(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 32 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. CHAPTER III. THE INDIANS. Indian Occupation of Ohio.—The Shawnees in the Scioto County.— Their Tribal Division.— Visit of Chaplain Jones of Revolutionary Fame in 1772-73.—His Description of Condition and Customs.-- Remarks on Old Chillicothe, now Frankfort.—Logan and the Lord Dunmore War.—Speech of Logan.—The Murder of Cornstalk, Ellenipsco and Red Hawk again Embroil the Indians and Whites in War.--Harassing the Kentucky Settlements.—Retaliations by Boone and Kenton.—Daniel Boone upon Paint Creek.— Simon Kenton's Expedition against Old Town.—His Battle with Tecumseh Located by Tradition near Lynchburg, Highland County.—Conflicting Accounts.— Kenton's Attack on Tecumseh and his Followers on Paint Creek.—Nathaniel Massie and his Company of Explorers Meet Indians, and have a Skirmish on Paint Creek in I795.—Subsequent Indian History and Narrative.—The Death of Captain Herrod.—Murder of Waw-wil-a-way.— Apprehensions of a Border War.—The Tranquilizing Influence of Tecumseh.—His Visit to Chillicothe.—Burying the Tomahawk.—An Old Time Newspaper Item. The history of the Indian tribes of the territory now included in the boundaries of Ohio, begins at a period only a little earlier than the middle of the eighteenth century. Knowledge concerning them previous to 175o is meagre, and based almost entirely upon the vague traditions handed down from one generation to another. Traders and explorers began about the middle of the last century to contribute some definite and reliable information in regard to the tribes, among whom they made their journeys, and Colonel Boquet's expedition in 1764 resulted in the attainment of the most valuable and trustworthy reports that had, up to that time, been made upon the condition of the race. The principal tribes were the Wyandots, called by the French, Hurons, the Delawares and the Shawnees,* both of the Alognquin group, the Mingoes, an offshoot from the Iroquois, or a fragment of the Six Nations, the Ottawas or Tawas and the Chippewas. The Wyandots occupied the country about the Sandusky river ; the Delawares, the valleys of the Tuscarawas and Muskingum; the Miami's, the valleys of the Great and Little Miamis ; the Mingoes were in greatest number on the Ohio river about Mingo bottom, below Steubenville, and also on the Scioto, and the Shawnees had originally their greatest strength in the Scioto valley, but afterward upon the Miamis. The Ottawas had their headquarters in the valleys of the Maumee and Sandusky, and the Chippewas were confined principally to the south shore of Lake Eric. All of the different tribes, however, frequented, more or less, lands lying outside of their regular division of territory, and at different periods the geographical locations varied. Different tribes commingled, too, to some extent, and so it occurred that when the first definite knowledge of them was obtained, there were in the Scioto valley the representatives of, at least, five tribes— the Shawnees, Wyandots, Delawares, Illingoes and Miamis. According to the best authorities, the Wyandots or Hurons were among the earliest red men who dwelt within the territory which now comprises Ohio. Then came the Delawares, who claimed to be the elder branch of the *The name is variously spelled Shawnees, Shawnesc, Shawnoes, Shawanoese, etc. In this work the simplest form is adopted. Lenni-Lenape and called themselves the grandfathers of the kindred tribes, but recognized the superiority of the Wyandots. This division has been awarded a high rank by nearly all writets on the Indians. The Ottawas dwelt originally upon the banks of the Canadian river which bears their name, remaining there until driven away by the Iroquois. They were then scattered through Ohio and Canada along the shores of Lake Erie. The Ohio Indians were, as a rule, fine specimens of the race. None were more so than the Shawnees, who are the especial subject of consideration in this chapter. They were the only nation among the Indians of the Northwest who had a tradition of a foreign origin* and for sometime after the whites became acquainted with them, held annual festivals to celebrate the safe arrival in this country of their ancestors. There is considerable conflicting testimony in regard to them. It is generally conceded that at an early date they separated from the other Lenape tribes and established themselves in the South, through which part of the country they roamed from Kentucky to Florida. The main body of the tribe, encouraged by their friends, the Miamis, is supposed to have crossed the Ohio and pushing northward on the Scioto, to have made an extensive village and remained in the country until their final defeat and dispersion in 1672 by the Iroquois. After that a considerable portion of them made a forcible settlement on the headwaters of the Carolina, and after being driven away from that locality, found refuge in the Creek country. Another portion joined their brethren in Pennsylvania, and a few may have remained upon the. Scioto or gone North to the waters of the Sandusky. Those of the nation who had gone to Pennsylvania were reduced to a humiliating condition by the Iroquois, but still retained their pride and considerable innate independence of spirit, and in 174o, or soon after, carried into effect their long cherished plan of returning to the country northwest of the Ohio, in which they were encouraged by the tr,:vandots and French. Those who had been settled among the Creeks joined them and the nation was again reunited. It is probable that the Delawares peacefully surrendered to the Shawnees the greater part of the Scioto valley, for when some members of that nation visited Philadelphia during the Revolution they spoke "of placing the Shawnees in their laps." However this may have been, the Delmoares retained possession of the northern part of the valley and of that portion of the country which was set apart into a county, and still bears their name. It is conjectured by some students that the southern part of the nation lived at one time upon the Shawnee river, and that that well-known name was derived from them, being a corruption of the name of the nation of Tecumseh, whose name and fame add luster to the annals of this tribe, and who is said to have been born of a Creek woman whom his father married during the southern migration. From the time of their establishment north of the Ohio, the Shawnees were almost constantly engaged in warfare against the whites, for over forty years, or until * Colonel John Johnson, agent for Indian affairs in contribution to the Archaeologin-Americana. . HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 33 the treaty of Greenville. They were among the most active allies of the French and after the conquest of Canada, continued in concert with the Delawares, hostilities which were only terminated by the expedition of Colonel Boquet. The first permanent settlers in Ohio were annoyed and harassed by the Shawnees until 1795. They took an active part against the Americans in the war of independence and in the Indian war which followed. A part of them under the leadership of Tecumseh joined the British in the war of 1812. A title commonly applied to the Shawnees was "the Sparatans of the Race," and their constancy in braving danger and enduring the consequences of defeat certainly seems to have made them deserving of the appellation. They have also been styled "the Bedouins of the American Wilderness," which, considering their extensive and almost constant wanderings, is not inappropriate. TRIBAL DIVISION. The Shawnees were divided into four tribes ____ the Piqua, Kiskapocke, Mequachuke, and Chillicothe. It was from the first of these that the name Pickaway was derived, which was first applied to the famous "plains" and afterwards to the county in which they lie. According to a practical Indian legend, the Piqua tribe had its origin in a man who sprang from fire and ashes. The wise men of the nation told the whites who first came in contact with them, that once upon a time when the chiefs and braves were sitting around the smouldering embers of what had been their council fire, they were startled by a great puffiing of fire and smoke, and suddenly from the midst of the ashes and embers there sprang into being a man of splendid form and mien, and that he was named Piqua to signify that he was born of fire and ashes. This legend of the origin of the tribe, truly beautiful in its simplicity, has been made the subject of comment by leading writers upon the Red race, as showing, in a marked degree, their capabilities for imaginative inventiveness, and as a proof of their romantic susceptibility. 'The name Mequachuke, signifies a fat man filled—a man made perfect, so that nothing is wanting. This tribe had the priesthood. Its leaders were endowed with the prestige of celebrating the religious rites of the nation, and the office was hereditary among them. The Kiskapocke tribe was inclined to war, and its braves were among the most fierce and cunning of the Indian tribes of the northwest. The signification of the name is unknown. Tecumseh, and his brother, Elsquataway, better known as the Prophet, were of this tribe. Chillicothe is not known to have been interpreted, save as meaning a dwelling place. The Scioto Shawnees had, in 1764, according to Colonel Boquet, five hundred warriors. Their principal villages in the neighborhood of this stream were "Old Chillicothe," now Westfall, Pickaway county, Grenadier Squawtown, and Cornstalk's town, on Scippo creek, a tributary of the Scioto, and the Old Chillicothe,* on the *The Indians had a number of towns of this name. Besides those here mentioned was the town of Chillicothe, the site of which is three miles north of Xenia. It is this town which is usually meant in most historical works when the name "Old Chillicothe- is made use of. north fork of Paint creek, Ross county, upon the site of which is the village of Frankfort, known in early days as Old Town, a name which the Indians also applied to their village. Besides these, there were a number of other small villages along the Scioto, and possibly upon Paint creek and other tributaries. There was certainly one at the mouth of the Scioto, and it was named Shaneetown. It is described by Christopher Gist in his "Ohio Diary," as it appeared in 1751. It was situated on both sides of the Ohio, and contained about three hundred men. "There were about forty houses on the south side of the Ohio, and about a hundred on the north side, with a kind of state house, about ninety feet long, with a tight cover of bark, in which councils were held." Upon the Scioto, Evans' map, made as early as 1755, indicates a town which must have been very near the present northern boundary of Pike county. It was called, upon the old map, Hurricane Tom's town. A MISSIONARY AMONG THE SHAWNEES IN 1772-3. An account of the unsuccessful efforts of a missionary among the Shawnees of the Scioto valley is afforded in Rev. David Jones' "Journal of two visits made to some nations of Indians on the west side of the river Ohio, in the years 1772 and 1773." This, it should be borne in mind, was a period only a little more than a year prior to the Lord Dunmore war. Mr. Jones was, for some time, at the "Old Town," then known as Chillicothe, now Frankfort, on the north fork of Paint creek, Ross county. The missionary, who was a preacher of Freehold, New Jersey (the Chaplain Jones of Revolutionary fame), was sent out by the Philadelphia Baptist association, and he had, a portion of the time (though not when in the Scioto country), the companionship of the celebrated general, George Rogers Clark. As his description throws some interesting light upon the condition of the Indians, and the traders among them, we shall make use of some portions of the narrative. Rev. David Jones' first journey to the Ohio Indians was begun May 4, 1772, and terminated in August. His second was begun October 26, of the same year, and ended in April, 1773. On his second trip, his friend, the Rev. John Davis, who had insisted upon joining him, died, and was buried at the mouth of Grave creek. Mr. Jones' health had been so impaired during his first sojourn among the Indians in Southeastern Ohio that he had had grave misgivings as to the result of another journey, but, regarding as sacred the promise he had made to the Indians, that he would return, he had resolved to do so at all hazards. On the morning following the burial of his friend and fellow missionary—December 27, 1772,—a canoe owned by John Irvine, with whom he was acquainted, came down the Ohio, bound for the Shawnee towns, on which Mr. Jones floated down the Ohio to the mouth of the Scioto (or, according to his spelling, Siota),* near which * Mr. Jones, in his memoir, says that the name which the Shawnees gave, the Siota, signified hairy river, and adds: "The Indians tell us that when they came first to live here, deers were so plenty that, in the several seasons when they came to drink, the stream would be thick of. hairs." 34 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. the Shawnee Indians, prior to that time, lived. Arrived there January 4, 1773, the journey up the river was begun on the following day. The boat was rowed and poled up the stream as far as a place called Kuskinkis, where, on the fifth day after leaving the Ohio, a portion of the traders' goods were unloaded from the boat and packed upon horses overland to some of the Shawnee towns. (Kuskinkis must have been at a point on the Scioto near the present southern limit of Ross county.) On the eleventh of January, the missionary, and the party with him, reached Paint creek, of which, he says, the Indian name was Alamoneethecpeeca, From here they went, on the following day, to Pickaweeke, on Deer creek, the site of which is within the present township and county of Pickaway. After several days spent in this vicinity, Jones relates that he went to Chillicaathee* with Mr. Irvine, "who left there an assortment of goods, and for that purpose rented a house from an Indian, named Waappee Moneeto, in English often called the White Devil.'" The remaining portions of the missionary's memoir of his visit, that have a local interest, we give, so far as possible, in his own quaint language, though propriety dictates the abridgement or elimination of some essential and prolix passages. Under date of Friday, January 22d, the writer continues: " Went to see Rev. Moses Henry, a gunsmith and teacher, from Lancaster [Pennsylvania]. This gentleman has lived for some years in this town, and is lawfully married to a white woman, who was captivated (sic) so young that she speaks the language as well as any Indian. She is a daughter of Mayor Collins, formerly an inhabitant of the south branch of the Potomack. * * * Mr. Henry lives in a comfortable manner, having plenty of good beef, pork, milk, etc. His generosity to me was singular, and equal to my highest wishes. Soon after my arrival, dieted altogether with Mr. Henry, hut slept on my blankels at Mr. Irvine's. By living on such victuals as formerly used, soon recovered my health in a comfortable degree. Chillicaathee is the chief town of the Shawaunee Indians—it is situated north of a large plain, adjacent to a branch of Paint creek. This plain is their cornfield, which supplies a great part of their town. Their houses are made of logs, nor is there any more regularity observed in this particular than in their morals, for any man builds his house as fancy directs. * * " Saturday 23d, in company with Mr. Irvine, went to see Captain McKee, who lives three miles about west and by north from Chillicaathee, in a small town called Wockachaalli, which signifies ' Crooked Noses Place.' Here the captain's Indian relatives live, and some others. This seems only a new town, not having much ground cleared up. ' Tis situated east of a creek, which I suppose to be a branch of Paint creek. Some of the Indians in this town have a large number of the best horses in the nation ; nor are they worse supplied with cattle, so that they chiefly live by stock. * * * Returned the same evening to Chillicaathee. The day following, being the Lord's Day, remained at Mr. Henry's reading ' Sherlock, on Revealed Religion,' which is a good book on that subject, and may be profitable to the reader, but if the author cold have visited the Indians, he might have saved many arguments, and perhaps been more fully convinced that without revelation there could have been little, or rather no, religion among mankind. * * * * * * * "Mr. Henry has preserved a good conscience, so far, in respect of the Sabbath, that he said he always refused to work at his trade for the Indians, on that day, and, repeatedly giving them the reason, was so far successful that few applications were made on that day for work—the Indians now knowing when it comes. He told me they were not a little troublesome, at first, on this account; but by utterly refusing, and giving them the reason why he would not work, they were reconciled. * Chillicaathee was the " old Chillicothe, or " old Town," now Frankfort, Ross county, on the north fork of Paint creek. From this instance, I am persuaded if the traders were unanimously to refuse trading on the Lord's Day, the heathens, thereby, might be brought into better regulations; but what is to he lamented, some of the traders are not concerned about conscience in this matter, and it never can be well accomplished except they are unanimously agreed. When I first came to this town two of our canoe men lay under the hands of an old squaw, having had their feet badly frozen in coming from Sioto. It is likely they came with loads of rum, by night—for if this article is seen, 'tis common for the Indians to rob them without apology. * "Was distressed that my time passed, and little done to purpose; consented with the traders to meet for worship ourselves, and spend the Lord's Day, in the best manner we could, among the heathens. It was agreed that on the thirty-first of January I should preach to the white people; the Indians were to be notified, and if they chose to come, they, also, should be instructed. Fearing the event, went to see Captain McKee, who promised to come the next day, and interpret for me, to the Indians; but he came not. * * * * The Indians were so extremely uneasy, and used such menaces, that none dare meet, for nothing can be safely done without their consent. They are arbitrary, beyond conception of such as know them not. Ignorance often creates suspicion; this is their case, for they seemed apprehensive that if we met together, 'twas only to counsel to take the town. "February 1st, an Indian, lately returned, named Othaawaapeelethe, in English, the Yellow Hawk, came, with some others, to Mr. Henry's to converse with me. This Indian is one of their chiefs, and esteems himself a great speaker, and very wise; and this may be justly said of him, that he is fancy enough. On this occasion, Mr. John Gibson* was my interpreter, being a man both of sense and learning. After common formalities were past, he told me that he wanted to know my business among them, for he understood that I was no trader. First, informed him from whence I came, and that my chief business was to instruct them from God, for his mind was revealed to us, etc.; that I had a great desire, for many years, to see my brothers, the Indians; now wanted to talk to them, and hoped that he would allow me an opportunity, etc. Replied that he thought something of thal nature was my business. Then he proceeded to make a long speech, not with a very pleasant countenance, nor the most agreeable tone of voice, and replied to this effect, viz: When God, who at first made us all, prescribed our way of living, he allowed white people to live one way, and Indians another way, and, as he was one of the chiefs of the town, he did not desire to hear me on the subject of religion, for he was resolved not to believe what might be said, nor to pay any regard to it. And he believed it would be the mind of the other Indians. He said they had lived a long time as they now do, and liked it very well, and he and his people would live as they had done * " * In reply, I said that he did not know what I would say before he heard me, that he could not tell hut what he might like it. And if he would give liberty and hear it, and I did not speak good, he might tell me, and I would speak no more. He replied that it did not signify to make any trial, for let me say what I would, he was resolved not to believe me. Indians can bear no contradiction, therefore, by this time his savage soul began to be raised. Finding that no good could be done by saying anything more, for it was only making bad worse; therefore, as the weather was cold, and I had no horse, I begged liberty to stay in town until I could remove. This was granted with coldness. He said some other nation might receive me, and I might go to them. From this time, prepared for my journey, only waiting for good weather, for company and a horse, intending to go to the Waindots (Wyandots); but afterwards thought it not expedient." "From this time to my departure was interviewed by the Manneetoes.+" After waiting several days for company and gaining a considerable knowledge of Indian life in Chillicaathee, the missionary having "obtained a horse through the kindness of Mr. Irvine," left the town for a visit to a more promising field. He visited some of the Shawnee towns further north upon the Scioto, one of which, described as having a woman for its chief, was undoubtedly the Grenadier Squawtown, in Pickaway county. He said good-bye to his kind friends at the old town on *Very likely the same who, in 1774, interpreted the celebrated speech of Logan. + In this sense, mock devil. This is doubtless a corruption of the word Manitou. The Indians had their good and bad " Monneetoes." HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 35 Paint creek, February 8th, and within a fortnight's time was engaged among the Indians along the Muskingum, who, unlike those at Chillicaathee, would allow him to speak to them of Christianity. The remainder of his tour was made without any exciting adventure, and he had most of the time the company of one or two travelers. After visiting several different villages, where he was entertained by the white traders and very kindly cared for, Mr. Jones returned to the east, interested with what he had seen, but thoroughly discouraged of making any converts among the Shawnees. Mr. Jones states in his memoirs that from information gained from the traders whom he met at the Paint creek town and elsewhere, he did not believe the Shawnees to number more than six hundred souls, men, women and children—a conclusion, which, by the way, the preponderance of good authority proves to have been a mistaken one. The missionary gives the following description of the dress of those Indians whom he saw at Chillicaathee: "The men wear shirts, match-coats, breech-clouts, leggings, and mockesons, called by them mockeetha. Their ornaments are silver plates about their arms, above and below their elbows. Nose jewels are common. They paint their faces and cut the rims of their ears, so as to stretch them very large. Their head is dressed in the best mode, with a black silk handkerchief about it ; or else the head is all shaved, only the crown, which is left for the scalp. The hair, in this, has a swan's plume, or else some trinket of silver tied in it. The women wear short calico shifts over their strouds, which served for a petticoat, sometimes a bed-gown. Their hair is parted and tied behind. They paint only in spots, in common upon their cheeks. Their ears are never cut, but some have ten silver rings in them. One squaw will have near five hundred silver broaches stuck in her shift, stroud and leggings. Men and women are very proud, but men seem to exceed in this vice. * * * In common, they are of good stature." LOGAN. The noble but unfortunate Logan was not, as many suppose, a Shawnee, although, for some time previous to the invasion of Lord Dunmore, he dwelt among them, at the Pickaway village of "Old Chillicothe," now Westfall, and was identified with them in the war. This chieftain, more famous than any other Indian who ever dwelt upon the Scioto, to whom a monument has been raised at Auburn, New York, and whose name has been applied to the noblest of nature's monuments in the Scioto valley--Mount Logan--the massive hill, nearly six hundred feet high, three miles east of Chillicothe, was, by birth, a Cayuga. He was the second son of Shikellimus, or Shikellamy, a celebrated chief, who lived upon the Susquehanna. His real name was Tah-gahjute, and he was named in English after James Logan, the secretary of Pennsylvania, of whom his father was a firm friend and great admirer. Logan, being driven from his home in Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1772, and at first located at a Mingo village on the Ohio river, at the mouth of Indian Cross creek, which---such was his prominence and popularity among the people—was named after him, before he had long been a resident. Logan was, according to the best authorities (those Pioneers of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, who were well acquainted with him), a savage of the most noble nature, strong but sensitive, full of dignity and pride, generous and great, brave and true. No act of perfidy, on his part, gave excuse for the atrocities of the whites. Judge William Brown, of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, said of the noble hearted Logan: "He was the best specimen of humanity I ever met with, either white or red."* When the murder of his kindred by the whites was perpetrated, his great soul underwent a collossal revulsion, and he became as terrible in his violent enmity as he had been admirable in his fervent friendship, and, after the tempest of his passion had been spent, his "vengeance glutted," he relaxed into that better, gloomy misanthropy, which is too apt to be the lot of all strong and noble natures, either savage or civilized, that are blasted by a giant wrong. The butchery of Logan's kindred, one of the most horrible outrages of the whites toward the Indians, began a series of hostilities in which there was much bloodshed, and led directly to the invasion of Lord Dunmore's army, the most important expedition ever made against the Shawnees of the Scioto country. LORD DUNMORE'S WAR. In the spring of 1773, Dr. John Connolly, determining to assert the claims of Virginia to the country about Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh), proclaimed the jurisdiction of the royal governor, rebuilt Fort Pitt, named it after Lord Dunmore, made himself its commandant, and almost immediately began the exercise of a galling tyranny toward all who were in the interests of Pennsylvania. It is furthermore alleged, and with what appears like good grounds, that he endeavored, in various ways, to involve the frontier in an Indian war, being actuated by the motive, as is supposed, of creating a condition of affairs favorable to the British in the war, which appeared inevitable, for the right of American supremacy. It is a matter of history that he wrote letters to the Virginia exploring parties along the Ohio, which assisted materially to precipitate hostilities. The Indians had been accused of thefts from the Virginia settlements and encampments, and as Connolly's letters constantly suggested that the Shawnees were not to be trusted, and that the whites should be ready to retrieve any losses or revenge any wrongs they might sustain, they were put in such spirit that only a trifling overt act upon the part of the Indians was necessary to bring down upon them the artfully nursed wrath of the whites. 'I'his was the condition of things when, on the sixteenth day of April, 1773, a canoe owned by a Fort Pitt trader was attacked upon the Ohio river by Cherokee Indians, and one white man killed. The alarm spread, and a party of Virginians, led by Michael Cresap, went down the river to revenge the murder. Soon after this, war against the Indians was formally declared. The woods along the Ohio were full of scouts, and several single-handed battles were fought by them. Two or three Indians, probably those who were friendly to the whites, were killed, and then a small skirmish took place. The thirst for blood continued constantly to grow more intense. It was determined to march against Loganstown. This project was given up * Sherman Day's "Historical Collections of Pennsylvania." 36 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. for the time being, but a few days later, probably upon the thirtieth of April, Captain Daniel Greathouse, went up the river to the mouth of Yellow creek, and there, accompanied by circumstances of the most revolting perfidy and atrocity, murdered the Indians, among whom were the kindred of Logan. Rum was given them to make them drunk. Two men and one woman, who refused to drink, were shot down, and those who drank were killed by tomahawking. A child was spared, through some lingering idea of humanity. Two Indians on the opposite side of the river (from whence Great- house's men had enticed their victims) came over, on hearing the gun-shots, to discover the cause of the firing, and they were shot down as soon as they left their canoes. Another and a larger party followed, nearly all of whom were killed. A short time before the massacre, Logan, in council, had strongly urged peace. Cornstalk had sent his own brother, only a little time previous, to guide and guard Pittsburgh traders in their journeys. The hatchet had been buried when the news of the Yellow creek massacre was received. Six or eight weeks afterward, before the avenging blow was struck, Logan led a small band of Indians to the headwaters of the Monongahela, where twelve or thirteen scalps were taken and a number of men made prisoners. The Virginans, after Logan's bold dash into Pennsylvania, marshalled under the command of Colonel McDonald, and destroyed several Indian villages. This foray only added to the general visitation, and, in August, Lord Dunmore, who was, undoubtedly, from all accounts, anxious to gain military renown, resolved to carry the war into the enemy's country, and it was decided to move directly upon the Scioto towns. The army was divided into two wings, one of which was placed under the command of General Lewis, and the other led by Dunmore in person. On the tenth of October, Lewis started with his force for the Shawnee towns, but was suddenly and unexpectedly attacked by about a thousand Indians of the allied tribes-- Shawnees, Mingoes or Senecas, Delawares, and Wyandots, under the command of the celebrated Cornstalk. The fight that ensued, known as the battle of Point Pleasant, has been generally characterized by historians as "one of the most sanguinary and best fought battles in the annals of Indian warfare in the west." The battle raged from early morn until past noon, unabated in its fury, and a scattered fire continued until sunset. Tradition says that Logan, Red Hawk, Ellenipsco, and the great Cornstalk, were in the foremost of the fight, encouraging the warriors both by word and example. Cornstalk's voice was heard high above the din of the conflict, calling to his men, "Be strong Be strong!" He is said to have tomahawked one of his tribe who showed signs of cowardice. Colonel Charles Lewis, brother of the general, and Colonel Fleming, were both killed. Seventy-five officers and men of Lewis' command were slain, and one hundred and forty wounded, The Indian loss was supposed to have been about the same. They retreated in the night. After the battle General Lewis, receiving a reinforcement of three hundred men, and leaving the wounded under the protection of a strong guard in a hastily constructed fort, pushed forward through the wilderness towards the Scioto. Lord Dunmore's division, who at the time of the battle at Point Pleasant, had been at the mouth of the Hockhocking, marched up that stream to the site of the present town of Logan, and thence westwardly to Scippo creek, at a point seven miles southeast of Circleville, where he established the camp known as "Camp Charlotte," and named after the then queen of England. Lord Dunmore prevented Lewis from destroying the towns, after which he returned to Virginia, where already the muttering thunders of the coming storm of 1776 were beginning to be heard. Cornstalk and all of the leading chiefs of the allied tribes, except Logan, were present at the treaty. Logan refusing to appear, John Gibson, an interpreter, was sent to him by Dunmore, to ascertain his views. Gibson found him at "old Chillicothe" (now Westfall, Pickaway county), and he there delivered the speech which soon after became the wonder and admiration of the civilized world, and called forth the highest praise for the simplicity and force of its burning eloquence. Following is what is known as Jefferson's version of this famous example of Indian oratory: LOGAN'S SPEECH. " 1 appeal to any white man to say if he ever entered Logan's cabin hungry and he gave him not meat ; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. "During the course of the last, long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as they pa, sed and said, 'Logan is the friend of the white man.' I had even thought to live with you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap,* the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all of the relatives of Logan, not even sparing my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one." Mr. Jefferson says of this production: "I may challenge the whole orations of Demosthenes and Cicero, and of any more eminent orator, -- -if Europe has furnished any more eminent to produce a single passage superior to the speech of Logan," and again he speaks of it as "a marvel of eloquence." Logan engaged in various subsequent hostile crusades against the whites. He marched at the head of a war party, upon Ruddell's and Martin's stations in Kentucky, and in 1770, led an expedition against the Holston river settlement. His future was dark, gloomy, full of tragedy. All of the kindness of his great heart had been turned to bitterness. He became melancholy and miserable, and at times was sullen, harsh, vindictive and cruel. He said that life had become a torment to him; he knew no more what pleasure was; he thought it had been better if he had never existed. He wandered about from * Logan was mistaken in regard to the man responsible for the murder of his people. It was Greathouse, instead of Cresap, who had command of the small company that went to the mouth of Yellow creek, but it was entirely natural that Logan should have supposed the latter to have been the man, as he was known to be the superior officer of the force from which Greathouse's company was taken. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 37 tribe to tribe, a solitary and lonely man, dejected and broken-hearted by the loss of his friends. He became in a degree delirious, and several times said that he should take his own life. To drown his sorrow, he resorted to the stimulus of strong drink. His life closed with a tragedy. He was killed on the lake shore, between Sandusky and Detroit, while sitting with bowed head by his camp fire, by an Indian, who, imagining he had been wronged, stole up behind him, and sunk his tomahawk into his brain. MURDER OF CORNSTALK, THE GREAT SHAWNEE CHIEFTAIN. Cornstalk was the greatest chief among the Scioto Shawnees. He was a man of large stature, and of unusual mental development. He was great in war, but foremost in making peace, and his character was one which showed much of the truest nobility. His eloquence was remarkable, and his influence over his tribe wonderful. If he led in battle, his voice sounding from the front, "Be strong! be strong!" incited the warriors to their utmost efforts, and if he counseled peace, his words were equally potent. When he made his peace speech before Lord Dunmore, Colonel Wilson, one of the staff, was much impressed. He said afterwards, "I have heard many celebrated orators, but never one whose powers of delivery surpassed those of Cornstalk on this occasion." This truly great man who was himself for peace, but who found many of his tribe disposed to war, having had their feelings aroused by British agents, went over in the early summer of 1777, to the American fort opposite Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha, to talk the matter over with Captain Arbuckle who was in command there, and with whom he was acquainted. The Americans knowing that the Shawnees were inclining to the enemy, thought it would be a good plan to detain Cornstalk and Red Hawk, who had accompanied him, as hostages. The old chief finding himself entrapped, calmly awaited the result. Ellenipsco, the son of Cornstalk, who came the next morning to see his father, was also detained. Toward night one of the white hunters having been shot by an unknown Indian, the soldiers raised a cry, "Kill the red dogs in the fort," and immediately carried their bloody thought into execution, the commander endeavoring, though almost unheeded, to dissuade them from their purpose. The chieftain saw his assassinators coming, and met them at the door of the hut, in which he was confined, his arms folded upon his massive chest, and his whole mien expressing a most magnificent stoicism. His son, Ellenipsco, trembled violently. Cornstalk encouraged him to meet his fate composedly, saying, "My son, the Great Spirit has sent you here that we may die together." Cornstalk fell pierced by seven musket balls. Ellenipsco saw his father sink bleeding before him, but continued still and passive, not even rising from his seat. He met his death with the utmost calmness. Red Hawk suffered a similar fate. The reward of this atrocious murder was terribly visited upon the whites. THE SHAWNEES AGAIN AT WAR. The Shawnees, who had rested in a lull of peace, after the truce of Lord Dunmore, in 1774, were again wrought into the heat of hostility by the assassination of their great chief, Cornstalk, and for several years thereafter were constantly at war with the whites. They seemed determined to wipe out of existence the little frontier settlements of Kentucky, which they regarded as having encroached upon their hunting grounds, and the tributaries of the Ohio, the Scioto, and the two Miamis often bore the canoes of their war parties. To push thin, light bark boats silently up the Licking and Kentucky rivers, make a sudden attack, and a swift retreat, was an easy matter. But the line of battle was constantly sweeping to the westward. While in rim, and previous to that time, the scenes of action were upon the Kanawha, the Muskingum, and the Scioto, we find that in succeeding years the expeditions of the whites were principally directed to the Indian towns on the Miamis, and into the territory now included in the State of Indiana. It is probable that the Scioto Shawnees, who had been amazed by the size of Dunmore's army, and only saved from complete destruction by their submission to the terms dictated at Camp Charlotte, were less anxious to carry on hostilities than those tribes of their nation which had their seats farther to the west. Nearly all of the retaliatory incursions from the Kentuckians, were made in the valleys of the Big and Little Miamis, and Mad river, in which territory stood the towns of old Chillicothe, the site of which is three miles north of the present town of Xenia; Piqua, noted as the birth-place of Tecumseh, on the north bank of Mad river, seven miles west of Springfield, and upper and lower Piqua, in Miami county. As has been stated, the Indians were unrelenting in their warfare upon the pioneers of Kentucky, and those intrepid men, trained in Woodcraft, and even more sagacious in border war than their dusky enemy, were not slow to strike back. It was the long succession of fierce and sudden forays, battles, skirmishes, and silent, single murders by the Indians, that led to the application of the name, "the dark and bloody ground," to the then sparsely settled northern part of Kentucky. In the spring of 1778, Daniel Boone, while making salt, at the Blue Licks, was, with twenty-seven others, captured by the Indians. Most of his companions were ransomed, or detained as prisoners, by.the British, at Detroit, but he was taken to old Chillicothe (the Miami town), and formally adopted as a member of the tribe, and consigned to an Indian woman, in the place of a brave who had been killed. He was detained at the camp until the sixteenth of June, when he made his escape to Boonesborough, and warned the frontiersmen of the proposed attack by four hundred and fifty warriors. The blow was not struck, as was apprehended, probably being delayed on account of the hunter's return to the settlement. June and July passed without the appearance of any Indians in the vicinity. BOONE ON PAINT CREEK. In the meantime Boone, tired of "inglorious ease," determined to make an expedition into the Indian coun- 38 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. try, for the sake of adventure, and also with the purpose of harassing the enemy, and if possible, diverting them from making an attack upon his home. It was impracticable to march directly against the larger towns in the Miami country, where he knew that a large force of Indians were assembled, and hence Boone chose as the objective point of his excursion the town on Paint creek (probably Old Town or Chillicothe). On the first of August he set out from Boonesborough with nineteen men, among whom was the celebrated borderer and scout, Simon Kenton, then in his thirty-third year—a man who had few, if any, equals among the western pioneers in coolness, courage or skill of woodcraft. When the little company of adventurers was within four miles of the town which they proposed to trike, they met a war party of thirty Indians on the march southward, and evidently with the purpose of joining the larger force from the Chillicothe towns of the Miami and attacking the settlers. Boone and his corps of trained Indian fighters gave battle, and though much the weaker in point of numbprs, vanquished the redskins. One Indian was killed and another wounded, when they gave way and fled, leaving their horses and considerable baggage in the possession of the whites. This affair fully showed the daring heroism of Boone, Kenton and their companions. They marched more than a hundred miles into the enemies' country, surprised and defeated thirty warriors, and made their escape. There was great peril on the retreat. Boone discovered that the Indians were already on the march for Boonesborough, spied out and successfully passed them, and arrived at home only a day before the little palisaded village was surrounded by the Shawnees and British. This force was led by Captain Duquesne, who commanded a surrender "in the name of His Britannic Majesty." The attack was begun after a two days' truce, which, as is generally known, lasted ten days and terminated disastrously to the enemy, thirty- seven Indians being killed. SIMON KENTON DESTROYS OLD TOWN ON THE NORTH FORK OF PAINT. Passing the history of the Indian depredations and the retaliations of the whites made during the years from 1778 to 1787, ewe resume the account where it brings us again into the portion of the country of which this work treats. Kenton, who had made several expeditions against the towns in the Miami valley, being almost constantly engaged in Indian war, made, in 1787, an attack upon the Indians at "Old Town" or Chillicothe, upon the site of which is now the village of Frankfort. During this year the Indians had kept the inhabitants about Kenton's station in a constant condition of terror, making very frequent visits for the purpose of stealing horses and also killing several of the settlers. Kenton's station being a kind of outpost for the Paris and Lexington settlements, the people of the latter turned out readily when there was need of their services to lend Kenton and his fellow pioneers, a helping hand. On the occasion of the march against Old Town, as many men as could be procured were assembled at Washington, Ken tucky, under the command of Colonel Tod. They crossed the Ohio at Limestone (Maysville), Kenton leading the way to the Paint Creek valley. When they had reached the locality now known as Poplar Ridge, they met four Indians, two of whom were shot and killed by Kenton and a man named Helm, who were in the advance guard. The other two were taken prisoners, and so there was no chance of an alarm being carried back to the Indian town, from whence the four had come. Old Town was only five miles to the north. From the two captives Kenton learned that there was a large encampment of Indians between them and the town, and the army being halted on Poplar Ridge, Kenton, with two or three companion scouts, went forward to view the situation. They reached the immediate vicinity, and lay in concealment in the bushes and undergrowth until night, and then carefully reconnoitered and obtained definite knowledge of the enemy's position and strength. A messenger was sent back to the main army, and before daylight Major Hinkston advanced to Kenton's support. Very cautiously the camp was surrounded, and preparations made to strike a decisive blow. But some of the whites, impatient of delay, precipitated the attack, and it being made before it was sufficiently light to draw a sure aim upon any object at more than a few paces distance, the onslaught was not as effective as was desired. Colonel Tod had not reached the scene when the action was begun, and did not arrive until the sun was at least two hours high. Kenton's men poured a volley of shot into the encampment, and rushed immediately forward while the Indians scattered in all directions, by far the larger proportion of them making good their escape. Two were killed, and seven taken prisoners. Men, women and children abandoning all that they had, fled naked through the darkness, and alarmed the Indians at the town three miles further north, so that by the time the whites reached it, it was abandoned. The fires were still smouldering, and all about the huts and wigwams gave indication of the sudden exodus of its inhabitants. The town was burned to the ground, and all articles that were not regarded as valuable plunder, destroyed. That night the army encamped upon the north fork of Paint creek, and the next day took up the march for home without the loss of a single man, or having any wounded. BATTLE OF TECUMSEH AND SIMON KENTON NEAR LYNCHBURG, HIGHLAND COUNTY. Tradition locates the scene of the battle between the Shawnee Indians commanded by Tecumseh, and a white party, led by Simon Kenton, in the vicinity of Lynchburg, Highland county.* The exact locality at which *The proof is by no means conclusive that this battle was fought in the vicinity of Lynchburg, but the generel thread of evidence leads as definitely in that direction as any other. Drake says that "the Indians were found encamped on the southeast side of the east fork of the Little Miami, a few miles above the place where the town of Williamsburg has since been built." Colonel McDonald locates the scene of the engagement upon Paint creek (which is a manifest error), and Hon. Henry A. Shepperd, of Hillsborough, author of the "Popular History of Ohio," places it, after careful study, in the vicinity of Fayetteville, Brown county. Several other places are also designated by different authorities as the site of the battle. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 39 this engagement is supposed by many to have taken place, is the little prairie by the side of the east fork of the Little Miami river, about a mile and a quarter from the present village above mentioned, and upon tne land now owned by the widow of the late William Gibler. The strongest of the testimony offered to prove that the battle was fought at this spot consists in part of some allusions in the description, but more particularly in the fact that numerous implements of Indian warfare have been found on and around the little prairie; that in the early days of the settlement human remains were unearthed at this spot; that the trees presented to the eyes of the pioneers, who first established themselves in the vicinity, indisputable evidence of bullet marks, and that bullets or musket balls have been found imbedded in the wood. The battle in question was fought in March, 1792. The particulars are not involved in any such uncertainty as the place, and may be found in the writings of several authors. The best description is undoubtedly that given by Benjamin Drake in his "Life of Tecumseh," and it is from his account that we glean the facts, as here set forth. It seems that some horses had been stolen by the Indians from the settlers in Mason county, Kentucky, and a party of whites, consisting of thirty-six men, and including Simon Kenton, Whiteman, McIntire, Downing, Washburn, Calvin, and a number of other thoroughly experienced woodsmen, immediately set out in pursuit of the depradators. The trail of the Indians being taken, it was found that they had crossed the Ohio, just below the mouth of Lee's creek, which was reached by the whites toward evening. The river was crossed by the pursuing party that night, and in the morning they again took to the trail. Twelve of the men gave out, and on the succeeding morning were permitted to return. The remaining twenty-four men followed the trail until eleven o'clock in the forenoon, when they heard the tinkling of a bell, which they supposed to indicate their approach to the Indian camp. After the company had come to a halt, and all useless baggage and clothing had been laid aside, three men were sent ahead as spies. They went in different directions, and each was followed at a distance by a detachment of the company. After moving forward for a little while, the sound of the bell was heard more distinctly, and they knew that they were very near the camp. The men were halted, and soon saw a solitary Indian riding toward them in the forest. When he came within rifle range an unerring shot brought him to the ground dead, and the free horse galloped off into the forest. The spies now, in accordance with Kenton's orders, pushed fast ahead, and after going about four miles, found the Indians encamped on the southeast side of the east fork of the Little Miami, a few miles above the place where the town of Williamsburg has since been built. Kenton, seeing strong indications that the Indians were present in considerable number, judged it unwise to make an immediate attack. It was decided to retreat to a safe distance, and this plan was carried into effect, two of the spies being left to watch the Indians, and discover, if possible, whether they suspected the approach of a pursuing party. At night the spies returned to the main party, who had retreated to a commanding position upon a ridge, and reported to Kenton that they had not been discovered. All of the men had suffered greatly from the cold and wet, and it was decided, before making an attack, to restore their strength and spirits as far as possible. They made their way to a hollow, and there kindled fires by which they warmed themselves, dried their clothes and put their rifles in order. The company was then divided into three detachments, of which Kenton commanded the right, McIntire the center, and Downing the left. It was agreed that the three detachments should move forward simultaneously, and when they had approached as near to the camp as was possible without giving an alarm, they were to be guided in the commencement of the attack by the fire from Kenton's party. This plan, however, was not followed out, for when Downing and his men had secured a position quite close to the camp, an Indian arose to stir up the dimly burning fire, and fearing that he might discover them, Downing or some of his men instantly shot him. The rifle shot was quickly followed by a general fire upon the Indians, who were sleeping under some marques and bark tents close to the margin of the stream. The watchword of Kenton's party was "Boone." This turned out to be rather unfortunate, for the name was familiar to the Indians as to the whites, and it led to considerable confusion. The redskins did not retreat, as was expected they would, but firmly held their ground, and returned the fire of the attacking party. They were reinforced by some Indians from the opposite side of the creek, or from a line of huts on a lower level of the bottom, which had not been noticed by Kenton's men. "In a few minutes," says Drake, "the Indians and Kentuckians were blended with each other, and the cry of "Boone," and "Che Boone," arose simultaneously from each party." The attack was made after midnight, and it was very dark, there being no moon. After the fight had lasted a few minutes, Kenton, thinking that his men were likely to be worsted, ordered a retreat. This was continued through the rest of the night, and part of the day, the Indians pursuing the fleeing whites, but without killing more than one. The Kentuckians lost but two men— Alexander McIntire and John Barr. The loss of the Indians was much greater, according to the statement of some prisoners, who, after the peace of 1795, were released, and returned to Kentucky. They related that fourteen Indians were killed, and seventeen wounded. According to the statement of the same parties, there were in the camp one hundred warriors, among them several chiefs of note, including Tecumseh, Battise, Black Snake, Wolf, and Chinskau. The party had been formed for the purpose of attacking the Kentucky settlements, and the keelboats upon the Ohio. Kenton and his party were three days in reaching Limestone, during two of which they were without food. The statement of Stephen Ruddell, or " Big Fish," as he was called by the Indians, with whom he was at that 40 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. time fighting, differs, in some particulars, from the foregoing account, for which Drake had as his principal authority, Benjamin Whiteman, then of Kentucky, but afterwards of Greene county, Ohio. Ruddell says that the Indians were weaker in numbers than the whites, and that only two of them were killed. According to the same authority, Tecumseh was, at the time of the attack, lying by the fire outside of the tents, and that as soon as the first gun was fired he jumped to his feet, rushed forward, and killed one of the whites (John Barr) with his war club. The other Indians raising the war whoop, seized their arms, and rushing upon Kenton and his party, compelled them, after a severe contest of a few minutes, to retreat. One of the Indians fell into the stream, and in his efforts to get out of the water, made so much noise that it created a belief in the minds of the whites that a reinforcement was crossing the stream to aid Tecumseh. This is supposed to have hastened the order for the retreat. The capture and killing of McIntire is thus related by Drake : “The afternoon, prior to the battle, one of Kenton's men, by the name of McIntire, succeeded in catching an Indian horse, which he tied at the rear of the camp, and when a retreat was ordered he mounted it and rode off. Early in the morning Tecumseh and four of his men set off in pursuit of the retreating party. Having fallen upon the trail of McIntire, they pursued it for some distance, and finally overtook him. He had struck a fire and was cooking some meat. When McIntire discovered his pursuers he instantly fled at full speed. Tecumseh and two others followed and were fast gaining on him., when he turned and raised his gun. Two of the Indians, who happened to be in advance of Tecumseh, sprang behind trees, but he rushed upon McIntire and made him prisoner. He was tied and taken back to the battle-ground. Upon reaching it, Tecumseh deemed it prudent to draw off his men, lest the whites should rally and renew the attack. He requested some of the Indians to catch the horse, but they hesitating, he undertook to do it himself, assisted by-one of his men. When he returned to the camp he found that his men had killed McIntire. At this act of cruelty to a prisoner he was exceedingly indignant. The conduct of Tecumseh in this engagement, and in the events of the following morning, is creditable alike to his courage and his humanity. Resolutely brave in battle, his arm was never uplifted against a prisoner, nor did he suffer violence to he inflicted upon a captive without prOmptly rebuking it.'' McDonald says of this action : " The celebrated 'Tecumseh commanded the Indians. His cautious and fearless intrepidity made him a host where ever he went. In military tactics, night attacks are not allowable, except in cases like this where the assailing party are far inferior in numbers. Sometimes in night attacks, panics and confusion are created in the attacked party, which may render them a prey to inferior numbers. Kenton trusted to something like this on the present occasion, but was disappointed, for when Tecumseh was present, his influence over the minds of his followers infused that confidence in his tact and intrepidity, that they could only be defeated by force of numbers." KENTON'S SECOND ADVENTURE ON PAINT CREEK. In 1793, a party of Indians crossed the Ohio, near the mouth of the Scioto, and, penetrating into Kentucky, attacked and took Morgan's station. As soon as this disaster had occurred, Kenton was, according to previous arrangement, made aware of it, and immediately raised a company of about thirty men, nearly all like himself, hardy rangers, and set out in pursuit of the offenders. They crossed the river at Limestone, and made a rapid march through the forest northward, as it was Kenton's belief that the retreating savages could be intercepted somewhere near the mouth of Paint creek. The little band of scouts struck Paint creek at the locality since known as Reeves' crossing, and here they came upon fresh Indian "signs." A trail indicated that a party of Indians had, but a very short time before, passed down the creek. The whole company followed the direction of this fresh trail until nearly dark, and then made a halt, as it was believed they could not be far from the enemy. Kenton and Michael Cassady went forward to reconnoiter, exerting great care lest they should alarm the Indians by the noise of a too rapid advancement. They had proceeded but a short distance when they heard the soft tinkling of bells, and they then knew that the Indians were not far ahead. Guided by the sound of the bells, the spies 'crept cautiously forward, to make observations of the camp. They found the Indians on the bank of the creek. They had kindled their fires, and were evidently enjoying the fullest sense of security, for they were lounging about in careless attitudes, some singing and others conversing, or going to and fro, making what little preparation was needed for their simple supper. After looking for a while upon the unsuspecting warriors, as they were taking their ease after the day's march, and getting an exact knowledge of the situation, Kenton and his companion returned to the place where the company had halted. A council was held, and it was agreed that the men should remain still till daylight, then surround the camp, and make one of those sudden, swift attacks, upon which so much reliance was placed in those days by all Indian fighters. Kenton's party, all of whom had horses on this expedition, tied them securely, and then all but the guards or sentinels lay down for a night's rest. Just before daylight all were astir, and the company set out for the Indian encampment. When they had got quite near, they divided into three squads. Captain Baker, with one, proceeded to the creek above the camp; Cassady, with the second, went below, while Kenton, in command of the third, was to make the attack in front. In order that no awkward mistakes should be made, the different divisions were positively instructed that they should, under no consideration, make an attack until daylight. When the day dawned, the Indians had arisen and were scattered about the camp, standing or sitting by the fires, and apparently, as on the night before, wholly unconscious of any danger. Captain Baker became impatient to make the attack as soon as the Indians could be seen, and was- rather premature in firing. Nevertheless, after his rifle had sounded upon the air, there was no time for delay. Immediately all the divisions rushed forward, and sent a shower of bullets into the now confused huddle of savages. There was means of escape only upon one side—that toward the creek. Into the water dashed the whole number, and they made a wild flight through the woods on the opposite shore. Three Indians were found to be killed, and also one white man named Ward, who had been captured when young, adopted into the tribe, and always lived after the manner of the Indians. One of Kenton's party, Joseph Jones, was killed, but in what manner has never been stated. The whites, after plundering the HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 41 camp, immediately started for the Ohio river, it being impracticable to give the Indians chase. Drake, in his life of Tecumseh, gives an account of this engagement, differing from the foregoing, which is based upon McDonald's narrative. He says that Tecumseh was at the head of the Indian party; that James Ward, instead of Cassady, commanded one of the divisions of the whites, and that the Indians, instead of dashing through the creek, and so making their escape, by a flank movement secured the horses of Kenton's party and rode them away. Drake further states that John Ward was the only man killed upon the Indian side; and that he was a brother of Captain James Ward, of the attacking party. THE LAST INDIAN FIGHT ON THE SCIOTO. Another glimpse of the dangers of frontier life is afforded by a reminiscence published in a newspaper in 1834, and copied by the late John McDonald, in his valuable "Sketches." The adventure was enacted on Paint creek in 1785, and was the last Indian battle in the Scioto valley. General attention having been drawn to the richness of the Scioto country, through the favorable reports of General Nathaniel Massie, and those who had been engaged with him in surveying, a company was organized at Manchester for the purpose of exploration. Among those who composed this company were Massie, Rev. Robert W. Finley, and General James Menary. After proceeding several days cautiously, they fell on Paint creek, near the falls. Here they found fresh Indian signs, and had not traveled far before they heard the bells on the horses. Some of the company were what are called "raw hands," and, previous to this, wanted much "to smell Indian powder." One of the company, who had fought in the Revolutionary war and also with the Indians, said to one of these vaunting fellows: "If you do, you will run, or I am much mistaken." A council was now called. Some of the most experienced thought it was too late to retreat, and thought it was best to take the Indians by surprise. General Massie, Fallenach, and R. W. Finley, were to lead on the company, and Captain Petty was to bring up the rear. The Indians were encamped on Paint creek, precisely at what is called Reeves' crossing.t They came on them by surprise, and, out of forty men, about twenty of them fought. Those fellows who wanted to smell powder so much, ran the other way and hid behind logs, and Captain Petty reported afterwards that they had the ague, so badly were they frightened. The battle was soon ended in favor of the whites, for the Indians fled across the creek and left all they had but their guns. Several were killed and wounded, and one white man, a Mr. Robinson, was shot through the body, and died immediately. These Indians had one male prisoner with them, who made his escape to the whites, and was brought home to his rela- * The article referred to was published in the Western Christian Advocate, over the initials "F. B.," and Colonel McDonald thinks, was written by the Rev. J. B. Finley, a son of Rev. Robert W. Finley, a participant in the occurrence described. + It will be noticed that this is the very same place that Kenton attacked a party of Indians in 1793. tives. , As soon as the company could gather up all of the horses and skins, and other plunder, they retreated for the settlement at Manchester. "Night overtook them on the waters of Scioto Brush creek, and, as they expected to be followed by the Indians, they made preparations for the skirmish. The next morning, an hour before day, the attack was made with vigor on the part of the Indians, and resisted as manfully by a few of the whites. There being a sink- hale near, those bragging cowards got down into it, to prevent the balls from hitting them. Several horses were killed, and one man, a Mr. Gilfillan, shot through the thigh. After an hour's contest the Indians retreated, and the company arrived at the place they started from, having lost one man, and one man wounded." Although the foregoing was the last battle or skirmish with the Indians in the Scioto country, it was not the last occurrence worthy of note. The tragical and mysterious death of Captain Herrod, and the basely treacherous murder of the Shawnee chief, Waw-wil-a-way, were events which created great excitement both among the Indians and the white settlers, and threatened to embroil the races in a bitter war. The narratives of adventure with the Indians, which have been given in this chapter, all relate to incidents which ante-date the settlement of the country, but that which we are about to give has for its subject occurrences that belong to the later period, and which will illustrate the condition of affairs among the early inhabitants. MURDER OF CAPTAIN HERROD, In the spring of 1803, some men hunting in the woods found, at a point on the Hegler bottom, near what is now known as " Herrod's creek," and not far from the present turnpike bridge over the same, in Concord township, the dead body of Captain Herrod, a man who had been one of the company that made the first settlement at Prairie station, and who had attained to a position of much influence and great respect among the settlers. It was supposed, from the appearance of the body, which bore traces of the scalping knife and tomahawk, that the murder had been committed by Indians. The news of the shocking discovery spread through the sparsely settled country like wildfire, and produced, everywhere, the utmost terror and dismay. The thought that was uppermost in the minds of the great majority of the settlers, was that the Indians, who since 1795 had faithfully observed the conditions of the Greenville treaty, had now recommenced hostilities upon the whites. It was secretly suggested, however, and in some quarters firmly believed, that Captain Herrod had not been a victim of Indian treachery and brutality, but had been killed by a jealous and unsuccessful rival for preferment in the State militia. However this may have been, the tragedy was so deeply enshrouded in mystery that no clue was then, or ever after, discovered, which would lead to the detection of the perpetrator. Popular feeling ran high against the Indians. The vague terror spread through the scattered settlements, and everywhere hurried preparations were made for defence against the savage foe. Block houses 42 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. were hastily thrown up, sentinels were posted, and every measure taken that could add to the security of the affrighted people. "The citizens of Chillicothe, though in the center of population, collected together for the purpose of fortifying the town." Rumor, ever active to increase distress, was busily engaged in spreading baseless reports of fresh attrocities, and the people's minds were raised to the fever-heat of excitment, indignation and terror by the reports that the inhabitants of Darby, and other settlements, had all been killed, and their homes pillaged by the savage foe. Imagination invested every day with danger, and men, women and children, everywhere, lived in constant apprehension of hearing the dread war-whoop, which was to be the precursor of their most horrible destruction. The settlers along the' north fork of Paint, rendezvoused at Old Town (now Frankfort), and there was in their midst, if possible, even a greater terror than existed in Chillicothe, for their number was smaller than the population at the latter place, and they were nearer the foe. Among those who gathered at this place was Nathaniel Wolf*, who came from the creek. It was he, who, heated by the universally shared excitement and laboring under the common belief that Captain Herrod had been murdered by the Indians, took the life of the chief, Waw-wil-a-way. The deed was accompanied by circumstances of such extreme perfidity and cowardice, as men at the time could find no where the slightest justification or excuse, and which made the perpetrator, very justly, then, and ever after, the subject of almost universal condemnation. THE KILLING OF WAW-WIL-A-WAY. The best published narrative of this brutal and treacherous murder occurs in the autobiography of the Rev. James B. Finley, and as it agrees substantially with the accounts generally related by old settlers or their descendants, we shall insert it, substantially, in the author's own graphic language. Wolf, after remaining for several days at Old Town, became anxious to know the condition of his stock at the farm, and employed two men, Williams and Ferguson, to go with him to make an examination. When they had proceeded about six miles (in a westerly direction to the locality known since as "Wolf's Prairie"), they saw an Indian who, when he approached nearer, they recognized as Waw-wil-a-way, "the old and faithful hunter of General Massie during his surveying tours, and an unwavering friend of the white man." His home was near the falls of Paint creek, and he had there a wife and two sons who were also much liked by the white neighbors. He was a sober, brave, intelligent man, "beloved by all for his generous and frank demeanor." Waw-wil-a-way was frequently engaged in taking wild game and skins to Old Town for the purpose of exchanging them for such articles as he wanted, and left his home that morning upon one of these errands. Meeting Wolf and his two companions, he conducted himself in his usual frank and friendly manner, shook hands cordially * Finley speaks of him as David Wolf, but common tradition agrees upon, and asserts, the name as given in the text. with his white brothers, and enquired about the health of each. What then ensued, Finley relates as follows: " The salutation being over, Wolf asked him if ha would not trade guns ; and the chief assenting, an exchange was made for the purpose of examining previous to the satisfaction of the bargain. While this was going on, Wolf being on horseback, unperceived by Waw-wil-away, opened the pan, and then poured nut the priming and handing it back, said he believed he would not trade with him. "Wolf and Williams then dismounted, and asked the chief if the Indians had commenced war. "His answer was ' No, no ! the Indians and the white men are now all one, all brothers'. "Wolf then asked if he had heard that the Indians had killed Captain Herrod, "The chief, much surprised at the intelligence, replied that he had not heard it, and seemed to doubt the correctness of the report. "Wolf assured him that it was true. "May be whiskey, too much drink, was the cause of the quarrel. "Wolf replied, 'Herrod had no quarrel with the Indians ; nor is it known by whom he was killed, or what cause. "Waw-wil-a-way said, 'May be some bad white man kill Captain Herrod.'" The conversation then ended, and the party making preparation to resume their journey, the chief again shook hands with all in a friendly manner as a greeting. After he had proceeded on his way about ten steps, Wolf raised his rifle, and taking deliberate aim at the Indian's back, fired and shot him through the body. Waw-wil-a-away did not fall, although he knew his wound must prove mortal; nor did he submit to die as most men would have done in similar circumstances. * * The brave Shawnee chief * * turned upon his ungenerous and cowardly assailants, determined to sell his life at as dear a rate as his helpless condition would admit, raised his unerring rifle, and leveled it at Wolf, who jumped behind his horse. Williams' horse became frightened, and, plunging about, left his body unprotected, and Waw-wil-a-way's rifle told its tale of death. Williams was shot through the body, and fell dead in the path. The Indian then clubbed his gun, and, in a state of desperation, rushed upon Wolf, and with one blow felled him to the earth. Recovering, and being strong and active, he closed upon the Indian, and made an effort to seize him by the long tuft of hair on the top of his head. He had a shawl tied around his head in the shape of a turban, and this being seized by Wolf, instead of the hair, he gave a violent jerk, for the purpose of bringing him to the ground. The shawl giving way, Wolf fell on his back. At this the Indian drew his knife and made a thrust at Wolf, who, seeing his danger, raised his feet to ward off the blow, and received the blade of the knife in his thigh. In the scuffle, the blade broke off in the wound. At the same time Wolf made a stroke at the Indian, the blade of his knife entering the breast-bone. Just then Ferguson came to Wolf's assistance; but the Indian, taking up Wolf's gun, struck him upon the head a most fearful blow, and brought him to the earth, laying bare his skull from the crown to the ear. Here the sanguinary conflict ended. * * * * * * * "When the deadly strife ended, the foes of Waw-wil-a-way were all lying at his feet, and had he been able to have followed up his blows, he would have dispatched them, for they were completely within his power. But his strength failed him, and perhaps his sight, for he must HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 43 have been in the agonies of death during the whole conflict. It may be the poor Indian relented, and that forgiveness played like a sunshine around his generous heart. He gave one glance upon his fallen foes ; then, turning away, he walked out into the grass, and fell upon his face amid the wild flowers of the prairie, where his heart, which never ceased to beat with kindness for the white man, at once and forever was still. "During the entire engagement, he never spoke a word. Silently he acted his part in the fearful drama, as though moved by an invisible agency. The conduct of Wolf and his comrades was the most dastardly and mean, and deserves the execration of the world. They first attempted to disarm him by throwing the priming out of his gun, and then talking with him and parting under the mock of friendship. Had Wolf and his companions supposed him to have been in any way accessory to the murder of Herrod, he would have gone with them cheerfully to Old Town, or Chillicothe, and given himself up to an investigation. But Wolf was determined upon murder, and the blood of Waw-wil-a-w .y rests upon his head. "Williams was found dead of his wounds. Wolf was carried home in a wagon, and the knife blade extracted by a surgeon. Ferguson's wound was dressed, but both of these suffered much. The body of the chief was found where it fell, and it was pronounced by the surgeon— Dr. Edmiston—who examined his wounds, that either of them must have proved mortal. It seemed that Providence designed he should, in some degree, avenge his own death. "The death of this great and good chief added fuel to the excitement which had preceded it. The Indians in the neighborhood fled in one direction, and the whites in another. Neither party knew what to do. All was dismay and confusion." TECUMSEH'S VISIT TO CHILLICOTHE. While this sense of danger and uncertainty was abroad, General Duncan McArthur, and Governor Thomas Worthington, of Chillicothe, mounted their horses, and rode into the Indian country, near Fort Greenville, to ascertain the feeling of the Indians. They found the famous Tecumseh, who assured them that the people of his nation were disposed toward peace, and that they had no knowledge of the murder of Herrod. Tecumseh, upon the urgent invitation of the representatives of the whites, consented to accompany them to Chillicothe. He did so, and a day was fixed on which he should make his assuring address. At the appointed time a large number of people were assembled. A white man by the name of Riddle, who had been for many years among the Indians, acted as interpreter. Governor Tiffin opened the conference. "When Tecumseh arose to speak," says Colonel McDonald, who was an eye witness, "as he cast his gaze over the vast multitude which the interesting occasion had brought together, he appeared one of the most dignified men I ever beheld. While this orator of nature was speaking, the vast crowd preserved the most profound silence. From the confident manner in which he spoke of the intention of the Indians to adhere to the treaty of Greenville, and live in peace and friendship with their white brethren, he dispelled, as if by magic, the apprehensions of the whites--the settlers returned to their farms, and business generally was resumed throughout that region." "This incident," says Drake, "is of value in forming an estimate of the character of this chief; it exhibits the confidence reposed in him by the white inhabitants of the frontier. The declaration of no other Indian could thus have dispelled the fears of a border war, which then pervaded the settlement." But to return to the narrative, which Finley closes with an interesting description of a peculiar Indian ceremony, it may be remarked that there was one exception to the general tranquillity occasioned by Tecumseh's visit. Wawwil-a-way, as before related, had two sons, who had, in accordance with Indian custom, vowed to be revenged on Wolf, for the death of their father. It was regarded as a duty among the Indians that the nearest kin of a murdered man should take the life of the murderer, unless safety was purchased by the payment of such a price as the family might agree upon. Wolf, apprehensive that the young men would kill him, removed hastily, with his family, to Kentucky, and employed a friend to intercede with the sons of his victim. It was agreed that they should each receive a horse, and accouterments, and a new rifle, on condition that they should forego the exercise of their right to kill Wolf. It was arranged that the compact should be made with the proper ceremony, and Old Town was designated as the place for its fulfilment. Wolf came from Kentucky to meet the young men. "A large concourse," says Finley, "was assembled at Old Town to witness the Indian ceremonies. A hollow square was formed in which were Wolf and his horses and trappings, and the two Indians. The Indians in relinquishing their claims to the life of the murderer, raised their hands toward heaven, invoking the Great Spirit, declaring that to him alone they transferred the blood and life of Wolf, forfeited by the death of their father. The scene was full of the most impressive solemnity, and many were moved to tears. In token of their forgiveness, they advanced and took. Wolf by the hand—the same bloody hand which sent their beloved father to the grave and made them orphans. Then, saluting him as a brother, they lighted the calumet, or pipe of peace, and smoked with him in the presence of the Great Spirit. They remained good friends ever afterward and often visited each other." Some contemporaneous testimony upon the murder of Captain Herrod and Waw-wil-a-way, is afforded by the Scioto Gazette, under the day of May 21, rgo3, and beneath the caption, "ALARM!" we read, in large type : "This morning, about three o'clock, an express arrived in town from Old Chillicothe, with information that, yesterday afternoon, Captain Herrod, while at work in his field had been shot and scalped by the Indians, and who was not dead at the time he was discovered by his family, but was able to relate some of the circumstances, and died soon after, having had two balls through his head. A body of upwards of forty Shawnees, from Sandusky, had been for several days' lurking between Westfield and that settlement, and who, immediately after the murder, went to the prairie, drove the horses over the creek, took as many as they wanted, and drove off. On the alarm being given, the citizens of this town immediately turned out a company of volunteers, who left this day, about daylight." In the next issue of the Gazette occurs an article which says, "That Captain Herrod was found shot, scalped and tomahawk'd, is a fact, but by whom is not ascertained." It is further stated that the report that a party of Indians was in the neighborhood "was premature," and that the company of volunteers that went out from Old Chillicothe, although they came across several Indian encampments, they found the Indians apparently ignorant of the murder that had been committed. An account has been given of the killing of Waw-wil-a-way, and the article concludes with an expression of confidence that, "notwithstanding the late unfortunate occurrence, a reconciliation may be affected." /td>