Hanover Township (part 18 of 29)

He was warmly attached to the Bible Society, Sabbathschools, missionary societies, the American Colonization Society, and every other institution which had for its object the illumination, liberty, and happiness of men. To establish a Sunday-school in his immediate neighborhood he exerted all his influence; and while he refused the superintendence of the school he most cheerfully became a teacher, and the diligent, profitable, and agreeable manner in which he taught was not soon forgotten by those who had the privilege of being his scholars. He was never absent, never late in attendance. He attended public worship regularly.

James Shields died on the 13th of August, 1851, after a lingering sickness. He had returned home from Washington, with extreme difficulty, and from the day of his arrival was generally confined in bed. He did not lose his cheerfulness, although his sufferings were great. He left an affectionate wife and twelve children to lament their loss.

The War Of 1812

THe second war with Great Britain was a very important one to us. Without saying, as do some historians, that England had never given. up her hopes of forcing us to come back until after 1815, it is clear that there were many questions upon which, if successful, she could have ordered matters to suit herself. Her fleets could have filled the Northern lakes; Oregon would have been hers, as well as a strip of more than one hundred miles wide running out to the Rocky Mountains;

Maine would have lost her northern frontier, and the Indians would have threatened us for the next quarter of a century. Here, in Butler County, a success to Great Britain meant an army marching down to Cincinnati, and devastation by the Indians all through the western part of Ohio. Happily, we were victorious.

The declaration of war was immediately followed by the raising of troops in Cincinnati, Dayton, Franklin, Middletown, and Hamilton. There were.at least eight companies from this county, or chiefly from this county, but it is impossible to give a list of them. Their musterrolls are decaying in some garret, or have before this been used as kindling. The customary term of enlistment was for six months, and several of the later companies embraced men. who had been out before. The disastrous experience of the American army at the beginning of the Revolutionary War had not taught our authorities its rightful lesson, and we had again, at the opening of the Rebellion, to be shown that troops enlisted for short periods are of very little value. When some slight experience is gained, their term is up, and it is time to go home again.

The best known of those who went out from this county was Joel Collins, who had been a soldier in the Indian wars, and was then settled in the township of Oxford.

In organizing the militia of the county, previous to the commencement of hostilities with England, two rifle companies were ordered to be made up by voluntary enrollment, one out of the militia residing on the east, the other out of the militia residing on the west side of the Miami River. Collins himself enrolled as a private soldier under Captain William Robeson, who had been elected to command the company on the west side of the river. Captain Robeson was, however, shortly after promoted to a brigade-major, and the company then chose his lieutenant, John Taylor, to be their commander. He died in 1811, and Joel Collins was elected his successor. His commission bore date the 16th of May, 1812, giving him the rank of captain of a rifle regiment; he was attached to the first battalion, second regiment, third brigade, and first division of Ohio militia. In the Spring of the year 1812, General James Findlay, who had command of the third brigade, in preparing to join Hull's army, sent an order for the two rifle companies in Butler County to parade in the town of Hamilton on a given day, and the company which should have the largest number of volunteers on the ground would have the honor of being taken into the service and attached to Findlay's regiment. General Findlay acted in the capacity of a colonel in the expedition, under General Hull. Unfortunately for Captain Collins, as he thought at the time, many of his men were prevented from appearing, being unable to cross the streams of water, that day flooded by the torrents of rain which had fallen the night previous, and Captain John Robinson, who resided on Dick's Creek, Lemon Township, who commanded the other rifle company, received the appointment. Thus a kind providence (though much against his own will) permitted Captain Collins and his men to escape the disaster by which the first army of the North was overtaken. They, however, held themselves - in readiness for the next call. It was determined, in the course of the Summer, to furnish the army on the northern frontier with an additional number of troops from Ohio. The counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Warren, and Butler were to make up one battalion, the counties farther north to make up another, the two to compose one regiment. Early in August he received orders to march with his company to the town of Lebanon, in the county - of Warren, the place appointed for the rendezvous of the troops from the counties first named. Accordingly he gave notice to the men composing the rifle company to parade in Hamilton on the tenth day of August, 1812, and a company ninety-two strong, including officers, was on the ground that day, a muster-roll of which was then made out, and was in his possession for many years. follows: 3

"Fort Hamivton, August 17, 1812. "Srr: - Captain Collins has agreed to meet the detachment at Lebanon, as you wished. I promised to them payment of his company about ten o'clock. He has really one of the finest companies I ever saw; somewhere about one hundred strong. They are as fine, cheerful a set of fellows as can be well placed in exercise. Whatever is offered to them, they are ready and willing to march when and where they are wanted. I expect to be in Cincinnati to-morrow. They have some tents, and are preparing more. They expect orders from you for marching. I am, sir, respectfully, 'Your obedient servant, ''GrORGE P. ToRRENCE." under Captain Joseph Jenkinson, and a company of light infantry, under Captain Matthias Corwin. The commissioned officers met in the evening, and elected Captain Joseph Jenkinson major. The command of his company devolved on Lieutenant Gibson. Thus organized, they next day took up their line of march for Urbana, making quite a formidable appearance. But before reaching the town of Dayton, they received the news that Hull and the whole of his army were made prisoners by the enemy, and that the British, with their Indian allies, were rapidly advancing upon the frontier settlement of the State.

At Urbana they were joined by the second battalion, under the command of Major James Galloway, of Xenia. The commissioned officers of these battalions elected David Sutton, of Warren County, to command the regiment. Colonel Sutton had raised a company, and gone out with the first army as a captain, had been sent into the interior by General Hull, for the purpose of transacting some business connected with the army, and was with Jenkinkinson's battalion on his return, when they received the intelligence of Hull's surrender.

General Hu!], who was an old and esteemed officer of the Revolutionary army, was in command of the forces on our frontier. Being without proper support, and without provisions, he surrendered his troops to the British, on the 16th of August, 1812. A storm was immediately raised about his head, he was court-martialed, and his countrymen mentioned his name, for years, with only less detestation than that of Benedict Arnold. So strong was the feeling of patriotism which pervaded the country at that time, that it appeared as if every able-bodied man, whether old or young, who, could possibly raise a horse and gun, was on the move for the frontier, and-in a few days a large and promiscuous multitude were collected in and about Urbana. But they were without leaders, and knew not what to do. At length Governor Meigs and General Tupper, with other leading characters, appeared on the ground, with the agreeable news that General

Harrison was coming on to take command. Harrison was then governor of Indiana Territory, and had been invited to Frankfort, Kentucky, by Charles Scott, governor of Kentucky, to consult on the subject of defending the northwestern frontier. Governor Scott, on the 25th of August, 1812, appointed William Henry Harrison majorgeneral of the Kentucky militia, which appointment he accepted. This measure, although complained of by some at the time, appears to have answered a good purpose. The supposed defection of General Hull had implanted a spirit of suspicion and distrust in the minds of both officers and men, and some of them were not slow to express themselves unwilling to enter the-service under the command of any but a man of acknowledged patriotism, and who possessed at least some experience in the art of war. The year before he had gained a brilliant victory over the Indians at the battle of Tippecanoe. The appointment of General Harrison, therefore, seemed to be a measure called for by the public feeling at the time. On the seventeenth day of September following the President of the United States appointed General Harrison commander-in-chief of all the troops in the Northwestern Territory. ;

Governor Meigs gave orders for the troops to spread out for the protection of the frontier. It was deemed proper, in making arrangements, to divide Colonel Sutton's regiment; and Major Jenkinson, with his battalion, was ordered to file to the left, by way of Troy and Piqua, in the direction of Fort Wayne, while the colonel, with Galloway's battalion, joined the troops destined to form the center line, and took up his line of march in the direction of Fort McArthur. Soon after Jenkinson's arrival at Piqua, General Harrison, with two or three regiments from Kentucky, appeared on the left wing, and assumed the command.

Major Jenkinson called a meeting of his captains, soon after, and informed them that he had orders to send one company as an escort of a train of wagons on their way to Fort Wayne; one company to act as road-cutters, to open a wagon-way along Wayne's old trace from Fort Loramies to St. Mary's; and another company to relieve a company of militia from Ohio, stationed at Loramies; the remainder of the battalion to remain at Piqua for further orders. Major Jenkinson permitted the captains to decide the matter by lot, as to what company should be assigned to each particular duty. Tickets were accordingly prepared, and placed in a hat. On drawing them out, it fell to the lot of Captain Collins and his company to open the road. They performed that duty in about eight days, and were directed to remain in their last encampment. One night, about ten o'clock, while they were lying at that place, Lieutenant Nathaniel McClain came to them, as. an express, to inform them that Captain Corwin's company, which was acting as an escort to twenty wagons loaded with valuable supplies for the army, was encamped about three miles in their rear; that there was good reason to apprehend that a party of Indians intended to make an attack on the escort before morning; and that Captain Corwin wished Captain Collins to re-enforce him with as many men as he could spare. Captain Collins soon had _ his company on parade, and was obliged to make a detail of men to remain and keep their own camp, for every man wanted to go to the relief of his comrades. Captain Collins, with more than half his company, moved off in quick time. Lieutenant McClain led the way, he being mounted on a horse furnished him by the wagoners. When Captain Collins arrived at the camp, Captain Corwin was himself going the rounds, relieving his guards, at that part of the line of sentinels which they first reached. He informed Captain Collins that a considerable number of the Wabash Indians (who pretended friendship for the whites) had visited the setthkements in the neighborhood of Piqua, with the expectation that the inhabitants would afford them maintenance through the Winter. But our army needed alk the spare provisions, and the people, after these Indians had been among them a few weeks, became tired of them, arid insisted on their returning to their own homes. They had left in rather an angry mood, two or three days before the departure of the wagons for Fort Wayne. It was also reported to him, by some of his men, that Indians had been seen in the dusk of the evening near his encampment, apparently in the act of spying out his position. Besides, it seemed reasonable to suppose that the contents of the wagons afforded a strong temptation to a band of starving sayages, who, they had every reason to believe, were within striking distance, and who knew that they were loaded with the provisions they somuch needed. He had thrown out a guard sufficiently strong to form a close chain of sentinels entirely around his encampment, at least one hundred and fifty paces in advance of the wagons. It was decided that out of the re-enforcements now arrived, a second chain of sentinels should be made fifty paces in advance of the first line. Accordingly, Captain Collins proceeded to place at that distance one of his men opposite to each space between the sentinels of the first chain. While in the performance of that duty, Collins heard the snap of a musket, nearly in the direction he was going.

66 107 ; Call the sergeant to go round and let the guards know of this arrangement." Here was an error committed for want of thought. A notice of the plan adopted should have been given to the sentinels before its execution commenced. Mr. Collins, however, said he could not well censure Captain Corwin for not performi ' i performing that duty or making the suggestion, as he claimed to outrank him because of his age and experience, though it was a military blunder that had nearly cost him his life.

The encampment was not disturbed by the Indians during the night, but in the opinion of those experienced in Indian warfare, it was believed that the care and vigilance of the escort in guarding against a surprise prevented them from making the attempt. It will be recollected that these same Indians shortly afterward became so hostile and took such a decided part against the whites that a regiment of six hundred men, composed of a few regulars, a volunteer company from Pennsylvania, and some militia from Kentucky and Ohio, were sent out under the command of Colonel Campbell of the regular army, to drive them from their towns and destroy their habitations. But before the colonel could finish, the Indians collected in great numbers, and gave him battle. Colonel Campbell and his men, however, being on their guard and well prepared, succeeded in repulsing the enemy, with the loss, on his part, of some fifty men in killed and wounded.

There are many well known instances where the Indians have abandoned a meditated attack because they could not find the white people off their guard, and therefore could not take them by surprise. Now, if Colonel Campbell of the standing army has justly received the applause of his countrymen for saving himself with the loss of fifty men killed and wounded, there can be no impropriety in thinking well of a young militia captain who, by his own care and the vigilance of his men, saved all without losing any thing. .

The hostile Indians on the Wabash and Hlinois having thrown themselves under the protection of the British, General Winchester left a small garrison for the protection of Fort Wayne, and moved with his army down the Maumee. In the mean time, General Harrison had received his commission of major-general in the regular army of the United States. He had ordered Colonel William Jennings to join General Winchester at old Fort Defiance, at the mouth of the Auglaize River, with a large drove of beef cattle and other army supplies. Colonel Jennings was advised of the probable time at which General Winchester would arrive at Defiance, and was ordered not to advance nearer than ten or fifteen miles without having certain intelligence that the army had arrived there. Our spies, however, discovered that old Fort Defiance, at which they were to form this junction, was occupied by the British and Indians, at least three days after the time set for General Winchester's arrival there. This intelligence was immediately communicated by express to the commanding general at St. Mary's, who ordered that the troops at that place should forthwith be supplied with three days' rations, and an additional supply of gun-flints and ammunition; and by three o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, Colonels Poage's and Barbee's regiments of Kentucky volunteers, Colonel Sim- rall's regiment of dragoons, Garrard's troop of horse (also from Kentucky), and Captain Collins's company of riflemen, from Butler County, Ohio, amounting in all to upward of two thousand men, were put in motion on a forced march, to ascertain what had become of General Winchester ; the light horse in front, Captain Collins's company of riflemen forming the rear-guard. The troops marched on at a quick step in this order until it became dark, when a halt was called. General Harrison, in riding round to form the hollow square, ordered Captain Collins to fill up with his company thé space in the rear line, between the two Kentucky regiments of infantry, chard all day. But they pushed on, without making a single halt, until four o'clock in the afternoon, when they arrived at Jennings' encampment, at the mouth of the Little Auglaize. . The men, being burdened with heavy packs and drenched in the rain, had a most fatiguing and disagreeable day's travel. Toward evening it was observed that numbers of the Kentuckians were lying by the way-side, entirely exhausted and unable to proceed. Many of them were young gentlemen who had been delicately raised, and were unaccustomed to hardships of this kind. Captain Collins, and Ensign John Hall of his company (being originally from Kentucky), were rather disposed to sympathize with them; Lieutenant Ephraim Gard, of the company, when he came to where any number of them had given out, would sing out at the t&p of his voice, '' Hook up, my rugged sons of Ohio, these-brave Kentuckians will soon be able to relieve the rear guard." As further provocation, some of the riflemen would spring up and strike their heels together, as they passed. General Harrison was informed by an express, which met him at Fort Jennings, that the enemy had retreated, and that General Winchester, with his army, now occupied the ground at Fort Defiance. He thereupon gave orders that the regiments of Colonels Barbee and Poage, and Captain Collins's company of riflemen, should remain at Fort Jennings until further orders, and he continued his march for Defiance. On the next morning, Colonel Jennings (with whom Captain Collins had been acquainted in Kentucky, and to whom he had reported himself on the previous evening) came to where Captain Collins's company were encamped, and inquired for some men called mounted rangers (a small company of whom had been for some time in the employ of the army as spies), stating that General Harrison had - informed him that some of those men were in the rear, and would be up that night; and left orders that one or two of them should be sent with two friendly Indians to ascertain whether the enemy in retreating had not taken the direction of Fort Wayne. Captain Collins was unable to give him any account of the men inquired for.

Colonel Jennings appeared to be much disappointed, and expressed his fears that the general would not receive the needful information in time. Captain Collins told him that rather than that should be the case, if the general had left no orders for the disposition of his company, he would, if furnished with a good horse, go with the Indians, make the examination, and report to the general that night. This offer was readily accepted.

A horse and saddle were soon provided for Captain Collins. As soon as he was mounted Colonel Jennings brought to him the two Indians and James Conner, an interpreter. The Indian guides were young men, said to be brothers, belonging to a tribe residing on the Auglaize River. They were directed to pilot Captain Collins to a point on the Maumee River, six miles above old Fort Defiance. One of the guides, through the interpreter, requested Captain Collins to remove a handkerchief which he had tied on his head, and by all means to keep his hat on; for there was danger of their being taken as belonging to the enemy and fired on by the Kentuckians. Captain Collins took the hint, and complied with the request. The Colonel ordered. him to satisfy himself by . a careful examination whether the enemy had or had not evaded the army of General Winchester, and were still on their march for Fort Wayne. They then started on their journey, and after they were clear of the encampment the elder of the two guides gave Captain Collins to understand that, while they would be careful to keep the proper course, the other man and Collins were to keep a good lookout in every direction, intimating that there was danger of their falling in with the enemy. By pushing their horses as fast as they were able to go, they arrived at Maumee River, above Defiance, a short time before night, and by the time they had made an examination sufficient to satisfy themselves that the enemy had not taken that direction, it commenced getting dark. Captain Collins being much fatigued, and observing that the horses needed rest and time to feed, proposed that they should encamp for the night; but the guides insisted that they could find the main army that night, and by signs gave him to understand that it was not more than four miles distant. Accordingly, they hurried on, > and about nine o'clock came in hearing of horse-bells, upon which the guides halted ; and when Captain Collins came up, one of them, placing his mouth close to Collins's ear, said, in a low voice: ground which brought them in full view of the fires of the encampment, which extended down the river as far as they could see. When they came to where they supposed they were near the chain of sentinels, the Indians commenced hurrying their horses by a peculiar kind of language, mixed with coughing and whistling, sufficiently loud to apprise the guards of their approach. In a short time they were hailed by a sentinel, not more than twenty paces in advance of them.

In the same manner they hailed at the guard-fire, and were permitted to pass into the encampment. This want of vigilance grew out of the necessity there was for permitting the horsemen to pass out and return through the chain of sentinels, for the purpose of procuring grass for their horses. At length they came to where they heard quite an animated and apparently warm conversation, which seemed to be going on in a marquee near the center of the encampment. Among the voices engaged Captain Collins readily recognized that of the commanding general; upon which he dismounted, leaving his horse in the care of the guides.

On General Harrison coming out, Captain Collins made himself and his business known to him. General Harrison expressed some surprise at seeing him there, and inquired what he had done with his company. To which Captain Collins gave an explanation, and was about to report the discoveries made by him as a spy, when General Harrison interrupted him by saying that the enemy had left the neighborhood and retreated down the river some five or six days before. At the request of General Harrison, Captain Collins went with him to his marquee.

The next morning Captain Collins was ordered by General Harrison to retrace his steps to Fort Jennings, take command of his company, and return to St. Mary's, where they went into Winter quarters and remained until their term of service expired, in March, 1818, when they were discharged and returned -to their homes. While Captain Collins and his company remained at St. Mary's, some of the officers in command of the Kentucky troops, who were continually passing and repassing, stated to a part of his company, who were on detached duty, that they knew Captain Collins from a boy, and that if ever he came in contact with the enemy they would find him to be ''a fighting man."

Some of the Kentuckians at times felt themselves at liberty to charge the Ohioans with cowardice in not rushing to the relief of Fort Wayne when it was besieged by the enemy. This produced a high feeling, and often oceasioned words. But as it was known that Captain Collins was on the line, and had the command of a rifle company from Ohio, there were a few old officers among the Kentuckians who were not slow to make an exception in his favor. Every member of the rifle company from Butler County, at the expiration of their term of service, the fortune to be ordered into battle ; consequently, they returned unincumbered with those laurels and high honors which some imagine can only be obtained on the battle-field. Still it is justly claimed for them that they transport supplies down the St. Mary's River, and pushing on provisions and other needful supplies for the use of the army. They did their duty by promptly performing any service that was required of them by those in command. :

Immediately affter Mr. Collins returned home, in 1813, he received the appointment of captain in the standing army of the United States, and was ordered to proceed to Cincinnati and enlist men for the service. He soon had twenty-three men enlisted, when he was ordered to rendezvous at Franklinton. Lieutenant Alexander Delorac early in the month of Octoher, dnd proceeded to Franklinton, where they remained about a month, when they were ordered to Sandusky, and from thence to Detroit, where he was stationed for some time. On the 4th of March, 1814, he was appointed to the command of the force at Sandwich, in Canada, and proceeded to build the fort at that place. He was also, for a short time, commander of Fort Malden, in Canada. He was afterward ordered back to Detroit, where he took command of the place, and continued in the service until the close of the war in 1815, when he retired from the army with credit and honor to himself. He then returned to his farm in Oxford Township. During the time Captain Collins was in the army he disbursed considerable sums of money on account of the government, and when he retired from the service his accounts were promptly closed, and a small balance found due to him from the government by the accounting officers.

"Brigadier John Wingate, with his brigade major, William Robeson, served a tour of six months' duty in the army of the northwestern frontier. Colonel James Mills, with his regiment, assisted in defending Fort Meigs during both the times it was besieged by the enemy. Captain John Hamilton was wounded and Lieutenant Harper was killed in Dudley's defeat at the river Raisin.

1814. He had with him at least two companies from Butler County. I regret being unable to recollect the names of his captains and other officers. I saw passing through Detroit, in the Summer of 1814, a company of mounted riflemen from Butler County, under the command of Captain Zachary P. Dewitt, of Oxford Township. They had volunteered to accompany General McArthur, who that Summer made an incursion into the enemy's country with about five hundred mounted volunteers. They met and dispersed some of the advanced parties of the enemy engaged in collecting supplies near the center

"In making up the officers of the Twenty-aixth Regiment of United States Infantry, four lieutenants were selected from Butler County, to wit: Robert Anderson, Alexander Delorac, John Hall, and Anderson Spencer. Lieutenant Anderson was early sent on with the first reeruits. He volunteered at Lower Sandusky, and served with distinction as an officer of marines in the naval force on Lake Erie.. Lieutenant Delorac marched with me to Fort Malden in Upper Canada, and did faithful service in that region. He was my messmate, and a most agreeable companion. I understood that the other gentlemen were ordered to the Niagara frontier, and remained in the service during the war." miles north of Hamilton. The colonel of the regiment was James Mills. The lieutenant of Robinson's company, which was in the First. Regiment, Third Brigade, and First Division of Ohio militia, was William Shafor, who survived the war for sixty-five years, at the time of his death being the oldest man in Butler County. He preserved his muster-rolls, commission, and order-book, and kept a diary for most of the time. It seems to be unfinished. Each of the soldiers received an advance of ten dollars, the ensign of twenty, the lieutenant of thirty, and the captain of forty dollars.

"February 6, 1813, rendezvoused at Fort Hamilton. Engaged in the United States service for the term of six months in a company of Ohio militia commanded by Captain John Hamilton, First Regiment, Third Detachment, and started the 17th instant for St. Mary's, arriving there the 27th. We were then ordered to Fort Logan.

'*Qn the 3d they began early, and kept it up all day very warmly, and killed and wounded more than any day before. A memorandum of the balls and bombs shot by the British on the 3d is said to be five hundred in the day and thirty-three in the night, besides the Indians shooting all the time all around us, and yelling like wolves night and day.

''May 4th, it began to rain before day, and continued till about eight o'clock, during which time the firing ceased. When the rain stopped, the firing began, and was kept up all day. Not much damage was done. Some were wounded, but it is not known to me how many.

''May 5th, a severe engagement took place on both sides of the river. Clonal Dudley's regiment from Kentucky landed on the north side of the river, and advanced down to the British batteries, driving them away and spiking their cannon, but was by a superior force obliged to retreat. They suffered greatly. Out of the whole regiment there were only one hundred and fifty or sixty who came in. 'The number of prisoners is not yet ascertained. :

''On the 6th there was a cessation of arms. Harrison sent a flag of truce to get liberty to bury the dead. The British refused to give the privilege unless General Harrison would give up the forts

'On the 7th they came over with a flag, and brought a list of names and number of prisoners, which was three hundred and fifty. The number of British prisoners was forty-two. They were sent home on parole for thirty days.

'On the 10th myself and a part of the company volunteered to go out to assist in hunting the dead and burying them on the south side of the river. The number I do not know.

''On the 11th myself and a part of the company volunteered, with a number of Ohio and Kentucky troops, to cross the river to gather the dead. The number found was about forty-seven.

" July 2d, a party of men left Camp Meigs to go to Defiance, but were attacked by a party of Indians. Two the rest were all missing, except one, He said they were all killed

"July 19th, Captain Patrick Shaw and his company of Ohio militia of the First Regiment, Third Detachment, marched from Camp Meigs to Portage, there to remain until further orders.

"On the morning of the 25th the Indians attacked the wood-guard, which was sent out at reveille, and killed five or six, and then continued firing on the garrison all day, doing no damage.

"The 23d, there were one hundred regulars, one hundred and twenty Ohio militia, and some spies sent out to search the woods for batteries, but found none. There appears to be a great stir among the enemy; but what their intentions are we can't tell.

"On the 26th the enemy began firing about four hundred yards from the garrison, and kept it up twenty minutes or more, which alarmed the garrison very much. Thinking that General Harrison was coming with a reenforcement .and was attacked, officers and men were very anxious to go to their assistance. General Clay assured us that it was a sham to get men out; there were no re-enforcements so soon.

Several of the soldiers died on the march or in encounter with the foe. Among them were James Harper, May 5, 1813; Samuel Colby, May 21st; Samuel Cotley, May 21st; John Byram, May 27th; Robert Van Vickle, July 2d; Abraham Huffman, July 15th; John Cain, corporal, July 17th. Others deserted. Among these were James Carlisle and John Morton. The property of these men was sold and the proceeds turned over to the relatives, who gave Mr. Shafor receipts. of the prices that the articles brought:

Mr. Shafor records in his book the orders received, and other official papers. On the 17th of June J. H. Hawkins, acting adjutant, issued an order to the troops by authority of General Green Clay. Colonel Miller was thanked for the ability and thoroughness with which he had discharged his duties.

day at least four hours by companies in the manual exercise, marking time, facings, wheelings, ete. From opening of the gates until seven o'clock of the morning, bathing and swimming would be allowed, and after this '+ would not be permitted. Swimming to the opposite shore was positively forbidden. At four o'clock every morning four men from each company were to be permitted to pass the sentinels, accompanied by a commissioned officer, to gather fruit and salad, the men to go out and return by twelve o'clock. One gill of whisky would be issued daily to each man returned fit for duty. Those returned on the sick list would be furnished at such time and in such proportions as the surgeons might deem proper, for which whisky would be lodged with the hospital stores. The officers were earnestly recommended in every case to pay the strictest attention to the cleanliness of their men. Saturday the men were to be permitted to wash their clothes.

'<The President has been pleased that I should communicate to you, and through you to the troops composing the garrison of Fort Meigs, his thanks for the valor and patriotism they displayed in the defense of that post, and particularly to the different corps employed in the ' sorties made on the 5th instant (May)."

The general adds that he is persuaded the gallant troops which served at Fort Meigs will duly appreciate the approbation of the chief magistrate of their country, and that it will prove a stimulus to future exertions.

'The general announces to the troops under his command the return of the day which eave liberty and independence to the United States of America, and orders that a national salute be fired under the superintendence of Captains Gratiot and Cushing. All the troops reported fit for duty shall receive an extra gill of whisky, and those in confinement and those under sentence, attached to this corps, be forthwith released, and ordered to join their respective corps. The general is induced to use this lenity alone from the consideration of this evermemorable day, and flatters himself that in future the soldiers under his command will better appreciate their liberty by a steady adherence to their duty and prompt compliance to the orders of their officers, by which alone they are worthy to enjoy the blessing of that liberty and independence, the only real legacy left us by our fathers.

It is one of the most difficult things in war to keep up the standafd of health. Officers, as well as men, neglect an attention to details which is necessary for that purpose. This difficulty was met at Fort Meigs. General

The War

'Will the officers never learn that attention to the health and comfort of the men is, perhaps, the most important and most honorable of their duties, and that the neglect of this is certain to bring along with it contagion and disease infinitely more destructive than the sword of. the enemy? The general assures the officers that future neglects of this kind will not be passed ever. The lives of the soldiers are too precious to be trifled with. The commandants of corps are directed to make an extra separate weekly report to the general, personally, of the state of their commands as regards police, 'particularly noting those officers who are attentive to and-who neglect this sacred duty. The former will be applauded, whilst the latter will be taken from his commands and made to exchange situations with such of the recruiting officers as are now longing for an opportunity to distinguish themselves."

A reward of eight gills of whisky was shortly after given to the best shot, and four gills to the next best. This was to encourage marksmanship.

Muster-Roll

Of a Company of Infantry Militia under command of Captain John Hamilton, of the Third Detachment of Militia from the State of Ohio, now in the service of the United States, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel James Mills, from the sixth day of February, 1813, when first mustered to continue im service, until the sixth day of August, 1813.

A number of the men did not go out, but appointed substitutes. They are as follows: Benjamin Berry, substitute for L. Hull. Christopher Kiger, substitute for Joseph Blosom. Thomas Gregory, substitute for Jacob Rush. Enoch Galloway, substitute for A. Squier. William Price, substitute for John Brinley. John Wells, substitute for Shobal Vail. James Wynn, substitute for B. Blew. John Martin, substitute for Jeremiah Johnson. David Vinnedge, substitute for John Bridgeford. John Immick, substitute for Dayid Donan. Jacob Miller, substitute for G. Stonebreaker. Warner Windsor, substitute for G. Iseminger, Jr. Thomas W. Spencer, substitute for William Martin. John McCain, substitute for B. Goble. James Dickey, substitute for L. Leffer. Samuel Bowles, substitute for William Riddle. Samuel Chambers, substitute for J. C. Newhouse. Mark Briney, substitute for D. Conger. Alexander Fleming, substitute for N. Curtis. Samuel Fleming, substitute for P. Muchner. Robert McCain, substitute for S. Robbins.

The next muster-roll, formerly in possession of Lieutenant Shafor, is dated May 31st. Upon it appear the names of James Carlisle, Winthrop Emerson, Thomas Spencer, Benjamin Stone, John Wells, and Warner Wynn. Eli Davis was fourth sergeant, Nicholas Bailey first corporal, John Cain third corporal, and John Porter fourth corporal. Christopher Kiger was left sick at Amanda; John Martin had deserted at Hamilton, Feb- ° ruary 17th; Robert Jordan was appointed brigade quartermaster at St. Mary's, April 7th; James Heaton was appointed brigade quartermaster at St. Mary's, April 7th; Samuel Bayles was appointed adjutant, February 11th ; Benjamin Stone was appointed sergeant-major, February 16th; John Wells was appointed quartermaster's sergeant, February 16th; John Bailey deserted from Fort Logan, April 8th; and James Carlisle died, May 21st, at Camp At the time of making out the roll four non-commissioned officers and nineteen privates were present fit for duty; the lieutenant, four non-commissioned officers, and seventeen privates were sick, present ; two privates were sick, absent; eight were on detached duty and on extra service ; four men had been promoted; the captain was a prisoner ; the ensign was missing; two had deserted, and two were dead. This made a total of fifty-three, against eighty-one on their original roll. It afterwards appeared that Ensign Harper, who was reported missing, was dead.

The charge was sleeping on his post, while officer of guard No. 3, about three o'clock of the night of the 6th of July, 1813, and suffering his men to sleep on their posts also. The court was composed of Captains Shaw, Hatfield, McKune, and Engle, Lieutenant Hopkins, and Ensigns Spence and Culp; judge advocate, Samuel Bayles.

Colonel Anderson, the complainant, was sworn. He testified that on the night of the 6th, after going the grand rounds, between eleven and twelve P. M., going a second time at two o'clock, or thereabout, in passing the blockhouse where Lieutenant Shafor had charge of the guard, | the sentinel hailed faintly. He then asked the sentinel where the officer of the guard was; receiving answer that he was asleep or sleeping. The sentinel then asked: 'Shall I wake him?' and made some attempts to do so. Colonel Anderson told him he need not, but to tell him, after waking, that the officer of the day had been there, and had found him asleep. He saw no one about the guard but what was asleep, excepting the sentinel. He did not see the officer of the guard himself, or if he did see him he did not know him.

Benjamin Stone, the sentinel, said that between two and three o'clock the night of the 6th he hailed the officer of the day, who gave the countersign. Stone then, called to the sergeant to parade the guard. The officer of the day said it was not worth while to parade the euard, but tell the officer of the guard that the officer of ' the day had been there. He called his officer twice, but received no answer.

Question by the Cout. 'Do you know whether the lieutenant was asleep or not?" Answer. 'I do not. He arose immediately after the officer of the day was gone. There was no noise that could have awakened any person after the colonel went away before the lieutenant rose."

John Johnson, the sergeant of the guard, heard Colonel Anderson tell the sentinel that he need not parade the guard, but tell the officer of the guard that the officer of the day had been there. Sergeant Johnson did not know whether Lieutenant Shafor was asleep or awake at the time in question.

John Collins testified that he was on guard that night with Lieutenant Shafor, sitting up nearly all night. He did not find him asleep at any time. He had heard the questions of the officer of the day, and the hail of the sentinel.

Commission

"Tomas Krrker, Speaker of the Senate, now acting as Goyernor and Commander-in-chief of the State of Ohio, to Witiiam SHaror, Esq., greeting: %not you, That from the special trust and confidence which is reposed in your fidelity, courage, activity, and good conduct, I have, by virtue of the power vested in me, appointed you, the said William Shafor, lieutenant to a company of militia in the second battalion, first regiment, second brigade, first division, Ohio militia, and do, the privileges thereunto appertaining. You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of lieutenant as aforesaid, agreeably to law, and such instructions as you shall from time to time receive from your superior officers and the commander-in-chief. "Fn fitness tobereof, the said THomAs KIRKER, now acting as Governor and Commander-in-chief of the State of Ohio, hath caused 'the great seal of the State of Ohio' to be hereunto affixed, at Chillicothe, the 19th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, and of the independence of this State the fifth. 'THOMAS KIRKER.

"Srare or Onto, Butler County. - Before me, Daniel Strickland, justice of the peace, came William Shafor, and took the oath of a lieutenant in a company in the second battalion, second brigade, first regiment, and first division of Ohio militia, and took the oath to support the Constitution of this State and of the United States.

'" Aoreeable to general orders, the company who volunteered from the third brigade of the first division of Ohio militia, commanded by Captain John Robinson, who ment by making a tender of their services in the cause of our country and its rights and privileges, met at Middletown, in the county of Butler, on Monday, the 27th instant, for the purpose of marching to the general rendezvous at Dayton. On that occasion, and to manifest an approbation of the courage and integrity of those brave volunteers, the citizens of Middletown and its vicinity, animated with that spirit which the government, freedom, and privileges of the American people ought always to inspire, came forward and gave a liberal and elegant breakfast to the corps on the morning of the 28th instant, before they proceeded to march. The subscribers, the Rev. Matthew G. Wallace and Mr. William Bigham being present, were invited to partake with the corps. The repast being ended, an appropriate address was delivered by Mr. Wallace to the corps before they left the table, and-concluded with a prayer well adapted to the occasion. 'The greatest attention and good order prevailed amongst the soldiers and numerous crowds of citizens who attended the scene; after which the volunteers took their station to march, with the greatest spirit and composure; and being impressed with a just sense of the zeal and patriotic spirit manifested by the people, and as an acknowledgment to those worthy citizens, and the ladies in particular, who contributed such attention and the most extreme exertion to accommodate and accomplish such a noble and generous act, the subscribers thought it their duty to communicate the same to the public prints, as a testimonial of the gratitude we feel toward such generous and. noble actions.

At a respectable meeting of citizens of Fairfield Township, at the house of Mr. Joseph Colby, in Hamilton, on the 4th of July, the following toasts were drunk:

1. '' The United States - May her sons possess the fire of patriotism which animated the bosoms of their ancestors, and drive the proud Britons by the sword, and with the, tune 'Yankee Doodle,' from her shores into Pandemonium."

3. " The Canadas - May they see the perfidy and oppression of their old mother, and with disdain flee from her ranks to the standard of the American arms, and learn to feel the glow and animating spirit of patriotism."

8. "The President of the United States - May his determined mind, in signing the proceedings of Congress in the present crisis, be remembered to our latest posterity."

Encouragement To Enlist

To every able-bodied man, from the age of eighteen to forty-five years, who wishes to enlist in defense of the honor and independence of their country for the term of five years, will be paid; and whenever he shall have served the said term, or obtained an honorable discharge stating the faithful performance of his duty while in service, he shall be paid three months' extra pay, and and in case he should be killed in action, or die in the service, his heirs and representatives will be entitled to the said three months' pay and one hundred and sixty acres of land, to be designated, surveyed, and laid off at the public expense.

'To those who prefer enlisting.for eighteen months the same bounty, additional pay, and clothing will be given (the bounty in land excepted), as if enlisted for five years. The following places are appointed, and a rendezvous opened for

Besides those mentioned above, Thomas Irwin served a tour of duty of six months in the Ohio militia as a major. Robert Anderson, of the township of Ross, entered the commissary and pack-horse service at the beginning of the war, but in the early part of 1813 received 2 commission as lieutenant. He was first placed upon the recruiting service, then joining General Harrison's army at Sandusky.. The fleet was insufficiently manned, and Lieutenant Anderson volunteered his services, acting as an officer of marines during Commodore Perry's active service on the lake. He received a silver medal, by order of Congress, as a testimonial of his bravery and: good conduct during the action. He then joined the northern army, in which he served until the conclusion of the war. General Brown was his commander.

Dr. Daniel Millikin marched at the head of a company of his neighbors up to the frontier, and narrowly escaped being shot by an Indian. John Woods, afterwards the leader of the bar here, but who then lived in Warren County, did his duty as a soldier. He was included in the last draft of the Ohio militia, which was made in 1814, and was in the garrison at Fort Meigs when peace with Great Britain was proclaimed. The Rey. Matthew G. Wallace, to prove that the clergy were not behind the laity, also went out as a captain.

Colonel Matthew Hueston, who had served valiantly in Wayne's army, saw service in the war of 1812. General Hull surrendered on the 16th of August of that year, and the whole country immediately armed to prevent a recurrence of the disaster. Hueston volunteered his services, and marched, with a number of others, to Fort Wayne, for the relief of that place, which was then besieged. After being out two or three months, he was appointed purchasing agent for the contractor of the Northwestern army. He bought a vast number of horses and a large quantity of provisions in Butler County for the supply of the army. He continued to act in that capacity until the close of the war.

Hundreds of others might be mentioned did we possess perfect records, and the reader will find accounts of many of them scattered through the township histories. The war of 1812 marks an epoch in the annals of this county. Settlements had then been begun in every quarter, and, although the forests covered a much larger extent of the country than the cultivated land, yet there were farms and cleared patches everywhere. Schools were beginning; there were a dozen Church organizations, although but three or four meeting-houses ; and the main ~ roads were laid out. It would seem to us now very savage; but it was in reality a great advance upon the wilderness. The population was 11,150, just about a quarter of what it is at present.

Tammany Society

In the year 1812 a secret political society was formed at Hamilton as a branch of the Tammany Society of New York. Their place of meeting, which they called 'Wigwam No. 9," was first established at the house of William Murray, who then kept a tavern on the corner of Dayton and Water Streets. It was afterwards. removed to the house of Michael Delorac, who also kept a house of entertainment in the upper part of Rossville. James Heaton was their first grand sachem, and Benjamin D. Pardee, a printer, was secretary. Their number, in the most flourishing condition, amounted to about one hundred. Many of the most respectable citizens of Butler County were initiated members of the society. From the time of their organization they continued to meet regularly at stated periods, until some time in the year 1816. They had their celebrations and long talks, as they called their orations, and on certain anniversary oceasions paraded the streets in procession with their flags and banners '' waving in the breeze" and buck-tails stuck in their hats by way of plume. At the head of the procession was borne the flag of the United States, and at intervals in the procession were carried small white flags, corresponding in number with the number of the States in the Union, with the name of a State painted on each. They had a seal or emblem, having in the center the word '' Illumino," a rising sun above, with a heart below, and the wing of an eagle on each side. A celebration and procession was held at Hamilton on the twelfth day of May, 1815, at which a '"'long talk" was delivered by Thomas Henderson, of Cincinnati. A celebration was also held at Middletown on the twelfth day of October, 1815, and a 'long talk" delivered by Benjamin D. Pardee.

In their notices and transactions they gave their own peculiar names to the months. January they called the month of beavers, February the month of snows, May the month of flowers, June the month of heats, October the month of travels, etc., and dated from the year of discovery (A. D. 1609), 7

This society was a fraternity bound together by a written constitution, the members of which pledged themselves, under the solemnities of an oath, to keep the proceedings of the society a profound secret. At their business meetings, which were usually held at night in their wigwam, illuminated by a council fire, they deliberated on the weighty affairs of the country, and decided what was to be done, dictated politics, interfered with elections, and decided who should be elected to office ; which decision every member of the fraternity was bound to support, denouncing every other person who did not belong to their society as federalists and enemies to their country. They kept a regular system of espionage, issued circulars, and employed runners to carry them and learn what was doing in every part of the country, thus enabling them to spring upon their opponents like savages from an ambuscade.

During the short time they flourished at Hamilton they furnished abundant evidence that self-interest was their ruling, if not their only, motive. They exerted an influence which was extensively felt, and in the short period of their existence did considerable mischief. Through the efforts of the Tammany Society the civil institutions of our State were nearly reduced to a state of anarchy, from which a recovery was effected with difficulty. The society created considerable excitement and opposition in the community at large during its existence; but about the year 1816, four years after its organization, it dwindled away, and was no longer publicly known.

'*' Norice. - The members of the Tammany Society No. 9 will meet at their wigwam at the house of brother William Murray, in Hamilton, on Thursday, the first of the month of heats, precisely at the going down of the sun. Punctual attendance is requested.

Tammany was an Indian chief of the Delaware nation. Mr. Heckewelder, in his historical account of the Indian nations, devoted part of a chapter to this chief. He spells the name Tamaned. All we know of him is that he was an ancient Delaware chief who never had his equal. We infer from Gabriel Thomas, who published ''An Historical and Geographical Account of Pennsylvania and West Jersey," at London, in 1698, that Tammany might have been alive as late as 1680 or 1690,

'The fame of this great chief' extended even amongst the whites, who fabricated numerous legends respecting him, which, however, Heckewelder says he never heard some calendar, and his festival celebrated on the first day of May in every year. On that day a numerous society of his votaries walked together in procession, through the streets of Philadelphia, their hats decorated with bucks' tails, and proceeded to a handsome rural place, out of town, which they called the 'Wigwam ;' where, after a long talk or Indian speech had been delivered and the calumet of peace and friendship had been duly smoked, they spent the day in activity and mirth. After dinner, Indian dances were performed on the green in front of the wigwam, the calumet was again smoked, and the company separated."

It was not until some years after the peace that these yearly meetings were discontinued. In New York, however, they worshiped Tammany as an Indian saint, and a benevolent society was named after him. In a few years it became a political society, but until the diffusion of universal suffrage, in 1846, had not acquired the unsavory odor it now has. Since the close of the Revolutionary struggle, Philadelphia, and perhaps other places, have had their Tammany societies, Tammany balls, etc. Among the multitude of poems and odes to Tammany, the following is selected to give the reader an idea of the acts said to have been achieved by him.

"Immortal Tammany of Indian race, Great in the field, and foremost in the chase! No puny saint was he with fasting pale; He climbed the mountain, and he swept the vale, Rushed through the torrent with unequaled might; Your ancient saints would tremble at the sight ; Caught the swift boar, and swifter deer with ease, And worked a thousand miracles like these. To public views he added private ends, And loved his country most, and next his friends. With courage long he strove to ward the blow (Courage, we all respect, even in a foe), And when each effort he in vain had tried, Kindled the flame in which he bravely died. To Tammany, let the full horn go round, His fame let every honest tongue resound, With him let every gen'rous patriot vie, To live in freedom, or with honor die." *

County Officers

We have been at the pains to compile a list of county officers from the beginning. In some cases there has been great difficulty in procuring the names. The county was organized in 1803, and a special election was then held.

The first sheriff was chosen only to fill the place pro tem., and the same year another person was elected to occupy the office. He is chosen every two years, and is

Clerks Of The Court

The constitution of 1802 required each court to appoint its own clerk, to serve for the term of seven years. The following are the names of persons who have served as clerk of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Common Pleas:

By the constitution of 1851, the office of the clerks of the courts was made elective by the voters of the county, to hold their office for the term of three years. The following are the names of the persons elected to that office since that time: ;

County Treasurers

The office of county treasurer was first filled by appointment, made by the associate judges. Afterward the appointment was made by the commissioners of the county, until the year 1827, when it was made elective by the people, the term of office to be two years.

Richard Easton committed suicide on the morning of the 4th of June, 1848, by shooting himself in the head with a pistol ball, in his bed at the United States Hotel, in Cincinnati. When the door of his room was opened he was found dead, and the pistol lying beside him. A committee appointed by the Court of Common Pleas to examine the condition of the treasury reported a defalcation of about. eight thousand dollars. However, on the prosecution of a suit against his securities, various credits and offsets were allowed, which reduced the judgment which was rendered at July term, 1855, to $552.44.

About the 1st of July, 1853, it was discovered that Henry Traber was a defaulter in his office to the amount of about seven thousand dollars, and on the 16th of that month he resigned. Suit was commenced against his securities, and at the September term of the Court of Common Pleas, 1855, judgment was obtained against them for $6,991.84, which was promptly paid.

The board of commissioners first met on the eleventh day of June, 1804, and appointed John Reily their clerk, who continued to serve in that capacity until the first day of March, 1819, when he resigned, and John McClure, Jr., was appointed in his stead. John McClure continued to serve as clerk until he was appointed auditor of the county, in 1821.

On the eighth day of February, 1820, a law was passed directing the appointment of county auditors, and in pursuance of that act the Legislature, on the second day of February, 1821, by resolution, appointed John McClure, Jr., auditor of Butler County; and by a law passed on the same day, the auditor was, by virtue of his office, required to be clerk of the commissioners. The Legislature passed a law, dated February 23, 1824, making the office of auditor elective by the people. The auditor holds his office for the term of two years.

Associate Judges

According to the constitution of 1802, there was appointed by a joint ballot of both houses of the General Assembly, in each county, not more 'than three nor less than two associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas, to hold their offices for the term of seven years. In Butler County there were three associate judges: James Dunn, John Greer, John Kitchel, 1803; Henry Weaver, 1805; Celadon Symmes, 1806; Ezekiel Ball, Daniel "Millikin, Robert Lytle, 1810; Daniel Millikin, Henry Weaver, Robert Taylor, 1817; Robert Anderson, 1823 ; Henry Weaver, Robert Baylor; 1824; Daniel Millikin, 1827; John Knox, 1827; Joel Collins, 1829; Daniel Millikin, 1834; Squier Littell, 1834; Fergus Anderson, 1836; John McCloskey, appointed by the governor, 1840; Vincent D. Enyart, 1840; James O. Conner, 1841; Nehemiah Wade, 1841 ; Chasles K. Smith, 1848 (resigned March, 1849) ; Toaeuh Traber, 1849.

By the constitution of 1851, the offices of associate judges were terminated, and the office discontinued, after the second Tuesday in February (February 9th), 1852.

County Commissioners

The Legislature passed ''an act establishing boards of commissioners," which bears date 13th of February, 1804, according to which three commissioners were to be elected in each county, to hold their office for the term of three years, in pursuance of which an election was held on the first Monday of April, 1804, at which Ezekiel Ball, Matthew Richardson, and Solomon Line were elected, meeting at Hamilton on the eleventh day of June, 1804. After having taken the oath of office, they determined, by lot,that Ezekiel Ball should serve until the second Tuesday of October, 1804; Matthew Richardson, until the second Tuesday of October, 1805; and Solomon Line, until the second Tuesday of October, 1806. After the first board, the following persons were Seiad in the years BS roinafter stated :

County Surveyors

On the 15th of April, 1803, the Legislature passed a law creating the office of county surveyor, by which law it was made the duty of the Court of Common Pleas to make the appointment. James Heaton was the first surveyor. He was followed by George R. Bigham, in 1822. On the 8d of March, 1831, the Legislature passed a law making the office elective, by the people, and fixing the term of office af three years. George R. Bigham, 1833 to 1836; Ludwick Betz, 1836 to 1842; Benjamin F. Raleigh, 1842 to 1849; Matthew R. Shields, 1849 to 1856; Alexander King, 1856 to 1863; A. Marts, 1863 to 1871; Mason Hamilton, 1871 to 1874; J. C. Weaver,

Probate Judges Prosecuting Attorneys

The office of prosecuting attorney was filled by appointment of the Court of Common Pleas until the year 1833, when the Legislature changed the law, and made it elective by the people. Daniel Symmes, 1803; Arthur

Coroner

According to the constitution, there is elected in each county one coroner, who shall hold his office for the term of two years. The persons hereafter named have successively filled this position :

The Miami River

Ar the present time, when bridge building has been reduced to a science, and bridges are made in sections, transported a thousand miles, and then set up, it must be a very large structure, such as those in St. Louis, Cincinnati, or Brooklyn, which excites more than the most moderate measure of curiosity. But sixty-five years ago we had not accomplished so many marvels as we since have, and the erection of a roadway across the Great Miami at this point was an event in the history of the country. Travelers went a long distance out of their way to view it, many grown men hayjng never before seen a bridge of any kind more elaborate than a log

The Miami, it is well known, is subject to great fluctuations in its quantity of water. Some seasons it is very low. Boys can wade across it at these times almost anywhere. At other times it is full, up even to its banks, - and, where those banks are low, overflows the country. It has wrought, at different times, great devastation in this way, and frequently, in these rises, changes its course more or less. Where it meandered previously, it makes a direct cut across, and where it once went in a straight channel, it is deserted for a more tortuous one. The soil on either side is entirely-alluvial, and affords no permanent obstacle. Indeed, the whole valley, for a mile or two back, displays evidences of having been the bed of the river at some remote period.

The earliest of the great freshets or inundations which have been recorded was in the year 1805. At this time the whole of the Miami River rolled in the bed now called Old River, and ran in a deep channel along the eastern bank, on the side next Hamilton, and where the present sand-bar appears below the bridge. Four-mile Creek then emptied into the river on the west, a short distance above the upper part of the town, where the mouth of New River now is. The occasion of the change in the channel of the river was owing to the erection of certain water-works on Four-mile Creek.

In the years 1803 and 1804 Messrs. James Smith and Arthur St. Clair (son of General St. Clair) erected a mill at the bend of Four-mile Creek, about a mile and a half above its mouth, and dug a race from the Miami River to bring the water from the river to their mills, in order to supply an additional quantity of water when the creek should be low. In the month of March, 1805, an extraordinary flood occurred in the Miami River, which tore away the head gates of their race, and let the water of the river have a free passage to their mills, and thence down the channel of Four-mile Creek. This flood wholly destroyed their mills, and carried their works down the current, after which time the channel continued to widen and deepen, until, in a few years, at ordinary stages of the river, the whole of the water passed by that channel, which acquired the mame of New River. The river was at its highest on the 10th of March. The island formed between this channel and that of Old River contains about three hundred and fifty acres, and was formerly owned by 'Dr. Daniel Millikin, but now by L. D. Campbell. The Hamilton and Rossville Hydraulic Company have constructed two dams across the old channel of the river, and formed a grand reservoir, about a mile long, to retain water for the supply of their mills and factories in Hamilton.

This flood in the Miami River was the greatest ever known since the first settlement of the country, and was long remembered by the inhabitants resident there at the

In speaking of events, it was long afterward customary to designate the time by stating that it was so many years before or after the 'great flood."

The whole of what is now called the island and all the low bottoms along the Miami River were entirely inundated, and much damage done to persons residing in the river bottoms. The water of the river backed up on the low ground above Hamilton, inundating Bigham's bottom, and flowing out, passed over the out-lots (where the east branch of the Hydraulic Canal has been constructed), inundated the lower part of the town, to the depth of several feet, and discharged into the river above where the bridge now is. The water in Front Street, between Stable and Dayton Streets, was deep enough to come midside on a horse, and in some places would swim a horse.

Previous to this flood, a grove of sycamore and cottonwood trees lined the bank of the river, on the eastern side, from where the bridge now stands to the upper part of the town. They were all washed up, destroyed, and carried away by the force of the current. Cedar bushes then grew indigenous along the river bank from Buekeye Street to the upper part of the town, and a few straggling bushes remained growing in 1809.

The ground where the sycamore grove was, near the Columbra Bridge, extending up some distance on the present sand-bar, was then a fertile field, which had been for many years cultivated in corn, having a house standing upon it. The flood swept over the whole, carrying away the house and the alluvial soil, and when the water subsided nothing appeared but a naked beach of gravel.

The bridge between Hamilton and Rossville had long been felt to be a necessity. At the times when the river was very full, no communication existed between the east and west banks of the river, and in ordinary stages the charges for ferriage were high. The Legislature passed an act, in the year 1816, incorporating Joseph Hough, John Sutherland, Joseph Wilson, John Hall, Samuel Dick, Isaac Falconer, Samuel Millikin, Thomas C. Kelsey, William Murray, Pierson Sayre, Robert Taylor, William Riddle, Thomas Blair, William Blair, and Michael Delorac into a company to erect and build a bridge across the Great Miami River, between the towns of Hamilton and Rossville, in the county of Butler. The style of the corporation was to be the "Miami Bridge Company."

Under this act stock was subscribed, and on the twentythird day of March, 1818, a contract was made and entered into by the directors of the company with Nathan S. Hunt, for the erection and completion of the bridge. However, in September, 1819, Mr. Hunt died, before the work was ended, but it was afterward finished by William Daniels. The whole length of the bridge, exclusive of the wing-walls, was three hundred and sixty feet. The abutments, one on each side, and one pier in the middle of the river, the chord-line of each arc being one hundred and sixty-five feet and six inches, and the rise from the chord to the apex being twenty-two feet. It cost $25,194.84. The venture proved a highly profitable one, and although there was, from time to time, grumbling in the public journals respecting its charges or its management, yet no other bridge was for many years erected, either in Hamilton or elsewhere in this county.

The stockholders in the Miami Bridge Company, in the year 1824, were Adam Andrew, Joseph 8. Benham, Miss Loretto M. Brenan, James Brown, the Commissioners of Butler County, John Clark, Edward Cornthwaite, Samuel Davis, Samuel Dick, George Dick, William S. Hatch, Matthew Hueston, Robert Irwin, John C. Kibby, Squier Littell, Andrew Lewis, James McBride, Andrew McCleary, David McMechan, William McMechan, Tobias Miller, Robert B. Millikin, John Rainey, John Reily, Elizabeth Rhea, John E. Scott, Robert Scott, John Slack, Abel Slayback, Joseph Smith, Oliver Smith, John Sutherland, William Taylor, John Henry Traber, William Wallace, Joseph Wilson, John Winton, Michael Yeakle, and James Young.

The navigation of the Miami was, in the beginning, regarded as good as that of any other stream in the State, excepting the Ohio, and not far behind that. There were obstacles, however, which could easily have been abated. Here and there was a sand-bar or a shallow channel, and the various dams were not always constructed in the best manner. By a small expenditure of money the river could be much improved. In one of the newspapers of 1824 appeared the following

Circular

'"At a meeting of the citizens of Dayton and the neighborhood, convened on the 24th ult., we were appointed a committee to address the citizens of the Miami country on the subject of the navigation of the Great Miami River.

'"We consider the navigation of the Great Miami River of the utmost interest to the inhabitants of this district of country (on this subject we conceive there can be no difference of opinion), and as we consider you to be acquainted with the difficulties and obstructions as well as the advantages to be derived from a free navigation of the river, we shall be brief.

"Tt is generally known that the navigation of the Miami River was very little inferior to that of the Ohio, previous to the dams being placed in it. By the compact between the State of Ohio and general government, said river was declared to be and remain a public highway ; that the Legislature have, from time to time enacted laws respecting the navigation of the said river, noné of which have been complied with, and the time granted

'©We are confident that a moderate expense will be sufficient to open and deepen the channel, so as to admit steamboats of reasonable draft and burthen, to navigate the river for the greater part of the year, provided that some method be iadapbed by which they may pass the mill-dams in safety, or those obstr uctions removed. This, we are confident, can be effected by placing locks in the sides of the dams or river bank, through which boats may ascend or descend. By this means the produce of the Miami country may be conveyed to any place on the Ohio River by steamboats in safety and at a trifling expense, while merchandise may be brought up the Miami from either Pittsburg, Wheeling, Louisville, or Cincinnati for about the same.

'Believing the navigation may be effected, that it is important, and will be of great benefit to the country, we earnestly solicit your assistance and co-operation with us in effecting so desirable an object. We would further take the liberty to request you to make this public in your neighborhood, and obtain the sense of the people on it, by a public meeting or otherwise, and a correspondence with us. «C. R. GREENE, G. 8. Houston. "Dayton, May 1, 1824."

Nothing came of this appeal. The State of Ohio soon after began the construction of the Miami Canal, and after that went into operation there was no longer any reason for the improvement of the river. But until 1833, or thereabouts, boats descended the stream and carried the products of this country to Louisville, St. Louis, and New Orleans. The voyages were long, and at the end the boats were sold or broken up, and the owner or captain returned overland. It was necessary to send down the boats while the water was high, and this generally occurred in the Spring of the year.

In 1823 the Spring shipments were as follows: Flour, 6,495 barrels, at $3.25 each; pork, 1,424 barrels, at $6 each ; whisky, 945 barrels, at 22 cents per gallon ; cumbers and pickles, 50 barrels, at $4 each; corn meal, 600 barrels, at $1.50 each; beans, 28 barrels, at $2.50 each; crout, 15 barrels, at $4 each; lard, 950 kegs of 60 pounds each, at 4 cents per pound; corn in ears, 7,000 bushels, at 125 cents per bushel; potatoes, 1,400 bushels, at 25 cents per bushel ; iidhons: 200 dozen, at 75 cents per dozen; cherry lumber, 30,000 feet, at $12 per M; butter, 80 kegs, of 50 pounds each, at 8 'cents per pound,

Seventy-nine boats, chiefly flat-bottomed, descended the Miami, and passed under the bridge, for the New Orleans market, from January to June, 1823, with flour, whisky, lumber, ete., averaging 300 barrels, at $5 per barrel, or $118,000.

A great part of the flour and whisky from Butler County was transported in wagons to Cincinnati, then shipped to New Orleans, probably as much as descended the Miami.

months waiting their opportunity. In 1847 there was an overflow between Christmas and New-Year's. The rain had fallen steadily for more than a week, and the ground was completely saturated. The Straub House was inundated, and the landlord, Peter Shurz, was compelled to move his valuables up stairs. Robert Howard had just bought the iron store lately occupied by Daniel Shafer. It had a large and capacious cellar, and in it had been placed, by David Yeakle (a cooper, living a little west of town), two or three hundred whisky barrels, to be kept there until prices raised. When the water began to rise, it naturally. filled the cellar, and the barrels, which were good sound specimens of the cooper's art, were soon afloat, and began striking the ceiling. Those on the main floor heard a mysterious thumping, but were unable to account for it. Presently there was a crash, the floor heaved upward, the hardware tumbled down, and the stove capsized, sending up a great cloud of steam. Only one person was in the store at the time, who was overthrown with the rest. He gathered himself up and fled.

The water extended up Main Street as far as Lauback's shoe store, then a dry-goods store, kept by James and William Traber. A boat was rowed to the post in front, by James Traber, and was there hitched. On the west bank of the river, where the tan-yard now is, was, at that time, a stable belonging to Andrew McCleary. This was washed away, and in its descent struck the abutment of the old bridge, tearing out a considerable portion.

In September, 1866, there was a remarkable freshet. Great damage was' done to all the surrounding country, and railroad travel was interrupted for a long time. Upon the island, just east of the Globe Flour Mills, stood a very large sycamore tree. It is a peculiarity of the floods of the West that they wash out the earth from beneath a tree while it is still standing, and finally, when there is no support, cause its fall. It was so in this case. The mighty tree stood looking over the flood until its equilibrium could no longer be maintained, when it fell, and began rapidly floating down the river. _Projecting from the main trunk was a huge snag, which sometimes showed above the water, and at other times | was buried. Experienced observers saw the danger which it might occasion, and warned persons on foot or in carriages from crossing. Colonel Moore distinguished him- Jesse Havens, the express driver, © was passing through the bridge at the time, with his.two boys. Pushing the children ahead, he urged them to get out, and hurried on as fast as he could himself. He found himself unable to get out in time, and stopped, turning around to witness the catastrophe. Just before the tree reached the bridge, above and west of the middle pier, it disappeared. But not for a great while were the people in suspense. The snag came crushing up through the timbers and planking, destroying every thing it touched, and then quietly floated down stream. It narrowly escaped striking the railroad bridge, which would also have been destroyed. The remainder of the bridge was carried away at about half-past ten the same evening.

The Press

_Newsparers soon followed the' advent.of settlers in this country, and several were soon in operation. But Butler County, from its nearness to Cincinnati, did not

"An age like the present, portentous beyond any parallel to be found in the history of mankind, will offer the best apology for the multiplication of periodical publications - whose object is: Ist. The diffusion of literature and science in the most enlightened and scientific epoch known within the pale of human knowledge, and, 2d. An early communication of the great political events, both foreign and domestic, which are now agitating every quarter of the globe.

"The proposed paper shall be conducted with the most undeviating impartiality, alike avoiding the petulance of party and the designing misrepresentations of disorganizing partisans, of whatever description they may be. It will be our aim to detail things as they are, following up the lights of truth, according to the best of our perception, and discarding every thing which may have a tendency to mislead the judgment or warp the heart from the best interests of its country. Such is the plan we are determined to pursue.

"1. The Miami Gazette will be published weekly, on a royal sheet, with an elegant new type, in the town of Hamilton, Butler County, and delivered to subscribers within the town. 'The first number will appear in July.

'<2. Yearly price two dollars, if paid in advance; two dollars and fifty cents, if paid within six or twelve months, according to the term subscribed for. But if payment be delayed beyond either period, then three dollars will be demanded. Subscribers receiving their papers by a private post will be charged for the packing and postage an additional fifty cents. Country produce will be received in payment.

The Gazette does not appear ever to have been issued. But two firms of printers had their eyes fixed on this place, and had sent out notices of their intention to establish a paper. The town was clearly too small for both, and they consolidated. Keen & Stewart constituted one of the firms, and Colby & Bonnell the other. The result of their joint labors was entitled the Miami Intelligencer, and the publishers were Colby, Bonnell & Co.

Mr. James McBride owned the press and type, which he purchased at Deer Creek, then above Cincinnati, from a Frenchman named. Menessier. Some use had previously been made of them, but what we are unable to learn. The first number of the journal was dated June 22, 1814. It was printed on a coarse, dingy royal sheet of four columns to the page, or a little larger than a page of Harpers Weekly. A large cut of the Goddess of Liberty blowing her trumpet was worked in the second number. It had evidently seen hard usage. The newspaper was published in the old Wingate House, corner of Dayton and Water Streets.

'"'Colby, Bonnell & Co. respectfully submit to their friends, and to the friends of republicanism, the follow-_ ing proposals for publishing in Hamilton, Ohio, a weekly newspaper, to be called Miami Intelligencer.

'From the sheets of the Miami Intelligencer the reader may inform himself of the principles and polities of the editors. However, lest the omission of giving some small outlines of our political opinions might be construed to our prejudice, we have no hesitation in avowing ourselves as American Republicans, not of those pretended Republicans who see but to condemn, who with impunity violate all law and outrage all order, nor of those Republicans who, under a pretended attachment to the pr inciples of W ashington, daily contradict by their words and actions every moral and political opinion which that great and good man promulgated - but of those genuine, honest Republicans who are independent enough to condemn, and candid enough to praise, where either may have been deserved; to censure only where censure may be due, and give applause where merit deserves it.

'< Although we are the avowed friends of the present administration of our country, yet we never shall become the tool of any man or set of men, be they attached to what party they may, or their station ever so high and their influence ever so extensive.

'«'The moralist, the poet, and the politician whose productions deserve attention shall find place in our paper for their accommodation ; but scurrility or personal abuse shall never disgrace the pages of the Miami Intelligencer. Such are our political opinions; such are the plans which we have determined to pursue, and from them we trust no consideration shall ever induce us to swerve."

'"©9. Price to subscribers: Two dollars, if paid in advance, for one year; two dollars and fifty cents, paid within the year; three dollars, if paid after the year expires.

'' The subscribers, believing that a consolidation of the establishments of the Volunteer and Miami Intelligencer would be most beneficial in themselves and pleasing to the inhabitants of Butler and the adjoining counties, have formed a union. The Intelligencer shall be published every Wednesday morning.

'Gentlemen who have interested themselves in behalf of either establishment will please accept our thanks. They will confer another favor by sending a list of the subscribers obtained, to this office immediately, or delivering it to the post rider of their district. "Kren & STEWART, '"'Cotpy & BonneELL."

'William H. Harrison, Isaac Shelby, and Lewis Cass have been appointed, by the President, commissioners to treat with the Indians at Greenville.

"The late arrival of the eastern mail last evening prevented our making copious extracts from our papers, letters, ete. The mail should arrive at noon. We have

'On Thursday last, by William D. Jones, Esq., Mr. Noah Wiley, of Crosby Township, Hamilton County, to Miss Mary Buffington, of Ross Township, Butler County.

Under the date of Boston, May 30, it notices the arrival at that port of the British letter of marque schooner Brilliant, captured by the privateer brig Scourge.

'©2. The French people call freely to the throne of France, Louis Stanislaus Xavier, of France, brother of the late king, and after him the other members of the house of Bourbon, in the ancient order.

'©91. The person of the king is sacred and inviolable. All the acts of the government are signed by a minister. The ministers are responsible for all which these acts contain violatory of the laws, public and al liberty, and the rights of the citizens.

'©93. The liberty of the press is entire, with the exception of the legal repression of offenses which may result from abuses of that liberty. The senatorial commissions of the liberty of the press and individual liberty are preserved."

'He never knew how to reign, either in the national interest or the interest of his own despotism. He has destroyed all that he ought to create ; and recreated all that he ought to destroy. He relied only upon force ; force now overwhelms him - just reward of senseless ambition.

'Napoleon has governed us like a king of barbarians ; Alexander [of Russia] and his magnanimous allies speak only the language of honor, justice, and humanity. They have just reconciled Europe to a brave and happy people.

David MeMechan, of ~Seven-mile, advertises a dark brown mare, strayed or stolen from his residence in Milford Township, about the beginning of April. He offers five dollars reward, and promises to ask no questions in case she is returned.

Michael Hagerman and Abraham Piatt & Co. advertise jointly that about the 4th of July they will have in operation on the Miami River, a half mile below Hamilton, '' three cording machines of superior quality."

James P. Morton ' gratefully acknowledges the partiality of a discerning public," and advertises that he has 'recommenced boot and shoe making at Mr. Pearson's."

Samuel Millikin, near the printing office, advertises a large lot of approved family medicines, '' prepared only by T. W. Dyott, M. D., grandson of the late celebrated Dr. Robertson, of Edinburgh."

Colby and Bonnell retired from the firm September 12, 1814, at which time Keen & Stewart removed to their new office on High Street. Stewart withdrew November 14, 1814, Zebulon Colby returning, and the publishers became Keen & Colby. This arrangement continued until May 14, 1815, when William Murray, the father of the late William Murray, took an interest in the paper, to secure a debt, and the firm became Keen, Colby & Murray.

The publication of the Miami Intelligencer was continued by this firm until March 29, 1816, when the business relations were dissolved, and Smith, Colby & Co. took possession, and changed the name of the paper to the Philanthropist.

The Philanthropist had for its motto ''Man is man; who is more?" It was printed from the same type and press, and preserved the form and announced the same terms of subscription as its predecessor. Except in name, there was nothing in it to indicate a change. In August, Mr. Smith sold out, and the publishing firm was changed to Zebulon Colby & Co., August 23, 1816, and under their direction the paper was issued until April 18, 1817, when they sold out to Wesley Camron and James B. Camron. They issued the Miami Herald.

'Free, but not licentious.". - Volume I, number 1, appearing under date of September 12, 1817. The publication office was in a frame building that stood near the north intersection of Reily with High Street. This building has since been removed to Second, below Basin, and is the present residence of Frank Martindell.

'John L. Murray (brother of the late William Murray), was organized, and the name of the paper was changed to the Hamilton Gazette and Miami Register, the first number of which appeared October 12, 1819. While the paper professed to be independent in politics, and devoted to literature, it betrayed a decided tendency to Republican or Democratic politics. The enterprise of the new firm led them to enlarge the paper to five columns, on January 25, 1820, and its publication was continued by them until January 8, 1821, certainly, and in all likelihood continuously until November 11, 1821, when

It commenced the publication of a new series at that date, and the office was removed to the building in which, a few years ago, Tom Myers was assassinated. On January 10, 1825, Mr. Camron changed the name of his paper to the Hamulton Advertiser, with '' Justice and equality" for a motto; and again, on November 17, 1826, he changed to the Hamilton Ohio Advertiser, and began a new series, which was closed October 26, 1827.

At this last date Cameron, as he now spelled his name, began the publication of the Western Telegraph, a flaming Jackson paper, with Taylor Webster as editor. The following August (1828) the publication of the Intelligencer was resumed, under the auspices of its early friends, and with the title of the Hamilton Intelligencer» It supported John Quincy Adams as President, and from that time on advocated Whig measures. Dr. John C. Dunlevy was supposed to be the editor, but his name was not announced.

Mr. John Woods, then the leading lawyer of the county, and the member of Congress, became a part owner in the Intelligencer on the 15th of November, 1828, when he bought half of the establishment from Edward Shaeffer, to begin in March, 1829. The other half was sold to Michael B. Sargeant, the law partner of Mr. Woods, in February, 1829. Mr. Shaeffer's name appeared as publisher as late as December 22 of that year. August 17, 1880, John Woods was editor and publisher. October 13, 1830, Richard H. L. Neale was announced as jointly interested, John Woods continuing editor. June 21, 1831, Mr. Woods became sole publisher. At about this time Lewis D. Campbell, who had just finished -his apprenticeship on the Cincinnati Gazette, came to the office of Mr. Woods as a printer.

We have left to us in the journals of that time several articles which show the cost of carrying on newspapers. Before this period, now just half a century ago, the newspapers were carried on by printers; after this they were conducted by politicians, who felt the vital importance of having their doctrines correctly set forth.

Tu Mr. Woods's office there was then only a Ramage press, requiring two pulls to complete the impression, and inked by balls. There was no large assortment of type, and but little mercantile printing was done. Much depended upon legal and official advertising.

'"We know a press which is doing business under the following prospects: It has two ostensible partners, and as it is published by A. B. & Co., the company style would seem to indicate that there were more than A. & B. They do not profess to have more than four hundred subscribers, and it is said that not three hundred and fifty papers are received by paying subscribers - this, for six months (if cash were paid within that time), would be $350; but no subscription of that number ever paid within that time $300. The actual living expenses of each of the partners can not be less than $9 per week - they ought to receive $6, to make journeymen's wages. They employ a hand at not less than $5 per week; their paper for four hundred subscribers is $5; their office rent, ink, contingencies, etc., will be $2. These sums, which are all put at the lowest estimate, amount to $22 per week, which multiplied by twenty-six, the number of weeks in six months, will amount to $575. The advertising and jobs can not amount to $75, Allowing, therefore, four hundred subscribers, and each to pay his dollar within the six months, the receipts can not exceed $475, leaving a deficit of $100. Our knowledge of business has taught that an establishment under such regulations can not be continued a year under a certain sacrifice of $200, and a very probable sacrifice of several hundred more."

The younger members of the profession will not be able to see where he has understated the income or overstated the expense. This is, however, the case. If there were two partners, one undoubtedly was a lawyer and politician, and took nothing from the fund. 'They would also have received a larger sum from advertisements and job printing, certainly $200 in the six months. By taking off, therefore, $130 for one of the partners, and adding $125 to the advertising and job printing, $255 is gained, making a surplus of $155, instead of a deficit of $100.

'From the preceding it will be seen that $2,138 have been expended in the process of business during the past year, not including stockholders' time - equal to $1,200 - and that the actual receipts into the treasury have not exceeded $500. Thus the stockholders find themselves $1,658, in cash, out of pocket; and (if all be collectable) only a net gain of $162, a sum not half adequate to the injury of materials."

This was a preposterously large price to pay journeymen. No office outside of Columbus and Cincinnati, in this State, paid such a sum; and the quantity of paper used would indicate a-very large subscription list.

'Having claimed and exercised, during the late political contest, the right of deciding for myself, and of acting upon the convictions of my own judgment, without regard to the poor popularity which is bought by the sacrifice of principle and self-respect, I need now give no other pledge than that I will still pursue a fearless and independent course. I trust, however, that I shall not be unmindful that others may have an equal right to form and act upon their own opinions.

''Whatever may be my success in endeavoring to make the Intelligencer a source of general information, and of agreeable amusement to its readers, I will at least preserve it from low scurrility and degrading personal contests. When it wantonly attacks private character, and becomes the vehicle of low and malignant slander, I will no longer ask those whom I shall assail and abuse, or the public thus insulted, to support me with their patronage and countenance." |