200 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY the grand jury. Before the time for court had arrived, they dug a tunnel from their cell under the foundation walls of the jail and thus made their escape. In the course of time, Blackburn was again arrested and incarcerated in the New Lexington jail, to await his trial at court. In company with two other prisoners, he cut through the brick wall near the ceiling of the jail into the Auditor's office, from which all three made their exit by a window ; the two other prisoners made good their escape,but just as Blackburn got outside the window he was discovered and seized by the Deputy Sheriff, and after a desperate struggle, and assistance arriving, conveyed back to his quarters in the jail. Blackburn was, at the ensuing term of court, indicted, convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary for a long term. The Lintons, who had fled to Indiana, were subsequently arrested, brought back to New Lexington, Ohio, indicted, convicted and sent to the State prison. At the trial of the Lintons, Blackburn was brought from Columbus to appear as a witness in the case. lie testified that he, Isaac and James Linton were the persons who perpetrated the crime. It was with some difficulty that Blackburn had been convicted, although the accused had been seen in the neighborhood where the robbery had been committed ; but with his testimony, added to that of others, there was no chance for the Lintons to escape. The pursuit of the accused persons, who were finally convicted for their offense, by Mr. Bear, the Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney of this county, may be regarded as one of the most indefatigable and efficacious any where recorded in the criminal annals of the State. Without the extraordinary persistence of Mr. Bear, and the untiring perseverance of the officers alluded to, no one would have ever been punished for the crime. Glenford, a small village that has grown up since the building of the Newark, Somerset and Straitsville Railroad, is the principal town in Hopewell township. M. Estella. Mechling, an intelligent school girl, eleven years of age, describes Glenford as follows : It is a small town, situated in Hopewell township. Perry county, Ohio, on both sides of Jonathan's Creek, and on the Newark, Somerset and Straitsville Railroad. It is noted for its large sand stone quarries, glass stone and building stone, and limestone for the manufacturing of iron. This limestone is shipped to Newark, Shawnee and other places. Glenford has a population of seventy to eighty, it has two dry goods stores, one school examiner, one grocery, one dress making and fancy store, one carpenter shop, one shoe and boot shop, one blacksmith shop, one grist mill, run by water or steam ; one warehouse for .wheat, corn, etc. ; one tool house, one watering tank, one express office, one post office, one section house, two boarding houses, one sewing machine agent, one agent selling reapers, mowers, wagons and buggies, one physician, one school teacher and two engineers. The town is noted for its beautiful surroundings, its rolling hills, and the hill of the Old Fort, less than a mile south of Glenford. This hill and Fort can be seen from town and is so much of a curiosity [so ancient its date is not known—Compiler], a circle of stone thrown up three or four feet high, inclosing more than twenty-seven acres of land, a big pile of stone within the circle and an entrance to all, between two high rocks. It used to be a pleasant place for the scholars at the school near by. There HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 201 is a large grove near town, and this is one of the most beautiful places for festivals, Sunday school,or other celebrations, political meetings and pleasure seeking parties. The passenger train passes through Glenford four times every day, Sunday excepted, two local trains and about four coal trains daily. Chalfant, a small village and railway station, on the Newark, Somerset and Straitsville Railroad, is situated between Glenford and Somerset, and has a railway station, post office, store, blacksmith shop ,and wagon shop, with a population of probably less than fifty. An anecdote, illustrative of the early times, is still related by the older citizens of Hopewell. Just as Rev. Henkel had pronounced the benediction dismissing the congregation, one Sunday, assembled at the house of Lewis Cooperrider, Jacob Strawn, afterward renowned as the cattle king of Illinois, requested the preacher to say to the congregation that he had trapped a large wolf, which request the minister complied with. Nearly all of the men present,and not a few of the women and children, went to the place indicated, and enjoyed a show not witnessable in these latter days. One of the hind legs of the wolf, a fierce and desperate animal, was by some means dragged through the crack of the log trap,and his ham-string cut in twain with a sharp knife. Thus disabled,he was allowed to escape from the trap, when all the dogs, before apparently eager for a fight, showed cowardice except one, belonging to Jacob Mechling, and this one prevented the game from escaping, by his vigorous attacks, which exhibition of pluck brought to his aid the more timidly and cowardly of his associates, and the battle ended against the wolf, after an exciting contest of some minutes. About 1815 or 1816, Henry and Andrew Walters, John Swinehart, Jonathan Franks and Peter Mechling, having been informed that a den of cub wolves had been captured among the rocks of Section 9, and were still left alive, these men assembled to capture older wolves. One by one the young ones were held up by the ears, when some of them would utter a howl of distress. This was kept up until many wolves would skulk into view; but with such caution that only the mother of the cubs was slain. William Mechling was then Justice of the Peace, and the scalp of the old one, and all the cubs bodily, were presented to him, for the certificate which he had to sign in order to draw the premium allowed for such scalps. Brush burning at night would, so late as 1815, set the wolves to howling all around so frightfully as to drive the workmen into their cabins for security. The last of Bruin was seen as late as 1817, not as a permanent settler, but as a rover in quest of information and booty. Hopewell township, according to the census of 188o had a population of 1,284. 202 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY . CHAPTER XXVII. JACKSON TOWNSHIP. Jackson township was named in honor of General Andrew Jackson, and was organized into a civil township about 1805, by the authorities of Fairfield county, to which it then belonged. The township contains thirty-six sections, and is just six miles square, and remains the same as originally surveyed. Jackson is bounded on the north by Reading, on the east by Pike, on the south by Monday Creek townships, and on the west by Fairfield county. It lies wholly in the Hocking valley, or on the Hocking slope, and is drained by East Rush Creek and tributaries... A small area of the southern part is drained by the head waters of Monday Creek, which, like East Rush Creek, is also a tributary of the Hocking river. A considerable portion of the township may be denominated level ; nearly all the remainder is undulating, and only a small percentage of the whole really hilly, or very broken. The land is all arable, and is generally, in a good state of cultivation. Hay is a leading staple, though nearly all the cereals are successfully cultivated. Stock-raising, and wool-growing receive much attention. The cultivation of fruit also has its votaries. One of the oldest and best nurseries in this part of the country is in Jackson township. Geologically speaking, the township is situated partly in the coal masures and partly in the drift region. The drift region is along the valley of Rush Creek, and cuts the township nearly in two. In the hills to the north and south, there is more or less coal, but the seams are thin, excepting in a small aera in the northeastern part. There is also a small area in the southeastern part, where the seams are thicker, and the coal is of good quality. Iron ore is abundant in many parts of the township, and has been mined and used to a considerable extent. It is shipped to Shawnee, Zanesville, and other places. Jackson is well supplied with railroads, and its facilities for shipping are very good. The Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley, the Ohio Central, and the Newark, Somerset and Straitsville Railroads, all pass through its territory. The land of the whole township is capable of excellent drainage,but the channel of Rush Creek, and some of its tributaries, need straightening and the removal of obstructions. The population of Jackson township is something near being equally divided between Pennsylvania Germans and thair descendants, Irish born and their descendants, and American born Anglo Saxons from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland, and their descendants. Not many of the original pioneers are left. This township was first settled about 1.802 or 1803 ; but it is impossible, with the best existing information, to determine who was the first settler. The first cabins were, probably, built along the western border of the township, but little is known concerning them or their builders. The Pennsylvania Germans HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 203 and emigrants of English descent came, and made their permanent settlements, contemporaneously, from 1805 or 18o6 to 1820. A few Irish families came in from 1812 to 1820 ; but the great flow of Irish emigration, which amounted to a colony, came in from 1825 to 1830, and many still later. Though it is impossible at this late day, and with no adequate pioneer statistics to guide, to state who was the first, or even the second settler ; yet it is indisputable that the Pettys, Vanattas, Wolfs, Browns, Sandersons, Forsythes, Sherlocks, Kings, Larimers, Raricks, Klinglers and Crossens, were among the early settlers. The following named persons were all living in the township as early as 1816 or 1817 : Peter Black, David Brown, John Hiles, Joshua Brown, Adam Spohn, James Brown, John Sherman, David Cochran, John Hiles, Sr., Robert Larimer, William Haves, Enos Kelsey. James Dillon, Robert Sanderson, Philip Wolf, Sr., Solomon McGrevy, John P. Angle, Samuel Forsythe, Sr., Samuel Forsythe, Jr., John Wolf, Charles Lott, John Dutton, David Klingler, Thomas Hardin, Martin Poland, Philip Wolf, Alexander Crook, Joseph Finck, David Brown, Joshua Brown, Moses Petty, Thomas Milholland, Ignatius Ricketts, Patrick Murphy, Casper Emerick, Samuel Black, Alexander Sanderson, John Strohl, Owen Elder, Abraham Sherlock, Jacob Whitmer, John Clover, Wm. A. Sanderson, Henry Angle, James Vanatta, John Vanatta, John Crooks, Joseph Williams, Edward Adams, William R. Crossen. John Reece, Owen Brown, Enos Kelsey, Benjamin Hardin, John Emerick, William Crosson, Jacob King, John Wolf, William Poland, Richard Poland, Henry H. Cochran, George King,. Samuel Black, William Keenan,. James Vanatta. The foregoing named persons were citizens and voters of Jackson township, as early as march, 1818, as the official records show. Junction City was laid out in 1872, bv George Wolf and John Edmiston. Mr. Wolf had previously laid out a town and called it Damascus, and Mr. Edmiston had laid out one and named it Trio City. Wolf and Edmiston owned farms adjoining, near the crossing of the C. & M. V. and N. S. & S. Railroads. Mr. Wolf was Postmaster and had succeeded in having the name of the post office changed from East Rush Creek to Damascus, corresponding with the "name of his newly platted village. Unpleasant complications ensuing. Wolf and Edmiston, the rival town proprietors, were induced to submit affairs to arbitration, which recommended that the two proprietors unite their plats, that the names of Trio City and Damascus be discarded, and that the joint town and post office be called Junction City. This arrangement was amicably agreed to by all parties interested, and so the village and post office were duly christened Junction City. The place had been known for nearly twenty years as Wolf's Station, a point on the C. & M. V. R. R. During all this time, however, it was but a small hamlet, containing only a post office, store, a shop or two, and a very few inhabitants. After the laying out of Junction City, there was a ready sale of lots for a while, and the village grew with considerable rapidity. It now contains a post office, two station houses, two telegraph offices, two hotels, two churches, one bent works, one flouring mill, one newspaper, a good two-story brick school house, two dry goods stores, two hardware stores, two drug stores, two millinery stores, four physicians, one meat shop, and a number of groceries and eating houses. 204 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. Three railroads pass through the town. The village is situated near the north bank of Rush Creek, part of it lying in the valley, but most of it on the slopes and heights northward. Junction City has now a population of about five hundred, and steps have been recently taken to have the village incorporated. Crossenville was laid out in 1817, by William Crossen. It grew into a thriving little village, and, for a long time, was a point of considerable trade. It was at one time a tobacco market of some consequence. It had also a post office, for some twenty or thirty years, but that has long been discontinued: Crossenville now has one church, two stores, a number of private houses, and a population of about fifty. The village is beautifully situated on the high grounds between the waters of Rush Creek and Monday Creek. Middletown, situated in the southern part of Jackson township, was established in 1853-54, at the time work was in progress at the tunnel on the old Scioto & Hocking Valley Railroad. It is delightfully situated upon the ridge which separates the waters of Rush Creek from those of Monday Creek. The village has a post office, with mail every other dav ; one church, two stores, several private residences, and about fifty inhabitants. Clarksville was laid out by Daniel Clark in 1854, and had for several years a post office., store, shops and several private residences, but since the building up of Junction City, only one mile off, the village has gone down. St. Patrick's. a large Catholic church, is here as it was before the establishment of Clarksville, and not affected in any way by the rise or decline of the village. Mount Hope was laid out in 1835, by George Kishler and Patrick Sweeney. The point was a public cross-roads. and the site of the village was a beautiful one ; but it was never built up to any considerable extent. It had for a long time a post office. (Asbury), and a good country store, with a shop or two, perhaps. The village never amounted to much, and has gone down entirely. The Asbury post office has also ceased to be. Wolftown was a little old-time hamlet. situated not far from the Reading township line, two miles north of Junction City. Wolftown is a familiar name vet to old settlers, and at one time, and for quite a number of years, it had a tannery. a store, a number of shops and several private residences. But its ancient glory has departed. Two family residences and a number of unoccupied houses, is all that remains of the old town. Lebanon (Lutheran) Congregation was organized about 1815, no doubt by Rev. Andrew Henkel, though the old church records are destroyed, and the original members of the church are gone. .There are tombstones in the cemetery adjacent, commemorative of burials as early as 1816 and 1817, and it is probable that the church was organized prior to that date, though the old log church may not have been built until a few years later. The Lutheran and German Reform congregations built and occupied it jointly. The two congregations dissolved partnership in church property about 1840, and the Lutherans, in 1842, erected the present neat brick edifice. The Lutheran congregation has been a strong and influential one, and remains so to the present day. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 205 There is a neat parsonage connected with the church. A Sabbath school is regularly sustained. Rev. Wiseman is the present pastor, and resides in the parsonage. Lebanon church is beautifully situated, one mile north of Junction City. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Crossenville was organized and a house of worship erected at a very early day. A class was also in existence several years before any church was built. The old church was eventually disposed of, and a new commodious structure substituted, which is still in use. The congregation was for many years a strong one, but of late years has been somewhat reduced by removals and the organization of new congregations, though regular preaching and other religious services are sustained. Harvey Chapel, (M. E.) in the western part of the township, near the county line, is a very old congregation. A log building was erected at an early day, and was called "Black's Meeting House." School was also held in it, and it was sometimes called "Black's schoolhouse." A frame edifice was erected at a later date, which is still in use. Harvey Chapel is a regular appointment, and there is preaching every two weeks. Sunday school is sustained in the summer season. Zion (United Brethren) church was established and a log house of worship erected at an early day. The house was built abour 1830, but there was probably a class in existence before any church building was erected. It is related that Sabbath school was held in this neighborhood during the summer season in a grove, and when the cool weather would come on in the fall, the members of the school would be so reluctant to discontinue, that they would build log heaps in the woods, and recite their Sabbath school lessons around them. The members of Zion erected a frame edifice about 1845, or 1846, which is in use at present. Rev. Cumings of Junction City is pastor, and a Sabbath school is sustained during the summer months. St. Patricks (Catholic) congregation was organized and a small brick church built about 1830 or 1831. The congregation was composed chiefly of an Irish colony that settled in Jackson township about that time. A large and costly brick edifice, substantial and of showy 'architecture, was erected about 1844 or 1845, and substituted for the old house of worship. The church occupies a handsome site, and the congregation is large and influential. St. Patricks church was organized, and the first building erected, under the pastorship and supervision of Rev. Father Young of St. Josephs. Fairview (United Biethren) church, situated in the neighborhood of Middletown, near the southern line of the township, was organized and a church erected about 1858: It is a flourishing little congregation, and sustains 'a Sabbath school during the summer months. Rev. Cumings of Junction City is the present pastor. Salem (United Brethren) church, situated in the interior of the township is, like Fairview, a comparatively modern church, aryl has been a regular appointment some twenty or thirty years. It has a neat frame edifice, keeps up a Sabbath school a portion of the year, and sustains preaching the year round.. Rev. Cumings of Junction City is the present pastor. 206 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. Friendship (Methodist Episcopal) church is situated at Middletown. A society was organized at an early day, and a house of worship erected. V It was, during the existence of the old building, generally known as the "Linton Church." The present neat edifice occupied by the society was built about 1869 or 1870. This is a regular appointment of the M. E. church, and sustains a Sabbath school during the entire year. The Methodist Episcopal church at Junction City was organized in 1873, and a house of worship erected in 1874. There had been regular preaching a year or two before the building of the church. The edifice is a substantial and handsome one, though not very large.- Preaching and other regular services are sustained, including Sabbath school. The United Brethren church at Junction City was organized in 1873, and the building erected in 1874. There had been preaching tor some time previous to the erection of the house of worship. The edifice stands on elevated ground and is nicely situated. Stated preaching is sustained, and also a Sabbath school. Rev. Cumings, the pastor, resides near the church. The German Reform congregation, after dissolving church property relations with the Lutherans at Lebanon, proceeded to erect a house of worship about one mile north of Lebanon. From some cause the society did not prosper ; the building was never finished, although used for a few years. The congregation eventually disbanded, and the church property was disposed of to pay outstanding obligations. Saffell's church (Methodist Episcopal) was organized, and a log edifice erected, about 1830. It was a regular appointment for ten or twelve years, when the society disbanded and the house was put to other uses. A Presbyterian church was erected in the Ross neighborhood at an early day. Stated preaching was maintained for many years, but latterly there are no regular services, though the house is kept in repair, and there is occasional preaching, especially on funeral occasions. It will be observed, from the foregoing brief sketches, that Jackson township is well supplied with churches of various denominations. A larger proportion of the inhabitants are Catholics than would seem to be indicated by the one Catholic church (St. Patrick's), as it is the general policy of this denomination to build large and costly edifices, capable of accommodating large congregations. A portion of the Catholic population of Jackson belongs to the St. Joseph congregation, in Reading township, and a few others, probably, to churches in neighboring townships. The people of these various denominations live peaceably and harmoniously together, affording a striking example of the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and of the good genius of American institutions. Some persons will be inclined to doubt the organization of Jackson township as early as 1805 ; but the records of Fairfield show that the township had been organized and named early in the spring of 1806, and it is almost certain that it had been instituted the preceding year. A part of Jackson township was settled at an earlier date than most persons living in it would suppose. At a very early day, indeed— from 1798 to 1800—pioneers rowed up the Hocking, from Athens, in HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 207 quest of eligible locations, and when they would reach the forks of the Hocking, a few miles below Lancaster, many of them would proceed up Rush Creek, which is the larger branch at the junction, and, in this way, what is now Rush Creek township, Fairfield county, received its first permanent settlement. Jackson township, Perry county, joins Rush Creek township, Fairfieled county, and the larger branch of hush Creek runs through them both. It is about certain that some of these early explorers pushed as far over as what is now Jackson township, Perry county. Of the Larimores, Thompsons, and others, who settled on Rush Creek near where the county line now is, in i800, it is known that some of them became citizens of Jackson township, Perry county, but probably at a little later date. At any rate, there is no available knowledge of any permanent settlement on the Jackson township side previous to 18o5. If earlier settlements or improvements were made, they must have been of a temporary and transitory character, and little or nothing is now known concerning them. There is no doubt, however, that the adjoining township of Rush Creek, in another county, was settled as early as 1800. Most of what is now Jackson township was a good hunting ground in the very early days, and the first settlers of Thorn and Reading townships, and of the western townships of what is now Fairfield county, have killed bears, deer, and other wild animals, along or in the neighborhood of the numerous streams which flow through its territory. The population of Jackson township, including villages, was, at the date of the last census, 1,896. 208 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. CHAPTER XXVIII. MADISON TOWNSHIP. Madison township lies in and forms the northeast corner of Perry county, Ohio. It is bounded on the north by Licking county,on the south by Clayton township, on the east by Muskingum county, and on the west by Hopewell township. It extends six miles in length, north and south, and east and west is nearly four miles wide. The township is a fractional one, in two senses. First, it contains only twenty-four sections. Secondly, six of these are not full sections, while three 'others are more than full ; all the western sections are deficient. Except the northwest corner section, the northern sections over run, but the over-plus in the north lacks 308.12 acres at least, of making up the amount lost by the western sections. It is one of the original townships of the county, and was surveyed at an early day. The township is naturally divided into two slopes dipping toward the center, through which Jonathan's Creek passes, forming a natural drainage. The small streams from both north and south flow into Jonathan's Creek, which is 'a .good sized stream ; entering the township about one and three-fourth miles south from the northwest corner, it flows in a southeastern direction to nearly the center of the township, from where it flows almost a direct eastern course into Muskingum county. Upon this stream some of the first water mills of Perry county were built. From the south, flowing directly north, is Turkey Run, which joins Jonathan's Creek near the center of the township, and is the second largest stream in the township. About one and three-fourth miles from the southeast corner of the township enters the Somerset and Maysville pike, from Zanesville, Ohio, continuing a little south of a direct western course to the central township meridan, and thence in a southwestern direction, it passes out about one half mile from the southwestern corner. This pike affords a fine out-let during all kinds of weather, and upon which a hack line is driven daily, from Somerset to Zanesville, carrying a daily mail to Sego. This pike was built in 1839, since which time it has been in constant use. The township is undulating, but the hills are rather of a gradual slope, and not very high. The land is all arable, except it may be some small sharp ravines, and is very fertile. The neat, well arranged brick and frame farm dwellings and barns, and the yards of both, indicate a lively, thrifty community. About one-fourth of the township has some two or three feet strata of coal, the thickest being about four feet. All the coal is in the south and western edges, and is mined by drilling. Several mines are being operated at this time. In all the hill land there is to be found black band iron ore, and in some places is found gray-band. In many places, especially in the northeastern part, is to be found, a fine quality of potter's clay from which all kinds of earthen ware may be manufactured. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 209 SETTLEMENT.—Of the first settlers in Perry county were three men who came from Sussex county, New Jersey, about 186o ; one of these men was Wm.Dusenbery,who settled at the junction of Jonathan's Creek and Turkey Run, and is traditionally known as the first settler in Madison township. Mr. Dusenbery was a Revolutionary soldier, and was nineteen years of age when that war broke out, and remembered seeing General George Washington. He lived up to the time of his death where, as above mentioned he had located, and was the first man buried in the honors of war in the township. He was buried on his own farm. It is probable that his two youngest children, Catharine and Abigail, were born in this township, and if so, it is quite likely that Catharine was the first child born in the township. At any rate she was among the first. Abigail is the only surviving member of the family ; she now lives in Grant county, Indiana. His son Jonathan, at one time, went hunting for turkey and by some means was lost, but kept firing his gun as an alarm, which directed the steps of his father, who found him by a run, with a turkey he had killed, whereupon the stream was christened Turkey Run, a name that remains to this day. In 1804 came the father of Barney and Jonathan Hammer, and his two sons, also Henry Flowers, the Ritcheys and the Williams'. Other early settlers were as follows : Cornelius Sullivan, William Baird, David Miller, George Dills, Jonathan Ward, Andrew Wolfe, Henry Cunningham, John Cunningham. Cornelius Dills. Alexander Baird, Aurelius Mason, William Melick, Joseph Burgess, Absalom Danison, Alfred Baird, Robinson Chilcote, William Rinker. Philip Miller, Hiram Turner, Ensor Chilcote, John Humble, Joseph Hamilton, Abraham Craig, William McCluney, Thomas Sawyer, Edward Danison, Jerome Plummer. Among these James Ritchey and William Williams were the first Justices of the Peace. The elections have always been held where Mount Perry stands. The voters have graduals increased until there are now about 183 voters in the township. SCHOOLS.—The first school was kept about one and one-half miles south of Mount Perry, on what is known as the Williams farm. A man by the name of Woods was one of the first teachers. This school, of course,was of the old fashioned kind.in a log house. The modern means of public schools were adopted at the earliest opportunity. There are now 233 scholars enrolled in the township, and there are six public school buildings now in use, five of which are frame, and one a brick building. MADISON ACADEMY.—Besides the public schools in this township, there was established in 1871, a school known as the Madison Academy. This house was built by donations by the citizens, and its sole means of support is the tuition paid by the students. They have numbered as many as forty-two students, and now have an attendance of twenty-five. The Rev. James White was the first President, and continued as such until 1879, when he resigned upon account of taking up labor in another field. He was succeeded by Prof. David W. Parks, who continued with them one year, and was also Principal during that year ; he resigned on account of taking up work in another field. For one year - 24 - 210 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. they were without a President, at the end of which time the Rev. J. H. Leiper was chosen by the board as President, and still continues to hold that position. The first board was John S. Eversole, Erastus Bogle, Rev. James White, John Danison and John H. Huston. John Danison resigned on account of moving from the community. The present board is the same as the original, except White and Danison, with Rev. J. H. Leiper and Dr. Holland additional. Miss Mary Miller of Concord, Ohio, was the first Principal, who continued four years. Rev. Amrine was second Principal, and continued one year, and afterward, as follows : Prof. H. F. Acker, one year ; Prof. D. W. Parks, one year ; Prof. Elijah Burgess, one year ; Prof. D. W. Parks, one year ; Prof. Samuel Rutledge, one year ; Prof. Hastings, one year ; and now, 1882, Prof. Frank Murch. For the first six years they employed an assistant, since which time but one instructor has been employed. Upon an average, they have graduated about seven persons each year. It is probably due to say, that the Rev. White, who became the first President, was the main moves in establishing the academy. The community affords a good patronage, and is much benefited by this institution, although it is small. MILLS.—The first mill was built upon Jonathan's Creek, and where Mount Perry now stands, by a man by the name of Hendricks, in an eary day, as soon at least as 182o ; it was one of the first water mills in Perry county. Here they did sawing and all kinds of grinding. In about 1847, the mill was re-built, which continued in use until 1880, when the machinery was removed to Hebron, in Licking county, Ohio, where it soon after was destroyed by fire. The frame is still standing upon the site, but is of no use. A mill was built upon the western edge of the township, a few years after Hendricks built, also upon Jonathan's Creek, by Asa Dolson. This was also a saw and grist mill, and was in use until about 1862. There is now no mill in operation in the township. TOWNS .—This township has two post offices, one at Mount Perry and one at Sego. Mount Perry at first was a natural collection of houses around Hendricks' mill and John Guysinger's blacksmith shop, both of whom had their dwellings here. Nathan Melick bought the mill, built and kept a store, and laid out the first lots, east of Main street. James Hayes bought the first lot that was sold, and George Curry bought the second one. They both built upon the lots and lived in the town, about 1828. In 1876, John Danison laid out the Danison addition, west of Main street, and sold the lots. It is now a town of about one hundred and ten inhahitants, has an academy, three churches, two stores and a post office. The post office was established over fifty years ago, with Nathan Melick as post master, and at that time received mail once a week from Somerset. They now have tri-weekly mails from Chalfant's Station, a place about three miles west on the B. & 0. R. R. Mount Perry is about three miles north from the Zanesville, Somerset and Maysville Pike, and near the center of the township. Is beautifully located on Jonathan's Creek.. It is said that everybody in Mount Perry are on friendly terms, which speaks wonders in its praise. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 211 SEGO.—It is situated on the Zanesville, Somerset and Maysville Pike, near the central meridian of the township. In 1846, William Curry built a blacksmith shop on a lot he bought from William Dusenbery, it being part of one acre that was cut off from Dusenbery's farm by the above-named pike. Soon after this a store was established, and in 1849 Benjamin Williams built a woolen mill, and carded. spun and wove woolen goods there. The mill was run by steam, and stood only four years, when it was destroyed by fire and was never re-built. In 1848, when General Ritchey was in Congress, he had a post office established there, calling it Sego, a% name given it by William Curry, for a small town in Africa. Jacob Miller was the first postmaster. There is now a small grocery, a general merchandise store, a post office that receives daily mail, except Sunday, via hack line from Zanesville to Somerset, and some three or four houses in Sego. CHURCHES.—Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church was first organized as a class in about 1818, and first met at Robinson Chilcote's house. In 1819, April 17, they obtained a deed for two acres of. land from Philip Miller, upon which they built a hewed log church, which stood until 1838. The first trustees were James Chilcote, Joseph Claypool, James Porter, Robinson Chilcote, Nathan Chilcote, Nicholas Rible and John Shaw. In 1836 they bought one-fourth of an acre more from Joshua Plummer, and in 1838 supplanted the hewed log church by a brick house near the site of the old church. In 1863 the church was burnt to the bare walls, and the same year was repaired. In 1882 the church was again repaired and made a neat, well-finished church-house. When the brick was built in 1838, under the pastorate of Rev. M. A. Milligan, Nathan Chilcote, Henry Roberts, Vincent Kelley, James Porter, Philip Miller, Israel Moore and Samuel Curran were trustees. The present trustees are Joshua Chilcote, Isaiah Rible, Joseph Koehler, J. W. Chilcote, Leonard Reddick, James E. Beard and S. Shaw. The first members were Robinson Chilcote and wife, John Shaw and wife, Mrs. Chilcote, Philip Miller and wife, Nathan Chilcote and wife Robinson Chilcote and Nathan Chilcote were the first class leaders. Nathan Chilcote was an exhorter ; Robert Ellis was the first minister, and one Rev. Richmond of Somerset, was one of the first preachers ; and they have been furnished ministers by the M. E. Conferences since those clays. At first, preaching clays were far apart, but after being taken into the Conference. they had preaching once in two weeks, on Thursdays, and some time after that again, they had preaching on Sabbaths, each alternate week. Sabbath School was organized Aug. 17, 1828, and Vincent Kelley was first Superintendent. The school has been successfully kept up to this date. meeting during summer season only, until in about 1880, since which time they meet all the year. There is now an attendance of about fifty scholars, with Isaiah Rible as Superintendent. DUNKER CHURCH . —It was organized in about 1817, and was among the first Christian organizations in the township. About the time they organized they built a hewed log church in or quite near Mt. Perry, in which they worshiped for about fifteen or twenty years. The church 212 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. edifice was built upon the farm of James Ward. This farm afterward passed into the hands of Mason Benjamin, who claimed there was no title given for the land the church occupied. After it was made clear that there was a good title, the Dunkers sold the church and lot to the M. E. church in about 1832 to 1838, and moved their membership to Hopewell township. Some of their first members were John Hendricks and wife, Adam Plank and wife, Peter Eversole and wife, and Abraham Bowsher and wife. Elijah Schofield was their first minister, and they sometimes were visited by Rev. Crinter of Pennsylvania, and Rev. Helser of Ohio. SUMMERFIELD M. E. CHURCH.—This church was organized in about 1835 to 1838, upon the purchase of the hewed log church from the Dunkers, and continued to hold services regularly until about 1844, from which time tip to about 1847, if any preaehing services were held they were few and irregular.. At about the date above given, there came to this church from Zanesville, Ohio, an evangelist by the name of Stephen Shaffer, who held a successful revival, reorganized the society with about forty of a membership, appointed John Davison and William Willison leaders, continued with the charge, and in about 1850, by diligent effort, supplanted the old hewed log church by a frame house that stands to this day. Upon the reorganization of the charge it was added to the Asbury circuit, Zanesville District, Ohio Conference, and so con tinued to remain until 1858, when they were put into the Somerset circuit, Lancaster District, Ohio Conference. Since the reorganization they have been gradually increasing in strength, and now number about sixty members, with the hopeful anticipation of building a new church edifice in the summer of 1883. Some of the first members were Mason Benjamin, Batena Baird, Hannah Clark, John Lenhart and-wife, David Lenhart and wife. John Melick, Sen., and Mary Melick, his wife. Among the first preachers was Joseph Carper, from near Somerset. Some of the members, upon the reorganization, were John Lenhart and wife, David Lenhart and wife, Lewis Bateson and wife. John Davison and wife, William Willison and wife, Jacob Demude and wife, Mother Smith, Batena Baird, and Mary Melick. After the building of the frame church came Samuel Harvey and David Mann, as regular ministers, and have continued to be supplied by the M. E. Conference up to this date. Sabbath school was organized soon after the organization of the church, and was conducted only during the summer season until 1879, since when it has been continued during the year, with an average attendance of about forty. Matthew Benjamin was probably the first superintendent. Disciple church (St. Matthew) was probably first organized in 1851, at which time they bought the old Jonathan's Creek U. P. church, removed it to the junction of the Zanesville and Gratiot roads, near Mt. Perry, repaired it and made quite a neat church of the same, where they continued to worship until about 1867, when the society was disbanded. The lot upon which the church was built was donated by Nicholas Taylor. John Eversole and Samuel Lyle seem to have been the principal men in this pious enterprise. One Rev. Gardner was their first minis- HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 213 ter. After the church was disorganized the house was sold and is now used as a dwelling house. In 1880, a sufficient number of members collected together and reorganized and bought a church edifice of a disbanded Lutheran denomination, who had built a church on the pike that passes through this township, and removed it to Mt. Perry, repaired it in a neat, substantial manner, and have since prospered in their second house of the Lord. They now have about thirty members. Sabbath school was organized simultaneously with the erection of their present church, and they have an attendance of about twenty, and meet during the whole year. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION, of Jonathan's Creek, was organized in 1807, and met at first in a log school house in the winter and in a tent during the summer season, where the old church now stands, about one and one-half miles east from Mt. Perry. In 1809 this became a settled charge in connection with Brush Creek charge. They continued to worship as above mentioned until 1823, when they commenced a churce edifice which was not finished until 1828. This building was occupied until 1851, when it was sold to the Disciple branch of the church, and they erected the frame house that is still in use. In 1877 they built a second and a new church in Mt. Perry, but keep up both the old and the new houses, having preaching services alternately in each. The first pastor was Rev. Abraham Craig, who continued until 1823, when there was a split in the church, some going to the Seceder denomination and some to the Covenanters. At first this congregation was known as the Associate Reform church, and so continued by those who did not leave by the split until 1858, when the Associate Reform and Associate churches united and formed the present denomination, the United Presbyterian. On account of the weakness of the society, caused by the split, they became unable to support a minister, and were without a pastor until 1829, when Rev. Benjamin Waddle was chosen pastor, who so continued until 1836, when he was called to another field of labor. Under Rev. Waddle the church was much built up. They were without a pastor then until 1841, when T. B. Calderhead took charge of the congregation and continued as pastor for about twelve years. In 1853 Rev. Calderhead was called to give his attention to other pastoral charges, and then they were without a pastor for about eight years. In 1861 the Rev. James White took charge of the church and remained for more than 17 years, when he was called to other pastoral work. There was then a vacancy of two years, when the Rev. J. H. Leiper became their pastor in 1882, and who continues to this date. The first Session of this church or corps of ruling elders were John Baird, Joseph Bogle, Thomas Nesbit, and William Wills. The present Session is Alexander Baird, R. R. Huston, James Smith, Alexander Miller, and James Ardrey. There are now in the church about 17o members. Sabbath school was first organized about 25 years ago, and R. H. Baird was first superintendent, with about 75 of an attendance. Since the first year the school has been continued during the whole year. 214 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. James McCullough is the present superintendent, and they have about 150 of an attendance. Zion church (Methodist Episcopal), situated in the southwestern part of the township, near the Zanesville and Maysville Turnpike, is an old, thriving and influential congregation, and is sketched in connection with the Somerset church, with which charge it is connected, and probably has been, ever since its organization. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 215 CHAPTER XXIX. MONDAY CREEK TOWNSHIP. Monday Creek township consists of twenty-four sections, and was originally a part of Fairfield county. It was organized in 1823, and named after the creeks (Big and Little Monday) that flow through it. It is drained principally by what is known as Big and Little Monday Creeks, though a portion is drained into Rush Creek, and other tribu- taries of. the Hocking River. The township, as a whole, may be denominated hilly, though there is well laying land along the principal streams, and on some of the high ridges between. A considerable portion of the township is highly productive, and in a good state of cultivation. It was heavily timbered when the first settlers came, and parts of it are yet well timbered. Monday Creek township. geologically considered, belongs to the Coal Measures, and a very considerable portion of it is underlaid with a good marketable article of bituminous coal. It is also very rich in iron ore, the principal seam being known as the Baird seam. The landowners of Monday Creek, for quite a number of years, occasionally- mined and hauled ore to the Logan (Hocking county) Furnace, and Frank Baird, who, for a time, had charge of said furnace, became acquainted with the ore of the township, and along about 1872, in connection with others interested, effected the purchase of several hundred acres of mineral lands in the eastern part of the township, and proceeded to erect a furnace, which was completed and went into operation in 1874. The lands purchased contained not only iron ore, but coal, limestone, and everything necessary for the manufacture of a good article of iron. Here, in 1874, and in succeeding years, a good article of pig iron was made, cheaper than anywhere else in the world. Ore is extensively mined in various parts of the township, and sold at Baird's, Gore, Winona, and Logan furnaces. the latter six or eight miles distant. The furnaces at Gore and Winona are only a few rods over the line in Hocking county, and are almost as accessible for an ore market as Baird's furnace. The iron business and ore trade furnish a remunerative employment for men and teams, at almost all seasons of the year, and bring in handsome sums to the land-owners for royalty, and all without seriously interfering with farming operations. Thus employment is obtained, money is easy, and times are usually the reverse of dull. The first settlers of Monday Creek were principally from Virginia. Timothy Terrell came with his familv to the township in 1815, and appears to have been the first permanent settler. Robert Nixon and Charles Manning soon followed. Nixon and Terrell were brothers-in-law. Terrell discovered a trail of strange cattle in the wild pea vines, and, following it up, came to the cabin of Charles Manning, only two 216 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY miles away. This was the first intimation of the presence of the Manning family. Joseph Johnson, Reuben Miller, James Ross, and Samuel Steele were also very early settlers. Steele was the first Justice of the Peace in the township. Monday Creek township, when the white settlers first came, was as wild a part of the county as any other, if it did not excel, in this particular. Not only deer, but panthers, bears and wolves were very numerous. Rattlesnakes, copperheads and other venomous serpents abounded, and were killed by the hundreds. Men yet remain in Monday Creek, less than seventy years old,who have heard the dismal howl of wolves at dusk of evening, in close proximity to the cabins of the lonely settlers. No person seems to be able to satisfactorily characterize the depressing effect on all produced by the howling of the wolf. Bears would come into gardens, yards and pig pens, and thought nothing of carrying off a good sized fat hog. The wild beasts were, indeed, a terror. Some persons affect to doubt whether a panther was ever killed in Perry county ; there is no room for doubt. The early settlers of Monday Creek killed many a panther, and there are men yet living who have seen dead panthers brought home by their fathers, which they had killed not far away. Robert Nixon, one of the early settlers referred to, was once out hunting deer, and had no dog with him. He came upon a large bear, and believing that he could kill the animal, took good aim and fired. The bear was wounded, but instead of falling took after the hunter, and exhibited an unusual fleetness ; so much so, that Nixon had to run for his life, and yet Bruin was fast closing the distance between them. Realizing fully the condition of affairs, Mr. Nixon as he ran, uttered loud and repeated outcries for help. Timothy Terrell and sons were rolling logs not far away, and, at the time, had a large log about half way up a skid. Mr. Terrell shouted to the boys to let the log go, and all hurried in the direction from whence the alarmed outcries proceeded. They soon came upon the frightened and fleeing hunter and pursuing bear. The oposition was too formidable, and Bruin beat a retreat. Terrell himself had a similar adventure of his own. He was also hunting deer, and this time had no dogs along. Probably bears were becoming scarce, and were seldom encountered. However, he came upon a bear, and an unusually large one. He thought he could kill him and fired. Bruin, who was wounded and terribly enraged, immediately took after the lone hunter. Terrell said that he soon discovered that the bear was a good runner, and he proceeded without useless delay, to put himself in "light running order." He hastily threw away his gun, pouch, and every weight but a knife. The bear was persistent, and the race was a long and doubtful one. Going up hill the hunter would gain on the bear ; but on descending ground the bear made long strides and gained on the hunter. Terrell says Bruin would blow and snort every jump, as he struck the ground behind him, evidently getting short of breath as well as himself. Bruin at length gave up the chase, and retired in the direction of his lonely haunts. Terrell afterward gathered up his gun and other accouterments, but no doubt he took a dog or two with him, and other assistance. The young Terrells, the oldest a boy of fifteen or sixteen, were left HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 217 at home one Sunday while their parents went to church, some miles away. Two large dogs were left with the youngsters. During the absence of the father and mother, a large bear with two half grown cubs came into the meadow near the house. The eldest boy seized the ax, the next older a hatchet, and a little girl armed herself with a hammer. One of the cubs was killed while crossing the meadow fence into the woods, and the big dogs chased the other two away. The boys had seen their father dress bears, and they thought they would try their hand. They succeeded nicely in dressing it, and had a large piece of it in the dinner-pot cooking, when their father and mother returned, not a little astonished to learn what had been going on in their absence. John Mackin and his sons were at work in a clearing, when they saw a huge roll of snakes, of several different kinds, including rattlesnakes, blacksnakes and others, all lapped and twisted together, rolling around over the ground. The senior Mackin took a shovel, filled it with red hot coals from a heap, and threw them into the bunch of snakes. They "broke ranks" without receiving orders, and ran in every direction. The Mackins only suceeded in killing two or three of them. To see bunches of snakes of different species, coiled up in this way, was not an uncommon occurrence when the country was new ; but "the seed of the woman has bruised the serpent's head," until it is a rare thing now to see a poisonous snake of any kind, even among the hills of Monday Creek. The township has as yet no railroad, but one is frequently talked of, in railroad and mineral circles, to be called the Monday Creek Valley railroad. Though without a railroad, the township is so environed by and stations, that it is not so very remote from market, or discon- nected with the outside world. New Straitsville, Gore, Winona and Webb's Summit on the Straitsville branch of the Hocking Valley ; McCuneville and Dicksonton on the Newark, Somerset and Straitsville ; Junction City and Bremen on the C. and M. V. are not far distant, and all more or less accommodate some parts of the township. Charles Manning, one of the early settlers, was a Lutheran, and there was preaching of that denomination, at his house, at a very early day. There was also Presbyterian preaching in the Ross neighborhood, and Metbodists held services at various private houses, years before any religious societies were organized or churches built. The Methodists organized at Mount Carmel, two and a half miles east of Maxville, about 184o, and erected a frame church. Stated preaching has been maintained. The Methodists organized at Maxville about 1845, built a church, which was used for several years, and then disposed of it to be used for school purposes. The society bought a new lot, in another part of the village, and erected a new frame church in 1852. Regular preaching and other church services have been sustained throughout the whole time, and the society is in a prosperous condition. Sabbath school is kept up through a portion of the year. Ebenezer church was built by the Baptists one mile west of Maxville, about 1832. The edifice was originally a log one. At a later date, a new and better edifice was erected, which is still in use. Reg- 218 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. ular preaching has been maintained, and there is a Sabbath school connected with the church. The St. John's (Lutheran) congregation was organized by a colony of Germans, direct from the "Fatherland," at an early day and a house of worship erected, which was used for several years. Subsequently a larger and better edifice took the place of the old one, and is still in use The congregation is strong and influential. It supports regula preaching and sustains a Sabbath school connected with the church, Rev. Wiseman is the present pastor. Harmony (United Brethren) church situated in the western part of the township, was organized and a church built about thirty years ago, since which time it has been a regular appointment of the de- nomination. and has maintained stated services. A Sabbath school is connected with the church. Rev. Cumings is the present pastor. The Mennonite church was organized at an early day, and for many years worshipped in a log building, which was also used as a school house. About thirty years since a new and more commodious house was erected. Regular services are maintained. There is a Sabbath school in connection with the congregation. The oldest burying ground in the township is what is known as the Nixon family grave-yard, and was used at a very early day. George Nixon, a child nine years old, was the first interment therein, and the first in the township. The early schools were primitive enough. The first school of which there is any account, was taught in the neighborhood of where Mt. Carmel now is, in an old abandoned log cabin. The township is now organized into six school districts, and has fairly good school houses and teachers. The schools at Maxville and Baird's Furnace are the only village schools. The following named persons lived in the township at the time or soon after it was organized : Robert Nixon, James Ross, Timothy Terrell, Charles Manning, Lemuel Steele, James Johnston, Reuben Miller, Thomas Ross, William Johnston, Joseph Everly, Joseph Johnston, Reuben Jackson, Joseph Parsons, James Chester, Ewen Miller, John Abrams. Maxville was laid out in 185o, by Wm. McCormick, on what is called Little Monday Creek. The manufacture of plasterer's lime, was, for a long while, a very considerable industry carried on there, and the Maxville Limestone is known far and near. The town has a post office, church, school house, hotel, two stores, one physician, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, one saddler shop, and a number of private residences. Maxville is omitted in the census bulletin, but it has a population of two or three hundred. There is quite a little village at Baird's Furnace, though there is no laid out town. There is a large company store, a physician, several Shops, and a population of about one hundred, consisting mainly of those employed about the furnace. The number of inhabitants in Monday Creek township, in June, I880. was one thousand six hundred and thirty-six. HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 219 CHAPTER XXX. MONROE TOWNSHIP. Monroe township was organized in 1823. It was named in honor of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States. Previous to the organization as an independent precinct, it was, for several years, attached to the township of Bearfield. It was organized as a Congressional township, six miles square, and remained of the same dimensions until five sections were taken off to aid in forming the new township of Pleasant. Monroe township was originally well timbered, in most places, and contained oak, poplar and other valuable wood. Considered as a whole, it is hilly, and, in some parts almost mountainons. Adjacent to some of the larger streams, and particularly near their confluence, there are considerable areas of well laying land. The surface of this township is better adapted to stock raising and wool growing, than to the cultivation of any of the cereals. The stony points and hill sides are believed to be well adapted to grape growing, but this industry has not received any great attention. The water system of Monroe is simple. The whole township lies in the Hocking Valley, and is drained by the east and west branches of Sunday Creek and their tributaries, among which are Sulphur, Dodson's and Hadley's Fork. The confluence of the two principal branches of Sunday Creek, is over the county line in Athens county. The township, geologically speaking, all belongs to the Coal Measures, and is the richest part of the Ohio coal region. The so-called " great vein " seam reaches its maximum in this township, where- it is thirteen feet thick. There are also the Norris and Stallsmith seams of coal ; the former about six and the latter about four feet thick. The great vein seam appears to underlie nearly the whole township. The Norris and Stallsmith seams have been opened in various places, and it is believed that they will be found wherever the hills are high enough to contain them. There is also another coal, No. 5, below the great seam, which has been found in places, but, for the most part, this seam lies far beneath the lowest surface, and sufficient borings have not been made to decide whether or not it is persistent, or what its value may be. There is believed to be a large quantity of iron ore in the township, but it has not been much developed, and its ultimate value cannot even be approximated. It also has fire clay, potter's clay, and sand stone ; the latter in practically inexhaustible quantities. The first settlements were made in 1814, by John McDonald and James Dew. John McDonald and James Dew were brothers-in-law, and emigrated from Maryland. They blazed their way through from Zanesville, and built a little log cabin, which yet stands in the yard 220 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. near the old McDonald residence. It is somewhat modified and is now used as a smoke-house. McDonald and Dew moved on horseback. Soon after they got their little cabin built, McDonald followed the " blaze " back to Zanesville, bought a bushel of cornmeal, a skillet and a board to make a table. When Mr. McDonald got these things home, they all thought they were comfortably fixed. The man who subsequently became the richest man in his township, if not in the county, commenced housekeeping in this humble way. Dew settled on the east branch of Sunday Creek, near the Athens line. The following named persons were living in Monroe at the time, or soon after the township was organized : John McDonald, James Dew, Enos Devore, David Devore, Elisha Tinker, John Small, Samuel Morrow, Nicholas Owings, Elijah Wooley, Jacob Wooley, Stephen Rodman, John Rodman, C. Wood, David Hearing, Wm. Ward, James M. Ward, George Juniper, William Staniford, John Acord and John Gaver. Previous to its settlement, Monroe was a great hunting ground for the Indians, and afterward for the whites, from older settled parts of the county. Indians encamped and spent the winter on Sunday Creek as late as 1815, if not later. The country was also full of wild hogs, or hogs that nobody owned. Hogs had probably strayed away from the older settlements along the Ohio, and with their increase, became almost as wild as those of India or South America. Along about 1816, there was an unusually long, cold winter, and these hogs nearly all perished. Many were found dead in heaps on Sunday Creek, after that memorable winter broke up. They gathered in bunches for warmth, but perished, nevertheless. Lord Dunmore's expedition from Virginia, in 1874, against the hostile Indians on the Scioto, doubtless crossed the valley of Sunday Creek, and tradition has it that the little army encamped one night on Sunday Creek, but it was probably south of the Perry county line. As previously stated, Monroe township was, before its settlement, and for a considerable time after its first settlers came, a good .hunting ground. Deer and wild turkeys were numerous, and bears, panthers and wolves were not scarce, in the earlier times. Hunters habitually came from the northern part of the county, and from other counties, to camp out and hunt on Sunday Crcek. They usually came with horses, dogs and guns, prepared to spend a week, at least, and often a number of weeks. Their horses were belled and turned loose, and some of them hobbled. The men composing these hunting parties would usually separate in the morning, come into camp in the evening, and, around the camp fire, relate the adventures and success of the Edward Danison of New Lexington, and Jonathan Colborn, of Noblesville, Indiana, hunted and camped on Sunday Creek in very early times, and enjoy telling their old adventures. These hunters were usually in the pursuit of deer, as the most desirable and profitable game, but they not unfrequently encountered other animals. Edward Danison, of New Lexington, a hunter previously named, relates that, upon one occasion, just after he had espied two deer, and was maneuvering to get a good shot at one of them, he heard a great noise in a HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 221 thick cluster of bushes, and soon after a bear ran across an open space with Danison's dog in close pursuit. The two deer having scampered, the hunter followed on in the direction the dog and bear had taken, and in a short time heard the dog bark ; then he was satisfied that the bear had been treed. Following up, he soon came in view and saw that Bruin, was, sure enough, up a tree, and the dog barking furiously beneath. Mr. Danison was a considerable distance off, and probably did not care about venturing any nearer ; but he thought he could bring Bruin down. He took good aim and fired. The bear only reached upward with his paw and went one limb higher. Danison leveled and fired again, and this time the bear tumbled to the ground. But he was not badly hurt, and the bear and dog engaged in a fight that was fearful to behold. Mr. Danison all this while felt considerably alarmed, but reloaded his gun, and kept a sharp lookout for hear number two, which he expected every moment. The bear and dog fight continued. Sometimes the bear was under, and sometimes the dog. As the fight proceeded, the combatants approached the brow of a steep hill, and down it they rolled, over and over, until the bottom was reached, where the struggle for the mastery continued. A comrade of Danison now made his appearance, coming over the hill. It soon became evident that the dog was getting the worst of the battle, and Danison requested his companion to shoot the bear, if he thought he could without killing the dog. The hunter fired accordingly, and Bruin was killed. The faithful dog was badly used up, and it was some time before he was sufficiently recovered to drag along after his master into camp. There was sttll an apprehension that another bear might be around, 'but he did not put in ;an appearance, and it is likely enough that the venturesome hunters did not seriously regret it. The bear was not slaughtered or skinned in camp, but was carried in triumph to Madison township, where Mr. Danison then resided. Tobacco was once very extensively raised in Monroe township, and, though it was considered a paying occupation for the time being, it no doubt contributed toward the impoverishment of much of the land, and the culture of the weed was eventually abandoned. Though the township is hilly, and the surface of the land comparatively unproductive, some of the finest and most valuable stock in the county is to be found there. Monroe was, for many years, far from market, even with such surplus products as she had to dispose of. Athens, New Lexington and McConnellsville were the nearest markets. All this is changed now. With the building of the Ohio Central, and the establishment of stations at Rendville, Corning, Buckingham and Borbec, the people of the township have as good facilities for shipment, and for coming and going, as any others in the county. Some of the coal mines of Monroe were opened and used along, about 1832, and afterward, but as there was nothing more than a neighhood demand, except a little trade with Morgan county, they were but little developed until the coming of the railroad era. The Sands bank, near Millertown, and probably a few others, sold coal to the farmers and some of the residents of villages in Morgan county, who came to 222 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. the mines and hauled the coal away, in the fall of the year, while the roads were solid and comparatively good. With the completion of the Ohio Central to Rendville and Corning, in 1879 and 1880, and the extension and building-of a line up the West Branch of Sunday Creek, at a later date, and the sinking of shafts and the opening of mines at Rendville, Corning, below Corning, and at Borbec, Buckingham and Hemlock, the development of the coal deposits began on a grander scale, and the output is yet on the increase. Monroe now leads all the townships of the county in the export of coal. Millertown was laid out in 1834, by Jacob Miller. It is located upon a high piece of ground, between the east and west branches of Sunday Creek, and is less than a mile from the new town of Corning. There is from a point a little above Millertown, one of the finest outlooks in Southern Ohio. Millertown has a physician, store, hotel, church, severe] shops, and had, according to the census. of 1880, eighty-four in Thompsonville, usually called Chapel Hill, was laid out in 1849, by George Thompson and Bryan Murtaugh. It is a . pleasantly situated village. It has a church, hotel, store, shops, etc., and had a population of fifty-two, in 1880. Ferrara was laid out by Nelson Rodgers and James Taylor, in 1871, at the time the Atlantic and Lake Erie Railroad was projected. The railroad failed for the time, and Ferrara has remained a paper town, or almost so, ever since. Ferrara is situated between Corning and Rendville, in a nice, conspicuous place, and several new houses have lately been erected in it. Rendville was established by Thomas J. Smith and Wm. P. Rend, and others, in 1879, and grew with a rapidity marvelous in this section of the world, and yet very much like other mining towns of the county. Boarding houses were improvised, shafts sunk and coal works erected. Houses for miners and other workmen were put together, finished and inhabited in a space of time that would seem almost impossible. Rendville is situated in the narrow valley of the east branch of Sunday Creek, and upon the slopes, hills and ridges, on either side. The Company houses are mostly built in rows, but more to suit the ground, than upon parallel or corresponding lines. The houses in the same, row are usually alike ; but the houses in different rows are of different size, shape and color, and this seems to give an agreeable and picturesque appearance to all, when viewed together. After this description, it seems almost useless to say that rough board shanties received little consideration in the building of Rendville. In addition to the numerous neat Company houses, it has quite a number of nice costly residences, erected for lease, or to be occupied by the persons owning them. The town has a post office, station house, two churches, one large union school house, hotel, numerous boarding houses, dry good stores, drug stores, groceries, shops, saloons, etc. The population in 1880 was 349, but the town was then only a few months old, The population is now estimated at 2,500, and is on the increase. Corning was laid out in 1878 by Joseph Rodgeis. Its growth was HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY - 223 very similar to that of Rendville, so far as the Company houses for miners and other employes were concerned ; but the most of the other buildings erected were even of a more costly and substantial character. The valley is a little wider at Corning, and the chances for streets a trifle better than at Rendville. The business part of the town is very much solidified, as compared with Rendville. To a person standing in the business section of the place, Corning looks as though it might have been built fifteen or twenty years, so solid and substantial does it appear. The largest and most costly storehose in the county is here, and there are many other large establishments. In addition to the numerous company houses on the slopes and hill-sides, there are many beautiful and costly residences, some of them among the finest in the county. Several of them are very handsomely situated. Corning has a post-office, telegraph office, station-house, one large union school-house, newspaper, two churches, two hotels, several attorneys, physicians, dry-good stores, clothing establishments, drug stores, meat stores, boarding houses, groceries, bakeries, millinery stores, blacksmith shops, shoe shops, billiard rooms, saloons, etc. It had, according to the census of 1880, a population of two hundred and seventy.; but the town had just commenced, and nearly' all its growth has been since that date. Its population is now estimated at from twenty-five hundred to three thousand. The most notable events that occurred in Rendville and Corning were in connection with the labor troubles in 1880. Both towns were full of dissatisfied miners from Shawnee, New Straitsville, and the Hocking valley, for several days, and companies of the National Guard, called out by Governor Foster; were stationed in the two towns for a week or two. There was one company on duty at Corning, but the principal camp and headquarters were at the northern end of Rendville. The skirmish which took place between the dissatisfied miners and the State troops was in the woods near the Rendville camp. The miners first assembled in Corning, and then moved in a body up the narrow valley to Rendville. A detailed account of the " Corning War " is given in another chapter. Buckingham, situated on the west branch of Sunday Creek, was laid out by James Taylor and Benjamin Sanders In 1873, but remained little more than a paper town until 1881, when an arm of the Ohio Central was extended to the place and coal works established. The town has now a population of several hundred. Borbec, also situated on the west branch of Sunday Creek, a mile or two below Buckingham, is a mining town, was established in 1881, shafts Sunk, and coal works erected. A large colony of German miners live there. It has store, shops, etc., but is almost exclusively a mining town. It contains a population of several hundred. A Bible Christian (New Light) church was built on the McDonald farm about 1820. This was a log building. John McDonald, the old settler, erected the church principally at his own expense. He was a minister of the denomination, and preached there regularly in all the earlier years, .and occasionally as long as he lived. There was a frame church erected at a later date, which is still kept in repair, and in which services are occasionally held. 224 - HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. The Methodists erected a log church where Millertown has since been laid out at a very early day, where regular preaching was held. A neat frame house was built at a later date, which is still in use. The Methodists built what is known as the old Asbury church, one mile from Millertown, about 183o. It was a very large frame building, was used fifteen or twenty years for church services and Sabbath-school, and then abandoned. The society disbanded and the members united with other churches, probably the most of them with the church at Millertown. A Presbyterian Church was organized and a house of worship erected in the south part of Monroe township, at a very early day, not very far from the line between Perry and Athens counties. A larger and better edifice was built at a later date, and stated preaching maintained.for a long time, but services are now only occasionally held. A Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and a church built, at an early day, in the neighborhood of where Rendville has since been built. It maintained regular services a great many years, but the congregation disbanded, and the church was torn down and the material used for other purposes. A United Brethren Church was organized and a church built, at an early day, about half-way between Millertown and Chapel Hill, and regular preaching maintained for a great many years ; of late, however, religious services are only occasionally held. The church is near the present residence of Morgan Devore. The Catholics organized a congregation and erected a house of worship at Thompsonville about 1850, which has been used ever since. This is known as the Chapel Hill church, and is a strong congregation. The edifice is very pleasantly situated. The colored people of Rendville have both a Baptist and a Methodist church, each of them erected in 1881. They are neat, commodious edifices, very similar in appearance, and stand near together. The Baptist church recently organized in Corning, and have erected a neat and commodious frame edifice, which is finished, and ready for occupancy. The congregation has regular preaching and sustains a Sabbath school. A Methodist Episcopal Church has been organized at Corning, the congregation has bought a lot, contracted for a house of worship, and the foundation of the building is laid. The Methodists, for the present, hold religious services in the Baptist church. A Presbyterian Church has been organized at Corning, a lot purchased, and the building of an edifice commenced. The foundation stones are laid. The Presbyterians, for the present, hold religious services at Knights of Pythias Hall. The Catholics have organized a congregation, purchased six acres of land, erected a parsonage, and built a school-house thirty by seventy-five feet, which, for the present, is used for religious purposes. as well as for school purposes. A large round house and machine shop combined, have recently been erected by the Ohio Central Railroad Company, near Corning. A very fine Opera building has also been recently erected at Corning, and formally opened with a success that was highly encouraging.