests in Toledo. The commencement of one suit would lay the foundation for many others. There are few towns in the United States in which the citizens have suffered as much for their allegiance to a state as did those of Toledo. The Detroit Free Press of August 26, 1835, has the following items: THE OHIO CONTROVERSY—The Legislative Council yesterday had this subject under consideration. They have made an appropriation of $315,000, to meet any emergency which may arise, and we learn that every arrangement will be made to afford a warm reception to any partisan of the "million" of Ohio, that may visit our borders. Michigan defends her soil and her rights and we would wish our fellow-citizens of Ohio to recollect that "thrice armed is he who hath his quarrel just." WAR! WAR ! !—Orders have been issued for volunteers to rendezvous at Mulholland's in the County of Monroe, on the 1st of September next, for the purpose of resisting the military encroachments of Ohio. The Terri- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 235 troy, it is expected, will be on the alert, and e understand services will be accepted from quarters. The latter movement evidently had reference to preventing the holding of the court at Toledo, September 7th. On the 8th of June, Governor Lucas called an extra session of the legislature and delivered a message, of which the following is a part : "It appears to me the honor and faith of the State is pledged, in the most solemn manner, to protect these people in their rights, and to defend them against all outrages. They claim to be citizens of Ohio. The Legislature by a solemn act has declared them to be such, and has required them to obey the laws of Ohio, which, as good citizens, they have done, and for which they have been persecuted, prosecuted, assaulted, arrested, abducted and imprisoned. Some of them have been driven from their homes in dread and terror, while others are menaced by the authorities of Michigan. These things have been all done within the constitutional boundaries of the State of Ohio, where our laws have been directed to be enforced. Are we not under as great an obligation to command respect and obedience to our laws adjoining our northern boundary as in any other part of the State? Are not the inhabitants of Port Lawrence, on the Maumee Bay, as much entitled to our protection as the citizens of Cincinnati, on the Ohio river ? I feel convinced they are equally as much. Our commissioner appointed in obedience to the act of the 23d of February, while in discharge of the duty assigned them, were assaulted while resting on the Sabbath day, by an armed force from Michigan. Some of the hands were fired on, others arrested, and one Colonel Fletcher is now incarcerated in Tecumseh, and for what? Is it for crime ? No; but for faithfully discharging his duty, as a good citizen of Ohio, in obedience to our laws." The loyal citizens of Toledo were "getting discouraged having no arms, nor succor sent them, which they construed to neglect. It was difficult to comfort them." The mix-up is shown by an old copy of the Toledo Gazette, published in "Toledo, Wood County, Ohio." in which there is an administrator's notice of "the estate of John Babcock, late of Toledo, in the County of Monroe, and the Territory of Michigan," as well as other official notices of the same purport. There was no cessation in the arrests, and imprisonments in the Monroe jail continued. The most noted of these is the attempt to arrest Two Stickney, and a man by the name of McKay. Territory of Michigan, ss. Monroe County, "Personally came before Albert Bennett, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county aforesaid, Lyman Hurd, who being duly sworn, said that on the 15th day of July, 1835, this deponent who is a constable within the county aforesaid, went to Toledo in said county, for the purpose of executing a warrant against Geo. McKay in behalf of the United States. "This deponent was accompanied by Joseph Wood, deputy sheriff of said county. Said Wood had in his hands a warrant against Two Stickney. This deponent and said Wood went into the tavern of J. B. Davis, in the village of Toledo, where they found said Stickney and McKay. This deponent informed McKay that he had a warrant for him, and there attempted to arrest McKay. The latter then sprang and caught a chair, and told this deponent that unless he desisted, he would split him down. This deponent saw McKay have a dirk in his hand. At the time this deponent was attempting to arrest McKay. Mr. Wood attempted to arrest Stickney. Wood laid his hand on Stickney's shoulder, 236 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO and took him by his collar, and after Wood and Stickney had scuffled for a short time, this deponent saw Stickney draw a dirk out of the left side of Wood, and exclaim, "There, damn you, you have got it now." This deponent then saw Wood let go from Stickney and put his hand upon his side, apparently in distress, and went to the door. This deponent asked Wood if he was stabbed. Wood said, very faintly, that he was. This deponent then went with Wood to Ira Smith's tavern. A physician thought it doubtful whether 'Wood recovered. This deponent thinks there were from six to eight persons present at the time this deponent and Wood were attempting to arrest McKay and Stickney. None of them interfered. At the time Wood informed Stickney that he had a precept against him. Stickney asked Wood whether his precept was issued under the authority of Ohio or Michigan. When Wood showed him the warrant, Stickney said he should not be taken ; but if it was under Ohio, he would go. "This deponent thinks that at the time Wood was stabbed it was between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, and this deponent remained there about three hours. Before this deponent left the inhabitants of Toledo, to the number of forty or fifty, collected at Davis! tavern. This deponent was advised, for his own safety to leave the place, and also by the advice of Wood, he returned to Monroe, without having executed his precept. And further deponent saith not. "Lyman Hurd. "Subscribed and sworn to before me, this sixteenth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five. "Albert Bennett, J. P." The proceedings of this case were reported by Governor Mason to President Jackson, who realized that it was necessary to take some action in order to prevent serious trouble. Governor Lucas himself soon conferred with the President on the subject of the boundary difficulties. The result of this mission was the urgent plea of the President for the mutual suspension of all action by both parties, until the matter could finally be settled by Congress, and that no prosecutions be commenced for any violations of the acts. Court had been ordered to be held in Toledo, the county seat of the new County of Lucas, and the Michigan authorities were determined to prevent it. For this purpose the Detroit militia arrived in Monroe on the evening of September 5th. Together with volunteers, these forces rendezvoused near Toledo, and marched into that city on the 6thing Their numbers was variously estimated at from 800 to 1,200, and they were led in person by Governor Mason and General Brown. The associate judge had assembled at the Village of Maumee, ten miles distant, with Colonel Van Fleet and 100 soldiers sent by Governor Lucas for their protection; but wise peace counsels prevailed, and Ohio won the victory without shedding a drop of valiant Michigan blood. Strategy was adopted instead. As September 7th was the day set for holding the court, it was decided that the day began at midnight, and, as no hour was specified, one hour was as good as another. At 1 o'clock in the night, the officers accompanied by the colonel and twenty soldiers, each carrying two cavalry pistols, started on horseback down the Maumee. They arrived about three and went quietly to the schoolhouse by Washington street, which was then "well out of town." About 3 o'clock, the judges opened the court. The three associated judges were Jonathan H. Jerome, Baxter Bowman, and William Wilson. They appointed a clerk and three commissioners for the new County of Lucas. They transacted a little other necessary business and, no further business appearing before said court, it adjourned in due form. The clerk's minutes, hastily written on loose sheets of paper, were HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 237 deposited in his hat according to the custom of men in those days. All present then hastily started through the woods up the Maumee River to the town of the same name. In their haste the clerk's hat was knocked from his head as a result of coming in contact with the limb of a tree. Not a little apprehension was experienced until the scattered papers, containing the invaluable minutes of the court, were found. The entire session had been held between two days. All arrived safely at Maumee City, clearly outside the disputed territory, but yet within Lucas County, where Michigan civil officers or troops dare not pursue. Here the first victory was quietly enjoyed, and plans matured for complete discomfiture of the enemy. Colonel Van Fleet signalized their success by firing two salutes. This is the account that appeared in the Michigan Sentinel, published at Monroe, under date of September 12, 1835 : "WOLVERINES OF MICHIGAN !—In anticipation of the proposed organization of the Court of Ohio at Toledo, and the approach of Lucas's 'Million,' Acting Governor Mason made a large requisition on the brave Wolverines of Michigan ; and on Saturday last (September 5th) they approached our Town under arms by hundreds, from the Counties of Monroe, Wayne, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Oakland, Macomb and St. Joseph. The whole body entered the disputed territory on Monday, accompanied by Governor Mason, Generals Brown and Haskall and Colonels Davis, Wing and others, to the number of 1,200 to 1,500, and encamped on the plains of Toledo. Governor Lucas did not make his appearance. The Court is said to have been held at the dead of night, by learned Judges dressed in disguise; and the insurgents of Toledo precipitately fled from the scene of action." The Michigan authorities continued to make troublc, but the success of the above strategy practically closed the contest. An order came from Washington removing Governor Mason from the office of chief executive of the Territory of Michigan, because of his excessive zeal for its rights. His secretary, John S. Horner, immediately became the acting governor. On the 15th of June, 1836, Michigan was admitted into the Union, with her southern boundary next to Ohio limited to the Harris Line. The disputed territory was given to Ohio. As compensation for her loss, Michigan was awarded the northern peninsula, with its rich beds of mineral ore, which has proven to be a most valuable possession. Ten days later a notable celebration was held in the old Mansion House, in Toledo, at which many distinguished guests were present. Guns were fired, bells were rung, and a procession was formed which marched around the old school. house in which the memorable session of court was held. The position of Governor Lucas made him a national figure, and when he retired from office, it was with the good will of both friend and adversary. He was recognized as a faithful public servant. He afterwards became territorial governor of Iowa, and spent the later years of his life in that state. Thus it was that the angry strife, which for a time threatened a sanguinary war, was happily settled, and fraternal relations have ever since existed between the authorities of Ohio and Michigan. The Ohio Legislature in 1846 passed an act appropriating $300 to compensate Major Stickney for damage to property and for the time he passed in prison at Monroe. Michigan afterwards bestowed $50 upon Lewis E. Bailey, for the loss of a horse while in the service of the territorial militia. The people of both states immediately took the matter good naturedly, and treated the whole affair as a joke. Songs were sung, of which a couple of verses of the Michigan "War Song" are as follows : 238 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Old Lucas gave his order all for to hold a Court, And Stevens Thomas Mason, he thought he'd have some sport. He called upon the Wolverines, and asked them for to go To meet this rebel Lucas, his Court to overthrow. Our independent companies were ordered for the march, Our officers were ready, all stiffened up with starch : On nimble-footed coursers our officers did ride, With each a pair of pistols and sword hung by his side. The last chapter in this controversy was written when, on the 24th of November, 1915, a new boundary post was placed on the eastern end of this line, which was disputed for so many years. The old demarcation had disappeared, and the exact location was unknown. By act of the Legislature of Ohio a new survey was made, and this new pillar set up with appropriate inscription. On this occasion there were present Governor Frank B. Willis, of Ohio, and Governor Woodbridge N. Ferris, of Michigan. Each governor made a felicitous speech in harmony with the occasion. It is befitting to close this chapter wi the words of another muse, written in 1835 YOUNG TOLEDO ! RISE TO FAME! Mart of the Western World should claim Homage of all the ports around— Her wealth and power know no bound; More mighty far than ancient Rome, Stand by inherent power alone. But oh ! methinks I see them dashing; Hear pistols pop ! and swords a-clashing! While first to last many oppose, With eyes plucked out or bloody nose; Whose horrid threatening or grimace Convince they'll die or keep their place. CHAPTER XXI THE PREHISTORIC AGE It is not possible within the limits of this work to treat of the geology of Northwest Ohio in detail, nor can it be discussed technically by one who is not a trained geologist. All that can be related in this chapter is just enough to briefly outline the subject and to stimulate, if possible, an impetus for further reading upon the subject. In this section occurs the largest area of level country in the State of Ohio, the region of the old lake bed. In a broad area, reaching from Ottawa and Lucas counties southwest to Paulding, Van Wert, and Defiance counties, the change in elevation frequently does not exceed a foot to the mile. In no part of Northwest Ohio are there hills of any magnitude, but certain sections are slightly rolling, and there are points here the elevation is several hundred feet hove the level of Lake Erie. The historic period of this region is very short in the chronology of the earth, in comparison with the great length of time covered by the geological ages. Whether these periods occupied 50,000,000 or 60,000,000 years is of very little interest to us, for whichever statement is accepted, the length of years is sufficiently impressive for our minds. In very early geological ages, the Gulf of Mexico extended to this region. The greatest influence om the conformation of the topography of this vast level area of land occurred during the glacial periods. It is quite probable that prior to this time Northwest Ohio may not have differed greatly from the hilly region of the southeastern section of our state. Immense glaciers formed somewhere in the upper regions of Canada, and moved down slowly toward the South. Neither trees, rocks, nor any natural obstruction permanently impeded their movement. The glaciers scooped out the basin of Lake Erie and, when they reached what is now Northwest Ohio, the general movement was in a southwesterly direction. The fact of these glacial movements is established in a number of ways. On Kelley 's Island there are the most remarkable glacier grooves that are found in Ohio. In some places the boulders which were imbedded in the glaciers cut grooves in the limestone rocks that abounded there to a depth of as much as two feet. The same groovings, although not so deep, are found on many of the rocks along the lake shore at Marblehead and Lakeside, in Ottawa County. To a geologist these grooves speak as audibly as do the tracks of an elephant to the hunter. The glacial age is also further proved by great boulders which are scattered over this region, and which are entirely dissimilar to the natural rocks produced here. One of these is known as the Harrison Boulder, lying a few miles southwest of Fremont. This is a species of granite known to come from the highlands of Canada, north of Lake Erie, said to be the oldest land in the world. The age of this particular rock is estimated by geologists to be from 25,000,000 to 150,000,000 years. It was transported here, however, not more than 10,000 or 12,000 years ago. In size it is 13 feet long, 10 feet wide, and about 7 feet thick, of which one-half is out of the ground. It would weigh probably eighty tons, and has - 239 - 240 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO withstood the influence of climate all these years. The place of its origin is several hundred miles distant, in the Labrador or Hudson Bay region, and it could have been transported in no other way than by a glacier. There are many other smaller boulders scattered over Maumee and Sandusky region. The rocks of this region are much younger, and were deposited when this was the bottom of the sea, so that they became filled with sea shells and shell fish and a vast accumulation of marine deposits. The superficial deposits all belong to the glacial age. Another evidence of the movements of glaciers across Northwest Ohio is in the terminal moraines, which are found in several places. It has been estimated that the thickness of the glacier over Lake Erie was about 11,000 feet. It is known from watching the movements of the glaciers of today in the Alps, as well as in Alaska and other places, that these great masses of ice and snow move almost as a semi-fluid substance. Their progress is exceedingly slow, but they are just as sure as they are slow. They freeze onto rocks and never let go, but carry them along. The annual movements of glaciers which have been observed range from 130 to 330 feet in a single year. These glacial movements cut off the top of mountains, filled up the valleys, and made the surface of Northwest Ohio what it is today. They were like huge planes in their effect, leveling the high points, pushing everything breakable and movable before them, crushing and grinding the softer rocks. In many places the depth of the deposit exceeds 100 feet. The rocks, which were thus exposed to the air, frost, and water, were decomposed and formed the very rich soil of this section, one of the richest in existence. As the surface was in places a little uneven, and in some places even depressed, it left the swamps which used to be so numerous, but most of which have been drained at this time. The term moraine is given to a ridge of ground up or transported material which is left by a glacier. The moraine marks where the front of the glacier rested, for it was the front that had gathered up most of the detritus. The glaciers in their movements gathered up rocks and soil, which were gradually ground up, so that a fair proportion of the mass of the glacier was sometimes made up of this material. At times the glaciers were halted in their movements for periods which might have covered centuries, and the surface being exposed to a warmer climate gradually melted, and the detritus which had been gathered up was deposited in ridges which can be still plainly distinguished. There are three or four of these moraines, either wholly or partly in Northwest Ohio, which are in a cup shape, with the bottom of the cup projecting toward the southwest. All of them are nearly parallel. The approach is generally so gradual that it is scarcely perceptible to the traveler. The first of these is known as the Defiance Moraine, which extends northward and eastward from Defiance. The next one is known as the St. Joseph-St. Marys Moraine, because it follows these two rivers, with the apex near Fort Wayne, Indiana. The third one is only a few miles distant from this, and extends in the same general direction. A fourth, known as Salamonie Moraine, is still a little farther distant, and crosses the southern boundary of Northwest Ohio near Fort Recovery and Kenton. The many little lakes in Northern Indiana were caused by the irregular deposition of the glacial detritus, leaving ridges and depressions which became filled with water. The glaciers have exercised the greatest influence in determining the flow of the water, and the direction of the streams. Although the entire basin at one time may have drained into Lake Erie, with the onward movement of the glaciers the outlet in this direction was obstructed. It then became necessary for the water to seek an outlet in another direction, and so the streams which flow to the southwest HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 241 were formed. At one time a great lake covered the central portion of this region. It is known to geologists as Maumee Glacial Lake, which was crescent in shape, and lay between the Defiance Moraine and the St. Joseph-St. Marys Moraine. It drained through the Tymochtee gap into the Scioto River, and through the Wabash. Another of these glacial lakes, known as Whittlesey, was found between the Defiance Moraine and Lake Erie, and was really a later stage of the water. The numerous and ridges, which are found running across Northwest Ohio in different directions, were the successive shores of Lake Erie as it gradually receded to its present dimensions. Near Fort Wayne there is a broad channel, easily distinguished, which formerly connected the Wabash River and the Maumee, through which the pent-up water found its outlet to the Gulf of Mexico. As the lake level declined, the waters of the rivers St. Joseph and St. Marys followed the receding lake, thus originating and forming the Maumee River. PREHISTORIC MAN There have been many speculations and theories advanced regarding the length of time that man has existed. Many evidences of prehistoric man are found in Ohio. The oldest of these have been discovered in Southern Ohio, for during a long period it was impossible for the human race to live north of the upper lake ridge, which passes through Bellevue, Tiffin, Fostoria, and Van Wert, where the former shore is marked by a sand ridge. At that time the whole region between that ridge and the lake was covered with a body of water estimated to be from 50 to 100 feet in depth. At a later period, as the water level fell, it is quite likely that the races then existing followed up the retreating waters, and established their temporary habitations. There are remains of a prehistoric population, which are evidence by enclosures and Vol. I-16 mounds found along both the Sandusky and the Maumee rivers. Two of these enclosures were located where Fremont now stands, their sites being well authenticated. Others were at a somewhat greater distance. Most of the outlines have now been obliterated, and there is nothing whatever to establish their antiquity. One of these was in a circular form, enclosing several acres of ground, with gate like openings. Some rudely shaped' knives and other crude tools, together with stone axes, flint arrow heads and rude pottery, have been found, which have evidence of great age, because they have been discovered near the fossil remains of animals known to exist shortly following the glacial period. Although the Maumee River Basin was probably never the headquarters of so great a number of early peoples as Southern Ohio, yet it was no doubt a thoroughfare of travel for pre-historic people, and they erected low conical mounds above the bodies of certain of their dead. Dr. Charles E. Slocum states in his "History of the Maumee River Basin" that there are more than fifty mounds and earthworks in this basin that can probably be classed as the work of prehistoric men. Their situation is on high ground in small groups and widely scattered. Some twenty of these mounds have been located in De Kalb and Steuben counties, Indiana. The remains of the mastodon have been found there, one of them at a depth of four feet in blue clay. The bones of the mastodon have also been found in Northwest Ohio, near Bucyrus. In Auglaize County parts of eight of these prehistoric monsters have been discovered, and the most perfect one of all was unearthed a few miles southeast of Wauseon. Several of the mounds have been identified on the south bank of the Maumee, near Antwerp, and one not far from Defiance. This last mentioned mound was about four feet above the surrounding land, and about thirty feet in diameter. It was covered 242 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO with oak trees about twenty inches in diameter. Upon opening the mound, a small quantity of bony fragments were found, which readily crumpled between the fingers on being handled. Human teeth of large size were also unearthed. There are two mounds along the Maumee River, just above the City of Toledo. In one of these a pick-shaped amulet was unearthed, which was eighteen inches in length. Several also have been identified along the Auglaize River, near Dupont, in Putnam County, and also near Defiance. In one of these the decaying bones of eight or ten persons in sitting posture were discovered. Not far from Wauseon as many as eleven mounds of small size are reported, arranged in somewhat of an elliptical form. A few human bones, some charcoal, and a few indifferent articles of slate were the result of the work of investigators. Doctor Slocum further states that there are three prehistoric circles and four semi-circles in the Maumee River Basin. One of these, with a diameter of about 200 feet is in De Kalb County, Indiana, and another near Hamilton, Indiana. This latter is known as the mystic circle, with a diameter of sixty-eight yards, and averages between three and four feet in height. A third is in a bend of the River St. Joseph, in Allen County, Indiana. Three semi-circles were found along the lower Maumee River. The first of these was observed between the years 1837 and 1846, and is mentioned in a book published in 1848, which was the first volume of the Smithsonian contributions. This account reads as follows : " This work is situated on the right bank of the Maumee River, two miles above Toledo, in Wood County, Ohio. The water of the river is here deep and still, and of the lake level ; the bluff is about 35 feet high. Since the work was built, the current has undermined a portion, and parts of the embankment are to be seen on the slips. The country for miles in all directions is flat and wet, and is heavily tim bered, as is the space in and around this inclosure. The walls, measuring from the bottoms of the ditches, are from three to four feet high. They are not of uniform dimensions throughout their extent ; and as there is no ditch elsewhere, it is presumable that the work was abandoned before it was finished. Nothing can be more plain than that most of the remains in Northern Ohio are military works. There have not yet been found any remnants of the timber in the walls; yet it is very safe to presume that palisades were planted on them, and that wood posts and gates were erected at the passages left in the embankments and ditches. All the positions are contiguous to water ; and there is no higher land in their vicinity from which they might in any degree be commanded. Of the works bordering on the shore of Lake Erie, through the State of Ohio, there are none but may have been intended for defense ; although in some of them the design is not perfectly manifest. They form a line from Conneaut to Toledo, at a distance of from three to five miles from the lake, and all stand upon or near the principal rivers. * * * The most natural inference with respect to the northern cordon of work is, that they formed a well-occupied line, constructed either to pro- tect the advance of a nation landing from the lake and moving southward for conquest; or a line of resistance for people inhabiting these shores and pressed upon by their southern neighbors." A little below the one just mentioned is another semi-circle. It is just a little above the Fassett Street Bridge, in Toledo. When originally surveyed, it was a little less than two feet above the surface, and had a diameter of 387 feet, with an irregular curve. Both of them have been obliterated in the onward march of improvements. A third was situated on the south bank of Swan Creek, a short distance above its entrance into the Mau- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 243 mee River. It has been practically obliterated by the grading of streets, but its diameter was about 400 feet. A few pieces of pottery and stone implements have been found in and about these enclosures. They do not give us any definite knowledge of those who constructed the earth works nor of their early occupancy. CHAPTER XXII DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORTATION LAKE AND RIVER It was but natural that the pioneer settlers of Northwest Ohio, where the roads were almost impassable for a good part of the year, should turn to the water facilities afforded by the two great rivers, Sandusky and Maumee, and expansive Lake Erie for their earliest transportation. We are unable to compile a complete history of the first navigation on the lake, because of the absence of records, but enough data has been furnished us from the recollections of the pioneers to give a fairly accurate account of it. The first craft regularly plying on the Maumee River, so far as is known, was the schooner Black Snake, with Jacob Wilkinson as its captain. Its initial trip was made in May, 1815, and on board of it was also the captain's nephew, David Wilkinson, who afterwards became so prominent in river and lake navigation. This boat was of about twenty tons burden, and David Wilkinson sailed the lakes continuously from 1815 to 1850. In a statement made many years afterwards, he says : "She sailed from Cleveland, her load being chiefly immigrant families and their effects. Part of these were landed at the River Raisin, and part at Fort Meigs. Among those stopping at the Raisin, were Mr. Mulholland and family—the same gentleman who afterwards became noted as a hotel-keeper at Vienna (Erie) on the road to Monroe from Toledo. On the vessel's return, she took for cargo ordnance and military stores from Fort Meigs to Detroit. Captain Jacob Wilkinson continued to run this Vessel, occasionally making trips to the Maumee, until September, 1816, when he moved his family and made his residence at Orleans, a village laid out between Fort Meigs and the River." Another of the early vessels trading on the Maumee River was the schooner Leopard, slightly larger than the Black Snake, and commanded by Capt. John T. Baldwin. Captain Baldwin came here with the Leopard in 1816, bringing with him his family. He stopped at Orleans, or Fort Meigs, and remained there for about a year, when he removed to Put-in-Bay. The custom house at Maumee City (district of Miami), was not opened until 1818. According to the record of the boats taken out prior to this, the Black Snake is given first place, and the second was the schooner Sally, of seven tons, with Capt. William Pratt. Others of the very early vessels were the Saucy Jane, with Jacob Wilkinson as her captain ; the Walter, under Capt. Amos Reed; the Happy Return, and the Wapoghkonnetta, in command of Capt. Isaac Richardson. The first vessel 'completed on the Maumee River is believed to have been the sloop Miami, which was launched at Perrysburg in 1810 by Capt. Anderson Martin. This vessel was captured by the British during the War of 1812, but was subsequently recaptured at the time of Perry's victory, and helped to carry the American soldiers on their expedition into Canada. Both Perrysburg and Maumee became important as shipbuilding centers. In 1843 the first boat run by a screw propellor was constructed at Perrysburg. It was called - 244 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 245 the Sampson, and was a vessel of 250 tons capacity. Six years later the first steam barge, called the Petrel, was built in Toledo. It must be remembered that in the early days the Sandusky River was also important for navigation. Fremont was at the head of navigation on this river, and regular lines of boats went up and down between that port and Sandusky, as well as more remote points. Many vessels were constructed from the fine oak trees growing in the forests along the river's banks. As early as 1816 the sloop Nautilus was built there. In 1830 we read that "The new steamboat, Ohio, intended for river and lake trade was launched at Lower Sandusky on the 29th of May." The industry grew so rapidly that shipbuilding may be said to have been one of the earlier and thriving industries of Lower Sandusky. A dozen or more lake boats have laid in port there loading and discharging freight. By far the most intcresting vessel that ever sailed out of Fremont harbor was the Pegasus. In 1819 Thomas L. Hawkins and Elisha W. Howland constructed this horseboat, for so it literally was. It consisted of two large canoes, side by side, separated by a platform large enough to carry a superstructure of machinery, a large amount of freight and several passengers. The machinery was run by four horses, which in turn worked paddles on each side of the boat. The Pegasus aimed to make three trips a week from Lower Sandusky to Portland, as Sandusky was then called. The passage of forty miles constituted a good day's work under the most favorable circumstances. She continued to run until June 29, 1824, when a severe storm damaged her beyond repair. The first trip was made on May 6, 1822, and she carried a cargo of "tobacco, fish and passengers." The same inventive genius of Mr. Hawkins also devised and constructed a ferry boat, propelled by paddle wheels which ere driven by dog power, after the style of an old churn. This queer craft carried passengers across the river at Fremont before a bridge had been provided for. It was not long after the establishment of the custom house at Maumee until regular communication began on Lake Erie with the first steamboat. This was built at Black Rock, below Buffalo, and was lost on the 4th of July, in the year 1818. It was a vessel of about 300 tons burden, and was named Walkin-the-Water, after an Indian chief of the Wyandot tribe, residing along the Detroit River. It moved in the water at the rate of from eight to ten miles per hour, which was a wonderful speed for that period. The exact date of its first trip is not certainly known, but it is supposed to have been in September. In the Cleveland Register of November 3, 1818, the following notice appears : "The Steamboat Walk-in-the-Water left Buffalo for Detroit on the 10th of October, having on board 100 passengers. The facility with which she moves over our Lake, warrants ,us in saying that she will be of utility not only to the proprietors, but also to the public. She offers us a safe, sure and speedy conveyance for all our surplus produce to distant markets. She works as well in a storm as any vessel on the Lakes, and answers the most sanguine expectations of the proprietors." The history of the Walk-in-the-Water has a peculiar interest to those living along the Maumee River. It was built primarily, so we are informed upon good authority, to run between Buffalo and the foot of the Maumee Rapids. Its builders, McIntyre and Stewart, of Albany, New York, purchased a tract of land below Perrysburg, which included the site of Fort Meigs, and laid out there a town which was designed for a great commercial metropolis, and which was given the significant name of Orleans of the North, to distinguish it from New Orleans, at the mouth of the Mississippi. As the site of what was then considered the head of navigation on the Maumee, and the western extremity of 246 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Lake Erie, the situation was promising. The promoters planned to establish a line of steamers on the lakes, with Orleans as the western terminus. It was soon found that they had overestimated the commercial advantages of the site, since it was found upon trial that the Walk-in-the-Water could not reach it. She drew so much water that the vessel was obliged to stop at the mouth of Swan Creek, the site of the present City of Toledo. The Walk-in-the-Water was in service for three years, and during that time visited Toledo and Fremont. On June 10, 1820, she carried the first excursion party to the upper lakes. On her last trip she left Black Rock on November 6, 1821, with seventy-five passengers and a large quantity of merchandise. The weather was at that time calm. When about six miles out, however, the wind increased and Captain Rogers returned to Buffalo Bay. The violence of the storm continually increased, and the night was intensely dark, so that the vessel began dragging her anchors. The water deepened in the hold in spite of the greatest exertion with the pumps. She went ashore on a sandy beach, but the passengers were safely landed after many thrilling experiences. They were compelled to stay on the island where they had landed for two days before they were transferred to the mainland and returned to Buffalo. The keel was broken in two or three pieces, and the entire hull so shattered that its further use was impossible and the vessel was abandoned. Mr. Williams, the last surviving passenger, gave the following account of the disaster : "The Walk-in-the-Water on that last voyage left Black Rock in the afternoon of a dull, cloudy day. As she cast off her tow-line and moved unaided into the broad waters of Lake Erie, there was no anticipation of the terrible gale we were soon to encounter. The boat had a full complement of passengers, and a full cargo of goods, mostly for Western merchants, one of whom, Mr. Palmer, of Detroit, was on board with his bride. There was also a company of Missionaries, several of whom were ladies, on their way to some Western Indian tribe. As the winds rose, friends grouped themselves together, and as the storm grew more and more furious, there was great terror among them. The Missionaries sang hymns and devoted themselves to soothing the terrified. We lay tossed of the tempest, the big seas sweeping over us all the long night. Just as the first gleam of daylight appeared our anchor began to drag. Captain Miller seeing the impossibility of saving the Steamer, ordered her beached. With skilled seamanship she was sent broadside on. A rope stretched from boat to beach, and the passengers were ferried to shore in the small boat. They reached it drenched and exhausted, but all saved." The first serious lake disaster in this region was the loss of the schooner Sylph, Capt. Harry Haskin, in May, 1824. She sailed from Sandusky about noon of May 12th for Detroit, with two barrels of whisky, a few wooden dishes, and three passengers, beside the captain's brother, Charles Haskin. A severe storm from the northwest arose in the afternoon. Nothing was heard of the vessel until the 14th, when two men reached Sandusky in a skiff, with the intelligence that the Sylph had been wrecked on North Bass Island, and all on board lost. The second steamer to reach Maumee was probably the Enterprise, in the year 1823. Before the opening of the Wabash and Erie Canal communication between Fort Wayne and the lower Maumee was by means of water and stage. A canal boat that had been changed to steam power was brought to the Maumee in 1833, bearing the appropriate name of Phenomenon. She passed up the Maumee to Fort Wayne, and the people there called her "quite a large, elegant boat." A generous welcome was accorded, and a general public dance held on board. In June, 1837, there appeared the HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 247 announcement that the steamboat General Wayne, under command of Capt. H. C. Williams, "would leave the head of the Rapids every day at one p. m. for the Flat Rock, where there would be coaches and teams to convey passengers and freight to Defiance." Passengers leaving Maumee City and Perrysburg in the morning were able to reach Defiance the same day. There was also, according to announcement, a boat for passengers or freight which left Defiance every Friday for Fort Wayne, making the journey in three days. During high water a steamboat ran between the head of the rapids and Fort Wayne, but this was impossible in midsummer. Rapid travel was not expected in those days, for the quickest passage made by any sail vessel between Sandusky and Buffalo up to 1822 was thirty-four hours. By that time the schooner Erie began to make the trip and reduced the time by six hours. "THE STEAMBOAT SUN " C. K. Bennett, Master. "Will make her trips this season as follows : Will leave Manhattan every morning at 7 o'clock; Toledo at 8 ; Maumee City and Perrysburg at half-past 10 ; Toledo at 2 P. M. and Maumee and Perrysburg at 5 o'clock and arrive at Manhattan at 7 P. M. "April 25, 1838." This was the published announcement of the first steamboat plying exclusively between the towns on the Maumee River. As may be noticed, the boat made only about five miles an hour. The business of running a steamer on the Maumee River, three-quarters of a century ago, was a rather hazardous task ; at least the managers of this line found it so. Because of the general business collapse of 1837, there was a state of financial distress all over this section of the country. Cash was a very scarce article, and as a result the managers of this line, as well as many another busi ness concern, found themselves compelled to resort to scrip for the payment of their bills. This scrip circulated as cash, and was a great help to the business transactions. The unfortunate part of it was that many of those who issued the scrip never took the trouble, or else found it impossible, to redeem it. The owners of this line, however, redeemed all of their obligations. In the same year the steamboat Andrew Jackson, with Shibnah Spink as its Manager, commenced running between Perrysburg and Manhattan, making stops at Maumee, Orleans, and Upper and Lower Toledo, and completing two trips each day. In 1839 there was advertised a full line of steamboats from Detroit, to Perrysburg and Maumee City, with the vessels Oliver, Newbury, and Erie, and making stops at Toledo, Manhattan, Monroe, Brest, Malden, and Gibraltar. They left Perrysburg at 7:30 in the morning, and arrived at Detroit at 4 in the afternoon. Steamers continued in the local run between Maumee and Perrysburg and Toledo for almost half a century. With the completion of several railroads and electric lines, the competition became too strong, and they were compelled to succumb. On several occasions since then an attempt has been made to revive the river traffic, because of the marvelous beauty of the scenery, but in each instance the promoters have been compelled to abandon it because of lack of patronage. A curious incident in our history in the development of steam navigation on the water is an act by the Legislature of Ohio prohibiting any boat or water craft from receiving or landing any passengers from steamboats within the limits of Ohio. The reason for this was that since Robert L. Livingston and Robert Fulton had been granted by the State of New York the exclusive right of navigation in the waters of Lake Erie by steam power, a great deal of trouble immediately arose. Since there were no improved harbors on Lake Erie, the steamboats were compelled to employ 248 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO small boats to land their passengers and freight. As the state could not prevent the navigation of the steamboats of New York on Lake Erie, it could prevent the smaller boats from plying between Ohio ports and these vessels at anchor. It was not many years after the application of steam to lake transportation that the movement of vessels began to reach large proportions. The Lake Erie Steamboat Line was organized in 1827, and had four vessels. They made tri-weekly trips between Buffalo and Detroit, stopping at intermediate ports. The Blade of January 31, 1838, said : "A comparison of the number of arrivals on our wharves in 1836 and 1837, will show an increased measure of prosperity during the past year. In 1836 the number of arrivals, exclusive of small Steamboats that ply daily between this place and Detroit was 601, as follows : Steamboats, 330, and 271 schooners. In 1837, excluding the small boats again from the computation, the number was 959; of which 756 were Steamboats and 203 schooners. Of the Steamboat arrivals, 270 were from Buffalo direct, 401 from Buffalo via Detroit, and 85 direct from Cleveland. When it was recollected that Toledo dates her existence from June, 1834, we think we may safely state, without arrogance or boasting, that no point in the West can show a like rapid increase in her commerce." The combination of boat and vessel owners began to appear early in Lake Erie. Hence in 1839 we find the Consolidation Steamboat Company in existence, and its express purpose was to protect the owners of steamboats on the lakes from the effects of competition by fixing prices at this time. A daily line of steamboats was established between Buffalo and Toledo in 1839. Passengers traveled "the entire distance from Toledo to New York in three days and fifteen hours," which was really astonishing at that period. The editor of the Blade, in expressing his approval of this speed, said : "One could hardly wish to travel 770 miles in a less period." He certainly would open his eyes in astonishment if he knew that express trains have made the trip in fifteen hours, and even less. When coal came into use as fuel on the steamers, it was found that their speed was greatly increased, for it supplied the necessary power much better than wood, which had formerly been employed. In the spring of 1841 there were already fifty steamboats plying on the lakes. Of these, six were in use on the line running between Buffalo and Toledo. It is neither necessary nor advisable to continue the history of lake navigation down to the present time, with all its many and radical changes. Instead of the. small craft that were used in the early days, we find monster leviathans which rival the ocean steamers in size and speed, and which ply the waters of Lake Erie as well as its connecting lakes in all directions. The steamer Walk-in-the-Water would look very small if placed by the side of the monster freight or passenger vessels of today. The development and enlargement of the steamers closely followed the improvement of the harbors. The entrance to the Maumee was impeded by sandbars, which made it impossible for deep drafted vessels to enter for many years. From a survey of 1824, we copy the following: "Soundings were taken of the Maumee River and Bay, from the foot of the Rapids to Turtle Island, off the North Cape of the Bay. At the point where it is proposed to erect the dam suggested, there is a rock bottom with 6 1/2 feet of water. Below this rock the water increases in a short time to eight and nine feet. At a point between that of Swan Creek, a mile above Grassy Point, about eight feet of water is found, and on the bar in the Bay, 8 1/2 to 9 feet." Although appropriation had been made for HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 249 the improvement of lake harbors at Sandusky, Huron, Milan, and other points along Lake Erie earlier, it was not until 1835 that any appropriation was made for the Maumee. At this time a small sum of $700 was granted by Congress for placing buoys in the bay. No steps were actually taken to deepen or improve the entrance to the Maumee River until 1866, although measures had been adopted to develop the Monroe Harbor thirty-one years before, and at Huron forty years earlier. One reason probably was that until that year the natural depth of the water permitted the vessels, or most of them at least, to enter the river. With the increasing draft of ships, however, additional water was found necessary. It was then deemed necessary to deepen the channel to 14 feet, and broaden it to 120 feet. From that depth it has been grcatly deepened and improved, as well as straightened, until it now has a uniform depth of 23 feet up to the Toledo docks and a width 400 feet. Toledo now affords the very best arbor and the most extensive dockage facilities of any port on Lake Erie. A new light-use, officially called Toledo Harbor Light, as completed in 1904, and is one of the most modern lights on the Great Lakes. Ships of the greatest capacity are now built in the extensive shipyards at Toledo, by the side of which the early vessels were mere dwarfs. The first lighthouses provided for Lake Erne were those at Fairport, and on the peninsula in Sandusky Bay, in the year 1826. This latter was the predecessor of the lighthouse now at Marblehead. The first lighthouse authorized for the Maumee Channel was the one at Turtle Island. This island was purchased of the Government in 1827 at public sale at Monroe, Michigan, and was again sold to the United States a few years later by Edward Bissell for the sum of $300. It then contained a little over six acres, and the original lighthouse was erected there in 1831. By this time, however, the size had been greatly reduced, and it was estimated at about two acres. Since then it has been greatly washed away. Although attempts have been made to protect the little oasis from the washing of the storms, it probably is a scant acre in extent at this time. The lighthouse was abandoned several years ago. THE CANALS We scarcely appreciate in this day of rapid transit the condition that confronted the pioneer. It must be remembered that nearly all exchange was by barter. Except in a few-simple household articles, there was practically no manufacturing. The population for many years was almost wholly rural. In. 1822 wheat was selling at 25 cents a bushel, and corn at half that price. Eggs were 4 cents a dozen, and chickens sold at 5 cents. each. Everything purchased brought a high price, because the cost of carriage was so great.. It was only as cheaper transportation developed that conditions improved. It was the-construction of canals that first bettered conditions. The men who originally espoused this cause met with very little encouragement in the beginning, but they were far-seeing and continued their efforts in the face of every discouragement and obstacle. It was necessary for them first to convince a scattered population of poor landowners that in order to make valuable their undeveloped treasure in land, it was first necessary to burden themselves with heavy taxes, but that eventually the markets would be brought to their very-doors. It seemed almost a hopeless task, but-the men back of it were endowed with courage and ability as well as foresight. The father of the canal system of this country was undoubtedly DeWitt Clinton, of New York, who began to agitate the subject in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The completion of the New York and Erie Canal in 1825 aroused great interest in the subject,.