Ashland City (part 2 of 57)

With the exceptions of a few section ofthe state in the Southern and Middle parts her population was sparse and scattered. The close of the war of the Revolution found her territory almost unoccupied by the descendants of the first settlers of the eastern shores of this country. The scream of the panther and the howl of the wolf were no unusual sounds, while all over this portion of the state roamed the primitive children of the forest, anxious, suspicious, fearful and treacherous, here today, yonder tomorrow, seeming to interpret their destiny in the march of events, and indifferent to the fate of friend and foe alike. They were the scourge of peaceful homes, the red-handed cowards of the wilderness. Fewrough cabin homes had_ been reared in all this region and only in occasional spots had the forest been hewn down to give place to the cultivation of the soil. Scareely was the tingle of the old familiar cow-bell heard in all the waste, yet such was the inviting character of this locality with a few others in the the County of Richland, that civiliz2d man chose it for his home and defied the barriers that seemed so formidable, to bear him out. The indomitable spirit and stern resolves of those early pioncers were sufficient to overcome every obstacle, and we find a select few in possession of forest and stream, hill and valley, and at the same time the owners in fee simple of whole counties of danger. Neither African deserts, burning sands nor Alpine snows, could scemingly check the ambitious Napoleon in his mad career to universal Empire.

But he found his Waterloo and the world rejoiced in his downfall. Not so with man's efforts in subduing the wilderness and planting his feet on the useless weeds of error, that everywhere so freely grow. We more easily picture the future, than paint the past, and artist's brush or mortal words are inadequate to give us a clear understanding of this valley and these hills seventy years ago. We only know the fact that these solitudes were unbroken, but fail of proof save tradition's historic story, for nearly all the living witnesses have passed away. The sky, with its myriads ot revolving worlds is far beyond our reach and we fail to penetrate its hidden mysteries. We know it is there. The limitless and everroaring ocean rolls on, and buries and wreck whole fleets and man's grandest works beneath it. Thus time works revolutions, changes the face of the country and sweeps from earth every living creature. But the good men do live after them, and their names endure while their bodies sleep in dust and ashes. J*or more than twenty centuries the heroes who fell at Thermopyle have been idolized for the sacrifice of their lives that Greece might not perish. Poetry and song have vied with each other in keeping green their memories and _patriotism is quickened everywhere by their example. No nobler exhibition of true courage and ennobling manhood has ever been displayed, than in the lives and deaths of the first settlers of this country. I speak not particularly of those who fell by the hand of violence, but of the great army of pioneers who made this gooly heritage what it is, a few of whose immediate descendants remain with us, and are here today to mingle with us, and share in the proceedings of this hour. Behold how changed! Ohio, a veritable Empire in the extent of her territory possesses a population more numerous than the colonies that battled for the independence of this land against Great Britain, upon whose dominion the sun never set and whose morning drum-

The spirit and genius that converted the wilderness into a garden, live in the breasts of the men and women of this generation; and this assembled throng before me today are the living evidences that years can not obliterate the scenes of 1812, or extinguish the fires that glowed on the hospitable hearthstones of early cabin homes. I stand _ today ina presence that inspires reverence and calls for the outpouring of gratitude, if not of devotion. I stand amid surroundings that betoken the careful industry that makes this valley what it is. I look into the faces of the old, whose heads are whitened, whom age has bowed tothe earth, and indeed with sorrow, but with toil and who see around them the rewards of honest labor, well calculated to smooth the pathway of their declining years. But before they take their harness off and lay it aside, they come to pay a tribute of undying gratitude at the shrine of those whose blood stained the door sill of a pioneer home.

[t becomes important and material and ought to be interesting on this occasion, to go back five or six years prior to the happening of the event we meet this day, especially to commemorate. In 1806 and 1807 Richland County, with several adjacent, was surveyed into townships and sections, and the nearest County seat was Lancaster, now Fairfield County It was not until 1808 that Knox and Richland Counties secured a county organization with the seat of justice at Mt. Vernon and in April of that year but thirty six votes were cast for county officers, the election being held at the county seat. Not until 1807 was there a single white settler in Ashland County. Ilere and there were Indian towns, as they were called, but

In 1809 James Copus settled on the Blackfork, then in Richland County, bringing with him his wife and children. What a great stout heart must have throbbed in his heroic breast, daring as he did, plant his home in the very midst of the natural enemies of the white man with no defence save his own strong arm, and the reliance on Him, who sees not as man sees, nor a sparrow fall without his care! Ilere he pitched his cabin home, consisting of split timbers leaning against a horizontal pole some 20 feet fron: the ground, supported by the forks, planted for that purpose, the ends closed up by setting small timbers in the ground, leaving a space for a door and an opening above as a chim ney for the escape of smoke. The floor was man's mother earth. Here for eighteen months that family lived and prospered, and were happy. In 1810 he built » cabin near the fountain, which from that time to this has never ceased to discharge its limpid waters. About this time the Zimmers, the Crawfords, the Lambrights, the Coulters, the Tannehills, the Haleys, the Davises, the Gardners, the Olivers, the Kinneys, the Rices and a few others settled along the Blackfork.

Hach year added to the number of settlers in this vicinity and in other portions of Ashland County. They came for honest purposes. They eune to encounter hardships and dangers, that they might secure homes for themselves and families. Nospirit of speculation had taken possession of their souls as we would conclude in our day. They left homes of comparative comfort and safety in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. As a general thing to improve their condition and redeem a goodly country from the control of untutored, barbarous tribes, and make it better by their industry and upright examples. But the evil days came.

June 18, 1812 our government declared war against Great Britain for the purpose, among other causes, of compelling an observence of the treaty of 1783 by the terms of which that government agreed to surrender all control over American citizens, and certain parts on the Great Lakes. From the eastern shores of our country the Indians had been gradually driven until Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, became the theater of their hunting and warlike enter prises. These execrable warrors were the natural allies of the enemies of our country. Mutterings, not loud but deep were heard all through this section af the state, foreboding evil omens to the frontier settlers' homes. 'The roar of hostile cannon, and the tramping of war steeds in ordinary warfare, would have been sweet music 1n the ears of bold, fearless, valorous men, such as were our ancestors of whom | speak today, in comparison to the skulking shadow of murderous Indians hanging around the homes of the whites.

The mild September of seventy years ago: was ushered in amid the most ominous indications of approaching dangers. The settlers in' different localities had cleared small patches of ground, which were mostly planted in corn, upon the ripening and gathering of which they depended in a great measure for bread during the approaching winter. [tis notsurprising thatthey were filled with the gravest. appr chensions, not alone for their immediate personal safety, but for their security against want and perhaps starvation through the cold, cheerless and inclement season of the year. Flying as it were on the wings of the wind, they observed fleet-footed couriers passing and re-passing to and from the Indian settlements at Green town and Jerometown. They knew that the dusky sons of the forest had been in alliance with the enemies of our fathers in their struggle for independence, and had spared neither sex, age, nor property in their ruthless and atrocious mode of warfare.

As the "lightnings of war painted hell on the sky," they had reason to dread the fearful savages, of unseen lurking foes, ready to strike at any moment and bring down desolation upon happy homes and leave smoking ruins behind them. I*ew were refuges of safety then afforded, and they were many miles away. Hach northern breeze seemed to deepen the gloom, and thicken the dangers. On the 16th day of August preceding this event, Gen. [Hull surrendered the American forces to the Br itish, leaving as it were the whole northern part of this state 'utterly. defenceless, while a large force of Indian auxiliaries were let loose to pillage, plunder and murder everywhere. Dissatisfaction and discontent followed the removal of the Indians from Jerome and Greentowns, to. the vicinity of Urbana. And while it was understood that all were to go many hung around the settlements, manifesting by unmistakable signs their hostile spirits and dangerous intentions. The very air was filled with harbingers of evil, and the birds seemed to sound notes of alarm, while the faithful watch-dogs bayed in mourntul forebodings of the gathering "tempest. Far from the solitudes the friends and foes of the Republic were preparing to grapple in marshal conflict according to the civilized usages if there really be such a thing in war, to determine the relative rights and strength of the com. batants. Here the backwoodsmen were vigorously guarding their wives and little ones from foes of an infinitely more dangerous character. The smoke that curled over the ruins of burning Greentown, after the removal of the occupants a_ short time before, gave signs of woe to the luckless pioneer. The destruction of that place was a work of indiscretion and recklessness, little dreamed of by those who applied the torch. But it was done, and if that had any thing todo with the fearful tragedy, subsequently enacted, it renders no less glorious the life and death of the brave Christian Copus and his companions, who appeared as the Vanguard in civilization's march towards the Pacific seas.

The part assigned me today forbids my intrusion on other ground not immediately connected with the fall of James Copus and the details of September 15th, 1812. Butthe story would be incomplete without a reference to the slaughter of his co martyrs a few days before.

So lo! these seventy years have fled, and these graves now first are visited by a formal concourse to give them lasting prominence. In some far away land, or our own distant territory, we car readily draw a picture in our own minds of a few homes in some vast forest, amid solitudes broken only by reports of the hunter's rifle, or the sound of the woodman's axe. We can see the smoke rising above the humble cabin, surrounded by _ tall trees or a little patch of corn, or listen to the thrilling sound of some female voice, as she hums a familiar ditty of her former days, in her far away home. But far more difficult is the task of painting the scenes of seventy years ago on this spot, surrounded as we are today by all the elements of refinement and cultivation, education and religion, while this valley is a garden ofteeming wealth and

Pioneer Historical Socibty

Less than a week before the tragic event, Martin Ruffner, Zimmer and wife and daughter Kate were inhumanly butchered by the savage marauders of the forest.

Taking the alarm James Copus and others removed their families to distant places for safety. Cruelty cut down in their peaceful abode, the Zimmers - father, mother, and daughter, poured out their biood as a sacrificial offering, making hallowed and sacred the history of their deaths, while the noble Martin Ruffner died with his battle armor on, his trusty rifle useless by his side, but evidently wielded to the last in defence of himself and friends. This, then was a_ veritable valley of death. Arise and flee for your lives, hapless, helpless settlers, women and children, or your doom too is sealed. Through the forests by meandering pathways, over streams, through tangling brush-wood, up hill, down the valley, by way ot Lucas, to the Block-house are hurried helpless women and children. In one grave were buried the Zimmers and Martin Ruffner, on a_ little eminence near the scene of the tragedy there to rest and dream till the archangel's trump shall summon them to a higher life, brighter destiny. Silence now reigns in this historic valley, as the angel of death seems to hover over its entire solitudes.

The bane and curse of the frontier seemed to have been satisfied with the destruction he had wrought and fled to his dark abodes, but he only skulked in unseen ambush, toawait some future opportunity to feed his insatiate maw. Back from the block house returned Copus and his family, once more to take possession of his forest home, and resume his daily toil, to secure for wife and helpless little ones a bounty, such as honest industry alone could procure, to guard against gaunt want the coming winter. I fancy myself a witness for a day or two to scenes and occurrences of seventy years ago, and heaven inspire my tongue to testify aright. Hush! listen to the tragic story : "This is the place, let me review the scene,

A Christian father, followed by wife and seven children, wends his way to their rude nestling place in the lonely woods. Hand in hand they travel their way "o'er tangled copse and wildwood," dreaming of peace and happiness of their destined haven, 'Yhestrong armed, great-hearted husband and father has borne the burden of the day, and oftimes hushed and soothed his little ones by carrying them in his arms, little recked he that he was hurrying to his doom. Ife was at peace with all the world. [lis voice had been heard, even by the children of the forest, proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation, and mingling in the choral songs of redeeming love. The leaves of the forest trees were not yet tinged by the frosts of autumn ; the corn had not yet ripened ; the harvest had not yet been gathered. The grape clustering in' lux. uriant wildness, had not yet assumed its purple hues ; the summer birds had not yet' taken their flight to more congenial climes. In a word, the earth was clothed in its pristine forest beauty and seemed indeed, to that frontier adventurer, a very Edeu, as was intended when it leaped from the creating hand, The sun has set; the homely meal dispatched ; the birds have ceased their songs; the evening breeze is still; the evening sacrifice is done ; the sacred song has gone forth; the father's prayer has mounted high on rude and lowly cots, but beds of contentments down are sleeping seven children in perfect security, as they have been commended to the care of the ever watchful one, by a father and a mother's benediction. Silence now is brooding like a deathless spirit o'er the still and pulseless world.

All around that lonely cabin home a guard of unseen seutinels seem to watch. The stars look down from their unmeasured heights upon domestic peace seeming to be the forget-me-nots, of the angels for that Christian abode. A few rods from that cabin, in a primitive barn are quartered nine soldiers, who had accompanied the doomed family from the block house, as a martial guard, "till dangers trouble might depart." In olissful dreams the soldiers slept while unseen, lurking foes the darkness hides. The faithful watch dogs bays in alarming notes the long night through. A father's sleep is haunted by disturbing dreams and _ frightful yisions of the morrow's fearful woes, arouse him e'er the streaking light of morn, or note of "clarion cock" doth eall him from his cot. Up and out into the darkness it wonld seem in a response to acall divine, the father goes to bring his martial guard from their bivouac in the barn, that he, with them, might constitute a cordon of defence for cabin, wife and children, which supernatural presentment had told him would be needed in the morn. Now wife and babes sleep on. You are secure,for a father, with nine brave hearts besides are there to defend, if need be with their lives. That act of daring in the darkness saved posterity to the unfortunate James Copus.

So for seventy years one of the babes I now see, sleeping in conscious and perfect security, ere that carnival of slaughter began, has blessed the earth with a life of usefulness, and children's children rise up and call her blessed ; and today she appears among us, one of two of the last witnesses of the scene, spared by omnipotant power to behold this occasion and listen to the ceremonies that have long been neglected in doing justice to that most. important occurrance.

Listen to the first twitter of the birds and_ see the first streaks of morning light that usher in the 15th of September, 1812. A cabin far removed from the haunts of men, tenanted by James Copus and wife, their seven children and . nine soldiers. Near by there gushed a living spring and e'er the sun was up, it attracted the soldiery to its sparkling waters. All was still, yet black as night and terrible as hell were the lurking enemies, like fiends from the infernal world surround them. I hear the last reported injunction of the master spirit of that hour to the soldier. "Go not to the spring without your arms, for I know that enemies are lurking near." But some passed to the front, leaving their guns behind them. Momentous, hour of fate! Aye, cower, and quail and tremble, wife and little ones for the moment of your bereavement. and desolation has come. Awake from your slumbers to behold the accursed deed that shames the human mold. Out from the ripening corn rush painted fiends, with hideous yells that rivaled Milton's fiends of hell, to blot out homes and murder helpless innocence. Up from his couch leaps Copus then, like Ilecter armed, to save his family trom the brutal storm. Without I see red monsters glide with eyeballs fierce with rage; with scalping knives and tomahawks to strike 'the settlers down. J hear the guns that work destruction to that soldier band.

hail falling from sudden storm-clouds, the bullets fly against that cabin home. I see two soldiers unarmed pursued by yelling furies, who, overtaking, strike them down and tear their scalps from off their heads, a reeking trophy of their chase. A third, more "fleet outruns the murderous pack, but not too swift to escape the rifle's deadly messenger, that takes his life away. A fourth bounds back to the cabin door through a cordon of demoniac monsters, thirsting for his blood. Copus, too bold, fearless and great-hearted to be cooped within, while his friends were being massacreed without, with his trusty rifle in hand, opens the door to meet a grim visaged moloch at his threshold, the very incarnation of red-handed murder, fresh from hell. Quick as the hghtning's flash the Indian rifle's deadly work is done, but not before he too, received his death-wound at the hands of the murdered pioneer. Staggering back, the blood oozing from his faithful breast, he hears the storm of assault without, the unearthly yells of the assailants, the bullets pattering against the door, the cries of the orphan children soon to be; the lament of wife, yet amid all, his courage never 'failed. While away the life tide 'slowly ebbed he exclaimed : "Soldiers, Jam adead man, but do not be discouraged ; fight like men and save yourselves and my family." "In an hour the soul of James Copus winged its way to the home of the immortals, amid the constant roar of fire-arms, and the fiercer tumult of forty whooping devils, battering at the home he had planted in the wilderness and thirsting for the blood of the wife of his bosom and the children of his loins. For five hours the conflict lasts, and though it was fonght on the outskirts of civilization, 'and fame's trumpet has never sounded the valor of those engaged ; yet Napoleon's old guard never covered themselves with more honor on any historic field, than did Copus and his comrades tairly earn for themselves a chaplet of renown on that eventful morn. At every valley hurled against the beleagured cabin forty unearthly yells arose above the crash of arms, and fell upon the ears of the beseciged. Napoleon at Waterloo, as the event of the battle hung in doubt was sustained that Grouchey, with his fresh battalions would come at the opportune moment, and change uncertainty into victory. Butthe inmates of that solitary citadel in the forest were buoyed up by no such anticipations. There was nosuccor save in the arm of the God of battles to assist them. They knew the consequences of failure and hence bent all their energies and utilized all their resources to save themselves and the family of their murdered host from the tomahawk and sealping knife of the infuriated foe. But the retreating yell about ten o'clock is sounded, and the inhuman warriors of the wilderness, disappear as they came, leaving no trace of their own casualitics or the place they buried their dead. What a scene of sorrow and desolation succeeds the conflict. Doubt and uncertainty prevail till about one o'clock a company of soldicrs arrive upon the ground, only to behold the fearful massacre, relieve the beleagured garrison and bury the dead. Can you now realize that this occurred upon this very spot, only seventy years ayo? That all this fertile valley was an uncultivated wild, where dangers Jurked in every bush, safety there was none. [ call the roll of the more than patriot dead: James Copus, (xeorge Shipley, John Tedrick and W. Warnock. They were buried by the soldiery and left in their lonely eraves near where they fell, to await the Master's call at the resurrection morn, and today we came to pay homage long deferred to their valor, their heroism and their sacrifices freely made. We came to perform a duty to the dead, and revive afresh recollections of a time and quicken memories of the fallen Vanguard in civilization that meant immortality.

James Copus was born in Greene County, Pa., in the year 1775, was married in 1796 and came to this »lace in 1809, died at the dawn of September 15, 1812. Ofthe others who fell, complete genealogical histories cannot be piven, but the names and fame ofall are secure. ''he history of the descendants of those who survived the conflict would be a recital too tedious for this oceasion if not entirely impossible, as they have become numerous as the stars, leaving their impress stamped indelibly on the progress of our country for seventy years.

The story of the life and death of Copus and his companions told, a glance at the early settlement of the yalley of the Blackfork taken, .a birds eye view of the country as it then appeared, had a faint picture in feeble words of the wild surroundings of the hardy pioneers, their privations, their toils, their hopes, their dangers and their exalted purposes drawn. It remains my privilege and my pleasure to speak a word to the living assembled here today, and indulge in pleasing prospects for our future destiny. 1 see around me the veterans of a by-gone age. You have come from far to witness the ceremonies and mingle in the enjoyments of this occasion. 'The people of this valley gather at the tombs of their ancesters and_ rear monuments to their memories. Surrounded by grey heads and tottering age, I cannot but feel as though I stood in the presence of the good and guardian angel of an age that has been so _ prolific

For fifty, sixty aye seventy years some of you have witnessed the developement of the resources of this goodly land and assisted in making it what it is today. I need not recount the instrumentalities that have revolutionized the face of this community since Copus and his companions died. The carly pioneers penetrated the wilderness and reared their cabin homes as the forerunners of a populous and thrifty people, imbued with a spirit of fairness, and honorable conduct, worthy of all admiration. Devoted to the government and subservient to the laws of the state, their whole lives were an illustration of the doctrine of reciprocal rights. They were not afraid of honest toil, they shrunk not from the burden of leveling the forest and fitting the ground for the plowshare to penetrate the productive soil. The whole face of the country has been utterly changed, and this too by a generation that has nearly passed away.

But some are left to tell the story of the new country's progress and favor us with their presence here today. I need searcely remind you of the great change in manners, customs, social life, domestic economy and methods of performing all kinds of manual labor, that seventy vears have brought about. Yet with allour facilities, for the dispatch of life's burdens, and the multitude of improvements, calculated to make happier the lot of men in this progressive age, we turn with pleasure to the good old times when neighbor loved neighbor as he should, and when true and genuine hospitality dwelt in every home. We linger amid the graves and drink from the fountains of former years with no ordinary delight.

couched at every door and the hardships incident to a new country were shared by all in common. We read of the noble generosity that armed whole communities in defense of an injured neighbor and none halted to estimate the gain, or weigh the burden. But the time will come for you to lay your burdens down and join your predecessors in the silent land. You come to us from a former generation to remind us of your sacrifices in making this country great and prosperous, and so_ inviting a habitation for those who follow you in the great drama of life. You admonish the youth of this land by your example and_ personal honesty and political integrity to emulate and imitate the lives you are so soon to surrender. Your grey hairs as they cluster around wrinkled temples, are so many objects of adoration, as they speak of the monumental greatness of the builders of our homes and the patrician's guard-laws of an inheritance of liberty, prosperity and happiness that have come down to us. Your former days were full of dangers perilous adventures, laborious sacrifices, in sweeping away the wilderness that homes for yourselves and children might take the place of the hunting grounds of the savage. Your hopes have been realized, your visions more than crowned. The wilderness and solitary place have been made glad by you, and the desert blooms and blossoms as the rose. And now you come in the fullness of time to pay the debt of gratitude to noble deeds and mingle with each other around the graves of pioneers untimely slain. Your lives have been eventful, full of interest, activity and good to your felfowmen. May your declining years be smoothed by the consciousness that you have been a blessing to your country and your fellows, and in the future

I turn with mingled feelings of gratitude and reverence to the last survivor in this county of the tragedy of seventy years ago. God has spared her life to witness these scenes today. This morn you heard no clash of arms, no fiendish yells of murderous savage, no cries of anguish in the cabin home, you saw no enemies thirsting for your blood, no father wounded to his death, no mother weeping o'er a husband slain, venerated mother of an age that has passed away.

As this morning's sunlight streaked the east thy meditations surely turned to thy childhood's cabin home and again thou livest over the sickening scenes. But let them rest in the dim and shadowy past. Thou art here, sainted one in a ripe old age to bless us with thy presence. We come to reara lasting memorial to thy father's memory and perpetuate the daring deeds of those who fell with him.

On that historic morn, thy head was clad in girlhood's garb, thy cheek was like vermillion blush though blanched with fright, thy steps was like the fawns that speed on wings of air, thy life was pure as snow, that demons "sought to take, thy form was lithe and free as the mountain's wild gazelle. Thy home was in the wild wood where the cheering rays of sunlight seareecly ever cast their gladness and thy form beset by dangers thick, by days as well as nights. Now how changed! Thy steps are tottering now, thy head is silvered o'er, thy cheek has lost. its rosy hues, thine eyes are dimmed by age, thy life is almost spent, thy race is nearly run. But around you are blooming beauty, fruitful gardens, glorious harvests, hosts of friends and many children, children's children, ease and comfort, peace and plenty. God's bright smiles and our heart homage. Blessed mortal! Age has made you like the lone forest tree, that is about to crumble into the earth, but ere you pass over the river to rest in the shade of the trees, you are permitted in God's providence to lean your decrepit and ripened form against the. monument we consecrate today, to immortalize a worthy deed, and trace in letters, cut in the marble, the names of those who dicd in your defence.

Fellow citizens. Let the work of this day mark anew era in our destiny. Let these memorial scenes quicken our zeal for the beneficient institutions under which we live and fill our hearts with more veneration for the examples and sacrifices of our pioneer ancestry. Let us by precept and example so act our part in this feverish, progressive, turbulent age, that when we pass away, other tongues shall speak our merits and other hands rear monuments to our names,

Address By Ilenry C. Hedges

The exercises held this forenoon at the Copus tarm as well as the program for this afternoon, remind us that an essential quality of the remarks by any one person must needs be brevity - even. at the expense of sentiment.

Martin Ruffner over whose dust and in whose memory we here and now unveil this monument at the distance of seventy years from the date of his tragie death in his heroic, but hopeless defense of the Zimmer family, was no common man, no ordinary personage. It is said to contemplate what possibilities of good to and for all the settlers of the valleys of the Mohecan in the early days of perplexity, distress and danger were forever lost by his death.

We have no authentic account of his aneestors, but he was of a German-saxon blood and this strain of blood coursing his veins gave assurance of tireles energy, calm courage and unquestioned fortitude.

His was a nature free from the uneasy or painful emotion produced by an apprehension of danger, on the contrary he was fearless and_ bold. This much we know of him. He emigrated from Shenandoah County, Virginia, in 1807 to Fairfield County, Ohio, and thence in 1812 to this immediate locality, then a part of the unorganized county of Richland. A man of wonderful physical strength, endurance and activity, of large kind heart and generous soul, in every fact such an one as we would look for if we were seeking for a pioneer, one who goes before to remeve obstructions and prepare the yay for others.

There was nothing of rudeness or roughness in Martin Ruffner. There was in him the strength and courage of a man, but there was also in him the: ecntleness and heart of a woman. I make mention in this public way of these dominant traits in his character, as I have learned them from the fathers of some of you, - the generations now gone - Dbeeause there is with me an apprehension, a conviction, that by reason of some poctie license or liberty taken by writers of our own day, touching the lives and achievements of our first settlers, free rein has been given the imagination, and invention has been resorted to, so that unless we are exceedingly cautious and careful, we may wholly misapprehend the true worth, the genuine character of Martin Ruffner.

musings into recklessness of statement, or impiety of thought. True he was unlearned and artless, and did not understand the cause and_ effect, and never could have framed in words such_ beautiful description of the brilliantly colored arch spanning the regions of the heavens, opposite to the sun, as Ralph Waldo Emerson, when he apostrophised the rainbow ''as the beautiful daughter of the morning, springing from the invisible." But the eyes of Martin Ruffner's soul, ag he looked up and into the sky, as he gazed through the bright sunlight and through the pearl drops, on the bow of promise, saw all the same beauty, and grandure, and glory, so beautifully and exactly described by the philosopher of Concord.

I shall have no care of my friends to recite to you the incidents in the early history of this locality, which led to, and became a part of the tragic events, which were enacted in September 1812, in and about the cabin home erected on the spot where we are now assembled. I shall not undertake to picture to you the untamed savage and his remorseless cruelties nor shall I more than state the fact, that then as now, not all of cruclty nor all of barbarity was perpetrated by the Indian. There were some white men then.

The story in the detail, as well as in the main is familiar to youall. What I do want to do in the presence of this unnumbered multitude of the sons and daughters of men is to emphasize that seventy years ago in the sparse settlements, in the homes of the pioneers, all the offices of love and humanity were promptly, lovingly performed and that our fathers before us failed and we who today live on the active theater of life, have long delayed to do justice to worthily mark the ground where rests, and for years has reposed the mortal part of an heroic man. Tardily have we done our duty, yet better late then never, Not so Martin IRuffner, you will recall readily in your memories the immediate antecedents of his death, and from them we may learn with what alacrity he ran, though danger and death were about him, to the help and succor of his neighbor.

There was not the slightest hesitation. It was enough for Martin Rutfner that there was a possibility, a probability, of harm overtaking and empowering weakness and innocence - the weakness of old age, and the helplessness of youth, the innocence of venerable gray hairs, and the security of maidenly modesty and beauty. Then the fact was made known to him that the red man of the forest had drawn tight the strings of his bow, and refilled his quiver with death-dealing arrows he took no thought of his personal safety, but his eye travelled over hill and vallgy and rested upon the cabin home of the venerable Zimmer. To think with him was to act. His presence might save the father from torture and death, and the daughter from a tate far worse. Ile reached it, and life and safety seemed secured with his coming. The foe came also, but Ruffner's presence was proof against direct open attack. Like the Greck's of old bearing gifts, they gain admittance, they accept the proffer ed hospitality, they are about to eat the bread and salt of the white man prepared by his daughter, when at a signal, instead they commence the bloody butchery | ro. once Ruffher was deceived and taken unawares. His trusty rifle was near, but time was too precious to bring it to the shoulder, the tomahawk was casting its ehadow as it flashed above the gray grown Zimmer. Rutfner clubbed the gun and with the strength of a giant endeavored to save, [lis powerful arm would have availed, but the wooden stock was broken in pieces and the barrel of iron was bent in twain and Zimmer and his daughter with Ruffner were slain. The assult was sudden, the battle brief, the destruction complete, but the avenger was not lagging and the mutilated bodies of the dead were Jeft in the cabin where they were found and here buried, and here yet their dust rests and_ shall until time is lost in eternity.

Brave courageous soul, today we hail you! Many, many moons have waxed and waned since you and death here held the dark encounter. Seventy times have the several seasons made their circling rounds since your strong arm was raised to protect and itself struck down, but the memory of the unselfish life has not and shall not perish from the earth. Today we cut it on the enduying granite, grave it on the imperishable-bronze; aye, more, it is indelibly written on the tablets of the hearts of a vast multitude of men and women whose homes and hearthstones are on the hill sides and in the valley of the Mohecan.

Friends, when the granite has crumbled into dust, when the bronze has perished by the elements, kind words, good and great deeds shall still survive, - so Martin Ruffner eneels hero, man,

Ossian says: The "memories of the past are pleasing but mournful to the soul." Such memories are mournful because they are significant of the mausoleum or prehaps the casket in which are entombed so many buried memories of hopes, of friends, of happy hours, of nearly everything we hold dear, on the other hand they are pleasing because the hand of time has thrown the dark pall of forgetfulness over the faults of lost friends, and has preserved their virtues and good deeds, hice are ever present. Now while standing around the graves of the murdered victims of savage hate and barbarian revenge, memories of the mighty past, may well pass before our vision like the panorama with its thousand changing views, while each and allhave no perspective but sorrow and gloom, Sorrow and regrets that noble, hardy and_ self sacrificing pioneers, sons and daughters of toil, should have been the victims to have suffered vicarious punishment at the hands of blood-thirsty savages for the wrongs they had received from others regrets that the Greentown Indians should have endured wrongs so deep and lasting, that they deemed nothing but white men's blood could ever be received in atonement. Regrets and sorrow that these Indians should have been torn from their homes, marched off under guard, their town burned, their property confiscated and destroyed, sacred pledges and obligations made them wantonly violated, when they had never committed a single overt act. All this was done for fear that one might be perpetrated. Because Tecumseh had entered into a league with the British to harass and destroy our western people, it was feared these friendly and hitherto harmless Indians might join his forces in the work of destruction; therefore they must be placed where they could be kept under strict and continued suryeillance. Who ever heard of a court-martial being convoked for the trial of soldiers for the incendiary act of burning down a village when its legitimate owners, men, women and children were prisoners? or who ever heard of an investigation being held to even ascertain who were the euilty offenders engaged in the dastardly and cowardly act of the destruction of everything they held dear, and in wantonly violating sacred obligations ? Can any one tell us who ever made restitution for these multiplied wrongs to the value of a cent? When the forces came to remove them they begged and plead to be allowed to remain in peace and quietude in their homes, and asan carnest of their intentions offered to surrender their guns and other implements of Indian warfare, together with their ponies. But no! the edict had gone forth and go they must, and for fear they might return, all must be destroyed. Seventy years ago last Sunday came the last installment of vengeance and as usual innocent parties were the unconscious victims.

Look on this monument just unveiled you will read Martin Ruther, Frederick Zimmer, his wife and daughter Kate, killed by the Indians September 10, 1812. One cannot even read the account in the various histories given of this infamous deed without having his blood congeal with horror at the magnitude of its sunguinary atrocity. Even poor Kate, after having set the table and furnishing her murderers a meal must have the tomahawk buried in her brain. Five days elapsed when the second installment of vengeance followed which fell like a thunderbolt on the already bowed heads of the pioneers.

On the monument unveiled this A. M., you read: James Copus, and three soldiers, George Shipley, John Tedrick and Mr. Warnock, killed by the Indians September 15,1812. The first we know to have been an innocent victim, for he had been friendly with them and strenuously argued against their removal. We have no right to suppose the others as being guilty of wrongs, and have a right to believe them innocent. It vengeance slept there after, it was because there was no material left, for nearly every pioneer went to the Block house for safety, or fled from this portion ot the state; some to return in after years others to stay away forever, let us retrospect a moment. When the first Ohio pioneer set foot upon the virgin soil of our now blessed state, they found an unbroken forest that had no metes nor bounds, vast and boundless as the ocean. We have no forests nor woods now in the state that can be found for comparison. The soil had become so rich, containing as it did ali the elements of a producing character, that the trees grew so large and their branches so wide spread, and in many places it was nearly dark at midday, the annual fall of leaves and the decay of fallen timber continuing for a multitude of ages no man can even dream how long, accumulating year by year, layer after layer of material containing all the elements essential to the production of such a monstrous growth of timber.

A man could often travel for miles through these mighty forests without scarcely seeing a blade of grass, or a weed except in the swales or low grounds, All were decayed leaves under foot and mighty trees with famous branches as far as the eye could see overhead. 'These branches were interwoven and intertwined in endless variety and profusion. Inhabitine these forests were denizens of great variety and character. Savage beasts and still more savage and blood-thirsty men roamed through them at pleasure. Loathsome and venemous reptiles, "with sting of head and sting of tail" were under and about. nearly every decayed log The fearful quilled porcupine, and the never dying opossum had cach their favorite haunts. The chattering squirrel and the sly raccoon were everywhere. The screaming panther and the sneaking wolt fought for the mastership. The cunning fox and the perfumed polecat, each contested "his rights with the wildcat and the lynx. The ponderous bear roamed at will, fearing nothing but his more. savage master, the red Indian. The timid deer with its trembling fawn were the denizens of every thicket and glade.

At times in these wonderful groves the utter silence was litterly painful. Again the wild woods resounded on every hand with the most discordant jargon of unearthly sounds ever heard by mortal ear, The screams of the panther commingled with the howls of the wolf and the shrick of the bloodchilling screech owl would wake up the slumbering echoes in these grand old forest aisles, until it would seem to mortal ears as though pandemonium were let loose. Again these aisles would seem to be alive with nature's sweetest harmonies of music wonderously beautiful. The wind whispering gently through the branches and the soft rustling of the millions of leaves became enrapt with the soul of sentiment and unconscious dreams were evolved ; dreams formed of the evanescent intonations of harmony found nowhere save in the realms of peace. The tapping of the woodpecker on the deadened limb of an old tree, the soft barking of the squirrel, the solemn hoot of the ow], the hardly distinguishable drum of the partridge in the distance, the gentle hum of the wild bee, the chirp of the wood er rieket, the whip-poor-will's song in the distant thicket, all attuned to the: whispering breeze, gave unisonant vibrations of harmony at once ravishingly sweet and beautiful. Nature's dream-songs know no discordant elements. From the heart throb scarcely preceptible in sound to the bellowing thunder, are but gradient ranges of the selfsame intoned elements of harmony. Such was the condition of the present vast state of Ohio, when those great moral heroes, the earliest pioneers, began the work of subduing these great forests, and their denizens, whether wild beasts or the still wilder Indian. The task must be accomplished without either moral or material resources, amid dangers and privations enough to paralyze the strongest arm and blanch the ruddiest cheek.

The Israelites murmured because they were obliged to make brick without straw, but these pioneers with all the elements of heroism as one of their chief characteristics, made no sigh. A spot must be cleared in these primeval forests that a little corn might be raised to keep the wolf from the door and to sustain life while clearing more ground.

The man who has cleared an acre in our present woods with all the resources that, art and the civilization of today has placed in his hands, can have but little idea of the physical labor required to clear an acre then, as his only material resources were an axe anda gun, But as soon as he has provided game meat sufficient to last a few days, then he must start to the back settlements to the mill, and pack on his back corn meal and salt to supply family necessities. In time his acre was cleared and his corn planted, birds would scratch it up, and squirrels would dig it out ; when replanted and watched and the corn in the milk, birds would pick it, squirrels would strip the husks and eat and waste it, the raccoon would tear it down and eat it, the wily opossum also loved it, and the black bear would tear down and eat asquare rod of it at a meal, so that when he harvested his corn, if he got a third part for his share he was lucky thus far. Thus with no resources except a ready will, a stout heart, and the brawny arm, the earliest pioneer be- gan the great work ot laying the foundation, the base, the superstructure of which is nowthe great state of Ohio teeming with wealth and all the resources that wealth and art can produce, is at her command. Our murdered pioneers, over whose remains we have placed these monument:, had passed that critical period when starvation had stared them in the face. They had their little patches of ground cleared and comfortable cabins built and were just emerging into a condition to be able to apply vigorous efforts in improving their farms, when the red handed murderers sent them to these untimely graves; it is fitting that these memorial stones should be obtained and erected, under the auspices of our Pioneer Association and Historical Society, although the means were obtained by individual effort. These granite monuments are imperishable and they will stand here notifying future generations of their object, as long as Cleopatria's needle stood in the Nile valley.

In conclusion let us hope that every. stranger who reads these inscriptions in the unknown tuture, will be able to say with us today "rest in peace."

Synopsis

Celebration of the day on which it occurred - a general synopsis of the mecting - names of promihent persons on or near the platform - closing remarks by the undersigned.

One of the most remarkable events that has occurred in the history of our country for a long time past, was the meeting on Copus Hill on Friday, the 15th day of September, 1882, a memorial day. 'The day on which the Copus tragedy took place being just seventy years ago. The day was calm and serene. Thelarg2 concourse of people who gathered there - about six thousand - and the circumstances connected with the history of the place, made it, to me, ore of the most solemn of my life ; to see so many people both old and young convened together perhaps for the first time in life, and most certainly for the last time, that. all will meet again on earth. Oh! what a sad thought when so many said their last farewell to each other on that day - a day long to be remembered by all. And another strange but solemn thought, that when the next seventy years shall roll around, who will be left of that vast crowd to tell the story. Alas, a few little boys and girls. it may be. It was to me more like a great funeral occasion, than like a gala day. As far as I can recollect, their ages ranged from 40 to 90 years. First those of Mansfield and Richland County.

Ist. Dr. Wm. Bushnell, a widower for many years, a man of sterling worth and fine abilities, who made the remark to the writer that he did not believe that this country would, in the next thousand years to come, produce a race of men and women, who, for intelligence, as well as muscle and nerve and strength of character, equal to our pioneer fathers and mothers.

3rd. Mansfield H. Gilkison, widower, the first male child born in Mansfield - born Feb. | 2nd, 1811, remark by the writer, that was on ground- hog day.

4th. Col. Barnabas Burns, oh ! "What a change in the man, who one year ago then well and strong, delivered the address at our annual meeting in Ashland, August 18th, 1881, now pale and emaci-

5th. A.J. Baughman, editor of the Call, with his dear old mother on his arm, she, whose maiden name was Cunningham, daughter of Capt. Cunningham, who assisted in burying the dead Copus, and the soldiers on that fearful day, Sept. 15, 1812.

Sth .Reuben Evarts, of Bellville, widower, once a hard working boy, but now a man in good circumstances, having been Justice of the Peace some thirty-six years, dating from 1843 to 1879, is an old pioneer and a worthy citizen.

1. Andrew Mason, an old pioneer of Ashland, now about 83 years ofage, and a widower, full of life and anecdote, and has an excellent memory.

2. Major G. W. Urie, tall and straight as an arrow, about 76 years of age, who had just passed through a severe attack of spasmodic disease, in which he came very near death's door, but whose gentle and stately form and familiar face was seen by many; whose father, Solomon Urie, it was, who passed quietly down to the Copus place, and with tomahawk in hand, cut out of that door, and honeycomed logs, a handfull of the red skin's_ bullets that had fallen short of their deadly aim. The Mrjor says he remembers well of seeing them, as they were kept a long time in the family as _ relics.

7. Dr. Daniel Eckley, ot Ashland County, now Mayor of Minerva, Ohio, and brother of E. R, brought tothe stand by Thos. Bushnell, an old school mate.

10, J. Hl. McCombs, Esq., who first commenced the practice of law in Newville, Richland Co., in an humble way, who passed up and down your valleys, over hills, and along your streams, and died an honored citizen of Ashland and counsellor at law.

19. Thomas Bushnell, of Hayesville, that most iudustrious of all men, one of the best judges of fruit in the State, and a lover and collector of relics and curiosities.

20. Mr. Birely and Mr. Carnahan, both good citizens and good farmers; Sebastian Culler, a wealthy farmer and one of the prime movers in putting up the monuments.

21. Isaac Gates, Sheriff of Ashland County, that man who was Sheriff thirty years ago, and hung Charles Stinegraver, on Friday, the 30th day of January, 1852, and Horn and Gribben, on Friday, May 16th, 1884.

22. Lewis Oliver, 89 years of age, whose father, Allen Oliver, was one of the first pioneers in the County, and at whose house the Indians often called. It was there that Billy Dowdee, the tame Indian, traded a large buckskin for a pot of mush and milk forhis hungry wife and children, who with himself ate to perfect satisfaction.

13. Mrs. Kauffman, daughter of Leonard Croninger, one of the first settlers of Mifflin township, and wife of our venerable President, Daniel Kautfman. She is one of the excellent of the earth.

24. Mrs. Sarah Vailis 83 years of age, and daughter of James Copus, and the only surviving one of the family in this County, whoa few days before met the writer and J. I. Dorland, builder of the monuments. When approaching the place, who with faltering steps, and weeping eyes, where the cherished dead of long ago were still sleeping, said: "There drive your 'stake and I ain satisfied."

But what more can I say, for the time would fail me to tell of your Dotys, your Charles, your Cullers and your Lambrights ; the Petersons, the Jones, the Vangilders, the Shambaughs, the Hossingers, the Wilsons, the Weiricks, the Kings, the Rices, the Gladdens, the Coulters, the Olivers and the Tannehills, who, if they have not subdued kingdoms and stopped the mouths of lions, have most certainly subdued the mighty for ests and wrought righteousness; have made the wilderness and solitary place to bud and blossom as the rose, and chased the red man and the wild deer, the wolf and the bear, far, far away.

And now [ come to speak of him who had toiled long to see a clear historic account made out, and whose whole heart and soul was in the work, and whose greatest earthly joy would have been to have mingled in the exercises of the day. at the unveiling of the monuments, on that most interesting occasion ; theever memorable day, the 15th of September, 1882. But alas the poor man's eye is too dim'to see, and his palzied tongue too feeble to utten a distinctive sound, and his physical strength too week to perform such a task as this. Neverthe less long will his memory be cherished in the minds of the true pioneers. Soon will it be said of him, "my brother fare thee well,' Dr. Geo. Hill.

And another who had almost been forgotten, Dr. J. P. Henderson, of Newville, Richland Co., Ohio. What shall I say of thee who was once of tall and stately mien, but now bowed down with age and care, and whose presence was with us perhaps for the last time, for he was past his three score yearsand ten. The Dr. was of classical mind, well versed in the history of his country, a great Antiquarian, having a very large collection of relics. 1s a well read and practical physician ; was of a romantic turn of mind or else he would never have confined his labors to as small a_ place as he selected. Has traveled more on horseback perhaps than any other man in his county, although he is 76 years of age. Was on harseback to the unveiling of the monuments. Many has been the time, and for many long years, has it been said of him, "there goes Dr. Henderson again on horseback, who is sick?" By day and by night has he gone up and down your valleys, over your rugged steeps, and along and across your beautiful, and sometimes greatly swollen streains, to that of swimming his horse with many narrow escapes. All for what? To alleviate your aches and pains and soothe your sorrows by his presence. But soon will his manly form be seen no more. Soon will it be said of him, too, that he sleeps that sleep that knows no waking. And like the mighty hero of old, he sees not, he hears not. Not an earthly sound can awake him to glory again.

And last but not least, what shall [say of him who hath penned these thoughts ? A kind of second Johnny Appleseed, although not barefoot like he, yet almost always on foot; not with a golden chain about his neck, but carrying with him the golden elixir of life to soothe the aching head, and calm the palpitating heart; has traveled up and down your valleys, along your beautiful streams, and over your rugged hills, lo, these many years. But it will soon be said of him, that slender form which we so frequently saw, recognized, and welcomed to our firesides, and who shared our hospitalities and greeted us with a friendly how-

Resolution Of Thanks

A. J. Baughman, of Mansfield, introduced a resalution tendering the thanks of the people of Ashland and Richland Counties to Dr. Riddle, the organizer of the monument movement and the rest of the committee who had so faithfully and _ successfully carried into effect the resolution of the Ashland Pioneer Association to erect the Copus and Ruffner monuments. Adopted unanimously.

County, Burning Of Greentown Etu

The following was written by Dr. P. H. Clark of Ashland, from statements made by the late Daniel Carter, Esq., and kindly sent us (IIarn brothers) for publication in Philip Seymour, but that book having already excceded the number of pages we allotted to it, we ave compelled, much to our regret, to omit it. We think Mr. Carter's recollections should be perserved and hence take the liberty of putting them into print.

Recollections ot the unwritten history of the earlier pioneers of the territory of what is no v known as Ashland County, Obio, by Daniel Carter, Hsq., of Ashland, the oldest pioneer located on the Jerome Fork of the Mohecan during the war with Great Britain from 1812 to 1816.

There have been several attempts made to write a history of the earlier settlements in Richland and Ashland Counties. The pioncers first settled in the valleys of Clear Fork, Rocky Fork, Black Fork, Jerome Fork and Muddy Ifork, which from the big Mohecan. The best and most. correct. history with a history of Richland County was _ written by Rev. James McGaw, but after giving an account of the Copus massacre appears to step short, giving no further account of further depredations of the Indians on the Jerome Fork. A_ portion of them he traced to the Black Swamp, Maumee and Malden, acting as spies and skirmishing parties for the British. Knapp and Hill have also each written a history which comes far short of giving a full and correct account of events as they occurred during the war of 1812, 1813, 1814, in this section of the country. One great reason being that over half a century had passed away since their occurrance and hearsay was often taken in place of facts and was as second hand reports from those who attempt to give a history of events said to have transpired in the valley of the Jerome Fork. I thought that as I was the only surviving one of the pioneers of Jerome Fork, it would not be amiss to give a statement of events that occurred there. My father settled in the wilderness one mile north-east of where Ashland now is, on Feb. 12, 1812. I was then between nine and ten years ot age (being born May 23, 1802) just the age for such events as then occurred to make a deep and lasting impression on my memory. My father's place was six miles beyond the then frontier settler. That spring Benjamin Cuppy, Jacob Fry, Mrs. Sage and family, and Stephen Trickel moved into the neighborhood, all built cabins, cleared land, planted corn and potatoes and all went well for some time. The Indians were living at their villages, Jerometown and Greentown and came frequently to our house. Sometimes there were forty or fifty of them at a time, but they were always peaceable and friendly. Father and mother always tried to treat them kindly; fed them when. they came hungry, lodged them as best they could, which had its effect when they made their raid on the frontiers. The British were trying to influence all the tribes of Indians to join them and fight the Americans. <A chief of some tribe visited chicf Pipe at Jerometown and Armstrong the chief of Greentown and used his best endeavors to persuade them to join the British in the war against America. The Indians agreed to call a council and decide on the course they would pursue. The council was held and they decided to remain neutral. I was sent to Odell's mill with a sack of corn and had to go through Jerometown as there was no other trail. When I returned in the evening they were holding their war dance. They wanted me to stay and see the performance. I hitched my horse and staid till the dance was over, then rode home a distance of nine miles through the wilderness, arrived at home about two o'clock in the morning.

This chief visited all the States and Territories. Where he could get their consent to join the British he would give them a red stick in token of blood. Consequently he was known as the chief red-stick. This council at Jerometown was _ held about the last of June 1812. Had there been no more done after they decided to take no part in the war. I am ofthe opinion that all would have been well. But after Hull's surrender Aug: 16, 1812, the government thought best to remove them; not so much for fear of their making trouble, but to' keep them from harboring unfriendly Indians.

When Capt. Douglas informed them that he came with orders to remove them they were much excited and would not consent to go. Captian Dougles called on Mr. Copus to go with him and use his influence to obtain thei consent. Mr. Copus replied that he and the Indians were on friendly terms and they would not think it kind in him to persuade them to leave against their wills. But Dougles threatened to arrest him as a traitor if he refused. He consented on condition that their town and property should be respected. As they could not talk with them Mr. Copus was prevailed upon to go as interpreter. Hetold them that it they would consent to go their property should be taken care of and that the officer had authorized him to say so, on the strength of this promise they relu#tantly consented to go. They packed up what they could take with them and started. They had not gone more than two miles, From Mohawk hill looking back they saw their village on fire, some of Douglas' soldiers having lingered behind and applied the fatal torch. *

They were greatly excited in viewing the smoky ruins of their village and property when they had the pledge of soldiers and friends that their property should be taken care of. It is not supposed that peace and good will revolved through their minds but on the contrary a determined revenge for the ill treatment they had received was then and there incited and harbored in their minds waiting for time and opportunity. They were removed immediately after Hull's surrender and taken to Urbana. They were not kept very long for they had asked the privilege of going to their friends at or near Sandusky, on the pledges that they were to remain peaceable and quietthey were permitted to go. On the 10th of Sept. 1812 a band of about 45 of them returned no doubt with the intention of avenging the wrongs done them, and at this time Martin Ruffner, Fredrick Zimmer, his wife and davghter Kate were inhnmanly murdered in cold blood. ive days after this,on the . 15th

Note. - As to the precise day of their leaving and burning of their village, it has always been a matter of doubt, and speculation. McGaw says in the life of Philip Seymore, it was on a warm sultry day in August, Dr. Hill says it was towards the latter part of August, Graham says in the History of Richland County that it was about two weeks before the: killing of the Seymores (Zimmer) and Ruffner on the 10th of Sept.,and that is as near as any of them gives it, but the author of this work afterspending considerable time and making extensive research, ascertained the following to be as nearly correct, if not precisely so as any thing that has ever been ascertained on that particular subject. A statement from the late Melzer Tannehill, to the authar, as weil as from the late Lewis Oliver, in which they both agree, say thatit was about ten or eleven days after Hull's surrender (that being the 16th) would make it the 26th or 27th of Aug. Again they say it was just two weeks before the Ruffner Zimmer tragedy, which took place on Thursday the 10th of Sept., the Copus tragedy following on Tuesday the 15th. Now add the four remaining days of Aug. to the first ten days of Sept. and you have just 14 days or two weeks, so then we may safely say that the removal of the Greentown Indians and the burning of their village took place on Thursday Aug. 27, 1812.

Immediately after the attack and vepulse at the Copus place, they came over into the Jerome Fork valley and burned Robert Newell's house situated three and a half miles south-east of the present site of the village of Ashland. Previous to these Indian raids Captain Murray came with a company of soldiers to where Jeromeville now stands, as a guard to the frontier settlers and built a blockhouse. When we got the news of the Zimmer family murder, all excepting father's family fled to the block-house. Inabout five days after the Copus family were attacked the news reached Captain Murray, when he immediately dispatched thirty soldiers.for our relief. The news came to Captain Murray the morning after the Copus murder. At the sametime Absolom Newell volunteered to go on foot to give us notice to flee, but when he got in sight of his father's house in flames, he ran back to the block-house. Father had just got in with his horses from the woods. David Noggle mounted a horse, took his rifle and rode as fast as he could to give us notice to flee to the block-house. Father and Noggle threw the harness on the horses and hitched to the wagon while mother and us boys threw some bedding in_ the wagon and tumbled in, Father with gun in hand mounted one of the horses and drove as fast as he could while Noggle on horseback rode ahead.

When the Indians were told that they had to leave they told father to remain right where he was, that they would not barm him, that he had been their friend, and had always used them well. Their passing within eighty yards of the house when we were there on their revenging raid, shows that they had kept their pledge in good faith. In about a week father with a guard of soldiers returned for the balance of our goods. I went along with them. We counted the tracks of 37 Indians who had passed through our corn field going in the direction of Cuppy's which indicated a loss of eight killed and wounded at the Copus battle. They had passed before we Ieft and before soldiers got there. The soldiers found Cuppy's house on fire and saw the Indians run out of the corn field into the woods and a little further up found Fry's house on fire. I have no doubt that had Newell, Cuppy and Fry been at home they would all have been murdered, as it was known that they had not treated the Indians well. Newell although a good neighbor would not allow the Indians around him, neither would he feed or harbor them, but drove them away when they came about his premises. Cuppy when they came hungry and asked for anything to eat, would order them away without giving them a bite. Fry although a preacher would not allow them around him.

After getting the balance of his goods father concluded to go back to Canton; got as far as Massillon and met William Rhodes, an old acquaintance, who invited him to come and stay with him as he had an empty house and could give us work to do so that we could earn ourselves a living, where we remained until about the 10th of February 1813. As there was no disturbance along the frontier we found our corn all standing in the field excepting what the turkeys had eaten. We then opened our sugar camp and commenced making sugar when the news came that the Indians had made their appearance at Col. Colyer's about four miles below the block-house. We had almost two kettles of syrup almost ready to sugar when we received the news to flee. Weset the kettles off the fire, covered them and fled to the blockhouse about the 5th of March. Col. Colyer was living on the Muddy Fork of the Mohecan. Three Indians made their appearance at the door and asked for something to eat. Colyer told them that if they would give up their guns and tomahawks to him that he would give them something to eat. They handed him their guns and tomahawks, when he set them back in the house where he could stand between them and their guns and told Mrs. Colyer to set on the table what meat and bread she had; calculating that when they got seated at the table that he would arrange to shoot two of them at one shot and kill the other with the breech of his gun. Mrs. Colyer was a wea k woman and was nearly scared to death, and when he raised his gun Mrs. Colyer screamed, fainted and fell to the floor. This alarmed the Indians; they sprang to their feet, held up their hands and begged him not to shoot as they were friendly Indians and meant no harm ; that they were on their way to their friends in Goshen, in the Tuscarawas Valley. Colyer told them to go out and come around to the window, and if they would promise to go off he would hand out their guns and tomahawks and what they were to eat. Colyer then raised his wife and put her on the bed, then took out the flints from the guns threw out the priming, plugged the vents and handed them out together with their food and told them to leave and not be seen again around there or they would be killed. Colyer and his wife started to the eagle block-house as soon as the Indians _ were out of sight. Col. James Colyer was a stout, resolute man, who scarcely knew fear by that name unless the odds were too great.

All around end about the block-house took shelter. There were eight families in all who took shelter at the Jerome block-house. We were almost without food or raiment. 'There were about 15 acres belonging to Mr. Carr and Warner of Cleveland. We all joined in plowing, planting and working that to corn and potatoes. Some worked while others were posted as sentinels. In this way we got some corn and potatoes and in the spring of 1814 we all left the block-house, Some of these families had sold their lands and began again in the woods.

As | had frequently scen Captain Pipe, chiet of of the Jeroinetown Indians, perhaps it would not be amiss to give a short description of him. Le was about six fect in height, straight and well proportioned, rather round features, slightly pale face with a grave countenance and to appearance was about fifty } years ofage and I should judge had perhaps one fourth white blood i in his veins. [ have often seen his adopted daughter Lilly. She was a white girl clad in Indian costume, and was 17 or 18 years of age in 1812. The story of getting and adopting her I quote from McGaw's history. Captain Pipe and Black Hoof, "another chief" were riding through the. woods on the frontier, somewhere near Cleveland, Ohio, and saw two little girls who were evidently lost. They took them on their horses with the intention of returning them to their parents, but afterwards changed their minds and took them to their own homes and adopted them. Afterwards Lilly and Philip Zimmer were married and went to Texas. Captain Pipe had some money which he had _ buried. He told Johnny Appleseed where it could be found, and after he was gone he should get it and give it to Lilly. Healso told him that Lilly and

Philip Zimmer were going to be married and informed him who she was, that he was going to his people in the far west, and did not want them to know the facts until he was gone.

I have also seen Armstrong, the chief of the Greentown Indians, and think he had a mixture of white blood in him. Iwill give the location of those towns for the satisfaction of those who were not here until the last traces of them were wiped out.

Jerometown was situated 14 miles a little southwest from Jeromeville, on the state road from Wooster to Mansfield. Greentown was in the Black Fork Valley about 5 miles south-east of Petersburgh.

I saw Captain Lyon one of the Jerumetewn Indians shortly after the war was over. He knew me and asked if we had seen them when they went up to burn Cuppy and Fry's houses. I answered no. Hethen asked if we had seen their tracks in the corn field? I replied yes. He then said, "we saw you and would have gone to the house and got something to eat but we were afraid you would be frightened; we did not wish to scare you."

"I am of the opinion that if they had been well treated and allowed to remain at their towns, we should never have had any reason to have held our picnic on the Copus Hill" or in erecting monuments in remembrance and sympathy for our murdered pioneers.

In accordance with a call of the Executive Committee the Ashland County Pioneer Association convened at Greiner's grove adjoining the Fair grounds in Ashland, Ohio, Friday Aug. 27, 1883.

The meeting was called to order by the President, Daniel Kauffman, Esq., and opened by the singing by the Pioneer choir of the old time "Middletown" led by Mr. M. M. Desenburg, first by note then by words. Prayer was offered by Mr. William Seamans of IJayesville, who today at the age of 73 years had walked from Hayesville to Ashland to attend this meeting, a distance of nine miles in one and a half hours. Minutes of the last annual meeting as well as the proceedings of the meeting at the unveiling of the monuments at the Copus hill were read and on motion adopted, This was followed by the singing by the pioneer choir of "Primrose" after the singing the obituary report read at the last mecting was read and approved. The Secretary azain called the attention of the Vice President of the different townships to their defined duties of making full and correct reports to the Ilistorian of every death occurring in each of their respective townships. Ele also spoke of the great labor required of the [fistorian in obtaining full and accurate reports when this duty is neglected by those who are required by the Constitution to make such reports, and who can obtain them with little effort. At the request of the President Dr. S. Riddle read the programme for the proceedings to take place in the afternoon. After the choir sang "Pisgah" the meeting adjourned for dinner. PROGRAMME.

1. Obituary report for the past year ; 2. Memorial song; 3. Dr. Clark's address; 4. Music by the choir; 5. Exhibition of relics; 6. MReminiscences by Daniel Carter, Esq.; 7. Election of officers for the ensuing year; 8. Spinning on the little wheel ; 9, Thrashing with flails ; 10. A slow foot race.

when Dr. S. Riddle Historian read the obituary report for the past year, (see published report) after reading the report the choir sang old "China." Dr. P. H. Clark then delivered his address, which was the one delivered at the Copus hill meeting and repeated today by special request. The Secretary was followed by Mr. Daniel Carter giving events following those of the Copus murder, but which were never published. After reading these reminiscences the choir sang "Liberty." On motion it was resolved that the present officers be elected to serve for the coming year. Motion unanimously passed.

The following are the officers of the society: President Daniel Kauffman of Mifflin. Vice Presidents. - Benjamin Croninger of Mifflin, Alexander Rice of Green, John Freshwater of Hanover, John J. Wolf of Lake, John J. Winbigler of Mohecan, John P. Sinalley of Perry, Thomas Cole Jr., of Jackson, George C. McConnell of Sullivan, John Smith of Troy, George Curry of Ruggles, Arius Rumfield of Clear Creek, Scott Nelson of Milton, James Welch of Orange, David Carter of Montgomery. Dr. P. HW. Clark, Recording Secretary ; Dr. S. Riddle, Corresponding Secretary and Historian; Dr. S$. Riddle, Major Geo. W. Urie and Rev. Dr. Robinson Obituary Committee; Isaac Stull, Treasurer; Danicl Shopbell, William Brown, Matthias Boffenmire and Willard Slocum, Finance committee.

Thomas Bushnell exhibited a rare specimen supposed to have been a stone axe, but from the art manifested in its construction, and its perfect polish, there is no doubt about its having been made by the red man, or Indians, but rather belonging to the age of, and used for some unknown purpose by the more ancient people general- ly known as Mound builders. The distinguishing marks of the work known to have been made by the Indians are lack of nicety of finish as well as lack of artistic skill in finish, while those works of art coming from a previous age represent a high degree of cultivated taste and practical skill in construction. Many such articles are beyond our appreciation, as far as any useful application can be made ofthem. It is universally conceded that the older denizens of this country were a worshiping people being thus were the very opposite of the Indian, who worshiped nothing, but lived constantly in fear of spirit demons. Such Mound builder's relics may have been some emblems, others charms and still others, amulets. Symbols that can have no meaning to us. Dr. Riddle presented for exhibition a pair of deer's horns intact, also a pair of immense wild Mexican ox horns. Mrs. Hannah Spiece exhibited an old English Bible, a United States spelling book, an introduetion to the English readers, also a plate belonging to her grandmother ninety-six years ago the 3rd of July last, a cup and saucer given to her mother forty-six years ago, a plate bought by her siKter of Mr, Cook of Savanna, in 1835 and a towel spun by herself forty-four years ago. Isaac Wolf exhibited an old butcher knife that was carried through the war of 1812 also an old hoe, an Indian relic. Mr. A. Akins exhibited a pewter plate which has been in his family over a hundred years. Mr. James Fast exhibited several old books, one from the German being over two hundred years old. Major Geo. W. Urie presented for inspection written music and worked out sums of Arithmetic from single rule of three to cube root inclusive. This exhibition was followed by the pioneer choir singing old "Greenfield." On a call for short speeches Albert McFadden of Wooster, entertained with some well-timed remarks. During his remarks he stated that when a child he was carried to a school taught by Andrew Mason, Hsq. He closed his remarks by giving the Ashland County Pioneer Society, one and all an invitation to mect with the Wayne County Pioneer Association. Andrew Mason also made a few remarks and_ told stories of the past. A sap trough was provided to represent a buckeye cradle, and Mrs. Martin Mason convinced the audience that it was possible to spin on the little wheel and rock the baby at the same time, and the baby enjoyed the fun as _ well as the older fun seekers. Fails and material to thrash were provided and many were surprised to see three flails going at once on a small bunch of grain. Hither as the result of accumulated years, lack of practice or defective memory, it was noticed that uncle Jerry Fulkerson flung his flail the wrong way until admonished of the fact, when the movement was in perfect time. ven Mrs. M.. Miller convineed the people that she knew how to thrash. On motion of Mr. M. M. Dessenburg it was resolved to form a pioneer club, for the purpose of practicing on old time music. The meeting adjourned after singing the old "Ninety-fifth."

The thanks of the society are due to Mr. Geo. Schneider for presenting them with a goodly number of biscuits which on investigation proved that he was an adept in the baking business.

There was quite a full attendance, a beautiful day, a nice grove where the meeting was held, and every one seemed to feel pleased at the result of the meeting. In order to more fully perfect the obituary report a short time will elapse before it can be published. It will be given by townships

Necrology Report Of 1883

Names of the Pioneers otf Ashland County, who have died since our last annual meeting in Aug. 1882, also a few others who had not been reported.

Mifflin Township. - Mrs. Sarah Keffer nee Dyer was born in the village of Munheim, Pa., Feb. 26, 1810, died in Petersburg, Feb. 19, 1883, aged 72 years, 11 months and 23 days.

Green Township. - Henry O'Harra, (Vice President) born in Hagerstown, Maryland, April 6, 1820, came to Perrysville when 16 years of age, died Sept. 28, 1882, aged 62 years, 5 months and 8 days. Mrs. Nancy (McHlvaine) Humphreys was born in Fayette county, Pa., Nov. 6, 1821, came to this county in 1826 at the age of 5 years, died May 16, 18838, aged 62 years. Armstrong C. Bryans, born at Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pa., Jan. 1, 1815, came to Jackson township. Ashland county, in Nov. 1846, died at Perrysville, Feb. 1, 1883, aged 68 years and 29 days. Mrs, Phoebe Wuller, born in Calestown, ew Jersey, was married to Adam Buller Oct. 10, 1839, died I"eb. 2, 1883, aged 61 years, 3 months and 20 days. Joseph 'Jones was born May 13, 1807, came to the valley of the Black Fork in 18138, was at the unveiling of the Copus monument Sept. 15, 1882 and died May 13, 1883, aged, 76 years.

Lake "Township. - John Norris was born in Huntingdon, county, Pa., Jan. 25, 1807, came to Ashland county in 1823, 'and died of paralysis Oct. 29, 1882, aged 75 years. Hezekiah Morris was born in Muncy, Lycuning county, Pa. in 1799,

Mohecan Township. - Elizabeth Harpster, born in 1805 and died April 11, 1883, aged 76 years, 11 months and 4 days. Daniel Walker, born in Lancaster county, Pa., when a youth came to Wayne county, O., and soon after his marriage to a Miss Swigart removed to Ashland county, and died near Jeromeville March 19, 1883, aged 65 years, 8 months and 2 days. Samuel Zimmerman, died at Lakefork March 22, 1882, aged 86 years, 6 months and 29 days.

Vermillion Township. - Mrs. Margaret Schuck whose maiden name was Smith and wife of Philip Schuck was born in Buckenheim, Germany, July 15, 1810, came to America in 1837 and settled in Ashland county where she remained till the time of her death which took place May 29, 1883, aged 72 years, 10 months and 17 dayes. Mr. Schuck died 4 yearsago. John Boyd, born in Westmoreland county, Pa., April 4, 1802, married Miss Rebecca Karns of Allegheny county, Pa., Oct. 11, 1831, removed to Ashland county Jan. 1, 1832 {then Richland county) and died May 4, 1883, aged 81 years and 1 month. Joseph Hill, born in Vermont, Sept. 25, 1802, moved to Ohio in 1811, settled on the Carey farm in Green township. He first married Sally White, second Sally 'Taylor, third Mary Ann Naylor, fourth - -fifth and lastly to the widow Hatten. He was not the father of any children. He died in Hayesville May 1, 1883, aged 80 years and 7 months.) Mrs. Iletta Liston, born in Pa., in 1799 and died at Hayesville in April 1883, aged 84 years. Mrs. Sarah McCready (Carter) was born Oct. 12, 1816, was the second child born in Montgomery township, her brother David Carter being the first, was married to John Mc-

Cready when 16 years of age and lived in Vermilion township till the time of her death, which took place June 22, 1883, aged 66 years, 8 months and 10 days.

Perry Township.- - Elizabeth Garnes, wife of Jacob Garnes, born in Berks county, Pa., Jan. 1, 1816, died May 17, 1883, aged 67 years, 3 months and 23 days. Andrew Jackson, born in Mohecan township (then Wayne county) Feb. 28, 1825, died April 24, 1883, aged 58 years, 1 month and 26 days. Mrs. Ferena Depler was born in Deggerfelden, Canton, Aragan, Switzerland, June 7, 1802, was married to John Jacob Depler Dec. 5, 1820, died at Rowsburg in the spring of 1883, aged 80 years, 3 months and 6 days. Thomas Davault was born in Jackson township, Dec. 16, 1828 and died Dec 4, 1882, aged 54 years, 11 months and 12 days. Wasa resident of Perry township since a small boy. Solomon Stem was born in Pa., March 16, 1800, came to this county in 1837 and died in Perry township Sept. 24, 1882, aged 82 years, 6 months and 8 days.

Orange Township. - Wesley Richards was born in London county, West Virginia, Aug. 9, 1793, came to Orange township in an early day and died Sept. 12, 1882, aged 89 years, 1 month and 3 days. Mrs. Mary Rickett, born in West Bethlehem township Washington county, Pa, Dec. 21, 1796, came to Orange township in 1822 and died in the winter of 1883, aged 85 years, 11 months and 11 days. She was the mother of 15 children, had 45 grand children and 61 great grand children. Valentine Vance, born in Lancaster county, Pa. Dec. 18, 1797 and in 1814. came with his father to Canton, Ohio, thence to Richland county near Mansfield, thence to Orange township where he died Nov. 20, 1882, aged 84 years, 11 months and 11 days. Mrs.

Margaret Heiffner wife of John Heiffner, and daughter of Ludwic Cline was bornin Montgomery township March 23, 1818, was married to John Heiffner July 7, 1835 and died in Orange township Dec. 15, 1882, aged 66 years 8 months and 22 days. John Richey was born in Virginia in 1801, in 1804 came with his parents to Columbiana county, Ohio, and in 1833 came to Orange township where he died Feb, 23, 1883, aged 82 years. Mrs. Eliza Thomas, wife of Josiah Thomas, whose maiden name was Zimmerman. was born in Union county, Pa, Dec. 25, 1809, came to Montgomery towhship in the spring of 1829 and died in Orange township March 25, 1883, aged 73 years and 3 months. Mrs. Mary Donley, born in America, her parents came from Ireland in 1776. She lived to be about 104 years old and died in Ashland on Sunday Oct. 1, 1882 and was buried at Orange.

'Troy 'Township. - Mrs. Nancy Deibter was born and died eb. 5, 1883, aged 68 vears and 8 months. Melon Bruee, born April 2, 1819 died May 8, 1883, aged 61 years, 1 month and 5 days.

Clear Creek 'Township. - Mike Bryte, born in Clear Creek Township, June 25, 1828, and died in California in June 1882, aged 53 years, 7 mo. and 5 days.

Mrs. Barbara Huffman, wife of Daniel Huffman, deceased, was born in Somerset Co., Pa., Feb. 18, 1803, and died Sept. 26, 1882, aged 79 years. She came to Ohio in the year 1835.

Erastus A. Stem, born in Westmoreland Co, Pa., Sept. 30, 1817. Moved with his parents when a small boy to Indiana, and thence, sixteen years after, to Ashland Co. Married Jane Freeborn in 1814 died Nov. 20, 1882, aged 65 years.

Jonathan Cummings, born in the Parish of Moneymusk, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Nov. 27, 1801. Came to Savannah,- Ashland Co.,O., in 1835, died Sept. 5, 1882, aged 81 years.

6. Mattie McGrath, her maiden name was Sprott, born July 15th, 1810, When a small girl came to Ashland County with her parents. Married first in 1836 to John Pollock, who died in 1855. Married again in 1857 to Wm. McGrath ; died January 5th, 1883, aged 72 years.

7. George Coutts, born in Parish of Alford Aberdeenshire, Scotland, March 30th, 1826, came to this County in 1834, died January 28th, 1883, aged 58 years and 11 months.

Miltgn Township. - l. Mrs. Jane Ilunter, McCrelins, was born in Ireland, April 2nd, 1800, came to America at the age of 3 years, removed from Westmoreland County, Pa., to Vermillion Township, in 1836, and died in Milton township January 28th, 1883, aged 83 years.

2. Joseph Charles, born in Laneaster County, Pa., April 16th, 1799, came to Ohio in 1826, and settled on the Black Fork, near where the Hershey Mill stands; died in Milton townshin, Mareh 18th, 1883, aged 83 years and 11 months.

Montgomey Township. - l. Joshua Ford was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, April 4th, 1805. Married Elizabeth Hammond, Dee., 1828, came to Richland County in 1829, and to Montgomery township in 1865, died Friday, June Ist, 1883, aged 78 years, | month and 27 days; was one of the first members of the Ashland County Pioneer Society.

2. Jacob Crall was born in Dauphin County, Pa., in 1811, came to Ashland in 1835, and _ died Saturday evening, January 13th, 1883, aged 71 years and 28 days.

ty, Pa., October 4th, 1801, came to Ashland, (then Uniontown) in the spring of 1815, died October 4th, 1882, aged 71 years, to the very day.

4. Elizabeth Martin, born at Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, Dec. 7th, 1815, came tq Ashland (then Uniontown,) with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sheets, in 1817, died Oct. 30th. 1882, aged 66 years, 10 months and 23 days.

5. Jacob Frees was born in Uniontown, Fayette County, Pa., November 22nd, 1808, came to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1822, to Ashland County in 1864, and died in Ashland March 12, 1883, aged 74 years, 3 months and 20 days.

6. James McCrea, born in Northampton County, Pa., came to Ashland County in May, 1849, died May 6th, 1883, aged 80 years, 9 months and 22 days.

7. Mis. Mary Swineford, whose maiden name was Young, was born in Washington County, Pa., June 27th, 1803, came to Orange Township in 1814, and died in Ashland, April 21st, 1883, aged 79 years, 9 months and 24 days.

8. Andrew Proudfert was born in York County, Pa., May 26th, 1809, came with his parents to Ohio in 1811. They settled first in Fairfield County, and about the year 1817 removed to Montgomery township, then Richland County, now Ashland, where he remained until the time of his death, which was very sudden, and occurred at 10 o'clock a. m, February 12th, 1883, aged 73 years, 8 months and 16 days.

11. Judge John Taylor was born in Bradford County, Pa., April 19th, 1815, and came with his father to Richland, now Ashland County, about the year 1882, and died in Ashland on Sunday morning, October Ist, 1882, aged 67 years, 5 month and 12 days.

12. Thomas Smith was born, in Washington County, Pa., March 22nd, 1811; Married Miss Mary McCready, December 28th, 1831; left Pennsylvania March 22nd, 1832, moved in wagons and were 7 days coming; arrived at his cabin in the South part of Montgomery township, where he lived ever since, except the last three years, he has resided in town. Le died very suddenly on Saturday morning, December 23, 1882, aged 71 years, 8 months and 1 day.

Our Pioneers

A large gathering of people at the Court House attending: the tenth Annual Meeting of the Ashland County Pioneer Association in the Court Honse Grove,