Seneca Township (part 2 of 60)

The notorious Simon Girty, was adopted by the Seneca Indians, and became an expert hunter. He was from Pennsylvania, to which state his father had emigrated from Ireland. - The old man was beastly intemperate, and nothing ranked higher in his estimation than a jug of whiskey. " Grog was his song, and gi'og would he have." His sottishness turned his wife's affection. Ready for seduction, she yielded her heart to a neighboring rustic, who, to remove all obstacles to their wishes, knocked Girty on the head, and bore off the trophy of his prowess.

Four sons of this interesting couple were left - Thomas, Simon, George, and James. The three latter were taken prisoners, in Braddock's war, by the Indians. George was adopted by the Delawares, became a ferocious monster, and died in a drunken fit. James was adopted by the Shawanese, and became as depraved as his brother. It is said, that he often visited Kentucky, at the time of its first settlement, and inflicted most barbarous tortures upon all captive women who came within his reach. Traders, who were acquainted with him, say, so furious was he, that he would not have turned on his heel to save a prisoner from the flames. To this savage, are to be attributed many of the cruelties charged upon his brother Simon

- yet he was caressed by Proctor and Elliott. In Kentucky and Ohio, Simon sustained the character of an unrelenting barbarian. Sixty years ago, with his name was associated every thing cruel and fiend-like. To the women and children, in particular, nothing was more terrifying than the name of Simon Girty ! At that time, it was believed by many that he had fled from justice, and sought refuge among the Indians, determined to do his countrymen all the harm in his power. This impression was an erroneous one. Being adopt-ed by the Indians, he joined them in their wars, and conformed to their usages. This was the education he had received, and their foes were his. Although trained in all his pursuits as an Indian, it is said to be a fact, susceptible of proof, that, through his importunities, many prisoners were saved from death. His influence was great, and when he chose to be merciful, it was generally in his power to protect the imploring captive.

His reputation was that of an honest man, and he fulfilled his engagements to the last cent. He was intemperate, and when intoxicated, ferocious and abusive alike of friends and foes. Although much disabled the last ten years of his life, by rheumatism, he rods to his hunting grounds, in pursuit of game.*

In September, 1777, Girty led the attack on Fort Henry, on the site of Wheeling, during which he appeared at the window of a cabin, with a white flag, and demanded the surrender of the fort, in the name of his Britannic majesty. He read the proclamation of Gov. Hamilton, and promised the protection of the crown if they would lay down their arms, and swear allegiance to the king. He warned them to submit peaceably, and admitted his inability to restrain his warriors, when excited in the strife of battle. Col. Shepard, the commandant, promptly replied, that they would never surrender to him^ and that he could only obtain possession of the fort, when there remained no longer an American soldier to defend it. Girty renewed his proposition, but it was abruptly ended by a shot from a thoughtless youth, and Girty retired, and opened the siege, which proved unsuccessful.

In August, 1782, a powerful body of Indians, led by Girty, appeared before Bryant's station, in Kentucky, about five miles from Lexington. The Kentuckians made such a gallant resistance, that the Indians became disheartened, and were about abandoning the siege ; upon this, Girty, thinking he might frighten the garrison into a surrender, mounted a stump, within speaking distance, and commenced a parley. He told them who lie was, that he looked hourly for reinforcements with cannon, and that they had better surrender at once ; if they did so, no one should be hurt ; otherwise, he feared they would all fall victims. The garrison were intimidated ; but one young man, named Reynolds, seeing the effects of the harangue, and believing his story - as it was - ^to be false, of his own accord, answered him in this wise : " You need not be so particular to tell us your name ; we know your name, and you, too. I've had a villainous^ untrust-wortliy cur-dog this long time, named Simon Girty, in comipliment to you ; he's so like you - -just as ugly, and just as wicked. As to the cannon, let them come on; the country's roused, and the scalps of your red cut-throats, and your own, too, will be drying on our cabins, in twentyfour hours ; and if, by chance, j^ou, or your allies do get into the fort, we've a big store of rods laid in, on purpose to scourge you out again." This response of Reynolds, was effectual :- - the Indians withdrew, and were pursued a few days after, (the defenders of the fort being in the mean-time reinforced,) to the

Dr. Knight, in his narrative of his captivity and burning of Col. Crawford, (see Introduction,) speaks of the cruelty of Simon Girty, to the Colonel and himself. Col. Johnston corroborates the account of Dr. Knight. In a communication before us, he says : " He was notorious for his cruelty to the whites, who fell into the hands of the Indians. His cruelty to the unfortunate Crawford, is well known to myself; and although I did not witness the tragedy, I can vouch for the facts of the case, having had them from eye-witnesses. When that brave and unfortunate commander was suffering at the stake by a slow fire, in order to lengthen his misery to the longest possible time, he besought Girty to have him shot, to end his torments, when the monster mocked him by firing powder, without ball, at him.

" Crawford and Girty had been intimately acquainted in the early settlement of Pennsylvania ; I knew a brother of the latter at Pittsburgh, in 1793."

Mr. Daniel M. Workman, now living in Logan county, gave us orally the following, respecting the last years of Girty : - " In 1813," said he, " I went to Maiden, and put up at a hotel, kept by a Frenchman. I noticed, in the bar-room, a grayheaded and blind, old man. The landlady, who was his daugh* ter, a woman of about thirty years of age, inquired of me, * Do you know who that is V pointing to the old man. On my replying * No,' she replied, ' it is Simon Girty /' He had then been blind about four years. In 1815, I returned to Maiden, and ascertained that Girty had died a short time previous. - -- Simon Kenton informed me that Girty left the whites, because he was not promoted to the command of a battalion. Girty 6* was a man of extraordinary strength, power of endurance, courage and sagacity. He was in height about five feet ten inches, and strongly made."*

,' The following account of the Seneca Indians sacrificing two dogs to the Great Spirit, is given by an eye-witness. It happened just before their departure for their new homes.

We rose early, and proceeded directly to the council-house, and though we supposed Vv^e were early, the Indians were already in advance of us.

The first object which arrested our attention, was a pair of the canine species, one of each gender, suspended on a cross ! one on either side thereof. These animals had been strangled - not a hone loas broken, nor could a distorted hair be seen ! - They were of a beautiful cream color, except a few dark spots on one, naturally, which same spots were put on the other artificially, by the devotees. The Indians are very partial in the selection of dogs entirely wliite for this occasion, and for which they will give almost any price.

First, a scarlet ribin was tastefully tied just above the nose, and near the eyes another ; next, around the neck, was a white ribin, to which was attached some l)ulbs, concealed in another white ribin ; this was placed directly under the right ear ; and I suppose it was intended as an amulet, or charm. Then, ribins were bound around the fore-legs at the knees, and near the feet - these were red and white alternately. Round the body was a profuse decoration ; then the hind-legs were decorated as tlie fore ones. Thus were the victims prepared, and thus ornamented for the burnt offering.

were then assembled to offer their sacrifices. Adjacent to the cross, was a large fire, built on a few logs ; and though the snow was several inches deep, they had prepared a sufficient quantity of combustible material, removed the snow from the logs, and placed thereon their fire. I have often regretted that I did not see them light this pile. My own opinion is, they did not use the fire from their council-house; because I think they would have considered that as common - and as this was intended to be a holy service, they no doubt, for this purpose, struck fire from a flint, this being deemed sacred.

It was a clear, beautiful morning, and just as the first rays of the sun were seen in the tops of the towering forest, and its reflections fmm the snowy surface, the Indians simultaneously formed a semi-circle enclosing the cross, each flank resting on the aforesaid pile of logs.

Good-hunter, who officiated as high-priest, now appeared, and approached the cross ; arrayed in his pontifical robes, he looked quite respectable.

The Indians being all assembled - I say Indians, for there was not a squaw present, during all this ceremony - at a private signal given by the high-priest, two young chiefs spi'ang upon the cross, and each taking off* one of the victims, brought it down, and presented it on his arms, to the high-priest, who, receiving it with great reverence, in like manner, advanced to the fire, and with a very grave and solemn air, laid it thereon. And this he did with the other - but to which, whether male or fe^ male, he gave preference, I did not learn. This done, he retired to the cross.

In a devout manner, he now commenced an oration. The tone of his voice was audible, and somewhat chanting. At every pause in his discourse, he took from a white cloth he held in his left hand, a portion of dried, odoriferous herbs, which he threw on the fire. This was intended as incense. In the mean while, his auditory, their eyes on the ground, with grave aspect and in solemn silence, stood motionless, listening attentively to every word he uttered. Thus he proceeded, until the victims were entirly consumed, and the incense exhausted, when he concluded his service-

The oblation now made, and the wrath of the Great Spirit, as they believed, appeased, they again assembled in the council house, for the purpose of performing a part in their festival, different from any I had yet witnessed. Each Indian, as he entered, seated himself on the floor, thus forming a large circle ; when one of the old chiefs rose, and with that native dignity which some Indians possess in a great degree, recounted his exploits as a warrior ; told in how many fights he had been the victor ; the number of scalps he had taken from his enemies ; and what, at the head of his braves, he yet intended to do at the *' Rocky Mountains ;" accompanying his narration with energy, warmth, and strong gesticulation. When he ended, he received the unanimous applause of the assembled tribe.

This meed of praise was awarded to the chief, by " three times three" articulations, which were properly neither nasal, oral, nor guttural, but rather abdominal.

Thus, many others in the circle, old and young, rose in order, and pro forma, delivered themselves of speeches. Among those was Good-hunter ; but he

His remarks were not filled with such bombast as vsome others ; but brief, modest and appropriate ; in fine, they were such as became a priest of one of the lost ten tribes of Israel.

After all had spoken who wished to speak, the floor was cleared and the dance renewed, in which Indian and squaw united, with their wonted hilarity and zeal.

fear strongly depicted in his countenance, caught me by the arm, and drew me to the door, pointing with his other hand towards something he wished me to observe.

I looked in that direction, and saw the appearance of an Indian running at full speed to the council-house ; in an instant, he was in it, and literally in the fire, which he took in his hands, and threw fire, coals and hot ashes in various directions through the house, and apparently, all over himself! At his entrance, the young Indians, much alarmed, had all fled to the further end of the house, where they remained crowded, in great dread of this personification of the Evil Spirit ! After diverting himself with the fire a few moments, at the expense of the young ones, to their no small joy, he disappeared.

This was an Indian disguised with a hideous false face, having horns on his head, and his hands and feet protected from the effects of the fire ; and though not a professed " Fire-king,'* he certainly performed his part to admiration.

During the continuance of this festival, the hospitality of the Senecas was unbounded. In the council-house, and at the residence of Tall Chief, were a number of large, fat bucks, and fat hogs, hanging up, and neatly dressed. Bread, also, of both corn and wheat, in great abundance.

Large kettles of soup ready prepared, in which maple sugar, profusely added, made a prominent ingredient, thus forming a very agreeable saccharine coalescence. All were invited, and all were made welcome ; indeed, a refusal to partake of their bounty, was deemed disrespectful, if not unfriendly.

I left them in the afternoon enjoying themselves to the fullest extent ; and so far as I could perceive, their pleasure was without alloy. They were eating and drinking ; but on this occasion, no ardent spirits were permitted - dancing and rejoicing - caring, and, probably, thinking not of to-morrow.

Chapter Iii

Erection of counties - The New Purchase - Land Districts - Sale of lands - Seneca county' - Roads - Oakley - Sandusky river - Honey creek- Wolf creek - Organization of the county - First annual election.

On the 12th day of February, 1820, an act was passed by the General Assembly of Ohio, erecting into fourteen separate and distinct counties, all the lands within the state, which, by the late treaty, had been ceded by the Indians to the United States. These lands included the whole of what was called the " New Purchase," and were, soon after the treaty, directed to be surveyed. From the boundary line between this state and Indiana, the surveyor, Mr. Bourne, ran a line due east, until it reached the south-west corner of the Connecticut Reserve, dividing the New Purchase into two parts. This is the hase-line^ which separates this county from those of Wyandot and Crawford. From the Indiana line, which was taken as a meridian, other lines were run parallel to the same, cutting the base-line at right angles, at the distance of every six miles throughout its whole length. These lines, running north and south, are called ranges.

Lines were also run, parallel to the base-line, at the distance of every six miles, both north and south, until they reached the northern and southern extremities of the purchase. As these lines cross the ranges at right angles, the whole is cut into squares of thirty-six miles each, containing thirty -six sections of land. The ranges are numbered progressively eastward, from the Indiana line, until they strike the western edge of the Connecticut Reserve. All of the squares, each one of which constitues a township, are noted by progressive numbers from the base-line, both north and south. All the other lines, except the base-line, were run by Alexander Holmes, who finished his survey, in the fall of 1819. By provisions of the act already mentioned, the ninth of the fourteen counties, to include township one, two, and three, north, in ranges thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen and seventeen, east, was called Seneca.

The county, thus constituted by name and boundary, received its name from the Seneca tribe of Indians, whose history has already been given. The county was not organized, until four years afterwards, during which time, it remained attached to Sandusky county for judicial purposes. During the summer of 1820, and the spring of 1821, the several townships in this county were surveyed into sections and quartersections, except the land comprising the Indian grants, v/hich were not surveyed until 1832.

The whole of the New Purchase having been thus divided, a line was drawn north and south, nearly in the center, separarating it into two parts, called the Piqua and Delaware landdistricts ; the former comprising the western, and the latter, the eastern section. On the 3d of August, 1821, so much of the Delaware land-district as lay north of the base-line, was offered to the highest bidder, in the town of Delaware, the minimum price being fixed, at ten shillings per acre.

The average purchase price of the land bought in this county at the sale, was but little higher than that established by law. Very little since has been entered by speculators, so that the population of Seneca county, from its commencement, has been of a permanent and industrious character. Possessing but little fictitious capital, its increase in population and wealth has been steady and rapid.

of wilderness - entirely covered with sturdy oaks, and thrifty hickories, intermingled with numerous other forest trees, such as beech, maple, poplar, black-walnut, sycamore, &c. Upon the bosom of the Sandusky, the wild-fowl reposed in safety, and the deer sported in their native haunts. Along this river and its tributaries, the hungry wolf prowled in search of food; and their hiding-places were in the thickets of the up-land. - Here and there, the smoke ascended from the Indian's wigwam, curling majestically amidst the branches of the towering oak ; while the wily hunter pursued his game along the margin of creeks ; or reposed upon his matted couch, by blazing faggots of the wilderness. Such was 8e7ieca county, thirty years ago !

At that time, there v/as only one solitary road leading through the county. This was first known as " BelVs roady'' having been surveyed by Gen. Bell, of ¥/ooster, as early as the year 1812. It connected Upper and Lower Sandusky, and was opened by a Mr. Meeker, It ran along the western bank of the Sandusky river, and has since been known as the ^^old army road^^^ from its being the principal thoroughfare for troops and supplies, during the wan' of 1812. For several years after the close of the war, large quantities of flour and other provisions, for the settlements around Lower Sandusky, passed along this road ; and many emi_grants from Europe, who had previously landed in Canada, took this course, on their way to the south, making it quite a traveled road, before there was a white settler in the county. In 1821, this road was again surveyed by David Risdon, Esq. and constituted a state road.

In 1820, Israel Flerrington surveyed what is at this time known as the state road,^^ leading from Croghansville to Delaware. It received its name from one of the commissioners, who was at that time, a resident of Croghansville. This was the first road east of the Sandusky.

mg from Sandusky City to Upper Sandusky, and known as the ''Kilhourn road:' The first teams driven along the line of this road, within the limits of the county, were by Thomas Baker, from New York, and Ezra Brown from the same state ; both of whom, have ever since been residents of the county.

During the month of February, 18*20, was established the first post-office in the county, af Oakley. This town had been surveyed some time previous, by Joseph Vance, upon land granted to one Robert Armstrong, an account of whom will be given hereafter. This was the first surveyed and platted town in the county. In 1824, it was again surveyed, by David Risdon, and its name changed to Fort Ball. The gentleman just named, was the first post-master, and at the^ time of his appointment, there was but one mail-rout through the county - which was along the " old army road'''' - and extended from Columbus to Lower Sandusky.

Sandusky rivcr^ the largest stream of water in the county, passes through it, from south to north, dividing it nearly, into two equal parts. It rises in the western part of Richland county, and after a westerly course of twenty miles, reaches Upper Sandusky, where it changes its course, running northerly, until it reaches the southern boundary of this ccunly. It cresses the line, in the south-east corner of Seneca township, and afler deviating from its northerly direction into Eden township, it again passes into Seneca. Running along the eastern edge of this township, it crosses into Hopewell, almo&t due north of its entrance into the county. From Hopewell township, it passes into Clinton, a little below the mouth of Floney creek ; and after pursuing a northerly course in this township, it enters Pleasant. After passing through Pleasant township, it leaves the county, and taking a northerly course, falls into Sandusky Bay, about eighty miles, by the course of the river, from its

As to the origin of the name of this river, there are two opinions. By some, it is believed to be a word of French extraction, given to the bay and river, by the Indians, in honor of the first French trader who visited the country. In Champaigne county, Illinois, there is now living, a man of this name, who claims that one of his ancestors settling at an early period upon the Sandusky, and becoming a great favorite among the Indians, they, as a mark of respect, gave his name (Sowdowsky) to the river and bay.

By the tradition of aged Indian warriors, given to the late William Henry Harrison in the friendly chat of the wigwam, when he first became acquainted with the north-western tribes, the following appears to be the origin and signification of the word Sandusky. After the naval conflict upon the lake, between the Wyandots and Senecas, mentioned in Chapter I., these conquering bands, having landed at Maumee, followed the lake shore towards the east, passing and giving names to bays, creeks, and rivers, until they arrived at Cold creek, where it enters the Sandusky bay. Being charmed with the springs of clear, cold water in this vicinity, they pitched their tents and engaged in hunting and fishing. By them (the Wyandots) the bay and river was called Sandusky ; meaning in their language, '''' at the cold water. ^''

"I have a note of conversation," says JohnH. James, in the American Pioneer, " with William Walker, at Columbus, in 1835-6, at which time, he was principal chief of the Wyandots, at Upper Sandusky, in which I asked the meaning of the word, Sandusky. He said it meant ' at the cold water,'' and should be sounded San-doos-tee. He said it ' carried with it, the force of a preposition.' The Upper Cold Water, and the Lower Cold Water, then, were descriptive Indian names, given long before the presence of the trader, Sowdowsky."

ton, Esq., formerly Indian agent in Ohio, as printed in Archcelogia Aaiericana, Vol. I. p. 295, the word waler is given, Saun-dus-tee ; and in page 297, he gives the name of Sandusky river, as Sa-undustec, or water within water pools.

The Sandusky, compared with most of our western rivers, is rapid and shallow. It becomes quite low during tlie summer months ; but in the spring and fall, it generally fills its banks, as also, during the winter months.

The greatest rise of waters ever known in this river, occurred in January last. In 1621, according to the observations of one Spicer, an Indian captive, who had then lived nearly forty years upon its banks, the water rose that year higher than it had before, since his recollection. In January last, it was considerably above the mark of 1821.

In 1819, Paul D. Butler, in the employ of Robert Armstrong, a sketch of whose life will be given hereafter, erected a saw-mill upon this river, between what are now the towns of New Fort Ball and Tifiin, which was the first mill in the county. It was a miserable affair, and was soon after demolished. There are, at this time, seven grist-mills, and several saw-mills upon this river within the limits, of the county. The land along the Sandusky is very fertile, and as you recede from the river towards the west, it is generally level, and in some places inclining to be wet. In the eastern portion of the county, the soil is more clavev.

Honey creek, the largest tributary of the Sandusky, rises in the New Haven marshes, near the corners of Richland, Crawford, Huron, and this county, and passes directly into the latter, in Venice township. Taking a north-westerly course through Venice, it enters the township of Bloom, near its north-east corner. Pursuing a south-v/esterly direction through Bloom, it passes into Eden township ; and after making a large curve

The first grist-mill erected in the county was upon this creek, just above the site of the town of Melmore. It was built in 1821, by Ezra and Case Brown. The first grist ground in this mill, was for a Mr. Free, of the township of Bloom. The event was hailed with great J03/ by the early settlers, as they were now relieved from those long and tedious journeys through the wilderness, to Upper Sandusky, Monroeville, and Mt. Vernon. - In 1827, another mill was erected upon this stream, by John Kinzer, (an early settler from the state of Pennsylvania,) a little below the present village of Melmore. Mr. Kinzer has ever since resided upon the banks of this creek - -a very intelligent man, and much respected citizen. Honey creek received its name from the appearance of the water when high, which very much resembles honey*

Wolf creek, another tributary of the Sandusky, rises in the south-west part of the county, and after passing through Seneca, Hopewell, and Liberty townships, it finally falls into the Sandusky river, in Sandusky county, soon after it enters its limits. This stream, running through a level country, is somewhat sluggish. It received its name from the circumstance of a great number of wolves formerly inhabiting the swamps near its source, and the thickets around the wet prairies, a little west of its m.outh.

By an act of the General Assembly of Ohio, of the 22d of January, 1824, Seneca was organized into a separate and distinct county. All justices of the peace, and other officers were to continue to discharge the duties of their respective offices un-

* There are several sink-holes in the bed of this stream, into which much of the water precipitates itself, and many are of the opinion that were these filled, as they say might be done with a limited expense, sufficient water would run the year round, to dnr» the several mills located upon the creek.

It was farther provided, that all qualified electors residing in the county, should meet in their respective townships, on the first Monday of April, following, and elect their several officers until the next annual election ; and until others were chosen and qualified according to law.

It was also enacted, that all suits and actions, whether of a civil or criminal nature, which had been commenced, should be prosecuted to final judgment and execution ; and all taxes, fines and penalties which were due, should be collected in the same manner as if the act had not been passed.

This act took effect, the first day of April, 1824, and according to its provisions, elections were held in the townships of Thompson, Seneca, Eden and Clinton, these being the only ones then organized. The county officers first to be chosen, were a sherif and coroner. For the former office, Agreen Ingraham received one hundred and ninety votes - for the latter, Leverett Bradley received two hundred and six, and both were elected.

The first county court was held the 12th of the same month, at Tiffin, in the house at present occupied as a Masonic hall. It continued about thirty minutes ; during which time a county surveyor was appointed ;* and a clerk of the courtt, pro tem. Hon. Ebenezer Lane presided at this court as president judge, and William Cornell, Jaques Hulburd and Mathew Clark were his associates.

r Benjamin Whitmore, Commissioners, < Thomas Boyd, and C Doctor Dmm. During the same year, a prosecuting attorney v/as appointed by the court of Common Pleas ;* and a treasurer,! 5y the county commissioners. [For a list of county officers, see Appendix.]

Immediately after its organization, the affairs of the county commenced with a successful tide of operation. Courts of justice were established, officers chosen, townships organized, roads constructed, mills erected, and the dense forests fallen by the sturdy hand of industry.

Chapter Iv

Camp Ball - First settler in Seneca county - Clinton township - Fort Ball - Robert Armstrong - William McCullock - Tiffin - Laud offices - Mad River and Lake Erie Rail-road .

About the middle of July, ,1813, a detachment of men, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James V. Ball,* built a stockade near the old army road, upon the bank of the San-

*About half a mile south-west of Ballsville, in Sandvisky countj', Lieut. Col. James V. Ball had a skirmish with the Indians, a day or two previous to the assault on Fort Stephenson. There isj or was a few years' since, an oak tree on the site of the action, on the road to Columbus, with 17 hacks in it, to indicate the number of Indians, killed on the occasion.- The squadron was moving towards the fort, when they were suddenly fired upon by the Indians from the west side of the road, whereupon Col. Ball ordered a charge, when he with his suit and the right flank being in advance, first came into action. The colonel struck t]ifi first blow. He dashed in between two savages, and cut down the one on the right ; the other, being slighfly in the rear, made a blow with a tomahawk at his back, when by a sudden spring of his horse, it fell short, and was buried deep in the cantel and pad of his saddle. Before the savage could repeat the blow, he was sliot by Corporal Ryan. Lieut. Hedges - now General James Hedges of Mansfield, the surveyor of Tiflin and brother of Josiah Hedges, proprietor of the latter place - following in the rear mounted on a small horse, pursued a large Indian, and just as he had come up to him, his stirrup brojce, and he fell head-first oflThis horse, knocking the Indian down. Both sprang to their feet, when Hedges struck the Indian across his head, and as he was falling, buried the sword up to its hilt in his body. We have been informed, that many years after, the lost stirrup was found, and sent to the gallant Hedges, at Mansfield.

At this time. Captain Hopkins was seen on the left, in pursuit of a powerful savage, when the latter turned and made a blow at the captain with a tomahawk, at which his horse sprang to one side. Cornet Hayes then came up, and the Indian struck at him, hia horse in like manner evading the blow. Sergeant Anderson now arriving, the Indian was soon dispatched. By this time, the skirmish was over, the Indians, who were about twenty in number, being nearly all cut down ; and orders were given to retreat to the main squadron.

Col. Ball dressed his men, ready for a charge, should the Indians appear in force, and moved down without further molestation to the fort, where they arrived, at 4 o'clock, in the afternooD.

This camp was built as a transient place of security, in case of disaster at the north ; and as a magazine for supplies. - The camp consisted of stakes a foot in thickness, fixed in the ground, with bayonets driven through them, horizontally, near their tops. Against these, logs were piled upon the outside ; and over the logs, dirt was thrown from a ditch, which surrounded the whole. There was room- in the interior, for five hundred men.

After the battle of Tippecanoe, a detachment was sent by General Harrison, who was then at Seneca, up the river, to strengthen this camp.' The soldiers were quartered here several days, during which time, they were frequently destitute of provisions ; and once, their supply was so completely exhausted, that they were obliged to subsist entirely upon ^5/1 - a part standing guard to protect those that were fishing, from the lurking savages.

Before the battle at Fort Stephenson, this detachment left for the Maumee, but the post was occasionally occupied, until Harrison left the country. Vestiges of Camp Ball still remain. - Between the ground and the river, is a beautiful spring of water, which serves to mark the spot where the camp once stood. It is on the west bank of the river, just above the new bridge which crosses the stream, at the foot of Washington street, Tiffin. Several soldiers were buried near the camp ; and among their number was the father of a Mr. Powers, of Delaware, - The remains of one of these, were exhumed a short time since, by some workmen in the employ of R. W. Shawhan.

On the 18th of November, 1817, Erastus Bowe, the Jirst jettler in Seneca county, arrived at Camp Ball, where some 'ured men had erected him a log house, which was within the

Mr. Bowe was born in Rutland county, Vermont, and passed through this county as early as 1812, under the command of General Hull. He was in Norton's company, at the building of the fort at Lower Sandusky ; and was one of those daring rangers, who scoured the Indian country, and protected the whites from savage cruelty. He was a citizen of Dela* ware, eight years previous to his settling in this county. After the close of the war, he occasionally hunted in this vicinity, and among the early settlers of the county was famous as a deer-hunter.

Soon after his arrival in 1817, he erected a house just below Camp Ball ; and here he opened ihe first tavern in the county. His charges must have been somewhat in advance of those of the present day; as butter was worth, at that time, two shillings a pound ; pork, six dollars per hundred ; and flour, twelve dollars per barrel. Mr. Bowe has ever since resided in the county, and is now a resident of Hopewell township. Thirty years ago, he came to this county, and for several months was the only settler within its limits.

With what astonishment, mingled with admiration, must he look back upon the years that have passed, and see the mighty change that has been wrought, since he first located upon the banks of the Sandusky ! Instead of standing in the door of his humble log shanty, which was then far in the wilderness - a dense portion of which occupied the present site of the town of Tiffin - he now sees there, from the beautiful village of New Fort Ball, a large and flourishing town, the county-seat of a populous and wealthy county !

Clinton township was organized on the first Monday of June, 1820 ; and its boundaries, defined by the commissioners of Sandusky county, as follow : "Commencing where the township line between (townships) No. two (2) and three (3) strikes the river, on the east bank thereof; thence with said line, to the north-east corner of township No. two, (2,) in range fifteen (15) east; thence south with the range line between ranges fifteen (15) and sixteen, (16,) to the south-east corner of the aforesaid township : thence west to the township line between (townships) No. one (1) and two; (2;) thence northwardly, with the meanders of the river, to the place of beginning." It received its name from De Witt Clinton^ governor of New York.

The first township election was held on the 15th of June, 1822. Its population in 1840, was 2,195. Since that time, it has steadily increased in business, population and wealth, numbering among others of its enterprising farmers - George Stoner, Samuel Waggoner, Ezra Baker, Jacob Souder, Elisha Olmsted, Thomas Coe, Jacob Adams, John Souder, Dennis Stoner, Levi Davis, Samuel Rule, John S wander, William Hunter, Joseph Richards, Eli Olmsted, Thomas Ellis, Frederick Cramer, Ezra Derr, John Baugher, William Baker, John Keller, Hezekiah Searles, Jacob Holtz, Joseph Burnsides, Grafton Bernard, Dennis Cramer, and Aenas Cramer.

In 1819, Abner Pike settled in Oakley ; (now New Fort Ball ;) and, on the 1st of April, of the following year, David Risdon came to this town, and shortly after was appointed postmaster, the first in the county. Subsequently, Mr. Pike located upon the farm at present owned by Ezra Baker.

In 1824, the town of jPor^ jBaZZ was surveyed upon the same plat, by David Risdon, receiving its name from the camp before mentioned. Had it not been that the land upon which this town was surve3'ed, belonged to Robert Armstrong, it would, doubtless, have become the county-seat of the county.

At the treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie, the United States granted to Mr. Armstrong this tract, consisting of one section, of 640 acres of land, afterwards known as the " Armstrong Reservation."

Armstrong was taken captive by the Wyandot Indians, at three years of age, in the state of Pennsylvania. He niarried a half-blood Indian woman, and was in every respect a gentleman. He spoke excellent English ; so much so, that it would not have been suspected he had ever lived among the Indians. Having been for a number of years, employed as interpreter by the United States, it was in consideration of his valuable services in this capacity, that he received his grant of land. - He died in 1825, about two miles from Upper Sandusky, upon the Wyandot reservation.

The United States granted, at the same time and place, to the children of William McCullock, a section of 640 acres of land, lying just below the Armstrong reservation, above mentioned. McCullock was killed by a cannon ball at the siege of Fort Meigs, while sitting in General Harrison's tent ; and was employed at the time, as interpreter for the United States.

Dr. Eli Dresbach, from Circleville, a graduate of the Ohio Medical college, settled in this town^ (Fort Ball,) on the 17th day of February, 1823, and removed from the latter place to Tiffin in 1826, where he has since resided.

Rodolphus Dickinson, from New York, a member of Congress for this district, settled in Fort Ball, in 1824, and was the first attorney at law in the county.

On the 15th day of February, 1826, Abel Rawson, from Massachusetts, who succeeded Mr. Dickinson as prosecuting attorney, settled in this place and became a permanent resident. He has ever since, pursued the practice of law in this county, and now ranks among the first in his profession, in northern Ohio.

Fort Ball, (now New Fort Ball,) has since grown steadily, and is at the present time a flourishing and healthy place.- - Its location is pleasant - commanding a view of the whole of Tiffin, and also, much of the surrounding country. It contains about sixty dwellings, one chi^rch, three large ware-houses, three stores, two tanneries, two carriage-shops, two hotels, two groceries, one cabinet-shop, three shoe-shops, one tin-shop, and three blacksmith's-shops.

Its population is over four hundred, and is rapidly increasingjNew Fort Ball was surveyed and platted, by James Durbin, county surveyor, on the 25th of November, 1837. It is situated upon the eastern portion of the Armstrong reservation, and contains six hundred and twenty in-lots. The town is made to include all of the northern addition to Tiffin; and all of what was before known as " Fort Ball."

Tiffin, the county-seat of this county, is situated in Clinton township, upon the east bank of, and adjoining the Sandusky river, in latitude 41° 7' north, fongitude 6° 8' west, of Washington city. It received its name from Edward Tiffin, president of the convention that formed the Constitution of Ohio, and first governor of the state, after its admission into the Union.

In 1821, Josiah Hedges, from Mansfield, Richland county, entered at the Delaware land-office, the land upon which Tiffin now stands. It was surveyed by General James Hedges, of Mansfield, brother of the proprietor. The first stick was cut upon the town-plat, in March, 1822, and soon after, Messrs. Wetz, Drennon, and John Mim, of Mansfield, and Henry Welch, of Eden township, had a town-lot given to each of them by the proprietor, with the stipulation that they were to erect cabins, and bring on their families, which was done immediately thereafter.

James Spink, of Wooster, came to the place during the same month, bringing with him a small stock of goods ; but the next winter, he left ; his store having been broken open and plundered of goods, to a considerable amount.

Simeon B. Howard, from the eastern part of the state, came to the place during the same month ; so that on the 25th of jMarch, 1822, the day the county-seat was located here, there were six cabins in the place. The commissioners to locate the seat of justice, were Messrs. Herford, Miner, and Cyrus Spink.

In 1822, Mr. Hedges, proprietor of Tiffin, erected a sawmill on Rocky creek, about a quarter of a mile east of the town, and a grist-mill about half a mile north of the place, upon the Sandusky river. He also erected the first frame house upon the town-plat in 1822, the same that is at present occupied as a Masonic hall. It was used as a store until the next year, (1823.) Soon after, it was occupied for the holding of the county courts, which were continued here until 1828.

The prospects of Tiffin, the first few years after its commencement, were not very flattering, nor its appearance very prepossessing. The unhealthiness of the town, incident to all new settlements - its situation on the side of the i*iver, (then without abridge,) opposite to Fort Ball, through which the main traveled road from Columbus to Lower Sandusky then extended - and the vigorous efforts made at the time to remove the seat of justice from Tiffin to Fort Ball - all conspired to disr hearten the proprietor, who began to be fearful that it would never progress to any extent. But his apprehensions proved groundless, as it has since steadily increased, and is now a thriving, populous, and beautiful town.

The streets are wide, and generally well paved. It is the great mart of trade for the surrounding country - the farmer finding here a ready market for his produce, at all times of the year. Communication by rail-road, with Sandusky City and Cincinnati, is now secured. It is 86 miles north of Columbus, and 34 from Sandusky City ; and is situated nearly in the center of the county. Formerly, it was dull and unhealthy; but receiving many improvements, it has become an enterprising and healthy town, full of life and activity. Its population, according to the census of 1840, amounted to 728. It has since more than doubled.

It contains two Lutheran, two Catholic, one Episcopal, one Methodist Episcopal, one Reformed Methodist, and one German Reformed church. Also, four hotels, one foundry, eight groceries, nine tailor's-shops, three silversmiths, five saddlers, four cabinet-shops, four blacksmith' s-shops, five carriage-shops, two gunsmiths, four tin-shops, and one large, brick school-house.

Its merchants, are R. W. Shawhan, Rufus W. Reid, the Messrs. Cronises, Rummell and Snyder, Robert Crum, Baldwin and Pride, Andrew Glenn, Jesse Shriver, RoUa Johnson, W. D. Scott, Geo. Taylor, Einstein and Hobbs, Howard and Nailor, and E. Ayres & Co. A book-store has also been opened of late, by Ebert and Seney.

On the 4th day of July, 1825, the commissioners of the county, Thomas Boyd, Benjamin Whitmore, and Doctor Dunn, held an extra session for the purpose of receiving proposals for the building of a jail, in the town of Tiffin.

They contracted with Elijah Farquassan, as the lowest bidder, for the sum of four hundred and fifty dollai'S. It was completed and received by the eommlssionei's, the 4th of March, 1826. This was a very unsubstantial place for the confinement of criminals, which may explain why so many cleared themselves^ at an early day.

On the 4th of May, 1828, a quantity of land, by an act of Congress, was granted to this state, equal to one-half of five sections in width on each side of the Miami canal, between Dayton and the Maumee river, at the mouth of the Auglaize, so far as the Miami canal should be located through the public lands ; but reserving for the United States, each alternate section of the land unsold, to be selected by the commissioner of the land-office. By the fourth section of the same act, and under certain conditions, five hundred thousand acres of land in this state were granted to Ohio, to aid her in the construction of her canals.

In order to dispose of the five hundred thousand acres so granted, an act was passed by the General Assembl)?-, February 12, 1829, entitled " An act to provide for the sale of certain lands granted to Ohio," and for this purpose, two land-offices were established, one of which was located at Tiffin. Here it remained, until 1837, when it was removed to Maumee.

In April, 1828, the United States land-office, for the sale of lands in the Delaware land-district, was removed from Delaware and located at Tiffin, where it was continued until the next year, when it was removed to Bucyrus.

al Assembly of Ohio. The line of this roeid was run the same year, by a Mr. Stansbury, assisted by Messrs. Morris of Pennsylvania, and Van Antwerp of Albany, and extended from Sandusky City to Dayton, a distance of one-hundred and fiftythree miles. The road was commenced, in September, 1835, and finished, as far as Tifiin, in 1841. It is now nearly completed, throughout its whole length.

The benefits derived from this road, by the citizens of Seneca county are immense. A market is established at home, for their produce ; the value of land is enhanced ; and those tiresome and dreaded journeys to the lake for merchandise, and a market, are now obviated. It has given a powerful impulse to the onward progress of the county, both in activity and wealth.

A few years ago, the whole country was a wilderness - the home of the Indians, who were trapping along the Sandusky and its tributaries, or hunting in the low-lands through which they flow. But their wigwams have vanished ; their councilfires have become extinguished, and their hunting-grounds the cultivated fields of the white man. The bones of their warriors and young men lie scattered in various places, tacitly telling that once the red men were lords of the soil, and the rightful owners of the land we occupy.

Their war-dance has ceased. Their wild whoop and fierce yell, are heard no longer, in the silent woods. They have gone, and the wilderness has passed away. But a vestige of their strength remains, in the wilds of the far west !

A little later, and here and there a hardy adventurer is braving the difficulties of an unsettled country, while the idea of a rail-road is not yet dreamed of. But noic, the powerful locomotive with its immense train comes sweeping along upon the iron rails, bringing the luxuries of every clime - the labor of every nation - to our very doors ?

Seueca Patriot - Prmting-press - Independe*it Chronicle - Tiffin Gazette - Van Bureuite - Seneca Advertiser - Whig Standard - Cholera - Court-house - Jail and Sherif 's house - Bank.

On the 4th day of August, 1832, was issued the first number of the " Seneca Patriot," the first paper printed in the county. This sheet, E. Brown, editor, and J. H. Brown, proprietor, was offered to subscribers, at one dollar and twenty-five cents, per year, in advance.

" We propose," says the editor, " to insert occasionally, as near as may be, an equal proportion of matter, to be published under the following general heads - Clay Politics^ Jackson Politics, and Anti-masonic Politics. By this means, each reader attached to the several parties, may find something suited to his party taste, and political feelings." In three months from this, however, he broke up his neutrality, and came out a thorough Jackson Patriot. Says he, " we go for Democratic principles and Jackson, against all combinations."

The history of the press, used in this office, is somewhat remarkable. It was brought to Washington, Pennsylvania, by a Mr. Colerick, prior to the year 1800, from some place on the Atlantic coast. It was removed from Washington, to Wellsburg, Virginia, about the year 1820, by J. P. McArdle. From thence, it was removed to Mount Vernon ; thence, to Clinton, and finally, from the latter place to Norwalk, in 1827. Here it

" It must be acknowledged, that this venerable press, in the service of half a century, has earned at least the reputation of a faithful ^herald of a noisy world.' It has no doubt emblazoned to the world the achievements of many an eminent statesman, and probably chronicled, as they occurred, the stirring events which gave our government its national existence. Commencing its tour of pilgrimage upon the Atlantic coast, it has wound its way to the fancied ^ far west.' It is, indeed, a relic of other days. He who would compare, at this day, that sturdy lever with the vast improvements made upon its like, since its first days, would behold one of the most astonishing and remarkable evidences of human skill ever developed in any branch of scientific or mechanical invention.

" If this be the jirst press (and it doubtless was) that crossed the Alleghanies, it should become the property o^ the west ; and here be preserved, to attest the improvements made in the ^ art preservative of arts.'' "*

After the dissolution of the firm which published the " Seneca Patriot," Mr. Alonzo Rawson purchased the ofiice, and published the " Independent Chronicle." He disposed of the establishment to J. F. Reed, who commenced the " Tiffin Gazette" which was published some time by him, and subsequently by Joseph Howard, who was succeeded by S. A. Griswold, Esq., the latter gentleman discontinuing it in the fall of 1842.

In 1840, a second printing-press was brought to Tiffin by an association, and in July of that year the first number of a paper entitled the " Van Burenite and Seneca County Advertiser," was issued by " H. Cronise and others." This paper was published until the fall of 1841, when it was discontinued. -

In the spring of 1842, the office was purchased by John G. Breslin, who issued the first number of the " Seneca Advertiser" on the 6th of May of the same year. The publication of this paper is still continued by the same proprietor,

*' We shall advocate," says the editor, in the first number of this paper, " with a becoming zeal, and dignifiedly in manner, the great Democratic Republican principles, as established and taught by Thomas Jefferson. That ours is a government of specified and limited - not general powers, and ought so to be strictly observed to attain the ends for which it was established - all must admit.

''The few and venerable patriots, who, when our government dated its existence, were upon the bright summit of glory, and have lived till this late day, are willing to exclaim that our system of government has eminently exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those who achieved the glorious victory upon which it was established, and become an object, not only of admiration, but of envy and emulation by all the world.

" It is, therefore, our duty, rendered imperious by the position we occupy as a nation, to preserve for its character as pure and untarnished as the bright and illustrious spirit of liberty which dictated its existence among its framers ; and still serve as a beacon-light to the benighted, and a home for the oppressed of mankind, the object for which the blood of our forefathers and heroes - and labor of our sages have been bestowed to obtain.

" In regard to the present federal administration, we unhesitatingly declare, that we will war against it and its measures an unyielding opposition. We would banish from us all prejudice - cast ofi* all party predilection, and admonish the American people to view the awful and deplorable condition of our country, brought about by the short federal predomination of

" The Democracy, who in trying times have been entreated to rally and rescue our government must appreciate the present as a crisis equally important, and prepare to restore her from the dominion of an unprincipled and reckless political party, who are now plunging her into debt, disgrace, and dishonor, regardless of consequences. We shall endeavor to maintain a courteous, but decided position, in regard to the principles we intend promulgating, and in discussion have a strict observance for the truth of what shall appear in our pajper.

" With these remarks, we throw ourselves upon the support of our fi'iends in the cause of Democracy, and by an honest, fearless and independent course, we hope to merit the support which they shall be pleased to bestow upon us."

On the 18th of November, 1845, the fii-st number of the "Whig Standard," was issued by Geo. L. Wharton, editor. - This paper is still printed at Tiffin. The following is the conclusion of the editor's " Salutatory :"

" We shall enter our protest against the Locofoco party, and labor ardently for the preservation of those principles bequeathed to us by the patriots of the Revolution - the principles of the Whig party - a party whose origin was our country's Revolution, and whose fidelity and patriotism achieved our Independence. Upon this broad platform we shall stand, adhering firmly to liberty, despising anarchy and despotism with an eye single to the interest of our country, feeling assured that, upon the integrity of the Whig party, rests our destiny as a nation."

On the 9th day of June, 1832, the Cholera^ that fearful scourge of nations, made its appearance in America. It commenced amongsome newly arrived Irish immigrants in Canada, and proceeded rapidly along the valleys of the St. Lawrence,

Champlain and Hudson, and on the 26th of the same month, several cases occurred in New York. A great proportion of the inhabitants left the place in dismay ; but, notwithstanding the reduction of numbers, the ravages of the disease were appalling f It spread with great rapidity throughout the states of New York and Michigan, and along the Ohio and Mississippi to the gulf of Mexico.

From New York, it went along the Atlantic coast, as far as North Carolina, and apparently followed the great routs of travel, both on land and water. It did not, however, make its appearance in this county, until the 19th of August, 1834. - Its ravages were confined entirely to the town of Tiffin, though some died in the country after they had left the place.

The first person that fell a victim to this disease, was the wife of John Hubble. During its continuance, sixty-three died, and many more were attacked, but recovered. All that could, left the town, and scattered in various parts of the county. Those with whom it proved fatal, were principally of the poorer class of foreigners. One thing is quite remarkable. During the whole time that it prevailed in this county the wind blew from the north ; and as soon as it changed, the fatality ceased !

The most general disease which at present prevails in the county, and indeed ever has, since its first settlement, is hilious fever. This disease makes its appearance periodically^ commencing the latter part of summer, and continuing until the. close of autumn, prevailing more extensively, and with increased severity, during the month of September. It is more common along the Sandusky and its tributaries than in other sections of the county.*

* A correspondent, speaking of early times, remarks : " It was then quite sicklynone of the comforts of life, such as groceries, or store-goods, were to be had nearer than Sandusky or Huron. Many suffered, and probably died, for the want of proper care. - There was no physician nearer than at Lower Sandusky, (Dr. Brainard,) and I have seen people carrying boards on their backs, two miles through the woods of which coffins wera

No fatal and malignant epidemic, except the Cholera^ has ever scourged this section of country. Genuine Phthisis Pulmonalis^ or Consumption, Is of rare occurrence ; and, since the forests have been cleared ; since ihey have been turned into cultivated fields, Seneca has justly ranked as a healthy county.

On the 17th day of January, 1834, the county commissioners issued notice to receive proposals for erecting a court-house to be built in Tiffin. On the 13th of February, of the same year, the commissioners, after deliberating upon the proposals submitted, finally agreed and entered into a written contract with John Baugher, to build the same, for the sum of nine thousand, five hundred dollars.

It was finished in the fall of 1836, and on the night of the 21st of May, 1841, all, except its walls, were burned to the ground. A large amount of papers, books, &c., belonging to private individuals and of considerable value were consumed, but none of any worth belonging to the county were destroyed, except a few in the clerk's office, and some others of inconsiderable value.

On the 10th of June, of the same year, the commissioners ordered the re-building of the court-house, and on Friday, July 23d, entered into an examination of proposals for doing the same. The lowest proposal was by John Baugher, who offered to do the joiner-work for two thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars, which was accepted. Jacob Emrick contracted for the mason-work, at eight hundred dollars ; and Alison Phillips, for the plastering, at four hundred and fifty dollars. - to be made. But the connty soon began to settle rapidly, changing the face of the country - society began to improve - the county-seat was located - physicians, mechanics and merchants came in - but sickness still prevailed, which for some time, was very discour? aging to early settlers, who were much indebted to Dra. Dresbaeh, Kuhn, and a few otb* VCB, for their valuable services,"

History Op Seneca Countt

In June, 1843, the building was completed a second time, the same walls standing that were built for the first house. These are two stories high ; and, with two feet of hewn stone for a foundation, measure thirty-three feet. To the top of the dome, it is seventy-one feet. This elegant building is fifty feet in front, and seventy in depth. The basement story is occupied by the several county officers. In the one above, is a large and commodious room for the holding of courts, and two jury rooms.

On the 16th of May, 1843, the county commissioners agreed upon a plan for a county-jail and sherif 's house ; and, on the 26th of June, of the same year, they entered into a written agreement with Ephraim Riker, of Erie county, for building the same. The former is of hewn stone ; the latter of brick ; and both, under one roof and constituting one building, are well calculated for the object for which they were built.

On the 12th of July, 1847, Samuel Waggoner, Benjamin Tomb, Rufus W. Reid, Alfred Johnson, Daniel Brown, William M. Buel, Daniel Smith, William Fleet, R. G. Pennington and William H. Gibson, subscribed stock to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each, and filed in the proper office their application for an independent bank, agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled "An act to incorporate the State Bank of Ohio, and other banking companies,'' passed by the General Assembly of Ohio, February 24th, 1847.

On the 2d day of August, of the same year, and during the pending of the application before the bank-commissioners, the above named persons, with others as their associates, enlarged the capital stock of the bank to one hundred thousand dollars, and filed accordingly, an amended application, which was acted upon by the board of commissioners, and an independent bank, to be located at Tiffin, with a capital of one hundre*'

The bank was organized by electing Benjamin Tomb, Samuel Waggoner, William M. Buel, Rufus W. Reid, and R. G. Pennington, directors ; who afterwards elected Benjamin Tomb,* president, and R. G. Pennington, cashier, pro tern. - William E. Chittenden, has since been elected permanently, as cashier of the bank. The notes of the bank are provided by the treasurer of state, as well as those of all independent banks, at the expense of the several banks, and are registered at the treasurer's office, and obtained upon the order of the directors of the several banks, upon depositing with the treasurer certificates of the funded debt of the state, or of the United States, agreeably to the terms of the statute, in this behalf.

Annual meetings for the election of officers, are held on the first Monday of' January in each year . The bank commenced business, on the 13th day of November, 1847, and is now in successful operation. The notes, the engravings of which are neatly executed, are of four denominations - ones, threes, fives and tens.

* On Tuesday, the 8th of February, 1848, the office of president became vacant, by the resignation of Mr, Tomb : whereupon, Abel Rawson, Esq., was elected to fill the vacancy.

Chapter Vi

In the month of February, 1819, Thomas and Hugh Welch started from Huron county to seek a home in the wilds of Seneca. Having reached the limits of the county, as since defined, they soon struck a beautiful stream of water, where they encamped tor the niglit.

The sight of the lofty forest-trees filled them with admiration ; and they were not a little surprised to find the wilderness already green with leeks, and a modest wild-flower, here and there, " wasting its fragrance" in the silent woods ! The wdde-spreading branches of the oak, black-walnut, hickory and sycamore, partially protected the earth from the. severity of winter. This was supposed to induce the early appearance of vernal vegetation.

The stream where they had encamped, was Honey creek. - The next morning, they followed its course downwards, until they arrived within the present limits of Eden township. - Near what is now the residence of William Fleet, they came upon a band of the Seneca Indians employed in making sugar, and with them, they again encamped for the night. The next morning, pursuingtheir journey down the creek, they at length arrived at a village of Mohawk Indians, consisting of about twenty log huts, pleasantly situated upon both sides of the stream. This village was located upon a tract of land of a thousand acres,* granted at the treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie to one John Vanmeter, a v/hite man, and to his wife's two brothers.

Vanmeter was captured by the Wyandot Indians, in the month of March, 1778, at the age of five. This happened within a mile of West Liberty, in the state of Virginia. The people in the neighborhood, having been frequently alarmed by Indian aggressions, had assembled for the purpose of building a fort, to protect themselves from savage cruelty. It was a beautiful day in the spring of the year, and two of the elder boys of the family were directed to proceed to a "chopping," and arrange som.e brands. John accompanied them, and the father proceeded to the fort. The boys had but just commenced their work, when they were suddenly beset by a party of Indians. The elder boys made good their escape, but John was easily captured. The Indians then directed their course to the house of Vanmeter, set it on fire, murdered his wife and daughter, and immediately fled to the wilderness, carrying with them their captive boy.

He ever afterwards lived among the Indians ; completely forgetting his native tongue, though he learned it again, before he died, so as to converse quite fluently. He was afterwards induced to visit his relatives and friends; but refused to remain among them, "preferring," as he said, " the innocent and unrestrained indulgences of the Indian's life, to the arbitrary restraints of civilized society." Vanmeter was a man of more than ordinary decision of character; of a benevolent disposition, and friendly to the whites. Owning a large stock of cattle and several horses, eai'ly settlers relied much upon his generosity ; and it was not in vain, that they sought relief at his hands, in times of distress and destitution. He married a woman of the Seneca nation, (a relative of the celebrated Brandt whose name is well known in the state of New York,) and died a few years since, on the grant made him by the United States.

In 1829, the Indians of this village, who were a remnant of the Mohawk tribe, joined the Senecas and left the county with the latter. Thomas Brandt, one of these Indians, and a brother-in-law of Vanmeter, was a captain in the United States service, during the last war, and fought at the battle of Brownstown.

The Welches were welcomed by Vanmeter, with every demonstration of friendship ; and making know^n to him their business, they were directed to a tract of land which he represented as of excellent soil. Being well suited with it, both as to quality and location, they resolved to proceed no farther.- - Flore commenced the first settlement in Eden township, which was upon the farm now owned by David Olmsted. In June, of the same year, they were joined by two other brothers, Martin and John Welch.

At that time, their nearest neighbor was Erastus Botoe, at Oakley, six miles distant. On the north, the nearest settlement was at Lower Sandusky. On the south, there was a house erected at the point where the Morrison state road now crosses the Sandusky river, in Wyandot (then Crawford) county ; and on the east, it was nearly twenty miles to a habitation. They cut out, for their own convenience, a wagon-road, leading from a point a mile north of the center of Norwich township, Huron county, and running near the site of the present town of Republic, to their settlement in Eden. This was the first track, in imitation of a highv/ay, east of the Sandusky river within the limits of the county. Soon afterward, Thomas

Other settlers now located upon Honey creek ; and before the "sales" at Delaware, on the 3d of August, 1821, there were twelve squatters upon the land of the United States, within the present limits of Eden township. These were the W^elches, together with Ira Holmes from Chenango county, New York, Daniel Pratt, Henry Craw, Samuel Knapp, Christopher Sponknable, William Clark,* Case Brown, from Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York, and John Searles.

Soon after the "sales," William Cornell, Daniel Hough, M. D., John Gibson, Ezra Brown, Thomas Baker, Philip Bretz, Richard Jaqua, and John Downs,-]- settled in Eden township,

*-Mr. Clark was from Cayuga county, New York. His daughter, [Sarahj became the AVife of James Mathers, which was the first marriage in the county. The two have since removed to California. The ceremony was performed by David Smith, Esq., first justice in the county. Mr Smith was at that time a resident of Fort Seneca - now Pleasant - township, and has since deceased.

Many years ago, while the country was a wilderness, the few inhabitants along the banks cf Honey creek -were obliged to get their grinding done at the old Indian mill, at Upper Sandusky.

It was in the fall of the year, and although the Indians at that time were numerous, their presence was not ordinarily a source of alarm to the early settlers, who had become familiar with their habits and dispositions. One morning, three lads, each with his horse and grist, started for the mill. They had just entered Crawford [now Wyandot] county, when the great abundance of hickory-nuts upon tlie ground, attracted their attention. - Dismounting, they began to fill their pockets, and while thus engaged, one of them, hearing a noise, raised his head, and to his great terror, saw just in advance, an Indian, standing by a tree, with a gun in his hand, and a dog by his side. The Indian, who doubtless had concluded to have some sport with the boys, without intending to harm them, remained silent, waiting for a good opportunity to accomplish his object. The other lad» were not long ignorant of his nresence ; and the next moment were upon their horses, dashing through the woods at full speed. The Indian thereupon blew a shrill whistle upon his charger, at the same time leveling his gun at the terrified boys. This was enough. Their fright was complete. The Indian uttering a fierce yell, and letting loose his dog, followed at full speed. This was too much ; first one, then another of their grists was thrown otF. Relieved of their burdens, and pressing forward, they were not long in leaving the Indian and his dog, far behind. The boys, however, did not in the

In 1820, Eden was surveyed into sections and quarter-sections by James T. Worthington, assisted by David Risdon. - In 1821, it was organized into a separate and distinct township, receiving its name from the quality of the soil, which is remarkably fertile, especially that which borders on Honey creek. The Jirst township election, was held the 4th of June, of the same year, at the house of John Searles.*

On the 6th of March, 1822, Selden Graves, ^r^^ practicing physician in the county, settled in Edea township, upon the farm where he now resides. His ride soon extended over the whole of Seneca, and occasionally into the adjoining counties of Huron and Crawford.

Eden now began to settle rapidly. The great fertility of the soil, attracted emigrants from various parts, especially from the state of New York ; and at the organization of the county in 1824, its population exceeded that of either of the other townships. In 1830, it contained 819 inhabitants ; in 1840, they had increased to 1471. It has since steadily augmented both in population and wealth ; numbering among its enterprising farmers - Richard Baker, George Denison, Thomas Baker, least relax their speed, until they arrived at the residence of a white man, on the Sandusky river, the only one throughout the whole distance,

Through his importunities, they reluctantly consented to return with him for their grists, which were found near the trail ; the Indian having blazed two trees against which he had placed them. On their return ftom the mill, they could not be induced to take the same rout ; but sought their homes by the circuitous way of Tyemochetee.

*The following was the successful ticket : David Clark, clerk ; John Welch, James Mathers, and Henry Craw, trustees ; Ira Holmes, and John Searles, overseers of the poor ; Daniel Pratt, and John Searles, fence-viewers ; John Searles, treasurer ; Hugh Welch, and Ira Holmes, appraisers ; Samuel Knapp, and John Welch, supervisors : Thomas Welch, constable.

In 1824, a town was surveyed in this township, where the Kilbourn road crosses Honey creek, to which the surveyor, Col. James Kilbourn, gave the name of Melmore. This word is a fantastic compound of the Latin 7?zeZ, which signifies honey, and the English adjective, more; from the circumstance of the ]>lace being situated upon Honey creek.*

This country and village to prove, Of pleasure and health the abode, Kind Nature has formed in her, love. And on her good children bestowed. The fees to her agents ore small. For titles in form which they give ; Then come, men of enterprise - all » Accept, and iu happiness live.

The land upon which this town is located, was entered at the Delaware land-office, by Case Brown, afterwards one of its proprietors. John C. Jones erected the first dwelling-house upon the plat. He died here, in 1828. The first public house was kept by Joshua D. Munsel, since deceased. The first store in this town was opened by Buckley Hutchins, who settled here, September 28th, 1824, where he has ever since resided. He hec^me first post-master, holding that office for several years, until succeeded by Philip J. Price, the present incumbent.

James M. Stevens, an early settler, became owner of many of the lots of land in this town, which, upon his death, in 1830, descended to his heirs. James Gray, William Ireland, Daniel M. Bate (for many years a practicing physician in this town) and John Larabertson, Esq., were also early settlers, and are still residents of the place.

Melmore is pleasantly situated, upon a high bank of the creek ; and may be considered one of the healthiest villages in the county. Its population in 1830, was 77. It has since increased to 250. It contains forty dwellings, two stores, two

The country will cherish you here. Come, taste the Melmorean springs, Possess the Melmorean lands, Wealth, honor, and pleasure they'll bring, To strengthen your hearts and your hands.

So healthy the country is, round. That doctors have little to do ; So moral the people are found, They live v^^ithout mhiislcrs, too : So honest our neighbors we call, So peaceful and happy at home. They've need of no lawyers at all. And none are desired to come.

taverns, two tailor's-shops, three shoe-shops, three blacksmith'sshops, one cabinet shop, one saddler and one carriage-shop. - It contains also, one Presbyterian, and one Methodist Episcopal church. At the raising of the latter, on the 16th of July, 1836, Amroy Butterfield, father of the writer, was instantly killed by the falling of a bent.

Chapter Vii

About the 1st of July, 1&^13, a detachment of men, under the command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, erected a stockade upon the west bank .of the Sandusky river, within the present limits of Pleasant township, in this county, to which was given the name of " Camp Seneca^

It was situated upon a bank, about forty feet above the bed of the- river, close to the old army road ; and containing within the enclosure an acre and a half of ground. It was built nearly in the form of a square, surrounded by pickets consisting of oak timbers, a foot in thickness, and twelve feet high. - Between the ground and the river, are several springs of water ; to, and around one of which, the pickets extended.

On the east side of the camp, were two rows of pickets, about six feet apart, the space being filled with dirt. On the south was a single row of pickets; and a little beyond, is a deep ravine, between which and the camp an embankment was thrown up, which is still partially visible. On the west, was a single row of pickets, with a ditch about six feet deep, and twelve feet wide. On the north, there was likewise a deep ditch with an embankment, upon the top of which were placed the pickets.

which remain. It consisted of large logs, with port-holes for cannon and small arms, and was located in such a manner as to completely command the ditch. There was a projection at the north-east corner, strongly picketed, probably used as a magazine; and two small block-houses, at each of the other corners, with port-holes.*

Previous to the building of this camp, and while at Franklinton, in .Tune, 1813, General Harrison held a council with the chiefs of the friendly Indians, of the Delaware, Shawanese Wyandot utid Seneca tribes, in which he stated to them that the time had arrived for all those who were willing to engage in the w^ar, "to take a decided stand for or against the United States'" - that the president wished no false friends - that the proposal of Proctor to exchange the Kentucky militia for the tribes incur friendship, indicated thrit he had received some hint of their willingness, to take up the tomahawk against us ; and that to give the United States a proof of their good disposition, they must remove with their families into the interior, or the warriors must accompany him in the ensuing campaign, and fight for the United States. To the latter condition, the chiefs and warriors unanimously agreed ; and said they had long been anxious for an invitation to fight for the Americans. Tarhe, the oldest Indian in the western country, who represented all the tribes, professed in their name the most indissoluble friendship for the United States. General Harrison then told them he would let them know when they would be wanted in the service : " but you must conform to our mode of warfare. You are not to kill defenseless prisoners, old men, women, or children." He added, that by their conduct he w^ould be able to tell, whether the British could restrain the Indians from such

* The land upon which Camp Seneca was built, is now owned by Joel Risdon, and R. M. Titus. It is about nine miles from Lower Sandusky, and one mile south of the northern boundary of the county.

horrible cruelty. For if the Indians fighting with him, would forbear such conduct, it would prove, that the British could also restrain theirs if they wished to do it. He humorously told them he had been informed that General Proctor had promised to deliver him into the hands of Tecumthe, if he succeeded against Fort Meigs, to be treated as that warrior might think proper.* "Now, if I can succeed in taking Proctor, you shall shall have him for your prisoner, provided you will agree to treat him as a squaw, and only put petticoats upon him ; for he must be a coward who would kill a defenseless prisoner, "f

In the month of June, while at Franklinton, General Harrison was informed that Fort Meigs was again invested. Although he doubted the intention of the enemy to attack that place, at this time, he promptly started a reinforcement to its relief, and on the 28th, reached there in person. It proved to be a false alarm, and the general returned to Lower Sandusky, on the first of July, and on the following day set off* for Cleveland, on business connected with the public stores, and the building of boats for transporting the army across the lake. - On the 23d, a body of eight hundred Indians were seen to pass Fort Meigs, for the purpose, it was supposed, of attacking Fort Winchester. Two days afterwards, the British and Indians appeared in great numbers before Fort Meigs, then commanded by General Clay. In the meantime. Captain Oliver, accompa-

* VTe find the following note in Dawson, on this subject : "There is no doubt that when Proctor made the arrangement for the attack on Fort Meigs with Tecumthe, the latter insisted, and the former agreed, that General Harrison, and all who fought at Tippecanoe, should be given up to the Indians to be burned. Major Ball, of the dragoons ascertained this fact from the prisoners, deserters and Indians, all of whom agreed toils truth."

On the supposition that this statement be true, it proves that Tecumthe meditated the violation of the agreement he made with General Harrison, at Vincennes, in ISIO, that in the event of a war, prisoners, and women and children should be protected. On no other occasion is he known to have departed from the spirit of his engagement, nied by Captain McCune, was sent to apprise the commanderin-chief of the fact ; and reached him at Lower Sandusky, with certain information that the united force of the enemy, principally Indians, was not less than five thousand - a greater number than had ever before assembled on any occasion during the war. General Harrison, with remarkable accuracy of judgment, as the result proved, came to the conclusion, that this investment of Fort Meigs was a feint, m.ade by the enemy, to call his attention to that place, while Lower Sandusky or Cleveland, was really the point on which the next attack would be made. He immediately removed his head-quarters to Camp Seneca, nine miles above Lower Sandusky. From this place he could fall back and protect Upper Sandusky, or pass by a secret rout, to the relief of Fort Meigs - two points to be defended - Lower Sandusky being of comparatively little importance. Major Croghan was left at Lower Sandusky, with one hundred and sixty regulars, for the defense of Fort Stephenson. There were about six hundred troops at Camp Seneca - a force too small to advance upon Fort Meigs. Captain Mc- Cune was sent back to General Clay, with the information, that as early as the commander-in-chief could collect a sufficient number of troops, he would relieve the fort. The day after the return of the express, the enemy raised the siege. - As had been anticipated by General Harrison, the British sailed round into Sandusky Bay, while the Indians marched across the swamps of Portage river, to aid in the projected attack on Lower Sandusky.

As early as the 21st of April, of this year. General Harrison, in a letter to the secretary of war, in speaking of the ulterior operations of the campaign, remarked : "I shall cause the movements of the enem.y to be narrowly watched ; but in the event of their landing at Lower Sandusky, that post cannot be saved. I will direct it in such an event to be evacuated. -

The stores there are not of much consequence, excepting about five hundred stand of arms, which I will cause to be removed as soon as the roads are practicable - at present it is impossible." These arms were subsequently removed. Just before the express from Fort Meigs reached General Harrison, he in company with Major Croghan and other officers, had examined Fort Stephenson, and concluded that it could not be defended against heavy artillery ; and, if the British should approach it by water - which would raise a presumption, that they h-ad brought their heavy artillery - the fort must be abandoned and burnt, provided a retreat could be effected with safety. In the orders left with Major Croghan, it was stated : - " Should the British troops approach you in force with cannon, and you can discover them in time to effect a retreat, you will do so immediately, destroying all the public stores.* You must be aware, that the attempt to retreat in the face of an Indian force, would be vain. Against such an enemy, your garrison would be safe, however great the number."

On the 2Sth, General Harrison was informed that the siege of Fort Meigs had been abandoned. The scouts sent out by him, reported that from the indications, they believed an attack was meditated by the Indians, then lying in numbers on the south side of Fort Meigs, upon Upper Sandusky. Upon this information, a council of war was called, composed of Mc Arthur, Cass, Ball, Paul, Wood, Hukill, Holmes and Graham, Who were unanimously of opinion, that as Fort Stephenson was untenable against heavy artillery, and as it was relatively an unimportant post, that the garrison should not be reinforced, but withdrawn, and the place destroyed. The following order was forthwith sent to Major Croghan : " Sir : Immediately on receiving this letter, you will abandon Fort Stephen- son, set fire to it, and repair with your command this night to head-quarters. Cross the river, and come up on the other side. If you should find, or deem it impracticable to make good your march to this place, take the road to Huron, and pursue it with the utmost circumspection and dispatch." The bearer of this dispatch losing his way, it did not reach Major Croghan until eleven o'clock of the next day. The major was then of opinion that he could not retreat with safety, as the Indians were around the fort, in considerable numbers. A majority of his officers concurred in the opinion that to retreat was unsafe, and that the post could be maintained at least until further instructions were received from head-quarters. The major, therefore, promptty returned the following answer : " Sir : I have just received yours of yesterday, ten o'clock, P. M., ordering me to destroy this place, and make good my retreat, which was received too late to be carried into execution. We have determined to maintain this place, and, by Heavens, we can." - The strong language of this note, was used on the supposition that it might fall into the hands of the enemy. It reached the general on the same day, who, not fully understanding the motives under which it was written, sent Colonel Wells next morning, escorted by Colonel Ball, and a detachment of dragoons, with the following order :

*' Sir - The general has just received your letter of this date, informing him that you had thought proper to disobey the order issued from this office, and delivered to you this morning. It appears that the information which dictated the order was incorrect ; and as you did not receive it in the night, as was expected, it might have been proper that you should have reported the circumstance and your situation, before you proceeded to its execution. This might have been passed over ; but I am directed to say to you, that an officer who presumes to aver, that he has made his resolution, and that he will act in direct opposition to the orders of his general, can no longer be intrusted with a separate command. Colonel

Wells is sent to relieve you. You will deliver the command to him, and repair with Colonel Ball's squadron, to this place. By command, &c. "A. H. HOLMES, Ass't. Adjutant General."

In passing down, the dragoons met with a party of twenty Indians, and killed seventeen of them. When Major Croghan reached head-quarters, he explained to the general his motives in writing the note, which were deemed satisfactory. In the mean-time, the scouts had reported to General Harrison, that the Indians had not gone in the direction of Upper Sandusky. Upon receiving this information. Major Croghan was directed to resume his post, with written instructions of the same import as had been previously given.

On the evening of the 31st of July, some scouts sent out by General Harrison, discovered the British within twenty miles of Fort Stephenson, approaching the place by water. It was after twelve o'clock, however, on the next day, August 1st, before these scouts, in returning to Camp Seneca, by Lower Sandusky, communicated this information to Major Croghan, and in a few hours afterwards the fort was actually invested by the British and Indians. A flag was now sent from the enemy demanding a surrender. The messenger was informed that the commandant and garrison were determined to defend it to the last extremity. The attack was promptly commenced, and gallantly sustained. The result was glorious to the American arms, and covered the gallant Croghan and his officers and men, with honor. Only one man was killed, and but seven wounded, belonging to the garrison. The loss of the enemy was not less than one hundred and fifty, in killed and wounded.

General Harrison, when informed of the attack on Fort Stephenson, paused before moving to its relief. He was hourly expecting considerable reinforcements from the interior, but had not with him at Camp Seneca, a disposable force of more than eight hundred men, the fifth of whom were cavalry, who, in the thick woods extending the greater part of the way, between that place and Lower Sandusky, would have been of little use. The remainder of these eight hundred men were raw recruits. To have marched upon an enemy, several thousand strong, with such a force, would, in all human probability, have resulted in its total destruction. Again, in moving to Fort Stephenson, he must necessarily leave the camp at Seneca with one hundred and fifty sick soldiers in it, exposed to the Indian tomahawk ; while Upper Sandusky, at which were ten thousand barrels of flour, besides other supplies of public stores, indispensable for the main objects of the campaign, was equally liable to be attacked and destroyed by Tecumthe, who, with two thousand warriors, was then lying in the swamp, between that point and Fort Meigs, ready to strike upon either Camp Seneca or Upper Sandusky, in the event of General Harrison's moving to Fort Stephenson. Under these circumstances, he was bound by every military principle, to retain that position in which he could, with the most certainty, accomplish the best results. He therefore determined to wait, for a time, at least, the progress of events, hoping that reinforcements would arrive before the fort could be reduced. On the night of the 2d, he was informed that the enemy was retreating, and early next morning having in the night been reinforced by three hundred Ohio militia, he set out for the fort attended by the dragoons, and directing the remainder of the disposable force to follow under Generals Cass and McArthur. Upon reaching the fort, the general was told by a wounded sergeant of the British troops, that Tecumthe was in the swamp, south of Fort Meigs, ready to strike at Upper Sandusky, on the first opportunity. This information, corroborative of what he had before heard, induced the commander-in-chief to direct General Mc-

[n his official report of this aflair, General Harrison said : " It will not be among the least of General Proctor's mortifications to find that he has been baffled by a youth, who has just passed his twenty-first year. He is, however, a hero worthy of his gallant uncle, George R. Clark." The president immediately conferred the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel, on Major Croghan.

Shortly afterwards an attack was made in some public prints upon the conduct of General Harrison, in regard to the defense of Fort Stephenson. Major Croghan promptly replied to it, by forwarding to a newspaper in Cincinnati, a communication under date of Lower Sandusky, August 27th, 1813, in which he gives the reason already stated, for disobeying General Har-" rison's order to destroy the fort, and retreat to Camp Seneca, and says :

*' I have with much regret seen in some of the public prints, such misrepresentations respecting my refusal to evacuate this post, as are calculated not only to injure tne in the estimation of military men, but also to excite unfavorable impressions as to the propriety of General Harrison's conduct relative to this affair.

" His character as a military man is too well established to need my approbation or support. But his public services entitle him at least to common justice. This affair does not furnish cause of reproach. If public opinion has been lately misled respecting his late conduct, it will require but a moment's cool, dispassionate reflection, to convince them of its propriety. The measures recently adopted by him, so far from deserving censure, are the clearest proofs of his keen penetration and able generalship."

"It would be insincere to say that I am not flattered by the many handsome things which have been said about the defense which was made by the troops under my command ; but I desire no plaudits which are bestowed upon me, at the expense of General Harrison.

" I have at all times enjoyed his confidence, so far as my rank in the army entitled me to it. And on proper occasions received his marked attention. I have felt the warmest attachment for him as a man, and my confidence in him as an ahle commander remains unshaken. I feel every assurance that he will at all times, do me ample justice ; and nothing could give me more pain than to see his enemies seize upon this occasion to deal out their unfriendly feelings and acrimonious dislike - and as long as he continues (as in my humble opinion he has hitherto done) to make the wisest arrangements and most judicious disposition, which the forces under his command will justify, I shall not hesitate to unite with the army in bestowing upon him that confidence which he so richly merits, and which has on no occasion been withheld."