Freedom Township (part 2 of 8)

The first communion set used by the church was the gift of Mr. Baldwin. This was in use for eighteen years, until is;::, when the church received the present of a communion set from the Sunday school of the First Presbyterian church of I'tica, N. Y.

Life Of A Recluse

AMONG the few who settled on the sand ridges which skirt the old Keeler Prairie in Plain township, was Abram D. Edgerton, a young man, about 22 years of age, who came out from Ashtabula county with his father and stepmother in the year 1831. The Edgertons, like the Holiingtons, found shelter with the Mitchells, who had just come in until they built a cabin, which stood on the north side of the Weston ridge road at the place known as Carr's corners. The father of young Edgerton soon sickened and died, and some years after he and his step-mother sold out their possession to Joshua Carr, and the step-mother went to Michigan friends, where she died.

A Great Favorite Abram, who was quite a general favorite among the early settlers, remained here, for he had no other home; in fact no relatives except a brother who had loca \rd at Baton Kouge, Louisiana.

Edgerton was of a very social turn at times and was a mechanical genius; just such a man as was invaluable in a pioneer settlement. He could "tinker" a clock, solder a tin pan, fix a gun, set and splint a bone, lance an arm or carbuncle, tell a good story, sit up with the sick, teach writing school - in fact, do almost anything that was necessary to be done, and "Brom," as he was called, was welcome to dinner or a night's lodging wherever night chanced to overtake him in the settlement. When Bowling Green started up he engaged in the capacity of clerk in the store of L. C. Locke for some time, after which he taught a term or so of school. He was a fair English scholar and an elegant penman. He then engaged in house-painting as a trade, and accumulated considerable property. At one time he made an expensive tour south in search of his brother, who had died in the meantime of yellow fever. After learning this fact he returned and was more unsettled than ever. This left him without father, mother, brother or sister - in fact, without any kinsmen except some New York cousins whom he had never seen.

ever known to express any religious views and he seldom, in later life, attended worship. He was singularly shy and reticent in the presence of women. He was social and pleasant to those females of his early acquaintance, but preferred if possible to avoid the general society of women. Jt could hardly be called an aversion, but it amounted to almost that for it grew upon him and for the last 15 years of his life he lived by himself wholly alone, without the company of man, woman, dog or cat. He did his own cooking, washing and mending; occupying his spare time at odd jobs of clock "tinkering" and other light mechanical work. He seemed perfectly contented and happy and but seldom would accept the hospitality of friends, and then only as he made one of his periodical visiting rounds among the old settlers.

At one time he became infatuated with the gilt-edged stories told of Florida and her orange groves, sold his little property and like the adventurer Ponce De Leon, made a fruitless trip in the "Land of Flowers," only to return moneyless and disgusted with the home of the mosquitoes, alligators and countless swarms of gnats and midges in that semi-tropical country. He then "bached" it in a little shanty near town and some years after took charge of the Findlay club house at Station Island on the Maumee, at the request of the owners, and seemed to pass an easy, hermit-like life in fishing and shooting; making a few dollars for "pin money" by letting out club boats to little pleasure parties through the warm season.

He became impressed with the idea that a large portion of the Station Island was yet in the United States government, and was so strong in the belief that he borrowed money and made a journey to Washington to investigate the title, but he was disappointed and his projected possession came to naught and left him in quite straitened circumstances. To make matters worse a dropsical affection seized upon him from which time he was crippled in his limbs and gradually failed until he was unable to leave the club house. In this extremity the proudspirited old man was a pitiable object.

He dreaded the thought of the poor house or of being an object of charity. He declined to be removed to the home of any of his old friends lest he should make them trouble, for which he could not compensate them. A kind neighbor, Mr. Vollmer, for some weeks went each night and remained with him till morning, lest he should die alone, and each day sent him such necessaries as he thought would be acceptable. He grew worse but still refused to be removed until at last, his old friend, John Whitehead, of Tontogany, went to the club house with a wagon and bed, determined to bring him away.

The old man bowed his head and broke into tears, crying like a child, the first time he had ever been known to give up. After a few moments he quietly gave some brief directions about some of his affairs, and consented to go with his friends, where he was kindly cared for and nursed until his death in 1880. He was bright and cheerful, and remained conscious until the last.

He was a man of many singular peculiarities. He possessed a high order of intelligence, in many respects was devoted and faithful to his friends, and especially devoted to the memory of his deceased mother, who died when he was less than 20 years old. He had in one of his trunks, what was once a beautiful silk dress, the property of his mother, and the dress in which she was married. This he treasured as carefully as if it had been gold or precious gems. It is

Connected with his early life - a love affair, which, if known, would explain much of the singular life of this old man whose last days were saddened with the thought that he was without home, kinsmen or natural protectors.

In the old Plain cemetery in an almost forgotten grave, rests the ashes of a lady, who was once the bright, cherished idol and admiration of him whose sad story we have told. He loved her with a devotion that knew no bounds and could brook no disappointment, and the gossips of that day say that she did not regard him with indifference, but he failed to gain her hand more through what a cavalryman would call a lack of soldiery dash, than through any other cause. Edgerton, like many other young men, lacked the courage to make a gallant, bold dash in cavalier-like style, such as would carry the heart and hand of a black-eyed, black-haired maiden of those pioneer days. This prairie belle was not without suitors, one of whom soon supplanted the bashful, hesitating Edgerton and carried her off.

She lived many years and seemed happy, but not so he who once loved her and still in the depths of his heart loved her and when she died the canker of sorrow preyed upon him, but no murmur escaped his lips. A few words which he dropped a short time before his death to an old acquaintance and friend furnishes a key to his untold secret and explains somewhat the story of his fickle, purposeless, though harmless career. His book is closed forever. He will be remembered kindly among all the old pioneers as a kind neighbor, a faithful friend and an inoffensive citizen. - 0. W. E.

Successful Scheme

A WOLF incident is told in the Wood County Tribune by J. F. Dubbs, illustrative of the schemes the settlers sometimes resorted to, to make an honest dollar in those days when money was so scarce. Across the swamp in Jackson township, lived his uncle, John Dubbs, who raised stock and the wolves gave him much trouble. He finally located their hiding place in the wilderness where Deshler now stands, and built a wolf pen of logs, so that when a wolf jumped down through a hole left in the top, to get the bait, which had been

One day as the great bear hunter, Sam Edwards, and his son, were passing that way on one of their great chases, he came to a halt at the wolf pen where Uncle John had a wolf entrapped which he was trying to take alive.

"Why not kill him and save the bother," said Edwards. "Well, sir," said Uncle John, "I find that my pen is across the Henry county line. Wood county gives a bounty of $10 and Henry county does not, and I am not going to bring Wood county wolves over to Henry county to kill for nothing."

The wolf was taken alive by Uncle John, carried over to Wood county, where it no doubt had been boarding on Uncle John's live stock, and its thieving scalp soon after adorned the wall of Uncle John's cabin.

A Load Of Coons

THAT old-time pioneer, J. F. Dubbs, of Milton Center, had a wide experience in the hardships of Wood county's early days, ami could tell many reminiscences of the hard winters, the sickly season, the loss of crops, the destitution, the lack of roads, markets, schools, or medical aid when sickness or accident came, all of which bore on the new settler with disheartening weight. Some perished from disease; some fled; others staid and fought it out.

In writing to the Wood County Tribune, Mr. Dubbs says when his father died, he and his brother John, both young fellows then, bought together 160 acres of land in Jackson township, on easy terms of payment.

They worked hard and got out 40 or 50 acres of crop, but a wet season swept away all their labor and seed and a payment of $200 and interest at 6 per cent on $1,000 was to be met the following spring. They didn't know what to do. There were no employment bureaus then - no chance to sell one's labor for cash - nobody had any cash in fact.

So the hoys possessed themselves of a couple of hunting dogs, one of which had been trained to locate a coon-tree by scent - that is, the keen-scented animal, in passing through the forests day time or night, would locate the trees where the coon had taken up its winter home. The wet seasons in Liberty prairie, while not favorable to grain crops, were very propitious for the frogs, and that means a good coon, muskrat and mink crop. By spring when their notes were due they had caught over two hundred coon, besides other varmints wearing valuable fur. They started early in the morning and came in late at night. The coon would be frozen so they could not be skinned, by the time they reached the cabin at night. So the boys threw them in the wagon box at the cabin door and covered them, and soon the wagon box was full of unskinned coons.

One day a fur buyer came along and gave them $280 for the lot, and the note and interest was paid, and John and Jim were happy ami had a lot of sport as well as hard work.

JOHNNY APPLESEED has a monument, says the Chicago Times-Herald. Future generations shall know of the unique mission of John Chapman, the Apostle of Apples. Mansfield, Ohio, has rescued his memory from oblivion and embalmed it in a statue. The story of his gentle, beneficent life is the record of one of the quaintest, sweetest characters produced in the pioneer west. Next to his religion, "Johnny Appleseed" held apples to be the choicest blessing vouchsafed to man. He be- Lieved in the salvation of health by apples, lie preached the gospel of apples, and he practiced it. He made the young hinds in Ohio and Indiana bloom with tin' fragrant white Unssoms of countless and happiness to generations born and unborn. Sage and simple, crank and genius, seei- and vagrant, "Johnny Appleseed" was a penniless philanthro-

The cider mills of Pennsylvania were his Mecca, and appleseeds his quest. From every pilgrimage to the east he brought back precious sacks of seeds. With his own hands he cleared forest space for his nurseries, and when the trees were two or three years old, he distributed them broadly, sometimes in exchange for a bit of clothing, but more often as a gift. Gentle and lovable, friend of white and redskin, the apple missionary was as one crying in the wilderness. He went whither he would, welcomed by all, and he dotted the woods and prairies of his kingdom with apple orchards.

"Johnny Appleseed" carried on his work of distributing apple trees and appleseeds through Ohio and the Maumee Valley for twenty years or more, and then he followed the star of empire westward to continue his mission in the newer field of Indiana, where he died in 1845.

"Appleseed Johnny" was a hero, too. During the war of 1812 Mansfield was frightened by rumors of a hostile attack. The nearest soldiers were at Mount Vernon, 30 miles away, where Capt. Douglass had a troop. When a call was made for a volunteer to carry a message to Mount Vernon, "Johnny" stepped forward. The journey had to be made at night over a new road, that was little better than a trail, and through a country swarming with blood-thirsty Indians.

The unarmed Apostle of Apples sped through the woods like a runner, and came back in the morning with a squad of soldiers. It was an incident worthy a poem, but has been almost forgotten.

The death of this strange missionary was in keeping with his life-work. The latter years of his life were spent near Ft. Wayne, where, although 70 years old, he continued to grow and scatter apple trees. He learned that some cattle had broken down the brushwood fence of a nursery he had planted. It was winter, and the nursery was twenty miles away, but the brave old crusader started out on foot to save his beloved trees. He worked for hours in cold and snow, repairing the fence, and started to walk back home. He fainted from fatigue and took refuge in the cabin of a settler. It happened the pioneer had come from Ohio, and knew of "Johnny's" work in that state. He welcomed the weak old man, who asked only a bit of bread and a place on the floor to sleep. The next morning "Johnny" was delirious, and soon afterward he died of pneumonia. He was buried near by and a rude board placed over his grave, but it has long since crumbled into dust, and the site of the burial is unknown.

The following was written by James Newton Matthews, and dedicated to the American Horticultural Society, and read at a meeting in Austin, Texas, by Miss Eegan:

Mayor Andrew Roach

AFTEE a long and painful illness, Mayor Andrew Roach passed from lite at his Perrysburg home on Saturday morning, September 14. L901, diabetes being the cans;' of death.

Mr. Roach was born in Ireland, in 1833, and had lie lived until the 5th of November, would have been 08 years old. His parents moved to Kingston. Canada, in is:?;, where he lived for 10 years. In is IS he moved to this state, and for several years was engaged in railroad building, and in 1859 located in Perrysburg, where he has since resided.

He was twiee married. To the first union three daughters and two sons were born, all of whom preceded him to the world beyond except one son, Edward, aged L3, who resides in Dayton. His second wife died a number of years ago leaving one son, Andrew, Jr., now Sheriff of Wood county, who with Edward Roach of Dayton, are the only children who survive the father, and they, with one sister of the deceased, Mrs. Birk of Dayton, were present at his bedside at the time of dissolution.

During bis life Mr. Roach had been a very active citizen. In politics he was an ardent Democrat and at various times held the offices of Mayor, Councilman, member of school board, library board, and gas trustee. In every position he held he has been a credit to himself and the people he represented.

Xo. 123, Free and Accepted Masons, since February 16, 1863, and for three years was Secretary of the lodge, and during this long term had always been held in high esteem by his brethren.

In his earlier life he was engaged in railroad building, and was in charge of the construction of the Dayton and Michigan railroad from Lima to Toledo and for more than 30 years was roadmaster for the company.

The funeral services were conducted at the late home on Sunday in charge of Phoenix lodge of Masons with Rev. Adams as chaplain and Bro. A. R. Williams as acting Master.

The services were attended by a large number of people from Perrysburg and neighboring towns - the members of the council. Clerk and Marshal attending in a bodv.

One writer, in describing the sieges of Ft. Meigs, makes the statement that after the first siege, which ended May 8, 1813, Gen. Proctor embarked his troops and sailed away to Maiden, but that he returned ten days later, with a force of 5,000 whites and Indians, and that the second siege was abandoned May 28. This is an error. The fort was invested the second time on July 21. On the 26th Tecumseh resorted to the trick of a sham battle expecting to draw out the garrison, but his scheme failed, and on July 27, 1813, the second siege ended.

The River Raisin Massacre

THE ignominious surrender of Detroit by Gen. Hull in August, 1812, caused the whole Michigan Territory, for the time being to pass under the control of the British. Under these conditions to recover and hold possession of the territory which Hull's unfortunate surrender at Detroit had transferred to British domination, and expel the invaders therefrom, and at the same time protect the helpless pioneers from the torch and scalping knife, was the task imposed upon General Harrison, a task which a less fearless and intrepid leader would have looked upon with apprehension and dismay.

Senator Burrows says the execution of this plan involved the penetration of an almost trackless wilderness, invested on every side by hostile savages intent only upon murder and rapine. General Harrison was not oblivious to the difficulties and dangers of the situation. Replying to an inquiry as to when the army would advance, he said: "I am not able to fix any period for the advance of the troops to Detroit. It is pretty evident that it cannot be done upon proper principles until the frost shall have become so severe as to enable us to use the rivers and the margin of the lakes for the transportation of the baggage upon the ice. To go forward through a swampy wilderness for nearly 200 miles in wagons or on pack horses, which are to carry their own provisions, is absolutely impossible. My present plan is to occupy Upper Sandusky and accumulate at that place as much provision and forage as possible, to be taken from thence upon sleds to the River Raisin."

Winchester was assigned to the command of the advance with a force of some twelve hundred men, composed of the Seventeenth United States regulars, and the First, Second and Fifth Kentucky Volunteers, and the First Kentucky Riflemen. It will thus be seen that the troops of Kentucky bore a most conspicuous part in the initial movement of the campaign.

It had been determined by the General in command as a step in his advance upon the enemy, to concentrate his forces on the Maumee, and to that end General Winchester was directed to take position at the Rapids, fortify the place and hold it as a depot for supplies and a base of operations of the army in its advance into the enemy's country.

On the 10th of January, 1813, Winchester, in the execution of his orders, reached the Rapids of the Maumee, established and fortified his camp and awaited the arrival of supplies and the remainder of the command. While thus encamped, disquieting rumors came from the inhabitants of Frenchtown, a little hamlet of less than thirty families, and where the thriving city of Monroe now stands, to the effect that the British forces at Maiden, across the border, only eighteen miles distant, were about to move on the defenseless inhabitants of Frenchtown. Upon the confirmation of these rumors an appeal was made to General Winchester to go to the defense of the panic-stricken people. General Harrison was sixty-five miles away, and therefore could not be consulted, and the troops were impatient for the advance, and General Winchester, responding to the humane impulse of his troops, on the 18th of January, 1813, ordered Colonels Lewis and Allen, with 660 men, hasten to their defense, attack the enemy, beat them and take possession of Frenchtown and hold it." When the

American forces reached Frenchtown they were confronted by 200 Canadian militia with their 400 Indian allies, prepared to resist the consummation of this purpose.

Though confronting an enemy superior in numbers, Winchester's forces crossed the River Raisin on the ice and in a fierce engagement drove the British and their savage allies from the town and took possession of the abandoned camp of the enemy. The conduct of our troops on this occasion elicited from the historian the declaration that the discipline of the troops "amply supported the double character of Americans and Kentuckians." The twelve Americans killed and the fifty-five wounded testify to the severity of this engagement.

Although a temporary victory had been won. yet the position of our troops was exceedingly perilous, being only twenty miles from Maiden, the headquarters of the enemy, from which point reinforcements would be readily and swiftly forwarded. Yet the heroic band, after an informal council of war, deliberately determined to hold the place at all hazards and await reinforcements.

Winchester was immediately advised of conditions, and on the 19th of January, with 300 men, hastened to the support of his decimated forces at Frenchtown, arriving there on the 20th. On the following day, the 21st, news was brought to Winchester that a large force of British and Indians had left Maiden and were on the march towards Frenchtown and had already reached Stony Creek, and would be at the village before daylight the following morning. General Winchester refused to credit these rumors and confidence and repose settled down over the doomed American camp. Before the break of the following day the report of a sentinel's musket sounded the alarm and dispel led the illusion of security, and the roar of shell and rattle of musketry, mingled with the yells of the savages, proclaimed the presence of Proctor's forces, and sounded the

Let History record the slaughter that followed: "No rule of civilized warfare was observed. Blood and scalps were the chief objects for which the Indians fought. They seemed disposed not to take any prisoners. A party of fifteen or twenty, under Lieutenant Garrett, after retreating about a mile, were compelled to surrender, when all but the young commander were killed and scalped. Another party, of forty men, were more than half murdered under similar circumstances. Colonel Allen, who had been wounded in the thigh in the attempt to rally the troops, after abandoning all hope, and escaping about two miles in the direction of the Maumee, was compelled, by sheer exhaustion, to sit down upon a log. He was observed by an Indian chief, who, perceiving his rank, promised him protection if he would surrender without resistance. He did so. At the same moment two other savages approached with murderous intent, when, with a single blow of his sword, Allen laid one of them dead upon the ground. His companion instantly shot the Colonel dead. 'He had the honor," it was said, "of shooting one of the first and greatest citizens of Kentucky/ »

The last act, however, of this horrible tragedy was yet to be performed. In the struggle Winchester had been taken prisoner, and Proctor, by threats of further slaughter and extermination of his entire command, induced Winchester to sign an order directed to Major Madison, the next in command, and who was still heroically defending his position, to sur-

Pender the entire force as prisoners of war. This order borne by one of General Winchester's staff, accompanied by General Proctor himself under a flag of truce, was carried to Major Madison, who refused to obey the order, saying, "It has been customary for the Indians to massacre the wounded and prisoners after a surrender; I shall, therefore, not agree to any capitulation which General Winchester may direct, unless the safety and protection of all the prisoners shall be stipulated." To this refusal Proctor replied, "Sir, do YOU mean to dictate to ME?" Madison answered, "I mean to dictate for myself, and we prefer selling our lives as dearly as possible rather than be massacred in cold blood."

Thereupon Proctor promised protection to all the prisoners, and pledged his honor as a soldier to the performance of the obligation. It is needless to say that the pledge was not redeemed.

Proctor's plighted faith, and without reciting the deeds of individual heroism, which characterized the actors in this final scene, the awful truth stands recorded that on this field, out of a force of 931 Americans, only 33 escaped, while nearly 400 were massacred and the balance taken prisoners.

Thus ended a conflict which will go down the ages as one of the bloodiest tragedies in the annals of war. The resull here, although our forces were defeated, opened the way later for the advance of our army, the recovery of Detroit, the invasion of Canada and the defeat of the British forces on the Thames, with the death of Teeumseh.

Ann Austin, of Cygnet, aged 102 years, died some years ago. She was one of the band of Wyandot Indians who came to Wood county nearly 70 years ago. She was the queen of the little Indian settlement.

The Battle In Canada

IN an address by Col. Bennett II. Young, delivered at Monroe, some years since, he thus describes the closing scenes of the battle of the Thames that ended Gen. Harrison's remarkable campaign :

Shelby and his Kentucky army reported to Gen. Harrison at Perrysburg on the 14th of September, 1813, and remained at Put-in-Bay until the 27th, when leaving their homes at Portage river, they embarked on Commodore Perry's fleet, landed at Maiden on English soil and began the pursuit of Proctor and Teeumseh, who after Perry's glorious victory began a retreat eastward toward Hamilton.

With the 3,000 Kentuckians Gen. Harrison and Gov. Shelby began on October 1st the hunt of Proctor and Teeumseh in earnest. The dismounted militia vied with Johnson's regiment in making the pursuit vigorous. Many portions of the march were passed at half run, and one day they covered twenty-five miles. Thamesville was a small settlement east of Detroit on the English highway from Hamilton to Detroit, 63 miles east of the latter place and 12 miles from Lake Erie. Here on the afternoon of October, 1813, the English and Indians were brought to bay.

regiment. They had been at Eaisin. These he placed on the main road; Tecumseh had 1,800 Indians; these were assigned to a place in a swamp at right angles to the main road. Johnson'** Kentucky mounted riflemen, 1,200 in number, held the front line of the American advance, while the five brigades of dismounted men were a few hundred feet behind. Proctor was with the British forces 1,500 feet away from the front of his line.

The hour for action had come. Behind, weary marchings of four hundred miles, full of self-denial and unchanging privations, before them, enemies arousing an immeasurable hate. Every heart was full of memories of savage brutality and cruelty to relatives, friends and fellow citizens for a quarter of a century. The horrible massacre of the Raisin, its indescribable barbarity and its fiendish inhumanity was painted on every soul, and the spirit of its slain victims seemed to ride side by side in martial procession with these living horsemen, fate's avengers, chosen to inflict punishment on its ferocious perpetrators.

The atrocities of Fort Meigs were not forgotten, and the cry of the Kentuckians, tortured and murdered by the savage red men within the sight of British officers, and coolly tomahawked or shot while helpless and defenseless in their very presence, seemed to beseech heaven for a just and complete revenge upon those guilty of such unspeakable horrors.

Among Kentuckians now aligning for conflict were men who had looked upon all that was awful at Raisin and terrible at Fort Meigs. Some had shared in the humiliation of Detroit's surrender, and had witnessed their country's flag and honor sullied by Gen Hull's cowardice and imbecility, while others had endured the trials, insults and torture of British prisons. All were anima+ed by the highest courage and truest patriotism. The generous impulses of brave and chivalrous souls impelled every man to the noblest discharge of duty, and every ear was listening with absorbing interest for the sound which should call them to battle with their detested foes.

In the fierce charge there was but one cry oft repeated, but rising each time in sharper and quicker tones; "Remember the Raisin - Remember the Raisin."

These avenging warriors, catching the enthusiasm and delirium of combat, rose high in their stirrups, and plunged their spurs into the flanks of their chargers as they approached -their enemy, still more furiously, waved their guns aloft and with their voices made stronger and stronger by the excitement of their impetuosity, cried the more vehemently, "Remember the Raisin." "Remember the Raisin."

A quarter of a mile away at the rear, in the edge of the forest, along the trail, was the commander of the British regulars. General Henry A. Proctor, who was responsible for the revolting butchery and brutality at Raisin and Meigs, came to Canada as the Colonel of a British regiment, and his atrocities have never been reproved by his government. For his conduct at Raisin he had been promoted to a brigadier-general.

His ear was quick to detect danger. He knew his fate if the Kentuckians (many of whom had sworn that he should not be taken alive) should capture him.

He distinctly heard the tramp of Johnson's mounted men, and his ear caught that portentous and to him fatefid cry, "Remember the Raisin." Dismayed, he watched and waited for the result. He saw one line brushed out of the path of the horsemen or rush in confusion upon the second line. He be- held this last line disappear and the black hunting shirts and grey hunting breeches of the Kentuckians as they dismounted and turned upon his stricken and helpless grenadiers, and then with his cowardly conscience impelling him, he turned his horse's head eastward and accompanied by a small guard of horsemen precipitately fled toward Burlington. Hard pressed by Major DeVall Payne, he abandoned his baggage and followers and fled through the forest to escape capture. His ignominious conduct brought upon him the contempt of his associates. He was tried by court martial, disgraced, and deprived of pay for six months, and was publicly reprimanded by his superiors by order of his government.

This was formed in two columns, on horseback, while one company was dismounted and on foot placed in front of the right column, which was led by Col. Johnson. The front of each column was something like 500 feet. At the head of the column led by Johnson was a company on foot. While in front of those mounted was what was known as the "Forlorn Hope," in the courage and gallantry of which on that day was written one of the most heroic and sublimely brave acts which had ever been recorded of Kentucky men.

These twenty men with Col. K. M. Johnson, and the pioneer William Whitley, at once advanced to the front. The main line halted for a brief space, until this advance could assume position, and when once they were placed, at the command, "Forward, march," they quietly and calmly rode to death.

In the thickets of the swamp, in which lay Tecumseh, and his red soldiers, they peered in vain for a foe. Not a man stirred, but the ominous silence betokened only the more dreadful fire when the moment of contact should come.

Along the narrow space they advanced. Stunted bushes and matted and deadened grass impeded their horses' feet, but these heroes urged their steeds forward with rapid walk, seeking the hidden foe in the morass that skirted the ground upon which they had aligned.

A loud, clear, savage voice rang out the word "Fire." The sharp crackling of half a hundred rifles was the response, and then the deafening sound of a thousand shots filled the air. The smoke concealed those who fired the guns but the murderous effect was none the less terrible. Of the twenty, one alone escaped unhurt or failed to be unhorsed. A mass of fallen, struggling horses, a company of wounded, dying men lay side by side. The bleeding beasts whinneyed to dead masters, and wounded masters laid their hands on the quivering bodies of their faithful steeds. Of the twenty, fifteen were dead, or to die. Their leader with a dozen wounds, still sat erect, his judge advocate, Theobald, close to his side. The remainder was lost in the battle's confusion.

The "Forlorn Hope" had met its fate. Its mission was to receive the fire of the savages, when their fellows and comrades might safely charge upon the red men with guns unloaded. Its purpose had been fulfilled.

The five hundred and fifty men of Johnson's battalion were reinforced by quite a number of volunteer infantrymen from Trotter's, Donaldson's and Simrall's regiment, who hearing the fir-

The Pioxeer

For a quarter of an hour the result of the battle seemed in doubt. Eighteen hundred Indians in the swamp and on their chosen battlefield, behind trees and fallen logs, did not hesitate to throw down the gage of battle to the six thousand Kentuckians who now advanced to the assault.

As the lines were pushed along through the morass, Col. Johnson saw behind a fallen tree, an Indian chief, who with vigorous words of command and loud cheers and most earnest encouragement was urging the red men .to stand firm against the assaults of the white men.

At the head of the column opposing these men, Johnson still sitting upon his white mare, rode around the tree and advanced upon the red man. At the first fire he had lost by a wound the use of his left hand, in which he would carry his bridle. The Indian placing his gun to his shoulder immediately fired and added another to the many wounds already received by the gallant Kentucki'an and then having exhausted his trusty rifle, with uplifted tomahawk, he advanced upon the white man, who, although wounded, was now riding upon him fearlessly and rapidly. The savage jerking his tomahawk from his side, and waiting for no assistance except his own strong arm backed by his courageous soul, rushed upon Col. Johnson to strike him from his horse, but when he had advanced within four feet, Johnson letting his horse loose, seized his pistol from his helpless left hand and fired its contents into the breast of the Indian. Being loaded with one bullet and three buckshot, at such close range, and piercing the heart of the Indian, he instantly fell dead. Some said it was Tecumseh.

The red men with amazement looked upon tlie sudden and unexpected death of their valiant chief. They heard no more his shouts of encouragement, saw no more the gallant wave of his hand, and with utter alarm and despair, and with a great cry of disappointment they rushed from the battlefield.

Tecumseh was dead. The Indian power was crushed. Proctor was in cowardly flight and disgrace as a man and soldier. The red men had by a lesson never to be forgotten, felt the power of the white man's strong arm, and learned that no British agency could save him when the white man undertook his punishment. The red men were humbled and their hopes destroyed. The great northwest was free. Michigan was the white man's possession by right of conquest, and by the power of the sword had been made forever a part of the American Republic.

The British soldiers who had command at the shameful massacre of these knightly Kentuckians, were now prisoners and were to march as captives over this battlefield, where their barbaric cruelty and brutality had done so much to blacken the name and honor of their nation, and in the end to be prisoners of war in the penitentiary of the state whose soldiers they had ruthlessly allowed to be murdered, while their savage allies whom they had incited to kill, burn and scalp, while men, while women and even children, whose only offense was to lie an American, were hiding in the pathless woods of Canada and Michigan to avoid the white man's wrath.

AMES PIERCE, of Perrysburg, excommissioner of Wood county, to whom more than any other individual are the farmers of Wood county indebted for the present magnificent system of ditching, died very suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on Sunday afternoon, May 6, 1894.

Whether through premonition, or otherwise, is not known, but previous to Sunday Mr. Pierce had requested that all members of his family be invited to dinner on that day, which was accordingly done.

In the forenoon he repaired to a room on the upper floor, which he was wont to occupy during the daytime, either to read or sleep. At dinner time his grandson went to summon him, but finding him asleep, he returned and the meal was eaten in his absence. An hour and a half later his daughter Mattie went to the room, and seeing her father lying in a reclining position she approached him, only to be horrified by the discovery that he was dead.

Drs. Hamilton and Rheinfrank were immediately summoned but found that life was extinct ; he had probably been dead about an hour, death coming as a sweet sleep without pain or struggle.

Mr. Pierce was a native of New York State, where he was born December 19, 1831. When three years of age his parents moved to Blissfield, Mich. In 1846, he moved to Shelby county, where he commenced life in a practical way, and from the age of 12 to 26 years he was employed on the Wabash canal, the latter part of which time he was captain of a packet boat,. the "Sidney Belle."

On March 6, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Guy of Sidney, Ohio, who with a family of six daughters survive him. In 1857 he came to Perrysburg township, and located on the pike where he engaged in the lumber business, and continued in it until 1872, when he was appointed Commissioner to fill the unexpired term (3 months) oceasioned by the death of Commissioner Eber Wilson. At the expiration of this term he was elected Commissioner for two years, and was afterward re-elected for two 3-year terms, and has been regarded as one of the very best Commissioners who ever filled that important office in Wood county.

After that he served as Mayor of Perrysburg, and member of Board of Education of that village, and was again elected to the Union school board at the spring election and at the time of his death was also a member of the Board of Township Trustees.

His family consisted of a kind and loving wife, six daughters, Mrs. Emma J. Norton, Mrs. Carrie A. Thompson, Mrs. Jennie E. Priest, and Misses Prances A., Martha A., and Cora M. Pierce, all of whom were present at the time of his death.

Mr. Pierce was a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 123, F. & A. M. of Perrysburg, and his funeral services were conducted by the members of that order, under the direction of Master John H. Thornton, the sermon being delivered by Rev. G. A. Adams, the chaplain of the lodge. A large number of the members of Phoenix lodge were in attendance and visiting members from neighboring towns were also present.

geous and a whole-souled man wherever you found him. He was one of the best known men of Wood county and filled a niche in public affairs which few men have had the honor to fill. For a number of years he had retired from active work, and was living contentedly, surrounded by most of his children.

The funeral was one of the largest ever held in the village. The floral offerings being numerous and of beautiful designs - the last tribute to a beloved and departed citizen, neighbor and friend. Every business house in the village was closed during the funeral. - Perrysburg Journal.

Judge H. H. Dodge

AFTER a lingering illness of several months the life of Hon. H. H. Dodge came to a peaceful close on Monday, May 16, 1904, about 3 o'clock p. m. Of late, says the Perrysburg Journal, Mr. Dodge had seemed to be in better spirits and health than for some months and a few days prior to his death visited relatives in Bowling Green in company with his wife, when he had a most enjoyable time. On Friday, May 13, he was stricken with paralysis from which he did not recover, but sank rapidly until death came as a happy release.

Henry H. Dodge was born February 4, 1830, at Pompey Hill, Onondaga county, New York. He received his early education in his native town and at the age of 16 was sent to the St. John's College, conducted by the Jesuit Fathers, New York City, from whieh he was graduated in 1849. After a couple of years spent on the farm with his father he began the study of law with Victor Birdseye of Pompey Hill.

He came to Perrysburg in 1852 and finished his law studies with the firm of Spink & Murray, being admitted to the bar in 1855. Upon the death of Mr. Spink, Mr. Dodge became a partner of James Murray, which partnership continued until Mr. Murray's election as Attorney General of Ohio, in 1859. In 1860 he associated himself with the late James R. Tyler until 1869, then with Edson Goit, now deceased, and Jasher Pillars of Bowling Green.

Upon retiring from the bench he formed a partnership with John W. Canary of Bowling Green, which lasted until his removal to Perrysburg in December, 1897. Here he thought he might retrieve his health surrounded by the familiar scenes, in his old homestead, on the banks of the beautiful Maumee.

In 1857 he was united in marriage with Sarah Hodge Wilkinson, and to them were born two children, Mary E. the older, wife of Ernest G. Miller of Creede, Colorado, died in December, 1893, leaving two children Hobart and Mary to the care of her parents. Frederick G., the younger, general agent for the Bloch Bros. Tobacco company of Wheeling, West Virginia.

Judge Dodge was a devoted husband and father and was never happier than when surrounded by his family. He was a member of the Catholic church, strong in his religious beliefs, a consciencious character.

crat of . the Jackson school, and his counsel and assistance was always eagerly sought by and freely given to his colaborers in the cause of the party whose principles he espoused. He was always courteous and manly in his demeanor, warmly cherished friendship, and detested treachery with all the force of his strong mind.

"He enjoyed the highest esteem of all who were favored by his acquaintance, and he will be greatly missed by the bar and in the everyday walks of life. It can truthfully be said that mankind has been ennobled and the world made better by the life of Henry H. Dodge, who has gone to his rest with the universal respect of the people among whom he labored, and who were witnesses of the honor and uprightness of his daily life."

The Keverend Father Griss of Fostoria, celebrated requiem high mass assisted by the Reverend Father Schriener of Bowling Green, as- deacon, and the Reverend Father Mertes of Maumee as sub-deacon, who spoke feelingly on the life of the deceased.

On account of the prominence of the deceased the funeral was one of the largest ever held in Perrysburg, being attended by a large concourse of friends and admirers from his home county and neighboring counties. The members of the Wood County bar, some accompanied by their wives, attended the services in a body. Those present from Bowling Green were W. S. Haskell, Jas. 0. Troup, F. A. Baldwin, A. R. Campbell, E. G. McClelland, Thos. F. Conley, B. F. James, G. C. JSTearing, L. C. Cole, E. M. Fries, Robert Dunn, J. E. Shatzel, R. S. Parker, J. W. Canary. Those present from Tiffin were Judge Geo. E.

The pall-bearers all ex-judges who associated with Judge Dodge at various times were Judge Geo. E. Seney and Judge John McCauley of Tiffin; Judge Geo. F. Pendleton of Findlay; Judge Frank Taylor, North Baltimore; Judge R. S. Parker, Bowling Green, and Col. Bope.

Tecumseh'S Contempt

It was at Ft. Miami that a quarrel occurred between Gen. Proctor and the Indian Chief Tecumseh. In the presence of Gen. Proctor and other British officers, the Indians robbed and tomahawked the American prisoners. It is said that the number killed without Proctor's interference at the close of the battle, fully equalled those slain on the field of battle. When the prisoners were inside the fort the Indians commenced loading their guns for a general slaughter. At this juncture Tecumseh rode up and inquired for Proctor.

Just above Waterville, at the lower end of Station Island, is a solid block of granite in a private burial ground. It is the resting place of the remains of "Robert Dunlap, Soldier of the Revolutionary War," born July 28, 1752, died July 25, 1836.

Major George Croghan

OX August 2, 1906, Fremont, in a splendid manner, commemorated the defense of Fort Stephenson so galgantly and successfully accomplished by the valiant Major George Croghan. The event was attended by thousands, and among them some of the most prominent men in public life. On that occasion the Croghan Bank directors issued the following sketch of the life of the hero of Ft. Stephenson:

August Second, 1813

George Croghan was born of distinguished ancestry, near Louisville, Kentucky, November 15th, 1791. He was a boy of manly appearance and intelligence, and at a very early age developed a strong desire for military life.

He graduated at the college of William and Mary, Virginia, July 4th, 1810, and entered upon the study of law. In 1811, however, he enlisted as a private with the Kentucky volunteers under

Gen. Harrison; but before the decisive battle of Tippecanoe he was made an aide-de camp to Gen. Boyd, the second in command. Croghan displayed such remarkable courage in battle that, on the recommendation of Gen. Harrison, he was appointed a captain in the 17th U. S. Infantry.

In August, 1812, his command was ordered to accompany the troops under Gen. Winchester, which started from Kentucky to the relief of Gen. Hull at Detroit. Owing to Hull's disgraceful surrender, the plan of campaign was changed, and Winchester's command marched through the wilderness to assist Harrison in the relief of Fort Wayne, and then down the Maumee to Fort Defiance, in September, 1812. In December, Winchester started on the disastrous expedition which ended in the massacre at the River Raisin, January 23, 1813, leaving Croghan, in spite of his extreme youth, in command of the important post of Defiance.

Captain Croghan, with his command, joined Gen. Harrison at the newly constructed Fort Meigs, on the Maumee, and participated most gallantly in defending that fort against the combined assaults of Gen. Proctor and Tecumseh. During the siege, Croghan distinguished himself greatly by a sortie made against a British battery, in an effort to afford Col. Dudley's unfortunate Kentucky volunteers an entrance into the fort. As a result of Harrison's report of this battle, Croghan was promoted to the position of major in the 17th U. S. Infantry.

Early in July, 1813, Major Croghan, with his battalion, was sent to take command of Fort Stephenson, erected in 1812, at Lower Sandusky (Fremont), which guarded the approach to Fort Seneca, where Harrison had his headquarters and stores. After an inspection of the fort by Gen. Harrison, Croghan proposed to shift its location to higher ground on the east side of the Sandusky river. Harrison refused consent to this, for the reason that the British were momentarily expected; he thereupon ordered Croghan to retreat to Huron or Fort Seneca, should the British appear in sufficient force to indicate the presence of heavy artillery.

Just previous to the battle of Fort Stephenson Croghan wrote to a friend as follows: "The enemy are not far distant. I expect an attack. I will defend this post till the last extremity. I have just sent away the women, the children and the sick of the garrison, that I may be able to act without encumbrance. Be satisfied. I shall, I hope, do my duty. The example set me by my Eevolutionary kindred is before me. Let me die rather than prove unworthy of their name."

On July 30 Gen. Harrison, after a council of war, ordered Croghan to destroy the fort and repair to headquarters. To this order Croghan replied, confidently expecting his letter would be intercepted by the British: "We have decided to maintain this place, and by Heaven we can." Gen. Harrison immediately sent Col. Wells to relieve Croghan of his command and order him to report at headquarters. There Croghan satisfactorily explained his insubordinate letter and was promptly restored to his command.

Wellington's peninsular campaign, arrived on gunboats of Commodore Barclay's fleet; while Tecumseh.'s Indians, 2,000 strong, swarmed through the woods from the vicinity of Fort Meigs. Gen. Proctor at once sent a messenger to the fort demanding immediate surrender, thereby avoiding, as he thought, the massacre that must surely follow. To this was returned the defiant answer: ''When this fort is taken there will be none to massacre."

Croghan had but one piece of artillery, which was shifted from place to place to induce the belief that he had several. During the night of the 1st the British landed three six-pounders, and on the morning of the 2d opened fire from a point about 250 yards distant, directing their fire against the northwest angle of the fort. A redout and tablet on State street, opposite Park avenue, in Fremont, now marks this memorable spot. Late in the afternoon under cover of the smoke, the British assaulted with about 300 men of the 51st Regiment, while the Grenadier battalion made a feint against another portion of the fort. The assault was most gallantly made umlcr command of Lieut. Col. Short, who, as they leaped into the ditch, commanded to "give the Yankees no quarter." Croghan, with only 160 men, reserved fire until the red coats had entered the ditch, when he tired with such fatal precision that the British faltered. He then turned his battery of a single gun upon them, and the ravine through which they were approaching was shortly filled with the dead and dying enemy. The British loss in killed and wounded was about 150, while that of Croghan was one killed and seven wounded.

Thus, on the second day of August, 1813, at the age of 21 years, the heroic Croghan against a vastly superior force, won the victory that proved the turning point in the wrar of 1812. For this exploit he was breveted lieutenant-colonel by the President of the United States; Congress awarded him a gold medal; and the ladies of Chillicothe, then the capital of Ohio, presented . him with a beautiful sword.

Fort Stephenson Park comprises the original fort as reconstructed by Croghan, and contains within its stone walls its one cannon, "Old Betsy;" it also contains the monument in honor of Croghan, his men and those of the war of the Rebellion. At the base of this monument was placed, August 2, 1906, the remains of Colonel Croghan, brought from the family burying ground in Kentucky through the instrumentality of Col. Webb C. Hayes.

Fort Stephenson is unique in being the only fort in this country preserved in its original dimension, with its original armament and with the body of its defender.

After the battle of Fallen Timber, Gen. Wayne returned to what is now the city of Ft. Wayne, and on October 22, 179-1, established a garrison. After firing a volley from the cannons, it was named Ft. Wayne, in honor of the gallant commander.

In the vicinity of Mackinaw Island three forts have been erected at various periods in sight of one another. One is preserved for the education and pleasure of future generations, while the ruins of the other two can be traced in the crumbling walls at St. Ignaee and Mackinaw City.

An Old Cemetery

IN conversation with Mr. John E. Gunckel, some days after he had attended the flag-raising ceremonies at Ft. Meigs, he said he stopped at Maumee and while in conversation with several citizens, a lad hailed him with, "Say, Mr. Gunckel, you ought to go on the other side, just above Ft. Meigs, down on the fiat. The boys are gathering hundreds of bullets, washed out by the flood; and, say, one boy found a copper cent dated 1813." The locality was visited by Mr. Gunckel, who found it to be just as the boy had said. It appears that down near the water edge, the soil had been washed off probably 18 inches or more, leaving a gravely bed. The bullets were strewn in a very small area.

skirmish occurring in that locality between 400 Kentuckians under Gen. Clay, who cut their way through British and Indians to reach the fort. It will be remembered by those who are familiar with Ft. Meigs history that the Kentuckians were divided - one portion led by the heroic Dudley to his doom, and the other fighting their way to Ft. Meigs. These bullets were undoubtedly mute reminders of that desperate struggle.

In this connection may be said a word in regard to the unearthing of human skeletons at Orchard Grove, just opposite Perrysburg, and just below the site of Ft. Miami, brought to view by the action of the flood. The indications are that at one time there was a burying ground at that place. It may have been used by the garrison occupying the fort. The daily press of Toledo at that time in giving an account of the discovery, stated that no one of all those who had lived in that locality all their lives can re-

In the latter part of the Sixties or earh- in the Seventies, the Perrysburg Journal recorded the fact that many human bones had been unearthed at that point, and the theory was then advanced that they were the bones of Indians, and that a burying ground had existed there probably many years before there was a settlement of whites in this region. No attempt was ever made at excavation, and iji course of time the matter was forgotten.

Opposite Waterville, in Wood county, there is evidently another burying ground which may ante-date the time of the Indians by many years. Its history may reach back to the mound builders, evidences of whose works are scattered throughout Ohio. To these builders may also be attributed the mound that was some years since unearthed on the banks o'- Ottawa Creek on the Michigan boundary line, and from which seven human skeletons were taken. These skeletons were of a giant type, above the ordinary

A Memorable Address

ELSEWHERE in this volume has been given a succinct account by Mr. Evers of the celebration at Ft. Meigs in 1840. But one of the notable features of that day was the address of Gen. Harrison, which can not fail to produce something more than a passing interest in every lover of the historical incidents of the Maumee Valley. The address was stenographically reported by a representative of the New York Tribune, and was given in full as follows: occasion, before you in accordance with my own individual views or wishes. It has ever appeared to me, that the office of President of the United States should not be sought after by any individual; but that the people should spontaneously, and with their own free will, accord the distinguished honor to the man whom they believed would best perform its important duties. Entertaining these views, I should, fellow citizens, have remained at home, but for the pressing and friendly invitation which I have received from the citizens of Perrysburg, and the earnestness with which its acceptation was urged upon me by friends in whom I trusted, and whom I am now proud to see around me. If, however, fellow citizens, I had not complied with that invitation - if I had remained at home - believe me, my friends, that my spirit would have been with you; for where, in this beautiful land, is there a place calculated, as this is, to recall long past reminiscences, and revive long slumbering, but not wholly extinguished, emotions in my bosom?

In casting my eyes around, fellow citizens, they rest upon the spot where the gallant Wayne triumphed so gloriously over his enemies, and carried out these principles which it seemed his pleasure to impress upon the mind, and in which it has ever been my happiness humbly to attempt to imitate him. It was here, fellow cnizens, i saw the banner of the United States float in triumph over the flag of the enemy. There it was where was first laid the foundation of the prosperity of the now widespread and beautiful West. It was there I beheld the indignant eagle frown upon the British lion, it was there I saw the youth of our land carry out the lesson they imbibed from the gallant Wayne - the noblest and the best an American can acquire - to die for his country when called to do so in its defense.

(At this moment the speaker's eye'fell upon Gen. Hedges, when he said: "'Gen. Hedges, will you come here? You have stood by my side in the hour of battle and I cannot bear to see you at so great a distance now." Immense cheering followed this considerate recognition, and the cries of "raise him up," "place him by the side of the old general," had scarcely been uttered when Gen. Hedges was carried forward to the stand.)

The general continued: It was there I saw interred my beloved companions, the companions of my youth. It was not in accordance with the stern etiquette of military life then, to mourn their departure; but I may now drop a tear over their graves at the recollection of their virtues and worth.

my commission to serve under Gen. Wayne. In 179-1 I was his aide at the battle of Miami. Nineteen years afterward I had the honor of again being associated with many of those who were my companions in arms then. Nineteen years afterwards 1 found myself commander-in-chief of the northwestern army; but I found no diminution in the bravery of the American soldier. I found the same spirit of valor in all - not in the regular soldier only, but in the enrolled militia and volunteers also.

What glorious reminiscences does the view of these scenes around me recall to my mind ! When 1 consented to visit this memorable spot, I expected that a thousand pleasant associations (would to God there were no painful associations mingled with them) would be recalled - that I should meet thousands of my fellow citizens here - and among them many of my old companions - met here to rear a new altar to liberty in the place of the one which bad men have prostrated.

And, fellow citizens (continued the general), I will not attempt to conceal from you that in coming here I expected that I should receive from you those evidences of regard which a generous people are ever willing to bestow upon those whom they believe to be honest in their endeavors to serve their country. 1 receive these evidences of regard and esteem as the only reward at all adequate to compensate for the anxieties and anguish which, in the past, I experienced upon this spot. Is there any man of sensibility, or possessing a feeling of self-respect, who asks what those feelings were? Do you suppose that the commander-in-chief finds his reward in the glitter and splendor of the camp? or in the forced obedience of the masses around him?

to place himself in my situation, and then say whether the extreme pain and anguish which I endured, and which every person similarly situated must have endured, can meet with any adequate compensation, except by such expressions of the confidence and gratitude of the people, as that with which, you fellow citizens, have this day honored me? These feelings are common to all commanders of sense and sensibility. The commanders of Europe possess them, although placed at the head of armies reared to war. How much more naturally would those feelings attach to a commander situated as I was? For of what materials was the army composed which was placed under my command? The soldiers who fought and bled and triumphed here were lawyers who had thrown up their briefs - physicians, who had laid aside their instruments - mechanics, who had put by their tools - and, in far the largest proportion, agriculturists, who had left their ploughs in the furrow, although their families depended for their bread upon their exertions, and who hastened to the battle field to give their life to their country if it were necessaiw, to maintain her rights. I could point from where I now stand, to places where I felt this anxiety pressing heavily upon me, as I thought of the fearful consequences of a mistake on my part, or the want of judgment on the part of others. I knew there were wives who had given their husbands to the field - mothers who had clothed their sons for battle; and I knew that these expecting wives and mothers were looking for the safe return of their husbands and sons. When to this was added the recollection that the peace of the entire west would be broken and the glory of my country tarnished if I failed, you may possibly conceive the anguish which my situation was calculated tn produce. Feeling my responsibility, I personally supervised and directed the arrangement of the army under my command. I trusted to no colonel or other officer. No person had any hand in the disposition of the army. Every step of warfare, whether for good or ill, was taken under my own direction and of none other, as many who now hear me know. Whether every movent!, nt would or would no1 pas> the cr: icism of Bonaparte or Wellington, I know not ; but, whether they would induce applause or censure, upon myself it must fall.

But, fellow citizens, still another motive induced me to accept the invitation which had been so kindly extended to me. I knew that here I should meet many who had fought and bled under my command - that I should have the pleasure of taking them by the hand and recurring with them to the scenes of the past. I expected, too, to meet with a few of the great and good men yet surviving, by whose efforts our freedom was achieved. This pleasure alone would have been sufficient to induce my visit to this interesting spot upon this equally interesting occasion. I see my old companions here, and I see not a few of the Revolutionary veterans around me. Would to God that it had even been in my power to have made them comfortable and happy - that their sun might go down in peace ! But, fellow citizens, they remain unprovided for - monuments of the ingratitude of my country. It was with the greatest difficulty that the existing pension act was passed through congress. But why was it restricted? Why were the brave soldiers who fought under Wayne excluded? - soldiers who suffered far more than they who fought in the Revolution proper. The Revolution, in fact, did not terminate until 1794 - until the battle was fought upon the battle ground upon which my eye now rests (Miami). War continued with them from lb' commencement of the Revolu- tion until the victory of Wayne, to which I have just alluded. The great highway to the west was the scene of unceasing slaughter. Then why this unjust discrimination ? Why are the soldiers who terminated the war of the Revolution, in fact, excluded, while those by whom it was begun or a portion of them, are rewarded? I will tell you why. The poor remnant of Wayne's army had but few advocates, while those who had served in the Revolution proper had many friends. Scattered as they were over all parts of the Union, and in large numbers they could exert an influence at the ballotbox. They could whisper thus in the ears of those who sought their influence at the polls: "Take care, for I have waited long enough for what has been promised. The former plea of poverty can no longer be made. The treasury is now full. Take care; your seat is in danger." "Oh ! yes, everything that has been promised shall be attended to if you will give me your voice." In this way, fellow citizens, tardy, but partial, justice was done to the soldiers of the Revolution. They made friends by their influence at the ballot-box. But it was different with Gen. Wayne's soldiers. They were few in number, and they had but one or two humble advocates to speak for them in congress. The result has been, justice has been withheld.

I have said that the soldiers under Wayne experienced greater hardships even than the soldiers of the Revolution. This is so. Everyone can appreciate the difference between an Indian and a regular war. When wounded in battle, the soldier must have warmth and shelter before he can recover. This could always be secured to the soldiers of the Revolution. In those days, the latch string of no door was pulled in. When wounded, he was sure to find shelter and very many of those comforts which are so essential to the sick, but which the soldiers in an Indian war cannot procure. Instead of shelter and warmth he is exposed to the thousand ills incident to Indian warfare. Yet no relief was extended to those who had thus suffered.

After the war closed under Wayne, I retired; and when 1 saw a man poorer than all others, wandering about the land, decrepid and decayed by intemperance it was unnecessary to inquire whether he had ever belonged to WTayne's army. His condition was a guarantee of that - was a sufficient assurance that he had wasted his energies among the unwholesome swamps of the West, in the defense of the rights of his fellow citizens, and for the maintenance of the honor and glory of his country.

Well, fellow citizens, I can only say, that if it should ever be in my power to pay the debt which is due these brave but neglected men, that debt shall first of all be paid. And I am very well satisfied that the government can afford it provided the latch string of the treasury shall ever be more carefully pulled in. Perhaps you will ask me for some proof of my friendship for old soldiers. If so, I can give it you from the records of congress. When the fifteen hundred dollar law was repealed, I opposed it, as I opposed changing the pay of members of congress from six to eight dollars, until we had done justice to and provided for these soldiers. You will find my votes upon this question, among the records of congress, and my speech upon it, in the published debates of the time.

I will now, fellow citizens, give you my reasons for having refused to give pledges and opinions more freely than I have done since my nomination to the presidency. Many of the statements published upon this subject, are by no means correct; but it is true that it is my opinion that no pledge should be made by an individual when in nomination for any office in the gift of the people. And why ? Once adopt it, and the battle will no longer be to the strong - to the virtuous - or the sincere lover of the country; but to him who is prepared to tell the greatest number of lies, and to proffer the largest number of pledges which he never intends to carry out. I suppose that the best guarantee which an American citizen could have of the correctness of the conduct of an individual in the future, would be his conduct in the past, when he had no temptation before him, to practice deceit.

Now, fellow citizens, I have not altogether grown gray under the helmet of my country, although 1 have worn it for some time. A large portion of my life has been passed in the civil departments of government. Examine my conduct there, and the most tenacious democrat - I use the word in its proper sense; 1 mean not to confine it to parties, for there are good in both - may doubtless discover faults, but he will find no single act calculated to derogate from the rights of the people.

However, to prove the reverse of this, I have been called a federalist! (Here was a cry of "The charge is a lie - a base lie. You are no federalist.") Well, what is a federalist? 1 recollect what the term formerly signified, and there are many others present who recollect its former signification also. They know that the federal party was accused of a design to strengthen the hands of the general government at the expense of the separate states. That accusation would nor cannot apply to me. I was brought up after the strictest manner of Virginia anti-federalism. St. Paul himself was not a greater devotee to the doctrines of the Pharisees than was I, by inclination and a father's precepts and example, to anti-federalism. 1 was taught to believe that, sooner or later, that fatal catastrophe to human liberty would take place - that the general government would swallow up all the state governments, and that one department of the government would swallow up all the other departments. 1 do not, know whether my friend, Mr. Van Buren (and he is, and 1 hope ever will be, my personal friend), has a throat that can swallow everything; but I do know that, if his measures are carried out, he will lay a foundation for others to do so if he does not.

What reflecting man, fellow citizens, cannot see this? The representatives of the people were once the source of power. Is it so now? Nay. It is to the executive mansion now that every eye is turned - that every wish is directed. The men of office and party, who are governed by the principles of John Kandolph, to wit: the five loaves and two fishes, seem to have their ears constantly directed to the great bell at headquarters to indicate how the little ones shall ring.

But to return, I have but to remark that my anti-federalism has been tempered by my long service in the employ of the country - and my frequent oaths to support the general government; but I am as ready to resist the encroachments on state rights as I am to support the legitimate authority of the executive, or general government.

Now, fellow citizens, I have very little more to say, except to exhort you to go on peacefully if you can - and you can - to effect that reform upon which your hearts are fixed. What calamitous consequences will ensue to the world if you fail ! If you should fail how the tyrants of Europe will rejoice. If you fail, how will the friends of freedom, scattered, like the planets of heaven, over the world, mourn, when they see the beacon light of liberty extinguished - the light wdiose rays they had hoped would yet penetrate the whole benighted world. If you triumph, it will only be done by vigilance and attention. Our personal friends, but political enemies, remind each other that "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." While journeying thitherward, I observed this motto waving at the head of a procession composed of the friends of the present administration. From this 1 inferred that discrimination was necessary in order to know who to watch. Under Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, the eye of the propie was turned to the right source - to the administration. The administration, however, now says to the people, "lou must not watch us, but you must watch the Whigs! Only do that and all is safe!" But that, my friends, is not the way. The old fashioned Republican rule is to watch the government, feee 10 the government. See that the government does not acquire too much power. Keep a check upon your rulers. JJo this, and liberty is safe. And if your efforts should result successfully, and I should be placed in the presidential chair, I shall invite a recurrence to the old Republican rule, to watch the administration and to condemn all its acts which are not in accordance with the strictest mode of Republicanism. Our rulers, fellow citizens, must be watched. Power is insinuating. Few men are satisfied with less power than they are able to procure. If the ladies whom 1 see around me, were near enough to hear me, and of sufficient age to give an experimental answer, they would tell you that no lover is ever satisfied with the' first smile of his mistress.

it is necessary, therefore, to watch, not the political opponents of an administration, but the administration itself, and to see that it keeps within the bounds of the constitution and the laws of the land. The executive of this Union has immense power to do mischief, if he sees fit to exercise that power. He may prostrate the country. Indeed, this country has been already prostrated. It has already fallen from pure

A celebrated author defines monarchy to be that form of government in which the executive has at once the command of the army, the execution of the laws and the control of the purse. Now, how is it with our present executive? The constitution gives to him the control of the army, and the execution of the laws. He now only awaits the possession of the purse to make him a monarch. Not a monarch simply, with the power of England, but a monarch with powers of the autocrat of Russia. For Gibbon says that an individual possessed of these powers "will unless closely watched, make himself a despot*"

The passage of the sub-treasury bill will give to the President an accumulation of power that the constitution withholds from him, thus providing the requisites of a monarch. This catastrophe to freedom should be and can be prevented by vigilance, union and perseverance.

In conclusion, then, fellow-citizens, I would impress it upon all - Democrats and Whigs - to give up the idea of watching each other, and direct your eye to the government. Do that and your children's children, to the latest posterity, will be as happy and as free as you and vour fathers have been.

At the close of General Harrison's address the vast multitude of heare«.*s gave "three times three" with a vim, an earnestness and an unanimity that eloquently voiced the truth and beauty of the sentiments so forcibly portrayed by the honored speaker.

This monster demonstration at Fort Meigs was well calculated to give even additional force and character in the further progress of that remarkable campaign. Not a political meeting of any consequence was held throughout the country that did not bring out delegations in wagons and vehicles of every description, reaching sometimes a mile in length. These wagons were trimmed in many fantastic designs, and always accompanied with martial music.

On General Harrison's return from Fort Meigs he visited a number of towns in Ohio, among them Columbus, Springfield, Dayton, Germantown, Cincinnati and other places.

At Germantown there were some unique preparations for his reception. Among the features were thirteen lads, of whom the writer ( F. J. Oblinger,) was one, representing the thirteen original states. These lads were dressed in blue hunting shirts with coonskin caps, and sang campaign songs from the Log Cabin Song Book. Among the airs were Dan Tucker, Rosin the Bow, Buckeye Brawn, John Anderson My Joe, An Id Lang Syne, etc.

Many similar spectacular features, processions, patriotic displays and illuminations characterized the campaign of 1840 in every town and village of note throughout the country, north and south - a campaign that has never had its counterpart in our political history.

Random Notes

In 1823 Samuel Ewing was killed in a fight at Rushteboo, by a man named Lewis, who afterwards escaped from the jail in Maumee. This is probably the first known murder in the county.

In 1821 a mail route was established from Piqua, by way of St. Marys, Fort Wayne, Defiance and Waterville to Perrysburg, 200 miles, with Thomas Diver as mail carrier.

The convention of Territorial Ohio assembled November 1. 1802, and by the 20th of that month completed its work of framing a constitution, and in the following February. 1803, Congress admitted Ohio as a member of the sisterhood of states.

The first regular mail in the Maumee Valley was carried by Horace Gunn in 1808. Benoni Adams carried the mail in 1809 from Cleveland to Maumee, requiring two weeks to make the trip, partly through the Black Swamp on foot.

Rev. Joseph Badger was a missionary among the Indians in the Valley as early as 1808. He was at Ft, Meigs a part of the time during the war of 1812.

Hull's trace struck Wood county on the south line of Henry township, zigzagged into Bloom, again into Henry, continued north through Liberty, into Portage, then north through Center, Plain. and Middleton into Perrysburg, leaving the county at the foot of the Rapids.

Harrison's trail struck Wood county on the east boundary of Freedom, zigzagging along Portage River, then through Webster, through Perrysburg to Ft, Meigs.

Mr. Joel Foote says that when his father, F. Foote, in 1830, went back to York State to marry his second wife, he had not enough money to bring her back. So he took with him a portion of his wheat crop and sold it in the Buffalo market. The wheat was raised on the island opposite Waterville, and was the first wheat grown and marketed from the Maumee river country. This Mr. Foote gave as a fact, within his own recollection.

The first sessions of the grand juries would, in good weather, be held in the shade of some generous tree or in some nook in the . then wilderness close at hand, and intruders were kept away from the jury and witnesses by the prosecutor and court constable, as best they could.

Wood county's first court house, was built of hewn logs. Daniel Hubbell and Guy Nearing were the contractors and the job was let to them March 3, 1823, for $895. This building was paid for by the sale of 105 lots granted by the government for that purpose and were to be sold for $20 or more each.

The first court which was held within the limits of the present Wood county was held at the residence of John Hollister at Orleans, March 27, 1823.

The first brick court house was erected in 1843 at a cost of $20,000, the contractors being Brigham & Curtis. After the county seat was moved to Bowling Green this building was burned in 1871 and the present Perrysburg town hall built on its site.

John Webb

THE sketch of Mr. Webb's life that follows was compiled from memoranda found among the papers of the late Francis Hollenbeck, Esq., and is well worthy of record:

John Webb, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born upon the banks of the Susquehanna river, in Pennsylvania, and resided, though a mere boy, near Wyoming, at the time of the terrible Indian massacre at that place. Immediately after that horrible tragedy, John Webb, sr., moved with his father's family to Berks county, Pa., where he learned the trade of a hatter at Reading, the county seat. About February, 1794, he married and moved to New York City, and manufactured and retailed hats in a shop on Maiden Lane, residing in the same building. At that time, nearly all the hats in the city were made and sold upon that street.

In that little building, on August 27, 1795, John Webb, jr., the subject of this sketch was born, and after several changes during the years that followed, moved nine miles west to Miflinburg, where he resided until 1814. It was here that John Webb, jr., learned the trade of hat manufacturing, having commenced his apprenticeship in 1811, at the age of sixteen years. In 1814 the family removed to Canton, 0., where father and son worked together at their trade, until 1820.

Mr. Webb took a trip east into Union county, Pa., and there, on March 8, 1821, became united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Charles. He immediately returned with his wife to Canton,

Ohio, and then went into partnership with his father. He remained there until November 1, 1822, when he started, with lii's wife and son Charles, for Perrysburg, arriving at his destination on the 6th of the same month, after passing through many difficulties while enroute. He first went with his family and household goods, to Portland (now Sandusky City) by wagon, expecting to take a vessel there for the Maumee river, but no vessel was there. Leaving his goods there to be shipped forward at the first opportunity, he, with his wife and child, took a horse boat (or "mud scow") for Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) where, by previous arrangement, he met his brother Thomas Lincoln Webb (then a young lad) with two horses and a sidesaddle. Thomas R. McKnight (a brother-in-law of Mr. Webb, who had come from the Maumee river to meet them) and Mrs. Webb rode the horses and carried the babe, while Mr. Webb and his little brother Lincoln, and a man by the name of Hawley (who had been waiting for company through the swamp) followed on foot.

Starting from Lower Sandusky, they went down the Sandusky river two miles and then took the trail for the West, arriving on the night of the first day, at "the crossing" of the Portage river, now Elmore. The trail was well beaten, and this was the only place where the river had a rocky bottom and could be fcrded. The next day, they came through to Perrysburg, striking the river at Rock Bar, about one and onehalf miles below the town. At that time, no wagon had ever traversed "the swamp." Perrysburg was entirely uninhabited, except by beasts and birds of the forest, and "The Future Great" had not yet been conceived.

After leaving Lower Sandusky the solitary travelers discovered no habitation until they reached "the crossing" (now Elmore), where there was one log cabin, where the wayfarer might be fed and sheltered over night, for at that time it was impracticable to journey overland from Lower Sandusky to the Maumee Eiver in one day. The next habitation they met with was that of Victory Jenison, on the south bank of the Maumee Eiver, in the bend below the present site of Perrysburg. He had made a little clearing about his cabin, but cultivated a small tract of bottom land which had never been grown over with timber or brush. John Noel and Thomas Learning were living in small cabins in the bushes on the hillside, on what afterward became the farm of Judge David Ladd, and cultivated a portion of the bottom lands at the foot of the hill.

The town of Perrysburg had been surveyed and platted by the United States Government in 1817, five years prior to Mr. Webb's arrival, but at that time no one was yet living upon it, and no portion of it was at that time cleared, excepting in-lot No. 144, now occupied by the residence of the late Francis Hollenbeck, Esq., and the logs from the felled timber were piled upon it, intended to be used by Thomas R. McKnight for the erection of a dwelling. Mr. Webb took up his quarters in a small frame building standing at the bottom of the hill at the head of the bayou and near the extension of West Boundary street (known as Green Lane) over the flats. He with his family, thus became the first inhabitants of the Perrysburg town plat. At this time, Messrs. Thos. R. McKnight, Aurora and Samuel Spafford, Jacob and James Wilkison, Mrs. Omans and one other person, resided at Orleans of the North, a village located on the flats, under Fort Meigs hill. Immediately after his arrival, Mr. Webb aided in erecting Mr. McKnight's log residence on in-lot 144, carrying up one of the

The county seat was then at Perrysburg, and Thos. R. McKnight was Clerk of the Court, but the first terms of court were held at Maumee, for the reason that there was no building in Perrysburg in which to hold them. Subsequently, three or four terms were held in the second story of a warehouse at Orleans, owned by John Hollister. Hollister, at that time, lived in Maumee, but owned the warehouse, occupying the ground floor as a store room; afterward he removed these goods to the building in which he was doing a retail business at Orleans.

Soon after his arrival Mr. Webb fitted up a shop for the manufacture of hats in the basement of his dwelling, but did not commence working at his trade until 1824, being unable to sooner obtain the necessary tools. He manufactured the first hats ever made in the Maumee Valley, and the only other establishment of the kind in the West was one at Detroit. The next fall he purchased three rods front on the north side of Front street, at the head of Walnut street, extending to the river, where he at once put up a log shop. He commenced business in this building in 1824, and worked industriously there for about three and one-half years, paying, with the proceeds of his labor, for the tract on which his shop stood, and also for the lot on which he afterward erected the dwelling in which he died. Both of these real estate purchases were made from Seth Doane.

In the autumn of 1822, Samuel Spafford commenced preparations for the erection of the Exchange Hotel, which he completed and moved into during the next fall, coming down from Orleans, which village was being abandoned for higher ground, owing to the river floods. About the same time Judge Thomas W.

Powell, late of Delaware, 0., erected the dwelling on Front street, afterward purchased and occupied by Mr. Jonathan Perrin. From this time buildings continued to be erected here and there over the town plat, and Orleans was gradually deserted, the inhabitants locating at Perrysburg.

Mr. Webb was elected Sheriff of Wood county in 1826, and again in 1828. In May, 1831, he was appointed Clerk of the County, and continued in office about eleven years, when he was succeeded by Joseph Utley, who appointed him his Deputy. He was again elected Sheriff in 1842 and re-elected in 1844.

George W. Porter was executed November 5, 1830. Mr. Webb being at that time Sheriff, and performing the duties of the office (the particulars of this crime are given elsewhere in this volume) .

When Mr. Webb first realized that he would be obliged to execute a fellowbeing, his whole soul recoiled from it. Mr. Porter was under his care for about six months, and during that time talked freely of the act he had committed, always declaring that he was ready and willing to die, not desiring to live with such a load upon his mind. He was always calm and greatly regretted the commission of the deed. While in prison no fetters of any kind were placed upon him, nor was he confined to a cell, having the free range of two large rooms. Richardson was regarded by the whole community as a bad man, while Porter was esteemed as a kind-hearted, welldisposed citizen, who, under great provocation and excitement, had committed the fatal act. The sympathizing citizens of the community desired to secure a pardon, but he would not allow them to do so. He was executed on the flats at the foot of Fort Meigs, so that the spectators might occupy the hillside and all witness the execution. Among the large crowd present, were many from Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, who came expressly for the occasion. This execution is celebrated in history as the first in the annals of the Maumee Valley.

In 1848, Mr. Webb, was again elected County Clerk, and held the office until 1860, when he retired to private life. Since the latter date, a large portion of his time was occupied in setting up the numerous accounts which had accumulated during his long terms of office, and looking after his farm, which he had leased. He employed the most of his time in reading, and his mind was a storehouse of information, both regarding the early history of the country and current events. He always took a great interest in politics, and, since the organization of the party, has been an earnest Eepublican. He has been married three times: March 8, 1821, to Elizabeth Charles; July 18, 1834, to Mary Dean; February 23, 1851, to Mary A. Jones, the latter two of Perrysburg.

For many years, nearly every one in the community has fondly called him "Uncle John," and it is doubtful if he had an enemy in the world. His name will be inscribed among the most worthy of the old Maumee Valley pioneers as one who, by his industry, gained a competence for himself and family and never committed a dishonest or dishonorable act.

The territory northwest of the Ohio river, by virtue of the Ordinance of 1787, was the first, within the present limits of the United States, dedicated to universal liberty.

Cholera Victims

THE Perrysburg Journal suspended publication for four weeks in July, 1854, and in its first issue after the suspension, dated August 12, 1854, it gave the following particulars:

"It is four weeks to-day since the last number of the Perrysburg Journal was issued. Up to that time we tried to believe that the worst phase of the cholera had been reached, but each succeeding week brought a greater number of victims, and all business having ceased, this paper and the M. V. Democrat suspended publication, both from choice and necessity. Hands could not be employed to work when everybody else who could leave was deserting the town, nor did ii seem desirable to work much when deatli was decimating our numbers. We have been through two or three cholera seasons before but never have we seen such fearful and fatal results.

"We are happy to announce that the dreadful disease has now almost, if not entirely, subsided here. There have been perhaps two or three modified cases within the past week, but the dreaded fatality which characterized it hitherto has passed away, to return here, we hope, no more.

"The following is as nearly a complete list of the deaths by cholera in this place and immediate vicinity as we can at this time procure. It is probably not far from correct:

Tecumseh's wild dream was inspired by his brother, the Prophet, who with his wonderful visions foretold the capture of Harrison at Ft. Meigs, the destruction of the western forts, and the grand confederacy of all the Indian tribes and their final supremacy in the west.

Amos Dewese

AMOS DEWESE was one of the pioneer settlers of Weston township, and one of the sturdy, reliable men, whose character was one of moral worth and integrity. He was well known throughout Wood county, and was a man thoroughly alive to its prosperity. Amos Dewese was of Revolutionary stock.

His great grandfather, Samuel Dewese, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He was wounded and captured at the siege of Ft. Washington and thrown into one of the filthy British prison ships. Afterwards he re-entered the Colonial army and died of disease in a military camp, Allentown, Pa.

After his death his son, Samuel, while a mere boy, tramped through the snow to Valley Forge where he enlisted and subsequently became a captain of militia in the First Battalion, 36th regiment of Maryland Troops. At the close of the Revolutionary war he was made captain of a volunteer military company.

Capt. Dewese's brother, Thomas, who was the grandfather of the late Amos Dewese, was a school teacher in early life, and later became a farmer.

Samuel Dewese, the father of Amos Dewese, at the age of 20 years enlisted under Capt. James Drennan for the war of 1812, and served under Gen. Harrison. He was discharged at Detroit, May 14, 1814. When enlisted he first vent to Cleveland and later to Ft. Stephenson, at the present site of Fremont, arriving there just a day after Major Croghan's gallant defense of the little stockade. While at Detroit he was sent by Gen. Harrison as a scout to the

Amos Dewese came to Wood county from Hancock county, February 17, 1843, and of his early experience here he gave a graphic account in an article contributed to the Weston Herald, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his advent into the "Black Swamp." He wrote:

The snow was 18 inches deep when 1 started from Hancock county without a cent of money, but a few clothes, and a dry chunk of bread constituting my pack; my shoes out at the toes and carry ir.g a few books.