Stark County, Ohio - Chapter 8, 1881

i^'^ANTON TOWNSHII' was one of tlu- lirst \_J townships orgamzed in the county. It is bounded on the north by Plain ; ea.st by Osnaburg ; south by Pike ; and west by Perry Township. It is six miles square, and covers, therefore, an area of thirtj'six square miles, or thirty-six complete sections of land. Situated but a few miles south of the summit that divides the valley of the Ohio from that of the great lakes, it has some geographical features common to both ; but the predominating ones are those of the Ohio River basin, to which it properly belongs. The surface features are varied - rolling and inclined to bo hill}\ in the northeastern portion ; in the northwestern.

it is almost a level plain ; south of the central section line, it becomes more and more hilly, until in the southeastern and southwestern portions it is very rough and hill3- ; and this is particularly the case along the Nimishillen Creek just before it leaves the township, where steep, precipitous banks rise on both sides to an elevation of 150 to 200 feet, and extend back in each direction, east and west, for a considerable distance. The Ninii shillen is hemmed in by ridges of moderate elevation through its whole extent, inclosing bottom land of great fertility from half a mile to a mile in width. Hurford's Hill, a little west of south from Canton, and Buck Hill, about two miles southwest, not more than one and a half miles distant from each other, are remarkable from the fact that, while each of them is of about the height of 125 feet, they dift'er radically and materially- from each otiier, and represent quite closel}- the dift'erence of the sections in which thej- are situated. The former is composed of shales of slate, several coal veins, fire clay and limestone, and it is characteristic of the whole, or nearly the whole, eastern and southern parts of tiie township. Tlie latter is a mound of gravel-drift formation, and characterizes the northwestern part. The eastern and southern sections, including all parts of the township east of the Nimishiilen and its west branch, belong to the forest region of North America. A small branch, rising from springs in swamp land, a little south of the middle section line of the township, and emptying into the Nimishillen threeeighths of a mile below the junction of its east-and-west branches, is the southern boundary, as the West Nimishillen is the eastern, of a sandy-soil region extending in a northwesterly direction to the Tuscarawas River. The southern portion of this region in Canton Township h:id sonic small timber : but eighty years ago, tlie greater part of it was without trees and covered with long grass, and was the first of a series of prairies west of the AUeghauies. which, gradually growing larger, at last culminated in the great prairies of the Northwest. The lands here are fertile gravel lands of drift formation, and are at this time in a high state of cultivation, ranking among the first lands in the county for the raising of all kinds of grain. Most of the hilly portions of the township, and the valleys inclosed by them, are clay lands, though gravel and sand hills are by no means uncommon among them. They are mostly underlaid with coal strata of sutHcient thickness to be profitably worked. The soil is generally fertile on these hills and in the valleys, and jields a rich return to the labor of the husbandman, while the coal beneath, readily mined from the hillsides, gives a double source of income, and makes the land very valuable. From the northeastern part of the township a branch of the Nimishillen Creek, flowing southwesterly and in a westerly direction, meets the Middle Branch of the same creek coming from the north, just northeast of Canton, and they there form what is familiarly known as the P]ast Creek, whi(;h, flowing in a southwesterly direction two and a half miles, forms a junction with the West Creek, south of Canton, and makes, with this, the Nimishillen Creek. From this point the Nimisiiillen flows in a southwesterly course through the township. The West Creek comes from the northwestern part of the town ship, and on its wa}' it receives the outlet from Meyer's Lake. Besides the tributary from the west, already mentioned above as dividing the gravel from the clay lands, the Nimisiiillen, farther down, has another small tributary from the east. [Springs and small rivulets are very numerous, and these, with the creeks, render the soil well watered.

Meyer's Lake is in the northwestern part of the township, and is a beautiful sheet of clear water, supplied partly by the natural rainfall, and partly l)y numerous springs in its bottom coming from the gravel formation of the section and its northwestern extension, described above. This lake is one of a number of similar bodies of fresh water found in this part of the State of Ohio. It is now from a half to three-fourths of a mile long, with perhaps an average width of one-fourth of a mile. Formerly the lake undoubtedly was of much greater extent, as evidenced from the swamp lands at its northwestern, and more particularly at its southern and southeastern extremities. Its outlet has its origin in the last-named place. Its northern shore i.s a precipitous bluff, back of which is lieavj' tim ber land, mostly yet standing. The lake has long been a favorite resort for the boys fond of fishing, and when we say bo3-s we mean many of larger growth as well as the smaller ones. It is well supplied with the fish common to this part of the country, and it seems that the supply is inexhaustil)le. To those skilled in Sir Isaac Walton's favorite ait, it scarcely e\er refuses to give a favorable response.

This lake is also the natural isuppl}' for the water consumption of Canton City, though, on account of deficiencies of one kind and the other, the cit^' has to depend to a considerable extent on the West Nimishillen Creek for. its water supply, for fire |.)rotection and even for ordinary demands.

With the exception of swamp lands about Meyer's Lake and along the Nimishdien Creek, the lands of Canton Township are profitable for cultivation ; the swamp lands will, one day or other, also be turned to good account ; and, as this township is on the direct line of the wheatgrowing section of the State, and its bottom landsare almost or quite equal to those of the Lower Muskingum, Scioto and Miami Valleys for tlie growth of Indian corn, it is fairly presumable that no other portion of Ohio has greater agricultural advantages ; and. that these, with its mineral resources, render the township rieli among the richest in the means of supporting comfortably a large population.

Though the western portion of the township is said to be on the line of the great storms from the Northwest, with a few exceptions, it has as 3et escaped their fury ; and the times they iliil come they were of very limited extent in width, and not nearly as destructive as in most other parts of the country subject to their direful visitations. The climate is generally good, and tends to long life and happiness ; neither too excessively' cold in winter nor loo hot in summer ; neither, on the average, loo wet nor too dry.

The prevailing type in tlie p()|)ulation of the township is Pennsylvania Cierman. noted for its industry, frugality and slow but stead}' jirogress. The Yankee spirit of radical progression has not been wanting ; the versatile Frenchman, the sprightly Irishman and the solid Ocrman from Fatherland have all made their intluence felt : and these have, with tlu^ prevailing Pennsylvanians. succeeded in giving a spirit of progressive conservatism which has made Canton Township pef)ple successful, prosperous and safe against all ordinary reverses in business. Her fanners are noted for .solidity, intelligence, industry, thrift ; her capital city for rapid growth, great and even world-renowned manufactures, and a citizenship which, for general safety in business and for jiulilit' virtue, stands among the fairest in this or any other land.

The early pioneers in the settlement of Stark County commenced near the present site of the city of Canton. Previous to the year 1805, the land ollice for all this part of the country was at .'^teubenville, in .letfcrson County, of which originally this county was a part. Connected with the land office was -James V. Leonard. He seems to have been the first one who came into Canton Township with the purpose of renuiining and making a permanent settlement. In March. 1805. in company with James and Henry Barber, he established a station just northeast of the present city, and near the county fair grouiMls. on the well known Reed farm. This farm has the reputatiim. therefore, of being the first settled in the township and in the county. Leonard and the Uarber brothers took pains to induce other settlers to come here, and showed them lands suitable for location ; and. when required, surveyed and measured them. Leonard, as a land surveyor. raad<' frequent trips to Steu benville ; and. on one of these lri|)s. he iniluced one of his personal friends named James Culbertson, to come back with him. Soon after coming here, however, the latter was attacked with intlamation of the lungs, and died on the 5th ot October. 1805. his.being the lirst death among the white people in the county. Others from Pennsylvania and Maryland came during the fall of 1805. who located lands, and did some clearing ; but returned to their Eastern homes before winter. Soon after the establishment of Leonard's Station, another was esial)lished liy Butler Wells and Daniel .McClure. who were also surveyors from Steubenville, upon lands located and owned by Bezaleel Wells, about two miles northwest of Canton, near what was then called the Large Spring, now well known as Meyer's Lake, so named from .Vndrew .Mej'ers, who afterward owned a large body of land around it. Wells and Mc(/lure brought workmen with them to build upon the lands and to cultivate theni, their effort being most likely the first one foi' a systematic occu|)ancy and cultivation in the township. These stations of Leonard and Wells were chosen with good judgment and discrimination ; tlu; one being in the undulating forest region almost at the very entranc'c of the less ruggeil and hilly lands between the branches of the Nimishilleu Creek, as com|)arc(l with the lands east and south of Canton, whicli, though good lands for farming and rich in mineral resources, were not, at this early period, so well adapted to please the eyes of emigrants from the older settlements .seeking a new location ; the other, upon the plains west of the Nimishilleu, otfering a tempting bait to settlers desirous of finding land already cleared, and waiting for the farmer to come in, possess and bring out its rich resources. .\s a coiLsecpience of this foresight on their part, these stations soon became, at this early period, the points to which emigrants came in their search for new homes. The woodless lands of the prairie, however, did not. for a long time at first, receive from the early settlers the attention which from their agricultural worth, they should have had. Most of them preferred the vfooded lands northward from Canton, and hence, the early settlement of Plain

In Jul}', 1806. Leonard united in marriage with a daughter of James Barber, one of his associates, which is worthy of special note as the first marriage in Stark County.

In the autumn of 1805, Leonard surve\'ed and platted the original Canton, and at the first sale of lots by public outcry, in ISOfi, he purchased the lot on tlie southwest corner of Seventh and Market streets, and erected thereon a brick building, so long and so well known as the Oi^erlj- corner, which stood a relic of the olden times until the 3ear 1879, when it was torn awa}' to give place for Slierrick & Miller's large and imposing hardware store and building. Later, he removed to Plain Township, thence to Jackson Township, afterward to Summit County, and finally to Cleveland, where he died at an advanced age. Meeting as he did, at that early period, all classes of persons, who had come West to look up new locations for themselves and families, he had many adventures, and in after 3'ears, took great pleasure in relating these and stories of the pioneer times. One of these may give a better insight into the then condition of things by being given here. A stranger from the East came to the station, during Leonard's absence on a trip to Steubenville, to register lands for various persons in the land office there, which he had measured for them. It was on a Saturday, in the spring of the year 1805 ; the Barber Brothers and Culbertson, who were in charge of the station, were engaged by the stranger to show him the lands as far from the station as it was safe to venture, on the following day. Sunday. The stranger had brought with him $338 in silver, in a heavy cloth sack, in which he also carried his provisions for the journey ; for greater security, before starting out to look at land, he placed this in the trunk of a hollow tree, and carefully covered the opening with moss, so that it might not be discovered by any one during his absence. Returning to the station late on Sunday evening, he concluded to let it remain in the tree until the next morning. But what were his terror and astonisliment when, on Monday morning, he could find no trace of sack, or monc}', or the very necessary, in those days, bread and meat. The man was inconsolable, and as there was an encampment of Indians in the neighborhood, he naturally charged the theft upon them. But as he could find no trace of his money, and an encounter with the Indians to justify his suspicious and recover it. was entirely out of the question, he went homeward with a heavy heart ; $300 in those days was a large amount, and it was doubtless the man's whole fortune, the savings from many years of previous industry and economy. On the wa}' back, he met Leonard and told him of his loss, and also of his suspicions against the Indians. Leonard consoled the man as best he could, and assured him of Ills own belief that wolves, and not the Indians, were the thieves, and that, probably, the money would be again recovered at some later da}'. Four months later, three men from Pennsylvania were looking over the land, about a half mile from the tree-trunk in which the money had been placed, to find a desirable location, when one of them picked up a piece of the ticking sack ; this, of course, led the man who was conducting them to relate the story of the stranger's loss, wheieupon all made diligent search, and found nearly all of the stolen treasure. Wolves, indeed, true to their instinct, and lured by the savory smell of cooked meat, had discovered the hiding-place, and carried oft' sack, bacon and money ; but as they had no special need of the last, they left it lying anmnd loose among the leaves of the forest.

Among those who selected and located land in Canton Township, in the year 1805, were David Bechtel, Jacob Aultman, the Baer family, Philip Schlosser (afterward written Slusser), and William Ewing. The original title conveying one-fourth of Section 11 to David Bechtel was signed by Thomas Jefferson. President of the United States, and James Madison. Secretary of State, and is still in possession of the farail}'. Bechtel came from Maryland to Columbiana County in 1803; in 1805, he located his land in Canton Township ; and in the fall of 1806 he came back with a hired man, built himself a log cabin, cleared three acres of land, and sowed it with wheat. He then returned to Columbiana County, and, having taken unto himself a wife, the j'oung married couple removed to their new home, in the spring of 1807 ; here he lived until his death, in the year 1833. David Bechtel was one of the first .settlers in the township who turned his attention to the raising of fruit. His orchard was plaiiti'd upon high ground, where it would bo less liable to injury (Vom frost, and while planting tor the future, he lived long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He was also a great hunter, and when away from home, he was always accompanied by his trusty rifle, even when attending a funeral. He also wore a large knife attached to a girdle by his side. One night his dogs treed three bi-ars on one tree, near his cabin, and held them there till morning, when he shot them. On another occasion, he had a tight with a stag, which, but for his faithful knife, would probably soon have made an end of him. Tiiinkiug that, inasmuch as the animal fell immediately when he tired, he had killed him, Bechtel went up to him, and he lay apparently dead, not moving a limb, but when he had drawn his knife to cut otf the stag's head, and had taken hold uf the antlers to turn his head around, the deer veiy suddenly leaped to his feet, attacked his assailant, and with one prong of his antlers, nailed him to a tree b}' his left hand. In this dangerous position, Beehtel's own presence of mind, and great strength, proved his salvation ; a less determined and plucky man would certainly have perished. With almost superhuman strength, he plunged the knife into the stag's breast, and the latter fell o\er dead in realitj', thus releasing Bechtel from his imminent peril. The ball from Beehtel's ritie had only struck the skull of the stag, and rendered him tempcjrarilj' insensible. Bechtel also followed trapping successfully, and gathered, from time to time, a very great number of Otter and other kinds of pelts along the Nimishillen Creek, On Beehtel's farm, there was an Indian bnrying-gi-ound or mound. Many remains of arrows and stone arrow-heads, together with many other articles of use among the Indians, made of stone and iron, have been found there.

It has been said that a building, which stood upon this mound many years ago, was frequently visited by the ghosts of the Indians sleeping underneath, but, like other ghost stories, the report lacks authentic contirmation. Despoiled as these Indians often were, in tho.se early days, of their lands and their homes, it would not be at all wonderful if departed spirits could at all return to earth, that theirs slKnild return once in awhile t<j disturb the slumbers of the children of their despoilers, Bechtel was a good man in general, was a good neighlior, and was honored with the respect of the community in which he lived, having been elected for several successive terms to the responsible position of County Commissioner, in which place his acts gave general satisfaction ; but he did not like the Indians who at that time were yet quite numerous in his neighborhood. One of these had the impudence to <lisplay a number of human tongues on a string, and to boast, Indian fashion, that they were the tongues of white men whom he had killed with his own hand. Boasting thus on one occasion in the presence of Bechtel and others, the Indian and he left the company at the same time, and the Indian was never seen afterward. The supposition generally was that Bechtel had used his opportunity and assisted his red-skin brother home to the happy hunting-grounds of his fathers. However it may have been, Bechtel kept his own counsel well, and posterity are left to conjecture the truth as best they may, I'olitically, Mr. Bechtel belonged the old Jctfersonian school.

Philip Slusser came from Cumberland County. Penn., to Beaver County in the year 1804. The next spring he came to Stark County, chose a quarter-section of land directly east of Canton, and had the same entered in the land ottice at Steubenville. He then returneil to Pennsylvania, and in the autumn of 1805, leaving his wife and younger children in the old home, he came back with his three sons, Philip, Peter and John, and his daughter Elizabeth, to take charge of the housekeeping branch of the business, together with eight or ten laborers. He erected the tirst mill in the county for grinding wheat and other grains. This mill, so long and so favorablj- known as the Roland Mill, has played a by no means unimportant part in the early settlement of Canton and the township. Previous to its establishment, the settlers were obliged to go thirty or forty miles away to the older settlements for their Hour, and not at all unfrequently itre(juircd a number of days to get it ground, to say nothing of the long and wearisome journeys to mill and back home again. It must be remembered that in those days our pioneer settlers did not have the benefit of well-established and worked roads ; the greater part of the country between them and the older settlements was an unbroken wilder ness, and the roads were often mere patiis through the woods. Some, accordingly, were obliged to live almost entirely upon wild game and fish, or used hand-mills and depended largely- upon hominy for their grahi supply. Others took a piece of iron plate, perl'orated it, and ground their corn, or rather, we should say, crushed it through the perforations by rubbing it on the rough side of the iron plate. Necessity is said to be the mother of invention, and the necessities of the fathers in the then Western wilds of our country led them to adopt many ditforent ways to provide for themselves and their families. Soon after the establishment of the Slusser Mill, another one, a small log house upon four stone pillars, was erected a few miles northwest of Canton, on the West Branch of the Nimishillen, where the wellknown Trump's mill now stands, for grinding Indian corn. Two rough stones were used, but according to tradition, the corn meal turned out from this mill was so coarse and full of sand that it was not even fit for making the once famous Johnny cake, the favorite morsel in those days upon many a pioneer's table. It need hardly be added that the miller, in that mill, received, on this account, the hearty benedictions of the girls and women of the period, such as only such girls and women knew how to give j them. A saw-mill was added to this mill a little later, but was carried away by a flood the same year it was built ; a consequence, presumably, of the bad corn meal made there. Slusser's mill seems to have done good work from the beginning of its establishment, and naturally drew custom, not only from Canton but also from Plain Township north. Among other reminiscences connected with the mill is the following : On one occasion. Elizabeth Har- I ter. a fifteen-year-old daughter of George Har- ] ter. of Plain Township, was sent to mill with i five and one-half l)ushels of wheat, three bushj els in one bag and the remainder in another. j She carried the lighter bag upon one horse , which she rode, and the other upon one which i she led ; she was detained at the mill until late ' in the afternoon, when she started home with her Hour, There was no road except a path through the dense woods for a part of the way, ' and as it was rapidly becoming dark she pushed her horses forward, as soon as she left Canton ! behind, so as to reach home in good time. But the path soon became more and more indistinct, j and she finally deviated from it somewhat, when I the overhanging boughs of the trees swept the I bag of flour off from the horse she was leading.

Here was a new difiBculty, and she was about at her wits' ends : but the girls of that time did not readily yield to trifles, and Elizabeth dismounted and used her best endeavors to put the sack back to its place ; she did succeed in getting it upon her shoulder, but her strength was not great enough to throw it over the horse ; she worried herself with it, however, a long time, and w^as about giving up in despair, with the thought of going back to Canton until morning, as she had yet several miles home, when an old settler, Frederick Rodacker, happened to come along, and threw the sack upon the horse. As by this time it had become quite dark, he advised her to go with him home, and she did so. But her mother was naturall}- veiy much alarmed at her daughter's long absence, and, thinking that Elizabeth had lost her way in the woods, she blew a horn for more than half the night, so that her daughter might discern the way to the house. Early the next morning, after having been hospitably entertained by Mr. Rodacker, she retuined home with her flour, to the great joy of the entire family. It was of such material that our early settlers were made ; they could go out with their husbands and fathers, and help them clear the land and roil the logs together for burning, satisfied with a cold lunch for dinner, from morning until night. Elizabeth Harter afterward became .Mrs. Baer. and still later, Mrs. (irubb. and is still living in a green old age. She is active beyond her years, and has a good memory of those early times. Few. if any, of the girls of this day would venture or could accomplisli what she has done.

Philij) Slusser was born in the Cppcr Rhine country of (iermany. and was a man of decided, upright character. He was one of the first Commissioners of this county, and was held in high esteem Ijy all who knew him. He died ill tlK' year 1828. His sons, Philip and Peter, removed later to Tuscarawas Township, while his third son John, carried on a saw-inill. commenced as earlj' as 1807, for many jears, John Slusser was the father of our respected fellowcitizen and highly successful physician, l>r, Ijcwis Slusse'-, who has represented the county in the General Assembly of the State, and, in later years, was Superintendent of the Newburg Asylum for the Insane near Cleveland. In connection with his business in the sawmill, John Slusser soon became apt in the use of tools, and. as tlien there was no cabinetmaker in the county, he was often called upon to furnish bedsteads, cradles, cupboards and other articles of household furniture, until he found it necessary, finally, to make this his regular business, which he continued on East Tuscarawas street, east of Walnut, until he retired from active business. He died in the year 1S5!I. Concerning a great flood on the East Creek, such as has not since occurred, he has given us the following" account : -' In June, 1807, it thundered and rained without intermission for two days and two nights, and the Ximishillen raised rapidl}' and overflowed its banks. The log house of my father stood between the creek and the mill-dam, and had about four feet of water on the first floor. It was just as high on the west side of the creek. Everything in the house was taken up to the garret of the house, excepting a barrel of whisky (an article generally used and considered necessarj' in those days), and one or two other heavy articles that could not be removed. It was considered unsafe for several days to attempt crossing the stream. After it had fallen a few feet, a man by the name of Brown came from one of the settlements east of us on his wa^' to Canton to purchase some tools. He was acquainted with some of the mill-hands and wanted to be taken over the swollen creek. Mr. F'ischel and his son took him safely over, but when, about sundown, they were trying to return, they were carried away by the force of the stream, ran against the trunk of a tree and were thrown into the water. John Fischel swam to the eastern shore ; his father was carried by the force of the stream to the western shore, and lirown was drowned. His corpse was found a few days afterward about fifty rods from the place. The mill-hands buried him upon a high bank of the creek about one hundred rods from the mill. Brown was known to be a good swimmer, and it is thought that he was thrown against the trunk of a tree, or was in some waj- rendered powerless, when otherwise he could readily and easily have saved himself. Tic was the second person buried in Stark County.

In those days, wolves and bears were plenty all over this country, and ready for any prey that offered itself to their clutches. It was no uncommon event for the old settlers to be awakened out of their sleep at night by the cries of distress coming from one or the other of their domestic animals. The ready gun was at all such times called into recpiisition, and did good service both by ridding the settlements of one or more of the undesirable intruders, and by .serving notice upon others to keep their distance. The present generation can scarcely appreciate the anuojaiices which for years accompanied the eflbrts of the old pioneers to open up this new country to civilization and progress, where now, in less than three quarters of a century, peace and plenty prevail, and luxury even crowns the freciuent, festive board. ISut most of the annoyances of those days, outside of those necessarily incident to all pioneer life, came from the fourfooted inhabitants of these Western wilds. The Indians of the neighborhood were peacefully disposed toward their "white brothers," I by whom they had been generallj- treated in a i fair, kind and friendl}- manner. These Indians j belonged to the Delaware and Chippewa tribes, and had their chief encampment hereabouts, at the junction of the two branches of the i Nimishillcn Creek, south of Canton. They would often visit the new settlers, to the num- I ber of 200 or ''AH) at a time, and were generally well behaved, except occasionally, when under I the influence of the white man's fire-water, ' some of the more belligerent of the tribe would j get into quarrels, sometimes with the whites and sometimes among themselves ; but very few adventures of a serious character are related to have occurred in this, as in many other parts of the countrj'. How much of this was , the result of the strong Pennsylvania type of the early settlers, it is not possible, of course, .at this day, accurately to determine ; though it probably was not without its influence. Among the few well-authenticated adventures j of the early period is one of Dr. Cunningham's, with the Indians. Dr. Cunningham was an Irishman, and Uxanaged in some way to give serious and deadly otl'ense to the Indians, b^' whom he was, in turn, watched and followed up with great bitterness. Though peacefully inclined, vengeance upon an enemy and revenge for an injury done them were, here as elsewhere, an essential part of an Indian's make-up. The white man, fearing for his life, fled westward as far as Mansfield, but finding himself hotly pursued by his relentless enemies, and fearing that sooner or later he might fall alive into their baiuls. lie ended the fh;ise by putting a musket bail tln'ough his own head. It is also stated that, at a later period, after Hull's surrender, during the last war with (ireat Brit ain, most of the men from these parts were paroled, and returned immediatelj- to their homes. When a squad of them oarae to Canton, it so happened that a number of friendly Indians were in town trading. At this time, when tlie passions of the citizen-soldiery of the Western country were especially bitter against the Indians for the part the hostile tribes, under the influence of British emissaries, had been playing in the war, the sight of even friendly ones was sufficient to excite a desire and a determination to attack, and. if possible, destroy them, but the more considerate white residents of the town restrained the desire of the soldiers, until the Indians, getting an intimation of the brewing storm, wisely concliidcd to get out of the way for a season. Had it not been for the red man's considerate action, it would be hard to imagine the direful results of a rash attack upon them, either at the time or in after years. They did not venture l>ack again until after the close of the war. when m(_)st of tlie bitterness against them had subsided. In later years, as the white population increased, the Indians who remained occupied mostly a semimendicant position, and could often be seen on the streets picking up six-penny pieces for a show of their skill at shooting with the bow and arrow. On these occasions they were frequently accompanied by their squaws, exposing beadwork and baskets for sale, in the making of which article, the Indian women were justly celebrated ; but contrasted with the mendicant organ-grinder of this more enlightened age. the uncouth son of the forest exhibiting his skill in archery to make money does not stand out in the worst light either. But the Indian and his manner of life have long since departed, and his memory only lives among the traditions of a few of the oldest inhabitants.

Canton Township has been rapidly developing her resources, and already supports a large population ; but her capacity in this direction is far from being exhausted. Indeed, she has not yet commenced to approximate even the limit of lier powers. The da^s of large farms and much unremunerative labor, or, to say the least, not adequately remunerative farming, are fewer acres, and to farm them more scientifically, and, therefore, more thoroughly, grows apace ; and what, with her natural advantages and commercial relations to Canton City, she will be yet aljle to accomplish, is hardly a matter of conjecture any longer. Her history, however, is so interwoven with that of the city, cotemporary with the township, that we must reserve for the former much of what is to be said of her history as equallv the property of both.

In addition to Canton, the township includes the village of North Industry, on the west bank of the Ximishillen. near the southern line of the township, a flourishing little village, in the immediate vicinity of which is Browning's mill, doing a thriving business, under the management of Mr. 0. F. Browning, a resident of Canton. In the town.ship. outside of the city, there are also Trump's Mill, on the site of the second oldest mill in the county, northwest of Canton, and the Stark Mill, about one and a half miles south of the city, both of which do an extensive milling business, together with the East Canton Mill, on the site of the old Slusser Mill, to which extensive reference has been made above in this chapter.

Before closing, it will well subserve the purpose of history to refer to more personal reminiscences than have been given above of some parties already mentioned, and of some others, among the early settlers of this township. Among these, we take first the death of James Culbertson. He was born in Franklin County, Feun.. of wealthy parents, who gave him a liberal education. He married a lady of considerable property, and commenced life under very favorable circumstances.' At or about the close of the Kevolutionary war, he united as a .young man with a body of horse-troops, at that time so popular, and in this connection contracted a habit of hard drinking, which eventually led to financial embarrassment and domestic infelicity. He. therefore, left his family and friends, in the hope of retrieving his waning prospects in the West. As before said, he came in companv with Leonard, from Steubenville, in the year 1805. to the station of the latter on the old Reed farm. In the autumn of the same year, he went on a visit to an Indian trader, located at the mouth of Sandy. According to the prevailing hospitality of the times, he indultjed very freely in the use of whisky, and being obligfi.1 to lie out of night, in a country beset with heavy fogs, ho contracted a severe cold, from which inflammation of the lungs ensued soon after his return to Leonard's Station. There was no physician nearer than Steiihenville. but his comrades, thrown upon their own resources, did the best they could for the unfortunate sufferer, but in vain, for he died four days after, during the last week of October, 1805, and was buried, without cotlin or ceremony, by his associates. Henry Friday. Hugh Cunningham. .James F. Leonard, and the latter's brother, in a beautiful grove near the station. The gvAxe is unmarked by stone or marble slab, but is within pistol shot i>f tiie present county fair groinids.

Nearly fifty years ago. a man by tiie n;ime of Christian Bachtel lived near Nortli Industry, in the southern part of the township, and was. likewise, addicted to habits of dissipation. He frequently came home under the influence of liquor, and, consequently, there were frequent family broils. His wife, an industrious and economical woman, was compelled, by her husband's excesses, to do the best she could to support herself and children. One night, after his wife had retired for the night, he came home maddened with liquor. Words naturally ensued, but, at last, she turned away from him. and was apparently asleep. He then struck her witii an ax-helve, fracturing her skull, and. upon her moaning, g:ive her a second stroke, to make sure of her deatli. He took up the youngest child, sleeping by the mother's side, and placed it in a bed with the other chihlren. With a few articles of clothing, his wife's earnings, and a flask of whisky, he went from his home a fugitive, to wander he knew not whither. Self-accused of the horrible crime wliich he had committed, his only support in his dire extremity, the whisky-tlask. he was overt^iken in two or three days near Wooster. within thirty miles of the scene of the tragedy, arrested, and brought back, witliout resistance, to jail at Canton. His trial occurred a few montiis later. In the trial, the State was represented by Starkweather & Jarvis : the prisoner bj- Harris & Metcalf The defense set up for the doomed man was his own insanity and the infidelity of his wife. He was. nevertheless, convicted of murder in the first degree. .Judge Lane presided over tl:e court.

To the credit of this township and county, it might be added that this was the first and lost execution of a murderer from 1833 to 188(1. when three young men, boys almost, for crimes committed in the east and west ends of the county respectively, paid the penalty of murder by hanging within the confines of our present city prison. Now. as then, there was a great crowd, and some military, upon precautionary considerations generally approved liy our thinking people, but no parade, and no publicity in the execution. It is claimed that IO,()fl() people attended the execution of Bach tel : half that number would probably I'e nearer the cf)rrect figure.

.Meyer's Lake, from the earliest settlement i>f the township, has always been a favorite resort for sportsmen, fishermen and pleasure-seekers. But witii all tiur l)((atiiig and bathing done here for more than seventy years, there has been but one case of drowning. Robert Stewart undertook, in the year 1810, to swim across the lake for the purpose of getting a boat. On account of the many springs with which the lake abounds, some of tiiem very powerful ones, the water, even in midsummer, near the middle of the lake, is fresh and chilly. Stewart was repuled to be a good swimmer, but 1)ecoming benumbed or i)eing overtaken witii cramps, lie was drowned iu his attempt, A cannon from Canton was brongiit into speedy requisition, and fired over the water in the hope of raising the body, but witliout result. -V few days after, however, the body was found, and was buried on the point which, from this circumstance, has ever since been known as Dead Man's Point. The lake is now known exclusively by the name of Meyer's Lake, and derives this name from .\ndrew Meyer, who, in the year 181(). came into Canton Township, and purchased, in 1818, 3,0(10 acres of land, including the lake and the lands about it. from Bazaleel Wells. Being a man of energy, of means and of good business habits, he kept about him a number of worthy and reliable laborers to develop the rich resources of the vast tract of land which by this purchase came into his possession, and. without ever having held any public position, he exerted a large inlluence in the early Sfttleuient (if the township and of the eily of Canton. Andrew Meyer was born in Bonn, Prussia, in the year 1762. He served nine years as a soldier in the allied armies of P]urope against Napoleon, in the latter part of the last century, but. in 18(t2, be emigrated to America, and settled in Baltimore City, Md. Here he pursued the business of a brass founder a number of years, and being successful ill liusincss. he soon became sole owner of two \cssels engaged in the ocean trade, and. at the same time, part owner in several others. He served personally in the war with England in 1812. as a volunteer, giving the faithful services of an old soldier against the enemies of his adopted countr}-. He took an active part in the battles of Baltimore and Bladensburg. against Lord Ross, the British commander. In that war. it will be remembered, (heat Britain was fighting to secure a mastery of the sea and the right of impressing American seamen of British birth into her service wherever found. Our Government found it necessary to adopt measures that would have a tendency to render British comnierce insecure, and, as her nav3- (w-hich. however, did most brilliant service during the war), was eutirel\- inadequate for the purpose, the Government accepted, and authorized to engage in the service of the United States against Great Britain, a number of vessels belonging to private parties, and hence these ships took the name of privateers. Two such vessels - the Joseph ' and the Mary " - were armed and e(iuipped at his own expense by the subject of tliis sketch, put into the (Jovernment service, and they did a good share in the business of privateering. Several of the ships, also, in which ^Ir. Meyer was onl3' a part owner, were in the same service, and all met with good success except one, which, attempting to run the blockade of Baltimore by night, came unfortunatelj- right up by the side of a British frigate, and. by a broadside from the latter, was so riddled that tlie crew were forced to take to the lioats. when in a few minutes the privateer sunk, and the vessel, with a rich cargo contributed by British merchantmen, went to the the bottom a total loss. The crew escaped and made a safe landing, without the loss of a man. Andrew Clever was the father of three sons and two daughters. After his death in 1849, his vast propertj' was divided among these children, and. as it was entailed pi'operty to the deceased's grandchildren, nearly the whole of it is yet in the possession of his heirs, most of them to-day useful and honored members of society among us. Mr. Meyer's age was beyond the ordinary period allotted to human life when he died in 1849. at the age of eightyseven years. In him, as in man}- others of the older settlers of Stark County, the destinies of two centuries and of two continents were closely united. The first building for the accommodation of the public at Meyer's Lake was erected by Meyer & Cross in 1806, and served its purpose well until the increasing demands of the place as a popular resort induced the present owner, our esteemed fellow citizen, Mr. Joseph A. Meyer, a grandson of Andrew Meyer, to build during the winter of 1879-80, the new "Lake Park Hotel," on the north bluff-bank of the lake. The building is two stories high, and is well adapted to accommodate a large number of guests, with all the comforts at hand to make their staj- at this pleasant place agreeable aad beneficial. A twelve-foot veranda extends on both floors entirelj' around the building, and it is surmonnted with a tower in the center of the front, eighty feet high. The whole is neat, and indicates good taste on the part of the projectors. The architecture is a combination of the Gothic and Swiss styles, and does credit to the abilit}' of Mr. F. O. Weary, architect, by whom the design was furnished. The construction of the building was under the care of Mr. D. C. Miller. With the increased accommodations both for invalids and pleasure-seekers now furnished, the popularity of Meyer's Lake as a place of public resort, is constantly increasing. By care on the part of the proprietors, and the observance of strict rules of piopriety and order on the part of visitors, there is no good reason wh3- the Lake Park Hotel" may not be as popular a place of resort as many of the older watering-places of the East. The first boat-house at the lake was erected b}' the Eclipse Boat Club, of Canton, in 1873. This club held their first regular regatta August 12, 1876, and have held one each year since. Thej- have been well sustained, and are becoming each jear more and more popular with the staid citizens of the solid old Pennsylvania Dutch city of Canton and the surrounding towns.

have often been regaled by liiglily vivifiand exciting stories of the attacks and pursuit of travelers by wolves. We doubt if anything more trying ever occurred there than was experienced here among the earli<'r settlers in Ohio. As a sample of these, a friend furnishes us the following authentic scrap of our early history : Tn 1802, Messrs. Slinglufl' and DeardorfT. in their Western trip. arri\ed at a point near Canton, on their waj' to Tuscarawas County, and encamped on the Ijanks of Meyer's Lake. They were weary and much exhausted from the want of rest and sustaining food. But with all their fatigue and sutlering, they were charmed and refreshed by the prospec:t presented before and all about them. The lake laj- immediately before them, and on its rip pling surface, fanned by the gentle breezes of the evening, the rays of the setting sun were reflected in a thousand forms of beauty and splendor. The banks were decked with flowers of different colors and of the fairest hues, while evergreens of the deepest green, enlivened the scene. Wild fowl, in countless numbers, were sailing ga}!^' over the water, or feeding along the banks. Their bright plumage and graceful movements ga\'e a sense of peace and securitj' to our weary travelers, and they went on cheerfully, and with the prospect of quiet slumbers and an undisturbed rest before them. to prepare their frugal meal and an encampment for the night. It was a beautiful picture, guaranteeing secure repose, and the travelers laid themselves down confidently to sleep, and to dream of home or the great work to be wrought out by their hands in these \Vestern wilds in the near future. They did sleep a little while, but, suddenly awakening, they heard the dismal howls of scores of barking wolves about their camj). The glaring, fiery eyes of the fierce, bloodthirsty animals, seemed pressing toward thcun from all directions. There was no safety but in precipitate flight. Their horses, fortunately, as weary but now ex(:ited as their riders, were near at hand, and were quickly saddled and mounted. It was several miles to the cabin of the nearest pioneer settler, and it soon became a race for life. For a short distance, they rode along the lake, the wolves falling back liefore them, then, suddenly turning their horses, thej' rode rapidly in an opposite direction, both horses and riders, by this time, fully alive to the horrors of the situation. The wolves, for a few minutes foiled, became even more furious than before, and soon followed on their track, in constantly increasing numbers, until, in the rai)idity and excitement of the chase, their hot breath could almost be felt, as it came from the hungry, furious throats of the now maddened animals. Soon they reached an Opening in the woods ; the light from the log fires of the pioneer settler was seen in the distance. Ten minutes more, and the}' would be saved from every danger for the night. Suddenly, a huge, black wolf sprang at the flank of Deardorffs horse, and was only compelled lo relinquish his hold by the free application of Dear- (lorfl!"s heavy whip, but at the very moment of deliverance, his horse stumbled, fell, and threw him over his head in the \'ery midst of the excited animals. But for Ids companion, Slinglufl', he would, with his horse, have been torn in pieces and devoured within a very few minutes. Seeing the situation, and appreciating the danger of his friend and companion. .Slingluff, with remarkable presence of mind, quickly wheeled his horse round, and commenced uttering a series of yells and screeches, even more unearthly than those of the infuriated beasts themselves ; they were momentarily checked in the very moment of their triumph. DeardorfT, in the meantime, quickly remounted, and before the wolves recoxered from their astonishment and confusion from Slinglufl's ruse, both reached the settler's clearing, and were safe.

In these earlier days the schoolmaster was also abroad to help in the openingup of both the material and the intellectual capabilities of this then frontier country. The first schoolhouse in Stark County was erected in tin; year 1807. on the Aultman place, Section 12, of Canton Township, The schoolhouse was made of round logs, and was seven feet high, with a clapboard roof and puncheon floor. As a substitute for windows, small square holes were cut out in the logs, small sticks were set in. and the holes were then (;overed with greased paper. Logs with feet set in and covered with boards, were the writing desks, and slabs from the saw-mill of Mr. Slusser, with legs attached, furnished the seats of this and many other primitive schoolhouses. John Han-is, who afterward attained considerable celebrity as a lawyer in Canton, was the first teacher. The school books then used were Dil worth's Speller, the Old and New Testainent of the Bible as readers, and Goiigh's Aritliiiictie. with its luone^' calculations all in the old Knglish currency of pounds, shillings and pence. Geograph}' and grammar were not then taught, nor indeed for man}- years after. Some descendants of the early pioneers are yet occasionally found, so conservative are tiie people in this localitj', who doubt the expediencT or the necessit}' of those studies in onr |)iiblic schools. We are glad, however, to sa\-, that their number is very small. Christopher Bair succeeded Harris as teacher in this school. In the early days, as before and since in Pennsylvania, the " barring " out of teachers was very common here in Ohio. On public days, such as Christmas and Xew Year's, pupils in schools deemed it the duty of the teacher not only to give them a holiday but also to treat the ci'owd. Tn the primitive daj's a treat of this kind meant whisky for the larger boys and something pleasing for the smaller children, and the few girls who had time to go to school. As a rule, teachers demurred to the demand and a struggle between teacher and pupils was generally the result ; the " barring " process was the usual tactics of the pupils to bring the teacher to terms, when it became a contest partly of physical endurance and partly of tact and skill on the part of the teacher in outwitting his pupils. The parents, having themselves in their younger days been participants in similar contests, citlu'r sided with the youngsters or approvingly winked at their doings ; and many teachers of the times were rather anxious to invite the struggle. One of these, in connection with this first school in Canton Township, is on record, and its relation hero maybe not without interest, even though there is not much instruction in it. John Criswell, a tall, raw-boned man, who prided himself greatly on his disciplinary powers in governing a school, was teacher a few jears after Bair. The da^' before Christmas the larger boys determined that they must have a treat and that the master should fnrnish the liquor. According to previous arrangement operations were delayed until noon, when, according to his usual custom, it was known that the teacher would bo awav for awhile : the younger children were sent home, and then commenced the operation of barring out. Among the boys prominent - some of them still living - were the Keams, Aultmans. Latimers, Bairs

Sherricks and Trumps. When the teacher returned he found the door effectually - barred." The openings in the logs for windows would not admit the bod}- of any ordinary man, and when Criswell found the doors closed against him he at once became angrj- and excited. He, of course, demanded, in a peremptory tone, the opening of the door. When told that the conditions of surrender were a bottle of whisky and a dismissal of the school for the next day, he refused at once and threatened dire vengeance upon the heads (or backs) of the perpetrators. His threats did not amount to much, and when he attempted to get in b_v tearing off the clapboards of the roof, the bojs so pounded his fingers that he was glad to desist ; when he tried to come down the chimney thej* smoked him back ; and he was at his wits' end. Necessity is said, however, to be the mother of invention, and Criswell improvising a battering-ram from a heavj- fence rail, succeeded at last in breaking in the door and became himself master of the situation. He did not act generousl}- under the circumstances and could only be placated by a severe bodil\- chastisement of the offenders. The boj-s got it. but they never forgave the teacher ; many of them no k)nger attended school, and the teacher soon lost his influence for good in that localit}'.

William E wing was one of the pioneer settlers already mentioned. Coming from AUeghenj' County, Pennsylvania, he erected a cabin in Section 2 of Canton Township, in the fall of 1805, and in the spring of 1806, came with his wife and five children to occupy it. His goods and .some articles of furniture, purchased at Beaver, were Ijrought to his new home on horseback. For several years, in the beginning, it was diflicult for him, as for man}- others of the older settlers, to raise money enough to pay taxes and meet the urgent necessities of their families. People then had often to depri\e themselves of' what now would be considered absolute necessities, and were to a great extent thrown upon their own resources. Ewing has the credit of being one of the most successful hunters, perhaps absolutely the most successful, that ever lived in the township or county. He killed, on an average, from seventy to eighty deer during the season, in addition to many bears, wolves and wild-cats. This, also, he made a source of revenue. When he had more meat than the needs of his own family required, he sold to needy emigrants, while he tanned the skins for clothing and moccasins for himself and liis family. He and his boys wore Inickskin clothes antl shoes for many years, and until sheep could be suct^essfully raised, svhicb. on account of the wolves, was at first impossible. But these were the fashions of tlie dav. The women wore liiisey." and weri' not much concerned with spring and fall changes of fashion.

In June, 1811. an eclipse of the sun occurred. The settlers at this period were almost entirely cut off from intercourse with the Kast, and had had no word of the coming phenomenon. Ewing and his sons were out hoeing corn at the time. It became so dark that the stars were visible in the heavens, and, what was even more remarkable, the chickens went home to roost. Mr. Sowers, afterward Judge Sowers, of Canton, with others, was engaged in shingling a roof on the Kautfman House, corner of Ninth and Market streets. Canton. Every person looked for the immediate coining of the da\' of judgment, but were much relieved when the eclipse was over, that the sun occupied his old place in the heavens, and that nothing terrible had occurred.

Speaking of the habits of these earlier days, we kuow of no better way of closing this chapter than bj- giving here the statement of one of the old settlers himself: -- Times ain't as they used to be," he remarked to a friend of fewer years, while sitting together on a store box in front of one of our stores only a few vears ago. It was between sundown and dark : the weather was pleasant and the pavement crowded with ladies and gentlemen promenading. Evidcntljthe remark was made by the suggestion of what the old gentleman saw transpiring before him ; the younger man feeling some interest in the matter and desirous of drawing his old friend out in the way of a more modern - interview." asked. How was it in earlier times ?" " Quite different. Fifty years ago. Canton had a population of 4(»0 or 500. I suppose there was as much pride then as now, and young people were just as anxious to make a tine appearance : but the fashions were s(.>mewhat different and were not changed so often, ('alico was then the prevailing material for ladies fine dresses, such as were worn in making calls, attending religious meetings or evening parties. The more elderlv wore bombazet or bombazine.

Six yards were amply sufficient for a pattern. An article called homespun wool, of cotton and wool, was usually worn al)oul the house, when engaged in ordinary domestic duties. The bonnets were straw or leghorn, with large crowns and extensive fronts. The style worn by the older women was not much unlike those worn l)y the Quakers. It was made of black or dark colored silk, with a large crown and points in front. The calash, made of berage and to fold back like a buggy top, was the rage for a long time. There were no milliners in town at that time, but there were those who were handy with the needle, ingenious and tasty, who did the work for those who could not "do it themselves. High-top combs were fashionable and the hair was worn in puff's. Little or no jewelry was worn ; a ring or a breast pin was coveted b}' many, but owned by few.

Fashionable young men wore tight-bodied swallow-tailed coats, with large high collars, buff or white vests, stockinet pants, high-top boots, wrinkled or fair, with a tassel in front, high shirt collars reaching to the ears, and a few wore ruttles. (iold watches were ' few and far between,' but a bull's eye,' with a metallic fob chain, seal and key was usually sported. The fashions didn't change then as often as they do now. The same bonnet or hat was worn for years. Men wore their hats eight or ten years, and yet. not half worn out. would barter them to the hatter in part pay for a new one of later style. The same bonnet was worn as long, the trimming perhaps changed every two or three years. There were social part ies in those days", but there was some regard paid to proper hours for meeting and dispersing. The company assembled at early candle-lighting and went home at reasonable bedtime, and had no ice cream or oyster suppers or lager. The extent of our indulgence was in small beer and gingerbread. The mode of conveyance was mostly on horsel)ack. Every young man aspired to ha\e his own horse, and they were good horsemen in those days. Fart of ever}- lady's outfit was a side-saddle. There were but few vehicles and they were rude compared with those of the present day. Buggies were unknown ; what was called a dearborn ' - a body adjusted upon wooden springs - was all I remember seeing, except Dr. Hartford's gig which he brought from the East. There were other characteristics of that day - some that it would be well for our people yet to practice, I could tell j-ou, but the court house clock has struck 9 and it is time to be in bed, so good night. "

(Jur old friend's history of the olden fashions and modes of life was intended more to apply to the people of the town of Canton of sixty years ago. than to the people of the country ; but with but little change it may be applied to the latter also. Those were the da3's of logrollings for the men, and merr^- spinning-wheels for the girls and women ; of hard work during the day, an early going to bed at night, and sound, refreshing slumbers until the early hours of new morning called to renewal of work. A simpler and more natural life than that led by most people of the present day ; fewer indulgences in eating and drinking, and greater freedom from the aches an<l pains and sufferings which indulgence causes.