Mohican Township (part 5 of 8)

About eighteen months after Mr. Fast's capture, an expedition left Upper Sandusky for the purpose of attacking the white settlement and fortifications at Wheeling, Virginia. Connected with this expedition was the notorious James Girty. Mr. Fast, who now possessed the full confidence of the Indians, was also of the party. The expedition reached its destination, and had besieged the fort at Wheeling three days and two nights. On the third night Mr. Fast determined upon an attempt to effect his escape. Approaching his adopted brother at a late hour of the night, he awoke him, complaining of thirst, and urging his brother to accompany him to a place where they could procure a drink of water. The Indian pleaded weariness, and urged his "brother" to go alone - insisting that no harm would befall him. Thereupon Mr. Fast, taking his camp kettle, steered directly for his father's house, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, about thirty miles distant by land; but the night being excessively dark, he made slow progress, and at daylight he was yet within hearing of the guns of the besiegers and the besieged. As soon as daylight appeared, he pushed forward, and soon discovered, by a fresh trail, that about thirty Indians were in advance of him, making for the white settlements in Washington County, Pennsylvania. On reaching the spur of a ridge, he discovered that the trails separated, and that the Indians had formed two parties, each pursuing parallel lines through the valleys. He hoped, by vigorously pursuing the middle and straighter course, to get in advance of the Indians ; and in this effort he was successful. Before night he reached the margin of the settlement of Washington County - the Indians being but a short distance in his rear. A few rods in advance of him, and approaching on his own trail, he discovered a white man, with a couple of bridles on his arm, evidently in search of horses. Placing himself behind a tree, Mr. Fast waited until the white man was within a few feet of him, when he suddenly placed himself in his path, and gave a hurried explanation of his name, object, and the immediate danger that threatened the white settlement. The man was paralyzed with fear; he could not believe that the savage-looking person before him, with his painted face, his ears and nose filled with brooches, his hair (all except a tnft in front, which was passed through a silver tube) nearly plucked from his skull, was anything else than a veritable Indian. Mechanically, however, the man obeyed his directions - and each seizing and mounting horses which were near at hand, made for the settlements with all practicable speed. They gave the alarm to all the families in the neighborhood, and succeeded in securing all in the fort except one boy, who was killed at the instant he reached the gate, which was thrown open for his ingress.

After the beleagured fort was relieved by the retirement of the Indians, he sought his father's house; but was so completely metamorphosed by his Indian costume that his parents could not, for a considerable length of time, recognize him. At length his mother, recalling some peculiar spots near the pupils of his eyes, gave a scrutinizing look, and at once identified her son. She sprang forward to embrace him, and would have fainted in his arms, but he repulsed her, exclaiming that his person, as was the case with all the Indians, was covered with vermin. He retired from the house, committed his Indian clothes to a fire which he made, purified his body as best he could, and then clothed himself in garments furnished by his father.

On the very day of his arrival in Orange Township, in 1815, he met with Tom Lyons, a chief, and one of his original captors, and a party of Indians, by whom he was recognized. The Indians, who had not suspected that he had deserted, but who believed that he had been drowned in the river, evinced much joy at the discovery of their lost 44 brother," and ever afterward offered numerous tokens of their friendship.

In the summer of 1819, a party of Indians were encamped at the foot of Vermillion Lake. Tom Lyons invited his "brother" Christian Fast, Sr., and his children, to partake of a feast which they had proposed. The only members of the family who foond it convenient to accept the invitation were Nicholas and Francis. Lyons, after painting himself for* the occasion, insisted that the boys should also be painted - to which proposition, "for the fun of the thing," they readily assented. Old Tom put the paint on the face of Frank, who was a mischievous lad, "so thick," that it remained indelible for a period of more than a year; and to the present day he is known to his old friends by the soubriquet of " Indian Frank." At the feast, one of the dishes was a bear's head boiled with the hair precisely as it was cut from the body of the animal. The entrails of the bear formed a distinct dish, and the other pieces made separate dishes. Venison, also, formed part of the repast

The first meal-making establishments, of which nearly every family had one, were hominy blocks - a hole burned in a stump, with a sweep so fixed that two men could pound corn into meal; the sieve was a deerskin stretched over a hoop, with small holes made therein by the point of a hot iron.

Jacob Fast

Jacob Fast, an emigrant from Green County, Pennsylvania, settled upon the farm he has since owned and occupied in Orange Township, in April, 1817 - being the southeast half of the southwest quarter of section 21. His family, at this date, consisted of his wife, son Martin M., daughter Mary, and son Eli R. Fast.

Nicholas Fast

Nicholas Fast, in May, 1815, having previously entered at the Land Office, at Canton, the quarter section in Orange Township upon which Abram C. Fast now resides, emigrated from Pennsylvania to said place with his family, consisting then of his wife and three sons, namely, Christian, Henry, and John B.

In 1823 he sold this place to his cousin, Joseph Fast, the father of the present owner and occupant Subsequently he removed to Elyria, where he remained one year; and, in 1832, purchased of Mr. Sage the three hundred and twenty-five acres, upon a part of which now resides Jesse Simmons, in Troy Township. About seven years since he became the owner of the seventy acres adjoining Troy Centre, upon which he has since resided.

In the spring of 1815 he embarked with his family, household furniture, provisions, etc., on a keel-boat, at the mouth of Cheat River, where that stream enters the Monongahela, and proceeded down the latter to the Ohio ; thence up the Muskingum, White Woman, Mohican, and Jerome Fork, to Finley's Landing, five miles below Jeromeville. In addition to his own family, above named, his brothers, William and David Fast, and brother-in-law, Henry Hampton, and his wife, were also of the party.

The stock, in charge of his father, Christian Fast, Sr., and brothers, Christian, Jr., Francis, George, and John, were driven overland, from Danker Township, Green Coanty, Pennsylvania, to the land of Christian Fast, Sr., in Orange Township.

The portion of the families who adopted the river route had a long and hazardous passage - being seven weeks and three days on the water - their delays and dangers being in consequence of the high stage of the water. When they reached the mouth of the Muskingum, that river was so swollen, the current so strong, and the "drift-wood," which covered nearly its whole surface, offered such obstructions, that in the effort to make their way against these obstacles, they only made, during one afternoon and part of a night, about one mile. On the next day they ascended about fifty rods higher to a house, the lower part of which was submerged, and here they continued during the remainder of that day and the whole of the following night. On several succeeding days their boat passed over fields and orchards and through the woods.

The parts of families who had traveled overland were three weeks in advance of those who had taken the river route, and suffered much anxiety of mind regarding the safety of their friends who had committed themselves to the waters. They all had a reunion, however, in May, 1815, on the land of Christian Fast, Sr., in Orange Township. Here rude cabins and camps were hastily constructed, and the work of improvement commenced with vigor.

Mr. Fast believes that his was the second white family that settled in Troy Township - the name of the first not being recollected by him. He is now seventy- five years of age, and suffering much on account of physical infirmities.

John Finger

John Finger emigrated from Frederick County, Maryland, to Orange Township, in May, 1829. His father had, five years previously, purchased of John Bishop the eighty acres upon which he at present resides.

Philip Fluke

Philip Fluke emigrated from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1816, and on the twenty-first of October, of that year, removed to the tiouse of Martin Hester. His family consisted of his wife and sons, Henry, Lewis, Samuel, and Philip. He had two years previously purchased of William Bryan the southeast quarter of section 15, and upon this place he proceeded at once to erect a cabin for his family. On account of inclement weather, he only suc-

Although Mr. Fluke had previously resided in an old settled country, he recurs to his experience in the wilderness of Orange Township as embracing the happiest period of his life. The health of himself and family, with the exception of ague attacks during the first year, was good. He realized from his first year's tillage sufficient wheat and corn to subsist his family and stock, and to supply, to a limited extent, new neighbors that came in. Prosperity attended all his efforts, and the accumulations of this world's goods, and the exchange of his old cabin home for the fine brick dwelling in which he has for many years resided, has not, according to his own testimony, added to his stock of happiness.

Jacob H1F7Ner, Jr

Jacob Hiffner, Jr., emigrated with his family, consisting of his wife and three daughters, from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, to Orange Township, in November, 1817, and during the same year purchased of John Mackerell the southwest quarter of section 14 - being the land upon which he yet resides. Four families from Pennsylvania traveled in company, and settled in Orange Township at the same time, namely, those of his father, Jacob Hiffner, Sr., of his brother, Frederick Hiffner, and of his brotherin-law, Ridenour.

Mr. Hiffner erected a temporary cabin upon the land of his father, which afforded shelter for his family during the winter of 1817-18. In the mean time he had constructed a rude cabin upon his own place, and in April, 1818, removed his family and scanty stock of household effects into it, aud engaged in the improvement of his land. When he commenced housekeeping, his cabin was without a door, chimney, or floor - the fire being made upon the ground in the center of the cabin, and the smoke finding its way out chiefly through an open place in one end of the roof designed for the future chimney of the cabin. Mr. Hiffner avers that the best pone he ever eat was made of soft and rotten corn, purchased at Stibbs's mill, and eaten with an appetite sharpened by a long fast and severe bodily toil. Being skilled in the use of the rifle, his family never suffered for want of venison or other wild meat. Good breadstuff's, however, were not in the country, and the most miserable quality, which the swine of this day would reject, could only be obtained at a great distance, and at one dollar per bushel. His severest trials passed away with the first year. Since that time his industry has been amply rewarded, as has been the case with most of the pioneers who yet survive in

Orange Township ; he now approaches the close of his seventyseventh year, in vigorous health and blessed in all the comforts that belong to an earthly home.

John Krebs

John Krebs, with his family, removed from Columbiaua County to the land npon which he at present resides, in Orange Township, in May, 182.J. Although he settled in Orange Township at a comparatively late period, his neighbors were few in number - his own land was yet a wilderness, and his own were the only family in the northwest part of the township. The nearest east and west road was one mile south of him ; and the most convenient north and south road was three miles west of his place.

About the second year after he came, he was successful, through the aid of Jacob Mason, in obtaining from th^Commissioners of Richland County a grant for the present State road, leading from Ashland to Troy Centre, and which road passes along his western line. About one hundred days gratuitous labor were given by those interested to aid in opening the road - Mr. Krebs and Mr. Joseph Fast each giving twenty days. The original survey of the road was made by Esq. Gallup, of Ashland.

The people during the first settlement of the country not only performed the road labor assessed upon them by law with cheerfulness, but many added tenfold of voluntary labor. Supervisors made no charge for their services. The same personal sacrifices, if continued, would have McAdamized all our leading roads.

Yachel Metcalf and Amos Norris were the first settlers in Orange. They removed into it from Bunns's Settlement, in Mohican Township, in the spring of 1814. Jacob Young and Jacob Crouse emigrated from Columbiana County, during the same spring, without their families. Young built a camp-house within a few rods of where the bridge crosses the Jerome Fork of the Mohican, on the road now leading from Ashland to Orange. The red frame house, at present owned by James Sloan, stands upon the site originally occupied by his cabin. Mr. Crouse built a camphouse in Montgomery Township on the quarter section where the present Crouse's School-house stands. Daniel Mickey came the same spring, and built a shanty near the spot where Andrew Mason's barn now stands. Patrick Murray also built a shanty, about the same time, on the land now occupied by the widow of his son, George Murray. Mr. Murray did not, however, remove his family until the following year In August, 1814, Martin and Jacob Mason, Jacob Young, Jacob Crouse, Martin Hester, and Lott Todd, all built cabin houses for the reception of their families, having each gathered prairie hay in sufficient quantities to subsist their stock during the following winter. 4)f those just named, Jacob Mason was the only one who had his whole family with him. The others all returned to their former homes for their families. Mr. Todd, however, never returned to the country, and Mr. Hester, with his family, returned in the spring of 1815. The Messrs. Mason, Young, Crouse, and Joseph Bishop all appeared with their families in October, 1814.

The total number of white families in Orange Township, during the winter commencing December, 1814, amounted to five. In addition to these, however, Solomon Urie and his two sons, Samuel and Thomas, were in the township.

In the spring of 1815, Thomas Green, Mordecai Chilcote, Martin Hester, Patrick Murray, Christian and Nicholas Fast, and Henry Hampson removed to the township with their families. During the same year, John Bishop, an unmarried man, came into the township.

In the fall of 1815 Martin Mason commenced the erection of a mill on the site of the one now owned by Samuel Leidigh, two miles west of the present village of Orange. The stones were "hard-heads," and would grind sixty bushels per day. The mill commenced operations in March, 1816. That the settlers in Orange and adjacent townships appreciated the advantages of this mill, may be understood when it is stated that, prior to its erection, the nearest mill was that of Stibbs, one mile east of Wopster. In 1814-15, no corn could be obtained more convenient than Wooster, and along Apple and Short Creeks. The prices at these places were $1.25 per bushel; and wheat could not be obtained nearer than the vicinity of the present town of Massillon, where it sold for $2 per bushel.

Previous to the erection of Mason's mill, com was prepared for use, by many of the inhabitants, on hominy blocks, of which pearly every cabin had one. Martin Mason, having a large family, had a couple of hard-heads made into millstones. This hand-mill (a good one of its kind) would, by the aid of six persons, vigorously employed, produce half a bushel of meal in two hours. While the millwrights were engaged in the erection of the water-mill, they would employ their evenings in aiding Mr. Mason's family to work the hand-mill in producing the necessary supplies for the following day.

Benjamin Cuppy, Robert Newell, Daniel Carter, Sr., the widow Trickle, Daniel Mickey, and David Markley, with their families, constituted the population of Montgomery Township during the winter which commenced December, 1814.

During this winter, the families of Martin and Jacob Mason, having exhausted their supplies of breadstuff's, availed themselves of a deep snow that had fallen, and left home on sleds for Stibbs's mill. The only road to Wooster led by way of the old Indian village called Jerometown, near where Jeromeviile now stands. On arriving at the mill, they were grievously disappointed to find its operations suspended by the ice. This winter, it may be here observed, was one of remarkable rigor - the snow, during a period of forty days, remaining upon the ground to the depth of at least a foot. Realizing the necessity of immediately supplying their families with something in the form of breadstuff's, they procured a few bushels of shelled corn and started on their way home. The families were without meat, butter, milk, or potatoes. Their only cow, a noble animal, and which had been the main reliance of the family of Martin Mason for food, had died a short time previously from " browsing" upon Buckeye buds. The sole dependence of the families, therefore, was upon their corn. Of this they made hominy, and with the single exception of salt, and the meat of a raccoon, the two families subsisted upon this food a period of two weeks. They were indebted for the 'coon mentioned, to an Indian named James Lyons, who had tracked and treed the animal, and offered the meat to his white friends if they would secure it and give him the skin. His offer was gladly accepted - the tree (an immense one) cut down - the animal killed and dressed, and its meat divided between the two families. A few days after this, two other Indians, Jim Jerk and Billy Mature, came into the house of Martin Mason with a bear, for the meat of which he paid them eight silver dollars. This meat Mr. Mason divided with his brother's family - and the hominy being cooked in bear's oil, made sumptuous fare, and in a few days the weather relaxed so that they were enabled to procure corn-meal from Stibbs's, and venison and other wild meats from the Indians. During the spring some bacon was purchased of Robert Newell, for which twenty-five cents per pound was paid.

Martin Mason first visited the country in January, 1814, and entered for his brother-in-law, Jacob Young, the quarter section in Orange Township, which the latter improved, and upon which he now resides. * Mr. Mason was at this time a resident of Columbiana County. In June following (in the mean time having sold his farm in the last-named county) he returned and entered the lands in Orange Township, upon one quarter of which now reside Samnel Leidigh and John Fulmer, and upon the other, Jacob Shopbell. When he removed to the township, his family consisted of his wife and seven children, namely, Andrew, John, Charles, Margaret, Mary, Martin, and Anna.

It was the custom in the pioneer days, when a man killed an animal, to divide it among his neighbors. One who had often received the benefit of this generous custom, but who was rather noted for his parsimony, had, in his torn, killed a hog, and meeting a friend informed him of the circumstance, and expressed to him his fear that he would not have sufficient to distribute among his neighbors, and retain what he considered necessary for his own nse. His friend, after considering the case, proposed that he could relieve himself of his dilemma by permitting the hog to remain suspended outdoors, where it had been dressed, during the night, and before daylight take it in and conceal it in his house, and then give out that it had been stolen during the night. The suggestion received the approval of the hog owner; and on the next morning he met his friend, and, with a rueful countenance, informed him that, sure enough, his pork had been stolen ! The friend addressed, complimented the hog man upou-his skill in lying, and impressed upon his mind that he had only to repeat the story with equally skillful address to all whom he would meet, and there would he no doubt that the lie, "well stuck to," would be successful. The other swore terribly that his tale was neither lie nor joke, and that his pork had indeed been stolen. In response to his vehement protestations, his friend would the more compliment his skill in "playing off," and would urge him to put on a bold front and maintain his position in the face of everybody. The truth of the matter was, that the disinterested and facetious "friend" who had advised the plan was the one who had all the time possession of the pork !

In 1811, Jacob Mason, being summoned on the jury of the Court of Common Pleas, donned bis best suit of buckskin pants and moccasins, and set out on foot to Mansfield. On his return home, after the jury were discharged, he encountered a rain-storm, which thoroughly saturated bis moccasins, and soon increased their dimensions to such an extent that at every step the extremities which had originally covered his toes, would be thrown up half way to his knees. He found a night's shelter at the house of Mr. Andrews, near the Black Fork. Thinking it hardly genteel to wear his ill-looking moccasins in the house, he left them at the door, and crossed the threshold in his bare feet. In the morning it was discovered that the dogs had devoured his moccasins, and he was compelled to make his way home, through a forest of nettleweeds, in his bare feet.

Jame8 Medowell

James Medowell removed to Orange Township from Stark Connty, in November, 1823. His son William entered in his name the southwest quarter of section 26. It had been previously entered by Michael Koontz, and forfeited by him for nonpayment. The family of James Medowell at this time consisted of his wife and five children, namely, William, Harriet, (now Mrs. Speekman, of Stark County,) John, James, and Henry. Of these, William and John continue to reside in Orange Township - the former being the owner of the old homestead.

Edward Murray

Edward Murray immigrated to Orange Township, with his family, in 1820. He died on the 4th of November, 1862, at the age of seventy-three years. He was the last male survivor of the family of the late Patrick Murray, who, with his wife and ten children, removed to Orange Township in the year 1815.

John Stull

John Stull removed from Jefferson County, Ohio, to Orange Township, in December, 1820. His family then consisted of his wife and three children - the only survivor of whom, now residing in the county, is Isaac Stull.

Amos N0Rri8

Amos Norris and wife emigrated from Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1809. They resided in Lancaster until 1810, when they immigrated to Mohican Township. Mr. Norris and William Eagle jointly entered a quarter section in said township. Mrs. Mary, widow of Amos Norris, (who died in the summer of 1862, at the age of seventy-four years, and who furnished this memorandum a few weeks previous to her decease,) states that daring the first and second years of their residence in Mohican the Indians were numerous, and visited and traded with them almost daily. "In August, 1812, my husband and myself went on a visit to Pennsylvania. We did not know that war was declared when we left home, but when we reached the Pennsylvania settlements, we found the people greatly excited, and the men volunteering and drilling. In our absence Hull had surrendered his army to the British, and when we returned home we found our panic-stricken neighbors forted. The Indians had been removed from their villages to Delaware by the Federal troops.

" Onr milling was done at Beam's, on the Black Fork, and down on the White Woman. The trip to the last-named mills was made in canoes. It generally required thirteen days to make it, and, in the first years of immigration, very little corn being raised, it was purchased at the mills at one dollar per bushel. In later years our purchases of salt, leather, iron, etc. were made at Sandusky City, or Portland, as it was then called. Coffee sold for fifty cents, in specie , per pound.

William Patter80N

William Patterson made hfe first visit to Orange Township in the spring of 1815, and entered at the Federal Land Office the northeast quarter of section 7, Orange Township. During the same year, he returned to his native place, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and in 1818 revisited the country with a view of making the land he had entered the place of his future residence. In that year he " tomahawked," to use a current phrase of the country at that time, ten acres of his land. By this term " tomahawked," the unsophisticated of this time will understand to mean, that he cut down, with his axe, from that number of acres, the timber of eighteen inches in circumference and under, and arranged the brush around the base of the trees that were above that size.

Christopher Rickett

Christopher Rickett erected a cabin, upon the place he at present occupies, in March, 1822. In the following June he removed his family from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to their new home. The land had been entered for him by his father-in-law, John Horn, in the year 1814. His family consisted of his wife and five children.

Daniel Summers

Daniel Summers, with his wife and two children, emigrated from Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, to Orange Township, and settled upon the land which he had the previous year, 1817, entered - said land being the northeast quarter of section 10, and the same upon which he now resides.

John Tilton

John Tilton removed to Stark County from Washington County, Pennsylvania, Angust 16, 1812; in 1814 he removed to Wayne County, and in 1831 purchased the east half of section 35, in Orange Township. His family at this time consisted of his wife,' and sons Samuel and James A. Mr. Tilton enlisted in the American army during the war of the revolution, when he was only fifteen years of age, and served five years. In addition to less important engagements, he was in the battles of Princeton, Germantown, Monmouth, and Yorktown. He also served three months in an expedition against the Indians in the Northwest Territory. Mr. Tilton died on the 12th of August, 1849, at the age of eightynine years nine months and sixteen days - leaving, as the surviving members of that portion of his family who removed with him to the county, his sons Samuel and James A., who now occupy, with their families, the half section originally purchased. His wife had died on the 7 th of May, 1849, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Tilton had kept house over sixty-five years, and within that period had removed thirty-two times. At the date of his death he had had one hundred and sixty-seven grand and great-grandchildren.

This quality of wheat was often produced in the early attempts at cultivation. Mr. James A. Tilton cannot account for it. The berry would be as plump and attractive in appearance as the best quality ever grown, and the flour would be as white as the best specimens now produced ; and when manufactured into bread it would be palatable except that it would have a sweet taste ; but when eaten by man or beast it produces a distressing sickness, and only remains upon the stomach a few moments. This was the only disease that then attacked the wheat - neither the weevil, rust, or smut then being known.

Solomon Urik

Solomon Urie immigrated to Orange Township in tho spring of 1814. In 1813 he entered two quarters of land - one in Orange Township, the northeast quarter of section 34, and another in Montgomery Township, the northeast quarter of section 4.

He commenced his improvement in Orange Township by the erection of a cabin and the imperfect clearing of a few acres, during the season of 1814. He was an emigrant from Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Two or three years prior to the entry of the lands above described, Mr. Urie and his brother Thomas were on a hunting excursion through the eastern part of Ohio, and established their camp between New Philadelphia and Cadiz. The brothers, in pursuit of their game, had become separated during the day. Thomas had succeeded in killing a bear, the skin of which he was conveying, toward evening, to the camp, which he had nearly reached. Solomon was also making his way in the direction of the camp, driving before him his horses, which had been belled and spancelled. When within hearing- distance of the camp, his ears were greeted with a sound similar to that of a double crack of rifles, or of the falling of two trees. Knowing that hostile Indians were in their neighborhood, as they had unmistakable evidence during the night before, he considered it prudent to lead his horses and reach his camp by another route. On approaching, he discovered two Indians in his catnp, plundering it of its contents, while a third one stood upon the outside as sentinel. He raised his rifle with the intention of shooting the Indian on the outside; bat be* fore he could fire, his brother's dog commenced barking and his position and attitude were discovered by his enemy.

In the rear of Solomon was a swamp, but comprehending that it would be an unsafe retreat, he boldly pushed forward to the assault of the sentinel. The latter ran, dodging behind trees, with the view of protecting himself and gaining an opportunity for shooting his antagonist. Mr. Urie pressed forward, and in his course discovered the dead body of his brother. The three Indians pursued him about three miles to the brink of a precipice, down which, without a moment's hesitation, he descended; and, on reaching solid ground, discovered that the breech of his rifle was broken - the trigger of the lock, however, being uninjured. The Indians, on reaching the margin of the precipice, were so appalled at the height that they gave up the pursuit. Mr. Urie continued his journey, in the direction of the Ohio River, five miles, when he came to an encampment which, much to his agreeable surprise, contained, among its inmates, several of the Brady's and other Pennsylvania friends. He remained, during the night, with his friends, and on the following morning the entire party returned with him to the late camp of himself and brother, and found the body of the latter covered with the skin of the bear he had killed on the day previous. One of his legs was stripped of its "leggin" and moccasin, and on the posterior part of his neck was a cross, indicating that this mode of warfare against the whites was to be continued. His body had been pierced by two bullets, doubtless fired by the rifles the sound of which Solomon had heard the evening before. The body was deposited in a grave made with wooden shovels, and in a coffin made of puncheons. The Indians had taken their two horses, forty deer, ten bear, and ten beaver skins, together with their entire stock of provisions and traps. Mr. Solomon Urie offered his friends the full property of which he had been despoiled, and an equal amount in addition, if they would aid him in their pursuit and infliction of summary punishment upon the murderers of his brother. They regarded the

Daring the war of 1812, Mr. Urie and his son Samnel served in the army as volunteers, and in the fall of 1815 removed to the land above described, in Orange Township, and upon which land he had previously made some improvements. His family, at this time, consisted of his wife and the following named children: Samuel, Thomas, Susan, David, Solomon, John, Elizabeth, George, W., and James.

Mr. Urie brought with him to the country a couple of dogs, one of which, taking a dislike to the " home of his adoption," made his way back to the old homestead, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a distance of about one hundred and forty miles. This journey he performed, traversing the wilderness and swimming the rivers, in less than twenty-four hours .

This backwoodsman, who may be called an Indian as well as a beast-hunter, for the reason that his kindred had suffered more from the murderous assaults of Indians than from the wild beasts of the forests, had an encounter with a couple of Indians on the Wabash which is worthy of record. At an Indian camp he was visiting, his hunter's knife had attracted their attention, and he was importuned to sell it When he positively declined their propositions, his wary eye detected mischief in their looks. He took his leave of them, and had not traveled many miles, before he became convinced that he was being pursued by the Indians. To con6rm his suspicions, he suddenly quit the trail after crossing a prairie, and took observations from behind a tree - the result being to fully establish in his mind that their designs were against him. This was in the afternoon of the day, and he resumed the trail and pushed forward rapidly until the shades of night began to gather, and he had left his pursuers some distance in the rear. Again quitting the trail he hastily kindled a fire a few rods distant Within a few feet of the fire, be arranged an effigy on a log by adjusting his blanket in such manner as would lead one to suppose that it covered its owner; and then concealing himself at a proper distance, awaited the progress of events. He bad not long remained in this situation before a rifle ball from a concealed foe entered his blanket, and. soon the two Indians were hurrying toward the effigy with uplifted tomahawks. The progress of the larger Indian was instantly arrested by a ball from McConnell's unerring rifle; and the smaller Indian reversed his movement and escaped in the woods before McConnell could reload his gun.

Ip Hr Aim Welch

Ephraim Welch, ao emigrant from Washington County, Pennsylvania, removed to Orange Township, on the 8th of February, 1828, and purchased of his father the southeast quarter of section 2, which land he improved, and has since occupied. Himself and wife then constituted his family.

Jacob Young

Jacob Young (originally from Pennsylvania) settled in Orange Township in the year 1814. He reached his ninetieth year on the 1st day of January, 1862.

Mr. Young raised a family of twelve children, and never employed a physician. He was never defendant in a law suit, and never sued but one man. He never had a quarrel with any man. Born under a monarchy, in the reign of George III., he lived to see the origin, progress, and decline of the great American Union. He so arranged his worldly matters that, although he had been the largest landholder in Orange Township, his estate was all equitably and satisfactorily divided among his numerous descendants.

Jacob Young, an old citizen of this township, died on the third instant, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years and three months. He was born in Hardy County, Virginia, the 1st day of January, 1773. He emigrated to Ohio in 1804, and to this county in 1814. He lived with his companion (who still survives him) sixtyeight years. He was the father of twelve children, and when he died had one hundred and seventeen grandchildren, one hundred and seventy-six great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Father Young was a pious, devoted man, and, like a ripe shock of corn, has been gathered into the garner above.

Trustees , David Biddinger, Henry Worts, and Thomas Culbertson - Clerk , J. Deal - Treasurer , Jacob Smurr - A ssessor, Emanuel Finger - Constables , Daniel Summers and Henry Ricketts.

Chapter Xviii

Surveyed in 1807, and settled in the spring of 1809. While it remained in Richland County, Mifflin was a full township; but when Ashland was erected, it was divided - less than one-half the territory and population falling within the boundaries of the new county. The western limit is for the most part the center of the Black Fork.

The surface is generally broken and hilly; but the soil yields a rich reward to its tillers. The township is abundantly watered by the Black Fork, which runs along its western margin, and by other streams originating in numerous springs.

those remaining in either portion of the old township. From the best information derived from the early settlers, it is supposed that the organization occurred in about 1814. Prior to that date its territory had been embraced in Madison Township.

"Upon the tax duplicate of Madison Township, for the year 1811, is found the names of 'James Copus, 4 cattle, 40 cents;' 'Phillip Zeamore, [Seymour,] 1 horse, 30 cents;' and 'Frederick Zeamore, [Seymour,] 2 horses and 2 cattle, 80 cents;' as returned to the commissioners of our county."

Circumstances occurred in this township during the last war with Great Britain, which invest its history with more than ordinary interest. Effort has been made to obtain the true history of these events; but statements from different persons of equal candor and intelligence are found in conflict. Mr. Home, in his Historical Collections of Ohio, adopts, with evident hesitation, one of three versions of the Copus tragedy, each differing in some essential particulars, which he accompanies with the following note of explanation : - "We have three different accounts of this affair: one from Wyat Hutchinson, of Guernsey, then a lieutenant in the Guernsey militia; one from Henry Vail, who was with some of the wounded men the night following; and the last from a gentleman living in Mansfield at the time. Each differs in some essential particulars. Much experience has taught us that it is almost impossible to get perfectly accurate verbal narrations of events that have taken place years since, and which live only in memory." ing the true history of the matter have been more ample than those of Mr. Home, and although gome discrepancies in his authorities also occur, he does not feel warranted in making the attempt to reconcile such discrepancies by modifications of the narrations as furnished him. Many facts throwing light upon these transactions will be found among the reminiscences of the pioneers of Green and other townships. Subjoined is the statement of Wesley Copus, who, at the date of the murder of his father, was a boy of nine years of age: -

James Copas immigrated to Mifflin Township, from Green County, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1809. His family consisted of his wife and seven children, namely, Henry, Nancy, Sarah, James, Wesley, Nelson, and Anna. Mr. Copas was murdered in September, 1812, by a band of Indians. His widow subsequently became the wife of John Tail; is again a widow, and continues to reside in Mifflin Township. She is in the eightyeighth year of her age. James and Wesley Copus are the only male survivors of the family now residing in Ashland County, the former occupying the old homestead, the scene of his father's murder.

Some time in the month of August, 1812, a party of soldiers were stationed at the block-house, at Beam's Mill, for the purpose of protecting the settlements within their jurisdiction. After the arrival of the officer and his soldiers at the block-house, the officer was informed that an Indian village, called Greentown, stood about nine miles distant, on the banks of the Black Fort; and fearing that Tecumseh might influence them to take up arms against the government, and murder the defenseless settlers, conceived the idea of removing them and putting them under the eye of the government. Accordingly, at the head of a party of soldiere he made his way through the wilderness to the cabin of James Copus, which was located about two miles and a half north of the village of Greentown.

The officer (whose name is not now remembered) called upon Mr. Copus personally, and informed him of the object of his mission. He stated that as a war now existed between Great Britain and the United States, and as the Indian tribes generally were rising up against the whites, he deemed it most prudent to secure those inhabiting the village.

Mr. Copus and the officer entered into a long conversation respecting the justness of his mission. Mr. Copas had on two or three occasions preached to these people, and enjoyed their full confidence ; and since he had been with them, a period of nearly

The officer told Mr. Copas that his mission was not one of blood; bat that he merely intended to persuade them to throw themselves under the protection of the United States government; and that he only wanted him (Mr. Copns) to use his influence in a peaceable manner to press the importance of a peaceable surrender to the government, and their rights, lives, and property should be protected.

With this understanding, Mr. Copus consented to accompany the officer to the village. Accordingly, taking his little son Wesley, then about nine years of age, they and the officer and his soldiers left the cabin and proceeded to the village, where a council was held and the agreement made, in which it was stated that their village should be protected during their absence, or until they were permitted to return.

Accordingly their property was invoiced, and the Indians placed themselves under the protection of the officer and his soldiers, and commenced their line of march for some place in the western part of the State. They were first brought to the place where Mansfield now stands, and there placed under guard.

After the Indians had been gone some distance from their village, the soldiers left behind to guard their goods until they could be conveyed away, set fire to the village and burned it to the ground. On casting their eyes behind them, the banished villagers saw, to their horror and astonishment, the smoke of their ruined wigwams, the sight of which aroused in them a spirit of vengeance.

In a few days after the burning of Greentown, a bound boy belonging to Martin Ruffner, who resided near the present town of Petersburg on the Black Pork of Mohican, discovered a party of five Indians in the woods, who interrogated him concerning the Seymour family, and then left him. The boy hastened home with this intelligence to his master, whereupon Ruffner took down his rifle and proceeded in search of them.

Martin Ruffner was a bold and fearless backwoodsman, and an uncompromising enemy to the Indians, having had several of his friends and relatives murdered by them. Ruffner followed after the Indians and arrived at the cabin of Mr. Seymour as soon as the Indians. He rightly concluded that the savages were on no friendly mission; he detected in their countenances tokens of bloody hostility, and he expressed his fears to the family. After a short consultation between Ruffner and Philip, it was agreed that the latter should start off immediately, and with all possible speed, in search of aid to take the Indians prisoners.

Shortly after Philip had left the cabin in search of aid, the Indians commenced the attack. Ruffner made a desperate resistance. He clubbed his rifle, and broke the stock to pieces in defending himself and the Seymour family.

Kate begged the savages to spare her life, bat all to no purpose. They first constrained her to deliver up her father's money, and then buried the tomahawk in her brains.

Some time after nightfall of the same evening in which Philip had left the cabin for aid, he returned to the cabin in company with James Copus and a Mr. Lambright. This little party halted a short distance from the cabin, when it was agreed that Mr. Copus should creep slyly to the cabin and ascertain the condition of affairs therein; as they had judged that all was not right on discovering no light in the cabin. Accordingly Mr. Copus stole slyly up to the cabin, and looking in at the back window found all dark and silent within, and he rightly concluded that the whole family were murdered. He then groped his way round to the front door, and on endeavoring to open it found it offered a slight resistance. The door, however, was partially open, and on endeavoring to open it still further, so as to introduce his hand to feel if the floor was saturated with blood, which he found was the case, a slight resistance was offered. Mr. Copus, after finding blood upon the floor, felt confident that the whole family were murdered, and supposing that the Indians were yet in the house awaiting the return of young Seymour, did not think it prudent to enter. He communicated his discovery to the young man, who became insane with rage, and would have bounded to the cabin in one leap, if possible, had he not been prevented by his companions, who forcibly retained him.

After a short consultation, it was agreed that the party should return to Mr. Copus's cabin, and take his family, and proceed with all possible haste to the cabins of Mr. Hill and Mr. Lambright, and taking their families, convey them all to the block-house for safety, where a reinforcement could be obtained to march in pursuit of the murderers.

The party then started back through the dark woods, and after coming to the cabin of Mr. Hill, situated where the village of Lucas now stands, it was agreed to proceed no farther till morning.

Morning dawned, and as the first beams of daylight broke in upon the forest, the little party set out for the block-house, where they arrived in safety with the sad intelligence of the murder of the Seymour family.

A company of soldiers immediately volunteered to accompany Mr. Copus and the young man back to the cabin, where they found the family all murdered. The old gentleman, lady, and daughter, lay in the house, and the heroic Ruffner in the yard. They were all tomahawked and scalped. Ruffner had two rifle balls through him, and was otherwise dreadfully mangled. Upon inspection it was found that he had fought desperately.

Miss Seymour, as stated, was the last one which suffered death ; according to the confession of Kanotchy, as he advanced upon her with his tomahawk, she raised up her arm to defend herself, and the blow taking effect upon her arm nearly severed it ; the savage

The party then buried the dead and returned to the block-house, and communicated the affair, after having pursued the Indians without any success.

The news of the murder spread like wildfire all over the country, and aroused the fears of the settlers, causing some to leave the country entirely, while others flocked to the different blockhouses.

Mr. Copus and his family remained at the block-house some few days after this affair ; but hearing of no further depredations, and supposing that quiet had been restored, and the Indians had all left the country, he concluded to return to his cabin and again commence his farming operations.

But before starting back, he prevailed upon a party of some eight or nine soldiers to accompany him. Besides, one of the officers of the block-house promised him to call at his house that same evening, as he intended starting that morning with a party of soldiers in search of marauding Indians. With this consideration, he and his family and the small party of soldiers left the block-house and returned to the cabin, where he found everything as he had left it.

The spot where the cabin stood was at this time wildly romantic, and even now presents a picturesque appearance. The cabin stood at the foot of a high bluff and on the west side. The side of the bluff next the cabin was somewhat precipitous and rocky, and at its foot, and a short distance (three or four rods) from the cabin door, there gushes forth from the hill one of the best springs of water in the State. The barn stood a short distance to the left of the spring, a new cut-out road ran parallel with the base of the hill. In fact, this locality was just such a one as was calculated to inspire the soldiers with fun and frolic, and, indeed, they seemed to enjoy themselves most agreeably, as they spent the day in various kinds of sporting exercises.

The day was drawing to a close and the gloomy shades of night were settling down upon the forest. Anxious eyes were turned up the road in expectation of seeing the officer and his party of soldiers. Night came, but the officer was not yet to be seen. Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, and yet no signs of the officer and his party.

As the shades of night drew near, the feelings of Mr. Copus became strangely agitated, and he communicated his apprehensions to the soldiers, who only smiled at his fears. Mr. Copus was no coward; he had often faced danger; but on this evening he was under the influence of some unaccountable feelings.

It was a sultry September evening, and the soldiers proposed to spend the night in the barn. To this proposition Mr. Copus objected, alleging that there was impending danger. "Men," said he, "I feel a strange presentiment this evening, and I would rather see 70a all in the cabin." Bat the soldiers persisted in their proposition, and Mr. Copns reluctantly consented, with the provision that they would return to the cabin before daylight in the morning, which they agreed to, and immediately left for the barn.

Before daylight in the morning, the soldiers returned to the cabin, whereupon Mr. Copus, who was yet in bed, again communicated his fears to them, stating that during the night he had slept but little, as his dogs had kept up a constant barking; that such a continuous barking was unusual, and that it was his solemn opinion that a fearful storm awaited his cabin. Again the soldiers made light of Mr. Copus's apprehensions, telling him that they were all imaginary, and that the Indians had left the country. But Mr. Copus protested that before daylight would fairly dawn upon his cabin it would be attacked.

Daylight had just began to make its appearance, when the soldiers proposed to go out to the spring to wash themselves, when Mr. Copus again remonstrated, telling them not to act so incautiously, and unnecessarily expose themselves till after daylight. But this warning was all in vain - they persisted in going. 11 Well," said Mr. Copus, "if I cannot influence you to remain in the cabin till day has fully dawned, I hope you will at least take your rifles with you to the spring." They promised, but did not comply with this request. As soon as they had closed the door after them, they set their rifles against the cabin wall and proceeded to the spring without them, and while in the act of washing themselves, the mingled yells of forty- five painted savages broke in upon the ears of the terrified soldiers ; who, on hearing these yells, and seeing the cabin surrounded by the savages, attempted to make their escape.

Two of the soldiers were caught, in running about eighty yards, and murdered on the spot; a third being fleet, distanced his pursuers, who, finding it impossible to overtake him, fired upon him ; one ball passed through his bowels, and another through his foot He ran about half a mile ; when he was found, about eight weeks afterward, his body resting against a tree, with his handkerchief stuffed in his bowels.

The fourth man, Mr. George Dye, from Leatherwood, Guernsey County, wheeled, and, like a chafed lion, he rushed through the infuriated savages and escaped into the house, with one ball through his thigh. The names of the two who were caught and scalped were George Shipley and John Fedrick; and the name of the one who was found dead in the woods was Mr. Wamock.

As soon as the attack was made upon the soldiers at the spring, the firing commenced upon the cabin. Mr. Copus, on hearing the alarm, sprung from his bed, and, seizing his rifle, partially opened the door, just as Dye entered, when he, Mr. Copus, received a fatal wound. A rifle ball passed through the center of his bosom, and, staggering backward, he fell across the table, exclaiming, "Sol- diers, I am a dead man, but do not be discouraged; fight like men, and save yourselves and my family." He said no more; his affrighted wife and daughter helped him upon his bed, from which but a moment before he had arisen in health, but upon which he was now carried a dying man. He breathed his last about one hour afterward.

Whether Mr. Copus discharged his rifle or not cannot now be positively stated ; but it is thought he did, as a few momenta afterward, an Indian was seen lying in a dying condition in the yard, immediately before the door, a ball having passed through his bowels, which were seen protruding through the abdomen; and it is thought that Mr. Copus and the Indian both fired at the same instant, and in that instant both received a mortal wound.

Several balls had penetrated the door, and the soldiers seeing it tore up the plank floor and placed the planks against it. The firing now was incessant Volley after volley was poured in upon the cabin, and at every volley more than forty horrible yells greeted the ears of the terrified inmates. But the fire was returned with unerring precision, and the impertinent savages kept themselves at a respectable distance from the cabin after the first fire.

Finding it impossible to effect an entrance, the Indians retreated to the side of the bluff, already described, where for some time they continued to pour their leaden messengers of death upon the cabin roof ; one or two balls took effect through the roof. Miss Copus was shot in the thigh, and George Launtz had his arm broken, in removing a piece of chunking to fire through.

Mr. Launtz had watched the Indian for some time who fired upon him and broke his arm. He was secreted behind a stump on the brow of the hill, and from this position, which was a commanding one, he kept up a constant firing as fast as he could load and shoot. At length, the fellow's pate came peering in full view; Launtz was ready with his broken arm, and, discharging his rifle, the stalwart savage bounded into the air, and tumbling from rock to rock, he was precipitated to the bottom of the hill, where he lay full six feet long, taking his last rest

The savage who was wounded in the bowels at the commencement of the attack had crawled toward the fence, and, although moaning and dying, he attempted several times to elevate his rifle in order to discharge it upon the cabin; but his strength failed him, as death was fast closing his mortal career. A soldier seeing him attempting to shoot while dying, sent a friendly messenger to ease him of all his cares and anxieties. He was shot through the head.

The battle lasted from daylight till about ten o'clock A.M., when the savages, finding that they could not succeed in their undertaking, raised the retreating yell, and gathering up their dead and wounded - nine in number - retreated from the cabin, firing upon a flock of sheep, which, during that eventful morning, had huddled together upon the brow of the hill, looking down in strange be- wildermeot upon this scene of bloodshed. The poor affrighted animals tumbled down that hill one after the other, until they lay in one heap at the bottom.

After the Indians had left the hill, it was proposed that one of the inmates of the cabin should escape through the roof of the building, and with all possible haste make for the block-house for help. Accordingly one of the number left for this purpose. The rest were to remain inside the cabin till he returned. It was thought that the Indians had only gone off a short distance, and would again return, if not before, after nightfall.

About one o'clock, a soldier on looking up the road, in the direction of the Black Fork, discovered, as he thought, the same party of Indians stealthily advancing upon the cabin under cover of woods and bushes.

The inmates now gave themselves up for lost, but determined to sell their lives at the dearest possible rate. Death stared each one in the face, and excited in the bosoms of that handful of heroes a spirit of unfaltering courage. "Boys," cried the intrepid Dye, though smarting under the horrible wound he had received in his thigh, "each one of you charge home with unerring precision upon these skulking devils."

"Hold, hold!" cried a voice just as they were about to give the advancing party a greeting salute, which would, in all possibility, have left one-half dozen dead in their tracks - "hold) this is a party of white soldiers !"

And so it was. The same party too, who had promised to encamp at Mr. Copus's on the preceding evening, but from some unknown cause had failed so to do. Great was the joy of the terrified inmates on beholding this unexpected deliverance. The soldiers, not knowing that anything had happened, had concluded to steal upon the cabin under disguise in order to frighten the soldiers, whom they knew to be there; but they had well-nigh carried the joke too far. But if the io mates of the cabin were overjoyed in beholding a party of friends, the officer and his party were no little astonished on beholding the work of death and destruction around them. Three whites lay murdered, and three wounded, while the cabin was perfectly bullet-riddled.

During the night the Indians lay concealed behind the cornfield, each having made himself a little fire where he roasted his corn. It was by noticing these fire-places after the battle, that the soldiers were enabled to tell how many savages were engaged in the contest.

Some time in the afternoon preceding the morning of the attack, a little girl of Mr. Copus had perceived an Indian leap behind a small brush-heap, which somewhat frightened her ; but strange to say, she never mentioned the circumstance to any one till after the attack.

During the battle the utmost good order prevailed, and, considering numbers - six or seven against forty-five - this battle stands, perhaps, unparalleled in the history of modern times.

The cabin and the barn are torn down ; but that spring is yet pouring forth its jet of pure cold water, marking the spot as one ever memorable in the annals of Ohio.

Captain Pipe, a Delaware chief, resided near the road to Mansfield, one mile south of Jeromeville. He was the chief of the Jeromeville Indians. He had a beautiful daughter; she refused the hand of a young warrior, whereupon he poisoned himself with the may-apple. Captain Pipe was a great warrior, and the implacable foe of the whites; he was in St. Clair's defeat He and his tribe left Jeromeville some short time before the Seymour murder and Copus battle.

The town of Petersburg (now Mifflin) was laid out June 28, 1816, by William B James, Peter Deardorf, and Samuel Lewis. The census return of 1830 showed a population in the town of 35. This was the only instance in which the census of the town was taken separately from the township. It never had a corporate existence.

The town now contains two churches, (one Lutheran and one Union,) two physicians, two taverns, one drygoods store, three boot and shoe shops, one cabinet shop, two blacksmith shops, and one grocery.

There was a Presbyterian Church organized under the name of "Mifflin," in the summer of 1851, and Petersburg agreed upon as the place of public worship. Immediately after its organization, Rev. W. T. Adams became its stated supply for a year or two, and Rev. James Rowland succeeding him, acted in the same capacity for one year. This church, small at the time it was organized, became less, and has

This "Union Church" was organized in March, 1851 - John Lemon, Luke Selby, and Jonas Bolyeat, trustees. The Baptists, Presbyterians, and Methodists have generally occupied the church building, although it has been open to all denominations. The Baptists and Albrights used the house at stated intervals during the last year.

The Evangelical Lutherans - whose church building was destroyed by fire on the night of the 18th of February, 1863 - are the most numerous religious denomination in the vicinity of Petersburg. The expenses of the church have been mainly sustained through the munificence of Messrs. Culler. Rev. Mr. Ruth is the present pastor of the church.

Successive Justices Of The Peace

1851. Elijah Hart, re-elected. 1853. Samnel Caller, re-elected. 1856. John Charles, elected. 1856. Samuel Caller, re-elected. 1859. John Charles, re-elected. 1859. Samnel Caller, re-elected. 1862. Henry Blast, elected. 1862. Joseph Doty, elected.

David Bradbn

David Braden, an emigrant from Washington County, Pennsylvania, removed to Mifflin Township in the fall of 1815, and died the year following, at the age of 52. His son, Bolomon Braden, now resides in Green Township.

Leonard Croninger

Leonard Croninger, originally from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, removed from Trumbull County, Ohio, to Mifflin Township, in April, 1815, and died in December, 1833, at the age of 62. Benjamin Croninger, son of the deceased, now occupying the old homestead, is the oldest survivor of the settlers in the north part of the township.

Michael Culler

Michael Culler, in 1816, purchased of Philip Seymour, Jr., the farm upon which the tragedy described in the preceding pages was enacted. The cabin which was the scene of the strife was occupied by Mr. Caller about a year. The bodies of the slain are deposited within a few rods of his present residence. He had visited the country in 1815, but commenced his residence in 1816.

Daniel Harlan, Sen

Daniel Harlan, Sen., an emigrant from Virginia, removed to Mifflin Township, with his family, in April, 1815. Died in 1824, at the age of 53.

Samuel Harlan, of Vermillion Township, and Daniel Harlan, Jr., of Green Township, and the wife of Solomon Braden, also of Green Township, are the only surviving children of the late Daniel Harlan, Sen., now residing in Ashland County.

Benjamin Hen8Het

Benjamin Henshey emigrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in October, 1825, and settled upon the southwest quarter of section 31, Montgomery Township; being land that he had purchased the year previous. A year or two subsequent he purchased, of Andrew Newman, the mill property on the Black Fork, in Mifflin Township, which he subsequently sold to its present owners, the Messrs. Stayman.

Thomas Selby settled in Mohican Township, in April, 1813. Since April, 1855, he has resided in Mifflin Township. Many incidents connected with the early experience of Mr. Selby, in Mohican Township, would be of much public interest; but his absence in the West, daring most of the time this work has been in preparation, has placed it beyond the power of the writer to obtain his valuable contribution.

History Op Ashland Cqunty Jacob 8Taman

'Jacob Staman emigrated with his family, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Mifflin Township, in October, 1825. Of his sons, Benjamin and Jacob are the only two who composed his family at the time he settled in the country, who now reside in the county.

A portion of the farm upon which Benjamin Staman now resides was owned by Martin Ruffner, when the latter, with others, was murdered by the Indians in 1812. The stream which propels Mr. Staman's saw-mill is known as "Rnffner's Run."

Johnny Appleseed had a nursery on the Ruffner quarter section, which is not enumerated among those mentioned in the proper place. Apple trees of a gnarled appearance, and bearing marks of age, were scattered among those of the natural forest, and remained there until the land was cleared about twelve years since.

Chapter Xix

We are enabled to exhibit the increase of wealth, by reference to the taxable valuation at two periods : - In 1861 the value of lands in Milton Township amounted

Tbe system of appraisement in 1826 did not, it is true, approximate as near the actual value as that now established ; but it must also be remembered that the area of the township has been diminished one* third.

Extracts From The Official Record

Now it came to pass when men began to multiply on this side the river westward toward the lake, even the great Lake Erie, and the inhabitants of Milton Township became numerous and strong, that they said one to another, Go to, let us separate ourselves from Mifflin Township, to which they aforetime had been attached; for why should we be oppressed by our brethren, and costs multiplied on us in carrying us before Btrangers? Let us select a goodly number from among our brethren that shall bear rule over us. And they prayed the court at Mansfield, and their request was granted. Milton was organized, and became a free and independent township. This happened in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.

Election Of April 1, 1862

Trustees, John Nelson, Janies Wharton, and Elisha Barton - Clerk, Henry Piper - Treasurer, Scott Nelson - Assessor, Abner Mercer - Constables, Charles McCready and Wm. Ohl.

Successive Justices Of The Peace Of Milton

1898. Jos. Arnold, re-elected. 1828. Isaac Charles, elected. 1831. Isaac Charles, re-elected. 1831. Thomas Smith, elected. 1834. William Taggart, elected. 1834. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1837. James Andrews, elected. 1837. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1840. Jas. Andrews, re-elected. 1840. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1843. Jas. Andrews, re-elected. 1843. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1846. Amos Hilborn, elected.

Pioneers Of Milton T0Wn8Hip James Andrews

James Andrews immigrated to the eastern division of the territory of the United States, within the limits of what is now Columbiana County, about the year 1800. In 1816 he purchased and removed to the farm upon which he now resides. Mr. Andrews served in the war of 1812, as captain in a company of the 2d Regiment, 2d Brigade, Ohio Militia, and subsequently as brigade inspector. He served twenty-seven years as justice of the peace of Milton Township.

Abraham Doty

Abraham Doty removed from Virginia to Milton Township, in October, 1816. He died on the 28th of February, 1843. Of his sons, two are residents of the county, namely, John Doty, of Orange, and Joseph Doty, Esq., of Mifflin.

William Lockhart Alexander Beed

Alexander Reed immigrated to Milton Township, in 1814. He was the original purchaser of the land adjacent to the old Hopewell Church. The body of his wife, who died November 17th, 1820, was the eleventh that was interred in the old Hopewell churchyard. In 1821 Mr. Reed sold to Joseph Marklay his farm above mentioned, containing eighty acres, of which thirty wen cleared, for 550 gallons of whisky. He was also the owner, at different times, of town lots in TJniontown, (now Ashland,) among which are some of the most ralnable of any now in the town, which he sold at from $12 to $14 per lot - payment mostly "in trade." Mr. Reed was an emigrant from Pennsylvania.

John Woodbubn Additional Pioneebs

In addition to the above, Peteb Bbubakeb, Joseph Bechtel, Joseph Chables, John Clay, John Hazlett, Henby Keevee, John Neal, and Michael Smeltzeb, were among the early settlers of Milton Township.

Chapter Xx

This township, when organized in 1826, and until the erection of Ashland County, twenty years later, belonged to the County of Huron. It probably derived its name from Almon Ruggles, who settled in that county in 1808, and who, in 1815, laid out the town of Norwalk.

Ruggles Township, as well as the whole of the original territory of Huron County, was within the "Fire Land" district. These fire lands embraced a tract of country containing seven hundred and eighty- one [781] square miles, or nearly five hundred thousand [500,000] acres, in the western part of the Western Reserve. The name originated from the circumstance that the State of Connecticut had made a grant of these lands in 1792, as a donation to certain sufferers by fire, occasioned by the invading English during the revolutionary war, particularly at New London, Fairfield, and Norwalk. This tract was surveyed into townships of about fire miles square each; and these townships are then subdivided into four equal quarters, No. 1 being the southeast, No. 2 the northeast, No. 3 the northwest, and No. 4 the southwest. And for individual convenience, these are again subdivided, by private surveys, into lots of from fifty to five hundred acres each, to suit individual purchasers. The surveys were made in 1808.

In 1820 there existed in Huron County a township named Bethel, with which it is supposed the territory of Ruggles was associated for civil purposes. Whether this township of Bethel embraced the present townships of Greenwich, Fitchville, or New London, or all of them, cannot be clearly ascertained by the writer of this.

In addition to those causes which have operated, during the last several years, to diminish population in other townships of the county, is the fact that there existed, at the time of the opening of the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati Railroad, a flourishing town known as " Ruggles Corners." The con- struction of the railroad caused the business and population to rapidly decline, until it is now without a single business or mechanical establishment. The post-office, which was formerly here, is now removed to the center of the township.

Source changes here: from A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County, by H. S. Knapp, published 1863; 37,801 words in this source stream.

Election Of April, 1862

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1862. Clerk, J. A. Strayer - Trustees, George Bender, David Ely, and John Garn - Zreasurer, John Garst - Assessor, Joseph Heichel - Constables, J. S. Wetherbee and John Heichel.

Justices Of The Peace For Mohican

1812. Nathan Odell, elected. 1814. Joshua Oram, elected. 1814. John Newkirk, elected. 1814. William Metcalf, elected. 1816. Aaron Beard, elected. 1819. Aaron Beard, re-elected. 1819. Edmund Ingmand, elected. 1820. Alexander Finley, elected. 1821. Aaron Beard, re-elected. 1824. Aaron Beard, re-elected. 1825. Francis Carrothers, elected. 1827. Jacob Lybarger, elected. 1828. Francis Carrothers, re-elected. 1830. Jacob Lybarger, re-elected.

1837. Edmund Ingmand, re-elected. 1837. David Kauffman, elected. 1840. Edmund Ingmand, re-elected. 1840. David Kauffman, re-elected. 1843. David Kauffman, re-elected. 1843. Henry Winbigler, elected. 1846. Henry Winbigler, re-elected. 1846. Johnson Oldroyd, elected. 1849. James W. Boyd, elected. 1849. Johnson Oldroyd, re-elected. 1851. Henry Winbigler, re-elected. 1852. William Campbell, elected. 1854. Henry Winbigler, re-elected. 1855. William Campbell, re-elected. 1857. Christopher Hootman, elected. 1857. J. T. Smith, elected.

1 grist mill running three pairs of burrs, 1 saw and lath mill running two saws, (which mills are chiefly propelled by water,) 1 tannery, 1 dry. goods store, 1 tailor shop, 3 boot and shoe shops, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 tin shop, 2 groceries, 1 cabinet shop.

Churches In Jeromeville Presbyterian

Jeromeville, designated by the name of Rehoboth until April 14, 1830, was recognized as a congregation, under the care of Presbytery, in the year 1817, and enjoyed in that year, and for several succeeding years, one-third of the ministerial labors, as stated supply, of the Rev. William Matthews. There is a record of his having been permitted by Presbytery to discontinue his labors in that congregation, August 23, 1820. In addition to occasional supplies, granted by Presbytery to Jeromeville, Rev. Robert Lee acted as stated supply for some time - perhaps more than one year between the years 1821] and 1829. April 14, 1829, a call from Jeromeville was made to Presbytery for one-third of the ministerial labors of Rev. R. Brown, which was granted, and his installation in this church attended to September 10, 1829. Mr. Brown discontinued his ministerial labors in this church, by consent of Presbytery, in the year 1832.

Methodist Episcopal

Between the years 1832 and 1846, Revs. Robert Fulton, Samuel Fulton, and Sanders Diefendorf (I depend for this statement upon recollection) acted successively as stated supply to the church of Jeromeville. In 1846, Rev. W. W. Colmery became its pastor for one-half his time, and continued to be so until in the year 1854. Since that time to the present, [am unable to state, definitely, whether it has had any but occasional supplies granted by Presbytery. METHODIST EPISCOPAL

The first Methodist Episcopal Church building (as was also that of the Old School Presbyterian) was of logs, and erected in 1820. Regular preaching had been, during the six years previous, held at private houses. Among the original members of the society were, Robert F. Capels and wife, Edmund Ingmand and wife, Mrs. Warner, her two daughters and son, Samuel E. Warner, John Naylor and wife. Among the first regular circuit preachers in this part of the country were, Revs. Curtis Goddard, Lemuel Lane, Shadrach Ruark, and Abner Goff. The present Board of Trustees are Samuel Naylor, John Cory, Martin Lutz, Elijah Yocum, and Edmund Ingmund, (the latter also being circuit steward.) Class-Leaders: John Cory, Martin Lutz, and Samuel Naylor. The present membership amounts to seventy. The building will seat about four hundred and fifty persons.

Lutheran

This church was organized in 1850, and the church building erected the same year. The pastor was Rev. George Leiter - Eiders: Henry Horn and James

There are, at present, sixty-five members. Rev. A. Helwig, the present pastor, commenced his labors in 1861. Officers of the church in 1862: - Eilders: David Weygandt and Daniel Ellenbarger - Deacons: John Huffman, William Welty, Henry Hildebrand, and John Ludwig - 7Trustees: David Weygandt and John Fry.

Disciple

This church was organized in Jeromeville in 1854 - the organization having been transferred from the south line of Perry Township, in that year. At the date of its organization, the church was under the pastoral charge of Rev. Henry Dixon. The officers of the church at that time were John Wilson and John Hootman, elders; and Hugh Funk and Henry Everly, deacons.

The Rev. A. Rumfield and the Rev. Richard Winbigler, are the present pastors; and the church officers are, Jonathan L. Hootman, John Wilson, and Jacob Lee, elders; and Hugh Funk, Henry Bower, and Milleson Ebert, deacons.

This town was laid out July 2, 1833, by Simeon Beall and Henry Sherradden. It is situated in the southwest corner of Mohican Township. Population in 1860, one hundred and eighty-five. Although small, it has no vacant houses, and is among the busiest towns of its dimensions in the county - a hive of industry and thrift. Almost every mechanical interest has one or more representatives here.

The town contains 2 church buildings, 1 schoolhouse, 1 physician, 3 dry goods stores, 1 tavern, 1 grist-mill, (propelled by steam and water,) 1 steam saw-mill, (2 saws,) 1 water saw-mill, (2 saws,) 1 woollen manufactory, (water power, and under present management in a very flourishing condition,) 2 wagon manufactories - part of the labor of one being performed by water power, 1 tannery, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 grocery, 3 shoe shops, 1 saddle and harness manufactory, 2 cabinet shops, 1 paint shop, 1 tailor shop, 1 gunsmith shop, and 1 cooper shop.

The first sale of lots was made in the summer of 1833. Three additions to the town have since been made - one by Simeori Beall, and two by Robert W. Smith.

The water power of the village is the main source of its prosperity. The three principal springs emerge from the summit of the hill, on the west side of the town, and from their head to the bed of the creek, a distance of about three hundred yards, the fall exceeds one hundred feet, turning three wheels of a combined diameter of sixty-two feet.

Churches In Mohicanville

This church was organized at Mohicanville in the year 1828, under the charge of Rev. Elmer Yocum. Among the original members were Nathan and Mary Dally, Charles Dally, Elizabeth Smith, and Mrs. Sheets. The society was formed at the house of Henry Sherradden. Until 1844, the meetings were held at private houses, and at the school-house in the village. At the date mentioned, the present house was erected - a building capable of seating about four hundred persons.

The church was organized with seven members. It now embraces about fifty-two members. The present clergymen are, Rev. William M. Spafford and Rev. Matthew L. Starr. The officers of the church are, William Moore, circuit steward; George Botdorf, John Metcalf, William Moore, and Vincent Dally, trustees; and Nicholas Wireman and Vincent Dally, class-leaders.

German Reformed

This church was organized in 1859 - Rev. J. J. Excell, pastor; George Bender and Daniel Biddinger, elders; Z. T. Paullins and Zebulon Metcalf, deacons; and Daniel Dillier, clerk. The church building (which will seat about four hundred persons) was dedicated on the dth of June, 1859. Present number of members, fifty.

George W. Basford John Cooper

John Cooper immigrated to Clearcreek Township in the fall of 1822, and purchased of John Haney forty acres of land, lying west of the farm now owned by John Bryte. In 1828, he sold this place and removed to section 28, Mohican Township.

Nathan Dally

Nathan Dally emigrated from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and removed temporarily to a cabin, which stood upon the farm now owned by George Botdorf, on the 17th day of February, 1817. His family then consisted of his wife and ten children. He had, the previous year, purchased of John Lawrence (who resided about two miles southwest of Wooster) the southeast quarter of section 32, (being _the land upon a part of which is now the town of Mohicanville.) In the spring of the year of his arrival with his family, he entered the southwest quarter of section 32, Mohican Township. Upon neither of the quarter sections described was there any improvement. His nearest neighbor on the north was William Metcalf, one mile distant; on the east, Alexander Finley, distant three miles; on the south, Jabez Smith, distant one-fourth mile; and on the west, Isaac Downey, about six miles distant.

The quarter purchased of Lawrence subsequently reverted to him, and after several transfers, Simeon 'Bell and Henry Sherradden became its owners, and the original.proprietors of the town of Mohicanville.

in the township, erected a house on the margin of the "Fall's Spring," nearly opposite the present residence of his son, Vincent Dally. This cabin house was standing until within about twelve years since.

Thomas Eagle

Thomas Eagle arrived in the township of Mohican on the 2d day of May, 1809, having succeeded the family of Alexander Finley a few weeks. His family then consisted of his wife and daughter Amelia. He first opened a small farm on the land now owned and occupied by Henry Treace. In the early part of the war, he, together with several of his neighbors, removed their families to the fort, at Wooster, as security against attacks by Indians.

Mr. Eagle was well acquainted with Baptiste Jerome, who often related to Mr. Eagle circumstances connected with the Indian war against General Anthony Wayne - among other "yarns," one running to the effect that himself and a party of eight Indians came upon a reconnoitering party near the Maumee River, led by Wayne, and that he, (Jerome,) and the Indians leveled and discharged their rifles at 'Mad. Anthony" without any effect. Several years after the war of 1812, Jerome lost his Indian wife and daughter, and subsequently married a white woman, and removed to the mouth of Huron River, where he soon after died, it is said, in a drunken revel.

'Fork, Mr. Eagle left Wooster in charge of a company of men for the defense of his neighbors, who had remained in Mohican Township, having received information that they were threatened by an attack from the Indians. Some hours after arriving at the fort on James Collyer's place, the Indians appeared and made some hostile demonstrations; but it is supposed came to the conclusion that Eagle's force was too formidable and too well secured, and they retired toward Jeromeville, on their route killing all the hogs that came in their way.

Mr. Eagle says that he piloted Bell's army from Wooster to Jeromeville, and from thence several miles west. He is now about eighty-one years of age, and in feeble health.

William Ewing

William Ewing immigrated to Mohican Township in the fall of 1814, from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and removed to the farm which had previously been entered for him by his father, John Ewing - which farm is situated about two miles southeast of Jeromeville, and is now occupied by the family of the late Michael Heickle. His immediate neighbor was

Odell's mill, in Wayne County, was the most convenient place for obtaining supplies of flour. The first year of his residence in the township, wheat sold at $1.50 per bushel; but about the time he had sufficient land under cultivation to enable him to raise a surplus, the price fell to 25 cents per bushel. Salt was obtained at Wooster for $4 per bushel. Some years later the neighborhood obtained their supplies of salt at Portland, on the lake, at $4 per barrel. It was regarded as a favorable exchange when a barrel of salt could be obtained for a barrel of flour.

Mr. Ewing's acquaintance with this Indian commenced soon after he settled in the country. He represents Buckwheat as a man of good sense, benevyolent disposition, and remarkable for his fondness of white children. Hle was never married. The sins of his race were visited upon his unoffending head, at an early age, in his death at the hands of one whose brother had years previously been murdered by Indians in a distant part of the State.

Alexander Finley

Alexander Finley removed from the place now occupied by the town of Mt. Vernon, Knox County, to the farm in Mohican Township, upon which Tylertown (Lake Fort Post-office) is now situated, April 17, 1809. His family then consisted of his wife and the following named children: James, Benjamin, John, and Hannah.

At the time Mr. Finley settled in Mohican Township, himself and family were the only white inhabitants within the limits of the territory that now constitutes the County of Ashland.

At this date, also, there was only one family within the town of Wooster. The name of the head of this family was Benjamin Miller. William and Joseph Larwill, whose names are honorably connected with the history and development of Wayne County, were then young men, and boarders in the family of Mr. Miller. This family were the nearest neighbors of

Mr. Finley at the time of his settlement in Mohican Township. Within a few weeks, however, other persons, namely, William and Thomas Eagle, Benjamin Bunn, and John Shinnebarger, all having families, settled in the neighborhood. The year following, (1810,) Amos Norris, Vachel Metcalf, William Bryan, Thomas Newman, and James Slater, with their several families, removed to the township.

The Indians in the neighborhood at this time were an intermixture of several tribes - the Mohicans, Delawares, Wyandottes, Shawnees, Chickasaws, and one or two who claimed to be of the Cherokee tribe. They were friendly and harmless, until the war of 1812 commenced, when the main body of them disappeared, and most of them, it is supposed, became attached to the British service.

The first year or two after Mr. Finley came to the country, he obtained his supplies of flour and corn meal from Shrimplin's mill, below Mt. Vernon. This journey to the mill was performed in canoes or pirogues, down the Lake Fork and Mohican, and up Owl Creek, and occupied about three days for the trip. These vessels would carry from twenty to fifty bushels of corn meal.

The forests at this period were destitute of underbrush or small timber, but were covered with sedgegrass, pea-vines, and weeds, which afforded excellent pasture from early spring until about August. The sedge-grass, when cut in July, or earlier, afforded very nutritious and palatable food for horses and cattle during the winter. Very little iron was used in those days. The wooden "mould board" plow and wooden and brush harrows were generally in use twelve or fifteen years after Mr. Finley came to the

Ladies and gentlemen, when they clothed their feet at all, dressed them in moccasins. Mr. John Finley well remembers the first pair of boots he ever saw - they being a coarse article, purchased by his father, of John Fox, in 1820 or 1821 - price, eight dollars. Leather, therefore, was not in use until many years after the settlement of the country.

The clothing of the men was buckskin and flax linen. The women were clothed in a fabric made of raw cotton and flax linen. Handkerchiefs, headdresses, and aprons were made, by the thrifty housewives, of raw cotton. The price of calico (being from fifty to seventy-five cents per yard) placed it without the means of any but very few to purchase. An excellent and industrious girl, as late as 1822 or 1823, toiled faithfully six weeks for six yards of calico, which, in those primitive days, before the era of hoops, was deemed sufficient for a dress. The lady who appeared in the first calico dress, attracted, it may be supposed, considerable attention in "the settlement," and was regarded as much of an aristocrat.

The first buggy, with elliptic springs, (being an open one,) within the recollection of Mr. John Finley, amazed the good people who attended the Lake Fork Presbyterian Church, on a Sunday, about the year 1835. After intermission, the novel vehicle attracted general attention, and when the owner, in answer to a question, gave the name of "buggy," as the one that properly described his carriage, his interrogator concluded that he was disposed to "poke fun" at him, and this opinion was generally adopted by the indignant crowd. 'Two-horse lumber wagons were introduced about twenty years after the first settlement of the township.

From the date of the arrival of Mr. Finley, until four or five years after the close of the war, there was a good demand and good prices for all the productions of the farm. Wheat was, however, little grown. The staples of the farm consisted mainly of corn, hogs, and cattle.

Joshua R. Glenn

Joshua R. Glenn and wife removed from Maryland to Mohican Township in 1818. Three years subsequent he purchased, at the public land sales held at Wooster, the quarter in section 17 of the Indian Reservation, which he improved, and upon which he died September 21, 1855, at the age of sixty-one years.

Maj. John Glenn, Jun., brother of Joshua R., is now a resident of Mohican Township, and immigrated at the same time with his father's family. His father (John Glenn, Sen., who died February 16, 1852, at the age of eighty-four years) had purchased 175 acres in sections 9 and 10. Upon this land Maj. Glenn yet resides. Himself and sister (Miss Elizabeth Glenn) are the only survivors of his father's family.

Thomas Green

Thomas Green, originally from Berkley County, Virginia, came to Mohican Township in 1813 - "forted," with his family, during a part of that year, at Jeromeville. After leaving the fort, he settled in Orange Township. At this time the only two families in that township were those of Amos Norris and Vachel Metcalf. The farm upon which he settled was north of Orange, and is now owned by Valentine and David Heifner.

About 1817 Mr. Green removed to Jackson Township, and after residing there several years removed to Licking County, near the residence of several brothers, and where he died in the spring of 1841.

Richard Hargrayve

Richard Hargrave emigrated from Pennsylvania, and commenced his residence in Jeromeville on the 22d of August, 1818. He purchased of Mr. Deardoff, one of the original proprietors of the town, in 1820, one-half of his interest in Jeromeville. He was the second merchant in the place - his predecessors in trade not being very successful, and having abandoned business when he opened his store.

My father settled in Perry Township, October 10, 1826. The appearance of the country at the time of our settlement was quite different from what it is at present. The major part of the village of Jeromeville was covered with fallen timber and hazel bush. The improvements on the farms then settled were small, being log cabins surrounded by a few acres of partly cleared land. The roads were new and unimproved, and many of them little more than bridle-paths. The prices of produce in 1828-29 were, as I recollect dis- tinctly: wheat 25 cents, (my father was offered 100 bushels for $25, and would not buy at that;) pork $1.50 per ewt.; corn 18 cents; salt $5.00 per barrel; coffee 50 cents per pound; tea 50 cents per quarter; butter 6 cents; eggs 0; iron 124 cents per pound. The usual and best market place was Portland, (now Sandusky City.) Twenty to thirty bushels wheat, a big load for two and four horses, ten days of travel if the roads were good, two weeks if not good. Massillon became a market town. The opening of the Ohio Canal run the price of wheat up at once to forty cents, then to fifty, and then our farmers at that time were satisfied, and expressed the wish that the price would continue at that as they then could make money. Our nearest grist-mill was an old concern known as Goudy's Mill, southeast of Hayesville, with one run of stone, old niggerhead or boulder stone at that. Another was Smith's Mill, below Mohicanville, where the Chandler Mill now stands, and of the same sort. In the winter, when those small streams were frozen, we went to the Clearfork to Manner's Mill, now owned by T. Calhoun. Sometimes we had to go to Owl Creek, in Knox County.

Old Mr. Hargrave, I believe, was the first postmaster at Jeromeville, and held the office for twentyfive years. The mode of travel was on foot or horseback if the roads would permit.

Luke Ingmand

Luke Ingmand removed from Fairfield County, Ohio, to the southwest quarter of section 11, Mohican Township, in September, 1816. His family consisted of his wife and two children, the present Judge Edmund Ingmand, and Mrs. Mary, wife of Joshua Carr, now residing in Wood County, Ohio. Mr. Ingmand is now (December, 1861) nearly eighty-nine years of age, and an inmate of the family of his son.

Edmund Ingmand

Edmund Ingmand, when in his eleventh year, removed with his father to Mohican Township. This, as before remarked, was in the year 1816. Until about 1818 the 280 acres upon which he now resides was a part of the four sections (7, 8, 17, and 18) which formed the "Indian Reservation." During that year the Federal government purchased the Indian title, and in 1821 the lands were offered in tracts of quarter sections at the Wooster land office, pursuant to public notice; but as the quarter embraced in this tract was regarded as too wet for tillage no purchasers appeared. This land is now regarded as equal in fertility to any in the township. The original purchase, which constitutes his present farm, was entered by Edward Arnold in 1821 or 1822, but a short time after it had been offered by the government. Judge Ingmand became the owner of it in 1834, and the additions since made amount altogether to 280 acres.

Were situated upon the Reservation above mentioned. The village and burying-ground were upon the land on which Rev. Elijah Yocum has for many years resided - his house having been built (by the person of whom he purchased) over the graves of the Indians. The first proprietor, fancying the ground as a good building site, excavated a place for his cellar, and removed the exhumed bones to a swamp in the neighborhood. Subsequently, in excavating a millrace some fifty rods from this place, a human skeleton was found in a position which rendered it certain that the body had been buried with its face downward, thus showing that it was, as has been alleged, the custom of many Indians to bury their dead in that position.

The Council House was upon an elevated and beautiful spot, about one-fourth of a mile distant from the village. The ground is now embraced in the farm of Judge Ingmand, and is about a quarter of a mile southeast of his house. All their buildings, including their council house, were burned about the time the Indians removed from the country in 1815, whether by themselves or the whites is not generally known.

There were the remains of no less than five ancient fortifications in Mohican Township; the embankments very regular and very distinctly defined, until cultivation has nearly destroyed their original features. Three are near Jeromeville, and two near the junction of the Muddy. and Jerome Forks. They embrace areas averaging about one and a half acres. A mound near the old Indian village, bearing unmistakable evidence, after excavation, of its being a work of art, and upon which trees, the growth of centuries, were standing, was also in existence. The antiquarian might be compensated for researches in Mohican Township.

The weather during these years was memorable on account of the cold and frosts. During the winter of 1816 corn was planted about the middle of May, during a snow storm, and men gathered their wheat harvest with overcoats upon their backs, to protect. them from the rigors of the weather! On the morning of the 1st of June, 1817, a frost visited Ohio that destroyed utterly all the fruit, and denuded the fruit and forest trees of their leaves. It is remarkable, however, that the grain in the ground escaped the general desolation, a circumstance that is accounted for by the fact that crops were very backward.

The following chronological memoranda of events of interest that have occurred in past years, furnished by Judge Ingmand, will be found of general and local interest : -

November 13th, 1853. Lights were seen falling on the early morning of this day, (three or four hours before daybreak,) having the appearance of showers of stars.

June 21, 1834. A terrific storm passed over Jeromeville and a district of country west, which appeared to have its most violent force between the latter place and the vicinity of the farm upon which the County Infirmary is now situated, prostrating in its pathway forest trees and fences, unroofing buildings, removing them from their foundations, etc.

1835. The summer remarkably wet, bottom lands much overflown, and too wet for tillage. Hay crop badly damaged, and cattle died the following winter in consequence of eating it. A comet appeared during the fall of the same year. November 11, a severe