Wayne County, Ohio - Chapter 5, 1878

Chapter 5

Wayne County, located on the southern declivity of the dividing ridge intervening between the northern lakes and the Ohio river, has been, in ages past, the theater of marked changes prior, as well as subsequent, to the time of the elevation of the Alleghenies, and the formation of the northern lakes. The whole face of the county very plainly shows the action of flowing water, and that the entire surface many centuries ago was covered by a deep sea, and wrought upon by its turbulent action, which is plainly manifested upon the elevations in the valleys and the alluvial plains.

The territory of this county is a part of that great topographical district reaching from the lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the AUeghenies to the Rocky Mountains. The northern limits of the county, extending within a few miles of the southern rim of the Lake Erie basin, is the water-shed, or divide between the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi ; the spill, or summit level, being at Summit Lake, near the city of Akron in Summit county, and is 395 feet above Lake Erie, while the summit dividing the

* This chapter, and the two following ones, captioned, " A SYNOPSIS OF THE Geology of Ohio," and "Geological Structure of Wayne County," were prepared and written for us by Hon. John P. Jeffries, of the city of Wooster, whose studious researches in these departments of science eminently qualified him for the task. It is of rare occurrence that county histories embrace scientific disquisitions upon these subjects, and it is a matter of congratulation that Mr. Jeffries has so ably and learnedly performed this duty. A better topographical and geological survey of Wayne county is thus afforded than has ever yet been presented, or could possibly result from the generalizations applied to counties on these subjects by official Stale reports.

TOPOGRAPHY. gwaters of the Black river and the Killbuck, north of Bridgeport, near Lodi, in Medina county, is at an altitude of 382 feet above the lake level. The highest land in the county is in the vicinity of Doylestown, in Chippewa township, which is 450 feet above Lake Erie, and 1,042 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. North of Doylestown, however, at Wadsworth, in Medina county, five miles distant, the summit, where crossed by the Atlantic and Great Western railroad, is 600 feet above the lake, and in that neighborhood the highlands reach an altitude of 700 feet above Lake Erie.

In this range of elevations the Black River, Tuscarawas, Cuyahoga and Killbuck rivers have their sources. These elevations are not the highest lands in the State, as in Tuscarawas county. Mount Tabor reaches an altitude of 1,365 feet above the sea, 977 feet above the Ohio river, and 844 feet above Lake Erie. Westward of the axis in Summit county, in the county of Richland, lands rise to an altitude of 1,475 feet above the Atlantic, 1,043 feet above the Ohio river, and 910 feet above Lake Erie ; while in Logan county the spur of the summit, which constitues the divide of the waters of the Miami and those of the Scioto and the Sandusky, rises to an altitude of 1,540 feet above the Atlantic sea, 1,108 feet above the Ohio river, and 975 feet above Lake Erie.

These elevations, however, do not indicate the geological structure of the underlying rocks in this count}', or in those portions of the State mentioned as the wonderful drift phenomena of Ohio ; the entire State being covered with such deposits, conceal, as a general rule, the rock formations which will be noticed in another place.

The main portion of Wayne county is covered with drift, indeed, nearly every part of it, and the value and nature of the soil is regulated by the character of the drift spread over the surface, varying in depth from ten to seventy or eighty feet in vertical thickness, the average drift deposit being about twenty-five feet.

The mass of the soil generally is composed of sand, gravel, clay, and loam, though in some portions the clay predominates, as in the beech district in the northern part of the county, but mixed with these leading constituents in proper proportions are those essentials which make the soil productive and produce the abundant crops for which the county is so noted, such as silica, lime, magnesia, alumina, iron, phosphorus, and soda. The soil, as some suppose, is not limited to a few inches of surface, but is as deep as the drift itself, though properly speaking the soil, so called by the farmers, is confined to a few inches in depth of surface. The whole surface of the county contains 342, 80S acres, the area of the several townships' surface in acres being as follows : Paint, 15,552; Sugarcreek, 22,985; Baughman, 22,659; Chippewa, 22,443; Greene, 22,456; Milton, 22,664; East Union, 22,441; Saltcreek, 14,871; Franklin, 23,005; Wooster, 14.591; Wayne, 23,084; Canaan, 23,194; Congress, 23,007; Chester, 26,283; Chnton, 17,211; Plain, 26,359.

The surface soil as a general rule is of friable character, except in the beech and marshy districts, and which are by no means extensive, the beech districts being confined to portions of Canaan, Congress, and Milton townships. The marshes are confined to Wooster, Plain, Franklin, Clinton, Sugarcreek and Baughman townships.

The early settlers of the county found it densely wooded, except the marshy districts, and the plain lands of Wooster, Chester, Plain, and Clinton townships. The Plains, then termed the Glades upon the presumption, from their appearance, that they were of the character of glade lands of Pennsylvania, poor and worthless, turned out to be the most productive lands of the county. When first visited by white men, they were barrens, thickly wooded with low, bushy oak, from three to four feet in hight, which gave evidence of being the product of an impoverished soil, and the early settlers being of this opinion, shunned these Glades, preferring rather to clear away the heavy forest trees, and open up their farms, instead of attempting their cultivation.

These plains were doubtless cultivated fields of a pre-historic people, whose works of art are still manifest in and around them - such as the mounds, fortifications, tumili, of Wooster, Plain, and other townships in the county, noticed elsewhere.

The forest trees are all deciduous save a few perennials, such as spruce, pine and cedar, which are found only on the cliffs above the margin of the streams. The oaks are the leading forest trees, though there is hickory, chestnut, sugar, maple, ash, linden, poplar and beech in abundance, besides considerable sycamore, walnut, butternut, cherry, gum, quaking asp, cucumber, mulberry, buckeye and persimmon. The smaller grade of trees, such as dogwood, plum, crab, thorn, willow, prickly ash, prickly locust, haw and alder, in the early history of the county, were very abundant, and at the present day the dogwood, during the month of May, ornaments every highland wood with its beautiful flowers ; and the lower woodlands still teem with the fragrance of the blossoms of the thorn and crab.

The general features of the surface of this county are similar to those of adjoining counties, the main portion of the land being level and slightly rolling, though there are, nevertheless, some high elevations other than the one near Doylestown, already mentioned, especially along the main streams, where there are also in some instances deep valleys, of which that of the Killbuck is the largest. The main streams are the Killbuck, Chippewa, Mohican, Salt creek, Apple creek and Sugar creek, of which the Killbuck is the largest, and makes the longest circuit through the county, it having its source in Wayne and Canaan townships, chiefly in the former, from near the center of which it flows in three small streams north about a half mile beyond the center of Canaan township, where the three small branches form a junction, and the main stream flows on north to near the Medina county line, then turning almost at right angles, it runs west into Congress township, wherein for the distance of about a mile it flows in a southerly course, then turning in a south-easterly direction along the eastern side of the township, and into Chester, down to near the south-east corner of that township, where it passes across the corner of Wayne into Wooster township, through which it extends in a meandering course about a mile west of the city of Wooster, and in a southerly course passes through Franklin township in a zigzag course into Holmes county, at a point about two miles east from the south-west corner of Franklin township.

The Chippewa, the next largest stream, has its source in Chippewa lake, in Medina county. It enters Wayne county near the north-west corner of Milton township, and flows in a southerly course to near the center of the township, where it makes a circular bend north-easterly to the Chippewa township line, from whence it courses eastwardly to the east line of Wayne into Stark county, at a point about a mile and a half from the south-east corner of Chippewa township. This stream, also the Sugar creek and Newman's creek and their branches are tributaries of the Tuscarawas, while the others above named, with their branches, are tributaries of the Killbuck.

The Sugar creek's source is in East Union and Baughman townships, though it has several tributaries in Sugarcreek and Paint townships, the chief of which is that known as Grable's Fork.

Apple creek has its rise in Wayne and Saltcreek townships. The main branch flows out of Saltcreek, through East Union, into Wooster township, and unites with the Killbuck about one-fourth of a mile south-west of the city of Wooster. The northern branch rises near the south line of Canaan township, and flows south into Wooster township, uniting with the main stream near Stibbs' factory, about a mile east of the city of Wooster.

Salt creek has it source in East Union and Saltcreek townships. The south branch rises near the south-east corner of Saltcreek township, and winds in a south-westerly direction until it unites with the north branch near the south-west corner of the township, the main stream then passing in the same course into Holmes county.

Topography. 7 1

Newman's creek consists of two main branches, one rising in Sugarcreek, the other in Baughman township. The main stream rises near Dalton, flows north to near Fairview, where it turns east, and after uniting with the northern branch, runs into Stark county, forming a junction with the Tuscarawas, north of Massillon.

The Muddy Fork of the Mohican makes a circuit through the south-west corner of Chester into Plain, through which it extends in a south-easterly direction to near the center of the township, where it turns to the west and flows out of the county about two miles north of the south-west corner of Plain township.

Little Killbuck rises principally in Chester township, extends into Wooster township and unites with the main stream three miles north-west of the city of Wooster.

Clear creek and Christmas run rise in Wayne township and flow south, the former joining with the Killbuck in Wooster township, two miles west of the city of Wooster, on the Eicher farm ; the latter joins the Killbuck in Wooster township, about a mile south-west of the city. Reddick's Springs, one of the branches of Christmas run, now furnish an ample supply of pure water to the city of Wooster.

The Spring Mills run issues from springs in Plain township, flows south through the village of Millbrook, and about one mile farther south unites with the Killbuck.

The Crawford run, also known as Bahl's Mill run, has its source in springs in Wooster and Plain townships, one branch issuing from Bechtel's springs, near the Columbus road. Crawford's run flows in a south-easterly direction, and joins the Killbuck about three miles south- west of Wooster. It also furnishes water power for two saw mills and two grist mills, yet it is only a few miles in length.

from springs in the highlands of Congress and Chester townships. It unites with the Killbuck a short distance from where it debouches from the Cedar valley.

The Little Sugar creek is a small stream of some note, as also the north branch of Apple creek. It rises in Canaan and Wayne townships, but chiefly in the former, flowing down through Wayne and Greene, and across the north-east corner of East Union into Sugar creek. It runs through the village of Smithville and a short distance south of Orrville.

The north branch of Apple creek has its source in Wayne township near the north line, and flows south-west of Madisonburg into Wooster township, uniting with the east branch near Stibbs' Factory, one mile east of Wooster.

The Little Chippewa creek rises in Canaan township, issuing from several springs. The main branch, from its source, runs north into section 13 to the south-west quarter, where it turns north-easterly and extends into Milton township, and there unites with the Chippewa, west of the village of Amwell.

Besides these streams there are many smaller ones, and, with the numerous springs in every portion of the county, there is no scarcity of water.

The source and course of the main streams very clearly indicate the highlands and valleys, as also the several divides by which directions are given to the various water courses. They show the highlands to be north of the county line, yet the course of the Killbuck, from its source, shows the highlands to be located in Wayne and Canaan townships, at least the flow of the Killbuck would so prove, as it passes north almost to the Medina county line before meeting resistance. This is not remarkable, as not far distant is the divide between the Ohio river and Lake Erie, and but slight excavation would turn the Killbuck into the channel of the Black river. Observers have been free to state that it is more than probable that at a remote era the Killbuck poured its waters into Lake Erie. Upon this, however, we are

Topography

The highlands of Chippewa lie north of the divide between the Killbuck and Tuscarawas, the main water-shed being west of Chippewa creek, yet the bed of the Tuscarawas at Massillon is about fifty feet higher than the Killbuck at Wooster.

Elevated bluffs, and often high hills, rise on either side from the margins of the Killbuck, Chippewa, Salt creek, Apple creek, Sugar creek. Clear creek, Mohican and Grable's Fork, and other streams of note, all of which seem to have cut their channels down through the various strata presented in the adjacent bluffs and hills. In many places the precipitous rocks are visible with their water-worn marks quite manifest, high above the streams.

The general appearance of the surface of the land of the county is more rolling than otherwise, but this idea is not to be understood as conveying the impression that all of it is rolling, as very much is sufficiently low and level to be well adapted to purposes of farming, grazing and general agriculture. The highlands in Chippewa, and part of Milton, seem to be an elevated plateau which apparently was at rest when marked changes were going on in the valleys and plains of the interior and southern townships. This opinion seems to be supported by the character and undisturbed condition of the strata as compared with that of other localities.

The whole face of the county shows the action of water, from the lowest and deepest valley to the summit of the highest elevation ; but when it was acted upon, or in what condition it was before it was wrought upon by water, is only a matter of conjecture. It has been surmised, however, by those learned in the testimony of the rocks, that the submergence of this portion of the State took place prior to the formation of the northern lakes and the drainage of the upper regions of the Mississippi valley, and during the first Glacial Era, while this portion of the continent was covered by a deep sea. This theory is not without proof, as the strata at Doylestown contain the evident marks of the glacial period, which are seen upon the rocks and in the drift ; and in the valleys and less elevations the diluvial deposit is from ten to one hundred and eighty feet thick.

It is quite apparent that this marked change of the surface of the country took place before the carboniferous age, as upon inspection the coal strata is deposited in basins, uniform in thickness of veins, and appearing to have been accumulated in ponds, marshes and lakes, and after the accumulation of the coal matter, the various formations now found overlying the coal precipitated upon the coal matter.

The soil is not uniform throughout the county, the greater portion being composed of silica, alumina, lime, and what is vulgarly called "vegetable mould." The farmers generally are not aware of the superior quality of the soil of their farms, nor are they ready to admit that deep ploughing is equal to a coat of manure. The wheat lands and those called "second bottom," have properly a limestone soil ; yet limestone does not as a general rule seem to exist in a strata, but yet it is mixed with the silica and alumina in such proportion as to make the richest and most productive soil, keeping in view also that the other ingredients necessary to vegetation are always present, such as carbon, magnesia and hydrogen. In the beech lands there is a lack of silica and lime, hence the soil does not yield cereals to the same extent as where the lime and silica are abundant.

By some unknown, mysterious process, the limestone once existing somewhere has become pulverized and mingled with the silica and alumina to such an extent as to become a great fertilizer of the soil, causing it, with the silica and alumina, to yield to the husbandman an abundant harvest.

Away from the bluffs and highlands, along the larger streams, the surface is of the terrace order, wide extended plateaus, and in many places along the banks of the smaller streams, the lands assume what is termed the "second bottom," which are productive, especially for corn and grass. Every township has more or less of this kind of soil, besides also the terrace lands and plateaus. What are known as the plain lands, in Wooster, Plain, Franklin and Clinton townships, are especially of the terrace character, as also is much of the lands of Milton, Chippewa, Baughman, Sugarcreek, East Union, Paint and Canaan townships. Indeed, nearly all the elevated level lands in the wheat-producing districts of the county are of this character.

There are several large bodies of lands in the county known by the above title, and are located in Wooster, Plain, Canaan, Milton, Clinton, Franklin, Baughman and Sugarcreek townships, the chief of which are in Plain and Clinton. The origin of these peculiar lands is not fully known, but they clearly indicate to have been at first under water - probably lakes and marshes - and in the course of time were encroached upon and overgrown by vegetation. At least, this is probable, as in some of them there remain elevations, as if once islands, sometimes covered with timber, and often large and aged trees; some of them, such as Newman's creek swamp, as it is termed, being covered with a thick underbrush, and others, as those in the vicinity of Wooster, containing thrifty trees with wide extended surface roots. In Canaan township, near Pike station, during the construction of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway, the mysterious character of a small body of this class of lands was fully tested. The surface, being covered with underbrush and thick sod, was appropriated by the company for the bed of the road, but suddenly and wholly unexpectedly, and without any previous indications, a large portion of the track disappeared, passing beneath into a hidden lake.

the flowing well on the farm of Edward F. Keeling, Esq., located about two miles south-east of Pike station, in Milton township. On sinking the well, the flow of water was reached at about eightyfeet from the surface, which immediately rushed up in the tube several feet above the top of the well, in a volume five inches in diameter, and has continued to flow ever since. The water is soft, clear, cold and sparkling, showing that it comes from an undisturbed pure fountain. About fifty feet below the surface, the tube passed through several feet of blue clay, having the appearance of pulverized shale, mixed with streaks and thin layers of fire-clay, showing the strata overlying the hidden lake to consist of drift.

The botany of the prairies is rich almost beyond description, some of them, during the summer, being covered with the most beautiful and fragrant flowers.

The physical features of the county, when considered in connection with its lakes, water courses, valleys, highlands, terraces, plateaus, meadows and prairies, are picturesque and enchanting, and viewed from the prominent elevations, can be seen, as far as vision may extend, a grand panorama seldom witnessed. To the observer is presented a great theater of farming industry, elegant houses, extensive barns, fields of waving grain, orchards of the choicest fruits, preserved forests of native wood, and the pure and never-failing streams flowing on and on in clear and sparkling waters.

If highlands, or lowlands, or broad fertile plains, or the deep valleys with their rich productive soil, or extended lawns are preferred, all are here.

Killbuck valley is the most extensive of any in the county, and -doubtless was the location of a pre-glacial channel, though it is a few miles in width. The Killbuck stream at an early age must have been of rapid current, as indicated by the deep chasms it has worn in its course in the valley; but since, it has become a very sluggish stream, its waters moving at the rate of about two miles an hour, the waters of the Chippewa and Mohican flowing at the same rate of speed. South of Wooster the lands of the Killbuck valley for half a mile in width along the stream are low, and, until cleared, were marshy and unproductive, but afterwards became very desirable for cultivated fields and beautiful meadows. Away from the stream, and skirting the low bottom lands, are bluffs that seem to be at first view high hills, but which are table lands overlooking the valley.

In the immediate vicinity of Wooster the lower valley of the Apple creek and that of the Killbuck unite and form an extensive body of diluvial land, which is enriched each year by the overflowage of these streams, that spreads over the surface their sediment and vegetable mould, thus making the soil rich and productive, and the most valuable lowlands in the county.

The Killbuck is now confined to narrow limits when within its banks, which are low, except where it passes through gorges or infringes upon the adjacent bluffs, but during floods its waters cover the lowlands of the entire valley for a few days, then recede within its banks. The waters of this stream seem to be running upon higher ground than they did in earlier ages, and from the character of the country through which they pass it is quite apparent that they occupy a borrowed channel. As regards the period when the pre-glacial stream occupied the Killbuck valley, it can be only conjectured, but doubtless it was before the waters of Lake Erie and of the Ohio river ruptured their mounds - before the Ohio river penetrated through the mound at Silver creek, or the waters of Lake Erie had found an outlet by the way of the St. Lawrence, as, until then, the tendency of the water from the lake would be in this direction at least, and the waters of the Ohio may not then have set back up the Killbuck valley beyond the river's mouth, or may not even have reached north of Millersburg. Lake Erie at that time must have been sufficiently elevated to discharge some of its waters over what is now the summit between

Lodi and Bridgeport, and separating the waters of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi rivers. This state of things having existed, at least some of the physical features of this valley can be accounted for, even subsequent to the carboniferous period, but not the deposit of sand, gravel, clay and boulders now existing and constituting a large portion of the deposits of the plateaus skirting the valley cliffs. However, one important fact clearly proved is, that the streams of water and such agencies have largely contributed in the excavation of the valleys, elevating mounds and terraces, and in removing pre-existing surface and strata, such as sandstone, shale, and limestone rocks.

The city of Wooster is located upon a terrace drift deposit. Its site is within a mile of the Killbuck river, though its extended corporate limits reach within half a mile of the stream. The drift upon which the city is built is from forty to eighty feet in vertical thickness, that underlying its central portion not being over fifty feet in thickness, and the surface only being about twenty-five feet above the Killbuck river. It is very evident that where the city is located, if there ever was any of the coal measure, it must have long since been removed, as no such strata now exists, though small portions of coal and pulverized limestone appear in the drift. Other agencies have also contributed to produce the present physcal features of this valley, as well, also, as the face of the country throughout the county, which will be noticed in another place.

The valley of the Chippewa creek is very similar to that of the Killbuck, though its physical features are more marked, and, in a geological sense, much more important and interesting, as it extends through the most extensive coal fields of the county. The Chippewa creek, the main stream of the valley, is overlooked by high hills, its bed seeming to be in the channel of a pre-glacial river, as it is quite evident the Chippewa creek never wrought out its present bed, or cut its way through the numerous mounds in its course.

Public Printing, are found in that locality, the course of which he states as follows : "A deep pre-glacial channel enters the county from the north, in the western part of Milton township, and extends southward, extending, as it approaches Orrville into a broad swamp, the site of an ancient lake ; from thence it passes eastward into Stark county, a branch from Milton township extending directly east in the valley now occupied by Chippewa creek, and another southward through Canaan and Wayne townships, passing east of Wooster and striking the line of the C, Mt. V. & C. R. R., near Apple creek. Another channel from the north enters the county near the east line of Congress township, and constitutes the valley through which the Killbuck flows through the whole extent of the county. A branch bearing southward from Wooster is followed substantially by the railroad until it unites with the ancient channel from Ashland and Richland in the Valley of the Mohican." These ancient channels at least tend to show the course of drainage before the glacial era, and indicate that the water from the north flowed in channels which cut their course in the underlying strata before the precipitation of the drift ; and, from their course, we can logically conclude that highlands existed then, as now, between the streams, and, as now, overlooked these channels. As a general rule the land in all the townships is high above the main streams, and the present drainage of the county clearly indicates the character of the surface of the ground, pointing out its highlands and lowlands, plains and water-sheds ; the whole surface of the highlands, plateaus and terraces being covered with clay, sand and gravel, with bowlders scattered here and there ; and on some of the elevations in the coal measure districts, as in Saltcreek, Paint, Chippewa and Franklin, large and small sand rocks are deposited.

There are at present several existing bodies of water of this denomination, and numerous sites and remains of others formerly existing in this county.

Of Baughman township, is the largest of the existing group. Its location is in a marshy district, known as the "Tamarack Swamp," in the south-east corner of section 2, the south west corner of section I, the north-east corner of section ii, and the north-west corner of section I2, its larger portion being in section i, on the lands of Mr. George Bigler, the greater portion of its western side being on the lands of James B. Taylor, Esq., of Orrville, the portion situated in sections ii and 12 being upon the lands of T. Littie and S. C. Clapper. Its outward supply of water is from two small streams, one flowing into it from the north-west, the other from the south-east, the latter being the outlet stream from Patton's lake. The outlet of Fox lake is from its north-western side, the body of the lake lying north-east and south-west. The outlet stream is known as Red run, one of the southern branches of Newman's creek, of Chippewa township. It is supposed there is an interior source of water supply to this lake, as the amount discharged seems equal, if not, in fact, greater than that flowing in, from the two small streams mentioned. The water of the lake is clear, cold and pure, and of the character of spring water in the interior. About one-third in from its northern shore there seems to be a constant movement of the water, of the character of an almost invisible whirlpool, the water of the surface for some distance moving very slowly in a small circle, in the center of which, it is said, floating objects disappear, though the writer has never witnessed this. It is claimed by some that this whirling of the water is caused by the escapement of the water through a subterranean passage. This is only theory, the fact of its escape having never been established ; and, if it be so, then about an equal supply must come into the lake from some quarter beneath its surface, as the lake's level ever remains the same, except in cases of extraordinary floods, when a slight increase of water appears. Its actual depth in its deepest part has not been measured, though several efforts have been made to sound it. Its depth, about onethird way in from the shore, was ascertained in the recovering of the body of Mr. McClellan, drowned there, and mentioned on another page. To reach the body, at the bottom of the lake, it required three bed-cords, each averaging thirty-six feet in length, tied together, which were carried down by a heavy grapple, the body, by which means, was brought to the surface and rescued.

This lake, before the advent of the white settlers, was the resort of Indians, who gathered there for the purpose of fishing, the lake being then, as now, supplied with fishes of excellent quality, large quantities of which are caught every year by the people of the neighborhood. For many years, it has been a pleasure resort of "fishing parties" from Wayne, Stark and Medina counties.

Patton's Lake. This is a small body of clear, pure, cold water, of oblong shape, about one-fourth as large as Fox lake, and situated only about onethird of a mile south-east of it, near the center of section 12, in Baughman township, in the Tamarack Swamp. Three small streams flow into this lake, one from the south, one from the north-east, and one from the west. Its outlet is on its north-west side, near its northern extremity, from where a small stream issues and flows north-west and empties into Fox lake at its south-westerly end. This body of water rests in a basin, and is shallow compared with Fox lake, and also abounds in the different kinds of fish. The crystal character of the water justifies the belief that it contains an interior fountain, as some observers claim, though none such has been proven to exist. Its outside supply. of water, however, issues from the springs of the highlands.

These lakes, though located in a swamp district and in what would seem depressed ground, are, as well as the entire swamp, in fact upon high lands, and with small expense compared with the benefits to be derived from the undertaking, can be drained to the north. The swamp lands, covering about two sections, to a great extent retain their wild, native character, being literally covered with tamarack trees, whortleberry bushes (some of which are eight feet in hight), underbrush, flags, and tall prairie grass.

In the marshes, cranberries grow in great abundance, and in no other part of the county is there produced such quantities of whortleberries as in this swamp.

In the early history of the country this swamp was noted as a place of resort for bears, wolves, panthers, wild cats, which often made night hideous with their screams, growls and howls. Deer also took shelter in this almost impenetrable wilderness from the pursuit of the hunter. Smaller animals, such as otters, beavers, raccoons, opossums and minks also resorted here in search of food and for shelter. This whole swamp, in many ages past, no doubt was a lake, and is one of the evident land marks of a pre-glacial channel. Some of the land owners have made encroachments upon the outskirts of this swamp, cleared and converted the ground into farming land, which has proven to be very productive.

This lake is located in Chippewa township, in a depression in what may be termed a champlain or terrace, and is of a circular form, and seems to be supplied by an interior fountain, as no stream flows into it, yet a constant stream issues from it.

Situated in Clinton township, is similar in character to Doner's lake, appearing to have an interior source and a constantly flowing outlet, and is on higher ground and much less depressed, the 'lands upon its borders being but a few feet above the level of its surface.

This is a small body of clear and cool water, located on the eastern side of the south-east quarter of section i6, in Clinton township. Its supply of water issues from an interior fountain, it having no other source. It is situated upon slightly elevated ground. From its eastern side issues a small stream of pure, sparkling water which constitutes one of the branches of the brook flowing through the lowlands in the vicinity of Shreve.

Besides the remains of the lakes already described, located in Baughman township, there are others in the county, some of which are more extensive.

The lowlands in the valley of Newman's creek, extending from the vicinity of Orrville eastward to beyond the east line of Baughman township, known as the Newman's creek Swamp when the first settlement was made in the county, was the wildest, most inaccessible and dismal district within its boundaries. At first it was called the " Dismal Swamp " and "Shades of Death," and for a long time none but the fearless backwoodsman in the pursuit of game and fish, entered it. It was then literally covered with trees, alder, willow, and low brushwood, but in places along the stream were small, low marshy spots, where the choicest cranberries grew in great abundance. The stream itself was alive with fishes of the most delicious quality. Wild potatoes grew there in large quantities, sufficient to supply the settlers for miles around who sought them for food.

Before the advent of the settlers of Baughman township, this swamp was a place of safe retreat of wild animals from the Indians, who made it a lurking place, and a fishing and hunting resort. Even after the township was settled it was infested with bears, panthers, wild cats and wolves, and elk and deer browsed and took shelter within its protecting wilds. Beavers made this swamp their home ; otters frequented it for food ; and raccoons and foxes ever found it supplied with their choicest provisions ; cranes and fishhawks took their meals from the brook ; and the bald eagles and hawks made prey of the smaller birds that congregated there. Such was the condition of this swamp fifty years ago, and, indeed, but forty-two years ago, when the writer visited it, its condition had not been much improved. It was a wilderness and

The upper end of this swamp extended a short distance into Greene township. At the west line of Baughman township it reached north and south, over sections i8, 19 and 30, for the distance of about two and one-half miles. Then it extended eastwardly down the Newman's creek valley to the Stark county line, through the following sections in Baughman township: It extended north and south in sections 20 and 29, north half way over the former, and south about two-thirds over the latter ; grew narrower in sections 21 and 28, but widened out in section 22, bending to the north into section 15, covering about one-fourth of the south side of that section, and extending south near the south line of section 22, being at this point originally over a mile in width. It diminished in width nearly one-half at the east line of section 22, passing diagonally across section 23, covering about three-fifths of this section, passing the section line on the east about the center of the section, its southern line crossing the south line of the section and the north-east corner of section 26, and continuing in a circular form one-third over the north side of section 25, and its northern boundary line passing in an angular direction south-eastward over the south side of section 24, the north and south boundaries forming a junction a short distance east of the county line, at the west line of sections 24 and 25, and eastward for about half a mile in width; but from there it assumes a wedge shape, the point being east of Baughman township.

A very marked change has taken place in this swamp district within the last forty years. The woodman's ax has felled and cleared away the trees, and the ditcher's spade has drained and reclaimed the lands. The husbandman's industry and skill have garnished and beautified and converted the " dismal swamp " into fruitful fields, yielding abundant harvests. There is here a complete metamorphosis, one of those exhibitions of which, in truth, it may be said the ' ' wilderness has been made to blossom as the rose."

The soil of the lands is a black sandy loam, with sufficient clay and pulverized lime interspersed, and the usual chemical ingredients to make it of the most productive quality.

No districts of lands in the county are more beautifully or advantageously located than those of the Newman's creek swamp. Smooth and even of surface, as if a gentle river had flowed over them from hill to hill throughout the extent of the valley, viewed from the highlands on either side, it presents a prospect seldom witnessed. For six miles is a landscape of unbroken plain, divided into cultivated fields, broad meadows, with here and there clumps of the native wood, skirted by gentle elevations on either side, upon which the early settlers erected their dwellings and opened up their farms. And the prospect is equally inviting when observed from the plain, and, as far as vision extends, are seen elevated farms and gardens, large and convenient barns and elegant houses. It seems almost a miracle that this once inhospitable "desert wild" in so short a period has been changed into such a valuable farming district. ^

This swamp, it is now conceded, is the remains of a pre-glacial lake, and before the drift period was an open lake, perhaps even wider than its present boundaries, and may have been a preglacial channel, conducting a large, deep stream from beyond the summit, before the formation of the northern lakes. At all events, in earlier ages a much larger stream flowed through this valley than Newman's creek, after the carboniferous period.

This term may be properly applied to the low, marshy lands lying between Wooster and Shreve, as, at the time the first settlers visited the county, a continuous swamp existed between these two places, which is, doubtless, the remains of a pre-glacial lake in the bed of the pre-glacial channel of the valley of the Killbuck. The first visible remains of this ancient lake are the broad, low, meadow lands south of Wooster, the northern edge of which extends into the city. Fifty years ago nearly all the low lands south and west of the city were covered by water the year round, until boatmen saw proper to remove some of the upper driftwood lodged in the Killbuck river. These lands were then valueless, and shunned by the early settlers. Gradually, however, the river, by the removal of the drift, receded within its banks, and soon the formerly flooded meadows became covered with herbage ; but it was long before they became of value, even for grazing purposes, on account of the surface ground seeming to be resting upon water, as it could be shaken from almost any point for several rods around. The whole surface rested upon a stratum of vegetable mould, sand and mud, through which percolated small streams of water.

The banks of the Killbuck are composed mostly of clay brought from some other locality, and are generally higher than the lands some distance away, which has been occasioned by the river overflowing its banks. The Killbuck river is not iij its native bed, it, doubtless, having flowed much farther east, and formed a junction with the Apple creek at or near the north end of Prairie lane, if not even above the railroad bridge, as the land in that locality shows clearly that a large body of water, in pre-historib ages, flowed down the valley on the east side of the railroad. The Apple creek may have passed in that direction, and joined the Killbuck above the Beaver Dam. Many years ago, during a high flood, the Apple creek flowed down Prairie lane, and formed for itself a new channel ; and at considerable cost to the township and county it was kept in the old channel. Only by the construction of the embankment and filling up the new channel was it kept within its former boundaries.

The Killbuck was driven to its present location, not many centuries ago, by the Apple creek, which, by the vast amount of sediment and debris carried down into the plain, filled up the channel of the sluggish Killbuck, somewhere in the "Big Meadow," as this body of lowlands was termed, driving it westward to the base of the hill, its present location. About forty years ago there was an extraordinary flood which raised the water higher in the Apple

TOPOGRAPHY. gcreek than ever known before, and seemed to sweep everything before it. Near the center of section 9 it widened and deepened its channel, filled up almost the entire width of the Killbuck, and poured its flood south over the Columbus road, making deep gulleys through it, rendering it impassible. The Big Meadow (Sloan's) was soon submerged, and covered with sand and gravel. The only way the mails could be got through to the Killbuck bridge was by crossing the stream at the upper bridge, at Robison's mill, passing through the cemetery grounds, through Larwill's and Sloan's meadows, the water entering the coach and extending half way up the horses' sides. The writer, in company with quite a number of persons, among whom were Colonel John Sloan and William Larwill, after the water abated, visited the scenes of the disaster. On examining the channel where it was widened and deepened in section 9, it was discovered that several large logs had been unearthed extending across the bed in a direction a little east of south, two of which were near together, one above the other, about three feet apart. The lower and smaller of the two was bedded in the banks in a blue clay, which extended below it to the bottom of the channel, the one above being imbedded in fine sand and clay. At a short distance from the logs, up the stream, an ancient channel, much wider than that of the present Killbuck river, was discovered in the newly washed banks, the fresh channel having been cut down several feet in the blue clay, the evidences being visible in both banks of the Apple creek, and in the direction of the logs. The depth of this channel was considerably below the bottom of the Killbuck, the upper log spoken of being about on a level with it. The observations taken then very forcibly impressed the idea that this was an ancient course of the Killbuck. It was very manifest that this deep bed of the Apple creek had not reached the bottom of the drift, or the pre-glacial channel, and it seems to be conclusively proved that a large stream, wider and deeper than the Killbuck river, flowed almost at right angles across the present channel of the Apple creek. The surface of the ground above this ancient bed gave no evidence of it whatever ; nor do the shiftings and changings of the Apple creek give any surface signs. A striking illustration of this character was presented by this stream several years ago, at Robinson's mill dam, near Wooster. A rise in the stream changed its channel and washed its right bank, by which five or six feet of earth were carried away, and the protruding trunks of two large trees, much decayed, were uncovered. These trees were buried in the ancient channel of the stream about seven feet beneath the surface, and were covered with sand, clay and gravel. On the top of the ground under which they were buried grew large oak trees, one of which having been felled, proved to be, from counting the rings of its growth, many centuries old. No evidence, whatever, was visible on the surface of the ancient channel.

The next evidence of remains of this lake is in the character and topography of the ground along the line of the railroad south of the Apple creek to and along both sides of the Wooster and Franklin township ditch. One important feature is the open swamp called the Beaver dam, which, fifty years ago, was a curiosity. This dam was in the midst of a pre-glacial channel, possibly from the valley of the Apple creek, as the one descending that valley may have sent off a branch in this direction ; at all events such a channel existed here.

South of the Beaver dam, on the lands of W. N. Smith and Edward Daniels, other important evidences of this ancient lake appear in the marshes, highlands and islands which there appeared, though since the construction of the ditch the swamp lands have been converted into fruitful fields ; and such to a very great extent is the condition of the low marshes of the bed of this pre-glacial lake nearly throughout, not by this ditch alone, but others which have greatly reclaimed the land. The system of drainage is not only conveying off the surplus water from the low swamp lands, but converting the less depressed into elegant farms, with a surprisingly rich soil, inexhaustible in productiveness.

in 1807, is remarkable. At that time from near Wooster to the vicinity of Shreve, the whole plain from the base of the high lands on either side was under water, except the ancient islands of the lake, which stood prominent above the waves, as in the era when the lake waters settled round them. Much of the lowlands were then an impenetrable swamp, always under water, -in which grew small brushwood whose widely extended roots seemed to hold them upright with very little earth support. The other lowlands, called "second bottom," were tolerably well wooded with soft maple and elm. The islands and terraced portions of the plain were heavily wooded with oak, sugar, hickory, ash and cherry, that on the islands being of the same order as those on the highlands of the valley. There were then in several places quite extensive prairies in this ancient lake bed, among the prominent of which was the one south and south-west of Wooster. The early settlers so far as they were able to judge, concluded that one-half of the plains constituting this lake bed was prairie, though this was only a guess, as they were not then measured or counted by acres. Some of them were wet, others dry, and some remain wet, especially south of Millbrook, which, to some extent, is owing to the embankment of the railroad which passes through the ancient lake bed from Wooster to about a mile north of the village of Shreve. On the east side of the lake basin below Moreland, was an extensive cranberry marsh on the farm of Samuel Moore, which, for fifty years, supplied the Wooster market with this fruit.

The largest island of the series is the Blue Knob, then a prominent object in the lake basin, standing high above the water, its large, stately trees making it an object of attraction. In times of extraordinary floods, especially in the spring season, when the ice became broken, it was a place of safety for wild animals, such as elks, deer, bears, wolves, panthers, wildcats, foxes, raccoons, porcupines, rabbits and squirrels. These, and such birds as wild turkeys, pheasants, quail and woodcock, were found here by the early settlers in great numbers, as if seeming to be content in their place of shelter without imposing upon one another, thus constituting a "happy family." The Indians, during the winter season, lodged on the large island north of the Blue Knob, on what is now the William M. Orr farm, and ranged all over this lake basin, when it was frozen over, in pursuit of game ; and when the ice broke up they feasted upon the animals which had congregated on the Blue Knob and other islands. North of the Orr farm, on that portion of the island known as the Gravel Pit, the Indians had a large burying ground, and where many bodies were exhumed by men in the employ of the railroad company while procuring gravel for ballasting the road. The writer visited the scene, and secured a portion of an Indian skull of large size, which is still hard and solid, and a full quarter of an inch in thickness. This cranium was above the ordinary size of the heads of the Delawares, whose place of burial this was.

The Blue Knob, as have most of the islands of this ancient lake, has been cleared and cultivated, as have also much of the low swamp lands, second bottom and prairie lands been converted into fruitful fields and broad meadows, rendering this lake basin among the most productive districts of the county. In the lower end of the basin, near Shreve, were several islands, which long ago were converted into farming land, portions of the farms of James W. Moore, the late America Funk and Hugh Morgan being of them ; and the low swamp lands formerly existing around them are now cultivated fields and meadows. On the America Funk tract was an extensive beaver dam, where these animals lingered until the white settlers and trappers became too numerous. The site of this dam was near the road between Mr. Funk's late residence and the chapel, south, no evidence of which now remains above the ground. Recently, however, on digging there, a cedar log was found several feet below the surface, placed there centuries before, as, when first discovered, the dam had the appearance of being ancient. The cedar tree of which this log was a part was brought from some other place, as no such wood is known to have grown in the locality. Here seems to have terminated the southwestern edge of this pre-glacial lake, though it doubtless extended far below the county line, as it can be traced all the way down the valley of the Killbuck to the swamps north of Millersburg. On Thomas Doty's farm in the vicinity of Savage Run, and on other lands adjoining, are broad plains, containing elevations, the remains of islands which occupied the lake. The whole distance of this ancient sheet of water was from the vicinity of Stibbs' factory, a mile east of Wooster (as its waters, doubtless, set back that far up the valley of the Apple creek), to near Shreve, in all eleven miles; and down the Killbuck river, perhaps, to Millersburg, in Holmes county, from the vicinity of Shreve, a distance of fifteen miles.

Passing north of Shreve, over the highlands, into Plain township, near Blachleysviile, are witnessed the remains of an ancient lake in the pre-glacial channel of the valley of the Mohican, two of the Mohican streams, the Muddy and Lake Forks, forming a junction about a mile west and south of the west line of Plain, in Mohican township. The remains of this lake, in the vicinity of Blachleysviile, was long known as the " Big Meadows," extending from Blachleysviile, on the west side of Plain township, down into Clinton township, then into Lake township, in Ashland county, where its open remains are seen in Odell's lake. The early settlers of Plain and Clinton townships erected their dwellings and opened up their farms on the margin of this ancient lake, which was then a beautiful plain, covered with tall grass, flags and prairie flowers,. except that it was studded with ancient islands, then thickly wooded, which had the appearance of oases.

Blachleysviile stands upon table land, virtually a terrace, overlooking the "Big Meadows," now known as the "Big Prairie, "^ which extends north, west and south of the village. The soil of the meadows is a black vegetable mould, from ten to thirty feet in depth, resting upon blue clay, "hard pan," and which burns slowly, though surely as a coal-pit, seldom producing a blaze, but which consumes every vestige of the mould in course of time, unless extinguished, which is no easy task after the fire has become deep-seated. These prairie lands have undergone a marked change since the settlement of the farmers upon their borders ; the swamps have been drained, cleared and cultivated, and this lake basin has become among the most productive farming of the county. An arm of this ancient lake seems to have extended eastward toward Shreve, as the remains of two small lakes exist, one on the farm of the late James Keys, and the other on the farm formerly occupied by Zepheniah Bell, these basins being now cultivated fields. These ancient remains are in the vicinity of Brown's and Manley's lakes, already described.