Greene County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 7 of 25)

He remained with his liljerator for some time, until the return of a disapix)inted war party, which took possession of him again, and despite the appeals of Girty, condemned him to the stake and compelled him again to run the gauntlet. Girty came to him and told hinn he must die. A halter was then placed around his neck and he was led tO'ward the place of execution. On the road they passed an Indian sitting and smoking on a log, directing his wife in her eft'i:rts in chopping, who en sight of Kenton seized the a.x and struck him a severe blow. He was sharply rebuked by the Indian guards for trying to destroy their material for torture.

On their journey they stopped at the \illage of the humane Logan, who immediatelv sent runners to Sandusky (his intended place of execution), to intercede for his life, but on their return Logan informed him that he must go instantly to Sandusky. Thus was the ptxir soul harrowed with hope and fear. On his arrival an Indian agent named Druyer, at the instigation of Logan, purchased him from the Indians, and in a speech pursuaded them to let him go to Detroit, where he remained until the following June, when he. with others escaped fr( m the British. In this perilous adventure, he was forced to nin the gauntlet eight time, tied to the stake three times, beaten and kicked, and struck with an ax, rolled

Andrew Galloway

My father, James (ialloway, Sr., emigrated fnjim Hoairhcni cmmt)-, Kentucky, in company with two otlier families. .\dam McPherson and James M. Galloway (blacksniiith), early in the spring, March 20, 1798, and settled on the west side of the Little Miami river, five miles north of where Xenia now is, having formed an accjuaintance with Coloaiel Richard .Andersun in the army of the United States, during tlie Re\- oluticinary war, wlio^ was appointed by the state of \"irginia surveyor general of the niihtary land in this state lying l>etween the Scioto and Little Miami river, and who had established Lc;iin"s\ille. Kentucky, and appointed a number of deputies to locate and survey lands in his district. My brother. James Galloway, being well versed in the science of sun-eying, wished to engage in the business as a regular deputy under Colonel Anderson. L; the year 1802 or 1803 m_\ father and brother James went to see Colonel Anderson at Louisville and on their way called for several days on my uncle. Samuel Galknvay, who. lived on McConnell's nm. r.ear where IVIr. Armstrong preached, and was about to dispense the Lord's Suyjper. The}- Ijecame acquainted, and united w-ith hini in communion of the Lord's Supper, after which they went on foi Louis\-!lle. and my lirother, through the influence of my father and uncle, George Pomeroy, .succeeded in getting the appointment he sought.

two' with my uncle, Samuel Galloavay, and w^aited on the ministry of Mr. Armstrong, and invited and insisted on him to come to Ohio and preach in our neighborhood; George Galloway was urgent in this request, he agreed if they and the people wished it he would come. After their return they consulted w-ith all the people around, for they were few in numbers, but were anxious for preaching and delegated n-iy brother James for himi to' go to Kentucky.

lie went, and shortly afterward wrote to George Galloway to meet him in Dayton to pilot him to our settlement, there Ixing iKi roads but the one General Wayne had made from Cincinnati to> Hamilton, and a "trace" to where Dayton now is. His request was fulfilled. Mr. Armstrong came and ]n-eached at my father's home to the following families: Mathew Ouinn, Alexander Forl:)es, William Junkin, Elias Bromagen. Widow- Creswell, who united with his congregation ii-ii Kentucky and came toi Ohio in 1 80 1, Alexander McCoy and sons, James and Jobn Ste\enson, Thomas and John Tawnsley, brothers. George Galloway and James Galloway (blacksmith) and afterward soon, Joseph Kyle, Sr., and his two sons. Joseph and Samuel, Colonel James Moirrow. David Laughead, Sr.. and his family, William and Robert Kendall and perhaps a few others. He also' preached at Sugarcreek. in t!ie House of James Clency, whoi resided where Bellbrook is iiow- situated, to a number of families, of wlioan the follow-ing are recollected : John and Joseph McKnight, Joseph C. Vance, father of Governor Vance, and his brother John, Captain Nathan Lairimle and family, William Tanner, James and Jacob Snowden, three Snodgrass families, James, William and Robert.

Abraham \'an Eaton and perhaps a few others ; ncaie named were members of the ass<.)ciate church, but were members of the Assticiate Reform and Presljyterian cliurches. and were glad to hear Mr. Annstn.ng preach.

At Dayton, at the time of Mr. Armstrong's first coming, he was insisted upon by .Mr. James Lowry, who Hved some four miles west of where the town of Enon is now situated, to preach in his house, in a neighhorhocid west oif Mad ri\-er, and was pilt_.ted to Mr. Lowry's b}- James McCoy, Ge</rge Galloway and my father. During his stay among us a number solicited him to come and take the oversight of themi as their pastor. This he did not refuse or pnniise to do. but stated that he was dissatisfied with Kentucky on account of slavery. He said that s]a\-e holders were buying large tracts of land in branches oi his congregation, that there w as no chance nor probability of increasing. He said if he could get his congregation, or part of them to come to Ohio, he would agree to come, if called. The people took his statements as enciuragement and forthwith agreed to petitic n tii the presbytery for the moderation of a call. My brother James presented the petition to the presbytery as a delegate fn ni tlie congregation. They granted the j;et;tii n. and oppointed Rev. Andrew Fulton to moderate in the call. A sbort time after this appointmjent he preached in my fatlier's barn, and baptized my sister Ann and brcther .Anthony, it I>eing the first baptism ever administered in Greene county by the Associate church, and took place about the 1st ( f Septeml>er, 1804. The call was made cut in due form and John McKnight cf Sugarcreek and my father were appointed commissioners by the people to meet witli

In the same month ^h: Armstrong went to Tennessee and was married to iliss Xancy Andrew and in October left Tennessee with his wife and her brother Hugh Andrew, who all arrived safely at my father's house and lived in his family all winter and spring, until he got a cabin built and a stone chimney in it. for he was afraid of a wooden cue. Mr. Hugh Andrew in later }"ears gives an account of that event as follows : "Air. Armstrong had l)een niarried to my sister Xancy two years. Previous 10 his coming to Xenia he and his wife set out on horseback to visit her father's people, who lived near Nashville, Tennessee. In October they again started for their old home in Kentucky and their new homie in Ohio, it being arrangeil to take Airs. Armstrong's young brother Hugh with them, then a lad of some ten years of age. A small saddle was placed on the horse behind Air. Armstrong, on which young Hugh roda to Kentucky. On their arrival at Air. Armstrong's home in Kentucky they were met by \\'illiam Gowdy - an uncle of Alexander Gowdy, yet (1899) living in Xenia, who lived at that time near what is now know n as Alpha, who had teen sent with a fourhorse team to bring Air. Armstrong's household goo<ls and' books.

Air. Armstrong and wife made the journey I 11 horseback, while yomig Hugh was assigned to the wagon. On their arrival at the end of their joan'ney they stopped at Air. Galloway's, as has been stated. On the arrival of the wagon, }-oung Hugh, not exactly likiiij;: the looks of tilings, asked and obtained leave to return with Mr. Go^wdxt(^ liis residence. Mr. GowxW was a youngmarried man at this time, anrl his father Hved near."

My father entered and paid in the land office at Cincinnati, fractional section No. 29. t<nvn 4, range 7, between the Great and Little .Miami rivers, containing f,.ur hundred and sixty-oiie acres, and sold to Air. Armstrong three lumdred and one acres for the sum of six hundred and twenty dollars, and deeded the same to him in 1812, which can be seen in the rec(jrder's office, (ireene county, in Ix»k C, volume 3, page 70, executed !)>- tieorge Galloway Esquire. Mr. Arirjstrong lived on said section to the year 1813, whcii/ he sold and deeded to Samuel Goe for the suiit of two lumdred and ninety dollars, and h<mght again on Clark's run forty-eight and three-fourths acres of land from John Hunter, of Ross count}-, for wliich he paid one hundred and seventy dollars, and tv\a hundred acres from James Galloway, Jr., for which he paid three hundred dollars. The deeds of these tracts of land can Ise seen on record, book C, page 377, and lx>ok C, page 417. This sale and purchase left Mr. Anmstrong sixteen hundred and thirty dollars, no trifling sum in those days, and taking in his personal property and proceeds of his farm he might be considered a rich man. On this farm he li\ed until his death, which occurred October 14, 1 82 1.

It is true that his congregation in Kentucky sent a delegation to Ohio of sixteen or eighteen to view the lands in the neiglilx>rhoi(xl wdiere Mr. Armstrong ^\-as to settle, and were well pleased with it and reported accordingly. In the spring and fall of 1804 and 1805 all, or nearly all, of his congregation followed him to Ohio and settled under his ministrv.

The first church edifice of the Associate congregati.j-n of Massiescreek \\-as built 011 three acres of land donated by James Stevenson for church and cemetery. It was built of round hicko^ry^ logs with the bark peeled ofif, thirty feet square, covered with clapboards, the spaces between the logs being filled with clay. It was without t gallery or loft of any kind, and the floor was O'f earth. In it were neither stoves nor chimney, and tliere was but one door in the center oi one end of the house. There was an aisle running through the center. The pulpit was composed of clapboards on a wooden structure, with a window on each side. It was seated with two rows of puncheons split from, poplar, the upper side smoothed off, and in each end as an upright; from two to three slabs were pinned and formed quite a comfortable back. This edifice was on the north side of Massiescreek, about three miles from where it emptied into the Litle iliami river. Men and women would ride or walk twelve or fifteen miles to this church and sit and listen to two sermons without seeing fire in the coldest weather.

About the year 1812 or 1813 the second church at Massiescreek was built, of hewed logs, one hundred and fifty feet distant from> the first one. At this date the cmmtry had improved and several mills had been built. It was about fifty feet wide, was floored and ceiled over head with one-half-inch poplar boards. In it were placed four pews, the balance o-f the seats being those that had been in the first church. This church becaauie too small for the congregation, and one side was taken out and its width increased about twel\-e feet. This buildin<^ was used until the stone one was built and . occupied by Rev. James P. Smart, alxmt two miles north from the first site. The old site is now used as a cenijeterv ; in it are the remains of Air. Armstrong and a large majority of tlie congregation. Out of Massiescreek, Sugarcreek and Xenia congregations of the Associate church, and Xenia Ass(x:iate Reformed congregation has sprung the nucleus of all the congregations in the United Presbyterian church in the west.

Mr. Armstrong became dissatisfied with his location west of the Miami, on accoimt of its frequent floods, that cut him off from his house wi worship and disappointed his congregation. He was a great walker and frecpiently walked from his home to Sugarcreek, a distance of thirteen miles, to preach toi that branch of his charge, and to Massiescreek, a distance of four miles. At the crossing of the Miami he had a pair of stilts some two feet high, upon which he would mcimt, and with great care and circumspection cross the ri\-er, but wonid at times get a ducking.

Rev. Robert Armstrong

The name of Robert Armstrong will long be held in honorable remembrance in that branch of the church to which he belonged. If talents devoted tO' the service of relig-ion and a life of more than common usefulness constitutes a claiml to it lx)th con- S}>ire to place him in the front rank of those who have planted, watered and extended the Secession church in western America.

Mr. Armstrong was a native of Scotland, and but little is knoiwn of his parentage. His mother was a widow at the time of his cc:aninig to America, and he was an only child. He is supposed tO' have been ab<;ut fifty-fi\-e years old at the time of his death. He received a classical education at the University of Edinburg and studied theol(_:g}- at Whitburn under the Re\-. Archibald Bruce, professor at that time uniler the General Associate Synod, the certificate ef his ordination to the ministry is dated I5tli of June, 1797. He had' been licensed to preach some time m the winter preceding by the presbytery of Kelso. He was one of till se students who make their professional life by dint of their own resc-airces, and the ardor and enterprise of character which it implies were prominent parts of his. His parents n(j't possessing much worldly affluence were unable to' help him-. He taught a country school or acted as a pri\ate tutor in the families of gentlemen, and by that means, made himself master of very extensive acquirements, both as a scholar and divine. He was licen.sed and' ordained with a view to his coining to Amierica, the cause of which was as follows : Four members of the church having settled in the same neighborhood in the vicinity o'f Lexington, Kentuclc\-, namely: James Bain. Adam Goodlett. Thomas Roibinson and James Pringle, took council together in a prayer meeting, on the best means for obtaining a dispensation of the Gospel aniicng thenu This was in the }'ear 1796, at which time the above named branch of the church in America was small. The Presbyteiy of New York and Pennsyl\-ania was the only church court, except sessions in the cnmnrv. Ami tliere was but one number of it settled west of the Allegheny mountains, viz. : the Re\-. Mathew Hen<lersc;n, in the vicinity of Pittsburg. It was certain that it would lie a long timie bef<vre this small fountain in the east woidd rise high enough to e.xtend its waters so far west. The Ijrethren iherefore resolved to apply to the sjniad of Scotland for assistance. From prudential n-^otives, Svnod in complying with the ])etition ( in which ihev asked for but one) aiJiJMJnted two ministers to go to the country, Mr. Armstrong and the worthy Andrew Fultcm (who also about fdur N-ears since rested from his labors). "Vou might lie startled,"' says a memliei- ni' synod in a letter to, a friend in this country, some years afterward, "at the idea of two ministers coming at once, but we thought, as the synod defrayed all e.xpenses, if any disappointment as to success sliould fcilli>w. we, not you, would jjear the Ijlame. It was a \'enture in a nohle cause, and kind jirnxidence has crowned it with success." At the time of receiving the petition and synods mtiking choice of persons for the mission, Mr. Annstnnig had not yet left the ranks of the students, wdiich would imply that they thought him partictdarly qualified to undertake the appointment. In an address to the brethren in Kentucky accompanying the mission, they say: "Had you witnessed, dear brethren, rmr an.xious solicitude to ha,ve vou provided with able and faithful laborers, had }'Ou beheld our entire unanimity, and had you heard the e.Kpressions of our unfeigned joy, when the twiii brethren appninted toi vou modestly sig'- nified their acquiescence in our choice, you would assuredly gather that you are very d'ear to the church here, and that these two servants of Christ are called by their Master to preach the Goispel to you." And in no instance has the discrimination and confidence of that svnod, in the appointment of foreigi^ missionaries, l>een more happily exercised or better placed, as the subsequent character and conduct o'f these twO' ministers evinced, and in few" instances, we are willing to believe, has such extensive liberality been mpre gratefully received. At their appointment they were commissioned ]:)y the synod to constitute themselves on their arrival, intoi a court, by the name of Associate Presbv'tery of Kentucky. They arrived in the suirjmer o^f 1798. anil after casting the net in new waters, in which they were not unsuccessful, mi the 2(Sth day of Xo\-ember, following, constituted the court. At this presbytery Mr. Armstrong received a unanimous call toi act as pastor toi the united congregation of the Dales Fork, Millars Run and Cane Run, and was installed in the charge April 23, 1799, and continued his labors in- it until the fall of the year 1804. This year the three congregationiS, with very fewi exceptions, emigrated to^ the state Oif Obio', on account of slavery in Kentucky. If Mr. Armstrong was not the projector of it he took an early interest. A few years observation of its horrors gave experimental fo'rce toi an opiniom, wbich he doubtless admitted before in theory, namely : That slaver}' is unfavorable to religioin. Its effects in America seem' to warrant the belief that it is incompatible with the existence of the churches of the reformation. They settled together in Greene county in the confident expectation' of his being resettled ampng them as soon as it could be done in an orderl\- way. They were organized under the name oif the united congregation of INfassiescreek and Sugarcreek, and on the 2nd day of Septeml;er, the same year, he was ordered by the ])resbytery to rejoin his charge. Here he labored se\'enteen years and the handful of corn in the earth appeared with prosperous fruits. His charge was shortly afterward divided and another minister called to preside o'\'er one-half of it, from which time

Roblxsox'S History Of Greexe Couxty

Andrew Fulton and his congregation a few years before his death also moved to the free state Oif Indiana. Air. Armstrong was a man of ver)- low stature, but had naturally a stro-ng constitution. During the early part of his ministr)- liis labors were severe, antl lie had often to dispense the Supper three and four times a year withiut assistance. He had upwards of one hundred miles to go to tiie presbvterv and lietween six hundred and se\-en hundred to the synod. Ijoth of which he attended punctually witli few exceptions.

In compliance with calls toi supply vacancies and organize cliurclies lie had often to go joiirneys from fift_\- to two hundred miles through the wilderness, which afforded no other comf(;rts of hospitality than that which his saddieljag and the rorjt of a tree furnished. In the pulpit he had an air of authority which impressed his audience with a feeling of respect and confidence in his judgment, while his talents, though udt of the hriliiaiU kind, were abm-e what usual! v fall to the lot of men. 'i'he Rev. Pringle, of Perth, Scotland, speaking of the two missionaries in a letter to a friend in this ccxnitry said: "Some are jjerhaps endowed with miore talents, but their qualifications are of the solid, pemmnent and useful kind; thotigh they don't flash so much at Ih-st, they improve on acquaintance." Air. Armstrong had an aversion to controversy, both in pulpit and out of it, and it was his practice to refute error as an error of the heart, whicii jDersons might l>e under the influence. of whatever their profession. And he frequently guarded his peoiile against supposing themselves religious, because they coidd condenni nuich in the practice or principles of others. "Beware," was his admonition, "lest tliese very people rise in judgmient against you at last." So strong was his a\-ersion to railing at others that even the memorable tempest of religious fanaticism wliich in 180J burst forth in Kentucky with sucii fur}-, threatening to extend its sweep over the wIkjIc country and tn carry Ijeforc it the firmest pillars of the church, did not th'aw from him in his puljMt exercises a ccndenniatcry epithet. The means he emphned to counteract its influence were indirect. He took up those points of the word assailed by the delusion ai^d these Ijest calculated to ciiunteract its temper and enforced them. That faith is the product of mere human power, was the fundamental err< r of the "new lights." His people will remcmi;er the earnestness with which he insisted, at the time, three days successively on the te.xt, "Do ye now believe?" The clearness and force -with which lie opened up the nature, origin and effects of faith, as he posed tlie consciences witli an answer to the interrogatory. He was a firm friend to the principles of the Reformation, and fully approved of the principles of the society to wliicli he belonged, on the subject of separation of corrupt churches. In his adherence tn these principles he was firm Imt not obstinate. On terms of comnmmion. (|uestions about church order, or other prints, when his Bible did n('t clearly decide, he was not rigid.

In i)ri\ate life he was a social, cheerful and instructive companion. He was selfdenied, humble and patient, not from a disposition naturally unambitious, meek and ]ilacid. but from a sense of dutv and the piwer of the gospel over his mind.

In conversation he was particniaiiv loml oi anecclotes whicli contained some useful moral, and of these he had a large fund. From a conviction that religion often suffers both r.eglect and scandal from men's imprudence in the management of their worldly concerns he frequently took occasion in his familiar iniercourse to ileal nuich in maxims of good sense respecting these. It was known tO' a few that he \A-as rather partial' to the civil institutions of his native land, hut he never meddled with politics. \\'hen the news of General Hull's surrender was received, which was on a Sab]>ath day in the interval iSetween discourses, he immediately convened the congregation, and after a short admonitory address adapted to the occasion, dismissed them to make preparations for marching the next day, and went part of the day's ride with tliem. From the day of his arrival among his people in Kentucky till the last period of his ministry ill this place, his congregation continued to increase and flourish under his care, until the last year of his life peace, harmony and mutual good will prevailed between him and his flock. At that period, however, and in an evil hoar, when men slept, an enemy sowed tares, which sprung up' and had like to- have choked the wheat. This began by an alarm of fire, and some mischief was done and threatened to be done about the house. An old ca1>in was burned, and attempts made to set the barn on fire, suspicion arose, and the cpiestion was asked, who could do the mischief? The family suspected some persons in the neighborhood and others suspected some person in or about the house. No one kn'ew and mutual jealousies and criminations arose, and the brand of discord and contention kindled into a flame, and in this state of things and under very uneasy feelings, he began to sus" jiect that his usefulness in the congregation was at an end; that his labors would be no longer accepta1>le. This impression gained strength and on occasion O'f a congregational meeting he sent in his resignation. The congregation were unwilling to part widi him, Imt lie continued firm in his resolution, and the presbytery granted the prayer of his petition. He brought no charge against the congregation.

Shortly before his decease he went to 15Iack Rock, Indiana, with a view to the removal of his family to that place, but when he returned, which was on the 27th day of Septemjber, he took sick that night, and 011 the Sabbath following sent for Rev. Thomas Beveridge, whoi visited him on Monday in conilpany with ^Ir. Bain. He looked forward to dying without fear. When speaking of his family he was o\-ercome by his feelings ; he felt for them whose only object had been to^ make him happy. He had no unbelief respecting themi, but could commit them to Him who is the judge of the widow and the fatherless. He had always \-alued the Gospel, but more now than ever from the support it gave himi in his trving hour. To Mr. Adamis, a young minister, he said on his death-bed re\-iew oi the doctrines he had embraced and taught, he found nothing to fault ; they were the ground of his hopes for eternity. For vears he had noi doubt of his interest in the atoning blood of Christ, and his faith did not fail him now, and on Sabbath niorning, 14th of October, 1821, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock, he died. After his decease on the backs of letters or stray slips of paper, it is said, were found notes of the ground work of some of his best efforts.

William Cooley S Recollections

The first settler in the nortliern central part of the county of \vhc<m we have an\" record or well authenticated account was James Galloway, Sr., who emigrated to tlrs place from Bourbon county, Kentucky, early in the spring of 1798, now very nearly eig"hty-three years since. About twenty years previous, towit, November 23, i//^. he married Miss Rebecca Junkin. in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania. How long he sojourned in Kentucky we ha\e not been able to determine. Mr. Galloway possessed many of the traits of Daniel Bc»one. He was in the service of tlie United States eighteen months during the Revolutionar}- war. in the capacity of hunter, to procure game for the army. He was engaged in several conflicts with the Indians, and on one occasion was brought face to face with Simon Girty. who, perceiving that Galloway was unarmed, accosted himi thus: "Now. Gallowav. d - n you, I have got you," and instantly tired. Galloway received a dangerous wound, and' was supposed by Girty lo have been killed. He, howexer, wheeled his horse and made for camp, a mile distant, which he reacheil in safety, but in a fainting condition. The ball passed through his shoulder and lodged some place near the back of the neck. After carrying this bullet manv years, it was extracted, some say by a cobbler, others by Dr. Joshua ]\Iartin. However this mav have been it was a source of considerable annoyance, and the woinid was effected very much by the state of the weather, and served as a baromieter. On occasions, when something important was to be done, retpiiring fine weather, young Hugh would be dispatched to Mr. Galloway to learn the condition of the barometer.

Mr. Galloway's family on coming to this county consisted of himself, wife, his sons, James, Samuel, William, Andrew, and one daughter. Rebecca. His family was afterward enlarged l>y a son and daughter, Anthi ny and Ann. James Galloway (blacksmith) and Adam McPherson acompanied ^Ir. (ialloway from Kentucky and settled ni dift'erent neighjjorhoods. The same year Thomas Townsley settled near the falls of [Massies creek. These were the first settlers of this portion of Greene county, so far as we ha\e been able to discover.

How Mr. Galloway succeeded in erecting his first cabin we are left to conjecture, as his boys were mere children, the eldest being a lad of sixteen : but as necessity is the mother of invention, we can have no doubt, therefore, but Mr. Galloway scxju had a place of hal)itation for himself and family. The matter of subsistence was a serious (piestion for a man of so large a family, as he wc'uld not lie able to bring any considerable amount of provisions, in his journey through an unbroken wilderness, and it must necessarily have 'been se\'eral months before he could derive any benefits from the fruits of the soil. Fortimately game was abundant, and Mr. Galloway, with his unerring miusket was able tO' sui>i>ly his family with all the delicacies of the season; yet there was not the means for the enjovment Oif that luxurious living of the present day.

In the year 1799 or 1800 George Galloway, Esq., located on the fann now owned by Andrew Holland, lying on the Yellow Springs pike, imniiediately north and west of the river. The tract located by James Galloway, consisting of one hundred and si.\ty-one acres, lay still farther north toward Yellow Springs. .Subsequentlv Mr.

Nobixsoxs History Of Greene Couxty

Galloway sold to Rev. Ro-ljert Armstrongthree iniiKlred and one acres, which is now mainly conTprised ni the farms oiwned bv James H. Dickey, John H. and Henry B. Jaccby. About this time, or at all events prior to ii^03, Matthew (Juinn settled on the farm now occupied by Mr. Mathias Routzong. Others coming in from time tO' time, the country gradually became settled. Mills were a necessity. Owen Davis had built one on lleaxer creek in i "yQ, wdiich was patronized by the inhal)itants for forty miles around. Whisky, though perhaps not so essential a-- bread, was nevertheless used to a considerable extent as a medicine as well as a beverage. The country was new, chills and fe\er ])reva'led, and the system needed bracing. At all e\'ents supply and demand to a considerable extent regul.ated trade. To supply this seeming necessity, ]\lr. Galloway erected a distillery on the small stream that crosses the Yellow Springs jjike near the old stone htxise previously described. \\ hat was its capacity we know not. but presume it was sufiicient to meet the wants of the neiglibnrho<wl in the surrounding conimunit}'. Although we hav; been assured that the early settlers in this communit)- generally partcwDk of their whisky in moderation, and never to excess, yet at this time, and for many years afterward, it was the custom on all occasions tO' jiass around the bottle.

That there was at this period mpre of a community of interest and social equality among the people than at the present day, does m t admit of a doubt. Log-rollings, raisings, wood-choppings, etc., brought the people frequently together from many miles around. There were nO' drones in the comluunity, antl on these occasions things wen.t lively. At a raising the hands would divide, putting their best men on the corners to do the notching, and then a strife arose as to who would be first to get their log in place. And thus they would continue till the square part of the building was couipleted ; and then beveled logs thrown up at the ends, and poles thrown across lengthwise, at inter\-als of from three tO' four feet, completed the loft part of the structure. For a co'vering, clapboards, of an inch in thickness and about six in breadth, and in length corresponding with the distances between the poles, were placed up and down in such a manner as to make a close roof. The weight poles are then placed in position, and the rooif is complete.

Abotit the Ijeginning of the century Mr. SoilomiCMi McCuUy settled on the north 'jf the ri\-er. on the Fairfield pike, at present occupied by Owen Swadner. Further on Arthur Forbes, on the farm occupied by Robert A. Mitchell ; John James and David Andersoai on what used toi be called the Kershner farm, situated on the Yellow- Springs and Dayton pike: Ezekiel Hopping, on the tract now owned by William Confer and George Taylor, still further north. We cannot give the exact dates of the settlement of these parties, 1>ut they were at an early day. James Andrew settled on the fanu in-i|mediate!y west of Mr. Armstrong, and no)w occupied by \V. Coole}-. His eldest (laughter, Nancy, w-as the w-ife of Mr. Arnistroug. His family consisted of Jane, William. James, Rebecca, John. Hugh, George, Ebenezer and Elizabeth. Mr. Andrew was a liandicraftsman, as well as farmer. He made spinning wheels, little and big. He also stocked plows \\-ith wooden moldboards. If we go back to the davs of our grandn-iothers, we shall find abundant material for reflection. E\-erv article of cloth- ing U-r tlie bcdy or the house was made at home. Toil. toil, incessant toil, fnHii one year's end to another, to procure the simplest comforts of life. Xow. w« get a liat or a coat, and dun't kncnv how it was made or whence it came. We have time to read, to think, to meditate how to make life enjo)-able. Let us Ije thankful, and when dis posed to murmur at our hard lot, think of our grandfathers and grandmothers.

^Ir. Andrew, having served his generation, fell asleep in the year 1822, aged seventy-two years. Of his ten children, but two remain, Mr. Hugh Andrew of Xenia, and Ebenezer Andrew, of Sugarcreek township. James, Hugh and George carried on farming operations quite successfully for miany years on the old homestead and lands adjoining, each owning fine farms of two or three hundred acres. Two of James' sons, AX'illiam and Harvey, are in the ministry r>f the United Presbyterian church: H. ]\I.. living in Xenia; and Samuel, George's son, near Frost's Station. Others are scattered through the west, and not a single one living within five miles of the eld homestead. Such radical changes dc-es time make, that the place that knows us now will soon know us no miore forever.

Mr. Andrew, ef whom we formerly spcke, for years continued his occupation of wheelwright and stocking plows. Mr. George Junkins had established a blacksmiith shop near the Fairfiekl pike, south of R. A. Mitchell's jjresent residence. A culprit had stolen a set of plow irons of John Ellis (grandfather of Samiuel Ellis, who li\es near the railroad crossing en the Clifton pike), and taken them to Junkins' shop to Ije relayed. The irons were taken thence to Mr. Andrews to be stocked with wooden mold-boards, etc. The irons w ere stamped, and it was the design of the thief to have the marks obliterated in order to avoid detection ; but in this he failed, which fact led to his arrest and pimishment. At this time there was a sugar tree on the public square, Xenia, which served as a whipping post. His sentence was to receive eight lashes on his bare back. This occurred on the 8th of Octoiljer, 1808, and is said to have been the last public whipping for a crime in Greene coimty.

The lands west of the Little Miami river were congress lands, and were disposed of very differently from' those on the other side of the river, and in the following manner : "James Madison, president of the United States of America. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Kncv ye, that James Andrew, of Greene county, having deposited in the treasurv a certificate I if the register of the land office, at Cincinnati, whereby it apiiears that he has made full payment for the northeast quarter of section 35, of township, number 4. in range number 7, of the land lying between the Great Miami river and the \'irginia Reservation, etc., etc. Dated Washington, Februarj^ 12, 1810. Signed by Janres ]^Iadison, president of the United States, and R. Sntith, secretary of State." A similar patent was issued for the southeast quarter cf section 36, to the same, in the year 18 16. TOiey were printed and written on parchment, and are uni(|ue in appearance.

In 1802 or 1803 James Galloway, Sr., and James fialloway. Jr.. started to Louisville, to see Colonel .\nderson in regard to the appointment of a surveyor, and on their way stopped several days with Samuel Gal- 1< way. then living on ^IcConnell's Run, in Kentuckv. where Robert Armstrong preached. While tliere they hecanie acquainted with him, and joined in tlie communion of the Lord's Supper, after which resuming their journey, tiiey reached Louisville, and throug-h the influence of his father and his uncle, George Pomro\-, James Galloway Jr., received the appointment. On their return they again tarried with Sanuicl (jailoway, and meeting Mr. .\rmstrong, they urgently invited him to come to Ohio and preach ; to which he agreed, on condition that it was the desire of the peo])le there. When they reached home, thev consulted the jjeople, and the desire being unaninn Us. James Galloway, Jr., was sent to Kentucky to bring him here. Writing to his brother George to meet hini in Davton and pilot himi to the settlements, he started, in company with .Mr. Ai-mstrong, and traveled along the road cut by General Wayne from Cincinnati, arrived here in safety and soon began his labors preaching at the house of James Galloway, Sr., to the following families : Matthew Ouinn, Alexander l-"(irl>es, William Jenkins. Elias Bromagen, Widoiw Criswell (who had united with his church in Kentucky and came to Ohio in 1801), Alexander McCoy and sons, John and James Stevenson, Thomas and John Townsley, George and James Galloway, and. perhaps a few others. He also preached at Sugarcreek, at the honse of James Clancy, on the present site of Bellbrock. .Vmong his congregation were John and Joseph C. McKnight, Josqih \'ance ( father of Governor \'ance) and his brother. Captain Lanil). Williami Tanner, the Snodgrasses, two Sncwdens, Van Eaton and several others. A few of these were members of the Associate Refcmied and Presbyterian churches, but all were glad tO' listen to ^Ir. Anustrcng. During his stav here he was urgently solicited toi remain as permanent pastor. This he neither agreed nor refused to do, but stated that he was dissatisfied with Kentucky on account of sla\-ery. He also stated that if he cotild persuade his congregation to emigrate with him, he would come, provided he recei\-ed a call. .\ petition was straightway presented to the -Vssociate Presbytery of Kentucky, by James Galloiway, Jr., which was granted, and Rev. Andrewt Fulton was appointed moderator in the call. Shortly after his ap{ji)intmjent he preached in James Galloway's barn, and baptized his son Anthony and daughter Ann, the first baptism by this church in the coa.uit}-, date September i, 1804.

In August, 1803. Colonel James Morri>w, with (piite a number of others, members of Mr. Annstrong's congregation in Kentucky, came to this county to locate land. They miade their camp and passed the Sabbath near a spring on the edge of the prairie at Old ToAvn. There seems tO' have been a mutual feeling O'f discontent on the part oif ]\lr. Armstrong and his people, in reference to the workings of the slave system. The encroachments and domineering spirit of slavery and slaveholders were alread)- being felt. Ohio', the first born oi the ordinance of 1787, was a free state. The movement of the people here, seconded bv the people there, mutually cjutributed to the accomplishment of the same end. Colonel Morrow- and his associates succeeded in locating lands in the fertile region of i\Iassie"s creek and Sugar creek, and, with others, mpved to them in the spring of i8o|. The call for M'r. Armstrong was made in -due fi nui, and John McKnight. of Sugarcreek, and James Galloiway, Sr., were appointed ci 'umiissicners by the congregation to lay it before the presbytery of Kentucky, and urge its acceptance. Tlie call was presented and accepted, and Air. Armstrong in-umediatel}' set about making preparations for his new field of labor. He had been nKirried two years pre\iously to Miss Nancy Andrew. He and his wife set out on horseback to visit her father's people, who >'\ed near Xasiu ille. Tennessee. In October thev again started for their old home in Kentucky and their new. one in Ohio. It was arranged to take Mrs. Armstrong's brother Hugh, with them, then a lad of some ten years of age. A small saddle was made and placed on the horse, behind Mr. Armstrong, on which young Hugh rode to Kentucky. On their arrival at Mr. Amistrong's hom|e in Kentucky, they were met by William Gowdy. w'ho lived near Alpha, who had l:)een delegated with a four-horse team to bring Mr. Armstrong's household goods, books, etc, Mr. Annstrong and his Vvife made the journey on horseback, whde ycvim'g Hugh was assigned to the wagon with Gowdy. We may as well state right here, that the yoimg Hugh spoken of is the same Hugh we have with us, and who is perhaps with a single exceptioir the oldest citizen of the county, and to whom we are indelited for infonnation that otherwise would be inaccessible. Mr. Armstrong ami wife reached their destination several days in advance of the wagon. Thev stopped at Mr. James Galloway, Sr.'s. and were liis guests through the winter. On the arrival of the wagon, young Hugh, not exactly liking the looks of things, asked and obtained leave to return with Mr. Gowdy to his residence. Mr. Gowdy was a young miarried man nt this time, while his father's family lived near. In his father's familv were two daughters. Xancy and Ann. To the latter a yoimg man by the name of James Bull had been for some time paying his respects, and the happy couple were alxmt to unite their destinies in the bonds of matrimlony. Great preparations were made foi" the important event. Says Air. Andrew, everybody was there, fron^ Den to Beersheba, and he supposes that there were at least one hundred guests. Mr. Armstrong performed the ceremnny, which is supposed to have been the first marriage in the county. .\s the result oi this m|arriage we have Mr. William and John Bull; Mrs. Susanna, wife of Mr. James TurnbuU ; Mrs. Alargaret, wife of James Hopping, Esq. : James Law, Robert Scott, Amos and Rankin Bull. The oldest is alx>ut seventy-two years of age, while the )Oungest is fifty-two. Re\'. James Law Bull is a L'nited Presbyterian minister in the west. The rest, except John, are, and always have been, citizens of the cotmty. All early in life made a public profession of religion and united with the Associate Presbyterian congregation of Massiescreek, and all are now members of the L'nited Presbyterian church except John, who passed from! earth in 1834.

Mr. Bull was a c]uiet and good citizen, a member oi the Presbyterian church, and in the \anguard of refonn in his da\' and generation. As early as 1820 he resolved to discontinue the use of whisky in his harvest field. In this he was joined by his neighbor, George Townsley, Esq. This put them ti> some incon\enience, as men would come and go again as soon as they found they were not to get any whisky. Har\'esting in that day was a slow process, as the grain was all cut with a hand-sickle. One-half acre, reaped and bonnd, was a day's work, though seme experts put up an acre. Afterward cradles came into use. and now c\-erylx)dy knuiws how grain is cur. Mr. Bull was torn in 1776, and died in 1872, lacking- only f<iur years of being a centenarian. His wife dieil in 1836.

In the spring of 1805, Mr. Armstrong. iiaving c<;m])leted his log cal>in, with stone chinniey, <in the tract of land purcha.sed oi Mr. Galloway (as before stated), located in his new honiie. His duties were manifold and anhuxis. In addition to his regular laboTS as pastor of a congregation, in preparing two- sermcjns for each Sal>l>ath, necessarily much time would have to be devoted t(v secular matters. A new fann was to be opened up and improved ; family visitation and catechistical instructions must not ]>e neglected: meetings (if presbytery and synod nnist be attended, although often several hundred miles away - long and tedious journeys to be made on horselrack. All this wo^1ld seem' to require a pretty acti\e life. With all his manifuld labors, we ha\e never heard that there was any com- ]>laint oi dereliction in duty, but. on the contrary, that his semiions were well prepared and forcibly delivered, and that his congregations, possessing" more than ordinary intelligence, were edified and instructed. Mr. Armstrong had two< places of preaching, one on Massie's creek and tiie other on Caesar's creek. Massies creek, the nearest place of preaching, was some three or four niiles from his residence, which he usually walked. But as the river was between his home and place of preaching, high water sometimes presented an obstacle not so easily overcome. But in- this, as in other mtitters, he was enabled to' devise an expedient which answered every purpose, except in extremely high water. He ha<l a pair of stilts on which he used to cross, it is said, with great circumspection. His other pilace oi preaching was some twelve niiles distant. As time passed his worldly circumstances improved. His farm was being opened up. Stock was accumulating around him. In his inexperience in farming operations, he frequently foimd the knowledge and services of his old friend and patron, James Gailloway, Sr., of great \alue. As they were neighbors. Mr. Galloway was frequently consulted. On one occasion he had a horse bitten by a rattlesnake, which Mr. Galloway readily cured by the application oif a weed that is said tO' exist where snakes abound.

In the year 1805 another of those grand weddingSi appeared at the house of Squire George Galloway. The parties were James Stephenson and Anna Gallo^w-ay, half-sister to the Squire. Tilie guests were nnmerons, soi much so that accommodations could not be foimd within, and a large log heap was built without. Mr. Stephenson was the ]>arty who donated the ground for the church and cemetery. He. with his brother John, had settled in the Stephenson neigh Ixirhood as early as the year 1797, the year preceding the settling of the Galloways.

January 6, 1806. James Galloway. Jr., or Major GalloA\ay as you please, and Martha Townsley were married by Rev. Joshua Carman. In 1809 the Major built a fine brick residence a short distance west O'f the Fairfield pike, on the fann at present o-wned by Mr. Joseph Collins. Man}- will no douiat remember seeing this brick Iniilding standing out in the field as they passed along the pike. In the followiing year James Gallow-av, Sr., luiilt the stone house (which is still stai-iding) on the Yellow Springs pike, but its use is perverted toi that oif a stal)le.

In the chimney of this building there was a date-stone marked 1810. This stune has been removed and inserted in the rear end of the Galloway building in Xenia, in their late im'pruA-ement. On the 27th nf June. I Si 2, a terrible tornado passed over this section if ctuntry. extending several miles in length and about half a mile in width, lea\ing scarcely a tree or shrul) in its track. A portion <;f the Major's brick ntansiou was blown d< iwn and the balance of the building left in a \'ery unsafe condition till rebuilt and repaired. In 1813, probably, George (jalloway (usually designated Pennsylvania George) and Rebecca Galloway, oldest daughter of James Galloway, Sr., w ere married, ^liss Galloway had had a fonner suitor, which she rejected, who was no less a personage than the distinguished Tecumseh. He had been a frequent visitor in the family and took a wonderful liking to the white girl and, according tO' the Indian custom, made his advances to the father, who referred the case to tlie daugliter. The undaunted chief appealed tO' the girl herself, cffering her lifty broaches of silver. She told him she didn't want to be a wild woman ar.d work like the Indian woniien. He told her she need not work. Notwithstanding the rejection of his suit, he ever after remained friendly with the family, though he was sometimes found to be rather a tough customer. On one occasion, when at the shop of blacksmith James Galloway, and being under the influence of whisky, he proved to be rather annoying, when Galloway took him. much to the disgust of the chieftain, and tied himi to a tree till he got more sober and quiet.

in order to avoid the dilticulties so often experienced by high waters. About the same time a new congregation was organized in Xenia, and !Mr. Armstrong having been released from the Sugarcreek branch of his congregation, the two united in a call for the Rev. Francis Pringle, Jr., who was settled in the united charge of Xenia and Sugarcreek. This left ]\Ir. Armstrong in charge oif the Massiescreek congregation alone, and jjerhaps no pastor in the entire county has, at an_\- time, presided over a more intelligent congregation in the history of the county. Several of its members were at different times called to fultiU in^purtant positions of honor and public trust. Col. James ^lorrow served se\-eral years as county commissioner and as member of the lower house of the legislature. Joseph Kyle also served several terms in the legislature. Judge Samuel Kyle was an associate judge for thirty-five consecutive years. Robert ]\loody was one whose cool and clear judgiuent was surpassed by few ; David Jackson was a man of intellectual power ; Thomas Raugh had a clear and penetrating mind ; and the same can be said of the ^Ic- Coys, Laugheads, }iIcHattons, Andersons, Greggs. Browns, Bradfutes Collins, Kings, Turnbulls, Deans, Gibsons, Andrews, Junkins. Bulls. Galloways and Stnithers.

The main portion of the house occupied by J\Ir. Andrew Holland, with two enormous stone chimneys, was built in the year 1800 by George Galloway, Esq. It was built with logs and weather-boarded. In this ^Ir. Armstrong ministered through the winter of 1804 and 1805.

lot of three acres donated bv Mr. lames Stevenson for cliurcii and cemetery purposes." (For description of same see Andrew Gallo'way's sketch. ) Thus these good old seceders continued t(; worshi]) till about the year 1812 or 1813, when they built a larger, nobler and more comfortable house of hewed logs a short distance from the first. In the building of this lunise the labor was di\'ided up among the members of the congregation. Mr. Armstrong was to furnish a gallon of whisky and Sfpiire^ Cieorge Galloway was to haul the logs, which had to be done with oxen. For some reason the stpiire coiddn"t manage the oxen very well, and employed a wicked gentile to take his place, who attributed the Squire's want of success to the fact that he didn't swear. How'ever this may ha\c been in regard to the driving of us.en. profane swearing became a violation r.f law - hunmn and divine - and the Squire, from a double sense of dut_\-, faithfully inllicted its penalties on its perpetrators. On one cjccasion a violator of this law was fined fifty cents, ami gave a dollar in payment of his line; but the Squire being unable to m'ake change, the perpetrator let O'ff with another oath. "There," said the Squire, "that makes the change."

Through the above contributions we have been enabled to give the names of many settlers from 1800 to 1805. We shall start from this period with the name of John Todd, who' emigrated from Virginia m 1780, first tO' Xashville, Tennessee, then froni Nashville to Xenia in 1805, followed in September, 1806, l>v his son-in-law, Henry Philips, wife, and Rebecca, daughter of Mr. Todd. ^Ir. Todd and family li\-ed in a hewed-lijg hmise, on Main street a little east of the old To-wler cabin, in which

Philifjs and others succeeding him kept a tavern as late as 1820. In June, 1807, Dr. Andrew W. Davisson and Rebecca Todd were married by William McFarland, justice of the peace. Dr. Davisson was the first physician in Xenia. He also built the first brick house in Xenia, in 181 1, on Main street, near the site of B. Knox's saddler shop: and in 1814 the first stone house was built I)y him on Main street. Doctor and Mrs. Davisson were members of the old seceder congregation under Francis Pringle in i8ii. She died in Chicago in 1870, at the age of eighty.

The Old School House

During the initial steps toward educational advancement in this county the facilities for literary attainments were not so varied as are thrown around the youth of to-day. Following our cicerone along a blazed path through the woods to the old log school house; rapping, a voice froni the far interior says, "Come in;" we pull the latch string, enter, and, at the request of the "master," settle down upon a puncheon bench, the cynosure of all eyes. The first thing we observe is that nearly the whole end of the house is occupied by a fireplace, within whose cajxicious depths the crackling blaze sends forth light, heat and cheerfulness. Our gaze being attracted to the outside, we look, not throiigh French plate, but a hole made by sawing out a log and replacing it with paper greased with lard. Our attention is recalled by a shrill voice. "Master, mayn't I git a drink?" The urchin goes to the bivcket sitting on a bench near the door, takes the tin from the accustomed peg, dips it full, drinks a few sips, holding it over the bucket mleanwhile. pours the balance back, looks anjund awhile, goes back to liis seat, and. with his dog's-eared book close to Ills face, is soon lost in study. We observe tlie benches are made out of flat rails and puncheons, with wooden pins in tliem for legs ; backs, they ha\-e none. The "master" has a talkie, made by driving pins in the wall and placing hewed puncheons on top of them. Under each window a similar contri\ance accommpdate.S! the scholars.

While examining these unique writingdesks we are again startled by a sharp cry, apparently in agony, of, "Master, please mayn't I go out?" Consent is given, and the boy hurriedly mpves toward the door. pausing to take down a crooked stick and carry- it out the door with himi. Our curiosity is excited, and while the master's back is turned we ask a Ijig, white-headed boy near us what it is for, who, opening his mouth wide and staring at us in blank amazement, says, "No other boy don't darst go out while that stick is gone."

As incentives to close application to studv. we observe a rule, of about a i)otmd in weight, and a formidable-looking beechen rod, whose acquaintance e\ery boy in school has long ago formed. Dihvorth's Arithmetic. Webster's Spelling-book and the Testament were the text-books. It seemed to be an expressly settled fact that during a recitation a boy could get up a better spirit of inspiration by stenatorian competition with his fellows ; and in the spelling class the boy could spell the loudest should stand head. It was interesting to see the toys at the end of the bench, standing on tiptoe' with every mluscle in a cpiiver, waiting for the master to say "noon." in order to get out first and raise the biggest yell.

of our forefathers will appear like a collection O'f "tales of O'lden times." It is a hooiely narrative, yet \-aluable on account of its being real history.

"Tlien the wC'men did tlie offices of the household; milked' the cows, cooked the mess, prepared the flax, spun, wo\-e and made the garments of linen or linsey ; the men hunted, and brought in the meat ; they planted, phnighed ami gathered in the corn; grinding it into meal at the hand-mill or pounding it into hominy in the m 'rtar was occasionally the work O'f either or the joint lalxjr of both.

"The men exjiosed themseh'es alone to danger; they fought the Indians, they cleared the land, they reared the hut or built the fort, in which the wom'en were placed for safety. ^luch use was made of skins of deer for dress, while the buft'alo and bear skins were consigned to the floor for beds and covering. There might incidentally be a few articles brought to the country for sale in a private way but there was no store for sui>i3ly. Wooden vessels either turned or coopered, were in common use as table furniture.

"A tin' cup was an article of delicate luxur)-, almost as rare as an iron fork. E\-ery hunter carried his knife; it was no less the implement of a warrior; not infrequentlv the rest of the family was left with, but one or two for the use of all. A like workmlanship coniposed the table and the stool: a slab hewed with the axe. and sticks of a similar manufacture, set in for legs, supported both. When the bed was, by chance or refinenxent, elevated alx>ve the floor and given' a fixed place, it was often laid on slabs placed across poles, supported on forks set in the earthen floor: or where the floor was puncheon the bedstead was liewed i)ieces pinned un ujiriglit posts ur let into them by auger holes. Other utensils and furniture were of a curresponding descri]rtinai applicable to the time.

llie food was of the most wholesome and n'Utriti\e kind. The riciiest milk, the finest butter ant! liest meat that ever delightetl nian."s palate were here eaten with a relish which health and labor only know. Those were shared by friend and stranger in e\ery cabin witli profuse hospitality.

"There was some i)a)jer money iu the country, which had not depreciated one-half o^r even a fumth as miuch as it had at the seat of go\-ernment. if there was any gold or silver, its circulation was suppressed. The price of a ljea\cr hat was fi\e hundred dollars.

"The hunting shirt was usually worn. Tliis was a kind of loose frock reaching half way down the tiiighs, with large sleeves, open before, and so wide as to' lap over a foot or more when beltetl. The cape was large and sometmies handsomely fringed with a raveled piece of cloth of a different ccTt from that oi the hunting shirt itself. Tlie bosomi of his ilress served as a wallet to hold a chunk of bread, cakes, jerk, tow for wiping the barrel of the rifle, or any other necessary fiT the hunter or warricjr. Tlie belt which was always tied behind answered se\'eral purposes besides that of holding the dress together. In cold weather the mittens and sometimes the bullet-bag, occupied the front part of it. To the right side was suspended the tomahawk, and to the left the scalping knife in its leathern sheath.

"The hunting shirt was generally made of linsey, sometimes of coarse linen, and a few of dressed deer skins. These last were very cold and uncomfortalile in wet weathei'. The shirt and jacket were <.if the common fashioui. A pair of drawers, or breeches, and leggins, were the dress of the thighs and legs ; a pair of moccasins answered for the feet miuch better than shoes. These were made of dressed deer skin. They were mostly made of a single piece, with a gathering seam| along the top oi the foot and another from] the bottom o'f the heel, without gathers, as high as the ankle joint or a little higher. Flaps were left on eacii side to reach some 'distance up the legs. These were nicely adapted to the ankle and lower part of the leg by thongs of deer skin, so that noi dust, gravel or snow could get within the moccasin.

"The moccasins in ordinary use cost but a few how's' lal>or toi make them. This was clone by an instrument deuominated a moccasin awl, which was made of the back spring of an old clasp knife. This awl, with its Ijuck-horn handle, was an appendage of every shot pouch strap, together with a roll of buckskin for mending the moccasins. This was the labor of almost every evening. Thev were sewed together and patched with deer skiu thongs, or whangs, as they were con:(inonly called.

"In cold weather the moccasins were well stuffed with deer's hair or dry leaves, so as to keep the feet contfortably warm ; but in wet weather it was usually said that wearing them was "a decent way of goingbarefooted;" and such was the fact, owing to the spongy texture of the leather of which they were made.

the greater number of our liunters and warriors were afflicted witli tlie rheumatism in tlieir limbs. Of this disease they were all apprehensi\e in cold or wet weather, and therefore always slept with their feet to the fire, to prevent or cure it as well as they could. The practice unquestionably had a very salutary effect, and prevented many of thenij from beconiiing coniirmed cripples in early life.

The Home Of The Pioneer

"The fort consisted of caljins, blockhouses and stockades. A range of cabins commonly formed one side at least of the fort. Divisions, or partitions of logs, separated the cabins from each other. The walls on the outside were ten or twelve feet liigh the slope of the roof being turned wholly inward. A ver\- few of these cabins had puncheon floors, the greater part were earthen.

"The block-houses were built at the angles of the fnrt. They projected about two feet be\ond the outer walls O'f the cabins and stockades. Their u]5per stories were abmit eighteen inches every way larger in dimension than tlie under one, leaving an opening at the commencement of the second story tO' prevent the enemy fromi making a lodgement under their walls. In some forts instead of block-houses the angles of the fort were finished with l>astions. A large folding gate, made of thick slabs, nearest the s])ring. cli sed the fort. The stockade, bastions, cabins and block-house walls were furnished with jwrt-holes at proper heights and distances. The whole of the oiitside was made completely bullet proof. It may be truly said that necessity is the m«>ther of invention, for the whole of this work was made without the aid of a single nail or spike of iron, and for this reason, sucli things were not to be had. In some places, less exposed, a single blockhouse, with a cabin or two, constituted the whole fort.

"For a long time after the first settlement of this country the inhabitants in general niarried yoimg. There was no distinction of rank, and very little of fortune. On these accounts the first impression of lo\e resulted in marriage: and a family establishment cost but a little labor and nothing else. In the first year of the settlement of this country a wedding engaged the attention of a whole neighborhood, and the frolic was anticipated by old and young with eager expectation. This is not to be wondered at when it is told that a wedding was almost the only gathering which was not accompanied with the labor of reaping, log-rt)lling, building a cabin or planning some scout o^r campaign.

"In the mi;irning of the wedding-day the groom and" his attendants assembled at the house of his father, for the purpose of reaching the mansion of his bride by noon, which was the usual time for celebrating the nuptials, which for certain must take place before dinner. Let the reader imagine an assemblage of people, without a store. tailor or mantuamaker within a hundred miles ; and an asseiublage of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. Tlie gentlemen dressed in shoepacks, m'ticcasins, leather breeches, leggings, linsev hunting-shirts, and all home made. The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats and linsev or linen bedgowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiefs and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles, rings, buttons or ruffles they were the relics of okl times, family pieces from parents or graiKlparents. The horses were caparisoned with okl saddles, old bridles, or halters, and pack-saddles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them; a roi>e or string as often constituted the girth as a piece of leather.

"The march, in double tile was often interru[)ted by the narrowness and obstructions of our horse-paths as they were called, for wc had no roads; and these difficulties were often increased, sometimes bv the good and sometimes by the ill will of neighlx>rs by falling trees and lying grape vines across the way. Sometimes an am- Iniscade was formed by the waxside, and an une.xiiected discharge of several guns took place, so as to ewer the wedding company with smoke. Let the reader im'agine the scene which followed this discharge: tiie sudden spring of the horses, the shrieks of the girls and the chivalric bustle of their partners to save them from falling. Sometimes in spite of all that could be done to prevent it, sfjme were thrown to the gromid. If a wrist, ellxjw or ankle hai)pened to be sprained it was tied with a handkerchief and little more was thought or said alxnit it. ceremony commonly to<,ik place before the party readied the house of the bride, after the practice of making whisky l>egan, which was at an early period. When the party were alxmt a mile from the place of the destination two young men would single out to run for the bottle. The worse the jKith. the more U>gs, brush and deep lio'llows, the ])ctter, as these obstacles afforded an oip])ortunity for the greater display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The Englisli fox chase, in point of danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race for the lx>ttle. Tlie start was announced bv an Indian veil; logs, lirnsh.

muddy liollows, hill and glen were speedily passed by the rival ponies. The bottle was always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use for judges ; for the first who reached the doer was presented with the prize, with which he returned in triumph to the company.

"On approaching them he announced iiis victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the head of the troop he gave the IxJttle to the groom and his attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line, giving each a dram, ami then putting the bottle in the bosom of his liunting-shirt, took his station in the company.

"The ceremony of the marriage preceded the dinner, which was a substantial backwoods feast of beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes venison and l>ear meat, roasted and boiled, with plenty of ]iotatoes, cabba.ge and other vegetables. During the dinner the greatest hilarity always prevailed, althoaigh the table might be a large slab of tiniiber, hewed out with a broadaxe, supl^orted l)y four sticks set in auger holes, and the furniture some old pewter dishes and plates, the rest wotxlen bo-wls and trenchers; a few pewter spoons, much battered about the edges, were to be seen at some tables. Tlie rest were made of horns. If knives were scarce the deficiency was made up by the scaljmig knives which were carried in sheaths suspended to the belt of the hunting-shirt.

"After dinner the dancing commenced, and generally lasted till the next morning. The figures of the dances were three and fcnir-handed reels, or square sets, and jigs. The comimencement was always a square four, which was followed by what is called jigging it off; that is. two of the four would sinale out for a jig, and were followed by tlie remaining" couple. The jigs were often accompanied with wliat was called cutting out; that is, when either of the parties became lired of the dance, on intiniatimi. the pface was supplied by some one of the company, without any interruption of the dance. In this way a daiKe was often continued till the musician was heartily tired of his situation. Toward the latter part of the night, if any of the company, through weariness, attempted to conceal themselves, for the pur])ose of sleei>ing, they were hunted up, jjaraded lju the floor and the tiddler ordered to plav "Hang on till tomorrow morning."

The Ste.Vling Of The Bkide

".Vbont nine or ten o'clock a deputation of the young- ladies stole off the bride and l)ut her to bed. In doing this, it frequently happened that they had tO' ascend a ladder instead of a pair of stairs, leading from the dining and' ball room) to the loft, the floor of which was mlade of clapboards, lying loose and without nails. This ascent, one might think, would put the bride and her attendants to blush, but as the foot of the ladder was commonly behind the door, which was purposely opened for the occasion, and its ro>unds at the inner ends were well hung with hunting shirts, petticoats and other articles of clothing, the candles being on the opposite side of the house, the e.xit of the britle was noticed but by few.

Tiir Stealing Of The Groom

"This done, a deputation of young men in like manner stole off the grcKim. and placed him snugly by the side of his bride. The dance still continued, and if seats happened to be scarce, which was often the case, every young man, when not engaged in the dance, was obliged to offer his lap <;s a seat for one of the girls, and the offer was sure tO' be accepted.

"In the midst oi this hilarity the bride and groom were not forgotten. Pretty late in the night some one womld remjind the company that the new couple must stand in need of some refreshment; black betty, which was the name of the bottle, was called for, and sent up the ladder, but sometimes black betty did not go alone. I have many times seen as much bread, beef, pork and cabbage sent along with her, as would afford a good meal for half a dozen hungry nfen. The young couple were compelled to eat and drink, more or less, of whatever was offered them. It often happened that some neighbors or relatives, not being asked to^ the wedding", took offense, and the mode of revenge adapted by them' on such occasions was that of cutting off the mpnes, foretops and tails of the horses of the wedding company..

Settling Them Ix Life

"1 will proceed to state the usual manner of settling a young couple in the world. A spot was selected on a piece of land of one of the parents for their habitation. .\ day was appointed, shortly after their marriage, for commencing the work of building" their cabin. The fatigue party consisted of choppers, whose business it was to fell the trees and cut them off at proper lengths; a man with a team for hauling" them to the place and arranging them, properly assortcil. at the sides and' ends of the building; a carpenter, if such he might be called, whose business it was to search the woods for a ])roi)er tree for making clapboards for the roof. Tlie tree fur this i)uri)ose iiijglit be straight grained and from three to four feet in diameter. The boards were split four feet lung, with a large frow, and as wide as the timber would allow. They were used without planing or shaving. Another division was employed in getting puncheons for the flour of the cal)in; this was done by splitting trees alxxit eighteen inches in dianieter and hewing the faces of them witli a broadaxe. They were half the length of the floor they were intended to make.

"The materials for the cabin were niost- 1\' prepared on the first day, and sometimes the foundation laid in the evening. The second day was allotted iur the raising. The first thing tO' be done was the election of four corner men, whose business it was to notch and ])lace the logs. The rest of the company furnished them with the timbers. In the nicantinie tiie boards and puncheons were collecting for the floor and roof, so that by the time the cabin was a few rounds high the sleepers and floor began to be laid. The door was made by sawing or cutting the logs in one side, so as to make an opening about three feet wide. This opening was secured by upright pieces of timber, about three inches thick, through which holes were bored into the ends of the logs, for the ])ur])Ose of pinning them fast. A similar opening, but wider, was made at the end for the chimney. This was built of logs, and made large to admit of a back and jamibs of stone. At the scpiare. two end logs projected a foot or eighteen inches beyond the wall, to receive the bunting poles, as they were called, against which the ends of tlie first row of clapboards were supported. The roof was formied by making the end logs shorter until a single log formed the comb of the roof ; on these logs the clapboards were placed, the ranges of them lapping some distance over those next below themi, and kept in their places by logs placed at proper distances upon them.

"The roof, and sometimes the floor, were finished on the same day of the raising. A third day was commonly spent by a few carpenters in leveling ofif the floor, making a clai)board door and a table. This last was made of a split slab and supported by four round logs set in auger holes. Some three legged stools were made in the same manner. Some pins stuck in the logs at the back of the house supported some clapboards, which served for shelves for the table furniture. A single fork, placed with its lower end in a hole ill the floor and the upper end fastened to a joist, served for a bedstead, liy ]3lacing a pole in the fork with one end through a crack between the logs of the wall. This front pole was crossed by a shorter one within the fork, with its outer end through another crack. From the front pole, through a crack between the logs of the end of the house, the boards were put on which formed tlie bottom of the bed. Sometimes other poles were pinned to the fork a little distance above these, for the purpose of supporting the front and foot of the bed, while the walls were the supports of its back and head. A few pegs around the wall for the display of the coats of the women and hunting shirts of the men, and two small forks or buckhorns to a joist for the rifle and slKj'tpoucli. completed the 'carpenter work.

the ciaplioards were made, they matle billets for chunking up the cracks between the logs of the cabin and chimney - a large bed of niurtar was made for daubing up those cracks : a few stones formed the back and jambs of the chimney.

"The cabin being finished, the ceremony of house-warming took place, before the young people were permitted to move into it. The house-warming was a dance of a whole night's continuance made up of the; relations of the Ijride and groom, and their neiglibors. On the day following the young couple took possession of their new mansion.

".-\t house raisings, log rollings and harvest parties every one was expected to do his duty faithfully. A person who did not perform a share of labor on these occasions was designated by the epithet of 'Lawrence,' or soniie other title still more opprobrious ; and when it came his turn to require t!ie like aid from his neighbors, the idler soon felt his punishment in their refusat to attend to his calls.

'".Mtliough there was ni> legal compulsion to the performance of military duty, yet every man of full age and size was expected to do his full share of public senice. If he did not do so he was 'hated out as a coward.' Even the want of any article of war e(|uipments. such as animiuiition, a sharp llint, a primiing wire, a scalping knife or a tomahawk, was thought highly disgraceful. A man who without a reasonable cause failed to go on a scout or a cam[)aign when it came to his turn, met with an expression of indignation in the countenances of all his neighbors, and epithets of dishonor were fastened upon him without mercy.

civili;;ed life, were but little known anient:^ oiu' forefathers at the early settlement of this country. After the depreciation of the continental paper they had no money of any kind : everythmg purchased was paiil for in prixluce or labor. .\ good cow and calf was often the price of a bushel of alum salt. If ihe contract was not punctually fulfilled the credit of the delinquent was at an end.

"Any petty theft was ]junished witii all the infamy that could be heaped on the offender. A man on a campaign stole from his comrade a cake out of the ashes, in which it was baking: he was imanediately named "The bread rounds.' This epithet of reproach was bandied about in this way : When he came in sight of a group of men. one of them would call "NMro comes there:' Another would answer, 'The bread rounds.' If any one meant to be more serious about the matter he would call out. 'Who stole the cake oirt of the ashes?" Another replied, by- giving the name of the man in full; toi this a third would give confirmation by exclaimjng, 'That is true and no lie.' This kind of 'tongue-lashing' he was doomed to bear for the rest of the campaign, as well as for years after his return home.

"If a theft was detected in any of the frontier settlements a sumntary mode of punislimenl was always resorted to. The first settlers, as far as I knew of them, had a kind of innate or hereditary detestation of the crime of theft, in any shape or degree, and their maxim was that 'a thief must be whip])ed." If the theft w-as something of value, a kind of jury of the neighborhood, after hearing the testimony, would condemn the cul])rit to Moses' Law. that is. to ft rty stripes, save "one. If tlie theft was of some small article, the offeuder was doomed to carry on his back the flag of the United States, which then coaisisted of thirteen stripes. In either case, some able hands were selected to execute the sentence, so that the stripes were sure to be well laid on. This punishment was followed by a sentence of exile. He was then informed that he nnist ilecamp in so many days, and be seen no- mo^re on penalty of having the number of his stripes doubled.

"If a woman was given to tattling and slandering her neigiibors, she was furnished by common consent with a kind of patent right to say whatever she pleased without being be!ie\etl. Her tongue was then said to be hannless or to be no scandal.

"With all their rudeness these people were given toi hospitality, and freely divided tlieir rough fare with a neighbor or stranger, and would have been offended at the offer of pay. In their settlements and forts they lived, they worked, they fought and feasted, or suffered together in cordial harmony. They w ere warm and constant in their friendships. On the other hand they were revengeful in their resentments ; the point <if honor sometimes led to personal combats. If one man called another a liar, he was considered as having given a challenge which the person who received it must accept or be deemed a coward: the charge was generally answered on the spot with a blow. If the injured person was decidedly unable to fight the aggressor, he must get a friend to do it for him. The samie thing took place on a charge of cowardice, or any other dishonorable action, a battle must follow. an<l the person who made the charge nnist fight either the person against \\\vm he made the charge, or any champion who chose to espouse his

"Scjraetimes pitched battles occurred, in which tinue, place and seconds were appointed beforehand. I remember having seen one of those pitched battles in my father's fort, when a boy. One (_'f the young men knew veiy well beforehand that he should get the worst of the battle, and no dotibt repented the engagement to fight, but there was no getting over it. The [xy'mt of honor demanded the risk of Ijattle. He got his whipping; then they shook hands and were good friends afterward. The mode of single combats in those days was dangerous in the extraue : althoiigh no weapoais were used, fists, teeth and feet were emploved at will : but above all. the detestable practice of gouging, by which eyes were sometimes put out, rendered this mjode of fighting frightful, indeed; it was not. however, so destructive as the stiletto of an Italian, the knife of a Spaniard, the small sw'ord of a Frenchman, or the pistol oi an Aniierican or English duelist.

"The ministry of the gospel has contributed, no doubt, immensely to the happy change which has been effected in the state of our western society. At an early period of our settlements, three Presbyterian clergymen commenced their clerical labors in our infant settlements. They were pious, patient, laborious men. who collected their people into regidar congregations, and did all for them that their circumstances would allow. It was no disparagement to them that their first churches were the shady gio\e.s, and their tirst pulpits a kind of tent, constructed of a few rough slal)s. covered with cla])l3ijar(ls. "He who dwellctli not exclusively in temples made with hands." was propitious- to their de\'Otions. From the outset they prudently resolved tO' create a ministry in the country, and accordingly established little grammar schools at their own htnises or in their immediate neighborhoods. Ilie course of education which they gave their pujails was, indeed, not extensive but the piety of those who entered into the ministry more than made up the deficiency."

Rf.Coi.Lixtioxs Of Sylvester Stroxg

In the year 1807 I was two years old and came to Jamestown with my grandfather. We lived on the old Maysville and Urbana road, one-half mile from the present site of Jamiestown. On the south side of us. at Bowersville, li\ed a gentleman by the name of Hussey. His descendants are nowliving in that neigh borbocxl. Harkness Turner settled one mnle from the town on General Posey's survey. Martin Mendenhall was prf)prietor of Jamestow-n; he owned the south side of th<: town, having one hundred and fifty acres of land. The north side of the tow-n was owned liy Thon-ias Brow-der, who came from nld Jamestown, Virginia, which was the first white settlement in the United S'ates. Jamest(.i\vn, Ohio, was named after this town. John Campljell came in the same year, and settled where Tcxi Sheley n .w- resides. Two miles north of Jamestown, the san-ie fall. Isaiah Sutton settled. Xorth of him settled "Granddaddy" Paullin. All of the Paullins of Ross township are descendants and live on the land be settled. These men were our neighl)ors, and when a house was raised people would come for miles around to help. John Sheley and fan-iily were neighbors and friends of Washington ; they came here from X'irginia in 1S07 and settled on land one-half mile below- town. The Shelev familv living here now are his descendants. Mr. Sheley and wife lived to be near one hundred years old. Xoah Strong, my grandfather, hauled the logs to build the first house that was Iniilt in Xenia. Son-ie of the logs were buckeye wood, and were hauled by old Buck and Brandy, the yoke of iixen brought fri im \'ernii;int. The bouse was afterward used as a tavern and kept by Major William A. Beatty. Tbe first person buried here was my little brother, Bushrotl. who lies in the present Jamestown cemetery. The second person buried was a colored woman brought from Y\vginia by Thomas Browder. In 18 14, on the 14th and 15th days of March, niy grandfather and grandmother died of the "cold plague." which w^is then prevailing in the neighborhood. \\'ithin ten days, Uriah Paullin, Harkness Turner, Mr. Hussey and the Baptist minister's wife all died of the same dread disease. Reu1)en Strong was the first justice in Caesarscreek township. I think Peter Price was the first in this townsliip. The tr^wn of Jamestown was surveyed in 1815, by Thomas P. Moorman and Mr. Thomas, the Clinton county surveyor. The first house raised was the ]5resent I'arker H(nel property, which was used as a tavern by Thomas Watson. The next house was built liy Dr. Matthias Winans, who used it as a store. He was the first ])hysician of the town, and was the father vi the late Judge Janies .-X. Winans. of Xenia. The next tavern keeper was Zina .\dams. the father of the .\dams Ixn-s nuw living here. The first Foiirtli of July celebration was held at this ta\ern in 1830. Seven old soldiers of the Revolutionary war were present. Among them was a man named .Allen, a relative of Ethan Allen of Revolntionary fame. His descendants nowlive at .-Mlentown, Fayette county. Others present were Robert Snodgrass, Asa Reeve.s and Samuel W'ebl) ; the last named was present at the surrender of Cornwallis and saw that general hand his sword to General Washington. The names of the other three I do not recollect. We got two mails a week : they were brought by a post boy, who carried the mails from Xenia tO' Washington. When he got within a mile of town he wiiulil IjIow his horn, which brought the people idgether. A tan yard was started l)v John Miller and William Sterritt in 1810. Jn ]8i2, on the 8th of January, the battle of Lunday's Lane was fought in Cana(hi over two hundred miles away. When the battle was fought old AInrtin Mendenhall, whii was lying on the ground, heard tiic cannon roar of the battle. He was a great hunter and killed more deer and fo-und mi re wild honey than any other man. In i8[_'-i8i3 and 1814 the Shawnees, a friendly tribe of Indians, camped around here. 1 often visited their camp and traded corn dodgers for venison ham. We baked our l)read in an O'ven on the coals. An old chief named Chieske, who w'as too old to be a warrior, lived with us and fromi him I learned to talk Indian. The first meeting house was built at the forks of the road, two and one-half miles south of town. It was a Ba]-)trst church. The first pastor was William Sutton. The first hatter in to-wn was Culies. The first tailor was F.phram Alunthaw, a German.

Silvercreek lost an estimalile old citizen in the death of James Snodgrass. He was aiged eightv-seven years, seventy-nine of which were spent in Greene county. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He knew Springfield, Ohio, when three lo.g houses comprised what is now one of the most flourishing cities in Oliio. He served five years in the army in the war oif 181 2, was niiustered out of the service at Green Bav, Wisconsin, from which place he walked to his home in this place in 1819. He served under Captain Taylor, as he was wont to call him, who was the great soldier president, Zachary Taylor. He was in what is now known as the great city of Chicago when there was but one log ta\ern there and the garrison of the United States army, and was offered an acre of land anywhere he wished to select it for doing the work of erecting a house and for every house he would build. But he was an.xiotis to get home, wliere he had not been for years. He died in May, 1882, and is buried at Jamestown, Ohio.

Interview With John Mills In 1879

j(jhn Mills was born in Mason, now Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1794. In April of the year 1796 his father, Jacob Mills, in comipatiy with Jolm Wilson and his three sons, Daniel, George and Amos, emigrated to- what w'as then the Northwestern Territory, settling in what is now the southwest corner of Greene, the north of \\'arren. and the southeast corner of Montgomerv ci:'unties. Air. John \\'ilson having purcliased a half section of land in Greene county, his sons, George, and Amos, a quarter section each in the same, while Daniel had a quarter section in .Montgomery, and Mr. Mills had a quarter section in Warren county, all adjoining. Upon surveying Air. Alills was given all the surplus land in his section making his purchase two hundred acres instead of one hundred and si.xty. This party of sturdy pioneers came first to their purchase by themselves to set things in shape for living, leaving their families behind in old Kentucky. They did siMiie little clearing, but not much, as the lantl was densely timl>ered and stubborn to yield tu cultivation, planting sonic corn, beans, pumpkins, etc., built a small cabin on the lands of John Wilson, which was the lirst iAW buill 1.)y civilized men in Greene cuunty. They then returned for their families, crossing the Ohio river with them at I""(irt Washington, now Cincinnati, anJi moved out over the road made by General Anthony Wayne the year before (1795J. when he was in command of the soldiers of this section, engaged in the last Indian war tliat ever occurred here. Their families and effects were conveyed in one wagon drawn by. an ox team, and on arri\al all five families ntO'ved into one little cabin, while other hcnises were built l^y the joint labor of the men. The Wilsons were the first settlers of Greene county, and Jacob Mills the first tills side of Leijanon, Warren county. At or near Lel.ianon, Ichabod Cor win, father of Tom Corwin, "The old man eloquent," had settled the year before. The part of the county where the Wilsons had settled was called the 'AVilson settlement" for many years. And John Wilson was one of the sturdy men of sense whci had framed Ohio's first constitution. The ^^'ilsons and Jacob

Mills took hold of the difficulties that confronted thenii with strong hands and brave hearts. They were upon ground and near good water, but in the heart of a dense forest, where giant timber resisted their effort toi an extent almost beyond endurance, and they must ha\e failed to conquer had thev been compelled to depend cm the soil alone for subsistence, so long was it before tliey made clearings enough to sustain them, but the conntry thereabouts was full of game of all kinds, such as deer, wild turkeys, etc., that could' Ije killed at their very doors, thus furnishing them their meat, and that of mjost ncHirishing character. And so they were enabled to clear up and establisli humble yet comfortable homes, where now are Ijeautiful farms under perfect cultivation. In the following spring John \'ance, father of Joseph C. Vance, to whomi Mr. Mills went tO' school, settled where Bellbrook now is, and shortly afterward Owen Davis, (ieneral Benjamin Whitman and Colonel Maxwell and John Paul settled on Beaver creek, where Harbine's Station now is, and where Owen Da\is built the first mill e\'er built in Greene county, near the site of the present one. Shortly after this another settlement was made a short distance above Owen Davis' mill, on Little Beaver creek, by Jobn John. John Webb and John Kiser : John Webb being the grandfather of Air. Alills. In 1805 Owen Da\'is Sold his mill to Jacob Smith and moved to where Clifton now is and built the first mill there on the site east of the present one. In those days the mills only ran twoi or three days in the week, as there was not grain enough raised in the country to supply thenii. notwithstanding men came forty or fifty miles to the Clifton miills. Air. Davis often started up and ground grists uii the Sabbatli day iV^r thuse vvhu came a lung distance. At one time his religious neighljors protested and threatened Mr. Da\-is with prosecution, at which he tiild them that if they took any steps in that direction or mjade any miore such threats he would not grind annther grain for them. This settled the (piestion ; there was nothing more said. The absence of meal or Hour from their homes was a more jxrtent influence tlian their comi>unctions of conscience.

In 1809 Mr. Mills moved his family from Warren to Greene comity, again settling in the woods, near the present site of Cliltnu. John Mills was at that time about fifteen years of age. Here the father and hi-- three sons, Jacob. Daniel and Thomas, again went to work and cleared a fann, enduring the hardships and exposure attendant on such a life with patience and cheerfulness. 'I"'hey were often in company with the Indians who inhabited the county or came here on liuntmg excursions. Wolves, deer and other wild aniniials were plentiful in the vicinity, Init neighbors scarce. Jacob Mills was elected major of a militia regiment while he lived in Warren county, it being the first ever organized in the state. He was elected justice of the peace in Miami township, and served in that capacity for nine years, during which time he married more people than ar.y justice in this part of the state. He lived to be eighty years of age and died in 1850. His wife, Mary :Mills. survived him nine years, being eighty-nine years of age when she passed away. In the fall of 1809 young Jobn ]\Iills came for the first time to Xenia to attend singing school taught by David Wilson, Daniel Wilson's oldest son, held in the court house, then bright and new, replaced by one wbich was torn down this year (1900). The young ladies in attendance were mostly attired in lunnespun dresses, but part of themi wore calico', which cost more per yard than sumimer silks do now. There were at that time not more than twenty-five or thirty houses in Xenia, all log but one frame dwelling and the court hcuise, which was brick. In front of wliere used to^ be the Secotid Xational Bank there was a pond, in which the geese and ducks were swimming and the 'hogs w^allowing. Opposite the court house Major Beatty w^as keeping tavern in a hewed-log house. Up Main street, where Trinity church now stands, Mr. Henry Barnes, grandfather oi the Barnes boys now living in Xenia, had' built him a log house in the woods. At a later period of the year Mr. Mills was in Xenia and saw a man .selling cider in front of the court house for twelve and one-half cents per quart. He had a fire built on one side oi a stump then standing in the street. As the cider was so cold that no one could drink it. he Would draw a quart and put a round, hot iron in it, which he kept heated for the purpose, so as to make the cider palatable.