Greenville Township (part 5 of 11)

The event of a court was a novelty, and a number of the settlers gathered about and curiously observed the proceedings. A panel of grand jurors, among whom was John S. Hiller, was sworn in, as a matter of course, and received the charge from Judge Crane, then on the circuit. Gen. James Mills was foreman, and the party was conducted to Azor Scribner's bar-room, and duly furnished by the hospitable inn-keeper with a bottle of good whisky and a pitcher of water. Soon a man was admitted who testified that he had been assaulted, wounded, beat and otherwise ill-treated. On his retirement, another entered, who witnessed that his predecessor before the jury had committed a like offense upon him. The case was by no means a clear one. The foreman was about to take the sense of the jury, when he announced that " it had been rulable in Butler County, where he came from, to require the j'oungest juryman to vote first." This chanced to be Hiller, who naturally entered an objection, saving that as this was his first experience on a jury, he did not wish to be forward in giving an opinion. The bottle was then brought into requisition, and after disposing of the liquor to general satisfaction, the case was formally decided. At the close of the da}-, the jury was discharged and court adjourned sine die.

County Buildings

A laudable pride is manifested in the matter of public building, and this has kept pace with the growth of resources. In the beginning, the aim was low taxes, strict economy in public expenditure and a desire to pay the county debt. The new county had entered upon its career houseless, roadless and bridgeless, yet the average tax did not exceed $3.

We have noted the construction of a jail. The Commissioners, at the time of letting the contract, in 1818, were A. Studabaker. A. Bryson and Jacob Miller.

Eastern .Monis was Clerk and James Devor was Auditor. Miller had succeeded Atchinson. The Commissioners cast lots for duration of term. Miller drew one year, Bryson two years and Studabaker three. The annual exhibit for the year 1820. of receipts and expenditures of the county, were as follows : Received from Moses Scott, Tax Collector, $440.054- ; on notes and costs of roads, $185,644- ; and of A. Scribner, tavern license, $10; fines, $16.50; license, $32 ; permits. $10.69 ; total, $59.19. Total, $700.89. Expenditures, by orders redeemed, $708.82.

The letting of the first court house was an affair of minor moment. The contract was taken by John Craig, whose work was accepted on June 4, 1824. This humble frame building, surrounded rear and front with additions, stands on Third street, next the Odd Fellows' Building, and now of fifty-six years' duration; has served the purposes of a dwelling a period of forty years.

On Sunday morning. May 2, 1827, the log jail that stood on the public square, just back of where the city hall now stands, from some cause, had caught fire and burned down.

On the 29th of June following, a contract was let for the construction of a jail building to John Armstrong, for $525. It was originally intended to erect this structure on the east corner of the public square, but at a special session of the Board of County Commissioners, held September 13, 1827, a petition was presented, asking for the location of the jail on Lot 25. This was granted, and on June 3, 1828, this the second jail was received from the contractor, under a compromise, at $520. In 1830, the public revenues were augmented by the levy of a tax on doctors and law}-ers - the former having been assessed at $3, and the latter a halfdollar less. It would be a gratification to learn on what grounds this tax was assessed, whether as a tax on incomes from the amount of business and good fees collected, or as a method of repression. If for the latter reason, it proved a signal failure ; not but that among this class have been and are found the most gifted and valued citizens in Darke County, but from the number who have chosen these mind-perplexing professions.

The increased business of the county called for a better public building, and, to this end the Commissioners met on January 7, 1833, to make selection of a court-house site. The location was made upon the center of the public square. Bids were advertised for, and on February 18 following the contract for erecting the building was let to James Craig for $2,490. The plan of the proposed structure was prepared by Allan LaMotte. who received in compensation $10.

The services of the Commissioners, during the five sessions held for the purpose of selecting the site, receiving bids, awarding contract and attending to minor matters, were donated to the county - a circumstance memorable for its rarity. The conti-actor was allowed and extra compensation of $27.20 for supplying pine shingles instead of oak, and $7.43 for sand, thus making the entire cost of the building $2. 524. 03. It stood forty 3rears, and was of the t}-pe common to the times - two stories in height, roof four-square, and surmounted by a cupola.

Eleven years following the erection of this court house, on the 17th of April, 1844, the contract was let for a new jail to James C. Reed, for $3,800. but a failure was made in the matter of a sufficient bond; the next best bid was taken, and the contract was finally awarded to Allan La Motte and Israel Reed, for $3,975. This jail was built on the southeast half of Lot 25, and was received from the contractor June 3, 1845. The extras allowed amounted to $21. The building is now in use as a place of business, having a front erected flush with the sidewalk and hiding it from public view, and, unless destroyed by lire, promises many years good service. Arrangements looking to tin1 establishment of a county infirmary for the care of infirm, sick and disabled poor were made by the purchase, on March IS. 1854, by the County Commissioners, of a county farm containing 248 aeres - the price paid being $6,000. Plans and specifications for the necessary buildings were prepared ami presented by Pearson Smith, who received $25 for the same. These plans were subsequently amended by Messrs. William Wells and Moses Hart. The contract for building the infirmary was let on May 17, 1854, to Orin S. Culbertson & Co., for $7,198, with an additional sum of $88 for excavating for foundations. Work was completed and the building was received from contractors on January 31, 1856. Variation from the terms of the contract involved additional expense of #1,260.67, thus making the entire cost of the work $8,458.67.

The Darke County Poor Farm was deeded by John Spray to the County Commissioners at the time above stated. It is located two and a half miles south of Greenville, upon both sides of the Greenville & Eaton Pike, upon the southeast quarter, and about twenty-nine acres of the southeast corner of the southwest quarter, and eight acres on the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of Section 11, Township 12, Greenville Township, and about forty-one acres - part of the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 14, Township 11. The original building was a three-story brick structure, 40x84 feet, and 28 feet in height. In 1875-76, an addition was made equal to the original building, thereby doubling its capacity. There are now sevent3~-two rooms, including the cell department. A laundry has also been added, 20x30, two stories, and an engine-house 18x30 feet, separate from the main building. The basement is mostly used for culinary and other domestic purposes. The second story is comfortably furnished, and does not present that repellant, forbidding aspect supposed by many persons to be inseparable from the county house. The buildings are advantageously located on high ground, and command a fine view of the surrounding country.

The officers are a Superintendent and three Infirmary Directors. The following is the roster of Superintendents : Jacob Shivery, who served three years ; David Thompson, six years ; William Thompson, five years ; Crawford Eddiugton, seven years, and J. N. Braden, who is now serving on his third year. The Superintendents are annually elected. The first Directors were C. Harshey, John S. Hiller and Joel Thomas. The present Directors are William Shaffer, J. A. Kelch and Samuel Emerick.

The first inmate was received March 1, 1856. That year, the average number received was but eighteen. On March 1, 1880, the number of inmates was 106. There are accommodations for 130. The infirmary building proper has cost $11,500. The present value of buildings, farm and improvements is estimated at $30,000. The number of acres under cultivation is 190. The value of what was raised on the farm in 1879 was $2,400. The expense of keeping up the institution was for the same period $7,950. The balance in excess of income was therefore $5,550. The average expense for the last eight years above income has been nearly $7,000, as we are informed by the present Superintendent. Material improvements are being made upon the farm. Tile to the extent of 400 rods has been put down within the last two years. Fruit trees have been set out. and other advantageous progress made. The orchard product last year was 450 bushels of apples - an amount fully equal to the requirements of the infirmary. There were raised on the farm, 1,295 bushels of wheat, 578 of oats, 5 of clover seed, 3,300 of corn, 1,050 of potatoes, and 5,500 heads of cabbage. Sixty-eight hogs were killed, making 18,000 pounds of pork, and 9 beeves, making 4.251 > pounds of beef. There are 42 head of cattle on the farm, 5 horses, and 140 head of hogs.

In proportion to the population of the county, negroes form much the largest per cent of the infirmary inmates. Next in number are the Irish, but it is a curious fact that the per cent of Irish women is very small. To quote the exact language of the Superintendent, " Nine out of ten of all the inmates who have come have been brought here through intemperance ; some of them through accidents received while drunk." There are fourteen idiotic persons in the institution, four of whom do not know enough to feed themselves, and must be waited upon like small children. The health of the inmates has been uniformly good. A single deal 1) 1ms occurred among the old occupants within a year. There have been four deaths in all. but three of these were brought thither sick.

The infirmary physicians arc the Drs. Matchett. The entire mim Iter of paupers in the institution on August 31, 1S79, was 114 ; the number admitted during the year was 193; the number of poor otherwise supported by the county was 150. According to the report of the Auditor, the total cost of keeping the infirmary poor was $8,314.49, and the entire expense of maintaining those otherwhere was $1,9 10.05, thus making an expense of poor for the year of 1879 a grand total of $10,254.54, or an average cost per day of each pauper to the county of 2<> cents.

It is pleasant to contemplate the humane consideration now manifested for these unfortunates as compared with their condition during the earlier years of county government. Prior to the establishment of the infirmary in 1854, there was no place where their helplessness could find kindness and care; under the prevalent custom of " farming out" the paupers to the lowest bidder, the unfortunate was made to suffer in many ways, and it did not conduce to wholesome fare, warm clothing and sufficient rest, with exemption from labor, and medical care when sick, to have been sold under competition to persons whose object was less the amelioration of their condition than the hope and intention to profit from the investment. The history in detail of this infirmary and others similar is encouraging proof of the development of charitable and noble impulses, which render the unostentatious benevolence and philanthropy of peace more to be admired and honored than the most glorious deeds of war.

The present jail and Sheriff's residence has been standing about ten years. The contract for building was let in September, 1869, to Jonathan Kenney, of Dayton, Ohio, for $39,750. Miles Greenwood, of Cincinnati, did the iron work, and Alexander Kerr, of Greenville, the carpenter and joiner work. The two buildings are connected by a hall, and their extent is ninety-seven feet in length by forty-four in width. The buildings are of two stories, with neat freestone finish. The residence is an elegant structure, and the jail is admirably arranged to secure the comfort and safe-keeping of prisoners. This property is situated upon Broadwa}^. The court house is an ornament to the city, and an honor to the county. The edifice was completed in 1874 at a cost of $170,000, and the dedication was formally made on August 3 of that }*ear. The material used in building is stone. The Corinthian style of architecture prevails, but with such additions and modifications as to render difficult any attempt at strict classification. In reply to inquiry, an architect classed it as " Corinthian with American treatment."

Whatever it may be termed, it presents to the eye an ornate and imposing appearance. Ascending the stone platform, you push aside a door and enter a corridor extending down the center and length of the building. Furnaces supply uniform and agreeable temperature; offices are located for public convenience. Large iron safes stand to the left as you pass from the front entiy. The first rooms to the right in order are the offices of the Board of Commissioners, the Auditor and of the Treasurer. These are spacious, convenient, and fitted up with necessaiy furniture and apparatus. The treasury vault with inclosed safe would seem to place the public moneys in actual security. On the left from the front, are the offices of the Recorder and Probate Judge, and the Probate Court room. Ascend from either side by winding stairways, and there are found on the second floor the offices of the Sheritf and the Clerk, together with the court room and its attendant consultation and jury rooms, (hi the third floor are located the Surveyor's and Prosecuting Attorney's offices, and other needful rooms. The structure is surmounted by a line tower, in which is contained a (.'lock that is as nearly perfect in construction as modern science and artistic skill can produce. Whether borne upon the ear in the hours of night, or calling the industrious populace to resume or cease from toil, by day, the musical, measured strokes which knell the passing hours, teach a constant lesson of punctuality, diligence and transient existence.

We close our chapter with a brief statement relative to the trial and conviction of Monroe Roberson for the murder of Wile}' Coulter, since it has attracted general attention, and is remarkable in the annals of the courts of Darke County. Crime has had its votaries here as elsewhere, but in no undue proportion. Murders have been committed, and there have been trials, convictions and escapades, but this becomes historical from the fact that it is the first instance where the dread conclusion has been a sentence of death on the gallows.

The difficult}' between the two men that led to the murder occurred at Niptown, a point nine and a half miles from Greenville. Following some hard language, Coulter, while attempting to make his escape, was pursued and fired upon by Roberson. Three several and deliberate shots were discharged, and Coulter fell to the ground mortally wounded, and soon died. His assailant was taken to Greenville, tried at the February term, 1880, and sentenced to be hung on July 18 of the same year. The doomed man was a native of Tennessee, fort}* -five years of age, had served in the army, was a hard drinker and had lived about twelve years in the county. His victim was his wife's brother, who had lived from childhood in the family, and was at the time of his death, about twenty-three years old. The jurors impaneled for this trial were Stephen Eubank, G. W. Fox, C. T. Pickett, Samuel Cole, George Suman, Milton Coble, Samuel Noggle, R. F. Gilbert, James Renson, Cornelius Fry, William Rleare and James Johnson.

The attorneys for the defense were Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Calclerwood and Charles Calkins ; for the State, Prosecuting Attorney H. Calkins, and Messrs. Knox and Sater. The case was tried before Judge Meeker, whose charge to the jury is a plain, direct statement of the laws on murder. The prisoner was adjudged guilt}*, and sentence pronounced upon him. The community, while desirous that crime be punished, differ in regard to the mode, and no inconsiderable portion of the better class are averse to hanging.

Turning again from the seat of government to the farms which give villages and cities their vitality and importance, we follow the early progress of agriculture from the organization of the county up to and inclusive of 1824. We may speak somewhat of the arduous labors of the early settlers, describe their log cabins, recall their old-fashioned furniture, their homespun attire, their rough, kind manners and their open-handed generosity. The comfortable hewed-log home has been demolished to make way for the frame or the more durable brick. The fence of rails will soon disappear, and already the work of log-rolling is a memoiy, and the making of rails exceptional. Village, town and city have been built to supply the demands of trade and commerce, and the people of the present time, worthy offspring of noble sires, have carried forward the works of civilization.

Glance again at the points of settlement, the vantage-ground already won. Relow Ithaca, in the southeast, lived Lucas and Robbins. At intervals along Miller's Fork, near Castine, were Ellis. Freeman, Park and Robert Phillips and J. F. Miller. On the east bank of the Whitewater stood the cabins of Rrawley, Purviance, the McCluers, Rroderick and Jacob Miller, Zadoc Smith and the Wades. Near Fort Black, by the lake, were the Rushes, Henry Hardy, Tibbs, Falkner and possibly the Kunkles. On the Middle Fork were the Tillsons, Harlans, Emerson, Helpenstein and Gert. Approaching the town, we find Spencer, the Edwards families, Wilsons and others. Further to the north we come to Cloyd, Pearson, Cassaday and Kettring. About Palestine, dwelt Samuel Loring. In the northern part of German Township lived Ludwig Clapp, reputed credulous and superstitious, William Asher, of the same mind, Moores and Rush and John McNeil, Rarick, Snell and Miller, on Crout Creek and its vicinity. East of the West Rranch dwelt Martin Ruple, Arch. Rryson and John W. Whittaker, while lower down were the small clearings made by John Hiller and Daniel Potter. Mud Creek passed by the cabin homes of Petri- Weaver, Andrew Nbppmger, his son .Joseph. James and Henry Rush, Sumption. McGinnis, Burns and Wertz. East of the prairie, Zadoc and Reagan had Located, and traveling the stream brought in sight the homes of Abraham Studabaker and Abraham .Miller. .James Hay dwelt at Jefferson, and below were Ryerson and Winegardner. On Greenville Creek, above town, stood three cabins occupied by Tilery. Dean and David Williamson, and below on the creek were those of Squire Bi'iggs, Westfall. Maj. Adams, Bryan, Cunningham and Studabaker. On the south hank of the creek, at intervals, the enumerator finds Popejoy, Esq., Haves, James Gregory and Canadian. Christopher Martin, Alexander Fleming, James Both David Ripple and his sons and son-inlaw Hathaway on Stillwater, near Beamsville. Conloek was at Webster, and McDonald, Mote and Ludwig Christie below. Ward Atchison was on the verge of the Black Swamp, and Lewis Baker on Indian Creek. From Bridge Creek on to the dividing branch, were scattered Arnold Townsend, the Thompsons and Clay. These men had settled here under many difficult circumstances, but they had effected a lodgment and formed a center by which others could be guided and assisted. Persistent in labor, patient under afflictions of disease were these plain men with unaffected manner and kindly greetings. As the country began to be settled, families were moving on to different locations in the central part ot the county. There was a large portion of the county that seemed so much of a swamp as to make a final occupation problematical. Along Grreenville Creek, as above named, one found at varying distances the log cabins of a few families, and there were others on the West Branch. There were cabins on the branch known as Crout Creek, and yet others upon Mud Creek. These scattered clearings were the oldest in the county, and northward there were few, if any. And from there, so far as means would permit, the new-comers received their supplies and assistance. Courteously and kindly, the tired emigrants were welcomed to the hospitalities of their cabins. Wherever at night the light of a fire shining among the trees indicated a settler's home, there was a certainty that the latch-string was hanging out and hearty cheer in readiness to relieve them. A common peril and a like experience bound all together by ties of interest, friendship and relation. The disposition to extend a helping hand, while it was a necessity to the settler, was rarely given grudgingly or with thoughts of after payment. Equality and mutual assistance was an unwritten pioneer law. and for many years much of the time of older setlers was cheerfully given to raisings, rollings and all kinds of work requiring e< >-< >peration. Judge Wharry attended raisings where men had come from a distance, on farthest lines apart, of twenty-five miles, and here were formed acquaintances which soon ripened into feelings warm, generous and enduring.

Exceptional instances, as that of Jacolj Cox, present us with men of means seeking an lieritage in lands, but the people were generally poor. They had nothing to lose but much to gain. Mr. Cox. as we have named, is worthy of further notice in this connection. He came to Bailee from Bedstone and bought 2.200 acres in the east part of German and Washington Townships, and thereon located himself and sons Martin, John, .Jacob. Henry and Abraham, together with his daughters Barbara, .Mary and Eve, who later became known as Mrs. Stingley, Mrs. Waggoner and Mrs. Martin.

Fresh from service in the ranks, and animated by hope of a common glorious future for his country and himself, the rifle which had aided Wayne upon the Maumee and Harrison at the Thames, became useful to provide the family with meat and to guard the growing or ripened grain from depredation. There was no longer dread of the forest ; men struck out by themselves and independently chose and unproved such spots as met their fancy. The extent of each man's claim or title had no bearing on degree of estimation. It mattered not that one could buy but forty acres, while another could acquire a section. The difference la}r, not in the men. but in the outlay. Where each had planted a few acres in corn and other crops, nature showed no partiality in stimulating growth or perfecting the grain, and where nature was impartial, human customs were in strict and willing accord. The entire settlements were bound together. Witness the prompt rally from Lexington and Piqua on hearing of Rush's death and the frontier peril. The}' met at vai'ious gatherings. Together they worked their best ; together they enjoyed their hours of relaxation. Religious worship found general and all-day attendance, and there were several services before each wended his way along the forest path homeward.

The pioneers of Darke were not peculiar in their love for neighborhood visiting. The same partially obsolete but happy custom was in that early day to be observed in all the new communities, and surviving pioneers have brought this habit with them in their attenuated and shattered ranks. It looks as though the practice would perish with them. Care for the sick was universal. It was held to be the duty of all. The writer recalls, iu this connection, the kind, tender tone in which Lemuel Rush inquired of his fellow-friend and pioneer associate, George Arnold, concerning his health, and the fraternal feeling manifested between these two is but a single illustration of general regard.

One day. a settler was badly injured when at a considerable distance from his home. It was necessary that a team should be taken to convey him home. Although a full day's drive, there was no reluctance in offering help. Two persons tendered their services, and there ensued a friendly contest for the privilege. The older urged a long acquaintance and neighborship, and these claims were acknowledged by the other.

In 1818, there was the commencement of a settlement on the east fork of Whitewater, and on Twin Creek, near Ithaca, and several families had settled near Fort Black, now known as New Madison. During this year, Mina town and Fort Jefferson were laid out. and. in the year following, Versailles was platted, making in all five villages, the germs of future business towns, and the only ones for full a dozen years - practical proof, in so large a county, of sparse and tarcby occupation.

During the j'ear when Fort -Jefferson was platted, a tavern stand was occupied there, and. while the conveniences were far from equal to the Turpen or Wagner Houses of to-day, yet there was an abundance of plain, palatable food and little ceremony. During 1818, A. Studabaker left his former entry, near Gettysburg, and removed to the farm more recently the property of his son George. William Arnold and others were residing on Bridge Creek. The settlements now became known by various names to distinguish them ; such was " Yankee Town," one called Ireland, located north of Greenville, and a third is mentioned here as suggestive of the section, known as the Black Swamp Settlement. These nuclei of the clearings in Darke, each formed a distinct neighborhood, and had their leading men, respected for honesty, good faith, and frugality in public as well as private affairs.

In 1820, Darke County was still covered by a dense and but little broken forest. The northern townships were extended areas of swamp, rich in elements of production, useless until the clearing and drainage could make cultivation practicable. Cabins were built upon the higher grounds, and clearings made down the inclinations. Here grew the oak, whitewood, beech, maple, basswood. ash, hickory and other kinds of timber in boundless profusion, anil the finest trees were regarded rather as an incubus to tillage than as valuable adjuncts of a farm. Those woods are mainly leveled now, and their grove screens of trees but vail the open fields beyond. Still the trees, while in one sense a bar to cropping land, were useful as containing the material for home and winter fires. When a settler had selected the site of his intended habitation, he felled the timber up< >n it and cut the logs suitable in proper lengths. The material for the cabin being prepared, he traverses the woods far and near and announces his intended raising. The settlers leave their work and gather in at the appointed hour. In some localities, teams were used, but here in Darke, cattle were scarce and the horses were spared as much as possible for other work. Logs were carried to the sides and ends of the building. Now four corner-men are chosen, on whom devolves the duty of notching and placing the logs. The rest of those assembled roll up the logs as wanted until the desired height is reached and the work of co-operation ceases. The settler now selects a large-sized straight-grained tree and. felling it, cuts off four-feet lengths. These are split with a large Frow, and as wide as the timber will allow. These are used without planing or shaving for clapboards for the roof, which is formed by making the end logs shorter each row until a single log forms the comb of the roof ; on these logs the clapboards were placed, the ranges of them lapping some tli stance over those next below them, and kept in their places by logs placed at proper distances upon them. Puncheons for the floor were made by splitting logs of a foot and a half in diameter, and hewing the face of them with a broad-ax, when this tool could be obtained. The length of the puncheons was half that of the floor. The door was made by sawing or cutting the logs in on one side, so as to make an opening about three feet wide. The opening was secured by upright pieces of timber, about three inches thick, through which holes were bored into the ends of the logs for the purpose of pinning them fast. A similar, but wider, opening was made at the end for the chimney. This was built of logs and made large to admit of a back and jambs of stone. At the square, two end logs were made to project a foot or more beyond the wall, to receive what were called the butting poles, against which the ends of the first row of clapboards was supported. A clapboard door and a table were then made. Sometimes a quilt was made to do duty for the former for a time, and the latter was constructed of a split slab, placed upon four round legs set in auger holes. Stools having three legs were made in the same way. Some pins inserted in holes bored in the logs at the back of the room, served as support for some clapboards, designed as shelves for the dishes. A single fork, placed with its lower end in a hole in the floor, and the upper end fastened to a joint, served as a bedstead, by placing a pole in the fork with one end through a crack between the logs of the wall. This front pole was crossed by a shorter one within the fork, with its outer end through another crack. From the' front pole, through a crack between the logs of the end of the house, the boards forming the bottom of the bed were put in place. Sometimes this was varied by pinning other poles to the fork, a little distance above these, for the purpose of supporting the front and foot of the bed, while the walls were the support of its back and head. A few pegs around the walls for the garments of the women and hunting-shirts of the men, and two small forks or buck's horns fixed to a joint for the rifle and shot-pouch, completed the carpenter work.

Chips are now taken and driven in between the logs and the open spaces of the chimne}', and a bed of clay mortar having been prepared, the cracks were daubed, and the work is done. In houses thus built, and unplastered within and entirely devoid of adornment, our ancestors lived with a comfort unknown to the opulent occupant of many a palatial residence of to-day. Coal stoves or wood stoves were unknown, but in the wide fireplace were found hooks and trammel, and andirons. Near by were the bake-pan and the kettle ; and as homes varied there were to be seen in many a log house the plain deal table, the flag-bottom chair, and the easy, straight, high-backed rocker. Carpets there were none. The beds contained no mattress, springs, or even bed-cord, the couch was often spread upon the floor, and sleeping apartments were separated by hanging blankets. Not. infrequently, the emigrant neighbor, and occasionally Indian visitor, lay upon blankets or robes before the huge open fireplace; with stockinged or moccasined feet before the constant, fire. Wooden vessels, either turned or coopered, were commonly used for the table. A tin cup was an article of luxury almost as rare as an iron fork. Gourds were used at the water bucket, and there were not always knives enough to go around the family. The immigrant brought with him. packed upon the horse, or later on the wagon, some articles of better sort.

Upon the kitchen drawers were set forth a shiny row of pewter plates, buckhandled knives, iron or pewter spoons, or there were seen a row of blue-edged earthen ware, with corresponding cups and saucers, with teapot - articles then to grace the table at the quilting, social afternoon visit, or preacher's call ; but advancing civilization has sent the plates and spoons to the melting pot, while knives and forks have taken less substance but more shapely form. Perchance a corner of the room was occupied by a tall Dutch clock, such as ticks with measured stroke the minutes by in the kitchen of John Spayd, of Greenville, to-day.

In another corner, the ruder furniture had given place to an old-fashioned high-post and corded bedstead, covered with quilts - a wonder of patchwork ingenuity and laborious sewing. Then the ubiquitous spinning-wheel, and not unfrequently a loom. A settler of Darke in 1820, thus describes the dwellings of that date : " They were of round logs about ten inches through ; the}* were properly notched at the corners, and well chinked and plastered up with clay mortar, and provided in some instances with front and back door ; basswood logs, split in two, flat side up, made a very substantial floor ; the fireplace reached nearly across one end ; a stone wall from the foundation was carried up about six feet, two sticks of the proper crook rested one on either end of the wall, and against a beam overhead, forming the jams, and upon these rested the chimney, made of sticks and clay mortar, very wide at the bottom, tapering to the top, and serving the purpose of both chimney and smoke-house ; the hearth was of flat stones of various sizes, and occupied a considerable portion of the room. To build a winter fire, there first was bi-ought in a large piece of log which was placed next the chimney-back, and known as the back-log ; next came a somewhat smaller log, which was placed on the other and called the back-stick ; then came two round sticks, green and less combustible than the others ; these were placed endwise against the back-log, and served in place of the more modern andirons. Upon them was laid the fore-stick, and between this and the back-log, dry limbs were piled in and the fire applied; when this was fairly started more wood was put on and a pile to keep it up lay near by. The fire thus built, which was done about 4 o'clock of a winter day's afternoon, would last a long time with little attention, keeping the family, clothed in good, warm homespun, comfortably warm." If, by mischance, the fire went out on the hearth, it was rekindled by a coal or burning brand from a neighbor, or by flint, steel and tinder. In many cabins, the fire described gave out but partial warmth, and the group which sat around it were roasting on one side while freezing on the other. Few, indeed, were the books to be found with the settlers, and newspapers were rarer still. Upon the shelf, there may have lain the few books used at school, the Bible and the almanac, and the paper, when one could be had, was read at evening hours by the light of a tallow dip, or before the glowing hearthfire.

Only the well to do (and these were few in Darke) could afford a clock. The hour of noon was guessed or may be ascertained by the noon-mark cut upon the threshold, and in place of the bell to call the chopper from the clearing, a cheery shout was given, or tin horn blown. Few were the households where any pictures adorned the wall, and the reed organ had not been invented.

To-day, even the children carry watches ; print, engraving, chromo and lithograph are found in more or less profusion in most houses, and piano and organ are in the country as well as in every village.

The habits of the settlers were influenced and controlled by their mode of life. Tasks amost impossible as thought of now, were undertaken spiritedly with no thoughts of time or labor. Chopping in the clearings for days alone, and preparing a home to which to bring his family, man}* a settler became accustomed to the silence, and himself grew taciturn.

Journeys on foot for many miles were made with little more of preparation than the traveler makes at present. Women and children rode on horseback hundred of miles. It was a delight to the settlers to assemble at some one of the log cabins of a winter evening to relate stories of escapes and wild adventures (lining the sanguinary scenes of !>4 and later years. Prominent ideas survive the lapse of time, and the conversation of the aged backwoodsmen, referring to the pioneer period, is of deer, wolf and bear; of trapping, hunting and fishing; of prevailing diseases and makeshifts during sickness; of cutting roads, clearing lands, and journeys to distant mills and markets.

The subject of food was all important with the settler, and hard labor in the open air created a keen appetite which made of much account the feasts of merrymakings, parties and public meetings. Quality was not so much regarded as quantity. Fish from the creek, venison and bear meat, bacon, and even the raccoon's carcass, were made available for lbod. Enormous potpies were baked containing fowls, squirrels and due proportions of other meats. The food was generally most wholesome and nutritive. There was a bounteous supply of the richest milk, the finest butter and most palatable meat that could be imagined, and meals were eaten with all the relish which healthful vigor, backed by labor, could bestow.

The clothing worn in earby days was generally the same in all seasons. The settler, standing upon the prostrate trunk of a huge tree, stroke following stroke of his keen ax, and chip after chip whirring out upon the snow, little regarded the winter temperature, and coatless and barefooted, the summer heat was not oppressive. The garments worn were mainly the product of home manufacture, where necessity insured effort, and practice gave skill.

Flax has been raised in Darke from the period of early settlement down to the present time, and when sheep were introduced, there was supplied a new and excellent material for wearing apparel.

It is said of Creviston and others of his class, besides not a few of the pioneers, that their garments about the years whereof we write, were truly described in the " Annals of the West," as follows : " The hunting-shirt was universally worn. This was a kind of loose frock, reaching half-way down to the thighs, with large sleeves open before, and so wide as to lap over a foot or more when belted. The cape was large, and sometimes handsomely fringed with a ravelled piece of cloth of different color from that of the hunting shirt itself. The bosom of his dress served as a wallet to hold a chunk of bread, cakes, jerk, tow- for wiping the barrel of the rifle, or any other thing necessary for the hunter. The belt, which was always tied behind, answered several purposes, besides that of holding the dress together. In cold weather the mittens, and sometimes the bulletbag occupied the front part of it. To the right side, hung the hatchet ; to the left, in its leather sheath, was the hunting knife. The hunting-shirt was made of linsey, sometimes of coarse linen, and some few were made of dried deerskin. These last were very cold and uncomfortable in wet weather. The shirt, and jacket were of the common pattern. A pair of breeches and leggings were the dress of the thighs and legs: a pair of moccasins answered for the feet much better than shoes. They were made of dressed deerskin. They were mostly made of a single piece, with a gathering seam along the top of the foot, and another from the bottom of the heel without gathers, as high as the ankle-joint, or a little higher. Flaps were left on each side to reach some distance up the legs. They were nicely adapted to the ankles and lower part of the leg by thongs of deerskin, so that no dirt, gravel or snow, could get within the moccasin.

"The moccasins, in ordinary run, cost but a few hours' labor to make them. This was done by aid of a instrument denominated a moccasin awl, which was made of the back-spring of an old clasp-knife. This awl. with its linck-horn handle, was an appendage Of every shot-pouch strap, together with a roll of buckskin, for mending the moccasins. This was the labor of almost every evening. They were sewed together and patched with deerskin throngs, or whangs, as they were commonly called. En cold weather, the moccasins were well stuffed with deer's hair, or dry leaves, so as to keep the feet comfortably warm, but in wet weather it was usually said the wearing them was ' a decent way of going barefooted ; ' and such was the fact, owing to the spongy texture of the leather of which the}- were made.

" Owing to the defective covering of the feet, more than to any other circumstance, the greater number of hunters were afflicted with rheumatism in their limbs. Of this disease they were all apprehensive in cold or wet weather, and therefore always slept with their feet to the fire, to prevent or cure it, as well as they could. This practice unquestionably had a very salutary effect, and prevented many of them from becoming confirmed cripples in early life." This description, while of interest as revealing the shifts of the times, also brings that period near to us, and so dispels, by evident accompanying discomforts, the glamour gathered about the buckskin garments of the forest dwellers of the early day.

Rude covering of deerskin gradually gave way to suits of linen and woolen. Sheep required much care to protect them from wolves, and the cash price of the coarsest wool was half a dollar per pound. One or two acres of land were sown to flax, expressly for lint. When ripe, the young people were invited, as to a frolic, and the flax was speedily pulled, and then such as had no religious scruples against dancing, remained after supper, to enjoy an hour or so in the pleasures of the dance.

Months of hard labor were required to earn a suit of clothes, and the use of boots and shoes was dispensed with by men now affluent, until long after the first falls of snow. The price for an ordinary pair of cowhide boots was $7, and this was paid in produce, at low rates.

The flax prepared for the wheel, now rarely seen, and the loom, was spun and woven by the mothers and the daughters, and with the woolen yarn were made up into warm, serviceable garments. The buzz of the spinning-wheel and the double shake of the loom were pleasant sounds, and their operation was a favorite avocation. The long web, unfurled upon a grassy spot, was left to bleach in the sun, under care and supervision, and when of snowy whiteness, were made up into shirts, sheets and summer wear. Sabbath and holiday suits were worn with laudable pride, as the skillful handiwork of mother, wife or daughter.

In the larger Eastern towns, British goods were worn, but in the "West they were unknown. The love of dress was not here wanting, but the means of gratifying it. Fashion had its votaries, but changes were infrequent and exactions not severe. A calico dress, made up by the wearer, served not only for the reception of company at home, but also for the party at the neighbor's. The wearer looked in nowise less attractive than do those clad in the richer fabrics of to-day, and few excused themselves from social gatherings upon the plea of " nothing to wear."

It was not until 1836, that Levi Spayd, the first tailor in Greenville, and still a resident, opened a shop for the making of mens' apparel. The women, as has been said, made up the cloth and garments worn by them. Carding-mills came later than the period of which we speak, and it was rare to see a person dressed in store clothes.

Girls spun cheerily with lightsome tread and quick movement, under the prospect of receiving 75 cents a week, and, in 1823, you might have gone in Greenville to the stores of John S. Douglass, Nicholas Greenham or of the House brothers, Isaac and Henry, and pricing calico, found it held at 40 to 50 cents a yard. Society in that early day knew little factional distinction, and the love of liberty and the maintenance of lofty sentiments were cherished by industry, and no dignity of character was held more precious than that derived from conscious and acknowledged worth. The opinion of the public and the sentiments of the aged were estimated at full value. True manhood was exampled in principle, integrity and independence, fitly expressed in the saying of an eminent old writer : "The inbred loyalty unto virtue which can serve her without a livery." The amusements of young and old were enjoyed with zest, There were huskings and quiltings, woodchoppings, losings and raisings, celebrations and musters, and each was a glad occasion. There was a double sense of enjoyment, the consciousness of profitable and necessary employment and familiar intercourse. Visits were made without formality, and were received with genuine satisfaction. Horseback riding for business or pleasure was common to both sexes, since horses could pass where tree and stump forbade the use of wheeled vehicles.

To-day, society, labor, dress and mode of travel are all changed. There is more formality and less happiness. There are fictitious distinctions of clans, but the records of the past honor the pioneer as the people of the present are doing noble work in the continuation of past labors.

Living in houses that are clapboarded, painted, blinded, and comfortably warmed and supplied with every essential and luxury of the age, we may look upon the old-fashioned implements as indispensable to the time, and present relics. They are seen as curiosities, guide-marks of progress in scientific and mechanical skill, while contemplated by the pioneer whose brawny arm had heaped and burned the log-heap, he muses as if his senses were steeped in shadowy dream. He sees again "the sleepless wilderness, a scene of wild expanse and nameless grandeur comes before his mind,

"The voice of Nature's very self drops low, As tho' she whispered of the long ago, When down the wandering stream the rude canoe Of some lone trapper glided into view, And loitered down the watery path that led Thro' forest depths that only knew the tread Of savage beasts, ami wild barbarians That skulked about with blood upon their hands And murder in their hearts. The light of day Might barely pierce the gloominess that lay Like some dark pall across the water's face, And folded all the land in its embrace; The panther's screaming, and the bear's low growl, The snake's sharp rattle, and the wolf's wild howl; The owl's grim chuckle, as it rose and fell In alternation with the Indian's yell, Made fitting prelude for the gory plays That were enacted in the early days.

" Now, o'er the vision, like a mirage, falls The old log cabin with its dingy walls, And crippled chimney, with the crutch-like prop Beneath a sagging shoulder at the top. The coonskin battened fast on either side, The wisps of leaf tobacco, cut and dried; The yellow strands of quartered apples hung In rich festoons that tangle in among The morning-glory vines that clamber o'er The little clapboard roof above the door; Again, thro' mists of memory arise The simple scenes of home, before the eyes; The happy mother humming with her wheel, The dear old melodies that used to steal Sn drowsily upon the summer air. The house dog hid his bone, forgot his care, And nestled at her feet, to dream, perchance, Some cooling dream of winter-time romance. The square of sunshine through the open door That notched its edge across the puncheon floor, i

Ami made a golden coverlet whereon The god of slumber had a picture drawn Of babyhood, in all the loveliness Of dimpled cheek and limb and linsey dress. The bough-filled fireplace and the mantle wide, Its fire scorched ankles stretched on either side,

Where, perched upon its shoulders 'neath the joist, The old clock hiccoughed, harsh and husky-voiced ; Tomatoes, red and yellow, in a row, Preserved not then for diet but for show; The jars of jelly, with their dainty tops; Bunches of pennyroyal and cordial drops. The flask of camphor and the vial of squills, The box of buttons, garden-seeds and pills. And thus the pioneer and helpsome aged wife Reflectively reviews the scenes of early life."

" Each of us is only the footing-up of a double column of figures that goes back to the first pair " asserts a great truth, since each generation inherits not alone the features, but much of the moral, mental and physical constitution, of that preceding. The sayings of our predecessors, perhaps reduplicated, are worthy of record since the}- speak knowingly of those who lived and toiled with them. W. S. Harper has written regarding the habits and manners of early settlers, as follows : " Darke County was first settled by an industrious, hardy race of pioneers, poor men who had been renters in other parts of the State. As soon as they were able to raise $100 or upward, the}- came here and invested it in land in order that the}' might have a home of their own, and not be compelled to work one-third of their time for an exacting landlord. As about all the means of the settlers were laid out in land, and as there was a heavy growth of timber all over the county to be cleared away before there could be anything raised to live upon, and as every man was solely dependent on his own labor and that of his family for the improvement of his farm, with this scanty help, he had many hindrances to combat. Three months of the year, sickness prevailed to such an extent that there were scarcely well persons enough to take care of the sick. To procure breadstuff, milling had to be done many miles from home. A single trip occupied from two to five da}Ts. Salt and leather must be had once a year by a journey to Cincinnati, which required from seven to ten days. If, as was sometimes the case, some products were in excess of the family need, and it was desired to sell, there was no market nearer than Piqua or Dayton, and the roads were so intolerably bad that it required a good span of horses in the most favorable season of the year to haul twenty-five bushels of wheat. There were many other hindrances of less magnitude, such as visiting the sick, administering to the needy, assisting to raise buildings, roll logs, keeping the ' vermin ' from the growing crop, and hunting to suppl}' the table with meat.

" To make lnonej' was out of the question, and no one fretted over it. If there could be enough money procured by selling wheat at 3 shillings 11 pence per bushel, or by disposing of deerskins and hams, or coonskins, or hoop-poles, to procure salt and leather, coffee for Sunday mornings, and to pay taxes, it was all that was expected ; and the recipients of these means of defraying expenses were more than thankful and better contented therewith than the frugal farmer of the present day with his abundance. Under these and other disadvantages, the county improved slowly. When a spot of ground was cleared and fenced, the gr< >und being dotted over with green stumps and roots, the farmer entered the field to prepare a crop with his team, bar-shear or bull-plow, and after whooping, hallooing, fretting, scolding and often getting heavy blows upon his ribs, and abrasions of skin, and working on in this way for a week, he had gone over the field, which then presented the appearance of having been rooted over by a drove of swine in search of edible roots.

Little of the land was fenced, and roads were made in every direction according to individual fancy, and without regard to land lines, the one object being to shun wet land and the larger logs. When any part of the road became almost impassable, improvement was made by laying poles or rails across the track and throwing upon them dirt to keep them down ; to repair one rod of such road was considered a (lav's work. As poor a makeshift as this was, it was the best that could be done in those days. It is doubtful whether as late as 1^20. there was money enough in the country to pay for the building of ten miles of turnpike. Under the impulse of making, having, living at and enjoying a home, the people in their poverty labored diligently, lived frugally, and contentedly cleared up their farms, minded their own business, helped their neighbors, and were accorded the fayor and blessing of their God. As the country was improved, houses of worship were erected, and the settlers in plainness and simplicity of speech met in them and at their own homes to worship the Giver of all good. There was more love for neighbors, more sympathy for suffering humanity, more benevolence, more of every grace that adorns the Christian character, than can be found in our country at the present day. Those plain, frugal and industrious pioneers have laid the foundation of one of the finest counties in the State of Ohio. With over eight hundred miles of turnpike, 2.000 miles of open ditches, and 10.00(1 miles of tile ditches ; with broad acres, fertile fields and manifest natural and acquired advantages, the people are greatly blessed."

This statement, made by one familiar with this subject after years of observation and experience, seems fully warranted in the essential facts. Increase of population has bestowed strength, divide burdens and restricted intercourse. The channel of feeling flows, perhaps not as deep, although the depth is not discoverable, and the people in the main have greatly improved upon the past.

The early conditions of society made it necessary that men, while seeking such opportunities as were presented to pursue their trade or profession, should base their means of subsistence upon the ownership and cultivation of land. It was not unusual to find the blacksmith-shop near the house, to which he came when wanted from his field, the preacher toiled during the week, and exhorted upon the Sabbath, the teacher shared in this condition, and was by no means exempt from the law of necessity governing the settlements, as is demonstrated by the following reminiscence of Dennis Hart. This person came in November. 1817, to Darke County, and entered a tract of Government land at what was known as " Yankee Town " in the township of Harrison. He found the land heavily timbered and sparsely inhabited, and therefore abandoned this tract in the fall of 181!). and located on Bridge Creek, on the lands of George W. N. Night. As winter approached, the settlers desiring a school, he opened a rate school in an old log cabin, the property of Joseph Townsend, and taught a satisfactory term. The next year, the citizens in that neighborhood built a log schoolhouse on the Greenville and Eaton road, just east of where now stands the house of A. II. Van Dyck, and he was called to serve as the teacher during the winters of 1820-21. His wife died in the former year, and two years later he married Jane McGlure, then a resident on Whitewater, near the McClure and Provines settlement. Miss McClure had come to Darke from Kentucky with her father in 1812, when ten years of age, and had grown familiar with a life in the forest, and with its vicissitudes, as several of her father's best horses had been stolen by Indians shortly after his settlement in Darke County. Teachers of the present complain of low wages, but Mr. Hart, as teacher in that day - sixty years ago - agreed to take his wages in corn. meat. potatocs.in short, anything he could use and the settlers could spare. Money payment was out of the question, and his necessity was great lie says : -- 1 was poor and scarce of money, and my clothing was not of the kind suitable for a cold winter, for 1 had to go many times to Adam's mill, which was some five miles distant, for a grist of corn-meal, after dismissing my school at night.

-- One day I went to Greenville to try to get some warmer clothes, especially a pair of pantaloons, hut had no money. I called at the store of Abram Scribner, and told him what was wanted and that I wished to pay him in trade from the articles received for services as teacher. He replied that he was not in need of corn, potatoes or produce of any kind, and such an exchange would not suit him, but that he would let me have the clothing and receive the pay in whisky. I then went to William and Robert Rood, who were operating a little distillery and horse, mill on the bottom land between Greenville and Mina, on the north side of Greenville Creek, sold them my corn at somewhat less than the market price, and received in exchange whisky at a higher rate than the Greenville merchant would allow, but succeeded in settling the account " - the last one for which Mr. Hart ever ran in debt.

Times have changed since then, in truth. Teachers no longer need to patronize distilleries to clothe themselves, and salaries are promptly paid in money. Judson Jaqua's experience and information form an interesting relation in connection with the foregoing, since, in addition to information of points of settlement, there is a statement of the disposition of the section set apart for schools and of a stimulus given to educational interests. He moved into Darke County in the spring of 1819, and " settled in the woods where there was not a tree amiss, except such as had been felled by hunters of bees and raccoons. A small opening had been made by Hart prior to his removal toward Greenville, and a settlement was soon formed by the arrival and settlement here of a number of families. Among the earliest on the ground were two or three New Englanders, and from that circumstance the settlement derived its name of Yankee Town. No schools were known at this time to be in session. Our Section 16, had been rented some years on a lease for ninetynine years, forever renewable, with interest at 6 per cent on its appraised value, but there had been no payment of rent, as there were no schools. At an election held in 1821, Mr. Jaqua was chosen Justice of the Peace, and thereby came into possession of a law-book, which being examined, there was found an act defining the method whereby school districts could be laid off, and acting on this information, the people defined the boundaries of a district which they entitled No. 1. The}' now began to inquire about the rent due on Section 16. This drew the attention of other settlements, and more districts were duly formed. New Madison was then Fort Black, and the block-house was still standing, its day of service past. Zadoc Smith had staked off some lots, and then sold out to E. Putnam, who had secured the services of Henry D. Williams, by whom the place was duly laid out. At this time there was, also, a semi-military station called Fort Nesbit on Section 29, but no town, and a good settlement on Whitewater Creek, extending from the south county line as far up as McClure's, lately C. C. Walker's place.

While alluding to the general privations of the earl}' settler, we may dwell upon one embarrassment which bore heavily upon his energies, and which to this generation is measurably unknown. Poor as he usually was, the settler, alone or with his family, had entered upon his westward journey with sufficient means to enter a tract of Government land. He knew that from the soil must come supplies of food ; but a noble growth of timber - sure token of fertility - encumbered the ground, and must first be removed before grain or vegetable could grow. Hard labor as it was, many found actual enjoyment therein, and, had no obstacles existed beyond the actual clearing, the woodsmen could have done their work without great difficult}'. It is a pleasure, at this late da}', to listen to the narrations of those who, when children, came upon their farms in this now favored section, and thereon have grown old in all but the evergreen memories of those first impressions. Differing in names, dates and locality of the settlement, the history of one of Darke County's pioneers is like to that of all. As units of the number in the force engaged in rendering subservient to the man the wild luxuriance of nature, the greatest troubles were met by those who led the van. When land had been chosen and improved somewhat, when lapse of time brought the day of payment and there was no money, nor the means to procure any. and when, suffering sickness and enduring hunger, default of payment or foreclosure of a claim drove the family from such home as had been made, then, in truth, was hardship known ; yet such was the reward of many who cleared land in Darke. As the law then stood, not less than :i quarter-section could be entered. The price of the public hind was si' an acre, and the purchaser was required to pay $80, or one-fourth, down, one-fourth in two years, and the balance in two equal annual installments, with interest; altogether, $320. If not paid within the time specified, the lands. with whatever had been paid of the installments, were forfeited, and a great many were unable to pay for their lands as required, and so. being placed at the mercy of the Government, they remained as occupants by sufferance. Forfeiture was not declared, and. in March, 1820, an act was passed by Congress, extending the time for payments to entries until March 31, 1821. This legislation simply allowed the settler to reside on his land another year, hut this gave no aid. He was as unable to pay at the end of the year as at the beginning. At length, a bill was introduced which provided that the holder of any legal certificate of purchase might file a relinquishment in writing, at the land office, on or before September 30, 1821 ; and if such person had paid but one-fourth of the first cost of the entry, he could pay the rest in eight equal annual installments ; if he had paid one-half the balance could be paid in six annual payments ; if three-fourths, the rest could have four equal yearly installments ; and if the whole amount could be paid by the last of September, 1S22. a deduction of three-eighths would be made on payments yet to be made. March 21, 1821, the bill passed, but Darke Count}- was remote, and news of this relief measure came when it was too late to make it available. The time, too, had nearly gone b}- before the district land officers had received orders from the proper department, and few had any benefit from the enactment. An act was passed March 3, 1823, continuing the provisions of the law of 1821 to September 30, 1823. Congress, however, contained man}' men who felt a deep interest in the development of the West, and who were earnest in their efforts to aid the moneyless settler. Soon an act was passed, authorizing the sale of public lands in one-eighth sections, and reducing the price to $1.25 per acre. Still another law was passed, legalizing land sales in one-sixteenth of a section, or forty-acre tracts, and permitting such as had entered lands under the first act to relinquish them, and to apply whatever they had paid to the payment of one-half the lands entered, or any other tract they might choose. The beneficial influence of this legislation was apparent, in securing as permanent settlers a number of families that otherwise would have been deprived of their homes, after losing both payments and labor. The land was low, wet. wooded and hard to clear up. About each cabin were a few acres in crop, and these pioneers raised no surplus. They were satisfied to bide their time if they had sufficient food to take them through to the next harvest. When supplies were necessitated, hauling had to be done great distances, upon roads almost impassable for wagons, and the greater part of such provisions was mainly corn meal and bacon, which were placed, generally, upon horses, and so brought home. Journe}Ts through the woods on foot were as little regarded, at such times, as trips equal distances now are by the railway.

Clearing was the labor of the day. and its method is little known by the favored descendants of the present. In 1820, intelligence directing physical strength was excellent, but courage and bodily power were imperative, and the weakly were out of place, Avhile idlers were held in contempt, Opprobious epithets were freely applied to him who shunned labor, and his punishment came home with force when neighbors refused to attend his calls.

The settler, ax in hand, prepared to commence a spot of clearing, felled his trees with scientific skill in double windrows inward, piling and interlacing limbs and tops ; then, when the summer's heat had evaporated the moisture and all was dry as tinder, a chosen time found favorable winds which drove the fires enkindied with waxes of flame and furnace heat from end to cud. and left the charred and blackened trunks for future disposal. The practice of girdling was frequently a resort, and a tract whereon the trees stood leafless and decaying was aptly termed a deadening. These trees were cut in time, and used for fencing and for firewood, the latter use from readiness to burn, not disposition to economize the timber. The choicest timber found no exemption, the walnut, cherry and poplar, with the beech, the ash and the maple, were alike " in one red burial blent."

It was customary to cut logs in lengths, and then give notice of a logging bee, when all turned out to roll the logs in heaps ready for burning. Changing works was the rule, which had no exception. Many a settler, having risen earl}', traveled miles through the woods to take part in a logging, and has, on his return home, passed much of the night in kindling and keeping up his log-heap fires. There being a small spot cleared for home site and truck patch, it was customary to chop during winter for a spring crop of corn. The brush was burned where it lay, and if there was rank vegetation and the fire swept the field, it was in all the better condition for the crop. The matted roots of vegetable growth and the layers of decaying leaves contributed to fertilize the ground. In the early spring days, the busy settlers fired their log heaps or their windrows, and the woods were darkened and travelers confused and blinded by the dense clouds of smoke. The darkness of night was intensified by the fires. Lurid flames, casting strange shadows upon the surrounding forest, lent a weird, uncanny aspect to this midnight holocaust of noble timber - the wreck and ruin of unchecked centuries of growth. There were pillars, too, of fire in these clearings where the flames had crept as if in stealth insidiously upward along the hollow of some tall dead tree, till, issuing fiercely exultant at the top, the}' waved their victory from this woodwalled furnace. And on these clearings were seen the many fires burning, as if the night had come again after the massacre of November 4, and the savages were repeating in pantomime their infernal tortures on their hapless captives. Here is seen a heap just lighted, where burns a lively flame, there red embers, glowing in heat, mark the sites of piles of logs consumed. Those who were without team and plow, or all, if the season was far advanced, planted their corn, pumpkins, turnips and potatoes irregularly among the stumps, amid the moldmingled ashes. The pest of weeds, which came later to strive for dominance was unknown, and settlers had need only to guard their crops from depredation , and to go through the fields to pull or cut the fire-wood, which grew rank and lu xuriant from questioned germ, upon these newly cleared fields. It was soon e xterminated, to be succeeded by others less thrift}' and more obnoxious. In cropping, each settler followed his own desire ; some sowed wheat and rye upon the g round after cutting the corn, in wide rows of stooks, while others sowed a piece of ground prepared for the purpose during the summer, and, one way with another, managed to harrow it under.

The farmer of sixty years ago was poorly supplied with poor tools. There was no kind of machinery used in agriculture, as then there teas none to use. Hoes, drags and brash were used to cover seed. A broken tool was not easily repaired, for the blacksmith's shop was generally some distance away, and, in consequence, tools were made strong and unwieldy. The drag was made by the settler or his more handy neighbor. Two round or hewed sticks were joined ; the one was longer than the other, and, projecting, was made the place for attachment for the chain, and both were braced apart by a cross-piece. Seven heavy iron teeth were set in, four upon the longer piece, three on the other. Not unfrequently, necessit}' supplied the harrows with wooden teeth. Fields were cultivated several seasons mainly with the hoe, to allow time for the decay of roots. For breaking up land, two kinds of plows were used - the bar shear, which had a long, flat shear, a coulter or cutter placed on the point of the shear, and extending up through the beam, and a wooden mold-board. The beam and handle extended about ten feet. The other was known as the " Bull plow," and was brought into the country by immigrants from New York and New Jersey. One of the first employed in breaking in Darke County had but one handle and a wooden moldboard. The first improvement made upon this plow was the addition of another handle. It was the best plow then in use, clumsy and heavy to handle as it was. The earliest introduced patented plow was known as the " Peacock." The great improvement on the <>1<1 bar shear consisted in the change of the material of the moldboard from wood to east iron. These served to stir up the surface of the soil, but the plowman of to-day, throwing the soil clean from the furrow, lias little thought of the effort made to drag one of those plows through the land, the adherence of soil to the plow, the failure to "scour," and the poor work possible with such a tool.

Climate

A powerful element of no slight importance, relating to the past and present of Darke County, and one beyond the considerations of fertility and prospective or actual capacity, was that of climate. It was generally believed, with good show of reason, the land being cleared, this county would excel in the salubrity of its climate. Since the early settlement of Darke County, occurring changes have greatly modified the climate, and to a less extent this is still in progress. The original forest, together with the undergrowth, shut out the sun from the soil and impeded atmospheric circulation. The almost monotonous level of the surface receiving the winter snows and spring rains retained the water through the summer on account of driftwood, vegetation and other obstructions. Evaporation proceeded slowly during summer, and thereby caused a moist, cool air. The forests broke the sweep of the cold northwest winds of winter, and the freezing of large, partially submerged tracts, gave off a sufficient amount of heat to sensibly mitigate the cold incident to the season. The soil, bedded in leaves and vegetation, was greatly protected from the frost, and the warm air of spring speedily awakened the dormant germs of vegetation. It also happened that the surface protected by overhanging foliage from the heat of summer, more readily experienced the influences of wind and frosts, and hastened winter. The forests being gradually cut down to make room for cultivation, the land being thoroughly drained, these conditions have correspondingly changed. The earth now receives the sun-rays unobstructed ; the air has free circulation. The tilled lands have been underdrained with tile and open ditches, thereby carrying away at once the melting snows of winter and the rains of spring, leaving little moisture to affect the climate by evaporation. The effect of this denuding and draining of the soil is seen in the great depth to which the summer's sun-rays penetrate, and as these rays are given off, the arrival of winter is proportionally delayed. But when the reserve of heat is exhausted, the unprotected earth is deeply frozen, and from these conditions come later springs, warmer summers and delayed but more severe winters. An analysis of the climate of Darke, according to the previous description, requires a consideration, also, of the situation of its land and the direction and character of its winds. Located about midway between the Alleghany Mountains and the .Mississippi River, there is observable a prevalence of westerly winds. This is explained by the enormous area of level lowlands whereon the atmosphere is influenced by the earth's rotary motion, causing it to move in westerly currents toward or from the equator. The west and northwest winds are mainly dry-air currents, so that although the annual rainfall is considerable, yet under their action the moisture is rapidly absorbed. Such conditions would inure to the productiveness of most soils, but in a good, rich soil such as Darke County occupies, there is almost a certainty of ample and abundant crops.

The averages in the various seasons are. approximately, 31° for winter. 57° for spring. 7 1 for summer and 52° for autumn. The winter is long, and there are sudden changes from the mildness of spring to the most intense cold. These cold spells are rarely more than seven or eight days' duration, and are generally preceded by storms of rain or snow. Rain falls almost nightly and for a day or so at a time during spring, and the temperature fluctuates from the chill of winter to the warmth of summer. Following one of these changes, summer comes and is throughout of a tropical character. As fall draws near, the atmospheric conditions approach uniformity, and at this period Darke County is seen to the greatest advantage Breathing an agreeable atmosphere, surrounded by healthful conditions, the beholder looks with pleasure upon the fields, the orchards and the gardens. Turning to the woodlands, he sees the maples, elms and oaks in holiday attire preparing for their period of rest. There is there every hue and all shades of color. The winds toy with the branches ; the sunlight is all about them some are darkened as in shadow, others are brilliant in the glow of light, and all' alXt

The health of the settler and of the later residents has been subjected to the mutations affecting the climate. In the low swamps, miasma prevatd he act on

0 the sim upon the decaying vegetation opened by the clearing and stirred by he plow, induced fevers and chills, and there were few that did not at times succumb to these disorders. The healthy and hearty entered into the rtra^SaSXS rXE buT dthr°USly- Lab°r h,ad itS ZeSt- and food -d Sep were most refreshing , but there were many who struggled on under the depression and hindrances of sickness. As settlers came in and clearing took SrTweep sickness became more general, or, at least, more apparent, and when D rs Penine th'caS th'sick GTnVme' feJ fOUnd --^employment iTaUen^Z tne calls of the sick. Fever and ague prevailed, and few, if any, families but had some sick members. Not then, as now, was quinine available-not Ten known-

1 e PoP^ar remedies were dogwood and wild-cherry bark steeped in native whiskj . Slow progress was made for a time, as men became disheartened left the county and circulated reports that were not only true but Badly^^^T claimable wilderness of morass and swamp, the haunt of pestiferous agu^s and

1TJ; in^ereiT,VflUX ^ bili°US fever at certain\easons of^he year The sichTv and I^Q tl' W6re comlff^ely healthy; the year following was more Si' 839, SUl} m°re S°' and from that time m there were more or less of bilious complaints every season. Since that date, both towns and county live been generally healthy As an illustration of the desperation to wMch^e medi cal treatment subjected patients, we relate an incident in the practice of Dr Sard one of the veteran physicians of the early day. He was called in as fa nily 'phvsi cian to minister to the wants of a sick child? Cold water was fo'rb dS and c" -" omel, as was usual, was administered. The doctor then retired, with romle of a return the next day. Cold water was barred ; the boy begged for a drink but entreated in vain, as the doctor's orders were immutable law°° He tnen resorted o i, Ih ff FerUlgKa det'e f°r reSt and reP°se' the toi1^ retired to pennrt the ? indulgence Soon heavy breathing announced that all were asleep, and the patient arose from bed, staggered to the water-bucket, and, to his dismay found Lit « tZ This discovery would have been hailed by imprecations that would have roLe 1 all in he house had not the necessity of the case demanded control, wlter must be ad, although the spring was at quite a distance. The coffee-pot was foim and the patient set out to assuage his consuming thirst. He rested several times in the wet grass but finally arrived at the spring, drank heartily, ai id IdScovered returned to his bed, having placed the well-filled coffee-pot at the bXde This was two-thirds emptied before this suicidal act was known, when the doctor was

SSd^ 7? St0°d Wif aS,t0ni8hed -d look'waitli g serious results that did not happen. In a few days, the patient had recovered Di Gard was as skillful as the best, and did his duty, but the practice of that Hv spotted fever, 21; of consumption, 58; of pneumonia, 32, and of old age, 17. This gives a small fraction over 1 death yearly from each 100 of population - a rate that will compare favorably with other localities and which demonstrates the present healthfullness of the climate.

Rich as the land was. it could not produce money, and this must be had to meet payments and taxes. Clearing, aside from small patches, had no stimulus. ( )f what avail were bins of corn and wheat, and droves of swine, without a purchaser or market, and of markets there were none. Having sufficient bread ami meat, all were satisfied, and they shared freely with each other and with strangers. Wheat was worth about 2 shillings per bushel, and corn changed hands at about onehalf that price. The current prices fluctuated with the supply, and it was a gratification when a newspaper for the first time made it appearance and obtained general circulation in the county. It was published at Eaton. Preble County, and subscription was paid in corn at 15 cents per bushel. Pork was sold, when it could be sold, at 2 and 3 cents a pound ; beef brought about the same price ; maple sugar was held at 6 and 8 cents per pound, and maple syrup at about 2 shillings a gallon. Wages ranged from 2 to 3 shillings a day, and this was regarded as an average of compensation. Had some wealthy man bought large tracts and taken steps to develop the capacity of the land, there were many who would gladly have offered their services, but improvement in wages, prices and health were yet far in the future ; and this border life between the civilized and the savage had few attractions such as society affords.

Fifty-six years ago, and nine counties in Western Ohio, stretching from the State's south boundary to Lake Erie, had one representative in the State Legislature and cast a vote of less than 700. Andrew Hiller took the census of Darke County in 1830. at which date the population entire was 6,204, and of Greenville 204. which was an increase of 2,487 in ten years. The condition of the country in 1824 has been described as follows : " At that time, the present townships of Mississinewa, Jackson, Allen, York, Patterson and Wabash, did not contain a single inhabitant. In Brown, there were three families; in Franklin, one; in Monroe, three ; more than three-fourths of the townships of Wayne, Richland, Adams, Van Buren, Butler and Twin, were an unbroken wilderness, and in the most populous parts of the county, more than half the land yet belonged to the United States. The present fine valleys of East Fork. Mud ('reek. West Branch and Bridge Creek, were dismal swamps, tangled morasses through which the intrepid surveyors under Ludlow forced their way ; at times waist-deep in water and resisted by briars, branches and tall grasses. Half the farms were fenceless ; cattle and swine ran half wild, and the latter were trapped and hunted with ferocious dogs. In that year, there were four grist-mills in the county, all of which, together might have ground one hundred bushels of corn per day, if the conditions were favorable, that is. if there was water in the streams, the dam unbroken and the mill machinery in order. Much of the time, the settlers resorted to the mills of Jerry Cass, on Middle Fork ; Sheets and Razor, on the Stillwater ; Lehman's, at Howdy, and to those more certain, yet more distant upon the Miami River.

There were also eight or ten saw-mills that, for three months in the year. could cut from 500 to 1,000 feet of lumber in a day and night's run, provided something was not broken or out of order; for it was the exception and not the rule to find them in running condition. In one branch of business, the county has retrograded. There were then a dozen or less of petty distilleries, whose united product fell far short of quenching tin- thirst of the people, and additional supplies were drawn from the establishments of McGrew, on Whitewater, and Sheets. Razor's and Robnock, on Stillwater. Those of Lehman

& Rench were passed by, as the local demand left no surplus. To this was added the imported cognac. Jamaica, Scheidam, from Cincinnati, besides Madeira, sherry and port, so essential to preserve health, and so essential in sickness. T. Snell and J. Huffman coopered kegs for the products of the stills, and manufactured well buckets, kraut tubs and other vessels needed by the settlers. There were in the county six brick houses and thrice that number of frame buildings, the cost of construction of none having been in excess of $500. Every other human habitation was the log house, in its various phases, from the round-pole structure with bark covering, to the two-story hewed-log, with shingle roof and glazed windows. There were a number of schoolhouses, the best of which was not worth $15, and all of them together would have been dear at $100.

Two meeting-houses, one a Methodist and one a Hard-shell Baptist, built of hewed logs, and roofed with clapboard, composed the ecclesiastical structures of the county at that period. Religious services were held at long and irregular intervals, at various places, the court house, private dwellings, or, if the weather permitted, out of doors.

The roads of the county consisted of the old war traces of St. Clair and Wayne, cut more than thirty years before, the Indian path to the Miami on the east, "and the Whitewater towns on the west and southwest, and some few other " traces," as they were called, cut out by the early settlers ; so that a wagon might possibby get along in the daytime, provided the driver had an ax along with him, to cut his way around trees, which had fallen across the road. A trip with a conveyance on wheels, to and from Piqua or Troy, to Lockey's Mills or Paris, under very favorable circumstances, might be made in from three to five days ; to Eaton, the Mississinewa or Recovery, in a much longer period. Nothing on wheels was ever attempted to be taken to St. Mary's or Loramie, and if anything of the kind ever went to Winchester, it never returned.

There were not then over one hundred acres of cleared land in a body, in the county ; the proportion of cultivated to wild land cannot definitely be stated, but sixteen years later, 1840, the area of land utilized by civilization, by inclosure, and much of that still covered with timber and denominated " woods pasture," amounted to but little over 25 per cent.

It remains to revert to the general features of the county. At that time the lands subjected to cultivation were the more elevated portions of Greenville, Washington, Harrison and Neaves Townships, with narrow belts along Stillwater, Swamp Creek and Greenville Creek in the townships of Richland, Wayne and Adams ; on Millers Fork in Twin, and at the head of Twin Creek in Butler. The Painter Creek and the swamps of Twin, reaching from Greenville Creek to the southern boundary of the county, and from the east side of Butler and Neaves Townships to the Miami County line, and including an area of more than a hundred square miles, now exhibiting a bocby of as good farming lands as any in the Miami Valley, and which are now as well-improved and productive as any in the county, were, fifty years ago, and for many years thereafter, a wilderness, heavil}- wooded and much the greater part under water, varying from one to five feet in depth, more than half the year. In a like condition, until quite a recent period, was more than half of the townships of Jackson, Brown, Allen, Wabash and Patterson. These regions have been entirely reclaimed to agricultural uses, and are now producing, some thirty, some sixty and some an hundred fold."

When settlers' cabins stood at secluded places, at wide intervals upon high ground, on creek banks, or deep in the woods, the circuit rider had set out on his mission of good. Traversing road, trace and forest paths, he found cordial welcome eveiwwhere. Arousing strong opposition, he had power in Gospel truth, plainly expressed, and found ample illustration from the boundless volume of

Nature. Let it be said to the honor of the pioneer, that despite the crude state of society, whoever made any profession of religion was faithful in worship and fervent in spirit. Church members from the East gladly called in kindred spirits to hold prayer-meetings in their cabins, relate their experience and cheer each on. They gave kind greeting to the chance or expected itinerant preacher on his arrival, took charge of his horse and speedily sent out the children or went themselves along the byways to notify the neighborhood, when all dropped their employment and gathered to the meeting.

It was well that Christians were strong in faith, brave and determined, for there was much wickedness practiced. The character of employment, and association at races, courts, musters, raisings and other assemblages, tended strongly to make the popular vices of gambling, drinking and righting. There was urgent need of the enthusiastic and eloquent men, who from the cabin door, the rude stand in the large barn, or the extemporized pulpit at the camp-meeting in the wood, addressed the gathered throng in ringing tones with thrilling language upon those noblest of themes - salvation and immortality. The records of those meetings of the olden time almost persuade the reader that some speakers of that day were, at times, inspired with superhuman power of speech.

There are few now living who recollect John Purviance, who lived on the "Whitewater, and championed the tenets of the Christian Church ; Andrew and Henry Rush, who exhorted in the Methodist faith, and Dearborn and Finley, representative circuit riders. Some tew may recall old John Hiller and his grown-up sons - settlers on the West Branch - and the pioneer meeting-house erected in his neighborhood. They have passed away, and few are the traces left of them.

It is asserted that Judge J. Purviance preached at the house of Judge Rush, on Mud Creek, in 1811, the first sermon delivered to a civil congregation within the bounds of Darke County. His father, David Purviance, was one of the originators of what were termed the " New lights," in Kentucky. Rev. J. Purviance was a teacher, as well as a preacher and worker, and his dwelling near Braffettsville, in Harrison Township, was made to answer the threefold purpose of schoolroom, meeting-house and dwelling.

About the same year, Abraham Sneethen preached a sermon in Greenville, and Henry Arnold speaks of it as the first he had heard in this county. Among other pioneer preachers of the Christian denomination were Isaac- Main, John Foster and William Polly. The Baptists formed a society at an early date and erected a house of worship - evidence of members and influence. The Presbyte rians delayed organization until 1818, when Rev. Shannon who had seined as chaplain in one of Harrison's Kentuclcy regiments, ^preached at the residence of Mr. Martin, father of John H. Martin. Early history of Methodism in Darke County has mainly to do with the circuit riders, elders and churches. The record of Methodism during the early 3-ears of settlement is meager. The first Methodist minister that visited this county was Rev. John Brown in 1817, and the year following John P. Durbin (since Corresponding Secretary of the American Missionary Society) preached on what was then known as the Baton Circuit. It was extensive in area, embracing appointments at Camden and Eaton in Preble County ; Greenville and Siller's in Darke County, Covington, in .Miami County, and Union, Concord and Germantown in Montgomery County, besides parts of Wayne and Randolph in Indiana. The pioneer meeting-house of the county was erected by the Methodist society in 1818, and is yet standing upon its original site, about four miles west of Greenville and a half-mile south of Winchester turnpike. Great pains were taken with this rude sanctuary in its construction. Its walls were of hewed logs, and the work when completed was considered excellent. The pulpit, made of rough boards, and two or three slab seats, are still in existence. The roof was originally of the old well known cabin style, but has since been renewed and bears a more modern covering. The old house itself has been kept in such repair that it served for the accommodation of the people on funeral occasions. The dedicator}' sermon for this old landmark of religion was preached by Rev. Durbin, and the following Presiding Elders severally held within its door their quarterly meetings : Alexander Cummins, John Strange, John Collins, J. B. Finley, John F. Wright, William H. Raper and William B. Christie. The first quarterly meeting for the Greenville Circuit of 1S17 was held at Greenville in the private dwelling of John Dunn by Elder Moses Crume. Rev. Durbin preached at the house of A. Scribner and his teaching seems to have been salutary in its effect upon the community. Soon the limits of the circuit were diminished and regular preaching was discontinued until 1833, although during this interval, sermons were occasionally delivered at the court house, dwelling-houses, and such other places as could be procured for that purpose. The want of houses of worship gave rise to the custom of holding camp-meetings and other religious assemblages in the open air. This was resorted to by the different denominations, and drew large crowds, but sometimes the good results were counterbalanced by the rowdying ruffianism that intruded itself. The yearly Dunker meetings were rarely disturbed. The peculiar methods of the sect, their generosity in feeding the multitude, chiefly upon soups, had much to do, no doubt, in securing the order that so generally prevailed at their meetings.

In 1818, the first class was organized in Darke County, at the pioneer church, and was known as the"Hiller and Li vergood class." In 1833, William Oliver, resident about six miles north of Greenville, formed a second class, which consisted of the following named persons : Mrs. Turpen and daughter Emeline (the wife of Dr. Sexton), Mrs. L. R, Brownell, William Barrett and wife, and William J. Birely and wife. It is said of Mrs. Turpen that she, at times, walked four miles to church and class. This class was organized under Revs. Francis Timmons and Ira Chase, who were on the circuit at this date. A class was formed at Greenville this same year. The Methodists experienced much opposition, being regarded as hypocritical and fanatical. Meetings were disturbed and attempts were made to inflict violence upon the ministers.

In 1834, prayer-meeting began to be held at the house of William Wile}7, whose wife had been a member of the Baptist Church at her former home. Mr. Wiley's meetings were at first attended by persons spirituously as well as spiritually inclined. After a time, religious people came quite generally, and this led in time to the present Wednesday evening prayer-meeting in Greenville.