Greene County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 6 of 25)

esteemed citizens of Xenia. He died December 3, iSjg, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. M. J. Sheley, in this city. He was a native of Connecticut and came to Ohio with his parents in 181 1. Tliey settled first in Dayton. He was not yet fourteen years old when he enlisted in the army in the war of 1812. He was noted for extraordinary expertness in playing the fife, as was also his brother Silas an expert with the drum. Both of them were mere boys and went out together and returned without a scratch. They served in the army as musicians two years upon the Canada frontier. At the close of the war he returned to Dayton, and in 1815 came to Xenia with his mother, his father having died in Dayton. July 10, 1819, he was married to Elizabeth Sanders. He soon afterward engaged in business in Xenia as a manufacturer of edged tools, in wliich business he continued until quite old. As a workman in that line it is said he had no superior. His shop once stood on the lot where now ( 1900) stands the (irand Hotel of Xenia. ^Ir. Rice was identified as an active meml>er of the Whig party, and in his early manhood took an active part in politics. In later years he became and cor.tinucd a stanch Republican. For many years the notes of his fife were kept step to by the tramp of the militia. During the timp of the musters in the "good nld times" long ago he organized and was captain of the first artillery company fonned in Greene count}-, and in his old age was able to relate many interesting military and political events which formed a prominent part in the early history of this city and county. His strict integrity and active life won for him the highest respect and esteem which was evinced by the many aged friends who assembled tO' pay the last tribute of respect to his memory the day he was buried in our own beautiful Woodlan4, west of Xenia, where he had spent so many useful days of his life. His life-long friends arid intimate associates, Brinton Baker, Aniel Rodgers, J. C. McAIillcn, Davis Fifer, John Moore and E. S. Xichols, were his pallbearers. He was for many years an esteemed member of the Reformed church of this city, and at the age of eighty-one years died as he had lived, a Christian, December

Mr. Winans was born in ]\Iaysville, Kentucky, June 7, 18 18, and died at his residence in Xenia, Ohio, April 28 1879, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. His father was Dr. Matthias Winans. James was the second son of a family of ten children. His early years were spent at home with his parents, and in February, 1837, he went to Winchester, Kentucky, and became a clerk in the store of Simpson & Miller. He remained .in Winchester about five years, and during this time, under the supervision of John R. Huston and Judge James Simpson, he studied law and was admitted to the bar by the Mt. Sterling circuit court and shortly afterward came to Jamestown, this county. In April or May, 1842, he removed to Noblesville, Indiana, where he engaged in the practice of law, but on account of the unhealthfulness of the locality he returned to Jamestown in February, 1843. He was admitted to the bar in Indiana, Mr. Howard, afterward minister to Texas, being chairman of the examining committee. During the summer of 1843 he was admitted to the bar in Ohio at the supreme court in Clinton county, Judge George J. Smith being chair- man of the examining committee. At this examination tliere were six apphcants for admission, four of whom were rejected. After admission to tlie bar lie began to practice law in Greene county, and on September 26, 1843. he was married to Caroline E. Morris, who with six children survive him. Soon afterward he formed a lawpartnership with William Ellsberry, with whom he continued until June, 1845, ^vhen he was app<jinted clerk of the court of common pleas of Greene county. He continued in this olfice until the fall of 1851, when he returned to and continued in the practice of law. In 1857 he was elected to the senate of Ohioi from the district comprising the counties of Greene, Fayette and Clinton. In 1863 he was elected to the house of representatives from Greene county to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of John M. .Miller. In February, 1864, he was ap- ])iiinted judge uf the court of common pleas for the third subdivision of the second district, composed of the counties of Clark, Greene, Warren and Madison, in place of Judge Wilham White, who was appointed to a vacancy on the supreme bench. In the fall of 1864 he was elected without nomination and without opposition for the residue of the term, and in 1866 he was reelected for the lull term of five years. In 1868 he was elected as a representative to congress from the seventh congressional district, comprising the counties of Greene, Clark, Madison and Franklin, resigning his office as judge. At the expiration of his term he declined a second nomination, although tendered him, and resumed the practice of law. In the campaign of 1872 he fell in with the Greeley or "Liberal" movement and ran against L. B. Gunkle for congress in the fourth district on the Liberal ticket and was defeated. Afterward he devoted his whole attenticm to the practice of law and continued within a few months of his death, when compelled lo' quit practicing on account of failing' health. As a citizen, as a practitioner, as an officer, as a representati\-e and in all his Ijusiness relations Judge Winans was a man of sterling worth. As a judge he was universally popular, and as a congressional representative no man ever served his constituency more faithfully. He lies buried in oiu' own beautiful Woodland cemeterv.

Died at his residence in Xenia January 9. 18(13. He was l»rn near Salisbury, Rowan county. North Carolina, on the 7th day of Alay, 1797. His family emigrated first to Kentucky, and st(_)pped awhile at Crab Orchard. In 1803 they arrived in this county, and settled near the present site of Bellbrook. His mlilitary title was gained in the militia, in which he rose from the rank of captain to that of brigadier general, which office he held until 1838. In 1836 he entered upon the duties of cimnty commissioner and served until 1842. After William Coburn Robinson, sheriff, died in the last mentioned year. Major Lewis was the next sheriff of Greene county, and served until 1846. In 1849 he was appointed postmaster for Xenia, and served until 1853. In 1854 he was again elected sheriff, and served four more years. In 1861 he was elected county treasurer, and was serving as such when he died. His father, Daniel Lewis, Sr.. was a soldier in the war of 1812, and is buried in the Old Associate, or Pioneer, graveyard at Bellbrook, Ohio.

Abraham Blank

Perhaps many of the old "boys" wlio were Ixirn in Xcnia previous to' 1840 stiU rem,'emher "Old Blaiin." the jolly, good natured colnred man "auction bell rint^er ' and professional shoe black, and on "m/iister days" always brought up the rear carrying his bucket and tin cup to supply the thirsty soldiers of that day. Almost every one knew him and never will forget the cross-eyed, eccentric, droll old negro, whose whims and oddities ha\e excited so much hearty laughter, the delight of the small boy and loved by all. He died of smallpox in Xenia, Saturday, February 17, 1849. He was a native of Nottoway county, Virginia. His inhuman "master" tore him away from liis wife and seven children, sent him l:>y sea to New Orleans and sold him t(5 a sugar planter, in whose plantation he labored a number of years. While there, for some su]>])osed offense he was tied up and received a punishment almost as sex'ere as the "Russian knout." being whipped at intervals nearly all day. This confined him to the hosi)ital two months, and much attention was necessary to i>rcvcnt nwrtification from! ensuing. His cruel master had paid the debt of nature and it was Blann's consolation that it ; he soon found himself surrounded bv a band of hostile Seminoles. But among the merchandise there was some whiskey, with which he treated them liberally, and so anmised them that they got in a fine humor and left the freight untouched. For this act his master gave him to a relative in Cincinnati that he miight become a free man. He was for some years in the employ of (jo'V. Tom Corwin, coming from there tO' Xenia.

William Bull, Sr

Was a native of Virginia, and came to Greene county, Ohio, and purchased land on Massies creek in 1803. He was a soldier of the Revolution. He was the father of six sons, namely : Asapli, John, James, Thomias, Richard and William. He was alsi) the father of two' daughters, Ann and Alary. Mr. Hugh Andrew gives, in the "History of Greene County," a very interesting account of the marriage oif James Bull to Ann, daughter of John Gowdy, Sr., of Sugarcreek township. This event occiu-red November 8. 1804, Rev. Robert Armistrong officiating. This was marriage No. 25 as shown on the early records. AMlliam Bull's daughter, Ann, must have l:)een married to- Samuel Shaw previous to his coming to Ohio, as we find from the records that she was a widow' with two children, namely, Amos Shaw and sister Mary. Amos Shaw made his home with his uncle, Jamies Bull, until his twenty-first birthday. From the early records we also find that Septeml)er i, 1803, she was married to Jolni Marshall, the man who' erected the first cabin in the now city of Xenia, April 27, 1804. And on the 4th day of September, 1804, was born the first child in what

The First M. E. Church, Xexia

This churcli was organized hy tlie Rev. Benjamin Lakin, June 23, 1813, and was one of the regular appointments on Union circuit, Miami district, with Benjamin Lakin and Solomon Langdon, pastors. The following board of trustees was appointed : Frederick Bonner, John Beall, Chapel Bonner, Richard Conwell, John StuU, Samuel Pelham and James Towler, who at once resolved to make arrangements for building a church, holding divine service during the time in private houses. A committee was duly appointed to secure a suitable lot of ground and report terms at the next meeting of the board. According to appointment the board met, and the committee reported as follows: Lot Xo. 151 (being the ground on which this church now stands) could be purchased for thirty dollars of James Towler, une of the board of trustees. The report accepted lot secured, they proceeded at once to make preparation to build the church. A committee was appointed and authorized t(j secure forty thousand brick for said building. The next meeting of the l)oard, we find recorded, was not until Alarch 12, 18 14, Rev. Samuel Parker, presiding elder, and Revs. Marcus Lindsey and Joseph Tatman, pastors. The preacher in charge found it necessary to appoint new trustees, two having resigned and one expelled for non-attendance at class-meeting. It was decided that the number be seven : Xathaniel McClain (brother of Hon. John McClain ) was apjx>inted to fill the vacancy. Towler and IMcClain were appointed to superintend the building of the church; the size to be thirty by forty feet, twelve feet from floor to top of wall; foundation of stone; roofed in workman-like mianner; said committee h^ have the work carried on as they felt justifiable from amount subscribed, and use the same to the liest of their judgment. The work went slo'W. The ne.xt meeting recorded was ]\Iay 18, 181 5, Rev. John Sale, presiding elder. Revs. Moses Crume and Jacob Miller, pastors. According to previous notice trustees met. Two having resigned Henry Hypes and Dr. Joseph Johnson were appointed to fill the vacancy. Samuel Pelham was appointeil to assist Towler in superintending and carrying on the build" ing. August 28, 18 1 6, Rev. Abbott Goddard, pastor, we find recorded trustees accepted the meeting house from builder. Mills Edwards, and find Ijalance due him, forty dollars and twenty-six cents. Trustees gave their due bill, to be paid in three, six and nine months. Resolved further that suit be brought against those who owe balance on subscription who do not pay in thirty days from date, and Henry Hypes is hereby authorized to carry said resolution into effect. \\"e have no record of dedicate irv ser\ices having been held. October 13, 1S17, Moses Crunije. presiding elder, f'iev. John Sale and Rev. John Brooks, pastors. Edward Wamble was em,])loyed to take care of the church for one year, at a salary of ten .dollars. He is authorized to call on each member for a contribution of si.x and one-fourth cents to buy candles for lighting the meeting house during di\-ine service. In 1818, \\'illiam Dixon and John Waterman, pastors; in 1819, Truman Bishop and Stephen Harber, pastors ; in 1820, James B. Finley. presiding elder, Revs. John Strange and W. M. P. Ouin, pastors. W. M. Faulkner offered his services to keep the cliurch in order gratis during his continuance in Xenia. Truly this was a day of small things. Yet faithful men of God served the church. Great and jxjwerful revivals followed year after year, and many were added to the church. In 1821 Revs. John Strange and W. T. Taylor, pastors; in 1822, J. Strange and Jcjhn Brooke; in 1823, Arthur W. Elliot and J. Brooke; in 1S24, Rev. John Collin, presiding elder, and .\. \V. Elliot and Burrous Westlake, ])astors. ;\t this period the congregation had hccome so large that the trustees found it necessary to enlarge the church by building an addition, fifty feet long and twentyeight feet wide, taking out one end of the church, making the addition in the form of a T. Here we find recorded : Trustees employed Reuben Hixon to keep the churcii for one year for ninety bushels of corn and si.K dollars and eighty-seven and a half cents in money. In 1823, Revs. Russell Bigelow and Burrous Westlake and Thomas Beacham. pastors: in 1826, Charles Waddle, John Sale and William B. Christy, pastors; in 1827, W. 11. Raper, G. W. Maley and G. W. Walker, pastors; in 1828, \\'. H. Raper, G. W. Maley and J. W. Clark, pastors; in 1829. Augustus Eddy and Joshua Boucher, pastors; in 1830, I. F. Wright, of precious memory, was presiding elder, Augustus Eddy and W. P. Taylor, pastors; in 183 1, Francis Wilson and Ebenezer Owen, pastors; in 1832, Francis \\'ilson and Daniel D. Davidson, pastors. During this last year the tallow candle became a thing of the past. Trustees ordered that one and one-half gallons of sperm oil be purchased for the use of the church, and a committee be appointed for said purpose. We find also recorded, May 16, 1832: Trustees decided to build a l>elfry on the east end of the church, to be ten feet above the comb of the roof, eight feet in the clear, eight feet square, a dome and wooden ball of proportional size; the ball to be painted chrome yellow ; the roof of pine shingles painted brown; the body painted white; at a cost of one hundred and sixteen dollars. A bell was placed in this belfry that lias calle;d the people together for more than half a century. The old bell still rings, and may continue to ring for a century to come. In 1832 and 1833 James Law and Dr. Samuel Latta were pastors. During this year one of the most wonderful re\-ivals of religion that we have on record occurred. It commenced before the holidays and continued until late in the spring. Between three and four hundretl were con- \'erted and united with the church. Feople came a distance of twenty and thirty miles to attend the meetings. During this wonderful outpouring of the Spirit many believers received the blessing of sanctification. In 1834 and 1835 Alfred K. Lorain. Stephen Holland and Alexander ^bn-row were pastors. This year it was decided that the interest of the church demanded a change. As the ct)ngTegation had become sufficiently strong to support a preacher, the conference granted the change, and in 1836 Rev. A. Brown' was appointed stationed preacher. Rev. W. li. Raper, presiding elder; in 1837, Rev. L. White, pastor. Rev. O. Spencer, presiding elder; in 1838, Solomon Howard, pastor; in 1839, W'illiam Young, pastor; in 1840 and 1841, J. J. Hill, pastor, and Rev. James B. Finley, presiding elder. During the last two> years there was a gracious outpouring of the Spirit upon the church, sinners were con- \erted, believers sanctified and many added to the church of such as shall be saved. In

1842 Rev. I. W. White was pastor; in 1844, \y. H. Tyffe. pastor, and the beloved \V. H. Raper again presiding elder. During the second year of Brother Tyffe's pastorate the old church was taken down to give place to a new one. The congregation worshiped during this time in the Methodist Protestant church un Church street. In 1845 K^^'- J. G. Dininiett was pastor; in 1846 and 1847, Rev. William Herr, pastor. Rev. George \\ . Walker, presiding elder. In December, soon after the arrival of Brother Herr, the new church was dedicated by Bishop Morris. Immediately following the dedication of the church was a great revival, and many united with the church, seme of whom are efficient members at this time. In 1848 Rev. W. H. Raper has again been appointed as pastor, having served this church four different times during a period of twenty-one years. In 1849 Rev. Charles Elliot was pastor. This was a year of great affliction. That fearful scourge, cholera, prc\-ailetl. Xo doubt many will remember that faithful servant of the church, Rev. Elliot, as he went from house to house caring for the sick and .dying. He, too, above all others, was ever keeping the interest of the missionary cause before his congregation, and was most ardent in his prayers that the gospel might be preached in the city of Rome. His prayers are answered; his son-in-law. Rev. L. M. Vernon, is at this time a missionary in that city. In 1850, Augustus Eddy was pastor; in 1851, Asl)ury Lowry ; in 1853, Rev. Cyrus Brooks; in 1855. Granville Moody; Rev. William Simmons was presiding elder; in 1857, Charles Adams; in 1858; Moses Smith: in i860, W. H. Sutherland; in 18G2, W. I. l-~ee, pastor. These years were noted as a crisis in the historv of the church.

First a great revival and large ingathering; more than two hundred joined the church. Xe.xt the division of the congregation and the ( rganization of Trinity church in 1864. The first pastor after the division was Rev. James L. Grover, followed by Rev. Thomas Collett, who rendered efficient service in remodeling the audience room and building the valuable addition of lecture rooms and class rooms in the rear of the churcli. In 1868 W. L. Hypes was pastor; in 1871, J. F. Marley: in 1874, ^l. A. Richards; in 1877, Lucian Clark; in 1880, E. T. Wells; in 1882, Rev. William Runyan, who was successful in raising funds to refrescoe, paint and carpet the entire church, leaving it for his successor in perfect order. In 1885. Dr. J. F. Marley, after an absence of eleven years, was returned, much to the gratification of old friends.

In the seventy-three years past this church has been served Iiy more than si.xty miinisters, as pastors and presiding elders, the best talent in the conference, noble men of God. and eloquent. The annual conference has been entertained in this church four times: In 1836. Bishop Roberts presiding; in 1853. Bi.shop James presiding; in 1864, Bishop Baker presiding, and in 1877, Bishop Ida\en presiding.

Tiepositioxs Of Some Old Pioneers

.\mong the many old cases at law that are yet found in our court records are many that bring to light history that has been forgotten. One case we will recall, a chancery case, or suit of ejectment, brought by Peter and Jesse Vandolah against Major John Stevenson. It had been a long time in court and June 15. :8i8. notice had been given liy Thomas R. Ross, attorney for plaintiff, to Hon. John Alexander, for the defendant, and acknowledged liy him, that on the loth day of Jnne, 1818, they would meet at Old Chillicothe, or Oldtown, at the house of Abner Reid (house still standing in igoo), and prtx-eed to take depositions befi re the nitisier commissioner, Josiah CJrover, to be used in the case before the sul)reme court, which was soon to meet. Court was called to order and they proceeded to take deposition of David Laughead and others.

.\ns. On an expedition from Kentucky I was attached to a troop of horse under the command of (ieneral Clarke and arrived at Old Chillic.ithe on the 5th day of August, 1780.

Ans. ^'e^, 1 know it to be a strong Indian town by the name of Chillicothe. and it was generally said to be such in Kentucky before' we left it.

Ques. flow long ha\e you known John Jamison's entry and survey, which is said to ha\e been made at the lower point of an island, opposite Old Ch.illicothe on the Little Miami ri\er?

Ans. 1 knew the officers met at the falls of the Ohio in the yeiy' 1784 or 1785 and appointetl Richard C. Anderson as their surveyor. In the year 1786 or 1787 I was informed that John Jamison had made his entry near Old Chillicnthe on the Little Miami river.

-Ans. I knew it to be an island from informatiaii gained at Old Chillicnihe at that time. The way that 1 was infcjrmed that it was an island was on the 7th ,day of August, 1780, on the return of the troops fnMii Mad river to Olil Chillicoilie: about tifty men were ordered out to cut down a lot of corn on the ojjposite side of the Little Miami rnid one of the men had a sore foot and his messmates took him across the river to the island, supposing he was across the river, and set him down ; and the lame man had to get them to come back and take him across the other part of the river, wdiich circumstance was generally sjioken of by the troops on their retm'n from Old Chillicothe.

Ans. I have known it since the month of October or November, 1782. It was at that time and continued to be a place of public notoriety in the Miami country.

Ques. How long have you known an island in the Little ]\Iiami river opposite the said Chillicothe at the point which it is said T'hn Jamiison's entry was made?

Ques. Is there anything to obstruct the view Iietween where you now sit and the island first mentioned and the last one mentioned more than the distance to each island where you sit?

Ones. Is the ground you have described as the lower island encompassed by the waters of the Little Miami when the Miami is at its common height?

Ans. At the time of low water it is not, but at the time of high water it is, from alx^ut the latter part of June till the fall the water does not run around it in common, and that has been the situation ever since I knew the island, which has been twenty years. The island spoken of is alxjut ten (;r tweK'e rods long and from two to three rods in breadth at its widest place.

Ques. If you were directed by the supreme court to find a point directly opposite the Old Chillicothe what would be the point ynu would fix on?

Ques. If vou were directed to go to the liiwer point of an island directly opposite the Old Chillicothe would you go to the island first spoken of or to the island last spoken of?

Ans. Yes, and tlie distance toi the upper island, the first spoken of, is, 1 suppose, eighty rods, and the Inwer island, the last spoken of, I supiKJse to be one hundred and flirty rods.

Some time in the winter of 1806, in a conversation witii Joseph Vandolah respecting a survey oi one hundred acres of land which himself and brothers, James and Peter, claimed near the Old Chillicothe town on the Little Miami river, said deponent informed said Joseph of that date and manner in wiiich their said entry was made, and of the surveys whicli it interfered with, and he thinks, but is not certain, showetl him copies of the said entries and surveys. The said Vandolah appeared convinced that their claimi to the four hundred acres aforesaid was such that they must lose the land, and talked of petitioning congress for leave to withdraw their entry and have it located elsewhere, requesting his aid in endeavoring- to get their land secured to them and to miake inquiry and do something for them, promising him a compensation if he could do anything to secure them their land, with their warrants that would be clear o^f dispute. On or about the 20th day of March, 1807, said deponent became acquainted with the law of the United States which authorized persons losing lands by interference with prior claims, although such claims might be patented, to withdraw the part of the claim so lost and enter the same elsewhere. Said de- I)onent, upon asserting the proper method to proceed, did, on or alx)ut the 20th of Marcli, 1807, withdraw the said Vandolah entry of four hundred acres aforesaid, and entered the same elsewhere. Some time afterward this dejxinent, meeting with James Vandolah, informed him of what he had done with his said claim, who expressed himself satisfied therewith, and desired said deponent to give him notice when he would be going intO' the neighborhood of where his land had been entered, by said deponent, and he would accompany him and see it and have it surveyed. Said deponent did accordingly send word to said Vandolah a short time before he set out on a tour to the woods but he ,did not attend. Some time after said deponent, returning from the woods, again met with said James V'andolah, who expressed some concern at his being disappointed. In going to see the land and upon inquiry finding that his land had not been surveyed, he wished again to have notice when it would be convenient f(jr said deponent to survey it and he woiild accompany him. Notice was given him the second time by said deponent that at such a time he might attend and accompany said deixment on another toiir, when the land might be surveyed, but said Vandolah did not attend.

Deposition Of Gen. Benjamin Whiteman

Ones. Have vou heard of the controversy existing between the complainants and defendant in this case and how long? Ans. I have heard of the controversy existing between the complainants and defendant live or six years and have understood that one qtiestion in that controversy depended on the entry of John Jameson. l)ut tlie point where that entry begins I have no knowledge only from hearsay. I have understood that it is on an island near Old Chillicothe, and my impression was that that island was formed by a tongue of land between the Little Miami and Massies creek, which is a little above Old Chillicothe. The reason of my impression was that, from viewing the situation of the Little Miami from a point near the place where James Galloway now lives and from the direction that the river runs and the appearance of the ground at that place, my conclusions, with others generally as far as I have heard it sicken of, were that it was an island. In the year 1792, I. together with the detachment of militia from Kentucky, encamped on this tongue of land. an,d it was spoken of as an island generalh' among us, and I always believed it to be an island until after I became a resident of the conntv. which was in the year 1799. and alx)ut one vear after I settled in this county I had occasion to go to the falls of the Little Miami, and on traveling up between the Little Miami and Massies creek I found them to be separate streams, and as to the island below the mouth of ]\Iassies creek, at which I have since understood Jameson's entry comnxenced, I have no kn<iwledge of nor ever heard of such an 1 me until several years after 1 settled in this county. I first settled on Beaver creek about six miles from Old Chillicothe. in what is now the bounds of Greene county, and there was no settlement alx)ve Davis's mill on Beaver creek except three families on the Little ]\Iiami, in the limits of what is now Greene count}-, and the settlement where I then li\-ed on Beaver creek did not exceed si.x or eight families.

Ques. If you had been directed to make an entry at the lower point of an island opposite Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami what point would you have made?

Ans. I would have searched for an island lower down than the mouth of Massies creek if I could have fouud one, and my reasons for so doing would have been Ijecau^c I did not believe the mouth of Massies creek to be directly opposite the Old Chillicothe.

Ques. BK' what rule would yon ascertain one point to be opposite another point ? Ans. Because it is neitlier above nor below, but imanediately opposite.

Ques. Do you say that the island in the Little Miami river at the lower point of which it is said John Jameson's entrv- is made is directly opposite Old Chillicothe because it is neither lower ,down the river nor higher up the river than the extremities of Old Chillicothe? Ans. Yes.

tongue uf land l)efore described as Ijeing formed Massies creek and the Little Miami ii\er, undertake to ascertain from actual examination whether that tongue of lanil was an island or not.''

Ones. Was it the first time you discovered that that tongue of land was not an island when you left homie to go tO' the falls (if the Little Miamii before spoken of?

Ones. When did you jjecome acquainted with an island in the Little ^Nliami river, op- ])' site Old Chillic.ithe. the lower end of which it is said Juhn Jameson's entry is made?

Ans. In the latter end of November or the beginning of December in the year 1801 we cut timber on both of the islands, the upper and lower one, as much as one horse could cleverly draw. They cut one tree on the upper island which took two men to lift the butt (if it (jn a fork. James Stevenson looked for marked trees on the island to ascertain the corner, Ijut found none. This island is opposite to Old ChillicDthe, the other island mav be two hundred yards below the upper island or may be more, and is below a direct line drawn from Old Chillicothe fr(Jin the river. The upper island was larger than the lower one.

Ques. Have the beds of those rivers since the year 1790 changed their course from natural or artificial causes at any time since; if so, when and from what cause?

Ques. Had you at different times or in different years been through this country by Old Cliillicothe, above named, and how often, and what w-as the general report and belief as to the point of land formed by the junction of the Little Miami and Massies creek, whether it was called an island, and whcth.er any other island was then known in that neighborhood or near that place and what place?

Ans. I passed through that point of land three times in three different years, between the years 1790 and 1794, once under the comimjand of Colonel Edwards, with aljout four hundred volunteers, and twice on small scouts. As far as I heard it spoken of it was called an island, and it was frequently spoken of, and I believed it to be an island until after I came to reside in this county.

Ones. At the time above alluded to did not you believe that Massies creek put out from the Miami and that the island above alluded to included at least three hundred acres ?

Ans. I did not know of Massies creek, but the branch since called Massies creek I believed to be part of the Little Miami formed that island.

Deposition Of James Collier

Ones. How long have you resided in this county and how long have you known and been acquainted with the situation of Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river?

Ans. I have resided in what is now the countv of Greene nineteen years last November. I have known Old Chillicothe nineteen years this month or next.

Ques. If you had been directed to make a location of land beginning at the lower point of an island opposite Old Chillicothe on the Little Miamii what point of land would yon have selected for that beginning?

Ans. Some time after that I discovered a small island below the mouth of Massies creek. I do not recollect the size of the island at that time, but to the best of my recollections it was small. It has increased since and I would not believe it had been formed more than four or five years from the size of the saplings that w-ere on it, which I think would not exceed tw'O inches in diameter. The last time I noticed them they had grown to tolerably large trees.

some of them were at least forty feet high. mostly sycamores. There are now a good many willows, and when I first saw it I think there were none. I think the first time I saw the island it did not exceed six rods in length at low water mark, with a small streak of bushes on it. I thought it looked more like a sand bar than an island. So at that time I would have been compelled to take that island, knowing of no other opposite, or near Old Chillicothe, in making a selection. I. never heard of an island there until I saw that one that I have described, for I thought it too inconsiderable to attract notice.

Abner Read died at his home near Oldtown, Greene county, Decemljer 27, 1858. He was born in Xorthbridge, Worcester county. Massachusetts, September 11, 1783. His father was a soldier of the Revolution and his mother was a daughter of Capt. John Brown, who served with distinction in the old French war. was for many years a member of the general court of Massachusetts, and with nine sons fought in the Revolution. Mr. Read came to Ohio first in 181 5 and remained about a year in Cincinnati, where he was engaged with an elder l)ri)ther, Ezra, now of Champaign county, and another brother, Amasa, now deceased, and Thomas Watson in the clock business. He then returned to his native state and in 1816 married Cynthia Adams, of Worcester county, ^Massachusetts, and two weeks afterward moved with his wife to this county, arriving here in June of that year, being thirty-six days on the road. He and his 1)rothers Ezra and Amasa first bought together the farm where he has ever since resided, which afterward Ijecanie his own entirely. He cumnienced liotisekeeping near the spot where tiie dwelhng house now stands. Mr. Read was in all the relations of life a must excellent n>an, of the strictest integrity, moral and upright in his life. He ])ossessed great energy of character ami a resolute purpose. His industry was proverbial, his c(jnstitution was a vigorous one, and up til within a few days of his death he engaged in his usual avocation with the alacrity and vigor of a man twenty years younger in life. In his family he was the kindest of husljands and the best of fathers. He was devoted to his children, six of whom with their mother survive to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father. For many years he iiad been a member of the Metho^ dist Episco])al church, and Ijy his exemplary life illustrated the Christian virtues. His death was the result of injuries received on the 2 1 St of Octoljer, 1858, from a fall from a horse. His death was hastened, perhaps, by subsequent exposure. His remains were followed to the tnmb in Woodland cemetery in Xenia by a large procession of citizens and members of the Masonic fraternity, to which he belonged, lieing one of the charter members in Xenia, Ohio.

Yellow Springs In 1804

A writer in the "Post and Country Man," published at Cincinnati, gives an account (if the appearance of Yellow Springs in the summer of 1804. At that time the village was not, and the springs were the resort of invalids rather than pleasure seekers. Lewis Davis was the keeper of the boarding house at that time. The accommodations were few and simple. The writer savs : "At that time, as near as I can recollect, there were some dozen patients seeking the healing" of those waters. With three of them I was personally acquainted ; one was a sad dyspeptic, one had an incontrollable eruption of the skin, which all the doctors had failed to cure, and one was a married woman who had been prostrated with a strange disability for years. The water was an efifectual cure for the tirst two and a present relief for tlie last. The dyspeptic lived until near ninety years old, acti\-e to the last. The second reared a family of twelve or thirteen children. And the last after a few years again sank down and was bedridden during the twenty years or more of her life. As to the effect of these waters whether by bath or drinking, on the other patients there at that time 1 know nothing, as they were strangers to me. At ' that time a Frenchman whose name 1 ha\'e lost kept a little store at the springs, principally, I think, to trade with the surrounding Indians. He also kept a pack of hounds. the first and last I ever saw. At daylight each mprning I was there he loosed his hounds, and such a yelling as immediately followed can be imagined better than described. The master took them 1 m the morning hunt, wdiich usually lasted until ten o'clock, when he returned with them wet and weaiy. By this time his Indian customers, I was told, came to trade at his store. But as I then staid but a single night and part of two days, I do not recollect having seen any Indians there, but I understood from visitors there at that time niany hu!idreds came to trade w^ith him, exchanging furs and skins for his articles of ornament and use." The compiler of this sketch can furnish the name of the storekeeper, which was Thomas Fream. General Benjamin Whiteman at that time undoubtedly owned a large part uf what is calletl the Yelluw Springs, aiul frinn (-Id papers that belong to the county wliicii liave passed through tlie writer's hands can produce tlie evidence that such was a fact. And as General Whiteman had married for his wife a daughter of Owen Davis, who was the father of Lewis Davis, the founder of what is called Yellow Springs, the writer has proof tij' show that Thomas Fream had leased the land on which he was staying from General Whiteman. and in addition to his having the store, he was also the first postmaster of the aforesaid Yellow Springs. In a deposition taken at Old Town in the year 1816, General \\'hiteman states that he first canie to Greene co^mty in the }ear 1799, and settled first in Beavercreek township. He says further that about one year after coming he had occasion to go to the falls of the Little Miami river and there were at that time ( 1800) but three settlements on the Little Miami river. Owen Davis, the prol,rietor of the first imiil in Greene county and the father-in-law of Mr. Whiteman. had sold his mill to Jacob Smith, and in 1805 thev removed to ]Miami township.

^\'e will close by giving a c<ipy of a petition to keep the tavern in Yellow Springs, the date of which is June 13. 1804: To the Honorable Court of Greene County, now sitting, and for said County: Your petitioners humbly showeth that a license may be issued to Thomas Fream, now living at Yellow or Medicinal Springs, to keep a tavern or public house, and your petitioners will ever pray, etc. Signed by J. P. Stewart, Lewis Davis, Jacob Smith. Joseph Lavton, John Paul, Robert Renick, Robert Layton, John Daughterty, Joseph. C. ^"ance, George Allen. Felix Hover, Joseph Reid,

Jacob Mills, Esq

Died at his residence in }ilianii township, July 29, 1850. He was a native of \"irginia, emigrated to this state in 1796 and settled near Waynesville. The same year the first log cabin for the residence of a white settler was raised in Greene county. In 1809 he removed to this county, Miami township, where he continued to reside until his death. He was appointed majijr by Governor Tiftin on the first organization of the militia, and afterward for years he filled the oftice of justice of the peace for Miami township.

Remixiscexces Of Old Town

Christmas morning Ijeing briglit and beautiful we made a pedestrian excursion to Old Town, three miles north of Xenia. It was formerly called Chillicoithe, that being the Indian name for town. This peaceful, cjuiet village is a jilace of miorc , historical interest than any other in this county. The landscape is of unrivaleil beauty. A lovely prairie stretches away to the west, the view being bounded by a range of wooded hills, skirting the horizon some seven miles distant, whose summits were rendered indistinct by a blue, hazy mist. On the north meanders the Little Miami, bounded by undulating highlands : paralleled hills on the south side ran.ge rounel the east end of the prairie tO' Massies creek, named after Gen. Nathaniel Massie, a brave pioneer who surveyed many of the land entries in this county. The hills on either side of this beautiful vale are adorned with commodious residences, the abode of civiliza- til 111. iieighljui'ly kindness and welcome hospitality. Their elevated situatinns afford a pros])ect \arie(I. cxtensixe and deUghtfuI. over wliicli tlie eye may roam witli nnsated satisfaction. An air of quiet, dreamy repose seems to rest on the landscape, while evidences of good farming, thrift and industry, and their legitimate consequences, the ciimforts of life, on all sides greet the cye>. What wnnderlul changes have taken place. The church in which divine precepts of fraternal love are inculcated has taken the place of the council house, in which luinian l^eings were doomed to be roasted alive at the stake, in all of the prolonged agony that diabolical ingenuity could suggest. The plowshare passes over the ground on which the gauntlet has been run and unmitigated torture inflicted. The school house in wliich knowletlge is im- [jarted to qualify the living generation to usefulness may occupy ground which has been tramped in the ferocious war dance. Hominy blocks have been superseded by one of the must elegant mills in the state, and the shrill whistle ci the iron ht)rse has taken the place of the fierce warwhoop and savage scalp yell. It seems strange and out of character that a place which nature has adorned as if to show a sample of her power should have been a theater of revolting barbarity and moral agony.

This was the chief town of that nomadic race, the Shawnees. This was the place of rendezvous for war parties from Piqua, Maumee. Sandusk)-. Mad River and other towns to carry murder and desolation to settlers on the "dark and bloody ground." Here they returned with their prisoners, jilunder and scalps before separating for their different villages. The dwellings were constructed with poles and roofed with bark. There was a stockade enclosing several acres of ground, including the village and council house. The late Abner Read's orchard is on part of the ground.

Tecumseh, the renowned warrior, was born here, near the spring a short distance west of where the church now is. in 1769. That Tecumseh was born here we have the statement of "Ben" Kelley, his adopted lirdtlier, who was a member of IJlacklish's family tive years at Old Town, and who so informed Thomas H. Hind at a treaty at Chillicothe in 1807.

First White Man Known To Enter Old Town

In the year 1773 Captain Cullet unexpectedly entered this town with a flag of truce. It was a .daring but successful adventure. He was on his way down the Ohioi on a surveying expedition. In 1778 Daniel Boone was brought here a prisoner and had a shooting inatch with the Indians, whose vanity he humored by letting them beat him slightly. He ran away on the i6th of June and arrived at Boonsborough, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles in four days, eating but one meal during the whole time. What iron men those times produced !

In 1778 Simon Kenton was brought here a prisoner. He was stripped naked, and his hands tied to a stake above his head, his capn tors intending to burn him alive, but after torturing himj till past midnight they concluded tO' defer the pleasure of burning him until another time. Next day they made him run the gauntlet between ranks of Indians extending nearly a quarter of a mile, commencing at the foot of the hill near where now stands the brick mill as you pass under the railroad going into Old Town,

Kobixso.Ws History Of Greexe Couxty

Tlie place is memorable as being the first point invaded front the Kentucky side of the ri\er in July. 1779. Colonel Bowman arri\ed liere with i.iue hundred and sixty men in the night under cover, but the attack next miorning was so badly managed that a retreat was ordered. The Indians becoming the aggressors, overtook and surrounded them near Glady, on what used to be called Churchill Jones" entry, and partly owned by Mrs. Lydia Stanfield. Their situation was critical, as Indian reinforcements were expected. The advice, generalship and courage of Colonel Logan saved them. Mounting some of the bravest men on the baggage horses he made a successful charge and opened a way for the retreat. Bowmait lost nine men and a few wounded. In all the account? of this expedition it is stated that Blackfi.sh was killed here, but that was not true.

That noted chief was killed in Kentucky. He had Ijroken into a cabin, and while engaged in a struggle on the floor with the owner, his daughter seized a butcher knife and stabbed him to the heart. (For particulars see sketch of James Collier in this book. )

In 1780 Roger Clarke, at the head of one thousand men. miade this place a point of invasion. The Indians fled precipitately, lea\-ing their camp, kettles with beans and hominy cooking over the fires, to' the gratification of the hungry soldiers. Xext day some of them were seen sitting on their ])onies on the hills north of the Miami

What adds interest to this account of the invasion of Clarke's army in 1780 is that the story has been confirmed recently by the discovery of depositions taken at Old Town in the year 1818, which adds local interest to that successful campaign of General Clarke.

David Laughead, who was the father of David M. Laughead, who was the father of David and Joseph K. Laughead. whom many of the old citizens of Xenia remember, was with General Clarke in this campaign. David Laughead was born in 1757, emigrated from Penns}-l\-ania to Kentucky some time previous to 1780 and was at the time he was with Clarke's army twentythree years old. In answer to the question, "How long have you been acquainted with Old Chillicothe. or Old Town ?" answered : "On an expedition from Kentucky I was attached to a troop of horse under the command of General Clarke, and we crossed the Ohio river at the mouth of the Licking river on the morning of August 2, 1780, and arrived here at Old Chillicothe on the afternoon of August 5." Lie tells us that previous to leaving Kentucky on this expedition they had heard of Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river, of its notorieiv as a strong Indian town: had heard it spoken of by his neighbors at his old home in Kentucky. He also says that on their approac'i the Indians l1ed. and that night Clarke's army camped on that portion of land that is between what is now called Massies creek and tlie Little Alianii. A fact is l,ri/iigiit to light in these depositions that ]3erha])s never has been known. Many of Clarke's men after their rctiu-n to Kentncky often spoke of their old camping groimd of that night as a beautiful island comprising al)out three hundred acres of land. Mr. Lau.ghead says what impressed it upon his miind was the fact that on their return from Old Piijua. where thc}- had been successful in destroying alsu that town, they camped ua the north side of the Little Miami near -Old Town, and they had left standing a portion of corn fur their use on returning. A detail of rifty men was made to cross o\er and finish the work, and one of the men thus detailed had a sore foot and his messmates took liim over and set him down. After a while he called to them to come and lake him over the other branch of the river, which circumstance .Mr. Laughead rememl;ered. General Whiteman also stated that he was of the same opinion until he had become a resident of Greene county, which was in the vear 1799. when he first settled in Beavercreek township. In the year 1800 he says he had occasion to go to the falls of the Little Miami, and coming up the valley when near Old Town he saw that the stream of water no-w called Massies creek was not .a branch of the Little Miami but a separate stream of water.

hi September. ijSj. General Clarke -again invaded Old Town. He marched wit'; celerity from the mouth of the Licking- ri\-er at the head of one thousand men. but the Indians </btained information of his approach and fled, leaving the town to- its fate.

James Galloway, Sr., father of the late Major Galloway, was in that expedition, it is a singular fact that James Galloway. Sr., who was born May i, 1750, and was at the time of this invasion thirty-two years of age, should fifteen years later (1797) come to this, the Miami country, and settle, just across the Little Miami river from Old Chillicothe or Old Town. Xo doubt but the remembrance of that part of the Xcjrthwest Territory ever after the aforesaid event haunted him and he disposed of his proj)- erty in Kentucky and removed to the land that for fifteen years had been in his day dreams. And Greene comity was the gainer by his coming. He was the efficient treasurer of the county from the organization of the county in 1803 until the middle of June, 1819. He was the custodian of the new county's funds, the miainstay and pillar of the church of his choice, a good man, hating that which was wrong, encouraging all that which was good. He was one of the pioneers of the county that was called to meet at Old Town to tell what he knew of the early history of the aforesaid place. Li answer to the question by the attorney, "Mr. Galloway, how long have you known Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river, where you are now?" his. answer was, '"I have known it since the month of October or November, 1782. It was at that time and has continued to be a place of public notoriety in the ]Miami country." Question: "Are vou now sitting at the place called Old Chillicothe?" Answer: "I am now sitting within the bounds of where the pickets were." Question: "Is there not a very large and extensive prairie between the Old Chillicothe where we now sit and the river?"

Answer: "Yes." Tliat short answer of Mr. Galloway's settles beyond cavil the statement that the beautiful valley on the south side of Glassies creek as it is to-day so it was in 1782. a prairie, the Indian's cornfield.

In tile summer of 1786 Col. Benjamin Logan crossed the Ohio river at Limestone, now Maysville, with four hundred men or more. Along with this expedition were Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, Colonel Trotter, officers in this expedition. The result of this expedition was the Imrning of eight of their towns, also the destruction of much corn. Twenty warriors were aisoi killed, including a prcaninent chief of the nation, and alxait seventy-five prisoners were taken.

While ihey were encamped on a creek near the site of Jacob Brown's sawmill, Greene county, a negro servant of one of the officers deserted and warned the Indians of approaching danger. The negro's name was "Caesar," from wihic'h the creek was naniied. The trail on which they marched went between the house where Henry Conklin now lives and his bam.

When they arri\ed at Old Town they fmmd l)ut one Indian, an old chief named Mulutha. He had dressed himself in the gayest Indian costume, wearing a cocked hat and carrying a tobacco pouch in one hand and a calumet in the cither. He boldlv appr< ached the men and proposed to smoke the pipe <: f peace w ith them. Some of them received him in a friendly manner and shook hands with him, but on approaching ]\Ic- Garey, whose rashness and folly caused the defeat at the "Blue Licks,'' the latter drew his tomahawk and clo\ed the skull of the Old man, swearing that he would kill every Indian he fotmd and would tomahawk any w hite man who shoiuld presume to censure him for doing so.

Gexeral Harmar At Old Towx Ix 1 79O

In 1790, General Harmar. at the head of fourteen hundred and fifty-three men, at^ rived at this place early in October. While he was sitting on his horse on a knoll reviewing his troops a stamjiede occurred among pack horses and bullocks, which caused a great uproar and confusion and an imimense deal of hard swearing.

Harmar advanced on the French trading jxjst, now" Fort Wayne, sending on detachments to fight battles, and after losing one hundred and thirt\- men, returned, having effected nothing.

On arriving" at Old Town on the return an order was issued that the men should cease firing off their guns. One of the Kentucky militia disobeyed the order. He was stripped antl tied to a wheel of a cannon carriage and ordered to l)e flogged. Tlie late General Benjamin Whiteman, who was present, says that the Kentuckians formed a senti-circle roitnd the cannon, leveled their guns and put a stop to the punishment. Harmar ordered the regulars to face them with fixed bayonets, and the dnminier to proceed, and to finish the flogging. Tliis was the last expedition to invade this noted village.

Looking Backward

\\'e will conclude our sketches with some scenes froan pioneer life. A change has come over the spirit of the scene. The council fires of the red men liave gone out. Their rude cabins have been reduced to ashes, the pale face has triumphed and is in possession of the CDuntry. Scattered alx)ut are round lug" cabins with mud and stick chimneys. The adjoining cornfields abound in deadened trees. These primitive tenements were inhabited by pioneers, brave, enterprising and thrifty.

Amusements Of The Pioneers

Wlieii young men were together the\- amused thaiiselves by ainning foot races, wrestling, over and under jumping witii or without' a pole and various other feats of strength and agility. Their habits invigorated their systems, expanded their lungs, increased their muscular power and fitted them for bodily endurance. BcKlily strength and activity were highly appreciated. The man who coukl figlit severely, endure^ a great deal of punishment and come off victorious was a man of note and had much influence among his admn-ers.

Every able-bodied nian between the ages of eighteen and forty-fi\e years was a soldier. There was a strictly enforced militia system, with company and battalion, and regimental musters, with conrt martials. courts of inquiry and courts of appeal. All the men bearing anus in those days in the count v formed one regiment.

The Old-Time Muster At Old Town

Xow we have a regimental muster at Old Town. A hardy, rough-l(X'>king set of men they are, comlnon dress, blue linsey hunting shirt, secured with a leather belt and buckle, buckskin pants antl tow linen shirt and wool hats. These mien have been marching and counter marching, wheeling by platoons, sections and coniii>anies, handling, shouldering' and presenting their firelocks and fixing and charging bayonets in a pickwickian sense. Xow the muster is o'er and the men are dismissecL They are employing themselves in various ways; soune of them are shooting at a mark, others are engaged in a wrestling match for a pint of wfliiskey.

Observe that fine looking man. six feet two inches high. He is as well formed as Apollo, conibining strength and acti\ity in great perfection. He is fair skinned, blue eved. with light auburn hair and sanguine temperament. That is the noted fistic champion. Ben Kizer. He is one of a family of twelve children, all boys. His brothers are stout, resolute men, but he is the stoutest of all. Xotice his firm step, confident look and manly bearing. He is as full of fight as a game cock. He engages in a fight just as eagerly as a hungry man eats his dinner. E\-er\- man he whips adds one more sprig to his pugilistic laurels. He estimates success as highly as a prize formerly won in Olvmpic games. He has had so many fights and come off \-ictorious that it is a hard miatter to find a customer. He has been known to pretend at a mere nothing, and knock down a man whoi would not fight, merely to keep his hand in practice. He was like ^Itkc Fink, a boatman, who lamented while floating do'wn the Ohio that he had not had a tight in a munth, and it seemed like an eternity to him, and that if he did not ha\e one scx;n he would have to be "kivered" np in salt to keep him from spoiling.

Kizer has heard of one Aaron Beall, a powerful man, a foemnn worthy of his fists, and has made up jiis mind to whip him at the first chance; and that is his principal business at Old Town to-day. Beall is of a hardy race, a long Ixxlied man, six feet high, straight as an Indian, round shouldered, with large limbs and muscles like w hi]) cord, weight two hundred and fifteen or two hundred and twenty pounds. His muscles are so indurated and his flesh so firm that ccanparatively he is insensible to pain. He has florid comple.xion, sanguine tanperament, built for ponderous strength more than activitt, with finnness and unflinching coml)ati\-eness. When about to engage in a fig'ht he is calm and deliberate, with a smile on his countenance. Init notice those pale lips and gleaming eyes. That smile is more ominoiis than blustering wrath. The two champions are standing some ten yards apart. Kizer begins with a banter that he could outrun Beall. Tbe latter did not itm himiself. but he had a brother that could run. In those days it was a common boast for one to say tliat he had the fastest horse, the best rifle, the ugliest dog and the prettiest sister. The bantering in the [iresent case was ended by Kizer asserting that he could whip Beall. Tliereujxin they ran at each other and came in collision. In the shock Beall went down beneath the gallant "Ben." Xnw there is tremendous excitement, a wild uproar amor'ig the n'en and a tv.niultuous rush is made for the combatants, a ring is formed around them, the spirit of combativeness is poAverfully excited ; htmting shirts are throwni ufi\ and the shirt sleeves of many brawny arms hastily rolled up. Kizer appears to* have the most friends. The)- cheer him boisterously : "HuiTah, Ben, that's rigbt, give it to him, whip him till his hide wor.'t hold shucks! Gouge him!" Col. James Collier was sitting on his horse outside of the circle. Sherifit Maxwell rushed into the ring tO' part them, when he received a blow on the head from the butt of a loaded whip which made the blood spurt. He ran stooping across the arena, butted the ring and fed under Mr. Collier's horse, his heatl bleetling profusely. It was never known to a certainty who struck that blow, but there were good reasons for supposing that Amos Durnugh, who built the first jail in Xenia, was the man. In the meantime sullen sounds, thump, thump, thimip, could be distinctly heard alx;ve the din and confusion. Tbese were made by Beall's fists playing like a trip-hammer against Kizer's sides. At length some of his frier.ds stopped to examine more closely. Sure enough Kizer was not fighting any ; they tore him away ; he was exhausted and speechless. He was laid upon one o-f the temporary tables that haid been used for selling refreshments, and eflforts made to re.susitate him. which were after a quantity of blood had been discharged from his mouth and throat. In the meantime the combativeness of Beall had been excited to the highest pitch, his bl(3od thoroughly heated, his great jx>wer of wrath awful. He demanded in a loud voice: "Hns this man no friends oil the ground?" He was responded l<.> liy one of the Kizer family, who commenced a coj^nflict with him with resolution and vigor, but was soon l)r(istratecl l)y tlie iiuinciljle Beaver creek champion. Kizer was nearly killed; liad to be taken home in a wagon, and kept his bed a long time, siv it was reported. This was the most noted fight of the kind that ever came off in this county, and was talked of for years afterward. It ended tiie fighting career ni both men. Kizer after this fig'ht quit the practice. And no one would light r.eall.

The account of this fight was obtained by Thomas C. Wright from Col. Jaimes Collier and Judge Jacol) Haines, who were present. Mr. Wright does not give the date of the abo\-e mentioned hght. for the reason, l)erhaps, that it was so long after it occurred that the parties who- tnid him could not reniember the exact time. Recently, hoavever, among the old records O'f the county has been found the indictment, found Ijy the grand jur\-, and which makes that notorious fight worse than it has been pictured out.

"May 27, A. D. 1806, personally came before me William Taylor, Benjtunin \\"hiteman and William ^lorgan and made the following cath, to wit: Taylor testifies that he saw Aaron Beall and Benjamin Kizer violently assault and beat each other by fighting. Whiteman testified that he saw the said Aaroo Beall vio.lently assault and beat \\'illiam Kizer. William ^lorgan testified that he saw the said Aaron Beall after he had assaulted and beaten \\'illiam Kizer rush through the crowd and pull the ab(.n'e named Benjamin Kizer off a table or bench and violently assault and beat hhn again. Sworn to befc:re me. John Smith, J. P."

but al.soi in the original papers of the grand jury which met iour mionths later, September, A. D. 1806, appear four indictments against Aaron Beall for fighting on that day.

Three miles north of Xenia, the county seat of Greene county, Ohio, was the old Indian town of Chillicothe on the Little Miami. Of its history much lias been written and much has been lost of its early history. It was one oi the most noted towns, historically si>eaking, in the state; made soi by the many scenes of suft'ering by torture of the white race at the hands of savages; the birthplace of the noted chief of the Shawnee tribe of Indians, Tecumseh; the temporary l/rison of those grand old pioneers from Kentucky, Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton and many others less known in history, who were captured and carried there as prisoners. We read of their suft'erings at the hands of their captors, of their courage and escapes and their heroism in behalf of this beautiful land that we call ours, and we ofttimes forget what it cost to reclaim it from a wilderness and the labo'r it took to make it blo«n and blossom as a rose, as we see it toi-day.

It is said to^ have had a populatioai of eleven hundred Indians. About three hundred of these were fighting men. The village was about a quarter of a mile long, the huts being set out irregularly. The location of most of the huts was on the little eminence now! co'vered b}' the school house, frame house, barn and orchard on the left side of the road as we now gO' from Xenia to Old Town'. The comhioaiest Indians had their huts along the creek Ijank. The couni84 cil liouse was near where the school house now (1900) stands. It was a long, narrow building, roughly made and hardly water proof. When Girty and the renegade Scotcliman, Dixon, came to live with Chief Blackfish. they helped tu ci instruct a better ccnmcil house. Remains of the council house, such as rotten timbers, stood until 1840.

The Shawnee Indian'S

Amoaig all the Indians, with but few exceptions, there were no Indians th;'.t caused as much trouble to the whites as those of the Shawnees. The main village of the Sha'wnees was at Cliillicothe on the Scioto ; their second village was our well kncnvn Old Cliillicothe. War parties were constantly passing froiu one village to the other, and though the distance was near one hundred miles, the Indians were all such good walkers and runners that they traveled the trail with incredible rapidity.

The Allies Of The Shawnees

The Shawnees were assisted by tlie ]^Iiamis. the Wyandots and the Delawares. Thus any army attacking would ha\e large numibers to contend with. When General Harmar with his army invaded Ohio. Chiet Blackfish. with his three hundred, was aided by the INIiamis and by the combined forces Hannar was defeated. Blackfish's band was present and ti-nk part in St. Clair's defeat. These two victories gave the Indians great courage and they became very insolent. The renegade, Simon Girty, and the Scotch devil, Dixon, diil all in their power to excite ihe hostility of the Old Cliillicothe Indians. When Old Chillicothe on the Scioto was destroyed and the corn burnt, w'hat few of the natives that were left made their way to Old Chillicothe ou the Little ]\Iiajni river, which became a regular rendezvous for villains,, both white and reil. In order to save the frontier from utter destruction. General Clarke was dispatched from Fort \\"ashingtoni with a large body of men. He reached our Old Chillicothe at daybreak, posted his one cannon on the hill northwest of Old Town, and while the cannon knocked over the huts his men charged the natives. Old Chillicothe was entirely destroyed, the lodges burned, the C( rn cut down and most o^f the Indians killed. Seme say that Blackfish, the chief, fell in this fight, but this is a mistake.

Blackfish. Chief Of The Shawnees

In all histories of the predatory excursions of the Shawnees to Kentucky stands somewhat prominent the name and exploits of Blackfish, a noted chief of that tribe. The position that this chief held among the once powerful Shawnees has caused the cpiestion of the time and place of his death to' be discussed tO' some extent by western analysts.

The fact tliat Old Town was the residence of Blackfish gives this question a local interest. Several writers have asserted that he was killed in 1779 while resisting the attack of Colonel Bowman and a coinpany of Kentuckians upon Old Town, the first incursion of the settlers south of the Ohio upon the Shawnee towns in this region to punish the Indians for their murders and robberies in Kentuckv. Blackfish was not

Tlie evidence uiion which Mr. Collier founded his statement he conceived to be such as to! place the truth of it lieyond dis- \mXti. in June. 1788, a party of Shawnee Indians under the command of Blacktish nvrde a marauding expedition to' Kentucky, and at the headwaters of Paint Lick creek, then in Madison county, they made an att;uck upoui the house of a man named Joseph Stinson. It was Sabbath morning and Stinson"s 1)(>_\-. will* li\'ed ivou\ home, had returned about sunrise. W'lhen near the house he gave a shont to^ arouse the family that they might let him in, and as his sister opened the door for that purixjse the Indians rushed in after the boy and shot at Stinson and his wife, who were in bed, mortally wounding the latter and severely wounding the former in the thigh. Stinsoai jumped from the bed, grappled the leader of the party anil threw him, but his wound had so wieakened him) that the Indian turned on him. At this instant the boy grasped his father's gun, which frightened the party, some se\en or eig'ht in number, and they fled for the door, assisted in their exit by Polly, Stinson's daughter, who violently pushed the last ones upon those ahead and sent them pell mell out of the caliin and barred the entrance.

Polly then turned and with a butcher knife stal>bed the Indian who was killing her father. At the first blow the Indian raised 'his arm and knocked her across the roomi, but she gathered again and gave him a stal.) that proved fatal. This Indian was Blackhsh himself. In the fright of the n:hment, Jane, another daughter ol Stinson, about fourteen years of age, jumped throug*h the window and was caijtured by those on the outside. She remained a prisoner among the Indians until 1797, when her liberation was affected at Detroit, and she returned to her friends in Kentucky.

The testimony on which Mr. Collier made this statement was this: In 1796 he was in Kentucky in the region where this outrage took place, and previous to- his visit Charles, a son of Capt. Israel Hart, had returned from his captivity among the Indians. He, together with a negro boy, bad been captured in 1787, and Charles said he wias adopted by Blackfisli as his son, who told him that his white father. Captain Hart, was killed. Charles told ]\Ir. Collier that he acc( ini)anied Blackfish in 1788 and was in the camp when Jane Stinson was brought in. jane immediately recognized him but he said he denied knoiwing her, and was violently grieved at the death of his adopted father. Jane told bim that his own father was living, a fact he did not fully believe until alxxit the time of his return to Kentucky in. 1796.

Mr. Collier the same year, but pre\io'US to his visit to Kentucky, while down on the iVuglaize searc^hing for horses, saw the negro laoy who had been captured at the same time as Charles Plart. ^Ir. Collier says he had a long talk with him, and he stated substantially in regard to Blackfish's death as was stated, by Charles Hart afterward.

The next year, 1797, while Air. Collier was (.11 the Little Miami in this county Jim Blue Jacket called upon him, and in the course of the conversation which took place between them! Jim told him that he was in the expedition to Kentucky in 1788, and \vas one oif those whi>m, Polly Stinson so viclenth' thrust cmt of the door, and he reaffirmed wliat Charles Hart and the negro buy had stated, that it was Blackfish who had led the party and who was killed by Polly Stinson. This fact was not known in Kentucky until the return of Charles Hart, a period of some eig-'ht years, and was always suppressed by the Indians, for the reason, as ]^Ir. Collier supposed, that it was a deep disgrace among the Indians to be killed by a woman. There is another fact which we will notice. It has been asserted that Blackfish was the father of Tecumseh. ^Ir. Collier says that in 1812 he met in the army Stephen Riddle, a very intelligent man, who was taken prisoaier by the Indians at the destruction of his father's (Riddle's) station in Kentucky. He told him that he was almost the constant companion of Tecumseh while a prisoner and was then informed that Tecumseh's father was killed at the battle of Point Pleasant, at which time Tecumseh was about two years did. Air. Collier said that Mr. Riddle would have been apt to have obtained correct infonnatiou upi'u the subject.

Tecumseh, the great Shawnee and Alianii chief, v^as born, according to Benjamin Kelley. Tecurnseh's adopted brother, who was five years in Blackfish's family, near Xenia on Mr. Sexton's lot near a spring. ]\Ir. Thomas Hind, who makes the statement that Tecumseh was born on the Sexton farm, states as proof that in the year 182 1 he met the Rev. Ben Kelley, then a Baptist minister, and who was taken prisc:ner the same time as Boone, and had it from his own lips that Kelley was five years in Blackfish's family. It is said of Tecumseh that at the battle of Tippecanoe he had

The Rexeg.Xde White .Mex

Of the renegade white nien who lived at Old Town it is known that Simon Girty anil Dixon died miserable deaths. They certainly deserved them. Kenton and Boone, both C'f whoan had been captains at Old Chilliccthe, li\-ed to be \-ery old men, honored by all. They are reckoned among the patriots of the countn,-. Simon Kenton's name appears on many of the records of Greene county, Ohio. When the county was first organized. r^Iay 10, 1803, he was then a resident of what was then called ^^lad River township, Greene county, now a part of Logan county, wliere he died at the ripe old age of eig"hty-one years. His remains were afterward taken up and removed to, Oakdale cemetery, Urbana, Ohio. Simon Kenton, had alsoi two brothers, who- were with him on the headwaters of Mad river, \\'illiam and Thomas Kenton. We have nt'W in Xenia a descendant of the old hero. Simon Kentin, descended from his brother, Thoanas Kenton - Air. John A. Xorth. Mr. Xcrth's grandfather, now deceased, wa.s l>ersonariy acquainted \\ith his honored old uncle, Simon Kenton, and learned the relationship from his own lips.

The old Indian trail between the two Chillicc'thes was trod by thousands crt natives. It is said to have passed west of the Old Chilliccthe and traversed the plain to Alpha. Here it crossed the hills bordering the river and stretched away in almost a bee line for the Chillicothe on the Scioto. War parties coaning up the trail would give a w'hoop when about a mile from the village

Tlie fulknving is taken from the American Museum, or Repository, published in Philadelphia, October. 1797, and that part of his adventure whicli applies to Greene comity. Ohio, was written l>y Boone:

"January i, 1778, I went with thirty men to the 'blue lick" on the Licking river to n:ake salt for the different garrisons. February 7, hunting by myself to procure meat for tlie company, I met a party of one hundred and two Indians and two Frenchmen marching against , Bconsborough. They pursueil and took me, and that day I capitulated for my men, knowing they could not escape, 'iliey were twenty-se\en in number, three having gone with salt. The Indians according to the capitulation used us generous!}-. They carried us to the Old Chilliccthe on the Little ]\liami river. On the iSth of February we arri\ed there, after an uncomfortable journey in very severe weather. On the lOth of March I and ten of my men were conducted to Detroit. On the 30th we arrived there, and were treated by Go\-ern('r Hamilton, the British con\- mander of the post, with great humanity. The Lulians had such a fondness for me that they refused one hundred pounds sterling offered them by the governor if they would leave me with the others, on purpose that he might send me home on my parole. Several English gentlemen there, sensible of m.y ad\-erse life and fortune, and touched with sympathy, generously offered to supply my wants, which I declined with many thanks, adding that I never expected it wcnild he in my p^wer to recompense such unmerited generosity. Tlie Lidians left my men in captivity with the British at Detroit. On the loth of April they brought me toward Old Chillicothe, where we arrived on the 2-,th day of the same month. This was a long and fatiguing march tliroug"h an exceeding fertile country, remarkable for fine springs and streams of water. At Old Chilliccthe 1 spent my time as comfortably as 1 could expect: was adopted, according to their custom, intO' a family, where I became a son, and had a goixl share in the affection of my new parents, brothers, sisters and frieu'ds. I was exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, always appearing as cheerful and satisfied as possible, and they put great confidence in me. I often we'.it limiting with them, and frequently gained their applause for my activity at oiu" shooting matches. I was careful not tO' exceed many of them in sliooting, for no people are more envious than they in this sport. 1 could o-bsl-rve in their countenances and gestures the greatest expression of joy when they exceeded me, and when the reverse happened, of en\'\'. The Shawnee king took great notice of me and treated me with profound respect and entire friendship, often trusting me to hunt at my liberty. I frequently returned with the spoils of the woods, and as oiten presented soane of what I had taken to him, expressi\-e of duty to my scT\-ereign. My food and lodging was in commion with them; not so good, indeed, as I could desire, but necessity made everything acceptable.

"T now began to meditate an escape, but carefully avoided suspicion. Until the 3d da\" of June I continued at Old Chillicothe and was tl;en taken to the salt springs on the Scioto and kept there for ten days makiiiS' salt. During this time I had hunted wiili tiieni and found for a great extent alxne this river to exceed tlie soil of Kentucky and remarkably well watered. On my retin-n to Old Chillicothe four hundred and tifty of the choicest Indian warriors were ready to march against Boonsborough, l>ainted and armed in a fearful manner. This alarmed me and I determined to escape. On the i6th of June, before sunrise, 1 went off secretly, and reached Boonsborough oil the 20th day, a journe\- of one hundred and sixty miles, during which 1 only had one meal. I found our fortress in a bad state, but we immediately repaired our flanks, gates and posterns and formed a double bastoon, which we completetl in ten days. One of my fellow prisoners, escaping after me, brought advice that on account oif my flight the Indians had put off their expedition for three weeks.

"In July, 1779. during my absence, Colonel Bowman, with one hundred and sixt\- men, went against the Shawnees of Old Chillicothe. He arrived undiscovered, a l);ittle ensued, which lasted until, ten in the morning, when Colonel Bowman retreated thirty miles. The Indians collected all their strength and pursued him, when another engagement ensued for two hours, not to Colonel Bowman's advantage. Colonel Harrod proposed to mount a number of horses and Ijreak the enemy's line, w'hich at this time fought with remarkable fury. This desperate measure had a happy eft'ect and the savages fled on all sides. In these twif b.'itllcs we had nine men killed and one wouniled ; enemy's loss uncertain, only two scalps taken. The hostile disposition of the savages caused General Clarke, the commandant at the falls of the Ohio, to march with his regiment, and the armed force of the coimtry, against Piqua, the principal town of the ShaAvnees, on a branch of the Great Miami, which he iinished with great success, took seventeen scalps and binnied the town to ashes, with the loss of seventeen men."

In C(jnnection with what Cijlnuel Boone says in regard to this expedition it is of local interest to add the recollection of David Laughead, who at that time, 1780, was a soldier in the ranks under General Clarke, and was one of the band of Kentuckians who participated in that campaign. This David Laughead was the father oi David j\I. Laughead, who was the father of David and Joseph Laughead, wiioni many yet li\- ing in Xenia remember. He died January 29, 1824, at the age of sixty-seven years, and is buried in the old ]\Iassies Creek churchyard (Stevenson's). He says in answer to the question, "When did you tirsl see Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river?" "I was attached to a troop of horses on an expedition from Kentucky under General Clarke. W'e crossed the Ohio river at the mouth of the Licking river August 2, 1780, and arrived at Old Chillicothe on the 5rh day of August, 1780. Previous to lea\-ing Kentucky the}- had heard of Old Chillicothe on the Little ]\lianii river, of its notoriety as a strong Indian tinvn. He had often heard it spoken of liy his neighbors and by his comrades in arms in Kentucky. And w'hat impressed it more lastingly upi.Mi his miixl was an incident that occurred on this expedition. The night after their arrival at Old Chillicothe. the Indians ha\-ing fled, they camped on that portion of land between the Little ^liami and what is now known as Massies creek. Aiul after their return fn ni Old ricjua, where thev had been successful in tlcstrtying their town and defeating the Indians, they camped on tlie nurth bank of the Little Miami on the 7th day of August, 1780. About fift_\- men were detailed to cross the ri\-er and cut down a lot of corn that they had left standing fcr their dwn use on returning. One of the men of this detail had a sore font and his comrades took him) across the ri\-er and' set him down, and shurtly afterward the lame man had t(j get them to come back and take him across the t/ther part of the river, which circunistance was alsoi remembered, and after their return to' Kentucky they were wont to speak of their old camping groimd near the Old Chillicothe as an island of about three hundred acres. General W'hiteman also, -who had been up in this section oif the ccmntry as early as 1790, likewise says that he though.t it was an island and did not find oiit his mistake until after he had Ijecome a resident of this county, when, he says, about the year 1800. he was passing up between the two streams. Massies creek and the Little }vliami, and disco-vered that what is now called Rlassies creek was not a part oif the Little Miami but a separate stream. These facts of history, which are oi local interest in the life of our subject, David Laughead, were gathered from the old rec(;rds of Greene coimty, depositions being taken of the olv.l pi(.ueers in a case of ejectment where the parties in the case were Peter and Jesse Vandolah vs. ]\IajoT John Stevenson. David Laughead and others. The point in dispute was the location oi the beginning Oif John Jamison's survey. It is a fact in the history cA C'ur county that the first town in Greene county of which we have any knowledge (though inhabited by sawages and had a populatinn of ele\en liundred ) should be near the place where the first entry of land should be made by Johni Jamison, on the 1st day of Augaist, 1787, on part of military warrant Xol 192, and surveyed for him by Nathaniel Massie on the 20th day of XoA'ember, 1794, the number of the siu'vey being 387. The starting point of this survey was on the lower end of a small island in the middle of the Little Miami river opposite the Old Chillicothe, about two hundred rods telow where Glassies creek empties into the Little Miami ; original amoimt, twelve Inmdred acres. That island can be seen there tohday (1900), although the water does not surround the island, yet the old channel is still to be seen, and from the directions given in this case Jamisoai's survey can be located. The island is about three rods wide and one hundred and fifty rods long.

Later a family by the name of Vandolah entered four hundred acres of the same tract. The father soon after making his entry became uneasy as to his claim being gvRid. He discovered certain marks that soane one had been there before, and meeting Major James Galloway one day he told him of his suspicions and asked Mr. Gallowav's advice as what to do under the circumstances. ;Mr. Galloway told him that he had recentiv discovered a law that any one making an entry where some one had previously entered that the latter party could have his claim transferred to some other jilace. Mr. Vandolah thereupon' authorized 'Ml-. Galloway to do so with his enti-y. In the meantime it appears the elder Vandolah knowing the uncertainty of life made a will, willing to his two sons, Peter and Jesse, the aforesaid four hundred acres. Li course of time Major Galloway made the asked for entry of the \'a.aidolah claim, three and one-half miles northeast, and they immediately removed to their land. Some years after the father died and it appears had failed in life to take his boys into his confidence as to his business relations. They remembered the claim where they first had lived, and the fatlier had failed to destroy the will which he had made, and from these facts grew the trouble and the number of suits of ejectments that followed.

Simox Kextox

About the year 1777 Ci^li-nel Bowman sent Simo!i Kenton and two L-ther men. Montgomery and Clarke, on a scouting expeditioai to the old Shawanoes town (now Old Town) on the Miami. Stealthily ap- ])ro>aching the town at night, they observed a number of horses in an inclosure. These at the time were inestimable prizes, and forgetting their mission, they each mounted a horse, and, to cripple all pursuit, tied the others together, and started toward the Ohio. Tlie Indians soon discovered their loss, and started in hot pursuit, and though at a distance, still followed the trail. When Kenton and his ])arty arrived at the banks of the Ohio, they found it so rough that their liorses would not venture in. A council was held, and in view of the great distance between them and their pursuers, it was resolved to remain until sunset, and await the probal)Ie abatement of the wind. On the contrary, bowever, the gale increased, and by night the river was absolutely impassable.

Jn the morning while Kenton was standing sariK distance from his comrades, he observed three Indians and a white man approaching him on horseback. His rifle was at once to his eye, and. aiming at the Ijreast of the foremost Indian he pulled the trigger ; but the gun missed fire. Kenton made good use of his legs, but was soon caught, bound, and brought back. The Indians were very angry at the loss of their horses, and nianifested their displeasure in no gentle way, by seizing Kenton by the hair, and shaking him "till his teeth rattled;" scourging him over the head with their ramrods, at every blowhissing through their teeth, "Steel Indian boss, hey!" At this juncture ]\[ontgomery came bravely to his assistance, when two savages emptied their rifles into his breast, and he fell on the six)t, and in a moment his blcwdy scalp was shaken in the captive's face, with threats of a similar fate. In the meantime Clarke, unobserved liy the Indians, who were giving Kenton their sole attention, slipped away and escaped.

Kenton \\'as tbnnvn upon his back, lus face to the sun, his neck fastened to a saj)- ling bv a halter, his arms stretched to their full extent and pinned to the groun<l by stakes, his legs forced apart and secured in the same way. A stick was placed across his l:reast and each end fastened to tlie ground, so that he could not mi>ve his body. This was done, too, in the most accomplished style of savage cruelty - kicks, cuffs and Ldows, accompanied with imprecations of "a tief," "a boss steal," "a rascal." "a squaw," etc., prefixed always with "danm." In this uncomfortable condition Kenton remained all day and the next night. In the morning, the Indians having collected their scattered horses, selected one of the wildest and most vicious colts, placed Kenton upon it. tied his hands behind him. and his feel under its l)elly. and started him ahead of them, through the thick woods and brambles, on their return. At night they halted and untying their priscMier. wlio was now bkxxly and scarred from tlie scratclies of the bnisli and branil)les, placed liim in the same uncomife-Ttable position as the night Ijefore.

"Again tlie horse was Ijruught : "T'was l)nt a day he liad been caug^it ; And snorting, with erected mane. -And struggling fiercely, but in vain. In the full foam of wrath and dread, To me the desert b<)rn was led; They bound me on, that menial throng, Tben loosed hinT, with a sudden lash - A\\a\! Away! And on we dash."

The following day they reached the Indian \illage of Chillicothe - now Old Town, in this county - on the Little Miami. In the meantime a courier had preceded them and informetl the village of their arrival, every memiber of which came running tO' look at the illustriou.s captive. One of the chiefs, Blackiish. with a stout hickory in his hand approached Kenton and accosted him thus: "\'ou have been stealing our horses, have you?" "Yes," was Kenton's bold reph'. '"Did Colonel B(X>ne tell yoai to steal our horses?" "No" answered Kenton "I did it of my own accord." BlackHsh then applic-.l the hickory so vig^orously over the bare head and shoiilders of the captive as to catise the rapid flow of blood accompanied with the acutest pain. The whole motley crew, consisting of nearly two hundren mien, women and children, now surrounded him, yelling, hooting and screaming like the stygian offspring of the hadean gitaixl, stopping often to beat and kick him. and calling loitdly for his immediate execution at the stake, that their .savage eyes tright behold the pleasing , spectacle. A stake was dri\en in the ground and Kenton was tirmly lashed to it with rawhide thongs. Piece by piece the demoniac hags.strippefl his clothing off, and danced, yelling fiendishly around till midnight, when he was released to run the gauntlet next morning. Nearly three hundred savages of all ages and of both sexes were assembled for the occasion. Stretching away in two parallel lines about six feet apart the Indians stood, armed with axes, clubs, hickorys and all .scrts of weapons. Between these lines the unfortunate victim, naked and already bleeding, was compelled to run, with the glimmering prospect of safety in the council house. With his arms above his head he swiftly flies d(/wn' the line, receiving at each step, kicks, blows, stripes and wounds, until, at the lower extremity, he ol)ser\-es two warriors with knives to take his life. Breaking through the lines, he rushes for the council house, pursued by the howling redskins. Just as he had reached the town, and the council house was within his reach, he was confronted by an Indian with his blanket around him. walking leisurelv out of the sa.me. Flinging of? his covering he sprang upon Kenton who, exhaiisted. and wounded, could but feebly resist, and was soon surrc/imded Ij}- the enraged crowd, wlio kicked and scourged him until he was nearly dead. When he had partially recovered, they bnxight him fciul and water and as soon as he was aljle they took him tO' the council house to- decide upon his fate. The warriors disposed themseh-es in a circle, with an old chief in the center. [Many speeches were made, some for burning, and some for merc^-, but Kenton soon learned fn m the ferocious glances cast upi;n him that his fate was sealed. After the tleliberations and speeches, the old chief passed the war ciulj to the nearest warrior, and with a knife and a stick prepared to register the votes. Those who were in favor of death struck the ground violently with the club, these to the contrary passed it on: a notch was cut en one side fur death, and on the opposite side for mercy. It was scon decided in favor cf death at which one prolonged shout arose.

The next question was, when and where should the executiim take place. Some were in fa\-er of immediate action, and some desired ti. make it a "solemn national sacrifice." It was finally decided, however, that the place should be \\'aughcotomoco (now Zanesville, Logan county).

On the way to this place Kenton determined to make an effort to escape, knowing his fate could be no worse. At a favorable C'pportunity he rushed intO' the woods with such desperate swiftness that had he not stumbled upc<n a party of redskins on horseback he would have escaped. All hope now left him. and he felt deserted by God and man. At Piqua he was miockingly tied to a stake. At \\"aughcotom<5co he ran the gauntlet again and was severely hurt.

\\'hile sitting in gloom among his enemies in the council house, the door \\as opened and Girty, with his prisoners and scalps, appeared. The anxious gaze of Kenton was met b_\' scowls of savage hatred. Previous to this it is relatetl that Kenton, after his attempted escape, had been given up to the boys and women, who rolled him in the mud and water until he was nearly suffecated. then he was taken out and hisface painted black signifying his fate. In this condition Girty. who had formerly been his besom companion, difl not recognize him. until in conversation he revealed his name; when the hardened' wretch, who had murdered men, women and children, threv.' himself in his anns, and with tears in his eyes promised to use every effort to sa\e his life. He immediately called a council, and earnestly pleaded fc-r the life of his friend. Speeches for and against were made and the scale hung doubtful, until the fiery eloquence of Girty prexailed, and Kenton was saved.