250 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. Like most river bottoms, it forms a valuable soil, and is not subject to the disadvantage of occasional overflow. East of the beach ridges, and between them, the plain is of a rich, friable clay loam, entirely stoneless, and varied near the ridges by streaks of sandy loam. It is formed of fine material derived from the Erie clay, and spread smoothly by lake currents. Lying so nearly level that the water of rains runs off but slowly, it has accumulated a rich store of vegetable mold, and needs but thorough drainage to develop its wealth. This covers the greater part of Pulaski, Brady and Springfield ; but in the latter towns are some slight swells exhibiting the gravelly clay of the western portion of the county—truncated knolls of the Erie clay that were not covered by the lacustrine deposits. BUILDING AND ROAD MATERIAL. Williams County contains no stone quarry, and the great depth of the drift forbids the hope that one may be discovered. In the northern and eastern towns, bowlders have sufficed for the foundations of farm houses; but most of the land east of the lake ridges lacks even these. WATER. The entire subterranean water supply is from the sand and gravel beds of the Erie clay. Where the country is rolling, springs abound along the streams, and nearly everywhere water can be cheaply obtained by boring. In the western and northern parts, shallow wells, ten to twenty feet deep, generally suffice; but, in the remainder, a depth of fifty feet is not unusual, and many wells exceed one hundred feet. The famous artesian wells of the Maumee Valley, the first of which were developed at Bryan, in 1842, have their source in the Erie clay. They have now become so numerous, and the search for them has been so general, that their distribution in this and the adjoining counties is pretty well defined, and some explanation of them may be given. They are found in a belt of country which, in common with the other geological features of the vicinity, has a northeast and southwest trend. Its western limit is the more definite, and, through Defiance County and the southern part of Williams, follows close to the upper beach line; the belt then follows more to the east, and terminates in Gorham, Fulton County. Its width varies from two to ten miles, and seems to be affected by the proximity of a deep cutting stream, as the Maumee River, or the lower course of Bean Creek. The beds of sand are sometimes isolated and dry, and sometimes connected in broad systems, through which water percolates, following the descent of the land. West of the upper ridge, it finds its way to the surface at many points, forming springs along the streams; and the water, in neighboring deep wells, rises no higher, or but little HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 251 higher, than these springs. East of the ridge, the unbroken lacustrine clay cuts off the discharge through springs, as far as the nearest deep-cutting stream. This taps the sand-beds, and lowers the head for some distance ; but the sand, through which the water seeps, affords sufficient resistance to maintain an artesian head near the ridge. The discharge, though copious, is sensibly limited. Every new fountain well diminishes the flow of those near it, and, as the number of wells in a locality increases, the head is lowered. I am informed by Mr. Hess, a well-borer in Bryan, that in that place it has fallen about three feet in the last seventeen years, so that many wells, which originally flowed, now have to be furnished with pumps. The source of this ever-welling water, artesian and otherwise, is, of course, higher than the discharge, and, consequently, west of the lake ridges. Its perennial flow suggests a distant reservoir, while the small percentage of its mineral constituents, and their variable character, point to one near at hand. The superficial, yellow portion of the Erie clay, is, in great part, permeable, and, storing a portion of the water that falls on it, yields it gradually to the underlying sand beds whenever it touches them. This, the ordinary explanation of springs rising from the drift, seems to me quite adequate to account for the supply of these wells. The mineral impurities of the well, and spring water of the country, are as variable as the constitution of the clay from which they are derived. :No analyses have been made, but the general facts are appreciable to the senses. The usual earthy carbonates, constituting it "hard" water, are always present, though not often in great amount. Oxide of iron, accompanied by sulphydric acid, is very common, and frequently in considerable force, giving a yellow coating to the spouts and troughs that convey the water. A few wells, in various localities, afford what is called " bitter water." This is rendered noxious, and fortunately, at the same time, unpalatable, by the presence of an iron, alum, or perhaps copperas. One well is worthless, from the presence of a gaseous hydro-carbon, and I am told that one or two others are tainted by the same. STRYKER MINERAL WATER. In 1865, a well was commenced in Stryker under the superintendence of Hon. William Sheridan, Jr., of that place, in search of oil. With some intervals the work was continued until 1867, when it was abandoned, a depth of 860 feet having been attained. More recently, attention was attracted to a heavily charged mineral water that was met in limestone, probably of the Hamilton group, at a depth of 230 feet. In February, 1870, an analysis was made by Prof. S. H. Douglas, of the University of Michigan, which exhibited the presence of elements in the water of the 252 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. highest medicinal value. The gas rises continuously, keeping the surface of the water in a state of ebullition. Periodically, a large volume finds vent at once, escaping with great force, and carrying the water with it in a foaming torrent. This continues from ten to twenty minutes, when the flow of gas gradually diminishes to a minimum, and the water subsides to eight or ten feet below the level of the ground, from which position it slowly rises until the next discharge. If the well is left open, this occurs in about six hours, but, by partially closing the top, it can be indefinitely delayed. On the other hand, it can be induced, after a shorter interval, by agitating the water in such manner as to give it a vertical oscillation. It would appear that the gas collects in some reservoir over a body of water, which it gradually displaces. When the water is forced so low that a little gas can escape by way of the well, it rushes out so rapidly that it blows away some of the water from the opening ; it can then escape still more rapidly, and by this reciprocation the aperture is cleared, and a large volume of gas discharged at once. From the repetition of this process arises the periodicity of the overflow. By checking the escape of the gas above, it is prevented from rushing violently out of its storehouse, and an equilibrium is maintained, and it is easy to see how the agitation of the water would serve to precipitate the emission. This explanation is, of course, not demonstrable at the well, but is at present the only one suggested that seems to accord with the phenomena. A trifling amount of petroleum rises with the water, and, at the commencement of the discharge, the odor of carbureted hydrogen is plainly discernible, mingled with that of the sulphydric acid, but it is afterward lost. As the discharge progresses, there is a change likewise in the taste of the water. The well-known narcotic properties of the gas have been illustrated in the putting to sleep of several visitors. NATIVE TIMBER. The primitive forest growth was tall and compact throughout the county, with the exception of a few hundred acres of 11 oak openings" (partly on clay and partly on sandy soil) in the township of Northwest. There are no prairies. The native timber was chiefly white elm, beech, white and burr oak, white ash, sugar and swamp maple, linden, sycamore, black, red and white oak, white wood, black and white walnut, black ash, elm, iron wood and buckeye. Of the small growth, or undergrowth, were dogwood, elder, black baw, plum, chokecherry, crabapple, prickly ash, papaw and sumac. Crossing the beach line to the more level country, less change is found in the variety of species than in their relative abundance. The oaks, the sugar maple and the beech become less prominent. [For a portion of the above statements, the writer is indebted to the late J. H. Klippard, Secretary of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture.] HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 253 INDIAN AND FRENCH TRAILS. Since the settlement of the country by Europeans—Fort Wayne and Maumee City, in 1680, and Detroit, in 1710—and when French trading posts became established between the places named, lines of communication by trails were opened between these posts, and good traditional authority exists for the belief that at least one of these Indian and French trails passed through Williams County. Maj. Suttenfield and wife passed over it on horseback, after Hull's surrender of the Northwestern army in the latter part of the summer of 1812, on their journey from Detroit to Fort Wayne. But railroad tracks and plowshares, a generation and more since, destroyed all vestige of this and many other trails that were so often trodden by the once powerful tribes who held dominion over this country. COUNTY DRAINAGE. It is stated by Mr. Solier, the present efficient County Auditor, that there has been expended by Williams County within about the last ten years, in the construction of open ditches alone, the enormous proximate sum of $250,000. Some sixty or seventy ditches have been built, several of which are many miles in length, and are now great outlets to large tracts of swampy land that have been reclaimed and subjected to cultivation. Two things in the county are rapidly contributing to the destruction of malaria: 1. The splendid system of tile and open drainage; 2. The constant opening of new and old lands to the action of the sun. It is stated by prominent physicians, who have long resided and practiced in the county, that within the last twenty-five years the decrease in malarial ills has been more than fifty per cent. This can be due to nothing else than a destruction of malarial causes by the cultivati©n of the soil and by drainage. Not satisfied with the results of the past, this county, in conjunction with Defiance County, is at present engaged in constructing the Forty-six Mile, or Big Swale, Ditch, which, the Defiance Times says, "is probably the longest ditch in the State of Ohio." It is to commence near Bryan, thence, with many ramifications and branches, is to extend southeast and finally find an outlet on the north shore of Maumee River. The cost has been variously estimated at from $60,000 to $150,000. There are at present about twenty tile factories in the county, furnishing in the aggregate about sixty thousand rods of tiling per annum, almost the whole of which finds a speedy utility within the limits of the county. POLITICS OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. It has been said, and probably with much truth, that a cotemporary and active participant in political or religious conflicts that had divided 254 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. populations of communities and States would be incompetent to write impartial history of scenes in which he had been an actor. Hence it has been affirmed that no one, on either North or South side, conspicuous during the progress of the late civil war, would be enabled to write a a faithful history of the great American "conflict, and that the true historian who will undertake that work and prosecute it to right conclusions may not yet have been born. The writer of this was, at one time, engaged in the struggles of parties for political supremacy (not, however, immediately in Williams County); but he may with truth say that the heated passions engendered by former controversies have, with him at least, cooled down, and years ago have ceased to disturb him, and he therefore undertakes, with unfaltering belief that partisan animosities and prejudices have so far perished from his mind as to enable him to write an impartial and truthful history of the politics of Williams County—generally, however, supporting any statement he may make by official data that no one would attempt to controvert. Williams County was organized the same year (1824) that the remarkable presidential contest occurred between Jackson, Adams, Clay and Crawford. The administration of Mr. Monroe had been so pacific and conciliatory in its measures that the party lines previously existing had become almost obliterated, and it appeared to be conceded that his policy had established "an era of good feeling." Means of communication with the outer world inhabited by civilized people were then so limited, and newspapers and documents so scarce and difficult to obtain, that the political excitement among the new settlers was not sufficient to disturb neighborhood tranquillity. But when the election, under the forms of the constitution, was transferred to the House of Representatives, after the meeting of Congress on the first Monday in December, 1824, and when it became known that, by the decision of the House, the popular voice had been disregarded by the choice of John Quincy Adams, and intelligence of the result finally penetrated the fastnesses of the dwellers in the Northwestern Ohio wilderness, it aroused a feeling that had a tendency to form political classification, but sharp party lines during many years were not drawn, and even when they were did not embrace candidates for the popular suffrage of a lesser grade than Federal and State officers, and rarely extended to candidates for merely local offices, yet, in process of time, political organizations upon a broader basis were formed that contested for possession of the smaller grade of offices, and from 1828 onward the organization of political parties, although occasionally broken, has been generally compact. The Abolition party ever had only a slight foothold in the county and so with the Anti-Masonic party. Until 1834, and for several years on- HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 257 ward, the party adverse to the Democratic organization had been known as National Republicans and Anti-Masons, but in that year the parties opposed to the Democracy formed a coalition and changed their name to Whig, and under this name fought their battles until 1855-56, when a fusion between the Free Soilers and Know-Nothings was made, and both elements combined under the name of Republican. There existed, however, during many years, in Williams County, a small, but brave and earnest body of Abolitionists, who were denounced and persecuted by both Democrats and Whigs, who vied with each other in making assaults upon "the incendiary Abolitionist," and it was only upon this common ground that the two powerful parties would make common warfare. A woman of high character and intelligence, Miss Abbey Kelley, who had been invited by the little band in the town and county to address a public meeting at Bryan, was, after her lecture and on her way from the place of meeting to the house of a friend where she was a guest, the object of gross personal insult, a cowardly mob following her, making use of coarse language and even casting eggs at her person. Thirty years and more have elapsed since this occurrence, but it is probable that now, were Miss Kelley living, and she would appear before a Bryan audience and advocate the very principles embodied in the speech she then made, the same ill-mannered crowd would, were they all living, defend, to the last extremity, her person against any threatened insult ; and this simple reminiscence indicates the revolution that time has wrought in public sentiment. Before proceeding further, some election statistics are referred to : The first election for county officers was held April 8, 1824, at which, for Auditor, Timothy S. Smith received 37 votes, and H. Jerome 26 votes. For Coroner, Arthur Burras 6 votes; John Oliver 40 votes, and Thomas Warren 17 votes. For Sheriff, James Shirley had 14 votes, and William Preston 48 votes. For Commissioners, Jesse Hilton had 58 votes ; Cyrus Hunter, 37 votes ; Charles Gunn, 31 votes; Montgomery Evans, 28 votes; Benjamin Leavell, 26 votes; William Hunter, 4 votes ; and John Oliver, 1 vote. At the October election, same year, for Governor, Allen Trimble received 61 votes, and Jeremiah Morrow 6 votes. For State Senator, James Mills had 47 votes, and for Representative, Alexander Smith had 47 votes. There does not appear upon the official abstract record of any opposition offered to either the Senatorial or Representative candidates. The vote for Governor in 1840 will exhibit quite as clearly the relative strength of the Whig and Democratic parties in Williams County as the vote for President, cast in the month following. Appended is the official canvass for Governor, County Commissioner and County Auditor: 260 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. 1850—Atthe October election of 1850, held on the 8th of that month, for Governor, Reuben Wood (Dem.), received in Williams County 601 votes, and his Whig opponent, William Johnston, 402 votes. 1852—In this year, for Congress, Alfred P. Edgerton (Democrat) received 730 votes; J. C. Parker (Whig), 434 votes, and Woolsey Wells (Free-Soil), 2 votes—the two votes in the county having been given Mr. Wells in Pulaski Township. Mr. Edgerton's majority at this election exceeded that received by any other candidate upon the Democratic ticket. 1855—At this October election, in Pulaski Township, for Governor, Salmon P. Chase (Republican) received 890 votes; William Medill (Democrat), 861 votes, and Allen Trimble (American), 17 votes. The majority of the Republican ticket was elected, although the majority for Mr. Chase was the largest. This was the first instance in the political history of Williams County where the regular nominees of the Democratic party had been entirely overthrown in a strictly party contest since the organization of that party. 1860—Pulaski Township, at the October election of this year, voted as follows: For Supreme Judge, Jacob Brinkerhoff (Republican), 206 votes, and Thomas J. S. Smith (Democrat), 236 votes; Board of Public Works, Levi Sargent (Republican), 204 votes, and Abner L. Backus (Democrat), 218 votes ; Congress, James M. Ashley (Republican), 207 votes, and James B. Steedman (Democrat), 230 votes ; Probate Judge, Isaac R. Sherwood (Republican), 164 votes, and Meredith R. Willett (Democrat), 277 votes; Clerk, George L. Starr (Democrat), 146 votes, and Jacob Youse (Republican), 298 votes; Auditor, Conroy W. Mallory (Republican), 235 votes, and William Sheridan, Jr., (Democrat), 202 votes; Recorder, Harvey H. Wilcox (Republican), 214 votes, and Henry Sheets (Democrat), 225 votes; Commissioner, Alpheus W. Boynton (Republican), 196 votes, and John G. Mattoon (Democrat), 234 votes ; Coroner, Justus 0. Rose (Democrat), 204 votes, and George W. Barkdull (Republican), 233 votes. 1863—There probably never occurred an election in Ohio that produced a higher degree of excitement within the State, or a more profound interest abroad than the memorable campaign of 1863. Since the opening of the war, in 1861, there had occurred no conflict that would bear comparison, in the intensity of feeling it produced, to this one. After the close of the polls on the 13th of October, results were rapidly received and transmitted, and the Governor-elect being then resident of Cleveland, was, near 12 o'clock at night, in possession of sufficient returns to authorize him to transmit a dispatch to Edwin M. Stanton, then Secretary of War, that the entire Republican State ticket in Ohio had been HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 261 elected by a majority of about 100,000. The official vote in Williams County is appended: Of the Williams County soldiers in the army, 362 voted, and of these all cast their votes for the Republican candidates, with the exception of two, who voted for Vallandigham ; and three cast their votes for each of the others upon the Democratic State, legislative and county tickets. Since this memorable election, the politics, or party lines in Williams County, have not been sharply defined. The voters have been generally "independent," and it has been difficult to estimate results, particularly as regards candidates for county offices, until the votes have been officially canvassed, though there can be no doubt that the Republicans have now a clear majority in the county. Passing here an interval of sixteen years, it may be mentioned that Gov. Charles Foster (Republican), in Williams County, in 1879, received 2,761 votes, and Gen. Thomas Ewing (Democrat) 2,628 votes, giving to the Republican candidate a majority of 133. In 1881, Gov. Foster being a candidate for re-election, be received 2,588 votes, and John W. Bookwalter (Dem.) 2,257 votes, giving to Gov. Foster a majority of 331. 262 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. So far as attainable from official and other records deemed authentic, the vote of Williams County in its original and present limits for Presidential electors is here given, commencing with the memorable log cabin and hard cider campaign, as it was at the time characterized, that occurred nearly a half century ago. 1840—William H. Harrison (Whig), 396 votes; Martin Van Buren HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 263 (Democrat), 407, giving the latter a majority in the county of 11 votes. Mr. Birney, the Abolition candidate, received no vote in Williams county. 1844—Henry Clay (Whig) received 583 votes, and James K. Polk (Democrat), 673 votes, making Polk's majority 90. Again, there were no votes cast for Mr. Birney, who ran the second time in the canvass as the candidate of the Abolitionists. 1848—In this contest a convention of Free-Soilers held at Buffalo, N. Y., placed in nomination a candidate for the Presidency, and adopted a chart of principles satisfactory to nearly all the Abolitionists, and to many others of the old parties. In Williams County, the vote stood : Zachary Taylor (Whig), 328 votes ; Lewis Cass (Dem), 510 ; Martin Van Buren (Free-Soil), 154. Majority for Cass over Taylor, 182. 1852—Franklin Pierce (Dem.), 832 votes; Winfield Scott (Whig), 546; John P. Hale (Free-Soil and Abolition), 160. Majority for Pierce over Scott, 286. Between this and the quadrennial election following the very name and machinery of the Whig party had passed out of existence. 1856—James Buchanan (Dem.), 1,022 votes; John C. Fremont (Rep.), 1,327 ; Millard Fillmore (American), 49. Majority for Fremont over Buchanan, 305. And since this memorable struggle between the contending parties to secure the Presidency, the Democratic party, as organized upon its ancient principles, has been consigned, like the old Federal and Whig organizations, to its political grave, though a respectable organization exists that retains its name. Williams County, it will be observed, gave the heaviest vote for the Republican ticket, by more than double that it had ever cast against the Democratic party, and its majority against the combined vote of its opponents, amounting to 256. 1860—This contest terminated the "irrepressible conflict " between the Free and Slave States, as Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward had declared several years previously that it was destined to become, and, so far as law could make it so, placed the former master and slave upon terms of civil and social equality. Williams County very largely increased her Republican majority, giving to Lincoln (Rep.) a vote of 1,713, to Douglas (Dem.) a vote of 1,180, and to Bell (American) 29 votes, making the majority of Lincoln over the combined vote of his competitors, 504. 1864—Lincoln's (Rep.) vote, 2,197; McClellan's (Dew.), 1,425; Lincoln's majority, 772, very closely approximating two-thirds the whole vote. 1868—Ulysses S. Grant (Rep.), 2,280 votes, and Horatio Seymour (Dem.), 1,814, resulting in a majority for Grant of 466. 1872—The Bryan Press (Rep.) of date November 14, 1872, reviewing the result of the autumn elections of that year, said: 264 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. " At the election in October, 1871, our majority in the county was only 199. At the October election this year, it was 367, being an increase over the majority of the previous year of 168. At the Presidential election of 1868, we gave Grant a majority of only 466. This year we give him a majority of 805, being an increase of 438 over our majority at the late October election." The official Presidential vote of 1876 stood as follows: The official vote for Presidential candidates in 1880, is given on a preceding page. There is nothing to add. Between the opening of the time when insurrectionary forces made assault upon Fort Sumter, in April, 1861, and then following during the entire progress of the conflict of four years, there was scarcely a discordant voice heard in Williams County against a vigorous prosecution of the war for the preservation of the Union, so far as diligent inquiry can establish. There were diverse opinions regarding the modes and ulterior objects, but finally all diversities became fused in a common crucible, and following the advent of peace, an effort, which resulted in utter failure, was made to resurrect the parties known in ante-bellum times upon former bases, but such labor was unproductive of fruit. Of the living issues, if there in truth be any, between the so-called political parties of our day engaged in a struggle for supremacy, it is in order for those who understand the issues to explain through other channels than these pages, as such discussions have no proper place here. WILLIAMS COUNTY JOURNALISM. In 1837 a sheet, "medium" in size, made its appearance in Defiance entitled the Barometer, and was under the management of John B. Seamans. Although in politics Mr. Seamans was a Whig, the paper maintained a neutral position. The editor was a lawyer and a good writer, HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 257 but his Barometer relied mainly for its support upon the county patronage, and its existence was a brief one. The next newspaper experiment in Williams County was planned in Columbus in the winter of 1842-43, and originated with a few leading Democratic politicians, among whom were United States Senator Benjamin Tappan, of Steubenville, James J. Faran, of Cincinnati, Gen. James B. Steedman, of Lucas County, Dr. William Trevitt and Col. S. Medary, of Columbus, and a number of others. In discussing the most eligible point for the location of the new press, Bryan, although then the county seat, was not discussed, the town having scarcely any population or business, except during court terms and tax-paying seasons, and a greater portion of the year the roads were in such a state that an interdict was almost placed upon travel. And so Defiance, the recognized business town in the county, and regarded as the most eligible political center of any place in Northwestern Ohio, was determined upon as the point for the establishment of the new paper. Accordingly, a journal, entitled the North-Western, by J. B. Steedman X Co., was established in the spring of 1843. Its life was precisely twelve months, and when No. 52, Vol. I, was closed, the publication was suspended indefinitely. Steedman, with his brother-in-law, Elijah Dodd, had a contract with the State for rebuilding the Providence dam, and the Co.," H. S. Knapp, had another establishment on his hands, the Kalida Venture, a Democratic publication, which he could not afford to discontinue, and under these untoward circumstances, the North-Western never fully realized the anticipations of its projectors and friends. Mechanically, the paper was a rare specimen of typographical excellence, its managing printer and supervisor being Stephen T. Hosmer, a good workman, and known throughout the Maumee Valley. The printing material was sold to Samuel A. Hall, in May, 1844, and shipped aboard a canal boat for some place in Indiana, then not fixed upon by him when he left Defiance, but he accompanied his freight in person, and floated himself and it down to Logansport, Cass Co., Ind., whence he at once systematized his material and soon commenced the Democratic Pharos. Through his enterprise the paper acquired large reputation, and, although Mr. Hall deceased several years ago, the journal he founded in the spring of 1844 is to-day recognized as a power in that State. October 31, 1845, is the date of commencement of Bryan's effort to establish a printing office. Thomas H. Blaker undertook this experiment, and issued the North-Western, Democratic in politics, but having only short life. November 19, 1846, J. W. Wiley, who had been associated with I. G. Yearick, in the publication of the Defiance Democrat, succeeded Mr. Blaker, and named his journal the Williams County Democrat. This D 268 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. same year, Wiley enlisted in the Mexican war, and became First Lieutenant of Capt. Daniel Chase's company, and after that war closed, he established a newspaper at Puget's Sound, Washington Territory, and there closed his earthly career. In 1847, William A. Hunter, an eccentric gentleman, who had, in his life-time, some unfortunate journalistic experience at Carrollton, Carroll County, and at Ashland, Ashland Co., Ohio, removed his family to Bryan, and had charge of the Democratic organ ; but after the county seat conflict between Bryan and West Unity occurred, he transferred his printing material to the latter place; and here, in May, 1851, Hunter and T. S. C. Morrison started the Equal Rights, a Free-Soil Democratic organ. The firm, politically, were not altogether in harmony, and Mr. Morrison removed to Napoleon, and identified himself conspicuously in what was then orthodox Democratic journalism, held several county offices, and died there, leaving scarcely sufficient momey to pay his funeral expenses. He was a brilliant writer, who would have been one of note, had he lived. Mr. Morrison's death, occurring in manhood's prime, was widely deplored. Mr. Hunter's official life is given among the county records, and appears on other pages. He is now a resident of Iowa, and in affluent circumstances. Judge Joshua Dobbs established a Democratic newspaper in 1852, at Montpelier. Its career was a brief one. Van Buren Shouf, now a well-known citizen of Bryan, was his printer and manager. The next effort to establish a Democratic paper, was made by Robert N. Patterson.. In his issue of May 18, 1882, the editor sketches its business career as follows: " To-day begins the twentieth volume of the Bryan Democrat. The first number was published April 30, 1863. From the initial number to the present it has continued under one management. During nineteen years, only three weeks' publication were missed—one in 1863 for repairs on the building, one in 1865 for removal of the office, and one in 1871 for the holidays. With the exceptions named it has always been printed on time, never was a day late, and never issued a half-sheet. From a small venture occupying a single room it has `grown up with the country,' and is now one of the largest and best appointed printing establishments in the country." The Williams County Gazette was established by Isaac R. Sherwood, in December, 1857, and entered upon its second volume December 30, 1858. Its dimensions were about one-half the present size of the Press. The issue of March 31, 1859, contains the salutatory of J. Palmiter, as editor, and from this time forward until September 22, 1859, the publication of the Gazette was continued by Sherwood and Palmiter, when Mr. HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 269 Sherwood retired and was succeeded by L. E. Rumrill. October 27, 1859, the name of the paper was changed to Williams County Leader, and Mr. Rumrill, after a publishing experience of six weeks, retired, and Mr. Sherwood resumed his management of the paper, and added one column to each page, and continued its publication until the rebellion occurred, when, at the first war meeting held at Bryan, and having, meantime, been elected and qualified as Probate Judge of Williams County, he came forward at the meeting and enrolled his name the first on the list of volunteers. Mr. Sherwood served in the three months' service throughout the West Virginia. campaign. His career as a soldier and a civilian had some features so unusual that it may be proper to briefly sketch them in this place. He entered the military service as a volunteer in the Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and rendered hard work as a private throughout theWest Virginia campaign. He was offered promotion, but refused it. His name being first upon the roll, he pledged himself to go through his first campaign with a musket. But he re-enlisted under the three years' call, and was commissioned First Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which regiment he became Adjutant. February 12,1864, Sherwood became Lieutenant Colonel of the One Hundred and Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for gallantry throughout his brilliant military e xperience,was brevetted Major General, an honor he justly won. But now we resume the newspaper history. J. H. and I. R. Sherwood continued the Williams County Leader. Starr and Spencer had charge of the Republican Standard, May 7, 1857, and their issue of that date is No. 2, Vol. II, which would indicate nearly the date of its establishment. As its name would suggest, the politics of the Standard was Republican. July, 1857, the name of Alvan Spencer appears as editor, and December 24, Mr. Spencer retired, having transferred his interests to I. R. Sherwood. In 1868, Gen. Sherwood having received the nomination for Secretary of State, on the Republican ticket, resigned the editorial management into the hands of Robert N. Traver, though Gen. Sherwood continued as publisher. In the issue of August 26, 1869, Gen. Sherwood announced the sale of his interest in the Union Press to Gen. C. P. Hayes, and in the issue of October 28, 1869, the name was chanced to the Bryan Press, and the dimensions of the sheet considerably enlarged. July 2, 1874, Gen. Hayes sold his Press to D. B. Singer, and the latter's salutatory appears in the issue of that date. Gen. Hayes removed to Illinois and purchased a newspaper establishment, and in less than two years after he settled in that State he was elected to Congress, and served two terms. Mr. Singer continued in charge of the paper until November 15, 1877, when he sold to Bowersox & Gillis—C. A. Bowersox, editor, and S. Gillis, business manager. This firm continued until November 28, 1878, when the 270 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. property passed into the hands of Gillis & Ogle, the present editors and proprietors of the Bryan Press. It will have been noticed, in what is said above of Gen. Sherwood and Gen. Hayes, that the public career of those gentlemen has been singularly fortunate. Scarcely less so has been that Mr. Singer. After his sale of the Press he immediately crossed the border, and purchased a Republican press at Charlotte, Mich. ; a year later, however, he was appointed to the responsible and lucrative position of Postmaster at Washington City, in which office he yet continues. The Bryan friends of these gentlemen, who are many in both parties, rejoice in their prosperity. It is proper to add here that the present editors of the Bryan Press rendered, both of them, gallant service in the war for the Union. The Fountain City Argus, Shouf & Williams, editors, issued No. 1, Vol. I, May 25, 1876. April 26,1877, the name of Van B. Shouf appears alone as editor and publisher, and June 7 following, Van Shouf & Plummer, and in August, 1879, Van Shouf again appears alone. The Argus was radically Democratic in politics, but directly after the close of the October election of 1879, the Fountain City Argus closed its newspaper life, and the material was disposed of to different parties at private sale. It was generally understood, although his name did not appear, that Judge M. R. Willett was the managing editor throughout the term of the existence of the Argus. As a partisan Democratic journal, it achieved wide prominence. Vol. I, No. 1, of the Buckeye Vidette, made its appearance April 22, 1880—J. W. Northrup, editor, and J. R. Douglas, assistant. The Vidette was an organ of the Greenback party, and early in 1882, the material and publication were transferred from Bryan to Columbus. On the last Saturday of June, 1879, the first number of the Border Alliance, a six-column folio newspaper, made its appearance at Pioneer: editor, C. J. De Witt; publishers, the Alliance Printing Company. In four weeks, the paper was enlarged to a seven-column folio, and its name then became the Pioneer Alliance; but two years later the name was changed to, simply, the Alliance. The paper is Republican in politics, has a circulation of nearly eight hundred, is read by the citizens of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, and was again enlarged, July 8, 1882, to a six-column quarto, and its name changed to the Tri-State Alliance, named thus from its large circulation in three States. Mr. De Witt, an able editor and an excellent man, claims to have in his office " the brightest and biggest and devil in Northern Ohio." A small paper, called the Christian Messenger, was issued for about four months, at Pioneer. in 1880—first appearing as a monthly, then as a semi-monthly, and finally as a weekly. Its aim n was to reform the questions of politics and intern- HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 271 perance, and to advocate strenuous moral measures. Its editor was Rev. J. L. Rusbridge. A very mysterious little sheet, called the Brush Creek Herald, appeared semi-occasionally, for a short period, at Pioneer, some two or three years ago. The Montpelier Eagle was the first newspaper experiment at Montpelier. It was an organ of the Spiritualists, and expired after a few issues. Second, was the Star of the West, a neutral paper, devoted especially to local interests, and established in 1855, by T. D. Montgomery, a practical printer, who removed from Hillsdale, Mich., and, after running it two months, sold to D. Stauffer and Aaron Crissey, by whom it was conducted about six months, when the material was sold to Frank Rosenberg, who afterward removed it to Ottokee, then county seat of Fulton County, and there founded a Democratic organ. The Star of the West was about one-half the dimensions of the present Montpelier Enterprise. It may not be improper to add that David Stauffer, above-named, is the senior member of the important hardware firm of Stauffer, Garver & Co., Montpelier. Notwithstanding the adverse circumstances due at a time which would render the undertaking hazardous, when the publication of a newspaper was not warranted by the support of business men, Messrs. Ford & Smalley, with a keen foresight of the advantages that would be afforded Montpelier by the opening up of the Wabash Railroad, commenced the publication of a paper, styled—significant of the growth and prosperity of the place—Montpelier Enterprise. The paper was established September 18, 1880, Mr. Ford as editor, and Mr. Smalley as publisher, being equal proprietors. The Enterprise is an independent paper, and ignores politics, its columns being devoted exclusively to local and general reading matter. Until July 1, 1881, it was a seven-column folio, since which time it has been issued as an eight-column folio, weekly ; subscription price, $1.50 per year. Although the Enterprise is less than two years old, it now boasts of a widely extended circulation, a happy and merited result of the energy of its founders, and the activity and enterprise of the town and surrounding country. Without doubt, the Enterprise has been, and still is, the most powerful auxiliary of any business institution of the place, and the greatest factor in Montpelier's rise, progress and permanence. 272 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. THE OHIO AND MICHIGAN WAR. BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED. After the American colonies had thrown off the yoke of Great Britain, and the settlers had begun to pour into the Northwest Territory, it was soon perceived by Congress that new States would eventually have to be created out of the broad domain lying northwest of the Ohio River. While the thirteen separate colonies were yet independent of each other, and even for a time after the constitution of union had been adopted by all, each colony was more or less jealous of the boon of independence which it had gained through eight long years of war, and only by degrees relinquished its claim to State or colonial sovereignty, as the splendid provisions of the constitution were gradually unfolded, and the wisdom of indissoluble union became apparent. Each colony (and for a time afterward as a State), claimed under a charter from the European monarchs an extension of its territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the latter at that time being thought only a comparatively short distance inland, and known as the " Great South Sea." New York was the first to relinquish her claim to this Western Territory, which she did by act of her General Assembly March 7, 1780. The other States afterward did likewise from time to time. On the 10th of October, 1780, Congress enacted that such territory when ceded to the General Government should be disposed of for the common benefit of the United States, and finally formed into new States. By the" Ordinance of 1787," Congress divided the Northwest Territory into three parts ; the Western to include all the present States of Illinois, Wisconsin and a portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; the middle to include the present State of Indiana, and north to the British line; the eastern to include the territory bounded by Indiana, Canada, Pennsylvania, and the Ohio River, with the proviso that, if expedient, one or more States might be formed out of the territory lying north of an east and west line passing through the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. This is known as the " Fulton Line," and now separates the northern tier of townships of Williams County from the middle tier. Afterward, the surveys in both Michigan and Ohio were made with reference to this line, and a tier of fractional townships occurred on each side of the same, one being No. 8 north, and the other No. 10 south. At the time Congress established this line by the " Ordinance of 1787," no accurate map of the Western country was in existence, and the southern extremity of Lake Michigan was erroneously thought to be a few miles north of where it really was. In 1802, Congress bounded Ohio " east by the Pennsylvania line, south by the Ohio River to the mouth of the Great Miami west by a line drawn due north from the HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 273 mouth of the Great Miami, and north by an east and west line drawn the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, running east (after intersecting the due north line aforesaid from the mouth of the Great Miami River) until it shall intersect Lake Erie on the Territorial (British) line, and thence on the same through to the Pennsylvania line." When the first Constitution of Ohio was adopted, the above boundaries were accepted; but, as it was learned immediately afterward that the southern extremity of Lake Michigan was farther south than formerly supposed, and as it was seen by the Constitutional Convention that a strip of country on the north, which had been thought would be included within the boundaries of Ohio, would fall north of the northern boundary and be in Michigan, it was provided " that if the southerly bend of Lake Michigan should extend farther south than Lake Erie, or if a due east and west line through such southerly bend should intersect Lake Erie east of the mouth of the Maumee River, then, with the assent of Congress, the northern boundary should be established by and extended to a direct line from the southerly extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of the Maumee Bay, intersecting the due north line from the mouth of the Great Miami River, thence northeast to the Territorial (British) line." Michigan Territory was created in 1805, the old erroneous map being used as a guide. As Congress paid no attention to the proviso of the Ohio Convention, the northern boundary was ]eft as above in the Congressional enactment, and upon this technicality arose the " Ohio and Michigan Boundary War." After this, and prior to 1816, Ohio, through her General Assembly, made several attempts to have the boundary question settled; but the war of 1812 came on, and other matters combined to postpone the adjustment of the controversy. In 1816, pursuant to an act of Congress, approved in 1812, the Surveyor General—Edward Tiffin—employed William Harris, an experienced surveyor, to run a portion of the western line of Ohio, and all the northern line, " noting particularly where the northern line intersects Lake Erie." Indiana was erected into a State in 1816, and its northern boundary, as defined by act of Congress, included "a strip of land, ten miles wide, of the southern portion of Michigan Territory." Harris found that a due east line from the head of Lake Michigan would intersect Lake Erie seven miles south of the north cape of Maumee Bay. In 1817, Gov. Lewis Cass, of Michigan, after investigating the boundary question, claimed the boundary line to be the one established by the " Ordinance of 1787 " (the Fulton Line), and thus claimed the disputed territory. A lengthy discussion followed between the Surveyor General and Gov. Cass ; and, in 1818, the Ohio Legislature held 274 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. that the Harris line was the true one, and that Congress so decided when Ohio was organized as a State. Gov. Cass obtained an order through William H. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury, to run the due east and west line; and John A. Fulton surveyed the same in 1818, and upon this line the surveys of both States were run, Ohio finishing in about 1821 and Michigan in about 1828. All this implied that Congress entertained the idea during these years that the Fulton line was the true one. Neither Ohio nor Michigan, however, would relinquish the disputed territory. As those were the years when the question of State sovereignty was obtaining a grasp on the minds of many citizens throughout the country, each State, conformably with the steadily spreading heresy, regarded it a right and a duty to secure the coveted territory and thus increase and strengthen its domain. Ohio claimed north to the Harris (the present) line, basing such claim upon the proceedings when Ohio was admitted into the Union, and insisting that the northern line, as established by the Ordinance of 1787, had not been accepted by the Convention unless the same intersected Lake Erie at, or north of, the northern Cape of Maumee Bay. This was a virtual denial by Ohio that Congress had power to establish the boundaries of the State regardless of what position the latter might take. Michigan claimed south to the Fulton line (that separating the present northern tier of townships of Williams County from the middle tier), basing her claim on the provisions of the " Ordinance of 1787," and on the fact that Congress had implied her right during the surveys in the two States to the lands south to the Fulton line. Civil officers were appointed by each State to administer public affairs in the disputed lands; but nothing serious occurred for several years. In 1834, when the Lake Erie & Wabash Canal project was on foot, the Ohio Legislature authorized Gov. Lucas to appoint three Commissioners to locate the same through Ohio, but when the Territory of Michigan learned that such canal would pass through the disputed tract of land, and that the Commissioners appointed by Gov. Lucas expected to assume jurisdiction over such land in the survey and location of the canal, a law was enacted February 12, 1835, inflicting severe penalties upon any person interfering with any part of the territory without authority from the United States or the Territory of Michigan. Eleven days later, the Ohio Assembly enacted that the true boundary was the Harris line, that townships should be organized out of the claimed strip of land, and that three Commissioners should be appointed to re-survey the Harris line. This was during the spring of 1835. Michigan organized her militia to arrest the Commissioners should they invade the disputed ground, and Ohio, in response, prepared to enforce her orders and appointments. Events were HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 275 ominous. Gen. Brown, of Michigan, was stationed at Adrian, with a large force of militia, and had scouts posted along the line to notify him of the approach of the Commissioners. Gov. Lucas, Zachary Taylor and other eminent men went north to see that the demands of Ohio were enforced. A conference was held on the 6th of April, 1835, between the hostile parties, in pursuance of an order from President Jackson, who had appointed two Commissioners to confer with the belligerents in the interests of peace. Nothing satisfactory to both parties was accomplished, and the Commissioners, with a large force, left Defiance to commence the survey, arriving at the Fulton line on the 19th. A parley was held, and, before proceeding, the Commissioners resolved to hear further advice from Gov Lucas. Orders were received to run the line at all hazards. Work was begun, and, after about thirty-eight miles of the line had been surveyed, Gen. Brown appeared with his militia, captured nine of the Buckeyes and forced the remainder to retreat. About this time, Gov. Mason, of Michigan, was removed by President Jackson, and Gov. Shaler appointed to succeed him, but the latter failing to accept, John S. Horner was appointed in his place. President Jackson had taken the position from the start that, without an act of Congress changing the boundary, the disputed territory belonged to Michigan. In September, 1835, a friendly correspondence was begun between Gov. Horner and Gov. Lucas. After this, nothing noteworthy occurred until June 15, 1836, when Congress enacted that the Harris line should be the permanent boundary between the two States. Michigan relinquished all further claims December 15, 1836, as a condition of admission into the Union, and thus the war ended. The line adopted runs south from the northern Cape of Maumee Bay, 87̊ west, with a needle variation of 30, 32 minutes, to a point between Ohio and Indiana 5 miles, 24 chains and 64 links north of where a due east and west line from the head of Lake Michigan would intersect such north and south line. This is the present boundary. ARCHÆOLOGICAL REMAINS. BY FRANK O. HART, M. D. The following is but a short sketch of the archaeological remains of this county, yet it is sufficiently comprehensive for the uses of this work : In this county we have traces of another race of beings, who lived in ages past, not one word of whose language has come to us, yet they must have been a numerous, intelligent and busy people, who tilled the soil, worked the copper mines and built themselves commodious dwellings. Here we find knives, chisels, axes, beads, pottery, pipes, etc., of all sizes and shapes. How eloquently they speak of a race that is gone! To 276 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. gaze upon these mute legacies of the past is like going into a chamber where oppressive stillness prevails. The works left by this people vary in character. Prominent among these, and the special cause of bestowing the name, are the tumuli, or mounds. The works of this character most worthy of mention are situated at the confluence of Silver Creek and the St. Joseph's River. In Northwest Township, near Nettle Lake, is found another group of interesting mounds. On the northeast corner of the southeast half of Section 22, Township 7 north, Range 4 east, was a remarkable group of mounds. These mounds were uniform in size, i. e., about six feet long, three wide, and about two feet high. Commencing at the north, the first one extended north and south. The west one extended due east and west, and on the south, the last extended due north and south, forming a complete half-circle of about five hundred feet in diameter. Two of these half-circles were complete, one within the other, and one commencing at the north, about half finished. Quite a number of them were opened, and about two feet from the original surface were found fragments of human remains and numerous stone implements. I am sorry to say, at present nothing remains to mark this ancient cemetery except a fragment of bone or stone implement, which occasionally finds its way to the surface. On the south half of the northwest quarter of Section 10, Township 7 north, Range 4 east, was a solitary mound of considerable magnitude. On opening it were found six full-developed skeletons, and one of a child about eight or ten years old. They were lying in a circle with their heads in the center, in close proximity to each other. I have the skulls in my possession. They are very thick. The superciliary ridge is very prominent. The orbital processes are profoundly marked. Average distance between temporal ridges of frontal bone, three and a half inches ; from temporal ridge of frontal bone to occipital point, nine inches ; length from beginning of frontal bone to occipital point, twelve inches ; from occipital point to foramen magnum, three inches. On the southeast quarter of Section 27, Township 7 north, Range 4 east, a skeleton was exhumed eight feet long, with which was found part of a gun, fragments of knives, a cup of red paint, about one thousand beads of various colors and sizes, and a braid of black hair around its neck, in which were thirteen silver brooches. [The relics here found would indicate the skeleton to be that of an Indian.—ED.] STONE IMPLEMENTS. Stone implements have been found in all parts of the county, but more numerous along the banks of Tiffin and St. Joseph's Rivers. HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 277 Arrow-heads made of sandstone, schist, chalcedony, flint and jasper—Sir R. W. Wilde's five divisions of Europe—first, those which are triangular; second, those which are indented at the base; third, those which are stemmed; fourth, those which are barbed; and fifth, those which are leaf-shaped ; also, Col. J. W. Foster's divisions—sixth, those which are lozenge-shaped ; seventh, those dirk-shaped ; eighth, those which are beveled; and we may add, as ninth, those which have serrated edges—all are found in this county. Rimers and borers of schist and chalcedony of various sizes and lengths have been found. I have two three inches long that taper to a fine point from the base, which is one-half inch thick. From the base there is a handle-like projection each way one-half inch long. Specimens of agricultural implements, which are chipped out of schist or quartzite, have been found in various parts of the county. Celts, a class of instruments represented by the ax, chisel, flesher, armulet, pendent, etc., also are found. Axes, generally of green stone or porphyry, are fashioned into various forms. One was found four inches long, with a stone handle six inches long. One prevailing form has a crease cut around the head on three sides, one being left flat, so that when lashed to the handle it could be tightened by wedging. In another form, two sides are left flat for wedging. In another, the crease is cut clear around the head. Another form is made without any crease, ground down wedge-shaped; all are tapered to an edge and vary in weight from a few ounces to eight or nine pounds. Fleshers and scrapers of various sizes and shapes are numerous. PIPES. A few pipes of special note have been found. Three were found in the south part of Brady Township, of which one represented a tortoise, one a frog and one a duck. I have one beautifully carved, about one inch in height of bowl and length of stem. DOMESTIC AND OTHER UTENSILS. Pestles to grind maize so as to fit it for cooking have been found in a variety of forms—some cylindrical, some bell-shaped and some cone-like. The materials are also various, consisting of green stone, syenite, quartz, etc., and sometimes sandstone. I have two implements, ten inches long, two inches wide, cylindrical in form, with one flattened surface, one end being tapered to a concavo-convex edge. They were probably used as bark-peelers. Two implements, circular in form, pierced through the center, have been found. Totems, or saddle-shaped birds, of a ribbon 278 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. silicious slate, have also been found—two with eye-like appendages, and several without. Perforated plates, thread sizers, shuttles, etc., generally made of striped slate, are met with in an almost endless variety of forms. Badges and wands, in a variety of forms, are frequently found. I have a perfect specimen of a double crescent, found by George Kunkel, of Brady Township. Several single crescents have been picked up from time to time ; also two implements called "What is it" have been found. So far, but few perfect pieces of pottery have been discovered. Some pieces of vessels that would contain twenty or thirty gallons were found. Slight elevations, strewn with numerous fragments of pottery and charcoal, are often met with. Spindle-whirls, sockets and spindle foot-rests have also been exhumed. From the great number and variety of stone implements found in the county, one would suppose that this section was a favorite locality of that ancient race called the Mound-Builders. Thus it is that nations rise and fall. All we can know of this prehistoric nation, we must obtain by a careful study of the implements and works they have left behind them. However careful we may study and compare these rude and imperfect records, yet much will doubtless remain shrouded in obscurity. [For additional information on this subject, examine the chapters on Northwest, Bridgewater and Madison Townships.] MILITARY HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED. THE MEXICAN WAR. From the time of the existence of Williams as a distinct count v until the commencement of the war with Mexico in 1846, the martial spirit of the people had become nearly extinct, and that war did not greatly revive this sentiment, as the first requisition upon Ohio was only for three regiments, and Gov. Bartley found himself greatly embarrassed by a tender of the services of several times the number called for. A recruiting station for the Fifteenth United States Infantry was opened at Defiance, where Company B, of that regiment, rendezvoused and was organized. Although the muster-roll of this company could not be found, still it is quite certain that some ten or twelve boys from what is now Williams County joined this company and regiment, and went to Mexico. The officers of Company B were Daniel Chase, Captain ; Mr. Goodloe, First Lieutenant ; J. W. Wiley, Second Lieutenant. The following constitute the remnant of Mexican war soldiers, now residents of Williams County : Jacob Ryan, Third Regiment, Col. Curtis—enlisted in Wayne County, HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 279 Ohio. Peter Brown, Fourth Regiment, Col. Charles H. Brough, Cincinnati. _____ Houk, Third Regiment, Col. Curtis, and in the company of Capt. Thomas H. Ford, Mansfield. Henry Good, in the same company and regiment; enlisted in Mansfield. Wyland, Rev. William Taylor, F. S. Bradley. The Christian names of two cannot be positively given, and neither can the company or regiment in which they served : but each one of the above seven claims residence in Williams County. THE MILITIA SYSTEM. Prior to the war with Mexico, a more or less nominal militia organization was effected and carried on in Williams County, and annual musters were enjoyed by large and motley crowds, intent more on frolic and roystering than improvement in military discipline. And thus a system that had been so popular and efficient during the old Indian wars on the frontier, and directly after the close of the war of 1812-15, had loosened its hold upon the public mind during a protracted period of profound peace. The cities and larger towns of the State were the only places where military drill was appreciated, and where strict discipline and military pride attained a proficiency nearly equal to that which prevailed in the regular army. In Williams County, there were the usual musters, and several townships formed independent companies. Bryan had an artillery squad, and secured from the State a brass field-piece. POLITICAL SENTIMENTS IN 1860. During the latter part of 1860, and the early part of 1861, the warmest interest of the citizens of the county was centered upon the important political events and changes that were overshadowing the country with dire and ominous import. All felt the coming storm, and many accurately predicted the prolonged and dreadful results of the impending struggle. The Leader, though mild throughout and hopeful that war might be averted, was loyal to the core, and endeavored to reconcile those political antagonisms which threatened the safety of the Union. All the letter citizens of both parties were united upon the question of maintaining the administration of Mr. Lincoln and upholding the constitution and the laws. As yet the all-important question of slavery had not been seriously considered as to its total obliteration , and all those bitter sentiments which were to array one section of the North against the other almost to the extent of open war, were yet unengendered and unfelt, and the county as a whole were united and hopefully tranquil. THE FIRST WAR MEETINGS IN THE COUNTY. When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was received, and doubt and 280 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. dread were changed to certainty and concern, the most intense excitement everywhere prevailed. All former political antagonisms were gladly relinquished, and a unity in upholding the administration became as firm and widespread as the most inveterate Abolitionist had dared to dream. The first reports depopulated the rural districts, suspended all agricultural and other pursuits, and flooded the towns, telegraph offices and news stations with vast crowds of excited, indignant and determined citizens. There was not a town of any consequence in the county where indignant mass-meetings were' not held, and invincible determinations of loyalty were not manifested. The Leader of Thursday, April 18, 1861, published the following accounts : GREAT EXCITEMENT IN BRYAN! THE PEOPLE THOROUGHLY AROUSED!! LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING AT THE COURT HOUSE!! The Bryan Court House was filled on Tuesday evening with men of all parties, and quite a delegation of ladies. The object of the meeting was to ascertain the amount of patriotism in the men of this section—how many would fight if necessary, and to listen to speeches from our leading citizens. The meeting was organized by calling B. H. Fisher, Esq., to the chair. I. R. Sherwood was chosen Secretary. The choir, composed of Prof. Cordly, Prof. Ruggles, Mr. Wilcox, Miss Ruggles and Miss Flora Crall, sang a national air. On motion of Col. F. M. Case, a Committee consisting of Messrs. Case, Plummer and Mallory, was appointed to draft. resolutions. A. M. Pratt was called out. His speech was brief and to the point, and embodied the sentiments of every true-hearted man and woman present. He stated that there were only two sides to this question—that the issue was made up—we were either for the Government or against it, and, for his part, he was for it until the American Flag should again float triumphantly from every foot of American territory. Mr. Pratt was frequently interrupted by cheers, the enthusiasm was so intense. The Bryan Brass Band next played a national air. Mr. Case, as Chairman on Resolutions, reported as follows WHEREAS, The liberties of our common country are in danger, and our flag has been deliberately stricken down by traitors within our borders, who openly and unblushingly avow their intention to overturn the Government ; Therefore, Resolved, That we ignore party differences and party ties, and give our hearty and undivided support to our Government—rally as one man to our country's flag, and never le: it trail in dishonor—unite to crush the rebellion in our borders, and restore peace and prosperity to our people. The following additional resolution, offered by Mr. Pratt, was unanimously adopted Resolved, That in our opinion the Legislature of Ohio ought to make an appropriation of $5,000,000, and provide for raising a force of 50,000 troops to aid in sustaining the National Government. The resolutions as amended were unanimously adopted. W. A. Smith, Esq., being loudly called for, responded in a brief speech. The band then played Yankee Doodle. Judge Dobbs was next called out. He was not only in favor of suppressing the rebellion. but of hanging the'-aitors. The following speakers were afterward called out : Non. S. E. Blakeslee, Mr. Pollett, Dr. Graser and Mr. Carnahan. The Chairman also delivered a speech. The utmost harmony and good feeling prevailed. The choir closed with a national air, which was loudly cheered—and so, in fact, was every speaker who addressed the meeting. From the indications in Bryan, Williams County can send one thousand good, strong men to defend the liberties of our country. Everybody is brimful of patriotism. I. R. SHERWOOD, Secretary. B. H. FISHER, Chairman. HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 281 In the next issue of the Leader, the following appeared : The citizens of Bryan and vicinity are earnestly requested to meet in the M. F. Church, Monday evening, April 29, to make definite arrangements for the care of such families as may have been left destitute by such of our fellow-citizens as have volunteered their services in support of the American Flag. In the same issue of the paper appeared the following: PATRIOTISM IN WILLIAMS COUNTY. At the call of the President for volunteers to crush out treason and enforce the laws, the gallant sons of Williams County have nobly responded. True, there are a few who refuse to aid the Government with muscle or money—there were Tories in the Revolution and a Judas even among the disciples of Christ—but the great heart of the people beats high for freedom and the perpetuity of the grandest system of constitutional government the world has ever known. Last Thursday [April 18]. Gen. Steedman and Mr. Bassett, of Toledo, came to this place and held a war meeting. B. H. Fisher was authorized to form a company at this place, and Col. E. D. Bradley [who had served in the war with Mexico], one at Stryker. On Saturday [April 20], the volunteers of this place were sworn in and elected B. H. Fisher, Captain ; E. J. Evans, First Lieutenant; E. M. Deuchar, Second Lieutenant; Henry Gilbert, Third Lieutenant. At 4 o'clock P. M., the ladies of Bryan presented Capt. Fisher a beautiful silk banner. In a few hours a second company of nearly one hundred men was formed. On Thursday [April 18], the first company of one hundred and twelve men took the cars for Toledo. The company at Stryker, commanded by E. D. Bradley, is said to contain one hundred and seventy men. Over $2,5011 have been subscribed to aid the volunteers and support their families. In the same issue appeared an anonymous communication suggesting that township clerks should keep a careful record of all volunteers for future history, as the pending war was to be a memorable and stupendous one. It is worthy to note, at this juncture, that had the suggestion of this unknown correspondent been heeded, the material for a much better war history of the county than is presented on these pages would have beer. preserved, and could now be used. There were two companies from the county in the three months' service, both serving in the Fourteenth Regiinent. The following were the companies and officers: The company raised at Bryan, but containing men from all portions of the county—Captain, B. H. Fisher; First Lieutenant, Edwin J. Evans; Second Lieutenant, E. M. Deuchar. The company raised at Stryker, but containing men from all parts of the county—Captain, E. D. Bradley ; First Lieutenant, Amos L. Bradley; Second Lieutenant. D. S. Tallerday. The second company raised at Bryan was organized before the 9th of May, by the election of William Stough, Captain ; J. W. Pollock, First Lieutenant; H. C. Long, Second Lieutenant. Public war meetings were held at Stryker, Edgerton, Pioneer and Bryan, immediately after the fall of Sumter. While the other villages of the county were thoroughly aroused, no public meetings, so far as now known, were held. Stryker was the first to respond in this respect, which she did on the evening of Monday, April 15. C. L. Chase and Col. Bradley spoke to a large, loyal and en- 282 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. thusiastic assemblage. While the Stryker and the Bryan companies were the only completed organizations from the county in the three months' service, they were not the only troops, as some twenty or thirty boys residing in the northern part joined Michigan regiments, others went into Indiana, and still others sought military organizations south and east. Not less than sixty boys thus found means to serve their country outside the county limits. Counting these and the two companies in the Fourteenth with the excess of men over one hundred, which they had, it will be seen that nearly three hundred men from the county were in the three months' service. How many enlisted under the call of May 3, for 42,034 men, cannot be learned, though doubtless there were a few. THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1861. Early in the morning of this eventful day the citizens of Bryan and vicinity were aroused from their slumbers by the thunder of the guns of the Bryan Union Artillery. A great meeting had been advertised, and distinguished and eloquent speakers were to be present to fly the American eagle higher than it had ever been permitted to soar before, which is saying multum in parvo. The Centre Guards came in early, headed by the Williams Centre Band, and followed by long lines of wagons, carriages, men and women on horseback, and eager and dust-begrimmed pedestrians. Large delegations, thoroughly organized and marshaled, came from almost every township in the county, headed with martial music which strangely kindled those grand sentiments of loyalty and patriotism that find resting-place in the breast of every true American citizen. Capt. Stough's Pulaski Company, the West Buffalo Zouaves, the Fountain City Blues and Capt. Blakeslee's Mounted Rangers, were present with fife and drum and banner and escutcheon. A large procession was formed and marched through the principal streets with all the pomp and ceremony of military display and out west to the grove, where, with popular patriotic music, the orator of the day, Rev. Mr. Raffensberger, entertained the vast assemblage in a long and eloquent address on the issues of the war. Soldiers were present in military dress—at home on furlough from the army in Western Virginia—and were regarded by all as the heroes of the day, and were lionized by young and old. Toasts were read and responded to, amidst the rattle of musketry and the deep thunder of the cannon. Over 5,000 people were 'present. After a splendid and enjoyable day by all parties, the crowd dispensed to their homes. RETURN OF THE THREE MONTHS' MEN. On the evening of the 26th of July, news was received from Toledo that the Bryan and Stryker companies of the Fourteenth Regiment would HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 285 be at home that night. Upon the arrival of the Bryan company at 10 o'clock P. M., they were met at the depot by the entire town, and much of the surrounding country. The cannon had been fired at intervals all the evening to apprise the citizens of the rural districts that they were wanted at Bryan. The boys were received back from war with intense enthusiasm, tremendous cheers, and universal and protracted rejoicing. The next day, Friday, they were formally received by the citizens. Rev. F. L. Harper delivered the welcoming address, and Capt. Fisher, the response, in which was embodied a very interesting account of the military experience of Company C, the Bryan boys. A long table, the entire length of the court house, was loaded, to the verge of breaking down, with the choicest food that could be made or procured, and the returned boys were invited to partake at will and to any extent. Ample justice was done to the tempting viands.  CONTINUED ENLISTMENT OF VOLUNTEERS. The Leader of August 1 contained a notice from the officers of Company C, soliciting the names of volunteers for a new company, which was to be raised in the county. When the news of the call of the President of August 4, for 300,000 men, was received, the enlistment of men received new life and impulse. E. J. Evans and E. M. Deuchar opened recruiting offices at Bryan, and at other places in the county. C. W. Skinner, of West Unity, began raising men for the cavalry service, as did also O. G. Doughton, of Pulaski. A. F. Ely, about the middle of August, was authorized to enlist men at West Unity for the Thirty-eighth Infantry. A recruiting office 'was also opened at Stryker, one at Pioneer, one at Edgerton, and one at Montpelier, for the same regiment. Notwithstanding the bad reports that came from the army of the failure on the part of the Government to pay its troops as promptly as desired, and as the boys had a right to expect, and also of the terrible ravages of camp fever and other dreadful diseases, the enlistment of men went rapidly on. Within about one month, four full companies were raised and dispatched to Defiance to become a part of the Thirty-eighth Regiment. During the same period, there was raised a full company by Charles Skinner and others, for the Third Cavalry. Besides these, some fifty men left the county and joined companies raised in surrounding counties and States, thus making an estimated total raised in little over one month, counting about eighty men to a company, of over four hundred volunteers. The boys of Company C, of the Fourteenth, three months' men, were paid $37.38 each in August, in addition to the first month's pay. This served to encourage the enlistment. The recruiting was done usually under the stimulus of a biz war meeting, where eloquent orators delivered stirring addresses, and 286 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY. beautiful women with irresistible pleadings passed around the fatal enlistment roll. Every town and almost every schoolhouse was thus transformed into recruiting stations. The Leader, of August 29, contained the following: There is quite a military spirit now in this county. War meetings are being held in different localities, and companies are organizing for the war. A company of over one hundred men will leave here for Camp Trimble on Monday next, and we understand that other companies will go from this county. Col. Bradley is now confident that he will have a regiment, as he has over seven hundred men enrolled. So much for energy, military knowledge, and gentlemanly demeanor. We understand that his regiment is destined for Missouri. With such men in the field, rebellion will stand but a slim chance. One of the companies raised at Bryan for the Thirty-eighth left for Defiance as early as the 2d of September. They went in private convey, ante with banners flying and drums beating. About twenty of the company were from Jefferson and twenty-five from Centre, Charles Greenwood, Captain. On the following Thursday, the Pulaski company, William Stough, Captain, left for Defiance. The day before their departure, they were given a splendid dinner and a fine silk banner. Some twenty of the men were from Pioneer. They passed through Bryan in twenty-two wagons. At this time, the cavalry company destined for the Third Cavalry was almost completed. The Leader of September 12 contained the following: Williams County has furnished more volunteers for the war than any other county in Ohio in proportion to population. We have a population a little short of seventeen thousand, and have furnished about six hundred and seventy-five men. Foot the matter up and see how nobly Ohio would stand in this cause, if every county should furnish men in proportion to Williams County. We have not quite so much land as some counties, but we beat them all in patriotism. Capt. McQuilkin's company left Bryan September 10, and, at the same time, part of a company from West Unity went with them, the design being, if possible, to unite the two, but the scheme did not succeed. In October, Lieuts. Evans and Long opened recruiting offices at Bryan and elsewhere in the county for the Sixty-seventh Regiment, as it was thought, but really for the Sixty-eighth. H. J. Hunter also recruited for the Sixty-eighth. THE ENLISTMENT IN 1862. During the winter of 1861-62, but little was done in the way of raising men for the war. A few recruits for the old regiments left, but no attempt was made to raise and organize full companies. It was thought. during the spring of 1862, that not less than seven hundred and fifty men had been furnished by the county for the war. Lieuts. Bates and Archer recruited a company in the spring for the One Hundred and Eleventh. Parts of other companies were raised at the same time, making a total raised during the spring of some two hundred men. By May, nearly HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY - 287 eight hundred men had left the coJoseph.or the war, about one-fourth of all the men liable to military duty. The following tabular statement shows the condition of the enlistmCreek.etc., in the county prior to August 22, 1862 :