Sharon Township (part 1 of 2)

Sharon Township

SHARON TOWNSHIP was created out of Blooming Grove, February 9, 1819, and included one-half the territory now within the boundaries of Jackson Township. In the rage for county seats, which reduced Richland County to its present limits, Sharon was reduced to its present size, four by six miles, in the western and northern part of the county.

Next to Madison, it contains the largest town in the county, Shelby. The land is all tillable and of fine quality. The eastern portion is well watered b}' the Black Fork and its tributaries, which traverse its entire length, from south to north ; and Paramour Run, which passes from east to west across the southwest corner.

Near its center, running north and south, the land is elevated, forming the dividing ridge between the head- waters of the Muskingum and those of the Sandusky River. The larger part of the township slopes gently to the north.

Two railroads, the Cleveland. Columlnis, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, and the Mansfield. Coldwater & Lake Michigan pass diagonally across it ; crossing each other near its center.

A well-worn Indian trail passed across the township, its general direction being northeast, in the direction of Lower Sandusky (Fremont). The Delaware, Wyandot and Seneca Indians generally used this territory as a huntingground ; and a portion of one of these tril^es had a permanent camp on a branch of the Black Fork, about two miles, a little west of south of the present town of Shelby. This camp, consisting of ten or a dozen Indians, under the lead of Johnnj-cake, remained here until about the year 1828, when the}- left, never to return. A trail passed through this encampment, from Mansfield to a DelaAvare camp (probabl}' Wingenund's) on the head-waters of the Sandusky River, near Leesville. So far as known, this was the only permanent Indian camp within the limits of the township, though evidence exists, here and there, of temporary camps for hunting purposes. The great wave of the sea of civilization has long since l)lotted out all external evidences of Indian occupation, except here and there the plow yet turns up some

Probably the first road opened by white men into the wilderness of Sharon, followed this Indian trail from Mansfield, and was cut hj Uriah Matson and the Currans, who were among the first settlers in what is now Jackson Township. However, about the same time, or soon after, a road was cut from Beall's trail to Ganges, and from there into the northern part of Sharon, where Shelb}' was afterward established. It was hj these two roads that the first settlers entered the township, about the year 1818.

The following, regarding the early settlement, appeared some years ago in the Shelby News, written, it is understood, b}' Mr. Rockwell, of that place :

'' Tbe first settlers within the present limits of Sharon Township were Eli Wilson, Henry Whitney and Stephen Marvin, who came in the fall of 1818. Mr. Wilson's cabin was erected on the east side of South Gamble street, on the second lot south from the west side of the public square. It is perhaps the highest point of land in Shelby, with a gentle slope toward the Black Fork, that immediatel}' south sweeps around to the east, before turning on its northward course through Shelbj*.

" Mr. Marvin erected his cabin on the same day, near the present Marvin mansion, a;t the crossing of the Cleveland, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad, at Gamble street. Between the two, on the west side of Gamble street, and near the northwest corner of Gamble and Mill streets, Mr. Whitne}' erected his cabin.

" The country was then a wilderness - heavily timbered, with thick underbrush, beneath which, in springtime, magnificent wild flowers bloomed, giving the forest a delightful appearance.

" At this time - 1818 - there were no settlements west of Shelby, and beyond lay the Wyandot Reservation, on which the Indians roamed at will. The Wyandots, Delawares, Senecas, Mohicans, and other Indian tribes, inhabited the region to the west of these hardy settlers, and paid them frequent friendly visits.

" At one time, while these families were enjoying the hospitalities of Giles Swan, a still earlier pioneer, I'esiding within the bounds of what is now Jackson Township, before the}* had Ijeen enalDled to clear away enough of the forest on which to erect their respective cabins, a band of ten or twelve Indians came to the residence of Mr. Swan, several of whom were well known to him. One was named '- Jacob," and another of them " Williams," the latter being quite intelligent, speaking English quite well.

" The Indians had been well supplied with ' fire-water,' as were also all those eark settlers. After the usual greetings were exchanged, and the bottle passed, both whites and Indians drinking therefrom, and getting a little warmed up, it was proposed that the Indians give an exhibition of the war dance. At first, the}- objected, alleging a want of preparation, paint, feathers, etc., but finally- consented. A fire was kindled in the open space before the cabin. One old Indian took a seat on a log. and being furnished with a clapboard, which he placed on his knees, he commenced a song in the Indian language, keeping time on the clap)joard with his knife and hatchet, while the others ranged themselves around the fire, commenced the war dance, yelling like demons, gesticulating furiously-, and leaping around in the most grotesque and violent manner.

" The subject of the Indian song, as he informed the settlers, was the ancient exploits of his tribe in war, and their triumphs over their enemies. It was, in fact, an epic poem in the Indian ^-ernacular, and, although no doubt far below our standard in point of merit, yet it is

" After the Indians had conchided their dance, they proposed that the whites should dance in their fashion, and they would join. Accordingly the whites formed ' on the floor,' to dance the ' French four.' Two Indians danced, one with ^Miss ]Moyer, the mother of the late Mrs. Stephen Marvin, and the other with jMrs. Swan. The Indians unexpectedly proved to be very graceful dancers. After each dance, the bottle was freely passed around, and the dance was kept up until the wee sma' hours of morning. The music was furnished bj- the white women, who sang the tunes.

" This incident occurred at a cabin near the cross-roads, two xniles east of Shelby, and is here given as an illustration of early times in the history of our pioneers, and was vouched for as entirely correct, by some of those who were witnesses to it.

" The forest abounded in game of all kinds, especially deer and turkeys. The Indians were constantly passing and repassing, on the 'trail' leading from an Indian town on the lower Black Fork to Lower Sandusky, and on smaller trails from the cabins of settlers, to the road leading from rianges to Mansfield. They traded with the early settlers for venison and furs, taking blacksmith work and ' necessaries ' in exchange therefor.

" The Indians also engaged in other amusements with the whites, such as running footraces with them, locking fingers and pulling to see which could hold out the longest. The whites could usually outrun the Indians for a short distance, but the latter could hold out the longest, while the whites invariably proved the strongest in their fingers. No murders were committed by the Indians in this vicinity.

"When John Graml)le came, he erected a horse-mill on the corner where the Kerr & Marvin Block now stands. Levi Bargaheiser, the late Jay Smile}' and otHers soon followed."

Though the early settlers of Sharon, as well as the larger part of Richland County, came mostly from Western Pennsylvania, yet a small " sprinkling " were New England people. The " Reserve " in Northern Ohio, at that time owned by the State of Connecticut, was the means of bringing large numbers of Connecticut " Yankees," with their peculiar ways and indomitable push and energy, passion for money-getting and enterprise, to Ohio. These people did not all settle on Connecticut lands, but pushed on into the northern townships of Richland County, and the northern part of Sharon received a small portion of them. The Whitneys, Marvins, Swans, Wilsons, Smileys, and proljably the Rockwells, Hunters and others, were all from New England, and were among the earliest settlers. These people were intelligent, generally well educated, and formed a valuable ingredient in the first settlement of the township.

Among the early settlers were Christopher Wetz, John Rice, Joseph Cox and John Kerr, the latter of whom erected the first blacksmithshop in the township in 1826, and later erected two of the first mills.

When the township was organized, in 1819. all the residents met at the house of Mrs. Rockwell, which stood on the farm now owned by ]M. M. Barber. Fourteen persons were present, and after the petition was duly signed they appointed jMr. Henry Taylor to present it to the Commissioners at Mansfield. The petition was granted and the new township named Sharon, after some town in Connecticut. At the election held in April, 1823, fourteen voters were present, viz.: Giles H. Swan, John B. Taylor. Joseph Curran, Eli Wilson, Almon Hayes. Harvey Camp, Henry Whitney, IMathew Curran, James Smith, Adam Swan, James Kerr, James Rockwell, Levi Bargaheiser and De Lanson Rockwell, most of whom resided within the present limits of Jackson Township. From these fourteen persons, seventeen officers were chosen. Two Democratic, or, as then called.

The elections were originalh' held for Sharon as the}' are now for Jackson, at Taylor" s Corners. Henry Taylor's house was the place of public meetings, elections and militia trainings. In an early day, long l.iefore the town of Shell\v was thought of, the trail before mentioned was cut from Mansfield along the Indian trail, which followed up the Rock}- Fork, and diverging near Spring Mill, crossed to the head-waters of the Black Fork, up which it followed to where Shelby is now located, and continuing on north, connected with Beall's trail at PhTnouth. About 1815 or a little later, a road was also cut by the early settlers, diverging from Beall's trail near Shenandoah, passing through Trucksville, to the present site of Shelby. This road probably followed an Indian trail part of the wa}-. This Indian trail was a branch of the main trail (the "trunk line," ), which followed the general course of the Black Fork for a short distance, and was the great highway of the Indians between their villages on the Sandusky River and Plains to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh). This branch trail left the main trail near the northern line of Franklin Township, and taking a course a little south of west, passed through the present site of Shelby, and on to the Delaware town on the head-waters of the Sandusky River, near Leesville. The crossing of these two roads at Shelby probalily had an influence in determining its location. Along this trail came the early settlers of the northern part of Jackson and Franklin Townships, and also the ^Marvins, Wilsons and Whitnej'S, who settled in the northern part of Sharon. Other settlers from AVestern Pennsylvania came along the road from Mansfield, hence at the point on the Black Fork where Shelby now stands, these Western emigrants met. and here a settlement sprang up.

the corner now occupied b}' Kerr & 3Iarvin's drug store. Dr. Bushnell, of ^lansfield, says he was often called to attend the pioneers in the vicinit}' of Shelby, in their sickness, and long before an}' town was laid out the place was known as " Gamble's Mill."" The mill was built of logs and run by horse-power. Those who brought grists to this mill usually ground it themselves. They would hitch their horses or oxen to the sweep, grind their gi'ist, and Ijolt it by hand. Gamble purchased the land upon which he erected his mill and cabin, of Eli Wilson, who had entered it. The Gamliles were intelligent people and good citizens. Hugh Gamble, a brother of John, is yet living near Shelby, at an advanced age. He was a member of the Legislature, and a man of strength and influence. Among the earliest settlers gathered about Gamble's ]Mill, were Mr. Raymond, Leonard May, Rev. Hubbard Du Bois, and a family by the name of Gump.

Gen. Wilson erected the first saw-mill on the Black Fork, about the time Gamble erected his gi"ist-mill. This saw-mill was in operation many years.

John Kerr came to Sharon in 1826, settling on Section 29, where, in 1829, he erected a gi'ist-mill, and afterward, in 1833, a saw-mill. David Kerr was the fii'st miller in the gristmill. It was destroyed by fire in 1875.

He first erected a horse-mill in the southeastern part of the township, and afterward two water-mills, one of which was located on what is now the Post farm. These mills were in operation a numlier of years.

In 1839, John A. Duncan erected a grist-mill on the Black Fork, at Shelby. It was propelled liy water at first, but steam was afterward added. It ran only about ten or twelve years. The same building is now used as a carriage factorv bv Sheffler & Barkdall.

Heath Brothers' mill, yet running, was erected about 1844, by McMillen & Lowery. It is propelled by steam, and always did a large business and excellent work. Its capacity is two to three hundred bushels of wheat per day.

The " Junction Mill," one of the largest in Northern Ohio, was erected about 1870, and is located at the junction of the two raili-oads, about one-half mile north of the town. The mill was erected by Morse, Anderson & Co. It is now conducted by Messrs. Fish & Storer, and has a capacity of more than one thousand bushels of wheat per day. The quality of flour produced by this mill, is not, probably, excelled by any in the country, and the mill is continually run to its fullest capacity.

Hon. S. S. Bloom thus writes regarding the early history of Shelby, and of the public schools: " The town of Shelby was laid out by John Gamble, in June, 1834, as appears from the original plat on file. The lots laid out b}' him were all south of Main street - numl^er one being that on which the Mickey Block now stands. Afterward, Henry Whitney laid out that part of the town north of Main and south of Mill streets. Aliout twenty years later, Mr. Eli Wilson laid out " East Shelby " in part, to which additions were made until it reached its present proportions.

'- Mr. Whitne}', who was a ])lacksmith. had his shop in front of his residence or cabin, on the lot now occupied bj- the residence of Dr. William E. Bricker.

"A post office was established in 1828, and John Gamble was the first Postmaster. It was called at first Gamble's Mills. At what particular time the name was changed to Slielln', the writer does not know. Imt not far from the year 1840. The town was called Shelby in honor of Gov. Shelby, of Kentuck}-, who had rendered valuable services in the Indian wars preceding the first settlement of the whites. It was suggested b}' Mr. Charles C. Post, who then resided within the villaoe.

" The first building in Shelby, after it was laid out, was erected by a Dr. Byers, on Lot No. 1, where the Mickey Block now stands. It was a hewed-log cabin, about 16x24 feet, and was used b}- him as a doctor's office. The next was a schoolhouse, mentioned elsewhere, on the opposite side of the street, north ; while the next was on the east side of Gamble street, where the ' Union Block,' now stands, erected hj John A. Duncan, and was occupied as a ' tavern.' Thus were the west side ' Four Corners ' first occupied. ' Four Corners,' was the name b}^ which the embr^'o village was known for miles around.

" During the three years succeeding the first settlement, the influx of new settlers continued, so that a school was needed. The schoolhouse was accordingly erected in 1821, over the run, as it was then called, and somewhere near the present residence of Mr. F. Dennis, in ' Texas.' It was a log-cabin schoolhouse, as were all the buildings then erected. Miss Debby Moyer, the grandmother of Hiram Marvin, now residing in Shelby, was the teacher. The terms fixed were ' 9 shillings per week and board herself During the second term of the school, the cal)in was burned, and a new site was selected, on the northwest corner of Main and Gamble streets, opposite the Mickey Block. The Imilding erected here, like its predecessor, was a log calnn, and not a pretentious one either, liut it served the purpose until 1831, when it, too, became the victim of fire. The third and last one of the log-cabin series was on the spot Avhere now stands the barn of Mrs. Benjamin Arten. During those years, the Black Fork Settlement had taken the name of ' Gaml)le's Mills," after the name of the post office established in the mean time.

upon the 'west road.' Accordingl}-, in 1835, Jay Smiley, Esq., granted a free lease of ground on the corner of North and Gamble streets, on the spot where the residence of J. J. Smiley now stands, for a schoolhouse, and a frame building' was erected thereon. The building is still standing, having been sold within the past few j-ears to ]Mr. John Schmidt, who now resides in it, on the east side of West street. Into this building, when completed, were moved the desks and five-legged benches formerly in the old one.

" The desks were arranged around the walls on the inside in true primitive style. In this ' new ' schoolhouse first appeared a tin-plate stove, instead of the more primitive fire-place. That particular stove was cast at the ' jMary Ann Furnace,' wherever that was.

" Time in this, as in many other things, made constant warfare on things of the past, and soon the old-fashioned slab seats and desks gave way to the more modern desks and seats combined. Finally, a blackboard, a ten-days wonder in its time, came into vogue, and for a long time it was thought a wonderful feat to walk up to that, work a ' sum ' and demonstrate the same upon it.

" Fi'om that still comparative!}' earl}' date to the year 1850, but little improvement was noticeable in the schools. About that time, the question of taxation of property in support of public schools was agitated. The Legislature, during the years 1851-52-53, passed the Ohio free-school law, considered by many eminent educators the best in the Union, dating from May 3, 1853.

" After the building of the Mansfield, Sandusky & Newark railroad through Shelby in 1846, East Shelb}' began to ccAitest for supremacy over the west side, a new schoolhouse became necessary, and was accordingly erected in 1849 on the site now occupied by the Christian Church, near the corner of Broadway and Depot streets.

" In 1855, the town had grown to such an extent that two new schoolhouses were made necessary, and the buildings now used for primary and secondary school purposes were erected at a cost of about $1,400 each, and the older schoolhouses were disposed of for other purposes.

"Another ten years rolled around, and in 1864, a central or high-school building became a necessit}'. Gen. Eli AVilson offered to sell the site for that purpose, on which, since that date, has been erected the new brick edifice.

" Following the erection of this, came grading of the schools. Excelsior having been early written upon the banner of Shelby educators. Though imperfect at first, this finall}' culminated in the present admirable system adopted in 1869, the Board being then composed of Hiram JMarvin, S. S. Bloom and George W. Billow, who passed the following resolution :

" ' Any scholar completing the course of study prescribed shall be entitled to a certificate of graduation,' since which time, a number of Shelby pupils have secured the honor of gi'aduates of the Shelby High School.

" The enumeration of 3'outh in Shelby between the ages of five and twenty-one years, rose from 304 in 1857, to 523 in 1864. In 1874, it had increased to 615.

" At present, there are ten teachers and one superintendent, and about five huntked pupils in daily attendance in the schools of Shelby. At an election held March 22, 1880, the Board of Education was increased in number from three to six members.

" The final improvement in the system of Shelby schools was the erection of the large brick edifice which now stands out in liold relief among the man}' handsome buildings which gi-ace the streets of Shelby.

'- On June 26, 1872, while Messrs. E. S. Close, Hiram Marvin and N. H. Loose composed the Board of Education, a proposition was submitted a second time, after having ouce before

History Of Richland Couxty

"Preparations were immediatel}' made, and the work on the building commenced al)out Oetol)er 1, 1874, and it was finally completed about January 1, 1876.

-- The building is 82 feet 8 inches long, G7 feet deep, and the walls are 42 feet 8 inches high, above the ground. A recess at each side, the same width as the hall in the center, permits light and ventilation at three sides of every room. It has two gable ends to the front, and one at each side, giving it quite an imposing appearance, its size being considered.

-'The building has four large schoolrooms below, 15 feet in height, and on the second floor, west side, is the grand assembly-room, 17 feet high in the clear, occupying the whole west side of the building, capable of seating about GOO persons.

" On the east side of the high-school room, superior to many college rooms, also occupying nearly the whole east side, a recitation-room, and Superintendent's room, only, taken from it.

" The building is plainly but substantially built. The base, 8 feet in the clear, is built of cut stone, on which rests the substantial brick wall, nearly 35 feet high. It is warmed by two furnaces, placed in the basement, where are also several nicely paved play-rooms. Each schoolroom is Avell ventilated, and heated by several registers in each, while abundant light flows in at three sides of each room from numerous windows. Each also has a wash and cloak room attached. The rooms are seated

Shelby High School

" The contract was originally let to Messrs. AYoodward & Son for $22,999. but a few extras run it up to $24,1 73.69. The furnaces, seats, bell, etc., brought up the cost to $26,082.16.

'' It was dedicated with imposing ceremonies, January 17, 1876, and was occupied the next day. One of the speakers upon that occasion said, that now the foundation had been laid for substantial progress in schools for the next quarter of a century, and splendid results might be expected. The buildings, he claimed, exemplified the character of the community -

" Mr. H. M. Dick volunteered to act as architect and superintendent of construction free of charge, and to him is the village no little indebted for the s u 1) s t a n t i a 1 manner in which it was erected, as well as to Messrs. Hiram Marvin, Thomas Marvin and Rev. N. H. Loose, who then composed the Board."

The first "meeting-house" in Shelb}- and Sharon Townships was the old log Methodist, located on Jay Smiley's land within the present limits of Shelb}' ; and the first preacher was the well-known Harry 0. Sheldon. Russell Bigelow was also one of the earliest preachers here. These two men Avent about all over this section of the State establishing churches and preaching to the pioneers whenever and wherever thev could get two, three or more together. A few of the original members of this class Avere A. \. Courtright, James Courtright, Mr.

Mr. Smiley donated ground and was influential in erecting the church. This building was erected about 1820, and answered the purpose until 1842, when the present frame building was erected, on the corner of Gaml^le and North streets. The present Pastor is Dr. A. Nelson, and the membership about two hundi-ed.

A Sunday school was organized about 1834, l:)y Charles Post, who was the first Superintendent. This school has been continued ever since, and at present the attendance is about one hundred and fifty. Dr. J. M. Ballard is Superintendent.

Up to 1854, this class belonged to what was known as the " Plymouth Circuit ;" after that, it became part of " Shelbj- Circuit," consisting of Shelb}', Pleasant Glrove and Mount Pleasant. In 1863, it became a station.

The Presb3'terian Church of Shelby is located on South Brcfadway. It had its origin at Taylor's Corners in Jackson Township, and was among the first organizations in that part of the count}'. The first meetings of this societjwere held about the 3-ear 1822 or 1823, at the cabin of Mr. Smith. Five persons beside jMr. Smith attended this meeting ; these were Mr. Camp, John Kerr, John 31. McClintock, Mr. Cummins and Aaron Rambo. These petitioned the Presljytery for an organization, which was gTanted. This little society heard preaching oecasionalty at the cabins of its members, but was not regularly organized until 1831. At that date, they met in the JMethodist log church at Shelby, and were organized by Rev. G. WolflT. About this time, or a little later, they erected a log church on John Kerr's farm, but for some reason did not occupy it, and in 1834 erected a frame church near the site of the present building. Thej' were unal)le to finish this church immediately, and held their meetings and organized their Sunday school some time before the building was inclosed. In 1835, Moses Louthan, Calvin Clark (yet living), and Jesse Kerr (who died about a 3'ear ago), were added to the church.

Their ministers, after Wolff", were Rev. Willam Mathews, in 1834 ; Nathaniel Cobb, 1836 ; Robert Lee, 1837. From 1838 to 1841, they were only occasionally supplied. Luther Dodd came to them in 1841, dividing his time for six years between this and the church at Rome, and giving his entire time to this church for three years more. Mr. Dodd went away in 1851, after which the pulpit was supplied occasionall}' by John M. Ferris, Luke Dorland and William McMillen, a licentiate, until 1856, when the Rev. J. A. Marquis was regulai'l}- called, remaining two years. Following Mr. Marquis, came R. R. Moore, in 1858, remaining until 1864. In 1865, Rev. J. K. Kost took charge, and was followed in 1859 by W. W. Anderson. Mr. Anderson was followed in 1877 b}' the present minister. Rev. J. W. Thompson.

The Sunday school was organized in 1834. Calvin Clark was the first Superintendent. This school has been continued until the present time, and now has a membership of one hundred and twenty, while the church memljership is about one hundred and ten.

The third religious societ}- in Sharon Township, and the first outside of the town of Shelb}-, was the Evangelical Lutheran, at present located on Section 11, two and a half miles west of Shelby.

The earliest meetings of this society were held in the cabin of Mr. Hocksmith, aliout the year 1830. In May, 1832, the church was organized by Rev. F. J. Ruth, who is yet living and preaching. During the same year, the society erected a log church, which stood until 1856, when the present frame building was erected at a cost of $2,000.

The first Evangelical Lutheran Church of Shelby was established nearly thirty 3'ears after the Myer's church, and both are, at present, under the pastoral care of Eev. D. Summers.

This church is located on the east side of North Broadway, and was organized January 31, 1860, by Rev. A. R. Brown. The first members of this organization were S. S. Bloom, John Hershiser, Sr., Abraham Bushey, Cornelius Fox, John Souder. Jacob Fletcher, Samuel Hershiser, Henry Bistline, John Hershiser, Jr., Elizabeth Bistline, Sarah Hershiser, Susan B. Martin, and Christina Bombaugh.

These members were mostly withdrawn from the society at Loudon. They organized and held services in the Glerman Reformed Church, at Shelby, until 1867, when they erected the present building at a cost of $6,000.

The Pastors have been A. R. Brown, D. Summers, J. F. Shearer, D. I. Foust, and D. Summers for a second time. The present membership of this church is 112.

The Sunday school was organized about 1863, and now has an average attendance of seventyfive or eighty members. S. S. Bloom has generally been Superintendent.

A Universalist Church was erected in Shelby in 1847. The principal members were Lemuel M- Raymond, Edwin Raymond, H. B. Gailord, Stephen Marvin, Levi Bargaheiser and A. B. Minnerly. The ministers were Rev. George R. Brown and Rev. Smead. This organization was kept up about twenty years.

The present United Bretlu'en Church of Shelb}", located on Washington street, was erected about 1857, and organized some 3'ears before by the Revs. Berry and Barlow.

The ministers who followed those above mentioned were Gideon Hoover^ D. W. Downey. William Mathews, Rev. Long, Rev. Bender, 0. H. Ramsey, Thomas Downej^ and Rev. 0. H. Brake, the present minister.

The Church of Christ (Disciple) of Shelby, is located on Broadway, and was organized in September, 1858, by Elder Benjamin Lockhart. Before this, however, meetings had been held in the house of -'Father Alleman."

The first members of this societj^ were Dr. C. McMillen and wife, and Jacob Cline and wife. These four individuals soon succeeded in getting thirty -one names, with which the organization was effected.

The ministers after Lockhart were Elder Stannard, Israel Belton, Henry Reeves, J. S. Hughes, C. W. Loose, E. A. Bosworth, John W. Lowe, J. S. Lowe, S. E. Spencer, L. R. Gault and the present minister, A. Burns. The present membership is 105.

The 3'ear following the erection of the church, a Sunday school was organized. Dr. C. Mc- Millen was the first Superintendent. It 3'et continues in a prosperous and healthy condition, with a meml^ership of al)out seventy-five. William Paul is present Superintendent.

Vernon Station, is one of tlie oldest in the count}'. It was organized as early as 1823 by Father Henni, at present Archbishop of Milwaukee, Wis.

The first members of this organization were Matthias Ulmcheider, Joseph Kurtzman, Joseph Wensinger, Heinrich Dollinger, John Ritshlin, Theobald Singer, Carl Sutter, Mr. Heitsman, Mr. Richerd, Sebastian Scheibley, Gottleib Schuble, John Brodmann, Joseph Miller, Morris Keller, Mr. Ebner, Mr. Hinsky, Frederick Christen, Nicholas Bieglin and John Bomgardner.

Forty acres of land, where the church stands, was entered, and the three first above named selected as Trustees, to whom this land was deeded.

In 1852, the present substantial and commodious brick church was erected, costing about $2,600. This building would have cost much more than this, had not much of the material and labor been gratiutously furnished. It is about 45x75 feet in size.

A beautiful cemetery is attached, and also a fine brick parsonage, costing about $2,000. The inside of the church is nicely finished ; the four altars costing about $1,200, and the organ $1,200. The church was erected during the ministry of the Rev. Peter Creusch. The ministers have been too numerous to receive mention here. Father Henni was followed by. Father Tchenhens, C. S. R., a celebrated missionar3^ The present Pastor is Rev. D. Zinsmayer, who entered upon his duties in 1877. The church is very strong numericalh' and financially, being located in what is known as the " German Settlement," a settlement of thrifty, well-to-do farmers, living many of them in substantial brick houses, with well-cultivated and very rich farms. The land is generally level and soil deep.

In 1838, a school was established by Father Tchenhens, the first teacher being Jacob Alex. At present the school is conducted b}' three Sisters as teachers, from the Franciscan Convent of Tiffin, Ohio, with an attendance of eighty pupils.

D. Best. The preliminary meetings of this society were held in the dwelling of W. E. Klees. The church was erected by Father Kuhn, and cost about $800. Father Kuhn was succeeded by Fathers Abel, Pitts, Gerardin, Euler, Zinzmayer, Schmitz and IMurphy. The present Pastor is F. J. Oberly. Fifty-six families constitute the present membership. The school was organized in 1877 by the present Pastor. There is now an average attendance of fortythree children.

The Reform'ed Church of Shelby is located on Church street. In 1851, Rev. Joseph B. Thompson was Pastor of the Reformed congregations in the vicinity of Shelby. He held evening ser\dces once in four weeks in the M.

E. Church. January 19, 1852, the first meeting to take measures for the erection of a church was held in the Exchange Hotel, William Hawk being chosen President, and Jacob Kuhn Secretary. William Hawk and John Strock were chosen Trustees, and they, with J. H. Hershiser and John Bauchman, were constituted the Building Committee.

The organization was eflfected with thirtyseven members ; Moses Crum and Samuel Nazor being elected Elders, and Jacob Kuhn Deacon. The day after the corner-stone was laid. Rev. J. B. Thompson resigned, and Rev. J. C. Klar supplied the congi-egation from June to the end of the year 1852. Rev. Adam Stump occasionally preached during the vacanc}'.

The following were subsequent Pastors of the church : Rev. H. Willard, from April 1, 1854, to April 1, 1857 ; Rev. H. Hess, until 1859 ; Rev. F. C. Edmonds, nine months. A vacanc}' of one j-ear aud three months occurred. Rev. D. W. Kelly tecame Pastor iVpril 1, 1861, continuing two years. During this time the bell was procured. A vacancy of four months followed. Rev. N. H. Loose took charge August 1, 1863, and continued fourteen years, ending- August 1, 1877. During his ministry, about $1,500 were expended in improving the building. The interior was frescoed and painted, a new pulpit erected, organ procured, etc., and 151 members added to the church. Mr. Loose also served at the same time the Reformed congregations at London and Granges, to which there were added, respectiA^ely, fifty and fortythree members. He also officiated at 174 funerals, solemnized 188 marriages, and preached 2,000 sermons.

Rev. C.W. Good followed Mr. Loose, beginning August 19, 1877, and continuing two years and one month. Mr. G-eorge Bowman has Ijeen chorister of the choir for sixteen years. At present, April, 1880, the congregation numbers about one hundred and twenty-five, and has a hopeful future. Rev. 0. E. Lake is Pastor.

A history of the press of Shell)y is, so far as success is concerned, Init a repetition of that of jNIansfield and other places in the county, and fully estaljlishes the fact that establishing a newspaper is a most precarious business. Success comes only through numerous failures, and those who finally succeed must fully earn and deserve their success.

The successful editor must certainly be qualified to appreciate the following sentiment of John Marston : "Through danger, safety comes - through trouble, rest."

So far as can he ascertained, the first paper in Shelby was issued by C. R. Brown, in 1858, and was called the Pioneer. It circulated freely and successfully at first, but soon adjourned sine die. The next paper was the Enterprise, issued in 1862 by Mr. Kenton, who was, in 1875, connected with the Marysville Democrat. This paper had a circulation of 300, and was in existence about a year. The Enterprise was purchased, in 1863, by Mr. S. S. Bloom, who in connection with Mr. Baltzley, of the Plymouth Advertiser, contemplated publishing the Express, but political diflferences arising, owing to the excitement engendered by the war, a dissolution of partnership occurred before the first number was issued. The Express was continued aliout one 3-ear.

During the next three years, Mr. Glover and Mr. Bloom issued " occasionally " a paper called the Gazette, which was continued until 1867, when the Shelby Chronicle made its appearance, published by Messrs. Young & Hill. This paper continued until October 12, 1868, when it was purchased by S. S. Bloom, and merged into the Shelby Independent JVeics. The 'first year, the circulation of this paper reached nearly six hundred, and it seemed fairly on the road to permanent success. It was edited b}' Mr. Bloom and published b}' J. G. Hill for a period of six years.

In the meantime, in 1868, Mr. T. H. Barkdull began the publication of the Gazette, and continued it about four 3'ears, Shelby having the benefit of two papers during these years.

The Independent News was continued until 1876, when the Shelby Times, a Republican paper, made its appearance, under the editorial management of Mr. J. Gr. Hill. Mr. Bloom thereupon hauled down the Independent "

The News still continues in a prosperous and healthy condition, under the editorial management of Mr. Bloom, with his son, AV. P. Bloom, as publisher.

The Times came into existence Decemlier 2, 1876, and 3'et continues under the editorial and business management of Mr. J. G. Hill. Its subscription list has continued to increase, and it is hoped and believed that it is on the road to permanent success.

The Board of Trustees are Dr. W. K. Bricker, President ; Erastus S. Close, Vice President ; Henr}' Wentz, Jr., Secretary' ; W. A. Shaw, Treasurer ; D. I. Foust, Greneral Agent ; T. H. Wiggins, Abraham Bushe}', F. A. Du Bois and D. L. Cockley.

From the well-known ability, as business men, of the above-named gentlemen, and their financial and social standing, it is fair to presume that success will attend this enterprise. Dr. Bricker is an old resident and President of the First National Bank of Shelby. He was for some years connected with the Buckeye ^lutual Fire Insurance Company, of Shelb}', as Director and Treasurer. Mr. Close has been, for several 3'ears, connected with the railroads passing through Shelb}-, as agent ; and JMr. Wentz has hitherto been engaged in the insurance business.

3. Premium notes, amounting to three-fifths of such rate, are taken from members. Seventy per cent of said notes is collected in five annual installments, each five years in advance. If a member has paid more than the actual cost of insurance, in an}* five j-ears, the excess is placed to his credit as part of the surplus of the Association. The interest, at 6 per cent per annum, on such surplus will, in a few years, pay the losses and expenses of the Association, when the members will cease to pay an}- assessment.

5. The law under which the Association is incorporated authorizes it to insure its members against loss b}- fire and other casualties. Hence they include losses bj' fire, lightning, and accident to plate-glass windows and doors.

6. Every memlier knows how much and when to paj- each year ; hence dissatisfaction on account of unexpected, heav}- assessments, is eutirel}- avoided.

The Buckeye jNIutual Fire Insurance Company was organized September 23, 1873. The Board of Directors consists of vS. S. Bloom, President ; H. E. Mc3Iillen, Vice President ;

S. Wheeler, Treasurer ; F. Stambaugh, Secretary ; M. M. Barber, R. D. Stober, J. L. Bargalieiser, D. W. Stover, F. Brucker, A. J. Mack, Leroy Parsons, W. H. Gilmore. The Company issued its first policy January 17, 1874. It had considerable difficulty in obtaining the requisite number of notes, as the law required that they should have $50,000 of premium notes, and $10,000 in cash before the Insurance Department would issue a certificate. S. F. Stambaugh and R. J. Butter were authorized to canvass for notes and applications for insurance. At a meeting of the Company, December 25, 1873, they reported that sufficient means were received to comply with the laws, and the Company c o m m e n c e d business. It has had a steady, healthy growth until it has over $400,000 capital in notes, and a growing business. It would not be doing the Company justice to omit mentioning its management. Hon.

S. S. Bloom, President, and author to a great extent of the Ohio Insurance Laws, is a man of large experience in the insurance business. He is a careful, conservative man, and is well known in insurance circles. H. E. McMillen, Vice President, is a business man, and is Avell qualified for the position he holds. I. S. Wheeler, Treasurer, is a farmer. He has been a member of the Company since its organization. He is a man of means, and keeps a vigilant eye over the financial affairs of the Compan3^ S. F. Stambaugh, Secretary, is one of the original organizers of the Company. He solicited a large share of the notes. He has an extensive knowledge of insurance, and is an active business man. The other members of the Board are all well and favorably known as business men. The Company is well officered, and is a credit to the enterprise of Shelby.

Shelby did not amount to much until the Mansfield & Sandusky Railroad came through in 1846. when it became an excellent grain and produce market. Rolit. Mickey erected the first warehouse in 1846, which isj'et standing and is used in part for a depot. The next warehouse was erected by Henry Ley man in 1847, opposite Mr. Mickey's warehouse. Mr. IMicke}' afterward, in 1850, erected a warehouse on the west side of town, on the Cleveland, Columbus. Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, at present occupied by Messrs. H. Davis & Co.. who yearly ship from this warehouse alone about one hundred thousand bushels of wheat, fifty thousand bushels of oats, and large quantities of other produce.

From three to four hundred thousand bushels of grain are marketed at Shelby 3'early. The market for many years was much larger than at the present time, the building of new railroads serving to create other markets in various

The town was incorporated aliout 1853, and its gi'owth has been stead}', the population lieing now about two thousand. Regarding the business, there are at present three drug stores, four dry-goods, seven gi'ocer}', two hardware, four clothing, three boot and shoe, two jewelr}', two furniture and three stove and tin stores ; one bank, (The First National), two newspapers, one woolen-mill, one sash and blind factory, two hotels, two carriage factories, one wholesale liquor store, nine milliners and dressmakers, one furniture factory, one foundry and one tannery, beside a host of lesser industries.

Shelby has the reputation of lieing a good business town, and much wealth has been accumulated there. The society is excellent, and it is generally enjoying the advantages of a high state of what is called " civilization."

The only town in the township besides Shelbj* is Yernon, a small station at the junction of the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan, and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railways. It can hardl}' be called a town, as no plat of it appears on record. It was started soon after the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan road was completed, Mr. Sager, of Shelby, erecting a very good hotel there. In addition to this, there are two small stores, four or five dwellings and the depot building. A post office is established and is kept in the hotel.

Source changes here: from History of Richland County Ohio, by A.j. Baughman, published 1908; 23,258 words in this source stream.

Sharon Township

Sharon township was created out of Blooming Grove and was organized February 9, 1819, and in size was six miles square. In the creation of new counties there was also rearrangement of townships in the northern part of the county, and on March 2, 1847, Jackson township was organized, taking a strip six miles long and two wide off the east side of Sharon, reducing the latter to four by six miles.

The land of Sharon is well adapted to agricultural purposes and the farms are well improved and the dwellings and barns give evidence of the prosperity of the farmers and of their civic taste. Sharon is watered by the Blackfork and its tributaries. It has three railroads and one trolley line, placing the township in communication with the "whole world and the rest of mankind."

History tells of a school in Cleveland when but three families resided there. This shows the interest taken in educational matters in the very early settlements of Ohio. The schools and churches of Sharon township and of Shelby town will be given the credit and mention they deserved - and they deserve much - in a future chapter. °

A small band of Indians under Johnnycake had a camp for some time about two miles southwest of Shelby. But the Indian "episodes" in this part of the county consisted of nothing fiercer than war-whoops and dances. It has well been said that the great wave of the sea of civilization has long since blotted out all external evidences of Indian occupation, except here and there the plow yet turns up some curiously shaped implement which speaks of vears gone bv.

During the early settlement of Sharon wolves and other wild beasts, as well as game, abounded in the forests, and travel by night was unsafe on account of them. A pioneer story is told of a fiddler who was on his way after dark to play for a dance in the neighborhood, and was ''treed" upon a high fence by a pack of wolves. So fierce were they that they would try to jump upon the fence to get hold of the fiddler, who had to sit tailor-like upon the top rail to keep out of their reach. The familiar couplet of the poet Congreve at last came to the fiddler's mind, that

-\nd acting upon the thought, he played, as he afterward expressed it, "for dear life," and the music not only quieted the wolves, but actually seemed to charm them. The party for which the fiddler was going to play finally got tired of waiting and sent a committee after him, and the blazing torches of the searching party frightened the wolves away, and the fiddler was escorted in safety to the cabin where the dance was to be held, and in a short time there was "a sound of revelry by night," and the fair ladies and the brave young men of Sharon danced to the familiar strains of old-time airs.

Judge Hugh Gamble was a prominent citizen of Sharon township in the pioneer period. He was born in New York state, came to Ohio in 1823 and located in Sharon township, Richland county. His father, James Gamble, and his brother, John Gamble, came a few years later. John Gamble built the first grist mill in that part of the county, and it was run by horsepower. At the cross roads, now the crossing of Main and Gamble streets, where the mills stood, a number of houses were built, and in 1828 a postoffice was established called "Gamble's Mills," with John Gamble as postmaster. In about 1840 the name was changed from Gamble's Mills to Shelby in honor of Governor Shelby, of Kentucky. Hugh Gamble was elected a justice of the peace in 183+, and a member of the legislature in 1835 and served until 1839. He was an associate judge of the common pleas court for nine years. He was the third president of the old Richland County Agricultural Society, and was a member of the board of directors of the Mansfield & Sandusky railroad. In whatever position Judge Gamble was placed he filled the same faithfully and well.

In addition to Gamble's, other mills were later erected. General Wilson put up asaw mill on the Blackfork. John Kerr came to Sharon in 1826 and settled on section 29, in the southeast part of the township, and a few years later erected a grist mill and a saw mill. These were destroyed by fire in 1875. Joseph Coltman erected two grist mills, which were operated for a number of years. In 1839 John Dunean erected a grist mill on the Blackfork at Shelby. It was run ten or twelve years. The Heath mills were erected in 1844 and, keeping up with the improvements of the times, is still in business. The Shelby mills, at the crossing of Main street and the Big Four tracks, has a capacity of a thousand barrels of flour per day - dquite a contrast with the pioneer mills of seventy years ago.

Levi Bargahiser was an historical character. He was born in Pennsylyania, December 5, 1791. He came to Ohio when he was twelve years old and became a boy pioneer of Richland county. He lived with Martin Ruffner, near Mifflin, and was taken prisoner by the Indians, after Ruffner and the Zelmer family had been killed, September, 1812. Mr. Bargahiser entered the southeast quarter of section 6, Sharon township, in 1815, where he lived until his death, December 26, 1868.

Samuel M. Rockwell, who was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, December 2, 1811, and came to Sharon township in 1815, took a commendable interest in history and published a number of historical sketches, and to these he had intended to add others with the intention of having the same published in book form, but death cut short his labors. Each year it becomes more difficult to gather data of the past history of the county.

John F. Rice was the last survivor of Commodore Perry's battle on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, known in history as Perry's Victory. Mr. Rice died March 8, 1880, aged ninety years, five months and seventeen days. Mr. Rice owned a farm of fifty acres, being a part of the southwest quarter of section 28 of Jackson township, but the last few years of his life were passed in Shelby at the home of his foster daughter, where he died. His funeral was an historical one. The flag on the dome of the state house at Columbus was at half-mast, as were the flags from the custom houses at Cleveland and Sandusky. These honors were accorded him on account of the distinction of having been the last survivor of the valiant band who fought under the gallant Perry.

The soldier is the unit of the army, but when numbers are massed together people generally look more to the aggregate than to the individual soldier. But these individuals make companies, companies make regiments, regiments make brigades, brigades make divisions, divisions make corps and corps make the army. But no matter how large an army may be, the individual soldier is the unit, and to him as such we are under obligations for the services rendered and the battles won. Then, too, people may be inclined to estimate the importance of a battle by the number of troops engaged in the same. History shows that a battle may be far-reaching in its results, though but a small number be engaged. The combined Continental army at the siege of Yorktown numbered only sixteen thousand men, yet this force compelled the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and secured the independence of the American colonies. General Jackson won his victory over the British at New Orleans with eight thousand men, and this victory ended the War of 1812. General Scott entered the City of Mexico with an army of less than eleven thousand and triumphantly terminated the Mexican war. But in later vears wars have been conducted upon more gigantic scales, and the larger the army the more people are lable to lose sight of the unit - the individual soldier.

Troy township was organized September 5. 1814. Prior to this date this territory was included in Jefferson township. At its organization Troy was eighteen miles in length from east to west and six miles from north to south. This area included all of Washington and North Bloomfield townships. In March, 1816, Washington township was created, leaving Troy six by twelve miles in extent. March 4, 1823, the size of Troy was again reduced by the creation of North Bloomfield on the west, leaving Troy six miles square.

Morrow county was created in 1848, which took thirteen sections from Troy, leaving the township irregular in form, there being a pan-handle at the northwest corner and a jog at the southwest corner.

1811-12. The first land entered in the township was the west half of section 12, by William Gass, in 1811. The next was the southwest quarter of section 11, by Francis Mitchell. Government land then sold at $2 an acre. In the spring of 1812 Amariah Watson located there with his family, having previously entered the north half of section 24. Elisha Robins and family also came in 1812. Others soon joined the little colony, among the number being Calvin Culver, Wesley Spratt, William and Daniel Cook, Samuel McCluer, Ezekial Boggs, Alexander Abernathy, Noah Cook, A. J. and Henry Winterstein, Thomas Scott and others.

The first election in Troy township was held October 4, 1814, and resulted in the election of Amariah Watson, clerk; C. Culver, constable; John Young, Jacob Mitchell and Solomon Culver, trustees. The second election was held April 3. 1815, at which Daniel Mitchell was elected clerk; Solomon Culver. John Young and Jacob Mitchell, trustees; John Vandorn, constable; Ichabod Clark and Andrew Perkins, fence viewers; Samuel Watson, appraiser: Jacob Cook. lister; .Amariah Watson and Samuel McCluer, overseers of the poer: Aaron Young, William Gass, Alexander Mann and Amariah Watson, supervisors. The treasurer gave a bond of $400, with Amariah Watson as security. From this humble beginning Troy has advanced with her sister townships. -.\nd while no cities have grown up within her borders. the people have prospered. The greater number of Troy township farms are fertile and productive in. soil, and in appearance from landscape views both pleasing and beautiful.

Judge William Gass, who settled in Troy township in 1812, was the father of the late Colonel Isaac Gass, and Samuel Davis, who settled on the northeast quarter of section 11 in 1825, was the father of the Hon. Henry P. Davis, of Mansfield.

Grist and saw mills were erected on the Clearfork in 1812-14. and contributed largely to the business of the new settlement, and stores of general merchandise were opened at Lexington by William Darnell and J. F. Adams. Each succeeding year brought new settlers, and in time all the land in Troy had been entered, and town and township grew apace with the other sections of this part of north central Ohio.

In the religious field the Rev. Henry George was the first minister in Troy, and he did an itinerant work, preaching in different places. He was a stone mason and worked at his trade during the week. Pioneer preachers were worthy and useful members of those early settlements. They seldom received any salary from their congregations, but, nevertheless, they carried the 'Banner of the Cross' along the borders of the wilderness, notwithstanding the dangers that beset them. Some of them may have been faulty in their English and may occasionally have said "had went," as was said in a fashionable Ohio pulpit during the year last past.

In 1816 the Rev. George Van Eman, a Presbyterian minister, began preaching at Lexington, and the first church building was erected by that denomination in about 1831.

Several denominations soon had organized societies in Troy, among the number being the Old School, the New School and the United Presbyterians, the Baptist, the United Brethren, the Universalists and the Methodists. The township, outside of Lexington, had its churches also. A United Presbyterian Church was built a mile and a half northwest of Lexington and was called "Troy church." A mile north of Troy the Methodists had a church called "Fairview." Each is now numbered among the "has beens."

The Congregational Church at Lexington was organized as a New School Presbyterian society in 1844 by the Rev. James B. Walker, who later served as pastor of the Congregational Church at Mansfield. The Rev. Mr. Walker was a writer of note of both prose and poetry. His "Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation" and other works treating of nature and revealed religion were republished abroad in several languages. 'The Angel Whisper" and other poems gave him a high place as a poet. While Mr. Walker was successful as a minister and parishioners may feel pride in having a pastor who has literary ability, whatever fame a minister may win in that line is usually attained at the expense of his ministerial vocation. But few men are endowed with the two-fold ability of succeeding in the ministry or in the law and also in literature. The Rev. Mr. Walker was an exception to this rule.

The Rev. James Johnson, who was pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in Mansfield from 1821 to 1852, also preached for several years for the Troy congregation. The Rev. Mr. Johnson was a remarkable man, being of fine presence and address, an indefatigable worker and an eloquent speaker. He died in 1858.

Noah Cook, who came to Troy township in 1814 and died in 1834, did much in those intervening twenty years to promote religious interests. Upon one occasion when he held service in a country school house, no one came to attend the meeting, but he did not permit that to disconcert him. <A passer-by heard him singing and stopped to listen. Mr. Cook then read and prayed and preached as though the benches were auditors with ears to hear and souls to save. The report of this meeting was noised about with the result of good congregations at subsequent services. Noah Cook was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. He was also a soldier in Colonel Crawford's ill-fated expedition, and encamped at the big spring, where Mansfield now stands, in 1782.

In the grand galaxy of ministers for which Troy has been noted, the Rey. Orville L. Cook, of the present day, must not be omitted. The Rev. Mr. Cook is the son of Carter L. Cook and a descendant of Pioneer Noah Cook. He is a young man of fine ability, who by his distinctive individuality. earnest work and eloquent words has won a success in the ministry that few men ever reach. For several vears he was the pastor of the Christian Church at Lexington.

In pioneer times religious services were frequently held in the log cabin homes of the settlers. At one of these cabin meetings an amusing incident occurred, for amusing things do sometimes take place even at devout religious services, and as the incident referred to was followed by good results, its narrative is permissible. Although it is vouched for by an old resident as having occurred in these parts. it flavers somewhat of a Wilson Lee story, the principal change being in the venue. The children of the family in whose home the meeting was held had a pet lamb that had been taught to "butt." The children would make motions at it with their heads and the lamb would dart forward at them and then they would jump aside to avoid being hit. Upon this occasion a man came to the meeting in a somnific state of intoxication. He quietly took a seat near the door and was soon asleep. The pet lamb was in the house and, seeing the man nod, mistook the motion as a challenge for a butting contest, and butted the sleeper over on the floor, to the consternation as well as the amusement of the audience. That was the last time the man was intoxicated, and some time after the incident he united with the church and became one of its most useful members.

The residents of Troy township have always had faith in their country and contributed to its advancements and its achievements. With pardonable pride they say, "We are Trojans," Thebes and Babylon passed into oblivion because they had no poet to sing their praise and no writer to record their history. But the history of Troy township and the valor and gallantry of her sous, and the grace. beauty and accomplishments of her daughters have been graphically portrayed and faithfully sketched by Correspondent Moore, whose versatile peu kept the readers of the Mansfield News fully informed of people and events in that vicinity for a long time. He is now dead.

Tn the list of interesting localities in Troy township, King's Corners has an Important place. In the vears that are past "Squire Jacob King was an influential and prominent resident of that locality, and the ''Corners" were named in his honor. He was the father of J. J. King, of Mansfield. 'Squire King built a saw mill on the branch of the Clearfork that runs a short distance south of the corners. This mill was a valuable industry in its time and was operated for a number of years.

James Summers. who was county recorder in 1844-47, built a large brick residence upon his farm at the Corners. This house was one of the largest and best of its kind in the county at the time it was built. Since Recorder Summers' time the house has been owned by the Maxwells for two generations. It is now the residence of D. C. Maxwell.

Troy township was a favorite hunting ground for the Indians and later for the pioneers. But the bears and the deer have gone and only the smaller game remain. Among the latter the raccoons still hold a place, but their number is limited.

The raccoon is a carniverous mammal, somewhat larger than the fox, and originally inhabited most parts of the American continent and abounded particularly in this part of Ohio. The animal lodges in hollow trees, feeds occasionally on vegetables, and its flesh is palatable and its fur is deemed valuable next to that of the beaver. A sketch of coon hunting in the past, before Cy Gatton introduced modern methods, may be of interest to the reader.

In the old-time way of coon hunting a trained dog was indispensable. In the selection of a dog for the sport it was not thought best to choose a hound, as its persistence in "giving tongue" warns the raccoon of his danger, and gives that crafty little animal ample time to seek safety in the hollow of some high trec, the size and value of which would prevent the hunter from cutting it down. .\ good coon dog will not follow the trail of a rabbit when hunting the coon; but many a dog about whose ancestry there cluster= much uncertainty, develops into a remarkable "coon dog." Some of these dogs are very keen scented and will follow the trail of a raccoon over the ground where the scent of rabbits and other animals is encountered every few yards. A well-trained dog of the old days would take large circles and xkirt along the edge of the woods that bordered on the cornfields. never giving tongue until their approach to the coon was zo close that it would try to escape by climbing the nearest tree, and then the frantic barking of the dog would proclaim to the hunter that the "game was up" - up a tree. If the tree was small, so much the better: the animal was either shaken off the tree. and the dog given an opportunity of testing his metal. or else the coon was shot, and the dog allowed to be in at the finish. It often happened that the tree was large, and then the scientific part of coon hunting was brought into' play. This was called 'shining the coon." which was done by placing a lantern upon the head of one of the hunters, who would walk around the tree until the reflection of the hght located the game. The coon is a tricky animal, especially if he be an old timer: he would take to rail fences across streams, run along the bottom of shallow streams and jump long distances. The time for coon hunting was in October. when they would visit cornfields for food at night. A coon pelt was worth from one dollar to one dollar and fifty cents in the market. Sometimes a dog would blunder upon one of those little animals that have large, bushy. black tails and a white stripe down the back, when the odor that filled the night air and enveloped the dog. convinced the canine that he was in the vicinity of a different kind of game.

Al Moore, for many years the Lexington correspondent of the Mansfield Daily News, in one of his communications to that paper referred as follows to the famous snake of that neighborhood and to the snake deed:

"The existence of the monster reptile. which inspired people here with so much terror in the dim and distant past. had almost faded from the memory of those vet living here who were cognizant of the fabulous tales told about the reptile. But A. J. Baughman's reference to the famous snake deed of Allen B. Beverstock. deceased, in his interesting article in the News. brought vividly to their memory the fear and excitement that long prevailed about the reptile. It lurked in the dismal swamp near the town and it would emerge from the swamp and pursue its sinuous course through the meadows and public highway. Its size-and appearance were variously described according to the intensity of the fear and elasticity of the imagination of those who claimed to have seen it and heard its loud hissing and bellowing. Its length was variously estimated at from ten to fifteen feet, and some described it as having huge, blazing eves, a forked tongue and several tails. Its body was mottled with black. green and yellow, and on its back was a row of sharp spines. It has been seen entwined along fences and about trees and it moved and hogs and squads of men with guns would grope cautiously about to kill the reptile. The most sensible people gave credence to the wild tales of narrow escapes made from the reptile and they avoided its haunts lest it strangle them in its slimy coils and swallow them and their fate would ever remain a mystery to their sorrowing friends."

Alta lies southwest of Manstield four miles from the city, by rail. It is a siding and coaling station on the B. & O. and is the highest point on that road between the Alleghany mountains and Chicago, having an elevation of over 700 feet above Lake Erie.

Alta is on the "divide." Here the Toby branch of the Rocky Fork has its source. and on the south rise the waters of the Lexington branch of the Clearfork of the Mohican.

While .\lta station has but little importance aside from its railroad connections, a stretch of .\ltanian country extends to the southwest, beautiful and fertile. and abounding in family associations and replete in local histories.

This .\ltaic country has a rolling surface of pleasing aspect and the sky seems to reach down at the horizon and kiss the rim of ridges that nearly encircle the plateau-like vallev.

Shelby Settlement

Bethlehem, or the Shelby Settlement. is situate about two miles southwest of Vernon Junction. The locality is often called the "German Settlement." as the majority of the residents are Germans, or of German descent. At this settlement the Rey. J. M. Henni organized a parish of the Roman Catholic communion in 1823. The church is called the "Sacred Heart of Jesus." Father Heuni later became archbishop of Milwaukee. Not only in Richland county. but all over the American continent, the Catholic Church bas been fully abreast of other religious bodies in missionary, educational and charitable work.

The first members of the Settlement parish were Matthias Ulmcheider, Joseph Kurtzman, Joseph Wensinger, Heinrich Dollinger, John Ritschlin, Theobald Singer, Carl Sutter, Mr. Heitsman. Mr. Richerd, Sebastian Scheibley. Gottleib Schuble, John Brodmann, Joseph Miller, Morris Keller, Mr. Ebner. Mr. Hinsky. Frederick Christian, Nicholas Bieglin and John Bomgardner.

Forty acres of land where the church stands was entered and deeded to the trustees and their successors. A part of this tract was subsequently sold. The land still owned by the parish is in use for the parochial buildings and cemetery.

At his first visit (1823) Father Henni found sixteen Catholic families in the "Settlement."' The excellent land and the prospect of having a church built, induced others to locate there, and when Father Henni made his second visit, a year or two later, the number of families had increased to thirty. For several years services were held in the log cabins of the settlers by visiting priests. In 1836 a log church was built, which served its purpose until 1852,

The Rev. F. A. Schreiber, now of St. Peter's, Mansfield. was the pastor at the "Settlement" from 1890 to 1898, and during his pastorate there the long-cherished project of building a new church in keeping with the growth of the parish was begun under Father Schreiber's direction. The corner stone was laid by Bishop Horstmann on May 29, 1892, and the same prelate dedicated the splendid church on September 15, 1895. The occasion was a day of supreme joy for Father Schreiber, whose able management of the building affairs was seconded by the generosity of his devoted parishioners. The new church has a length of one hundred and forty-eight feet and a width of forty-eight feet, is of Berea cut stone, of Gothic architecture, and is doubtless the finest country church in the Cleveland diocese. Among the generous donors, Simon Metzer, Sr., and the late Elizabeth Brotmann should hare special mention. The Rev. Father Kuebler is now pastor of the Settleniet parish,

"Upon the comely wooded mount I stand, Where erst of old the simple huntsman stood: I see about me far and wide expand The scenes of hill and valley. field and wood."

Cowper wished for a lodge in a wildernesx. and a number of Mansfield families, sharing with the poet this desire for seclusion. have cottages at (satton's Rocks. about half-way between Bellville and Butler, where they spend a considerable part of their time during the summer months. The location is an admirable one and combines the practical with the romantic.

Several of the cottages are of rustic exterior. but within all are modernly furnished and' equipped. They stand in a row on the top of the knoll, with a street or promenade between them and the brow of the cliff. which is almost perpendicular in its declivitv to river ninety-six feet below. Back of the "buildings is a road or driveway. extending down with gentle slope to Gatton's ford, above which a suspension bridge one hundred and eighty-five feet in Jength spans the river.

The elevation upon which the cottages stand is a detached oblong bluff on the north side of which is the precipitate declivity to the river already mentioned: on the south side the slope is more gradual, terminating in a valley coursed by a smaller stream. The bluff is covered with primitive forest trees - oak, hemlock and other varieties - affording ample shade and romantic seclusion.

The Clearfork at the suspension bridge is one hundred and twelve feet wide and about four feet deep. ample volume for boating and fishing. Bass and carp abound in the stream. Across the river from the Rocks is a beautiful valley or plain containing perhaps two thousand acres and extending from Bellville to Butler, and is one of the most fertile in Ohio. And the people of that valley are descendants of old-time families and bear honored names. Before the settlement of Richland county by white people. this Clearfork valley was a favorite hunting ground of the Indians, who had annual outings there, as our people have now. The valley was so noted for its game that Jong after the evacuation of Greentown, squads of Delaware Indians would re-visit this locality for their annual hunt. The last of their annual feasts was attended by John Gatton, Sr., and Joe Haynes, his kinsman and hired man. Tom Lyons, "old leather lip," who had taken a bloody part in Wyoming massacre, was there, drunk and loquacious. He boasted that he had ninety-nine scalps on his belt, and that he wanted one more to make an even hundred. He stated that it was he who had killed Isaac Mericles, who had been murdered a short time before at Willow Bend, and whose murderer up to that time had not been known. This admission enraged young Haynes, who publicly vowed to avenge his uncle's death. This rash avowal made a tumult in the camp and tomahawks flashed in the camp-light. Gatton prevailed on Haynes to withdraw to avoid bloodshed and they left the camp. A few days later Tom Lyons and Joe Haynes disappeared. But the purpose of this reference to the affair is not to give or repeat stories and theories of their fate, but to simply show that the locality has a history dating back into the past.

Again the summer holds the hills and valleys in garbs of green. Her cloud-fleets sail through the azure sky as gracefully as thev did fifty years ago when the writer - then a Bellville boy - angled in the stream at Gatton's Rocks and hunted wintergreen on the bluff where the Mansfield cottages now stand. Fifty years! What events have taken place in that half-century! What a terrible struggle our country passed through to preserve our national unity! The thousands and tens of thousands of graves that have grown green this <pring-time tell of the Civil War, of the soldiers who fought and died for "one country and one flag." Monuments and headstones in Beulah cemetery at Bellville and elxewhere show where soldiers rest whose earthly warfare is over.

But nature. as if she took no part in earthly wars or in human sorrow; as if it were her's to lift humanity to the consciousness of immortality in herself renewed, wears today all youthful verdure of her May days of fifty years ago. The fleecy clouds sail through the air as of old and encircling hills cover their brows with veils of tender green; the hemlocks distill their frankincense and the deciduous trees flutter their leaves as new and unsullied as they did in the vears that are gone.

Barring sentimental retrospection, those fifty years have brought forth inventions and improvements that are today the servants of men. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad courses through the valley and it is an interesting moving-picture to see long trains of cars wind around graceful curves as they <peed over the rails, but the road is a utility as well. for four passenger trains stop daily at the Gatton's Rocks station for the convenience of the public. The telephone companies have strung wires to the cottages. In addition to the railroad, telephone, free mail delivery and other utilities and facilities, grocery and meat wagons make daily trips from Bellville to the rocks, and milk, butter and fruits are produced and grown in the neighborhood.

There are more than a dozen springs of good water on the Gatton farm. but the cottages have a well ninety feet deep, cut through solid rock, from which they get cool water, pure and soft. Surely, Gatton's Rocks, both in location and environment. is all that could be desired as a summer resort.

The view from the camp is entrancing. In the distance hill tops notch the horizon and lift their green crowns through the clear, soft atmosphere of these summer days into the azure sky.

Shenandoah is in the southeast part of Blooming Grove township, and was laid out in June, 1844, by William and George Altorfer, of Virginia, and was named after the far-famed valley of their native state. The land upon which Shenandoah was platted is the southeast quarter of section 24, and had previously been owned by Robert Cummings. and was sold by him to the Altorfers. The first house erected upon the town site was a hewed, log building, and was used as a hotel for a number of vears. and of which Standard Cline was at one time the landlord. Jacob Bushey erected the second house and John Valentine the third. Bushey and Cline were xshoemakers. John Niman opened a blacksmith shop, and William Hisey a pottery. John Sanker a wagon shop and conducted the business for years. Edward Hall had a store of general merchandise and was the first postmaster. The most important industry in the village was McClain's rake and handle factory. which was successfully operated for a number of vears. Andrew J. Beelman engaged in carriage building, but in latter years, after factoryv-inade vehicles were shipped over the country and crowded hand-made work out of the market, Mr. Beelman devoted his time more to repairing the machine-made vehicles than to building new ones.

When Shenandoah was at its best, the village contained from twenty to thirty families. The number is now, perhaps. less, but the town has not the appearance of being in a state of decadence. A number of the buildings are new, and all are kept painted and in repair. Two church buildings sit upon the south side of the village in neighborlv-like propinquity. and here, too, the civic taste for which Shenandoah is noted haz touched with its magic wand both buildings and grounds.

The founders of Shenandoah had no expectations of their town ever being a great city. They simply platted a village site and were content to let it take its chances in the prorenata of the future. And although the town never became great in population in a numerical way. the majority of the olden-time residents - as well as those of todav - mavy be referred to with more local pride, for their influence and usefulness can not be pent up within municipal lines.

Benjamin Morris, a Pennsylvanian. settled in Butler township, a half mile east of Shenandoah, in 1846. Mr. Morris was a prosperous. influential man in his day, and was a county commissioner in the '50s.

The Rey. B. F. Morris, a son of the late Benjamin Morris, is a minister of the Christian church and is chaplain of the Sherman brigade organization. He served in McLaughlin squadron of cavalry and was wounded in the service.

David and Michael Miller owned farms and resided upon opposite sides of the road just west of Shenandoah. They have gone from the earthly life.

Shenandoah is on the historical Beall's trail - the road cut through the north part of Richland county by General Beall's army in the fall of 1812. The first halt of Beall's army within the present limits of Richland county was on the Whetstone, where Olivesburg now stands, and the camp was called "Camp Whetstone." For the purpose of getting better spring water and of being nearer the Huron trail. the army broke cump on the Whetstone and went about five miles west and founded "Camp Council." The location of this camp is a mile west of Shenandoah and Rome. Here is the famed Ferguson spring, the water of which is healthful and the output suflicient for a much larger army than the one commanded by General Beall. Here. too. is Camp Council run, whose volume of water was then sufficient for. and afterwards used as power to operate mills. -.\ half mile south is the Blackfork of the Mohican, thus affording the troops all the water facilities needed even by an army of occupation.

Prior to the halt on the Whetstone, General Beall's army camped for a short time at Hayesville, then called Hayes' Cross Roads, and while there an amusing incident occurred. On a dark, rainy night the soldiers were awakened by the firing of pickets at one of the outposts, and, in obedience to the command to "fall in," the soldiers soon formed into line to meet the foe. as it was supposed the Indians were coming to attack the camp. The pickets reported that the enemy was advancing in solid columns and the ground seemed to tremble with the tread of the foes. It was the army's first experience in war's alarms, but the troops acted as veterans and as bravely opened fire upon their unseen enemy. The musketry firing, the charging of cavalry combined to make the night awfully grand with the pomp and reality of war.

Soon, however, the tramping and bellowing of stampeding cattle explained the '"'attack" - that the stock had broken out of the corral, and advancing toward the camp had been mistaken by the pickets for Indians. The incident, however, showed the vigilance of the sentinels and the bravery of the troops, and that the army was ever ready to meet surprises, midnight attacks and other emergencies.

General Beall had previously served as an officer under General Harmar, in the campaign against the Indians in 1790, and possessed many of the characteristics of a commander, as was shown in leading his troops successfully through the wilderness in this 1812 campaign against both a savage and

This cattle stampede at Hayesville has been likened in its humorous aspect to the "Battle of the Kegs," in the war of the Revolution, and which was made the subject of a mock heroic poem, by Francis Hopkinson, from which the following lines are taken:

East Crestline

"Twas early day, as the poets say, Just when the sun was rising, A soldier stood on a log of wood And saw a thing surprising. As in amaze he stood to gaze, The truth can't be denied, sir; He spied a score of kegs or more Come floating down the tide, sir. _ The British supposed that each keg contained a Colonial soldier, who was coming to destroy. in some inexplicable manner, the shipping at Philadelphia. EAST CRESTLINE.

East Crestline is in Sandusky township and. while it can hardly be classed as a town by itself, being only the east part of Crestline proper, it is a part of Richland county, and, therefore, deserves a place upon the pages of its history. In faet, the entire plat of Crestline was in Richland before a four-mile strip was taken off its west side and given to Crawford county. Therefore this chapter may treat of that territory as though it were still a part and parcel of "Old Richland," with which it 1s so closely allied in history.

The Sandusky river has its source about two miles north of Ontario, and, in its northwest course to Lake Erie, passes through a country which was so thickly timbered and abundant in game that the pioneers were at first reluctant to undertake the hard, difficult task of clearing the land and despoiling such prolific hunting grounds. But, in the westward march of civilization. even this thickly-wooded tract on the upper waters of the Sandusky had to be supplanted in part by an enterprising town through which trunk lines of railroads pass, whose trains carry much of the interstate traffic of the north.

The Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati railroad - now known as the Big Four - was chartered in 1836, but its construction was delaved for a number of years. Even after the work was begun it progressed so slowly that the road was not opened to traffic until 1851. There was no town at that time between Shelby and Galion - a distance of thirteen miles. For the convenience of the people it was thought there should be a station between these towns, and the crossing of the Leesville road was selected as the proper place for its location. The station was established and called Vernon. Its location was where Main street crosses the Big Four, which is nearly a half-mile north of the present station or junction of the Big Four and the Pennsylvania lines. Soon after the erection of the station a town was founded there called Livingston, after its founder - Rensselaer Livingston.

built a fine residence which is in fair condition today. Livingston was of the noted Livingston family of New York. Being wealthy, educated and cultured. Livingston and his family were the aristocrats of that neighborhood. Mr. Livingston died in 1882.

A postoftice called Livingston was opened, with Mr. Livingston as postmaster. He resigned soon after his appointment and was succeeded by Thomas Hall, whose brother, A. Hall, is still a resident of the place.

But Livingston as a town had but a brief existence, for within a few years it became a suburb of Crestline, and finally lost its identity and became absorbed by its former rival.

The Pennsvlvania road - then éalled the Ohio & Pennsylvania - did not eross the 3Cs where the station had been established, but for reasons not necessary to be given in this chapter, the line was changed and located south of the original survey, leaving Livingston north of the crossing. This change gave an opening for another town to be founded, which was doubtless the intention of the men who made the change from the first survey.

The farm of Harvey Aschbaugh had been purchased by a party consisting of Judge Thomas W. Bartley. John and Joseph Larwill and Jesse R. Stranghan. and through this land the new line was run and upon it the town of Crestline was founded. Mr. Stranghan was the chief engineer of the Pennsvlvania road. The land was then supposed to be on the crest of the "divide." and the town was named Crestline.

In 1845 Wvyandot county was created largely from the west part of Crawford county. and, to compensate Crawford for the territory taken from it, a part of Richland - four miles wide and nineteen miles long - was given to Crawford. Thix four-mile strip extends.in width from Crestline to Leesville. a portion of country fraught with historic. events.

Tt was in this strip. ceded from old Richland to Crawford county, that Colonel Crawford was captured by the Indians, as shown from the following abridgment from Dr. Knight's journal. Leaving Spring Mills on the morning of June 2 (1782), Crawford's army reached the Leesville locality about noon. where a halt was made for an hour; then followed the Sandusky river for some distance and encamped for the night near the eastern edge of the plains. Omitting the events which transpired - the marches, the battles and disasters that resulted within the three days, the 3d and 7th - the army in disorder retreated after the battle of Olentangy, reached the Sandusky on Friday evening, June 7, and encamped for the night at the place where it had halted upon its outward march, six days before. The pursuing enemy encamped within two miles of Colonel Crawford's army. The retreat and pursuit were continued the next day, and Colonel Crawford, Dr. Knight and two others were captured about a mile west of Leesville. Therefore, the eapture of Colonel Crawford was made within the original borders of Richland county.

On August 3, 1877, the Pioneer Association of Wyandot county erected a marble shaft to the memory of Colonel Crawford. It is situated as near the site of his torture and death as could be determined by Dr. Knight's

This brief resume of the capture of Colonel Crawford gives but one of the many historical events that occurred in old Richland, and for which the county is so noted in history.

Both Richland and Crawford claim the honor of having been, each in its time, the home of the late Hon. Ross Locke, a political satirist. better known to the reading world as "Petroleum V. Nasby." In 1855-6 Mr. Locke was associated with General R. Brinkerhoff in the publication of the Mansfield Herald. Upon his retirement from the Herald, Mr. Locke went to Plymouth and became one of the publishers of the Advertiser. Later he went to Bucyrus, where he was connected with the Journal for several years. During the early part of the Civil War Mr. Locke began his Nasby letters, which soon attracted much attention and were widely read in the North. His first letters were (the date-heading indicated) written from Wungert's Corners, in Crawford county, but that was only feigned. Many of the circumstances and incidents narrated in the Nasby letters, although given with partisan coloring, actually transpired, and the principal characters were taken from fancied resemblances to individuals living at the Corners at that time. As the Nasby letters became more generally read Mr. Locke changed their headings from these Corners to the "Confederit X Roads. which is in the state of Kentucky."

Toledo Junction is seven miles west of Mansfield, where the Toledo division leaves the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad. A few buildings are clustered around in that vicinity, but the place is a railroad junction. not a town.

Vernon Junction

Vernon Junction is in Sharon township, at the crossing of the Toledo. Walhonding Valley & Ohio, the Toledo' division of the Pennsylvania, and the "Big Four" railroads. The crossing takes its name from Vernon township, Crawford county. It was first called Junction City, then changed to Vernon Junction, in accordance with Goethe, that "Change amuses the mind." But there may have been more potent reasons in this case.

Vernon Junction was founded in 1872, upon the building of the "'Coldwater" railroad, and a fine hotel was erected there and was kept by a Mr. Sager, who had previously been a popular landlord at Shelby. A number of business rooms and dwelling houses were also erected, and whatever the little village lacks in size is fully compensated for in appearance. Fifty years ago a railroad junction was thought to be a big thing because there were so few of them in Ohio at that time, but they are so numerous now that their value and importance have diminished.

The country about Vernon Junction is generally level, and in its primitive state was covered with a dense growth of hardwood timber. There were swamps in places along the Blackford, east of Vernon.

was au Indian hunting camp near to the present site of Vernon Junction for many years after the war of 1812. It is stated that about a dozen Indians under the lead of Johnnycake maintxined a camp there until 1828. Civilization has blotted out all external evidences of Indian occupation, but here and there Indian relics are often plowed up. Many of these relics may be of a prehistoric instead of an Indian period.

After a greater number of the Indians had gone to other hunting grounds, a small party of red=kins called at the cabin of a settler with whom they were acquainted and upon invitation gave an exhibition of one of their war-dances. They chose one of their number, named Buckwheat, to personate a white man. Buckwheat was placed in the center of the room, and the other Indians then began to dance around him. Hideous as the Indians were themselves. they added to their repulsiveness. contortions of face and body. They jumped and whooped and yelled furiously. and finally threw Buckwheat roughly upon the Hoor. Then one of the "braves" placed his foot upon Buckwheat's neck and went through the pantomimic action of scalping him, while other "braves" acted the part of plunging their knives into the body of their victim. Buckwheat also played his part so well that the scene was horribly realistic and made a lasting impression upon those who witnessed the performance, and recalled vividly the atrocities perpetrated in certain localities but a few years before.

The pionecrs endured many privations, especially during the period prior to the vear 1820. The flouring mills were but few, and from five to twenty miles distant from some of the settlements. Whenever trips to mills could not be made, grain was pounded in a mortar with a wooden pestle. The mortar was made out of a log. hollowed out by burning a hole sufficiently large to hold about a half-bushel of grain. At the close of the "pounding," the next process was =ifting with sieves of different meshes until the grade of flour or meal desired was obtained. The finest flour was made into bread. The coarser grades were made into batter and baked into pancakes or boiled into porridge. Corn-meal was made into pones, Johnny-cakes or mush. Sometimes both flour and meal chests were empty, but the pioneer women were always resourceful. and when that condition existed in the fall season the children were sent to the cornfields to get ears of corn which the good women would grate into meal and prepare into food. If the corn-meal was mixed and baked in a Dutch oven it was called "'pone''; if baked on a board | in front of the fire it was called ""Johnnv-cake," and if made into balls and baked in the oven, the cakes were called ''dodgers." Another way to use meal was to boil it in water. and this was called "mush." But if bread was scarce at times. game and honey abounded in great quantities.

As far as possible the pioneers chose the uplands, but many of them built their cabins upon land that rose up, island-like, out of swamps and marshes. They did not seem to care for the ague and malarial fevers, especially incident to the low wet lands. With no hope of ever seeing the land tiled and drained, they went to work to clear farms and let the sun in to dry up the stagnant water.

were "blazed" through the forests, and as they were often indistinct in places, people sometimes got lost. A case of this kind occurred in Worthington township as late as 1851. A farmer living in Slater's valley had occasion to go to Independence, and took a '"near-cut" through a half-mile stretch of woods and got lost. He wandered through the woods for some time and finally got to the edge of the timber and saw a beautiful valley spread out before him. At the far side of the valley stood a large brick house, and the man said to himself, "What a lovely farm, what a fine residence; I wonder who lives there." He crossed the fields, went up to the house and asked the way to Independence of a woman who was standing upon the porch. The woman was his wife, the house and farm were his own, but in his confused and bewildered condition he had failed to recognize them, as he was so thoroughly 'turned around" that he thought north was south, and that east was west, but when his wife spoke the points of the compass were right to him, and he then realized that he had been lost within call of his home. Children were frequently lost. a few of whom were never found. -\ little girl some miles southwest of Vernon Junction disappeared from a sugar-camp where her mother was boiling sap, and was never heard of. A number of strange Indians had been seen in the neighborhood, and it was supposed they had stolen her. OLIVESBURG.

' Olivesburg is in Weller township and was laid out by Benjamin Montgomery in 1816, and was named for his daughter. Olive. By 1821 business in its several lines of those days was represented there. Benjamin Montgomery kept a tavern, Abel Montgomery, a blacksmith shop: John Gun, a tailor shop; Thomas Beach, a cabinet shop. and Joseph Burget. a tannery. The town is on the left bank of the Whetstone creek, about two miles north of its junction with the Blackfork of the Mohican.