Harrison Township

Harrison Township

THIS is a township of very fine farming land, its entire surface being capable of cultivation, and a large portion of it now under a high state of cultivation. It was primarily covered with a dense growth of hard wood timber - oak, beech, sugar, ash, hickory, etc. There was some swamp lands in places, but no prairie, and the pioneers were compelled to cut away the trees to get to their lands, and clear away the timber before they were able to erect their cabins. It is watered principally by South fork and its tributaries. This creek passes across the southern part of the township, its course being generally southeast, from Pataskala to Kirkersville, passing on its way through a small portion of Etna township. Its principal tributary in the township is Grass lick, which rises in the higher lands of the northern part and runs south near the center of the township, entering the main stream near Kirkersville. Grass lick sends out its tributaries at short intervals on its way. Several other small streams and brooks rise in the township and flow southward into South fork. These streams are divided from the tributaries of the Raccoon by an irregular ridge or body of high lands in the northern part of the township. The main tributary of South fork on the south is Bloody run, which corhes in from Fairfield county, running a little west of north and joining South fork at Kirkersville. The National road crosses the small part of the township in which Kirkersville is situated. The Central Ohio railroad passes across the township, near its center, from east to west, nearly in a bee-line, with but one station, Kirkersville, within the township limits.

in the shape and form of human beings to occupy this territory, so far as known. A few evidences of their works yet remain, though disappearing through the operations of time and the plow. Some years after the first settlement of the township two small mounds were plainly visible on what is known as "Refugee road," about half a mile north of Kirkersville. They were probably twenty or thirty feet in diameter at the base and four or five feet in height One of these has entirely disappeared, being plowed down in building the road, but the other is yet visible. There is little doubt that many others existed in this direction, but from one cause or another they have mostly or entirely disappeared.

Indians occupied the territory in limited numbers for hunting, fishing, and trapping, at the date of the first white occupation, but no permanent camp of these sons of the forest was known to have an existence within the township limits. It was an excellent hunting ground for both whites and Indians, the forest being thick with underbrush, forming excellent hiding places for wild animals of every description. The Indians who hunted here were, probably, those who had a permanent camp at Raccoon town, at the headwaters of the Raccoon creek. An Indian trail, not much traveled, passed across the township in a northwesterly direction, along South fork, probably used by the Raccoontown Indians in their

This township was taken from the territory included in Union township, and organized in 1816. In addition to the five miles square, a strip of land two and a half miles long from north to south, and one and a half miles wide was taken from the Refugee tract and added to its southeast corner, giving the township an outlet into Fairfield county. This addition contains the village of Kirkersville on the National road.

The origin of the settlements of Lima and Harrison townships are so nearly contemporary that the history of one is the history of the other. The first settlements made were on the headwaters of the South fork of Licking, near where the village of Pataskala now stands. Mr. Hatfield, in the winter of 1805-6, "slashed" a small piece of ground near W. H. Mead's sheep shed, for browse for his cattle. That spot was never cleared for cultivation, and is now covered with a beautiful grove of timber of second growth. After building his cabin near the line of the railroad where it passes this grove, and remaining a few years, he disappeared from the settlement and nothing further was heard of him.

The next settler was Mr. Henry Drake, who came in 1805, from western Pennsylvania to Lancaster, Ohio, and to Harrison with his young family in 1806, building his cabin on land since owned by the heirs of the late Joseph Baird. Mr. Drake raised quite a large family here.

The next settlers were John Evans, Thomas Geary, John Piatte, and William Craige. Evans built a cabin on the land since owned by Joseph Atkinson; Geary, on land since owned by Abraham Baird; Piatte on land since owned by Abraham Miller, and Craige, on land since owned by Jesse Horn; his cabin being on the southwest field of Mr. Horn's farm.

The children of these settlers attended their first school within the present boundary of Lima township. This first school was taught by Miss Cubberly, in a double log cabin that stood on the ground now occupied by the steam grist-mill, near the village of Pataskala.

by the heirs of William Stone, so early that thei were considered neighbors of those above mes tioned. Esquire Randall performed the first mar riage ceremony in the settlement between Mr Richmond and Miss Cubberly.

In 1814, Philip Wagy moved from FairikX county and bought out John Piatte on the Milk: farm. Mr. Wagy raised a large family, most c: whom were daughters

Joseph Wilcox, from Herkimer county, New York, settled on "Black's" road in 1814, an; raised a family of four sons and two daughter* His nearest neighbor must have been William P. Gibbons, who settled one and a half miles northwest of him, some years earlier, but at what date not known. Mr. Gibbons had been employed b} a large land holder (a Mr. Backus, from Blenner hasset's Island, and an accomplice of Aaron Bur: , as early as 1806-7, to deaden, or girdle, 'the trees on eighteen hundred acres of land. To comper. sate him for his labor he was to receive, and die receive, one hundred acres of land in fee simple The whole of this deadening was in this township.

In 1815 or 1816, according to Colonel J. C Alward's recollection, his father, Samuel Alward. came from New Jersey and settled on the farm where the colonel still resides. Their nearest neighbors at that time were, on the west, Captain John Herron, two and a half miles; east, William Gibbons, the same distance, and northeast, Jtssc Munson, about three miles. Mr. Alward was a! that time about fifty years of age. Being ver> industrious and economical, he succeeded in securing for each of his six sons a landed horoe. He died December 3, 1842, at the age of seventy - five. His wife survived him, and died in 186', aged eighty-six.

In 1816, Mr. Joseph Wells and John Dennison came and settled in the southern part of the township, on lands purchased of Hon. William Sun berry, of Newark. Mr. Dennison remained or. his farm until 1839, when he sold and removed West. Mr. Wells remained on his farm until hideath in 1863, and raised a large family. In 1S10 or 1817, Joseph Pond settled on a farm in the southeast corner of the township.

and 1840 it rapidly filled up. The building of the National road was no doubt the cause of this. It was in this decade that many came and settled on the road running north and south through the township. It was called "York street," as the settlers were mostly from New York State. Isaiah Nichols, Henry and Charles Butler and Thomas Munsell, in the northern part of the township, and Jacob Artz in the southern part, erected cabins and settled between the years 1820 and 1830.

In early days a large portion of this township was owned by Rathburn, Backus, Hogg,, and other non-residents, and their lands remaining uncleared, made an excellent range for wild game, as well as hogs that would stray away from settlements in different parts of the county. One season the hogs of Samuel Thrall, Roswell Graves and others wandered away in the wilderness of Harrison township, as they were wont to do, also into Union and Licking townships. John Ward, who owned and lived on a farm five and one-half miles wrest of Granville, on the Columbus road, feeling in need of pork, concluded to supply his larder from these woods. Selecting hogs that were in excellend condition, he shot down several. The wrord soont reached Granville, and those having swine in the woods visited Mr. Ward and found him dressing the game he had secured. Unfortunately for Ward, people in those times were in the habit of putting ear- marks and other marks on their stock before turning them into the commons. Samuel Thrall found, on the ears of two or three of the hogs killed, his mark. Ward was arrested, tried and found guilty of stealing hogs. There wras strong talk of a public whipping, but better counsels prevailed ; nevertheless, a mark was made on the man as indelible as lash could make, by the community, in naming him "Hog Ward."

The principal reason why Harrison and Lima townships were so late in filling up with people, was the fact that much of the land was held by non-residents and was not brought into market.

The Rathburn section in Union township, within two miles of Granville, held by Lawyer Downer, of Zanesville, was not offered for sale until the* National road was in process of construction in 1832 or 1833. So it was with the Hogg section in this township and the Frisbie section in Lima. As soon as they were offered, P. Atkinson, from New Hampshire, A. Miller, from western Pennsylvania, and William and Joseph Baird, from western Virginia, came on and purchased land at five dollars per acre, or less.

It was in this township that the famous wolf hunt of 1823 occurred, a brief account of which may be interesting, and worthy of preservation. The pioneers were much annoyed by depredations on their sheep folds and pig-pens by wild beasts of the forest. Among these, wolves were the most destructive. Who was the originator of this wolf hunt does not appear on record; but in 1823 the people of the county determined upon a combined effort to extinguish this animal, and to make the experiment as effectual as possible, they determined to surround a specified territory in a methodical and thorough manner, and by marching toward a common center, bring them within range of their rifles. For this purpose James Holmes, surveyor of the county, was employed to survey in the western part of the county, a tract of land four miles square. The most of this tract, if not the whole, was in this township. The east line was the road running north from Kirkersville, and the south line passed a little north of Isaac White's dwelling house. This territory was selected on account of its embracing most of "Gibbon's deadening," before mentioned. There wTere some fifteen hundred acres in this deadening, and no part of it yet cleared for cultivation. It had been deadened some fifteen or sixteen years, and the second growth of timber was in the very best condition to make the deadening a complete harbor for wild animals. So dense was the brush and undergrowth that it was with difficulty men could pass through it on foot. A day was appointed and notice given in ail parts of the county, for men to meet at sunrise, and be ready to occupy every part of the surveyed line, which Mr. Holmes had caused to be plainly marked by blazed trees. He had also run diagonal lines through from corner to corner, so as to prevent confusion or mistake in finding the common center. Mr. Holmes was also, more than any other man, zealous in spreading the news and arousing the country. He told all whom he met to be on the ground promptly and bring their dinners, but

At sunrise, on the appointed day, a vast crowd gathered at the old Ward place, since better known as the "cheese farm," four miles west' of Granville, on the Columbus road. This company was to form the east line.

Before separating and being placed on the lines, hornsmen were appointed who were stationed at equal distances around the square, and when the lines were filled on every side, the hornsmen were to sound their trumpets, commencing at a given point, thus conveying the news all around the square that the lines were full. A second sounding of the trumpets was the signal for all to march. These arrangements were nicely carried out The lines had advanced but a short distance when frightened deer made their appearance, running parallel with the lines, seeking a place of exit. The rifles now began to crack along the line. Those passing through the deadening, could scarcely prevent the game from escaping through the line, as the bushes and trees were so thick that it could not be seen until very near, and it was difficult shooting. Deer would come bounding toward the line, and nearly penetrate it before discovering it, then they would turn quickly and fly in the opposite direction unless stopped by a rifle ball. The wolves kept at a greater distance from the line; they were not seen on the east line until the men were out of the deadening and in more open woods, then they were seen at intervals running parallel with the lines, but so far from them that the best shots failed to bring them down. When the lines began to double up a good deal and surround a piece of open woods, the deer appeared in droves, and the rattle of fire arms sounded like a young battle. As the deer passed along the line, the firing would be continuous for minutes in succession. Thus the day passed, and few indeed were the intervals when the guns could not be heard in some direction. J ust as the east line was emerging from the thick undergrowth of the deadening, a large black bear was discovered, making his way in a lazy gallop toward the southeast corner of the enclosure. No gun was fired at him until he was within twenty or thirty yards of the line ; then simultaneously fifteen

Continuously, from the commencement of the march, wild turkeys were seen flying over the lines like flocks of pigeons. The march was continued until lines were reached indicating a fourth of a mile square. It had been anticipated that it might become necessary to halt before reaching the center, and so it was. This one-fourth of a mile line had been surveyed, and the trees blazed. With all the shooting no wolf had yet been killed, and at least, three of these animals had been seen; they had become cowed, and were skulking behind the logs and under the banks of the stream that meandered through the center of the square. This stream was Grass Lick run, or one of its branches, the hunt culminating on the farm now owned by J. C. Alwood. To kill wolves was now the grand object ; the best marksmen were therefore selected at this halting place, and sent in to do that work. The men stood shoulder to shoulder, and no one on the lines was allowed to shoot. Mr. Leverett, Mr. Butler and Captain Timothy Spellman were among those who went in.

An incident occurred while dispatching the wolves. Mr. Butler took his brother Henry with him to carry the hatchet. Mr. Butler shot at a wolf and it fell, his brother sprang forward, straddled the wolf and struck it three blows between the ears, but being greatly excited, struck with the edge instead of the head of the hatchet. The wolf escaped from him but was shot by Mr Leverett. Three marks made by the edge of the hatchet were discovered between its ears. The skin of this animal being dressed with the hair on, was afterward used by General Munson as a saddle cloth.

When it was announced that there was no more game to kill, all marched to the center. Perfect order was observed, and not a single person appeared intoxicated, a very remarkable thing for that time, but it went to show that the settlers had cheerfully obeyed the order to take no ardent spirits to the hunt. The management of the whole matter was admirable, and no serious casualty occurred. The game had been brought along as it was killed, and when it was all piled up in the center, it presented a sight never before seen in

Licking county, and ne^er can be again. There were the large black bear, three wolves, forty-nine deer, sixty or seventy turkeys, and one owl.

The next thing was to prepare the spoils for distribution. The bear and the deer were skinned and cut up into pieces weighing about four pounds each. The number of pieces being ascertained it was found that about every third man would get a piece. The men were, therefore, formed into three companies, and cast lots to see which should have all. This arrangement was satisfactory, and at sunset the company dispersed. General Munson drew the bear skin, and wrapped it around him, fleshy side inward, over a new broadcloth coat. Thus ended one of the greatest hunts Licking county ever witnessed or ever will witness. It does not appear that the number of wolves killed was dangerously large, and the probabilities are that the hunt was indulged in more for the "fun of the thing," than for any especial benefit to be derived from the destruction of wolves.

Squirrel hunts were indulged in in early times, both as an amusement and as a means of protecting the corn crop. These hunts were frequently indulged in as late as 1840 or 1850, and perhaps later. The little destructive creatures sometimes became very numerous, and were sometimes man's most formidable enemy, so that it was indispensable that he should be checked in his depredations; and this could be most effectually done by the combined efforts of the people. The time and place of meeting having been agreed upon beforehand, the squirrel hunters met, divided themselves into two companies, elected a captain for each company and then proceeded to their day's work. On coming together in the evening, and reporting results, it was no unusual thing to find the number of squirrels killed that day by the two companies to number many hundreds, and the number not unfrequently ran into thousands. The squirrels were not brought in, only their scalps. Whenever a squirrel was killed the scalp, containing the two ears of the animal wfent into the pocket of the hunter, and the body was thrown away. These scalps were counted at night, and generally the winning side - those who could show the most scalps - were treated to an excellent supper by the losers, and not unfrequently both parties were treated to much beside the supper, and possibly the squirrel hunt might end in a grand carouse, which was continued into the small hours of the night

The National road was the means of building up many towns along its route, and among others Kirkersville, in this township; and, in fact, it is the only village in the township except Kirkersville station. It was laid out in 1832, by Dr. Williaiif C. Kirker, who owned some fine land at this point on South fork, at the mouth of Bloody run. He, probably, built the first dwelling in the place. Thomas Youmans was, probably, the first man of family to settle there; he erected a building and kept a "tavern," as these were in great demand along that road, both while it was in course of construction, for the purpose of feeding the workmen, and for many years after, for the traveling public.

Mr. Bazalleel Brown started the first store, soon after the town was laid out; he also erected a sawmill, and the town grew rapidly for some time, but the advent of railroads checked the growth, by taking the business away from the National road.

Some time before Kirkersville was laid out a mill for the manufacture of castor-oil from the bean, had been established, half a mile north of the site of the town on land now owned by L. W. White, on Grass Lick creek. It never accomplished much, and was destroyed by fire. ,

Kirkersville is now a village of three hundred and forty-nine inhabitants by the census of 1880, and contains three or four stores, a hotel, three churches, a planing-mill and the usual number of shops and tradesmen. It probably reached its full growth years ago, and is at present a beautiful village.

Particular attention has been paid to education, and it is doubtful whether Licking county can present an edifice for public school purposes, equal in external beauty and internal convenience to the building erected a few years ago for such purpose, chiefly under the superintendence of Mr. Frederick Schofield, a merchant in the village.

Wheii the railroad was constructed through the township, it passed two and a half miles north of the village, and Kirkersville station was estab-. lished. This, at present, contains a post office

There are at present but three churches within the limits of this township, all located at Kirkersville - the Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist.

Nearly half a century ago a nnmber of Welsh families settled on both sides of the line, between the townships of St. Albans and Harrison, and soon formed themselves into a religious organization known as the Welsh Congregational church of Harrison township. Without unnecessary delay they erected a church building, in which for many years they maintained public worship in the Welsh language. After the generation that erected the church had nearly all passed away, and the succeeding generation all speaking the English language, they gradually became absorbed by the surrounding English churches, and public services in Welsh could no longer be sustained. Under these circumstances the organization became extinct.

Revs. John Powell, Jenkin Jenkins, David R. Jenkins and John Williams were pastors of this church at different times, and perhaps about in the order named. The church building was sold some years since, and is now private property.

The Presbyterian Church of Kirkersville: - Rev. Jacob Tuttle came from New Jersey in 1832, and commenced preaching in Lima, Harrison and Etna townships in the spring of 1833, and continued to do so more or less regularly until the spring of 1837. He was highly esteemed, and his memory is cherished by his neighbors and friends. The first Presbyterian minister who preached in Kirkersville was Rev. Jonathan Cable, at the time supplying the church in Hebron, which has ceased to exist. His diary states that he preached three . times in Kirkersville in 1834, and once in January,

March 17, 1836, Rev. C. M. Putnam preached in Kirkersville, and assisted in organizing a Presbyterian congregation. He preached at Kirkersville once a month, from April 9, 1837, until the following October.

In July, 1837, a protracted meeting was held in Mr. Joseph Baird's barn, in Harrison township, conducted by Revs. Henry Little and Jonathan Cable. A large number were converted, and on the eleventh of November following, a Presbyterian church was organized at the log school-house in Lima township. During the following year there was preaching only occssionally to the Kirkersville congregation, in a school-house in the village. In the summer of 1838, Revs. Hugh Carlisle and Francis Bartlett preached occasionally for these churches.

October 14, 1838, Rev. T. W. Howe preached for these Presbyterian congregations, the meetings of the Harrison township congregation being held in a frame school house at the northwest coiner of Kirkersville.

In the fall of 1839, a subscription was started for the purpose of building a church in Kirkersville. The building progressed slowly and was not used until 1842, and not finished and dedica ted until March, 1845. A bell was procured, cost ing about two hundred dollars. The people ot Granville gave one hundred and fifty dollars toward building this church.

In 1852, forty-four persons, living more convenient to the Kirkersville church, joined that church by letter, and organized the First Presbyterian church of Kirkersville. This church employed Rev. H. C. McBride to preach for them one-half his time. He supplied them two years. Rev Jesse Schlosser followed, and supplied them until the spring of 1858. From the spring of 1858 to January 1, 1870, Rev. T. W. Howe preached for them every alternate Sabbath. Mr. Howe was succeeded by Rev. Reuben Hahn. The church is without a regular pastor at present The member ship is about one hundred.

The Methodist Episcopal church in Kirkersville originated at "Fletcher's chapel," in Fairfield county, its original members belonging to that church.

members living near the town organized a class, and held meetings some time in the Presbyterian church, but in a few years erected the present frame building.

Source changes here: from History of Licking County, O. Its Past and Present, by N.N. Hill Jr, published 1881; 8,697 words in this source stream.

Harrison Township

'*Our father rode again his ride, On Licking river's wooded side; Sat down again to moose and samp In trappers hut and-Indian camp; * > > > = Again he heard the violin play Which led the village dance away, And mingled in its merry whirl The grandam and the laughing girl." and a large portion of it now under a high state of cultivation. It was primarily covered with a dense growth of hard wood timber - oak, beech, sugar, ash, hickory, etc. There was some swamp lands n places, but no prairie, and the pioneers were sompelled to cut away the trees to get to their ands, and clear away the timber before they were able to erect their cabins. It is watered principally gy South fork and its tributaries. This creek yasses across the southern part of the township, its 'ourse being generally southeast, from Pataskala to Kirkersville, passing on its way through a small yortion of Etna township. Its principal tributary nthe township is Grass lick, which rises in the nigher lands of the northern part and runs south near the center of the township, entering the main -tream near Kirkersville. Grass lick sends out its ributaries at short intervals on its way. Several other small streams and brooks rise in the townhip and flow southward into South fork. These 'treams are divided from the tributaries of the Raccoon by an irregular ridge or body of high ands in the northern part of the township. The main tributary of South fork on the south is 3loody run, which comes in from Fairfield county, inning a little west of north and joining South ork at Kirkersville. The National road crosses the small part of the township in which Kirkersyville is situated, The Central Ohio railroad passes across the township, near its center, from east to west, nearly in a bee-line, with but one station, Kirkersville, within the township limits.

The Mound Builders were the first inhabitants in the shape and form of human beings to occupy this territory, so far as known. A few evidences of their works yet remain, though disappearing through the operations of time and the plow. Some years after the first settlement of the township two small mounds were plainly visible on what is known as "Refugee road," about half a mile north of Kirkersville. They were probably twenty or thirty feet in diameter at the base and four or five feet in height. One of these has entirely disappeared, being plowed down in building the road, but the other is yet visible. There is little doubt that many others existed in this direction, but from one cause or another they have mostly or entirely disappeared.

Indians occupied the territory in limited numbers for hunting, fishing, and trapping, at the date of the first white occupation, but no permanent camp of these sons of the forest was known to have an existence within the township limits. It was an excellent hunting ground for both whites and Indians, the forest being thick with underbrush, forming excellent hiding places for wild animals of every description. The Indians who hunted here were, probably, those who had a permanent camp at Raccoon town, at the headwaters of the Raccoon creek. An Indian trail, not much traveled, passed across the township in a northwesterly direction, along South fork, probably used by the Raccoontown Indians in their

This township was taken from the territory included in Union township, and organized in 1816. In addition to the five miles square, a strip of land two and a half miles long from north to south, and one and a half miles wide was taken from the Refugee tract and added to its southeast corner, giving the township an outlet into Fairfield county. This addition contains the village of Kirkersville on the National road.

The origin of the settlements of Lima and Harrison townships are so nearly contemporary that the history of one is the history of the other. The first settlements made were on the headwaters of the South fork of Licking, near where Mr. Hatfield, in the winter of 1805-6, '"'slashed" a small piece of ground near W. H. for browse for his cattle. That spot was never cleared for cultivation, and is now covered with a beautiful grove of timber of second growth. After building his cabin near the line of the railroad where it passes this grove, and remaining a few years, he disappeared from the settlement and nothing further was heard of him.

The next-settler was Mr. Henry Drake, who came in 1805, from western Pennsylvania to Lancaster, Ohio, and to Harrison with his young family in 1806, building his cabin on land since owned by the heirs of the late Joseph Baird. Mr. Drake raised quite a large family here.

The next settlers were John Evans, Thomas Geary, John Piatte, and William Craige. Evans built a cabin on the land since owned by Joseph Atkinson; Geary, on land since owned by Abraham Baird; Piatte on land since owned by Abraham Miller, and Craige, on land since owned by Jesse Horn; his cabin being on the southwest field of Mr. Horn's farm.

The children of these settlers attended their first school within the present boundary of Lima township. 'This first school was taught by Miss Cubberly, in a double log cabin that stood on the ground now occupied by the steam grist-mill, near the village of Pataskala.

a by the heirs of William Stone, so early that they were considered neighbors of those above mentioned. Esquire Randall performed the first marriage ceremony in the settlement between Mr. Richmond and Miss Cubberly.

In 1814, Philip Wagy moved from Fairfield county and bought out John Piatte on the Miller farm. Mr. Wagy raised a large family, most of whom were daughters

Joseph Wilcox, from Herkimer county, New York, settled on '"Black's" road in 1814, and raised a family of four sons and two daughters. His nearest neighbor must have been William D. Gibbons, who settled one and a half miles northwest of him, some years earlier, but at what date is not known. Mr. Gibbons had been employed by a large land holder (a Mr. Backus, from Blennerhasset's Island, and an accomplice of Aaron Burr), as early as 1806-7, to deaden, or girdle, the trees on eighteen hundred acres of land. To compensate him for his labor he was to receive, and did receive, one hundred acres of land in fee simple. The whole of this deadening was in this township.

In 1815 or 1816, according to Colonel J. C. Alward's recollection, his father, Samuel Alward, came from New Jersey and settled on the farm where the colonel still resides. Their nearest neighbors at that time were, on the west, Captain John Herron, two and a half miles; east, William Gibbons, the same distance, and northeast, Jesse Munson, about three miles. Mr. Alward was at that time about fifty years of age. Being very industrious and economical, he succeeded in securing for each of his six sons a landed home. He died December 3, 1842, at the age of seventyfive. His wife survived him, and died in 186-, aged eighty-six.

In 1816, Mr. Joseph Wells and John Dennison came and settled in the southern part of the township, on lands purchased of Hon. William Stanberry, of Newark. Mr. Dennison remained on his farm until 1839, when he sold and removed West. Mr. Wells remained on his farm until his death in 1863, and raised a large family. In 1816 or 1817, Joseph Pond settled on a farm in the southeast corner of the township.

and 1840 it rapidly filled up. The building of the National road was no doubt the cause of this. Tt was in this decade that many came and settled on the road running north and south through the township. It was called "York street," as the settlers were mostly from New York State. Isaiah Nichols, Henry and Charles Butler and Thomas Munsell, in the northern part of the township, and Jacob Artz in the southern part, erected cabins and settled between the years 1820 and 1830.

In early days a large portion of this township was owned by Rathburn, Backus, Hogg, and other non-residents, and their lands remaining uncleared, made an excellent range for wild game, as well as hogs that would stray away from settlements in different parts of the county. One season the hogs of Samuel Thrall, Roswell Graves and others wandered away in the wilderness of Harrison township, as they were wont to do, also into Union and Licking townships. John Ward, who owned and lived on a farm five and one-half miles west of Granville, on the Columbus road, feeling in need of pork, concluded to supply his larder from these woods. Selecting hogs that were in excellend condition, he shot down several. The word soont reached Granville, and those having swine in the woods visited Mr. Ward and found him dressing the game he had secured. Unfortunately for Ward, people in those times were in the habit of putting ear-marks and other marks on their stock before turning them into the commons. Samuel Thrall found, on the ears of two or three of the hogs killed, his mark. Ward was arrested, tried and found guilty of stealing hogs. There was strong talk of a public whipping, but better counsels prevailed ; nevertheless, a mark was made on the man as indelible as lash could. make, by the community, in naming him ''Hog Ward."

The principal reason why Harrison and Lima townships were so late in filling up with people, was the fact that much of the land was held by non-residents and was not brought into market.

The Rathburn section in Union township, within two miles of Granville, held by Lawyer Downer, of Zanesville, was not offered for sale until the National road was in process of construction in 1832 or 1833. So it was with the Hogg section in this township and the Frisbie section in Lima. As soon as they were offered, P. Atkinson, from New Hampshire, A. Miller, from western Pennsylvania, and William and Joseph Baird, from western Virginia, came on and purchased land at five dollars per acre, or less

It was in this township that the famous wolf hunt of 1823 occurred, a brief account of which may be interesting, and worthy of preservation. The pioneers were much annoyed by depredations on their sheep folds and pig-pens by wild beasts of the forest. Among these, wolves were the most destructive. Who was the originator of this wolf hunt does not appear on record; but in 1823 the people of the county determined upon a combined effort to extinguish this animal, and to make the experiment as effectual as possible, they determined to surround a specified territory in a methodical and thorough manner, and by marching toward a common center, bring them within range of their rifles. For this purpose James Holmes, surveyor of the county, was employed to survey in the western part of the county, a tract of land four miles square. The most of this tract, if not the whole, was in this township. The east line was the road running north from Kirkersville, and the south line passed a little north of Isaac White's dwelling house. 'This territory was selected on account of its embracing most of "Gibbon's deadening," before mentioned. There were some fifteen hundred acres in this deadening, and no part of it yet cleared for cultivation. It had been deadened some fifteen or sixteen years, and the second growth of timber was in the very best condition to make the deadening a complete harbor for wild animals. So dense was the brush and undergrowth that it was with difficulty men could pass through it on foot. A day was appointed and notice given in all parts of the county, for men to meet at sunrise, and be ready to occupy every part of the surveyed line, which Mr. Holmes had caused to be plainly marked by blazed trees. He had also run diagonal lines through from corner to corner, so as to prevent confusion or mistake in finding the common center. Mr. Holmes was also, more than any other man, zealous in spreading the news and arousing the country. He told all whom he met to be on the ground promptly and bring their dinners, but

At sunrise, on the appointed day, a vast crowd gathered at the old Ward place, since better known as the "cheese farm," four miles west of Granville, on the Columbus road. This company was to form the east line.

Before separating and being placed on the lines, hornsmen'were appointed who were stationed at equal distances around the square, and when the lines were filled on every side, the hornsmen were to sound their trumpets, commencing at a given point, thus conveying the news all around the square that the lines were full. A second sounding of the trumpets was the signal for all to march. These arrangements were nicely carried out. The lines had advanced but a short distance when frightened deer made their appearance, running parallel with the lines, seeking a place of exit. The rifles now began to crack along the line. Those passing through the deadening, could scarcely prevent the game from escaping through the line, as the bushes and trees were so thick that it could not be seen until very near, and it was difficult shooting. Deer would come bounding toward the line, and nearly penetrate it before discovering it, then they would turn quickly and fly in the opposite direction unless stopped by a rifle bali. The wolves kept at a greater distance from the line; they were not seen on the east line until the men were out of the deadening and in more open woods, then they were seen at intervals running parallel with the lines, but so far from them that the best shots failed to bring them down. When the lines began to double up a good deal and surround a piece of open woods, the deer appeared in droves, and the rattle of fire arms sounded like a young battle. As the deer passed along the line, the firing would be continuous for minutes in succession. Thus the day passed, and few indeed were the intervals when the guns could not be heard in some direction. Just as the east line was emerging from the thick undergrowth of the deadening, a large black bear was discovered, making his way ina lazy gallop toward the southeast corner of the enclosure. No gun was fired at. him until he was within twenty or thirty yards of the line; then simultaneously fifteen

Continuously, from the commencement of the march, wild turkeys were seen flying over the lines like flocks of pigeons. The march was continued until lines were reached indicating a fourth of a mile square. It had been anticipated that it might become necessary to halt before reaching the center, and so it was. This one-fourth of a mile line had been surveyed, and the trees blazed. With all the shooting no wolf had yet been killed, and at least, three of these animals had been seen ; they had become cowed, and were skulking behind the logs and under the banks of the stream that meandered through the center of the square. This stream was Grass Lick run, or one of its branches, the hunt culminating on the farm now owned by J. C. Alwood. To kill wolves was now the grand object; the best marksmen were therefore selected at this halting place, and sent in to do that work. The men stood shoulder to shoulder, and no one on the lines was allowed to shoot, Mr. Leverett, Mr. Butler and Captain TimothySpellman were among those who went in.

An incident occurred while dispatching the Mr. Butler took his brother Henry with him to carry the hatchet. Mr. Butler shot at a wolf and it fell, his brother sprang forward, straddled the wolf and struck it three blows between the ears, but being greatly excited, struck with the edge instead of the head of the hatchet. The wolf escaped from him but was shot by Mr Leverett. Three marks made by the edge of the hatchet were discovered between its ears. The skin of this animal being dressed with the hair on, was afterward used by General Munson as a saddle cloth.

When it was announced that there was no more game to kill, all marched to the center. Perfect order was observed, and not a single person appeared intoxicated, a very remarkable thing for that time, but it went to show that the settlers had cheerfully obeyed the order to take no ardent spirits to the hunt. The management of the whole matter was admirable, and no serious casualty occurred. The game had been brought along as it was killed, and when it was all piled up in the center, it presented a sight never before seen in

Licking county, and never can be again. There were the large black bear, three wolves, forty-nine deer, sixty or seventy turkeys, and one owl.

The next thing was to prepare the spoils for distribution. The bear and the deer were skinned and cut up into pieces weighing about four pounds each. 'The number of pieces being ascertained it was found that about every third man would get a piece. The men were, therefore, formed into three companies, and cast lots to see which should 'have all. This arrangement was satisfactory, and at sunset the company dispersed. General Munson drew the bear skin, and wrapped it around him, fleshy side inward, over a new broadcloth coat. 'Thus ended one of the greatest hunts Licking county ever witnessed or ever will witness. It does not appear that the number of wolves killed was dangerously large, and the probabilities are that the hunt was indulged in more for the "fun ofthe thing," than for any especial benefit to be derived from the destruction of wolves.

Squirrel hunts were indulged in in early times, both as an amusement and as a means of protecting the corncrop. These hunts were frequently' indulged in as late as 1840 or 1850, and perhaps later. The little destructive creatures sometimes became very numerous, and were sometimes man's most formidable enemy, so that it was indispensable that he should be checked in his depredations; and this could be most effectually done by 'the combined efforts of the people. The time and place of meeting having been agreed upon beforehand, the squirrel hunters met, divided themselves into two companies, elected a captain for each company and then proceeded to their day's work. On coming together in the evening, and reporting results, it was no unusual thing to find the number of squirrels killed that day by the two companies to number many hundreds, and the number not unfrequently ran into thousands. The squirrels were not brought in, only their scalps. Whenever a squirrel was killed the scalp, containing the two ears of the animal went into the pocket of the hunter, and the body was thrown away. These scalps were counted at night, and generally the winning side - those who could show the most scalps - were treated to an excellent supper by the losers, and not unfrequently both parties were treated to much beside the supper, and possibly the squirrel hunt might end ina grand carouse, which was continued into the small hours of the night.

The National road was the means of building up many towns along its route, and among others Kirkersville, in this township; and, in fact, it is the only village in the township except Kirkersville' station. It was laid out in 1832, by Dr. William C. Kirker, who owned some fine land at this point on South fork, at the mouth of Bloody run. He, probably, built the first dwelling in the place. Thomas Youmans was, probably, the first man of family to settle there; he erected a building and kept a "tavern," as these were in great demand along that road, both while it was in course of construction, for the purpose of feeding the workmen, and for many years after, for the traveling public.

Mr. Bazalleel Brown started the first store, soon after the town was laid out; he also erected a sawmill, and the town grew rapidly for some time, but the advent of railroads checked the growth, by taking the business away from the National road.

Some time before Kirkersville was laid out a mill for the manufacture of castor-oil from the bean, had been established, half a mile north of the site of the town on land row owned by L. W. White, on Grass Lick creek. It never accomplished much, and was destroyed by fire.

Kirkersville is now a village of three hundred and forty-nine inhabitants by the census of 1880, and contains three or four stores, a hotel, three churches, a planing-mill and the usual number of shops and tradesmen. It probably reached its full growth years ago, and is at present a beautiful village.

Particular attention has been paid to education, and it is doubtful whether Licking county can present an edifice for public school purposes, equal in external beauty and internal convenience to the building erected a few years ago for such purpose, chiefly under the superintendence of Mr. Freder ick Schofield, a merchant in the village.

When the railroad was constructed through the township, it passed two anda half miles north of the village, and Kirkersville station was established. This, at present, contains a post office

There are at present but three churches within the limits of this township, all located at Kirkersville--the Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist.

The first church organization in this township, however, was near its northern line, and was known as the Welsh Congregational church of Harrison.

Nearly half a century ago a nnmber of Welsh families settled on both sides of the line, between the townships of St. Albans and Harrison, and soon formed themselves into a religious organization known as the Welsh Congregational church of Harrison township. Without unnecessary delay they erected a church building, in which for many years they maintained public worship in the Welsh language. After the generation that erected the church had nearly all passed away, and the succeeding generation all speaking the English language, they gradually became absorbed by the surrounding English churches, and public services in Welsh could no longer be sustained. Under these circumstances the organization became extinct.

Revs. John Powell, Jenkin Jenkins, David R. Jenkins and John Williams were pastors of this church at different times, and perhaps about in the order named. The church building was sold some years since, and is now private property.

The Presbyterian Church Of Kirkersville

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF KIRKERSVILLE: - Rey. Jacob Tuttle came from New Jersey in 1832, and commenced preaching in Lima, Harrison and Etna townships in the spring of 1833, and continued to do so more or less regularly until the spring of 1837. He was highly esteemed, and his memory is cherished by his neighbors and friends. The first Presbyterian minister who preached in Kirkersville was Rev. Jonathan Cable, at the time supplying the church in Hebron, which has ceased to exist. Hus diary states that he preached three times in Kirkersville in 1834, and once in January, 1835.

March 17, 1836, Rev. C. M. Putnam preached in Kirkersville, and assisted in organizing a Presbyterian congregation. He preached at Kirkersville once a month, from April 9, 1837, until the following October.

In July, 1837, a protracted meeting was held in Mr. Joseph Baird's barn, in Harrison township, conducted by Revs. Henry Little and Jonathan Cable. the eleventh of November following, a Presbyterian church was organized at the log school-house in Lima township. During the following year there was preaching only occssionally to the Kirkersville congregation, in a school-house in the village. In the summer of 1838, Revs. Hugh Carlisle and Francis Bartlett preached occasionally for these churches.

October 14, 1838, Rev. T. W. Howe preached for these Presbyterian congregations, the meetings of the Harrison township congregation being held in a frame school-house at the northwest corner of Kirkersville.

In the fall of 1839, a subscription was started for the purpose of building a church in Kirkersville. The building progressed slowly and was not used until 1842, and not finished and dedicated until March, 1845. A bell.was procured, costing about two hundred dollars. The people of Granville gave one hundred and fifty dollars toward building this church.

In 1852, forty-four persons, living more convenient to the Kirkersville church, joined that church by letter, and organized the First Presbyterian church of Kirkersville. This church employed Rev. H. C. McBride to preach for them one-half his time. He supplied them two years. Rev. Jesse Schlosser followed, and supplied them until the spring of 1858. From the spring of 1858 to January 1, 1870, Rev. T. W. Howe preached for them every alternate Sabbath. Mr. Howe was succeeded by Rev. Reuben Hahn. The church is without a regular pastor at present. The membership is about one hundred.

The Methodist Episcopal church in Kirkersville originated at ''Fletcher's chapel," in Fairfield county, its original members belonging to that church.

»embers living near the town organized a class, and eld meetings some time in the Presbyterian wurch, but in a few years erected the present ume building.

OLOGY OF FLINT RIDGE - LOCATION AND ToPpOGRAPHY OF THE 'TOWNSHIP - FIRST SETTLERS - ORGANIZATION - JUSTICES OF THE PEACE - VILLAGES - CHURCHES - POSTMASTERS- -AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

*' Alone on this desolate border, boundaries of the Flint ridge are numerous short spurs diverg- On this ruggedest rimm'd frontier, ing from it. 'These gradually sloping projections or juts of Where the hills huddle up in disorder, land, of short but unequal lengths, extend at irregular intervals Like a fold in mortal fear ; / or distances into the more level and less rugged surrounding Where the mountains are out at the elbow | country. Flint ridge is situated within the United States mili- In their yellow coats, seedy and sere, | tary lands, and in the southern tier of townships of said lands, Where the river runs sullen and yellow, which border on the Refugee tract, and is distant from the Through all the days of the year." | northern boundary line of said Refugee tract but little more - Joaquin Miller. than a mile. Hopewell township, Muskingum county, it may

; 3 | be observed, extends two miles and a half into the Refugee HERE is much interesting and valuable his- | tract. 'To recapitulate, in a word, Flint ridge is, in round numtory within the limits of this township. bers, over eight miles long and more than two miles wide, sev- "hat the Mound Builders once occupied its ¢erri- eral miles of its eastern portion being in Hopewell township,

. - Se Muskingum county, five miles of it in Hopewell township, ey: their still scp gee works afford amiple proof. | Licking county, and overa mile (its western part) in Franklin vorks ; also of numerous wells, of various depths, "Flint ridge is an elevated locality of varying height and anging from two to twenty feet. uneven surface. 'The maximum altitude of its summit is stated'

5 5 . : by Professor E. B. Andrews, in the ''Preliminary Geological The Flint ridge, a region of much interest to Survey of Ohio," issued in 1869, to be onehundred and seventy he scientist and antiquarian, is mostly in this feet above the surrounding country; two hundred and twenty ownship What follows in regard to this interest- feet above Newark; three hundred and seventy-four feet above

2 : fH I S oe Zanesville ; four hundred and ninety feet above Marietta, and ng region, is from the peno Ree ne seven hundred and twenty-nine feet above Cincinnati. The

'Flint ridge is situated on both sides of the line that divides general aspect of the scenery of Flint ridge, when first settled fopewell township, Muskingum county, from Hopewell town- | by white men, early in the present century; was of a decidedly hip, Licking county, Ohio. _ It is an elevated locality of from wild, rugged character, Its steep hill sides, its high peaks, its ight to nine miles in length,from east to west, and has an aver- deep, dark glens, its huge rocks, its craggy cliffs, its cavernous ge breadth from north to south of more than two miles, not dells, its abrupt acclivities, its coverings of hornstone or crystal icluding the many short spurs that branch out from it. 'The quartz, its drift boulders found even upon its summit, so sugastern termination of Flint ridge, which slopes off gradually, gestive of the glacier theory, 'or the great ice age, its abundant _ several miles east of the west line of Hopewell township, buhr-stone or calcareous-silicious rock,/also called flint or chert, {uskingum county, being about eight miles west of Zanesville, | with which its surface was so abundantly supplied, while also 6 nd extends westward eight miles or more, across Hopewell talland heavy growth of chestnut and rey varieties A oak wnship, Licking county, and continues nearly a mile and a | and poplar, and some hickory, all overrun bi the rs if into Franklin township, of the last named county, termi- grape-vine and other creepers, as well as co prolific se iting at a point eight miles southeast of Newark, the county- undergrowth, in great part of ob as " rubs a at of Licking county. All around the outer edges, orexterior | creeping vines, all tended to present to the eye of the pioneer

"The rain that falls on the north half of Flint ridge finds its way to the Licking river by way of the Clay lick, Bear run and Brushy fork streams, and thence by way of the Licking river into the Muskingum, at Zanesville; and that which falls on the south side of the ridge flows into the Muskingum river, by way of some rivulets and Jonathan's creek (in early times known as Moxahala), which empties into the Muskingum several miles below the mouth of the Licking river, whose mouth is opposite Zanesville, as already stated.

'The Mound Builders were once occupants of the flint ridge and erected works upon it, some of which still remain. And that the Indians, too,in pre-historic times, and later, also roamed over its rugged surface and occupied it after their vagrant, savage manner, there can be no doubt. They, probably, like their predecessors, also sought the flint for manufacture into knives and spear and arrow heads. parent when I come to present the archzeological aspects of the ridge. '

"On the north of Flint ridge and along the Licking river, both above and below the Narrows, settlements by white men were first made in the year 1798 - south of the ridge, at the Little Bowling Green, a settlement by white men was effected in 1802 - west of it, on a tributary of Hog run, the first white settlement was made in 1805, and about the same time the country east of the ridge was first occupied by white settlers. And it was only a year or two later when the flint ridge attracted settlers to it who were seeking homes. It was a locality which, in its natural state, was peculiarly favorable to the subsistence and increase of the wild animals and birds of prey usually found in our forests, in primitive times, such as panthers, wildcats, bears, catamounts, wolves and others more or less annoying and formidable as man's enemies, also hawks, owls, eagles, vultures and other birds characterized by marauding, thievish and destructive proclivities. The flint ridge was most admirably adapted to their growth, preservation and multiplication, affording them ample subsistence and comparatively secure coverts or hiding places. The conditions on the ridge being thus favorable to them, in fact, inviting their presence, they quite naturally became more numerous, and were enabled, by their numbers, to be all the more annoying and destructive, while thus jointly with the pioneers, occupying that locality, and were also enabled to remain longer to indulge in their predatory habits, because of the favorable conditions that environed them.

"The buffalo and the elk were not occupants of the Flint ridge contemporaneously with the Anglo-Saxon. They probably disappeared simultaneously with the red men, or more likely before the latter finally retired before the advancing hosts of the white race. That they were formerly here in numerous herds does not admit of a doubt - in fact, it is of authentic historical record. The last time a herd of wild buffaloes appeared in the Muskingum valley, was in 1803.

It consisted of only six or eight that had strayed away from their accustomed haunts west of the Scioto river, and were pursued by some hunters to the valley of Wills creek, east of the Muskingum river. The buffalo occupied these forests some years later than the elk, and the panther and catamount retired a few years after the buffalo.

'The Flint ridge is now apparently as densely populated as the neighboring country, probably not more than half of it remaining in forest; but it is not my purpose to speak of its agticultural products, except to say in general terms, that in kind and quality they are not unlike those of the adjacent lands, produced, it may be, in somewhat_ diminished quantities per acre. Neither do I intend to present its recent history, nor even relate any of the weird legendary tales, or probably fabulous stories, of however romantic interest they might be, with which the flint ridge has been connected, nor of the old-time traditions which identified this locality with the early races, nor give currency, by recital with pen, to stories of wild adventures, by Indian, hunter, or pioneer, of which it was the scene.

""That the Mound Builders once occupied the Flint ridge _ admits of no doubt; their still existing works of which there are some eight or ten in number, albeit some.of them have been almost obliterated by the plow, furnish ample proof. They are all composed of earth except one, which was constructed of flint stones; and they are all either sepulchral or signal mounds, varying in height from five feet to fifteen feet, and in diameter from ten feet to a hundred feet. Some of them have been opened and found to contain the usual deposits of ashes, charcoal, bones, skeletons, pottery (in fragments), and some mound builders' implements. In two of them were found shell beads, stone axes, and arrow-heads. One of the signal mounds, or mounds of observation, says Mr. William Anderson, an intelligent and enthusiastic archzeologist, formerly a resident of the ridge, commands a view of another some five miles distant to the southwest, and he states that from said mound (which is also one of observation), he followed the line of signal mounds to the Ohio river, at a point in Meigs county. The flint mound was, on exploration, ascertained to be of the sepulchral class," two skeletons being found within it, together with some beads and mica in sheets, eight by ten inches in size. The beads were made of marine shells, such as are found in the Gult of Mexico, with few of river mussel, pierced for the cord or string.

'Of lines of circumvallation, there are several circular enclosures, and one four-sided figure (parallelogram). Their walls vary in height from two feet to five feet, and in diameter from thirty feet to one hundred feet. The banks of one of them was ascertained to be composed, in part, of stone. When openings occur inthe enclosures, they are on the east side.

''It has been long known (says Colonel Charles Whittlesey, in Historical Tract, No. 5, page 36), that a flint bed existed on Flint ridge, that had been extensively quarried in ancient times, the hundreds of old pits, some of them twenty feet deep, and covering more than a hundred acres, bear testimony to the extent of the labors of the Mound Builders here. These pits or ''wells,'" as they are provincially called, are partially filled with water, and are surrounded by broken fragments of flint stones that had undoubtedly been rejected by those who attempted, but tailed to shape them into implements, for only clear and homogeneous pieces could be wrought into knives and arrow or spear-points. With what tools and appliances the ancients wrought such extensive quarries, has not yet been settled. This flint, continues Colonel Whittlesey, is of a grayish white color, with cavities of brilliant quartz crystals. It appears the stones were sorted and partially chipped into shape, on the ground, after which they were carried great distances over the country as an article of traffic. Many acres of ground are now covered with flint chips, the result of this trimming process. The business of manufacturing arrow-points, scrapers, knives, spears, axes, wedges and other implements, was doubtless a trade among the Mound Builders, as the making of some of them, at least, is known to have been among the Indians. Indeed, that branch of manulactures' (the making of flint knives, spears and arrow-points), is now flourishing among the Digger Indians of Calitornia, who in their mental and moral development fairly represent the diluvial cave-dwellers. There is a Strong probability that all the pointed and sharp-edged articles made of flint were, after being wrought into their general form, brought to completion and given their sharp point or edge, by violent pressure, that is, by the use of the thumb stones. Col. Whittlesey, than whom there is no higher authority on this point, thinks that flint knives, spears, and arrow-points were made and used more extensively by the Red men than by the Mound Builders, for the reason that the latter, being agriculturists and probably a pastoral people, had less frequent occasion to use them than the former, who were more given to the chase and to war. Both, however, undoubtedly used them more or less as hunters and in their amusements.

The late Colonel J. W. Foster, an eminent scientist, and distinguished as the learned author of ''Pre-Historic Races of the United States," says that the deposit on the Flint ridge is in the form of a chert, often approaching to chalcedony and jasper in external characters, and that it afforded an admirable material for arrow heads. From the abundance of flint chippings he thought this locality was evidently {much resorted to and its deposits extensively wrought into various implements, and largely utilized by both the Mound Builders and Indians. These were his conclusions after tolerably thorough explorations of the ridge more than forty years ago, while a member of the first geological corps of Ohio.

* Here the ancient arrow-maker Made his arrow-heads of quartz rock - Arrow-heads of chalcedony, Arrow-heads of chert and jasper - Smoothed and sharpened at the edges, Hard and polished, keen and costly.'

'Dr. Hildreth, in his report submitted to the legislature of Ohio, in 1838, says, 'that from a remote period the Glint ridge, which he had just had under examination, had furnished a valuable material to the aboriginal inhabitants for the manufacture of knives, spears and arrow-heads. How extensively it had been worked for these purposes may be imagined from the almost countless numbers of excavations and pits yet remaining from whence they dug the quartz; experience having taught them that the rock recently dug from the earth could be split with much greater facility than that which had been exposed to the weather.

'The American Antiquarian society of Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1818, accepted for publication, an elaborate paper from Caleb Atwater, esq., of Ohio, descriptive of western antiquities, in which a page was devoted to the Flint ridge. He made mention of its hundreds of pits, or 'wells,' some of which being then (sixty-two years ago), more than twenty feet deep, giving the opinion that they were manifestly not dug, whether by the Mound Builders or Indians, or both, to procure water, either fresh or salt, nor in pursuit of the precious metals, but to secure a softer and more workable quartz, or flint, than was present on the surface, for manufacture into spear-heads, knives, and arrow-points. And on that point there is now but little difference of opinion. It may be observed that the exca~- vations above mentioned date back to a period anterior to the time of the first settlement of the country by the white race.

"Professor Read, on page 354, of the third volume of the «Geology of Ohio,' observes that 'any one traversing the Flint ridge for the first time, would be surprised to find such a deposit on such a geological horizon. It simulates very accurately the broken-up debris of a vertical dike, the fragments often covered with perfect crystals of quartz, the rock itself being highly crystalline and often translucent. It is something of a puzzle," he continues, 'to understand how such a deposit is found in a series of undisturbed and unmodified sedimentary rocks. The adjacent surfaces of two blocks of the chert are often found covered with quartz crystals of considerable size, as thoroughly interlocking with each other as if one were the cast and the other the mould.' The learned professor seems to be at a loss to imagine conditions which would spread such a deposit over the floor of a sea or any other body of water, but inclines to the opinion that a substitution of silicious matter deposited from solution, in the place of a soluble limestone previously deposited, is the most plausible view of the case.

'Heaps or piles of flint chippings, composed of unworkable or broken pieces, and of imperfect, half-finished and spoiled implements, found in various localities remote from Flint ridge, and not in the vicinity of any known deposit ,of that material, but exactly corresponding in quality with that on the ridge, raises the presumption that considerable of the flint quarried there was carried away and manufactured elsewhere. Much of it, however, as the quantity of chips around the quarries indicate, was doubtless put into shape there.

''Mr. Anderson, of whom I have already made mention, several years ago, explored and further excavated quite a number of the pits or ''wells" on the ridge, and reported finding some stone axes, flint disks, and some balls, apparently wellworn, made of greenstone. More careful, thorough and extensive exploration of the pits or '' wells" of the Fiint ridge would undoubtedly result in giving us much more information than we now possess, as to the character of implements used, and the modes of mining practiced there, by the earlier races, whoever they were, and whenever they made these excavations on the ridge.

"'Some modern excavations have'been made on Flint ridge, by individuals and associations, to find out what the ancient diggers were after, and some of them also prospected for lead, silver and gold, but without valuable results.

"Tt is the province of ethnology to tell us about the races of mankind that have occupied the Flint ridge, particularly of the pre-historic race orraces. In pre-historic times the Mound Builders, perhaps for many ages, occupied the ridge, but they have left us no history. Their works are their history. They probably had no written language, or at least no language brought to such a state of perfection as to have been employed in writing their history. They were probably Mongolians and reached the American continent by crossing Behring's Straits, or by way of the Aleutian Islands, on our northwest coast; or they may have reached our continent by way of the Atlantic ocean as the Northmen did at the close of the tenth century; or as Madoc, the Welsh navigator did, in 1170, A. D.; and as Columbus did in 1492, A. D.; or as some later navigators did. And there is another theory, and it is not an unreasonable one, that is, that the Mound Builders were an indigenous race, or were descended from the Toltecs of Mexico, and therefore a continuation of one, and hence, in either case, were 'natives and to the manor born.

"But there were no insurmountable difficulties in reaching this continent from any of the other quarters of the globe. Our northwest coast can now be reached in summer, in small sailing vessels, and in winter on the ice, the distance across being only thirty-six miles. Moreover there is reason to think

"We know that the Mound Builders once held Flint ndge, and we know of no earlier occupants there. They there built mounds and enclosures for varions purposes heretofore designated. 'They probably cultivated the soil; were more agriculturists than hunters or warriors; perchance had flocks and herds; made flint arrow-points and spear-heads on the ridge, as well as other implements, also ornaments, and probably pottery, too. All that we know of them is gathered from their works which still remain. some works there, and have disappeared. We do not know, with certainty, where they-came from (if they were not natives), when and how they came, when and how they happened to drop out of sight, whether by war, pestilence or famine, or by a gradual, slow, southwestern emigration movement, ultimately and dominant race; or meeting with the possible destiny of ultimately coming within the domain of history as Toltecs or <Aztecs, or some other ancient people, once of pre-historic times in Mexico or Central America; or whether they degenerated into barbarians, and had for their successors and lineal descendants the North American Indians that have roamed in savagery over our woods and prairies during the last three centuries, and perhaps much longer.

'Considered intellectually and morally, the Mound Builders probably held an intermediate position between the Caucasians and the most civilized portion of Mongolians above them, and the uncivilized inhabitants of the interior of the Malay peninsula below them.

''The Mound Builders were undoubtedly a numerous people, and if numerous of necessity an agricultural people; a people of some mechanical skill, a people who had probably estab_ lished a strong government by which they were readily held in subjection; a people of some mathematical and engineering knowledge, a superstitious people given to sun worship, and to the offering of animal and sometimes of human. sacrifices: Reasons can be given for each of the above expressed opin" ions, but I will not occupy space for that purpose; moreover, those reasons will naturally suggest themselves to every one who has carefully examined the subject. For a more elaborate presentation of matters pertaining to this ancient race, see 'Ohio Statistics for 1877,' pages 15-27.

''The Indians were doubtless later occupants of the Flint ridge than the Mound Builders. 'They strolled in idleness and worthlessness, perchar sometimes stealthily, and again in fierce savagery over" 'dge, probably for centuries, engaged alternately in war, hun ':, 2nd in making flint spears and arrow-heads, and finally ga: e up the contest for supremacy in the interest of barbarism, and ¢ .llenly, reluctantly yielded to the irresistible influences and onward march of the civilization of the nineteenth century, conscious that they could maintain the contest no longer."

The chestnut and other growths peculiar to mountain regions abound on Flint ridge, and the oak, in different varieties, prevails in other portions of Hopewell. The land is of the class re-

No large water courses are found in Hopewell, yet springs are not rare, and rivulets are coursing their way through all parts of the township.

It was first settled about 1805 or 1806. William Hull, Isaac Farmer, Samuel Pollock, Edward Hersey, John Bartholomew, Jacob Hummell, Thomas Hummell, Timothy Gard, James Glas gow, Isaac Davis, John, Charles, George and Samuel B. Hull, Thomas Demoss, George Kreger, Daniel Bowman, Abraham' Bennett, Samuel Farmer, William Willis, Livingston, Blois Wright, Alexander, Charles, and Zachariah Shaw, Archibald Kelso, and the Gibbons, were early setlers.

Isaac Farmer and Samuel Pollock were the first justices of the peace, and were elected early in 1815. The former soon resigned, and Edward Hersey succeeded him, and served until 1830, when he re- The latter served until 1818, when he was succeeded by William Hull, who served about twenty years. He was, meanwhile, in 1827, elected to the legislature, in which. body he served one year.

Gratiot is situated on the National pike, immediately on the county line between Muskingum and Licking. It was laid out by Adam Smith, about fifty years ago, very soon after the permanent location of the National road, and named in honor of General Gratiot, then in active service in the regulararmy. It came to bea post town of about three hundred inhabitarts. It contains two churches - Episcopal Methodists and Protestant Methodists - each having a good building, and enjoying a good degree of prosperity. The former is much the older, having been organized in 1830, soon after the town was laid out. The latter has a good church edifice, a large society, and Sabbath-school, but the building is in Muskingum county.

There is, in the immediate vicinity of Gratiot, a Baptist church which can properly be classed with the pioneer churches of Licking county, it having been in existence since 1821 - a period of fifty nine years,

The first Methodist society in Hopewell townnip, as well as the first of any denomination, was ganized at the residence of widow Dickinson, me mile, or more, north of Brownsville, in 1816, y that veteran preacher of the wilderness, Rey. ames Quinn. The society erected a log church n 1818; and as both stoves and money to pay for em were scarce in those days, on the Fiint dge, they warmed up in winter by burning chargal in a square wooden box, lined with stone nd mortar, placed in the church. Revs. J. feMahon, Martin Fate, Michael Ellis, Joseph 'arper, Abner Goff, James Quinn, and others, ere the pioneer preachers of this society. Mr. andon Warfield was the class-leader. The socie- 7 wag transfered to Brownsville in 1829, where aey erected a brick church, of which mention is wade in the history of Bowling Green township.

as the above mentioned Baptist church in 1821, scated half a mile northwest of Gratiot. Rev. 'homas Snelson and Rev. Mr. Caves were among S$ earliest ministers; and William Baker, Jesse tith, John Parker and Daniel Schofield succeeded tem.

Among its first members were Adam Smith, Yaniel Drumm, Samuel Winegarner, James Redaan, Thomas White, Isaac Smith, Margaret Winearner and Henry Claybaugh. The society erectda church in 1823, which was superseded by the eat, substantial building now occupied.

In 1830, Rev. Robert McCracken, and others, ganized an Episcopal Methodist church in Graiot, which held its meetings in a school-house intil 1836, when they erected a good church difice.

Lewis Ijams and William Tucker were mainly nfluential in the first establishment of this society. tev. Joseph Carper and Rev. Abner Goff were

| pioneer preachers in this church. The first Sabbathschool in this township was organized in this church in 1830, Mr. Lewis Ijams being superintendent. It is yet a large and active school.

In 1832, Rev. Joseph Carper and Rev. Jacob Young organized a Methodist Episcopal society in the western portion of the township, with Mr. Samuel B. Hull as class-leader. The society erected a church some time after, and now worships in what is known as Spencer chapel. A flourishing Sabbath-school is connected with the church.

Revs. Samuel Hamilton, Robert McCracken, Martin Fate, Leroy Swormsted, James B. Finley, C. Springer and others were among the pioneer preachers of this township.

Hopewell is divided into school districts as other townships, and provided with good schoolhouses. The pioneer teachers were Charles Howard, Joseph Evans and George Hursey.

The only post office is at Gratiot. The first postmaster was Moses Meek. He was succeeded by Samuel Winegarner, Nathan Henslee, William Sims, S. R. Tucker, F. F. Dutton, L. A. Stevens,

Two agricultural societies have been organized in Hopewell, both holding some of their meetings The "Gratiot Farmer's club" was organized in 1865. Its meetings were generally held at the residences of the members.