Springfield Township (part 1 of 69)

Springfield City

Domint informed his visitors of bis intent to lay out a town, and offered valuable tracts of lund at low prices. John Dungherty, of Kentucky, & surveyor, was speedily engaged, nod the work of suryay commenced Mareh 17, 1801, This town plat was bounded on the south by the section line running parallel with Main Street, and distant from it south one hundred and twenty-five feet; on tho wort to the ulloy near the Prosbyterian Church; on the north to the top of tho rocks along Buck Creek; vod on the oast to the onst line of Spring Street. he number of lols incladed was eighly-two. 'They were not recorded us u town plat til 1803, What is now Columbia wag in this plat. Muin and the present Main wus enlled South Street. Mrs. Demint suggested that, on account of the numerous adjacent springs, the place should be called Springfield, and the name was adopted,

Lhe survey completed, Foose and his party returned to Fraoklington for their fumilies. In their removal with their wagons, they made the first wagon-trucle from that direction into Springfield. The jouruey oveupied four wand uw hal! days, one day being given lo crossing the Big Darby. Virst they packed their goods acrosa upon horses, and then drew their wagons over with ropes, while some Their route through the woods had to be cleared with the axe in many places. After Moos arrived, he made prepirations for the erection of nh house.

The First Raising

The duy came, und with ib forty peraona before breakfast, some of whom bad come from a distunce of seveu lo lon wiles. Tho oeeasion was one of frolie and merriment, of cating und drinking, and the uninyited wore us free to come ua those who were invited.

Al. the raising of Isnac Zane's house, in the northwest of the County, persons Were present from o distunee of forty miles. Aged men who live again their second childhood regret the changes which, while they Layo increased comforts, have diminished socinlity,

This house of Foos's waa tho firat built in the town of Springfield. Tt was w double cabin, situated on the south side of Mnin, w little east of the late residence of Jolbn Bacon, and opened asa tavern in June, 1801. Other houses were now built, nod the town bogan lo grow. Th 1803, Avchibald Lowry, brother of David, built the second tavern in the town. Dt was a lwo-story hewed log house, nnd was regarded, nt the time, as u grent improvement to the place. Tt stood just outside of Domint's first nddition, opposite the rear of the loton which is Murphy's store. The logs ure covered with weathor-boards, an addition has been added, aud the house is still standing.

Influence Of A Road

None can fail to haye been struck with the great influcnce exerted upon the growth of communities by the construction of railroads, canals, plank roads, and pikes, butin that "elder day," to bave a wagon round was greater than ull these. Tn 1803 such a road was surveyed by David Lowry and othors, between Springfield and Dayton, und its continuation was made to Franklington by others, so that the town was to be loeated on a line of travel botweon thoso points, At Springtivld, to lesson exponse, the road was made to puss through on South Street, on account of the oxtonsiye swamp land lying at tho cast end of their main street, that now koown us Columbia Street.

A demand for South Street lols sprang up among the settlors, and houses began to rise along its course, in expectation of the grout thoroughfare the rond would hecomv, 'This lod to Demint's laying out a second addition iu the spring of 1804, wid yeoorled in 181). This addition was u more extension of the limits of the first plat wost to Race Street. South was uow changed to Main Street, and old Main was solnced with the title of Columbia.

Early Tradesmen And Events Of 1804

In 1504, Springfield contained eleven houses, all built of logs. Prior to this time, the inhabitants uf the town aod neighborhood carried grain to a mill near Lebanon for grinding. Domint erected a yrivt-mil/, at the mouth of Mill Run, Which was thonght of fair capnoity, since it could grind five bushels of grniu during twenty-four hours,

About the some time, Robert Renix built a grist-mill on Buek Creck, opposite the farm later owned by Henry Bechtle. Rennix made the first improvement on this farm, aud built a still-house near the spring, used forthe farm-house, The Jivat store in the place was opened by a Mr- Stowe, from Cincinnati, who brought with bim a small stock of goods, A socoud store was opened by two I'renehmen, in a cabin near the publig square, Jonah Baldwin came and built the /irat twostory frame house in town, and opened a tavern therein, He long served as jnstico of the ponco, and died noar Springfield, in L865, nt vighty-eight years. Walter Smallwood sud wife came from Virginia. He followed the business of blaokemithing, and, though rough in manner, was a sensible and useful citizen. The first post-ofice was cstablished in Spriugtold this year, nnd John Dangherty Was Appointed postmastor. Samuel Simonton began the erection of the fiat frame house in town, on tho vorthwest corner of Main and Limestone Strects; he raised the frame and partly finisled it as a two-etory house, when a tornady, on the 6th May, blew it down, It wae reduced to one story, and completed in the spring of 1805. Pierson Spining bought the property in 1812, and therein kept a store for many years, The town lad now a village look. Daugherty, Lowry, and Stowe's houses had stone chimneys, tha others wore built of sticks and plastered with olay. There lad been four deaths, ind as many graves were in the old graveyard ou Columbia Street; one being of Mrs, Demint, who died in TSO.

A Funeral Ceremony

Saul Wenkle, n preacher in Springtield for twenty-eight yenrs, wos tho one always called on to solemnuine a marriage or commit a body to the grave. Tis funeral coremony was touching and impressive. The cofin rested upon a simple bier curried on the shoulders of four men walking to the grave. The preacher preceded, and mourners and friends came after in twos, the men and women separate. When Lie procession began to move, the prencher would start a solemn hymn, the rest would join, and the sad melody was continued to the grave, The hyinn usually sng at such times begins: "Hark! fom the tombs amonrnfal sound ! Mine cars attonl the ory; Yo living inen, comu view the groand Whore you mist shortly lies"

Early Church History

Messrs. Jokn Wumphreys, John Ambler, and » few other= organized the first Presbyterian church in Springtield. Iumphreys was elected one of its board of elders, and held the office the rest of his life.

Twelve jiersons met in Nathaniel Pinkhan's school-bouge, on the northeast corner Of Main anid Market Streets, in the year 1506, and organized the first Methodist church aud the first Christian orgnnigution in the place, Of these twelve, Mrs. Smallwood waz one. Sho was gifted in prayer, plaintive in voice, and eloquent in language. Ter influence was that of a lender; modest and re- Uiring in manner, she prowoted tha pence aod morals of the town. Her family of six children honored her training; her sons aspired to and attained eminence, and stood true to the old flag during the erucial test of the Inte rebellion.

The first church building ereeted in Springfield wag built by the" New Lights," in 1810, though free to other danominations. Asa subseription to this church, Boos gave 'a five horse at ten dollars." The church was of hewn logs; it wis twenty by thirty feet in size, and stood on the south side of Main Street, near the west bank of Mill Ruy, 'Lhe building stood back from the street; the door was on the south side and in the rear from Main Street. The pulpit stood opposite the door, and, nade of rongh unpainted boards, stood high up from the floor, The site was high, dry, nnd sodded with grass, In the midst of the lawn stood several fine burr-onks, whose shade in summer was refreshing. ghurch heeame, in 1825, u shelter for hogs and cattle, and the New Lights' became extinguished.

In 1804, uw Methodist church wns built on the northenst corner of Market aud North Streets. (t was o frame building, and a part is now standing, The Methodists occupiod it until 1834, when they moved to their now edifice on the southeast corner of Columbin and Market Streets. From 1814 to 1820, lots in that part of town were uninelosed; no regular streets were made, and a yrowth of eorub-oak, plum, and Nazel covered the ground. The paths and ronila to the church ran in irregulire lines in the most aceossible directions to this hnilding.

Tn July, 1S17, twenty-eight persons met and organized the first Prosbyterian ehureh, The first ana third were ordained elders hy Key. Archibald Steel, who presided at the meeting. Revs. W. Poage and Steel supplied ocoasional proaching until June, 1827, when the church galled Rev. Branklin Putnam as their regulur pastor, and hue was ordained on the 11th of Jane of the sane year, In 1828 they began the eraction of their church building, and John Amblor donated in part, or sold thom, the Jot on which their ediliee stands.

Pioneer Preachers

Before 1806, nor school nor church was known, Wisdom had not uttered her voice in the streets, and drunkenness was fearfully prevalent. The fained and remarkable cireuit-riders cnme in the van of civilization, Plain in dress, unswerved by hardship, powerful in speach, these men filled nbly the niche which secmed to be their portion. Goble and Sale were the first two Methodist ministers, and came in 1806, They preached nalteruntely every three or four weeks in a log house on the northoast corner of Main and Market Streets, Rev. Metiuire, Then Rev. Samuel Henkle He wag from Hardy County, Virginia; moved of the Miumi cireuil, ooensionally preached, in 1800, moved in and rode this cirenit. into A. Lowry's log house till his one-story brick on Tigh Street was finished, in 1828, when he moved thither and there ended his days, The eccentric Loronso Dow once preached in the grove noar the Methodist church. Some boys hud climbed upon the trees while he was speaking, and he promised them if they would descend ani repent salyation should surely be their reward,

The Council Of 1807

One Myers was killed near Urbanw by a party of wandering Indians, and u fumily named Elliott, living on Mad Niver, was visited by an Indian of 'teeumsch's tribe, who demanded a buteher-knife of them, was refused, and told to leave. Mrs. Elliott was soon after out getting firewood in the door-yard, when o rifleshot was heard and o ball whistled through the front of her sun-bonnot and grazed the skiu upon her throat. These acts, coupled with the gathering together of the Indians under the Shawnee brothers, induced a panie among the people of this nnd other counties, Tho bold and warlike organized into companies. The tavern of Foos was made u temporary stronghold, while many fumilies Jeft in haste for their previous homes in Kentueky., The whites demauded the aggressors: (he Indians denied knowledge of their committal, and it was left to 1 council to be held ut Springfield. The commiasioners for the whites wore General Benjamin Whiteman, Major Moore, Captain Ward, and two others. he Indians were led by Tecumseh, Round Head, Black Fish, and other chiefs, The council took place in w maple-grove ncross the atreet from the tavern. The Tniiens bad come in two bodies; the band of Tecumseh from towards Fort Wayne, and one from the north, some seventy in numbor, in charge of McPherson. Each party, unfriendly to the other, charged them with the deeds unlawful. Me- Pherson's party, by request, had loft their arme at a distanos, but Tecumseh and his bravew refused to disarm themselves, the chief suying that in bis tomahawk was his pipo, and it might be needed for a smoke.

Just arrived from Pennsylvania was pn tall, 2lim young man known as Dr, Richard Hunt. Anxious to conciliate, this person advanced and offered 'Tecumeeh his dirty-looking clay pipe with short stem, The chief stepped proudly forward, reecived the offering carefully betwoon thumb and finger, looked with sparkling eyo of contempt at it, eyed the owner a moment to his extreme discomfiture, thon flung the pipe, with aloud grunt, over his head and away from him. 'The Indians carried the point nnd retained their arms.

Toqniry showed that the murder of Myers was an individual net, were made, hostilities disavowed, reconciliation effected, and quiet to the settlements, fur the time, restored. 'The Todians stayud three days in town and amused the settlers by fonts of agility, Whiteman, above named, had long made the forest his home and the Indian his acquaintanee, A companion of Kenton and Doone, he hud learned many savago dialects, and, at the council, conversed with Tecumseh in the Shawnee tongue with freedom.

Early Customs

In these days of ready-made clothing, close-filting dresses, convenient and costly furniture, excellent thoroughfares by rail and pike, hostility to sale and use of liquors, fine houses und plages of business, physicinns an call, and car ur hack to convey to or from desired Weulities, il ig both enrions and useful to revert in Our history to the bumble and arduous lives of the old pioneers, and therein lourn a lesson for present needs. During these days of which we write, there was a condition of complete social equality; the exelusiveness of caste and the claims of wristocracy were not known, and the broad line of distinetion was run between the worst clase and the people in generul. 'Lheir occusions of fellowship and good will were the old rnisings of log and bent, the sharp contests for rapid excention of parts of the work at Jog-rollings, and sportive gatherings for cornhuskings. 'Uheir sports were shooting uta mark and exercises calliog for muscular exertion, and races run in competition propared for races for life in contests with the savages. Rolligking amusements nmong the young were untrammeled aod innocent. All sought for pleasurable enjoyinent, and were happy in seeing others happy. Dress was common to rich or poor; the mon wentelad in huntingshirts of linon made from self-raised und manufactured material, and buckskin puts: the women dressed themselves iu garments of their own hundiwork, - these, audording to newness, wore common or holiday dresses. The bridal gostume was a median American cotton cheek, which thon cost » dollar por yard and took five yards for tho pattern. Silks, satins, alpacas, and fanay goods wero not in warket or possession, 'Tho interior of a cabin was shimple in the extrome. Over the broad fireplace, held by wooden hooks, rested tho trusty rillo; bedsteads were often no more than forked stieks driven into the eurthou (Moor, with erosa-poles for the vlapboards or (he cord, Por cooking there was a pot, kettle, and fryingpan. Upon the table, a few plates and dishes held the food, For seats, some had split-bottomed chairs, but stools and blocks were in general and satisfuetory No wention have [T known of enarpots; the smooth, swept earth or punchoon The hattntion drills on mastor-days, elections, use. wor were ull that was needed, celebrations, and all public oveasions wore enlivened by free uso of whisky, pure from the home stills. Hunting, now regarded as n pastime, was to them a Vusinoss to secure the winter's meat, anil corn-pones formed part of overy men, Flour was purchasable at Chillicothe, Zanesville, and ut Cincinnati. Goods were high; they were hauled in wagons lo Pitleburg, floated down te Ohio to Cinein- Diti, nod thenoe Tanledor packed up. Pew retuiled wt S200 to S500 par pound ; colive, wb 7d coutss sall brought SL0,00 to 212,00 por hundred pounds; ealiaw wis 81.00 por yard; whisky was 1.00 to 52.00 per gallon, and the Indians were excellent customers, Storekoopers nr zutd to have wiven liquor [reo to onvournge purchasers.

Later Men And Measures

A powdersiwill was Hult, in 1500; hy John Tingle, near the mouth of Mill Run, und a log maguzine to estore the powder, just west af the present murket-house, ov the north of therm. Tanele's house wos erected neur his will, on the bop of the rocks. Whilu living here wehihl waz deowned To the daw, vod he then moved bo

Grouny Teonharger, a German. catio to Springfield in IS12. She hind four children, wud her husband was a worthless person, "Granny" supported hor family by making and seliing onkos and beer, and there wore few in Clark County Tho camp-mecting, military mtster, mud other ats-

(o whom she was not known, semblages were places where ler stock found rapid sale, for ao kindness doing Woy, and for twenty-five years enjoyed the respect of tho community. Ter husband died. The boys of that day called in sympathy; eho met them at ber door with the remark, ' Law ine, poys, te olt man ish tet - whal a pity!" CGrauny Teonbarger, the cuke and beer vendor, died in 1859, iu Springfield,

Peurson Spining, from Dayton, in 1812, commenced gelling goods in the house bought of Simonton, In 1s2d¢ he crected wo fine residence, which now forme part of the King Building. Tn 1830 he began the block known as the Buckeye Buildings, which were used for a hotel, By 1544 he bad become the richest mao in Springfeld, In ISsy, Mr. Spining took contracts in public works, lost wueh property ; look to keeping hotel, and died in 1857, in his soventy-first year,

Maddox Visher was a lending min of the onrly day. He came from Kentucky, in 1813, with twenty thousand dollars in money. Twenty-tive lots, near the public square, were bought of Demint at twenty-five dollars a lot; bis operatians began. A grist-mill was put ap on Demint's old site in 1814. A cotton-fuetory was built in 1816, and a store of goods opened on Fisher's corner, Main Street. We was a hard worker for Springfield, and used his Lime ond means in adyancing the interests of the County. When the County was organized, an effort was mado to muke the village of Toston the County seat. Fisher died in October, 1836, in his sixty-lifth year.

John Daugherty was o popular man; he was momber of the Assauwbly during two terms. IlLie cloctioneering was simple and thorough: hoe rode on horseback to visit each voter, and carried in his saddle-bugs jugs of whisky, to use as ovension requived. In 1814, William Ross built, for a dwelling-bouse and store, the first liek house in town, The structure wae used as & bavern, and called © Ross's Tavern." Tt existed fifty-five yeare, and was taken down, in 1560, to give plave to Ridenour & Coblentz' more modern block,

Tru Paige, of Mussachusetts, tin 1911, started & woolen-factory in the lower story of Fisher's grist-mifll, and manufretared for customera jeang, Nunnels, and woolen rolls for fifteen years. In 1820 be was no merchuut as well ns manufacturer. In 1838 he wont ty the Lugislature, and later, ant na associnte judge upon the bench with Lewice and McKinnon,

Merryfield Vieory, settler of 1814, served ns drummer in the war for Independchee. One time, on Sunday morning, Daddy Vieory foun o thief stealing bacon frow bis smuke-house. He cnught and tied him fast, and contined him till churehgoing began, then murched liim, with two sides of bacon swung wbout hie neck, under fear of ularge club in Vieory's bonds, to the (lour of the Vresbyterian church, 'Lhe thief disappeared forever from Springlicld when set free.

Janes Wallace, of Kentiely, came to Ohio a hoy of fourteen. During the war of 1812, le, as post-bey, curried the tails on the route between Springfield and Cincinnati. In Stl he began ty learn Ue trade of saddler with William Moody, Tn 1823, Wallace was o leading merchant of Springfield. Dr. Needham, of Vermont, wis a popular physicinn. Jnines Johnson, of Treland, was of the varliest settlers in Springfield. Tn 1817 he begun the manufacture of out unils by hand, and the people oblained o supply of this useful article of home make. Some of Johnson's nails are still doing service in Dr, Needham's house, built, in IS17, on the corner of alley, On Main, opposite Duke's grocery.

The First Newspapers

The first. printiog-olfice in Springfield was etarted, in 1817, by Georga Smith, who published a paper called Vho Farmer. [te sive was a little greater Lian a foolseap sheet; the paper waa coarse oud dark. The establichment soon pnased inte the hands of Benjamin Rogers, who removed the offiee from the eimoll frame house on the south side of Main Street to the neighborhood of the First Presbyterian Church, and changed the nume of the paper to The farmer's Adovente. Tn 1819, Rogers passed the paper inte the hands uf his brother Meury. In 1824, B. Rogers died, and Simeon Rogers heeame publisher and George WIfewett editor, From 1827 to 184u), 8. Rogers and Jamez 8. Tlaleey, in the nume

The Western Pioneer was published in w small frame, on the west side of the pablic square. In 1530 the office passed into the hands of William A. Cameron, Who became oditer and proprietor, and removed the material to west side of South Market Street, On April 9.1831, Cameron sold to Jeremiah Warder, Prank und Jobu Gallagher became the publishers, aud Bdward IT. Cumming the editor Next year, 1532, Jolin Gallagher and Cumming edited and published the paper as Partners,

Early Press-Work

The difficulties which beset those engaged in various labors of that early day are partly known to ua; but itis of right that enrly press-work should be understood as a matter of interest und a meed of justice. The press on which Rovers printed the Arroente was of the snine style as that used by Franklin. The work was done by two persons; one stood hy the side of the press, holding in each hand, by w small handle, a large eheepskiu-covered ball. One ball was rolled upon the ink-board; the balla were struck together to distribute the ink evenly, td then the form of type Was pounded till it had takou eulliviont ink for an impression, Phe pressinan placed the sheet of paper in a stout, linen-covered frame, which was then folded down on the types. A crank rolled the whole under an upright sorew attached to x horizontal lever, The screw wae then brought down, by use of the lever upon the form, by the employment of all the pressman's strength. Tho Jever was then run back, the form rolled out, the frame holding the printed sheet thrown up, and the paper liken out and Iaid nside. Press-work Wis, and iv, in many offices, hard work; but the steam ¢ylinder presses in use so general mark the progresa in the printing-ollioc.

Organization Of Clark

Ross Connty waa formed by proclamation by Governor St. Oluir on Angust 20, 1705, anil Hamilton on January 2, 1790, Franklin wos formed from the former April 30, 1808, and Groene from Ross and Hatmiltou, May 1, 1803. Champaign wae formed from Greens, March 1, 1805, and Madison was organized in March, 1810. Clark whe formed March 1, 1817, from Champaign, Madison, nnd Greene, und named in honor of General George KR. Clark, velebrated for prowess in Indinu contests. The boundaries of the County are: Champaign on the north, Madifon on the east, Greene to the south, and Miumi to the westward,

It is divided for civil purposes into ten townships, which bear the names of Bethel, Garman, Greene, Harmony, Madison, Mad River, Moorefield, Pike, Pleasant, and Springfield. Tho population in 1820 was 9583: in 18350, W074; in 840, 16,882; and in 1870, 32,070. When the good news came to Springfield that the Legislature had formed Clark County and made Springtiold the County seat, a rajoicing of the citizena wis manifested by bonfires of tar barrels, and free lihations of apple-toddy at Ludlow's tavern stand.

The first presiding judgo waa Frederick Grimkie. Tie associates were Daniel McKinnon, Joseph atmnan, and Joseph Layton. Thomas Fisher was elected sheriff; John Layton was clerk till Thomas Armstrong was oleclod; Johu Daugherty became auditor; David Rizer, revorder, whose first deod-record was made April 1h, 1818; John Amblor was treasuror; Henry Bacon proseenting attorney, till Zepheaniuh Muatt's election; John Back, James Foley, and Enoch Tk, Stnith were tho commissioners; Wm. Wilson, surveyor, and John WUtunt, coroner. The first justice of the pence elected in tho County was Jonathon Millbollaud, whose home was west of town, nenr the present site of Rebert's mill. Robert Renick was tho second, and Samuel Smith the third, to succeed to the honors of that office,

Court-House, Court, And Cases

From tho orgunization of the County till 1822 the court held its regular sessions at the tavern of John Ilunt, on Muin Street. Prior to this time, in 1806, 0 terin of the Supreme Court was hold in Springfield, as the temporary sent of justice of Champaign County. A single cause was tried, - that of Robert Renick for killing an Indian. 'The act was justified by some and condemned by others, but the jury rendered a verdict of not guilty. On March 2, 1819, public notice was given hy tho Commissioners that on the 22d proposals would be received for n site on which to crect a County building. April 12, Maddox Fisher aud forty others submitted a proposition to build the court-house on the publio square, and pledged themselves, in ease the house wns so located, to the payment of twentytwo hundred wad fifteon dollars. The proposal was received, the donations aceepted, ani the work begun; Daugherty, ag surveyor, locating the site us desired. Five dnys passed, whou a plin wag offered by Fisher and wecepted. On May 24 Fisher nnd Ambler took the contract to complete the house by January 1, 1821, for tha eum of thirty-nine hundred aud Seventy-two dollars. Tho walls were * wrouted"? with liquid mortal and the building was put up to stand, as any one can seo, A pauper dated Sune, 1818, signed by W. Smullwood and twenty-six others, wits submilted by citizens of the West Kind, or "Sleepy ILfollow," to the Commissioners, in which they "bound themsolyes in the sum of one thousand dollars in favor of the County Board, in onse of (ailure by the petitioners to ereet a log jail sixteen feet square and a story, high, the price of said jail to be any sum they may see fit to pay." Tho proposition was necepted, and the jail up und completed by July; and Mareh 1, 1810, on order was given on the treasury to several parties for the sum of eighty dollars "for building n jail for Clark County." This jail wie cast ide of the alley next the church known as Tirst Presbyterian, and halt way betwoon Main and Columbia. Abram D. Merenese was the first jailer, and hud w black bear chained to a stake noar the jail door, A binck man uaimed Johnson, being confined in this jail, pried off the door, threw it into the rin, and went his way, This jail was soli in 1894, One John Dallis contracted to finish the court-house for fourteen hunired and ninety-cight dollars. The Louse was completed in 1828, save printing and w bolls the latter was bought and bois(ed into its place; and on Saturday, October 25, 1828, the fonos of this bell reaching the cars of the people; announced a cumploted vourt-house. This, the only bell in town, wis nich admired, and it was made tu do duty us a signal for Inbor, to bogin by being rung at six in the inorniug, and for it to end, by ils musical clang at nine in the evening. Tho people were then proud of their building, and thought that "in point of neatness anil conveniences it was unexcelled in Ohio," On dune 21, 1825, Spiniog furnighed a pion for a now jail, to stanil opposite the court-house., Tt was idopted, and an order mpie that "said plan he solid 2h wt the court-house,"

July At tho' sale Blijah Ferguson was the successful bidder, on resin of twenty-five undred and eighty dollars, and November 1, 1822, the now jailwas finished and payment made. Thia jail in time grew bomoly, and fave place to yet anothers so buildings, like their builders, stand but fora tine, anid then, obeylos the iypesistible jaw of change, porigh op while others more pretontious rise to fill their places.

puss inte obseurity, 'The County olficers have their oficos in two buildings just south of the court house, on opposite sides of the street; nud the court-house itself uppears to be of use only at the regular times for holding courts. Tater-built houses, for convenience, have the offices upon their groand-floors,

Educational

When, in 1802, Ohio was admitted into the Vaion, one-thirty-sixth of all her territory was set apart for the support of common schuols. To average the land, it wae decreed that Section 16, good or bad, in every Congressional township, Ohio Company, and Symmes's purchases, should ooustitute the sehvol section, Tp some instanves the section being sold, Congress made a grant of another section.

The first effort at introducing the common school system was the pussage of 1 law, Juntary 22, 1821, entitled "An Act to Provide for the Regulation anid support of Common Schools." Then, Febraary, 1825, Aw Agt to Provide for the Support and Better Regulation of Common Schools was passed, and tinally, January 30, 1827, on act was passed "To Establish a Fund for the Support of Common Schools." The tux for free schools is all-important aod invaluable. Community is made moral and intelligent, property is ungmonted in value, ind crime and pauperism are decreased, The best emigruils uniformly purchase and settle in those loculities where means of education are most extended,

To the early school history of Clark, the lug house and select school were the pioneer attempts at securing Jearning to the youth. Little was learned jn those schovls, but the busy requirements of the times developed the oitizen, and enibled him to become of use and standing by constant practica,

The present generation have no exeuso for iguorance, and they need none. Public opinion iz progressive, and the patriotic citizen gives cheerfully of his resources for the erection of buildings, the provizion of furniture, nnd the payment of tenchers. In 1873 the total! sehool Jovy of Clark County was one hundred and one thousand and fifty-three dollars and fifty-eight conts, - the largest school tnx ever levied on the property of the Cowity. From scleet to free, from the sehoolmaster to the teacher, from academy to high school, cdueation ling been no luggard in the march of progress,

The history of school progress is shown by the moneys expended in schools and the enumeration of the youth who attend them. 'The (nancial exhibit for the year ending August 31, 1874, is as follows: Belanée on hand Replerber 1, IS73, Sd4,188.55; State tix, 511,855.20; irreducible school funds, SIAM0.S9: Inent tax for echool and sechool-bouse purposes, SUT, 664.88; $2761.33. Total from all spurces, F1O5,S07.51. Expenditures, - A inount pid teachers, 360,095.50; amount paid for Miniging and superintending, S874; fur sites Nad buildings, SIGM1.G0 5 Tnverest on bonis, 31 1,259.60; for (uel and other contingent expeuses, SLU,775.89. Totnl OXpenses, 3112,768.08, Replomber 1, 1874, 353,044.04,

Teachers And Pupils

The total number of teachers novessary to fupply schools ig 156. Tho namber employed during the year is 204. The average monthly wages of gentlemen, $47; ladies, 341. Wigh sehoot: gentlemen, 301; Indios, $54, Schools ware Miintained on an avorige Of thirty-three weeks, and vighty-nine texchors taught the entire time schools were in session. The onutheration shows that Clark County bad 11,070 youths between tho age of six and twenty-one, September, 1874. in the sehools for the same time is: of boys, 8084; girls, 8574. Nigh school, 10 hoys, 58 girls. otal enrollment is 7621. Th higher branches, 103 studied algebra; 85, geometry; 12, trigonometry; and 26, chemistry. Torchers' institutes are well attonded,

Springfield Female Seminary

This institution began its work in 1851, with Rey. James L. Rogers us principal. The site was fino; the grounds ample; the buildings noble. Floors wero onrpoted, rooms lighted with gas and hoated by upproved stenm apparatus. Por twenty years the institution did its worl frithfully; thon the schoo! closed, and the building was sold to the city of Springfield, and is in present uso aso high school. Three ladies graduated in the class of 1851, - Carrie A, Clurk, Melon J. Spencer, and Sallie J. Spinning (Stewart), all of Springficld. Total number of alumni, 223, The summary of 1871 was; preparatory, ¢45 first class, 35; second, j4; third, 29; and senior class, 9.

Wittenberg College

This well-known institution of learning was orginived by the Lutheran denomination upon a brond and liberal basis. It patterned after Yule College, Connecticut, in having both colleginte and theological departments under the sume hoard and facnity. It was chartered in 1845, and is still in full tide of successful teaching. During the first year seventy-two students were connected with the college, which began under the superintendence of Rey. Ezra Kellar, D.D., with arrangements for six professorships. The building, a four-story, ig command ingly locuted upon on eminence, about a third of a mile from Springfield, in the midst of a beautiful grove. Tero the student Jooks upon some of tho finest of Scenery, and may quenel his thirst from any one of the many springs of tho best witer. Socictios huve long assisted the student. Library, eabinet, and Apparatus are at hand. The governmont is parcutal, and tho colloge deserves its excellent reputation,

Geographical

Clark County lies in the southwest central part of the State of Ohio. Tn shape it is an irregalar oblong, with its greatest longth on its northern line, It is vury fortile, highly cultivated, and is well watered by Mad River, Buck, und Beaver Creeks and their tributaries, which furnish a large amount of water-power. 'Ilo northern and eastern forks of Mad River join a little west of the eentrea of the township; the eastern fork is deseribed ng unequaled for fine mill sents; its eur reut very rapid, and the water never so low in the driest aenson as to interfere with the mills upon its banks. Lagonda, or Buck Crook, is spoken of as a swift and unfailing mill-stream. Withia three miles of Springfield, the County seat, are upwards of twenty good mill seats.

This County was early sottled by parties who, baying beoome tired of the siek ly condition of the Scioto yalloy, cama hither in search of fi more henlthy region. Tu the year ending March 31, 1874, there were 372 dunths from & population of 82,070, or n ratio of 1.16 deaths to 100 persons living. Vegetation was rink and luxurious upoo the prairies, and the carly settlers represent the face of the country as being very beautiful. North of the present site of Bpringfeld, forn distaner of fourteen miles, upon Tanda thiek with woods in 1847, there could not, from TS01 to 1800, have been found a suilicient vumber of poles to have made hoops for u "twat oart." The forest consisted of large trees, with no wndergrowlh, and av fine aod covered the ground, The inhabitants of Clark County, in the early day, were unoquajod for their kindaess, honesty, and hospitality. Ata tater dite, the oitigons of this division of the great State of Ohio are noted for their morality and inteHigonee, They are engaged in farming, manufacturing, and currying on the trades aud professions whieh ure complements und auxiliary to their loading employments.

Population, production, and wealth have greatly inerensod, as statisties will exhibit. Springfield, the County seat, located forty-three miles west of Columbus, on the old National road, and on the line of railroads connecting Cincinnati with Sandusky City, is considered by competont judges the most bowutiful city within the tianits of Ohio. It is ouw of thirty-two eitivs of the second elassin the State, tod had a population, November 15, 1870, of twelve thonsand six hundred and fifty-two, New Carlisle, twelve miles west of Springfield, is a Qourishing town of cight hundred to one thonsnnd inhalitunts, (nely located in a boautifial and fertile country. South Charleston, to the southeast of Springfiold, twelve miles on the Columbus and Zevin Railroad, aud the Zonin and Jofferson turnpike, tawud & population in 1870 of eight hundred and vightoon, Enon, on the Duyton turnpiko, is seven miles southwest of Springfield. Hesides these places are tho villiugas of North Hampton, Tremont, Vienna, Donaldsyille, srighton, Harmony, Noblesville, Catawba, and Cortsyille, conveniently loented in Lhe various townships for facility in trading, mails, und schools.

Agricultural

During the first. years of Clark's sottloment, the elfer object of the pioneer farmers was to provide their families with means of subsistenee, and all their surplus products were generally sold to settlors who came luter, dexvored to cot out a pateh of corn and a gardens he broweht on from tie Rust one or two horses aud cows, and two or three hogs, Samo of the wealthivst farmers in the County began in this humble way upon land which they could wat buy. Thoy sometimes entered on the public lands and made Improvements, or ropted the lund on improvement leases, and in time hecaine able to purohise it,

(irnsses, roots, nuts, and acorng were so abundnunt that stoel required only an occasional feed of corn to bring them home. Flouks und lerds grew pumorous, and corn, beef, and pork hoeame surplus products. Any article in detmund was engaged in by every farmer, and soon beewmo a rng on the market, Farmers learned finally to put in various crops.

The cultiyntion of wheat is important and oxtensively carried on. Tn 1878, Clark County ranked twelfth in the State a3 a wheut wounty, haying raised frou 20,186 acres 490,615 bushels; or 14 bushels to tho were. Corn is a staple, ensily cultivated, and most every farmer lias lis field or field= of from twonty to a hundred acres, Used ns a means to fatten stock, it is also ow nutritious ind palatable food for man, and ie found alike upon tha tiblos of the poor anil the viel. 'Lhe corn crop of Clark for (879 wae 1,112,012 bushels, grown Upolu

Political And Official

State cluima were yielded, Iudian titles oxtingnished, and surveys Maile, One hy one, beginning with Washington, in 1788, counties wera formad, and the region far up toward the sources of Mad River became checkered with furms, unil gave abundant token of the presence of an petive und Prosperous populativa. The lirst meoting of the Territorial Legislulure was appointed for September 16, 1700, April 50, 1802, Congress authorized a convention to form a State constitution. This constitution was ratified nnd signed by the members on November 29, and became by their act tho fundamental huw of the Jand. It wae nover referred to the people for approval, The first Genural Assombly met at Chillisothe Murehy 1, 1803. In December, 1804, the militia Low was revised; aliens made quads in proprictury rights; revenue system changed, and aes passed dubhorizing tho organization of townships and establishment of County Commissioners.

Until Mareh J, 1817, Clurk's citizens were known as inhubitnnts of (ireone, Madison, and Champaign, and were represented in general and loon! goyerninent through those counties, William White was judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio under the constitution of 1851, - from Clark County. Sampeon Mason, from 18s to 1843, and Samuel Shellaburger, from 1861 to 1572, were Representatives to Cotiyress from Ohio and eitizens of this County. The General Assembly of Ohio of IS74-75 hae in the Senate nx Senator of the Mleventh Dishrict, composed of Clark, Champnign, and Madison, Alexander Waddle, of South Charleston, farmer by occupation; in the House of Representatives from Clark, Dr. Bone jumin Neff, of New Carlisle, James M. Smith, of Lebanon, and Moses Barlow, oF Zevin, are judges of the Court of Common Plous from the third subdivision of the Seeond District. District Court was held in Charl in 1875 on Mareh 20. 'The times for holding Common Pleas Court ja Clark are January U8, May 31, ani October 18. The probute judge for this County is E. (i, Dinl, of Springfield.

County Officers

Tho office of auditor was created at the session of 1820-21. Vrevious to this dote his duties were performed by County Commissiuners, ussisted ly their clerk, His election was annual lL 1824, since then every two yours.

The treasurer wag first appointed by assoviute judges, then by the County Commissioners HL IS27, On January 24 of that. sear the Legi-luture provided for bicnnial elections, which net iy still in foree,

The office of County collector is obsolete; it knew muny changos, und waa not abolished till 1527, at whieb date the trensurer was raqnined to collect all taxes, Assessors were appointed by the Court of Cotumon Pluns, in necordanee with Jogislation of February 3, 1825, for the County. Trior tu this, each lownehip lind electad its own naxexsor at tbo regular mecting for electing Mownship oficers, held in the spring of each year. June 16, 1827, wn wet wae passed reqnirivyg the Com- Mietioners to appoint nn asessor from Mareh to the following October; after In March of 1841 the oliee wae abolished, vod the township eystom prevailed us formerly.

The olive of revordor whe filled hy appointinent by Common Mons judyes till 1851, since which date the people cloct tricnainlly., Surveyor's office hus identical history with thot of recorder.

Clork of court, under the new constitution, serves for both courts; previously each court appointed its awn clerk for a term of seven years,

John F. Oglevee: treasurer, Richard Mountjoy; elerk of court, Hdwin P. Torpert; sberiff, Cornelius Baker; prosecuting attorney, W. L, Weaver: and recorder, Achley Bradford.

Election Statistics

The popalation of the Eleventh Senatorial District in 1870 was 71,891; of Clark, 32,070. Ter yote in 1872 wns 6506; in 1878, 4828; showing a decrease of 1668. The political status of the County is shown by the vote in 1874 for Secretary of State, A. T. Wikoff teceiving 3152 yotes; Willinm Bell, Jr., 2569; and J. R. Buohtel, 463. At un election held August 18, 1574, the County vote stood: for 2 new constitution, 1976; against, 1612. Minority representation: for, 1075; against, 2106. Railroad wid: for, 660; against, 2722. License: for, 1835; agninst, 1806.

Miscellaneous Facts

The County has five national banks, with a capital of $1,000,000; and one suviogs bank, with a capital of 386,000. Ono of the national banks is loouted at South Charleston, the rest are in Springfield. The Viret National of Springfield bus a capitul stock of $400,000, ood a circulation received of $225,000.

The County has five buildings valued at $70,000, The following exhibits the building ecorried forward to the year ending April 12, 1874: dwellings, 201, vilued nwt S154,780; machine-shops, 2, value, $2300; oo@ rolling-mill, costing 315,000; 4L stores, shops, ete., value, $14,490; three churches, evsting $25,000; six sohool-houses, costing 320,445; 16 miscellaneous, valued at $5100. Total number, 260; entire cost, $287,148. For the yeur ending June 30, 1874, SOL mortgages were recorded, securing 31,002,939. Clark County bas more turopikes than any other county in Ohio. These roads are of great publia utility, but rurcly prove remunorative investments for company enpital. Of incorporated turnpikes (here are 21, with a length of 176 miles; of free turnpikes there are 10, with m length of 40 miles, Total number, 31; entire length, 216 miles.

Small in area, yet rich in soil und her people's energies, from ronking as the seventeenth county in the State, she now stands the seveoth. Alive to the importance of good facilities for trnvel, Chirk put forth her strength in the construction of turopikes, aud when the railroad opened a wide outlet to other Stutes ond distant lands for her lnbor-saying machinery, sha wae vo viggord of ber growing resources, oF tho following shows. Railroad eutors tho County from the southwest, loaves Springfield to the right, and makes its exit nowthward into Champaign through Moorfielil Township, Its length of main-Jine track ip the County is 15.10 miles: the entire assessed valuation of the roud in Clark is $22,716.

The Cincinnati, Saudusky and Cleveland rom has 8.58 miles in Clark, and a value of $86,406; and the Cincinnati and Springfield has 14.25 miles, with $201,815 viluation,

Finally, the Cloveland, Colurbas, Cincinnati wnd Tndinnupolis Ruilway gives 10.59 miles main Tine, and « value of S207,504, makiog a grand summury of aighty-two and aivty-one-hundvedtha of main track in the County, and the fine Valuation of 31,205,412, on the duplionte.

Tho citizens of Clark have striven to realize that "in union is strength." A strong Agriculturnl Society has long promoted farming interests, Organizations of Grangers wield a present considerable power. Bunking, manufacture, schools, churches, pikes, and railroads linve been made successful by application of this principle. Masonry has been "expose," still secret socictios are numerous and strong. The first lodge of Odd-Fellows was organized in the fall of 1844, tho secon in 1849, and a third in 1860. There are in the city of Springfield two Masonic lodges, one of Knights of Pythioa, and one of Red Men. 'Tho Irish and German population huve organized societies. The old settlers have a Pioneer and Tistorienl Assucintion, The city of Springfield bas a public library. Tt contains $843 volumes; 3197 persons took out cortifieates in [874. tuken vat during tha year 36,592 volumes.

There were The receipts for the enterprise, not including Uie Bavur fund, were $1022.87; expenditures, SL516.01. Tts popularity is incrousing.

The Newspaper Press

The pross of Clark has known many changes. The papers of to-day are; The Sprinysield Journal, w German publication, began September 11, 1874. Weizelbaum & Schwenthal publishers, the former being editor,

The Springfeld Transeript was first known as the Brpowitor. In 1850 it was owned by W. G. Boggs. It passed through the bands of W. D1, Oldham Lemon, Charles Gould, George F, Stamen, McGufly & Elifreta MeGuitfy retired nnd Ralentine camo in. In August, 1875, Balentine sold to Winters, anid the firm of Blifretz & Winters publish the sheet. It is thorough Demoeratic, and cireulatee about fourteen hundred copies. The firm bas two cylinders and three job presses; their druim presses are' woexcelled. The Champion Works have their printing done with this firm, Lost year they printed over a half-million copies of the Mistrated Champion and one hundred avd fifty thousand of the Springfield Monthly. They also print the Witenhorg Monthly, edited by the college students, (0 the namber of o thougand.

The Springfield Kepablic was founded in 1817, by Benjamin Rogers, its editor and proprietor. There were frequent changes until 153, when it was purchased and published by Urick, Fry & Mayn, Fry being editor. In 1554, G. W. Fry purohased his partners' interests and became sole owner. MWpystings & Green started the Voupared in W852 To 18ad, Green sold to Nichols, aud changed the During (861, the Meyuttie was sold to W. T. Cogswell: be again sold to Hastings & Nichols, in 1804, aud the Republie und News wore published as one sheet.

In 1862, n sheet call the Daily Telegram wis purchased and merged in the Vera, A.D, Hook, Subd to Josse Thomas and others in 1860. The Republic Company was incorporated in TS67, with & copital of S125,000. absorbed in 1572. quitin six months. Tt now issues a daily having a circulation of 960; a triweekly of 300; anda weekly edition of 1700,

In the eurly duy it was known as Whig, bot on the formation of the Republican party allied itself thereto. Stood by the flag in time of war, and upholds the same great party sull. The cowpany run seven stenm-power presses, aud ure heavy blank book mannfaeturers. They have their own paper-mill at Enon, Mud River Towuship. G. W. Hastings is president, and C, M, Nichols, editor, assisted by Charles R. Folger. lime appeared and passed into oblivion.

Township history will speak of the superb farm-lands of the County, It is meet to wention briefly (he many and Lhe mammoth manufactores of agricultural and other machinery which have given employment to many hauds und made Springfield known abroad.

There are now nbout seventy-five manufacturing establishments in the city of Spriogfield, which employ, in the nggregate, about five thousand men, I're-eminent above all others, and the source of Springfield's prosperity, are the Chaimpion Machine Works,

Tho first Champion barvesting-machine was made in the year 1563. The business is now advanced by three large and distinct establish ments, - W hitely, Pussler & Kelly, the original proprietors, Warder, Mitchell & Co., and the Chuwmpioo Machine Company. Each compuny has its own agents and territory. The sales of 1874 were 25,000 machines; for 1874 they will reach $0,000. The mauufaetories, offices, nnd warchouses of the firms cover an area of 25 neres of ground, The shops contain 18 weres of fluor, The cost of buildings and machivery is $500,000. The entire machinery is manufactured at the works, which employ over 1000 men, whose monthly pay amounts to 510,000,

The Blacksmith-Shopa equal 467 by 35 feet. A dozen huge punches anid shears, 7 power hammers, 4 drops, 3 bolt headers, with a capacity to make 12,000 bolts daily, 10 bolt cutters, 55 fires, and 10 patent forges, are part of the maohin ery whose giant Inbor, far into the night, works upon thousands of tous of bar and cold rolled ivon tnd steel, to prepare this purt of the work upon the Chainpion.

Iron-Working Shops. Now look upon w busy, wondrous scene. In broom SSO feet long by 40 wide lie 10,000 tons of iron-work. To work this mass what uo displuy of machinery! 45 eugiue lathes, 21 boring and drilling lathes, 54 single 4nd 3 splendid compound drills, 67 spindles, 5 millers, and az many planers, wil in motion, excite our admiration.

Wood-Workiug Shops, equivalent to $45 feet long by 40 wide. Here nigh 2,000,000 feat of lumber must be dressed and shuped, and to du this work zee; 7 phiners, | shaping- and moulding-machines, 6 universnl wood-workers, 17 =uwtubles, wud much of suws and other wuchinery.

And now wo reach the Puint-Shops, 62 feel long by 50 wide, where 100 muchives are painted daily. $30,000 is invested in machinery to muke guards, of whieh 1000 are made per day, To these works add the Malleable Tron Works, und the Bar and Knife Company, and there is a building two miles loug, the largest manufacturing works in America, Clark County annually takes 200 of these machines, Shipments are made of fully 30 ear-loads, comprising an entire train, and valued at $130,000,

Spriogfeld Agricultural Works, owned by Thomas, Ludlow & Rogers, manufaeturers of superior drills, began business in the fall of 1865, under the muanagement of Ferrell & Ludlow. Their enpitul, $20,000; their business, $40,000. Now their enpital is $250,000; their business, S600,000; employing 150 bands. The buildings occupy the greater part of wm square, One building is four-storied, including the basement; it is 174 feet long by 60 wide, In 1574 thore were made HO00 drills, 1065 seeders, 2000 cider-mills, 500 cultivators, aud 500 rakes,

Deardorf, Mellen & Co., coffin and ensket manufactory. Established in 1808. Capital, S100,000. Employs 40 to 50 hinds. Capacity to make 5000 to 6000 coftins and caskets annually, of the finest workmanship.

James Leffel & Co., manufacturers of turbine water-wheels. Established in 1862, with an ability to make 17 to 18 monthly. Now there is a enpacity to make 720 water-wheels annually, besides mill-gewring. The firm employ 100 to 150 hunds. In 1873 small engines were added to their munufucture; seven or eight are made per week. S650,0U0 capital is invested in the business. Wheels are sold in Turkey, Indin, New Zealand, South Ameriea, and other distant Inuds.

Rhinehart, Ballard & Co., graju-separators und horse-powers, drag and cireulur saws. The business was begun in 1848, by John A. Pitts, the inventor of the machine, Like all inventors, he was cramped for means for a time. In 1856 he took a partner nowed MoClellan. Tu 185 unother partner was admitted. The firm became that of McClellan & Cushinan in 1867. Cushman sold out in 1868 and McClellan in 1869, nnd the present firm was formed. Capital invested, $100,- O00. Number of hands employed, 100 to 150. Yearly average of production, 300 machines; estimate of 1875, 400. Works cover five acres. The old shop of two stories, once respectable, has grown to the present lofty and extensive fourstory buildings.

P. 1. Mast & Co., manufacturers of ngricultural implements, consisting of Buckeye grain-drills, browd-cast seeders, riding and walking cultivators, cidermills and presses, plow, sully, and champion hay-rakes, Andersun's steamer and high-pressure portable boilers. Organived in 1857, by J. HL. 'Thomas and PL. Mast. Commencing with light resources, the first year's product was about 100 drills and 600 to 800 cider-mills. Now the firm huve a capital of S600,000; euploys 350 hands, whose wages for the year amount to $200,000, will show a manufacture and sale of 18,000 machines in 1875, Space covered by Noors equals three ucres, and two ucres of roof. The firm deserve their saceces, Fince it is based upon enterprise, courtesy, ind Inudable resolution.

Poos''s Oil-Mill jis an old institution, within whose walls thousands have been About w dozen Wands are employed. A hydraulic ram, whose power is estimated at a ton and uo half to the square inch, or twenty-five tons' pressure by the ram, extracts the oil from tho ground ond steamed seed. Bight harrela of oil ure daily wtnnufactured and sold in home markets. The oil-cnke is shipped as stock-feed to Hugland. Tho mill also Manuafietures About 200 lons of cottage paints annually.

Springfield Boiler and Sheet-Iron Works, T. & B. Roberts, proprietors. menced in the bojler business in 1572: ndded ebain-mnking in 1874. They have invested Lut $8000. Employ 25 handa., Expect to du 350,000 business in 1875,

$20,500, ond for the building of $80,000, It is n five-storied structure (ineluding basement), etanding on the southwest oorner of Main and Market Streets, It ia YY by 110, aml the opera hall is 60 feet wide by 110 long, The block stands uaa monument of individual enterprise and successful effort, Edward W. Mullikin, John Foos, I. McKee, Asa Whitehead, and W. F, Foo: are nembers of this company, and represent a capital Of $250,100, to be invested in the new manufactory in 1875. Forty tons of machinery have been bought and shipped from Philadelphia for the fac- The machine is the invention of R. H. St. John, once of Springtield.

Thus briefly huve we noted a few of Clark's manufactures and buildings, and frou these all may be learned. fleld is the greatest inmiufaectory of agricultural implements in the world, and the place is deservedly proud of its position.

The Churches

Churobes stand numerous in country, town, nud city. Tandsome structures with beuutiful spires, sweat-toned bells, spacious assemblies, und eloquent divines, all attest the existence of a deep Christing faith,

OF the eighteen churches of Springfield, wo ean ezpecially note but few. 'The First Presbyterian Church was organized in ISIS. The first ehureh was erected in 1828. Twenty yenrs puossod by, and the second was built; then another twenty yeurs, and the third and presont structure was completed, at cost of fifty thousand dollars. The building has been enlarged, till its present size is one handred Its bell, weighing sixteen hundred pounds, was cast io Troy, and fa the best in the city. The church has a membership of four hundred. Willinus J. MeKnight, D.D,, is Kov, Gallaway wos pastor in StS, and remained euel tor soventean Dr. Phinens Gurley, D.D., Inte of Washington, preached the dedieatory

The Second Presbyterian Chureh was an outgrowth from the Dirst, An amicuble separation was elected on December 4, 1800, Kev, Bb, ty Bower being its first yuistor. Serviees were held in Union Inll until the completion of achureh, which was effected in ISG2 at an agyregate dxpense, for lol, building, and fixtures, of twenty Wousund dollars; the building is centrally Joeated. The auditorium will seat ix hundred persons. The roll of membership is two hundred and fortythree: of the Sabbath-sehool, two hundred and twenty. Willinin TT. Webb, preceded by Philip Il. Mowry.

The First Baptist Chureh was organized in i844, by Nev. Enos French, who hd served from [S41 LIS. Their chareh wae built jn 1845, at w eoat of ning thousund dollars, Its seatage is four hundred and fifty,

Pastor Wilkenson ix in charge. The Second Baptist Chureh was struck off in LAG7 or (S68, iz kev. White. union mw membership of about three hundred,

Tt pastor An efforts ia making fo unite the ebirebes, whieh would give the Achurch would then be ereetorl on the corner of Limestune and Mulberry Streets. nt a enst of from (wenly- five thousand lo thirty thonsand dollers, forty-three thonzand dole. Membership, two liindred ind sixty-five; Sabbathschoul, thimty-live aMeers and teachers, two linndred mod "Taiy-Vo pupils bard, three huwdred,

Contyal Methodist, Md, River Circuit estublished in 180), lerritory was included, containing seven bundred and thirty-four communionuts: 1805, In 1806 & new elirenit set off, and Kev. Joba Thompeon in cluryge. In 1888 a brick ehareb was built on the corner of Tt, as well xs colempornry churehes, hud wo boll, Tn 18062 this cliureh wis sold, and a fine ciifiee crested ut the corner of Centre ond High Streets. This church and the parsonage are valued wt thirty-three thousand dyllars. Thu ehureh will seat wbout five hundred. The membership is four hundred and filty six. A mission church and school is carried forward by this chureh, The Sundiyschool pupils number three hundred and thirty-one. Tey. EF. Wella, pastor.

A large eeopa of First frame erected in Prenuchers were Revs. John Teel and Abriulinin Alnus. Numerous pastors suoceedod. Columbin and Market Streets. and congregations met at the ringing of the court-house bell.

Key. D, Cogin sueceeded Kearney, in 1864, and ree Rev. J. V. Thisse was (hen appointed, aud remained UL 1878, at which date the present pastor, W. UL Sidley, came in, Tle js assisted by J. A.J. Beuns, In 1518 there were but fifty Catholics in Springfield, pow there wre not less than two thousand five hundred. Tho church building is one hundred und twenty feet long by forty wide; it will seat six hundred, It lias a fine bell weighing sixteen hundred pounds, Church aod parsonage are wortil thirty-seven thousand dollurs, A school iz connected with the ehuroh, attended by over one lundred and fifty pupils.

Tho English Lutheran Church, organized in 1844, under pastorate of Rev. Lehinan. Present church was erected in 1871, at a cost of twenty-two thousinil dollars. Siva, sixty-four by ninety-threa; seats eight hundred, and bas five hundred members. Other organizations are prosperous; nye fine buildings und large membershipy.

Second to noue in patriotism, the people of Clark County heard with rising indignation of Sumter's fall, and ealled aloud for soldiers to he rescue, and raised the stars und stripes on house, and shop, nud store.

On Friday, April 19, the Springfield Zounves, soventy-five strong, officered by Captain E.C, Mason, who rose to general, First Lieutenant D. King, and Second Lieutenant Rodney Mason, were ready for the field, und, forining part of the 2d Ohio, a three-months' regiment, did honorable service wt the first Bull Run.

Tho Washington Guards, Captain Vianinda, First Lieutenant J. 2. Thompeon, Seeond Lieutenant A. LB. Smith, went out for three months with the 3d Obie Volanteers. J. Warren Keifer, of Clark, was adyaneed to major. At Stone River the regimont did noble service, - double-quicked a mile, it struck the advancing robel hordes. On, with volleys two to one, the enemy enme charging exultint with success, and pouring in a» sleet of bullets. Like volerang they of the Sd returned the fire, and kept its line among the cedars, Upon an old cotton-fichd the regiment bore bravely the brint of Wattle; missiles of evary sort seemed winged with vengeance, and the field was strewn with dead and dying, Ohoying orders it fell back upon anew line, and ot once some sixty ennnon, in long linn, Advanced und poured in their iron bolts upon the rebels. Cut dawn tike rinse, the enemy fell buck among the trees, where torn anil shattered limba attest the terrible artillery fire. on viotory or death, Ohio opened fire and drove them staggering back. Here Charles AL Wingard and Mahler Neer were killed. On January Sa charge was made; one rash, i volley, and the pickets wore cuptured; the position was held beneath a gulling fire, the Just of Stone River,

The sist O. V. T. contained Company K, eighty men, commanded by Captain William IL, Wade, The regiment saw service ut Lavergne, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamanga, Brown's Ferry,and Mission Lidge. Atnong the galhent regiments wha won the rebel works, the slst wont foremost with the elarry Mag. Fighting at. Kesnen, it Jost heavily. through the Carolinas and Virginia to Washington, bearing part in the grand review. It was mustered out July 20, 1868.

The 32d contained Clark County men, The 16th And 17th and part of the 10th Ohio Batteries were from this County. The 16th fought at Port Gibson, Fourteen-Mile Creek, and Champion Hills. On

May 4, 1863, the battery opened at short range on the rebels, disregarded their bullets, and drove them from the field. At Vicksburg the battery took conspicuous position and held it through the siege. When offered furlough they declined, on grounds of being too much needed at the front. The men were then furloughed in two bodies, and infantry supplied the pluce of those at home, August 2, 1805.

The 17th Obio Battery took part in ten battles and sieges, fired fourteen thousund rounds of ammunition, Jost forty men, marched ten thousand miles, and received the thanks of the Ohio Legislature for services at Arkansas Post.

The 66th Infantry, the 7Ist, the TOth, nud O4th Regiments had representatives from Clark, as had many other of Obio's organisations, but the body of Clurk's men were found in the 44th Infantry, and the 110th, three yeurs, the 152d and {53d Nationul Guard, ued the one-hundred-day regiment of Colonel Isracl Stough,

We altempt a brief record of the 44th, organized in October, 1801, Its colonel was Charles MK, Wood, afterwards u brigadier. It moved October 19 to Camp Pintt, West Virginia, November 3, five companies were ordered to Guuley Bridge to help General Benham to drive Floyd from his camp woud skirmish with the enemy. Two hundred of the regiment captured Platona, drove off Colonel Jenkins, and returned to cump with seven captives and a herd of cattle, On May 1, 1862, the regiment wus brigaded at Gauley Bridge with the 26th and 47th Ohio, under General Crook. The 44th advanced from Lewisburg to Dublin Depot, on the Jackson River Railroad, and destroyed a part of the track, The enemy attacked the brigade at Lewisburg ou May 2%, and were completely routed, leaving dead and wounded to lie on the field, besides losing three cannon and muny men, Shortly after this the brigade fell back to Meadow Bluffs. August 15, the reyiment ndvanced towards the Kanawha, but hearing of an advance of six thousand rebels against the brigade, they fell back to Caup Tompkins. On September 9 tho 44th and another regiment stationed on the right bank were attacked and driven back on Gauley, where o brief stund was made to permit the escape of the train, Ketreating back to Churleston, the 44th, as rear- guard, protected the column ilay tnd night. September 13, the rebels attucked our forees und were bravely met. Their outuumbering lines drove our nen back over woll-contested ground, Crossing a suspension bridge over a deep atrenm, its supports were severed, and ite full, aplushing into the waters below, cut off further pursuit. Ordered to Kentucky, they followed Kirby Smith from Covington to Lexington, signed to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Army of Kentucky, commanded by Gordon Granger. Devember 20, the regiment wus mounted wl Frankfort, and did constant service us skirmishers.

At Dunstan's Till, their charge assisted in Their yain pursuits of Jobn Morgan allowed them no vest, [p the winter of 1863 the 44th was dismounted, und was fully the equal of uny othor regiment on that expedition made by General Burnside lo Kuoxville, Tanthe rout of the rebels.

nesses, On January 1, 1864, the regiment was asked to re-enlist us cavalry. Dy January 3 from six hundred meu fiye hundred and fifty had re-enlisted. On the 7th they marched to Camp Nelson.

On the 20th the men were remustered anil Their coming was heralded by telegruph, and Clurk County gave her boys sollier's weleome, - a grand procession, w feust, and warm greetings, amid the shouts of tho multitude and Lhe hoom of their prige cannon,

We continue our history of these men organized as the Sth Cavalry. On May I the regiment left Camp Dennison for Cincinnati, Thoy had horses but vo equipment. 'hoy came into the city in a heavy rain, embarked, and started up the river, Agoavulry they retraced their old rond marched over when known as the Hth, Ou June 13, the Sth formed part of two brigades which adyaneed oo Buckhunnon te surprise MeCwnsland, who ted, hotly pursued. 'Two companice

Un June 2, 1818, the County of Clark was divided into townships. 'The nume Springfield was given to the lands bounded on the north by German and Moorefield; east, by Hurmony; south, by Green: and west, by Mad River and Bethel. The surface is level; the soil productive. Fine turnpikes traverse its territory ; riilrouds centre towards the County seat; and the unexeelled national highway, broad and straight, gives easy access to and from the city in every kind of weather. Suburban regidences are numerous, and Lagonda and Bast Springfield ure growing villages.

From muanuseript of William IL. Berger the following faets have been vompiled. The first building creeted in Lagonda was about 1800. Jumes Smith was the first white man to pass through the valley, accompanying a party uf Indinns. The journey occurred in 1760, and Sinith saw elk und buffalo. Simon Kenton and Others settled north of Springfield in 1799. A mill was wanted. Government offered thirty nores of Innd to any mill-builder. Kenton built a mill, but got. ne land. Kenton's claim wus deeded, July 20, 1814, to William Ward, Sr. Caleb Tuttle, when a boy, took wheat to Kenton's will, and, standing on a block, bulted the four by turning the cloth with a wineh. Kenlou sutd, December & one-fourth to William Beesly and Nicholas Rieket. Tho former eregted a zaw-mill with a Mitter-chursing attachment, and both worked in anison. RNieket wow built a rime mill neuer the old site, and pul in two sets of burrs. Mrs. Tuttle ran this mill while her father was soliicring to the uorthward, Indians eame round otfering for sale cranberries. Beesly put up a earding- and fulling-mill. During 1812 and Stl, Peter Kitt ran a distillory ; it was Iuilt oo the farm of J.T. Warden, nod ron hy M. Murray, On Aagust t, 1880, Jereminn Wariler purchased the village of Lavonda for three thousand dollars, The old mill was used, Hut. was son (urna into a distillery, Warder erected a urge mill sunth of the creek, vod built vdum, which supplied the water-power for sayy-mill, factory, still, nnd grist-mill. 'The grist-mill had large patronage, and ran for forty years. Jobn Iunt was » storekeeper in 1828, Mulholland was a jewelor. C. MeLaughlin und George Warder were early storekoepers in u house whieh finally took fire and was cousumeil, The first English sebool in tha neighborhood wae taught in a small log house Mout one nud a half wiles north by east of Lugouda, on Mr, Crubill's farm. Later, the school was moved into the Duptist dburch, half a mile north of the villuge. During 1845, Rev. William J. Shuey taught the first school in Lugoody, with thirty or forty pupils. Noxt yeur a three-handred-dollar bouse was erected hy Nicholas Nimsgern, In 1858, 1 house thirty lry forty-five was orected AL an expense of twelye hundred dollars. In 1867, a =ixteen-hunidred-dollar house Was erected. A church was built in IS71, ata cost of thirty-five hundred dollars, by the W. B.C. Membership, one hundred and twenty-live, Dr, William A. Needhoiw, of Vermont, came to Springtield Township, and lived ina log house near Lagonda, in the yoar 1811. This person was well known and a popular physician of the times,

Springfield City

Survey made Mareh 17, 1801, First house built by Griflith Foos, and opened asa tavern in June of (S01, Seeond tavern, in 1803, hy Archibald Lowry. 'Lhe first store-keeper began in 1804, und was named Charles Stowe. Jonah Baldwin opened tavern in the first two-story frame house in town. First M. i. Church organized, im 1806, in Pinkard's sohool-house. Jobo Reid, cooper, in 1804. Firse post-oflico established in 1804; John Daugherty, postmaster, The first church building was erected, in ISL), by the Now Lights, In 18)4, William Ross built the first brick house in Springlield. First M. E. Church erected in Slt. In July, ISNT, the First Mreshyterian Church was organized in (icorge Duke's grocery, Original paper, The Farmer, established, in 1817, by George Suwith, In 181s, when the County seat was established at Springtield, the town contained some brick and frame houses, but the greater pert were of logs. Mill Run, a beautiful rivulet, divided the town into two sections: West Bad, or " Old Virginia," und East Enil, or * Sleepy Hollow. 'The run was crossed on a foot-log. Where the depots are lucated eattle were swamped in the quagmire, Limestone Street was extended by a brush-layer, thon logs, und finally gravel or dirt. The tayern- Keopers then were James Norton, Mr. Ludlow, William Rose, and James McElroy. There were four stores! Maddox Fisher's, Merson Spinning's, and two others, smalley, Wishor's had » brick pavement, - the only one in town. Fire-wood was left in the streets, and chopped aa it was needed. Wagons ran elose to front loors, nnd mud was plenty everywhere. oA temperance meeting was held, led by Rev. Saul Henkle, and a number of persons not only agreed fo quit the use of liquors, but to use their influence tu induce others to do the sume. In 1810, Andrew and Frederiek Johnson ditched and drained the Mill Run swainp-land. In 1810, William Worden eame to Sprivgfield, and became known us a popular landiord. Ilis sign was that of a stage-coach and horses wt full speed; it was suspended from 4 tnll post on the outer edge of the sidewalk. THis offive and bur were no moro thin twenty feot square. " Werden's tavern" was the stopping-place for a stige line; Werden himself was the first to mevt the tired traveler and conduct Nim into the house, A servant removed minlly leggings anit boots, and supplied slippers. The landlady did her work well in preparing o bountifal meal, then die a clean bed, a good pest, anil a Woparture in Digh good will te the kind enlertiiners, Tn 1820, Werden oooupied a Inege hotel, and did a jetying bosiness. He supported Juckson, anid was rewarded by the offier of postnnister, which he hold four years. Tn 1820 the town of Springfiehl ountsined five hundred and ten poople, - two hundred and cighty-five wales, two lundrod and twenty-five females, There wero eight mereantile sturee. » full supply of professional aien, a flouring-, Woolen-, and curding- nnd cotton-mills, schools, Printng-olfies, und post-office, at which the mails were received in vlogaut four-lorse evaches. Then there were hut ninety-four houses in the County subject to taxation. In [S20 the Associate Reformed Presbyterians built their stune chureh at (he qorth ent of Limestone Street, 1520 was leap-yeur, On February 29, John Bueon was amarrigd. Tra Paige and Charles Anthony were iarricd during the same week, These Uiree were made happy fathers near the same day: an event to be remembered hy these afterwand old and leading citizens, Joel Walker was in early queer charagter, remembered by oll settlers. Waitsel Cary, a latter, was knuwn ag one Industeinus af his trade. His hats were stiffened with gluco, and happed with coon or other fur, anid did well for dry weather.

It was in 1827 Springfield was incorporated, This yeur several persons of the Presbyterian Church met ut the svhool-house of James L. Lorbert, on the northeast corner of Market and North Streeta, and organized the first Sunday-sehoo! intuwn. At this time Dr. Blount, J. Lowry, and Jacob Kills built a paper-mill, wnd opened a store for sule of excellent pauper, where rags were bought in and the mil) hands paid. Springfield, possessed of striking advantages in loantion and surroundings, was of slow early growth. Forty-four Yeurs went by since James Demint had Juid it out, and her population waz three thousand five hundred. Business was limited. Prodnets were supplied only to the neighborhood, Manufacture was cramped for funds to run and market to sell. Trade was enpported by barter. Store-goods were given for wheat, which was ground, barreled, and wagoned to Cincinnati. When there, ench moroiog had a price, unvaried through the day, unless a boat cine in, - a welcume sight to those haying flour to sell, for the services of old-time middle-men were gladly dispensed with.

The National road, connecting Springfield with Columbus and the Bustern States und Washington, was built to this point in 1889, In 1346, Sprivetield obtained railway connection with Cincinnati, via Litthe Miami. In 1848, the Mad River and Lake Erie, now Cleveland, Coluwhus, Cincinnati wud Tndianapolis Ruilrond, was completed to Springfield, and Inke communication gained, In 1851, the Springtield and Dayton was finished to this city. These wud other ronds liave given an impetus to eily growth in wealth and population,

Springfield is unsurpassed as a place of residence. Desirable and abundaut social advantages offer themselves. The morality and intelligenge of her citizens are no self-audatory claims, but prominent characteristics. In education, a eullege, private schools, and reputable public schouls keep up ber reputation, [er government rests in the hands of faithful and efficient mon. She has five and costly churches, baudsome private residences, ecommodious busipess structures, and mimmoth manufactures, as brietly doseribed iy County history. Springtield is yet a city of moderate <ize, but her Titanic workshops, where Briureun irou hands chigel and would the huge piles of iron and steel, where wind wakes the win, Will stand years henee as the Tyre of modern days.

Source changes here: from The History of Clark County Ohio,, by Various, published 1881; 71,237 words in this source stream.

Introduction

(es ING the spirit which pervaded the moral atmosphere that sur- X rounded the early settlers and supplied the elements of a vigorous practical life, with all the accompanying hardships of privations and toil, it may well be said, '* Of me what know ye, men of puny age? I am a rumor, an uncertain story, A vanished smoke, a scarce remembered page!"

It has in all ages been esteemed a duty and privilege to honor the memory of those whose labors and self-denial have resulted in good to their country and to their race. Such tribute is justly due to those who laid the foundations of our present happy establishment here in Clark County.

How well the requirements of such a tribute have been fulfilled by the pages of this volume must be decided by the mass of readers into whose hands the work will fall.

Some one has said truly that "no history is complete until its successor has been written." This, then, may serve as a " datum-plane" from which to reach by comparison a more extended or more complete work in the future. That the great bulk of facts connected with the history of the county is here congregated for the first time, there can be no doubt; it must also be true that many important details are not here recorded, the reasons for their absence being obvious.

The actors in those early scenes have nearly all made their final exit, while of the few surviving, many are " sore with the infirmities of age" and the deeds of their youth are forgotten, or but dimly remembered; many of the private papers and family records have been either destroyed, lost, or are in the possession of descendants whose present whereabouts are not known.

In conclusion, the writer desires to thank those who have so kindly rendered assistance, and have granted access to publie and private records and papers.

Only three or four of those who have been called upon for information have refused, or have evaded giving it. None save those who are engaged in collecting data can realize the difficulty of the task now, as compared with an earlier date. Had this been attended to while the pioneers were living, very many interesting incidents could have been found wherewith to have enlivened the

The Battle Of Piqua

As the coming of the white race to the soil of whatis now Clark County was heralded by the uproar of battle, it is deemed fit to mark the occasion as the point from which this history is to continue.

The following aecount of the engagement was recently prepared, and is from the pen of a prominent eitizen, who is one of the few who have made the history of pioneer times an especial study.

There are many floating traditions in regard to this expedition, while the recorded evidence is very meager. There are no known official reports by which these traditions may be verified or corrected. Many of the stories have undoubtedly been somewhat warped in the transmission from a former generation, either by forgetfulness or misunderstanding, or both.

After mach research, the subjoined account is believed to contain the essence of all that is now known of the battle, nor is it likely that more will ever be learned, unless it be by the discovery of relics and documents, which are not now known to be in existence.

*'The old Indian town of Piqua was situated about five miles west of the present site of the city of Springfield, Ohio, on the north bank of Mad River. In going there from the city named, you pass down the Mad River until you reach a point where the stream runs in a westerly direction out into a large basin or prairie, which gives some evidence of having at one time been the bottom of a small lake.

At the time the Indians occupied the place, the prairie was about three miles long and one mile wide. It is now fenced off into farms under the highest state of cultivation. At the upper end of this beautiful open landscape, the river gracefully bends round and silently flows to the south; then again toward the west, continuing in the latter direction until it reaches the lower end of the prairie, where it sweeps round to the northwest, and is soon lost to sight in the forest below.

At the time referred to, on the south side of the river was another prairie, bordered by the low hills in the distance. Over this prairie ran the road from the old Indian town of Chillieothe, about twelve miles south of Piqua, and reached the river on the south bank, nearly opposite the latter town.

About two-thirds of the distance down the prairie, on the north side of the river, and further progress was obstructed by what might be called a willow swamp, stretching across the prairie from the southwest to the northeast, stopping about one or two hundred yards short of a limestone cliff, rising out of the north border of the basin or prairie.

Behind the willow swamp was located the town of Piqua, and behind the town was a round-topped hill, rising up 100 feet from the level of the plain. From the erown of this hill the country might be overlooked for as much as five miles up and down the river. The general appearance of the locality, in its almost primitive wildness, must have been of unsurpassed loveliness.

The rocks on the north side of the prairie rose up out of the same like a stone wall, twenty-five or thirty feet high, running down in the direction of the round-topped hill back of Piqua; before reaching which it was suddenly cut off, leaving an open space between the hills and rocks. This was covered with a thiek growth of forest trees of a low and bushy growth. It was impossible to pass up over this wall of rocks in large companies, except in one or two places where they inclined to drop to the level of the prairie.

At one point, there was an opening cut down from the point of the cliffs, and quite through them to the lowland by some natural foree, and was so narrowed that not more than one person, certainly not more than two, could pass up or down through the cut at the same moment of time. This place was concealed from observation by a heavy undergrowth of timber, and could be easily obstructed, and could check the advance of a victorious army.

The approach to the lower part of the town was defended by a stockade fort, not common with Indians as a means of defense. It included a space of about two acres. The hill, the wall of rocks, the open plain, carpeted with wild flowers of all colors; the silver line of the river, the hills far off in the distance, crowned with forest trees, and the long line of Indian wigwams, marking their loeations by eurling wreaths of smoke, as it rose up from their fires, with here and there a corn-field, indicated that the Indians had selected this place not only for its natural strength, but as well for its fertility and beauty.

The Indian children of the town could play before the cabin doors in the lowland, free from the apprehension of danger, while the warrior on the hill-top might sweep the whole country on the lookout for an approaching enemy, und, by an agreed signal. warn the whole tribe in a moment.

In August, A. D. 1780, Piqua was quite populous. In addition to the Shawnees, 300 Mingoes were there as allies to aid in the defense of the place. Piqua is said to have contained, at one period, nearly four thousand Shawnees.

The town was built after the manner of French villages. The houses extended along the river more than three miles, and were in many places more than twenty poles apart.

The celebrated, hardened villain, Simon Girty, was the leader of the Mingo braves, as allies of the Shawnees. He had been educated in, and had adopted with savage delight all, the cruelties practiced by the Indians, and stood near, two years later, in the presence of his old friend Col. Crawford, and derived fiendish enjoyment from witnessing his agonies while burning at the stake. Perhaps he remembered, even in the presence of this awful event, that the hand of one of the daughters of Crawford had been denied to him before he deserted to the Indians. This would be dreadful revenge, but Girty was a dreadful savage. A prisoner among the Indians who met with the scoundrel described him as a man with dark. shaggy hair, low forehead, contracted brows, meeting above his short, flat nose, gray, sunken eyes, and thin, compressed lips, with a wicked expression of countenance that made him seem the picture ofa villain. C. W. Butterfield writes that "all the vices of civilization seemed to center in him, and by him were ingrafted upon those of the savage state, without the usual redeeming qualities of either." He moved about through the Indian country during the war of the Revolution and the Indian war which followed, a dark whirlwind of fury, desperation and barbarity.

In the refinements of torture inflicted upon helpless prisoners, as compared with the Indians', theirs seemed to be merciful. In treachery, he stood unrivaled. The prisoner who became his captive must abandon all hope of pity, and yield himself to the club, the scalping-knife and the indescribable agonies of the stake. No Indian, drunk. was a match for him. He swore horrid oaths. He appeared like a host of evil spirits. He was called a beast, and a villainous, untrustworthy cur dog. This savage, compounded of all the meaner qualities that could or might disfigure the life of a human being, it has been affirmed, had some rare moments of better emotions. He met with his former acquaint ance. Simon Kenton, while a prisoner of the Indians. under sentence of death.

and called him his dear friend, and interfered and saved his life. He looked the scoundrel, with a gloomy stare, while "o'er his eyebrows hung his matted hair."

The celebrated chief of the Shawnees, Catahecassa, or the Black Hoof, was born in Florida, and had bathed and fished in salt water before he settled on Mad River. He was present at the defeat of Braddock, near Pittsburgh, in 1755, and was engaged in all the wars in Ohio from that time until the treaty of Greenville, in 1795. He was a man of sagacity and experience, and of fierce and desperate bravery, and well informed in the traditions of his people. He occupied the highest position in his nation, and was opposed to polygamy and the practice of burning prisoners. He was a man of good health, and was five feet eight inches in height. He died in Wapakoneta at the age of one hundred and ten years, A. D. 1831. Without being able to find it so stated, after some investigation, in so many words, I believe that this Indian was the chief leader in the defense of Piqua when the place was invested by Gen. Clark. To prevent, if such a thing could be possible, almost continual depredations of the Indians upon the border population, an expedition was organized to march against their towns on the Mad River. This army rendezvoused at the place where Covington, in the State of Kentucky, now stands. It ascended the Ohio River from Louisville in transport boats, which also brought provisions and stores.

On the opposite of the river they built a block-house, in which to store provisions and form a base of supplies. This house was the first one built on the site where the city of Cincinnati now stands.

On the 2d of August, A. D. 1780, Gen. George Rogers Clark moved, with an army of 1,000 men, from the point named to the Indian towns on Mad River, located in and near to the territory which is now included in Clark County, Ohio. The distance to be marched was about 80 miles, through an untracked forest, over which, with great Jabor, the soldiers cut and bridged, when found necessary, a road for the passage of horses and pack-mules, and one six-pounder cannon.

The soldiers marched without tents, beds or personal baggage. Their rations for a thirty-days campaign were six quarts of corn, one gill of salt, with what green corn and wild game they might pick up on the march. Any meat they obtained was cooked on sticks set up before the fire. Sometimes green plums and nettles were cooked and eaten by the men.

The impression obtained, not only in the settlement, but with the soldiers, that if the army was defeated none of the men would escape, and that in such events the Indians would fall on the defenseless women and children of Kentucky and massacre them, burn their towns and villages, and lay waste the country. It seemed to be a choice either that the white settlers or the Indians must be destroyed, and both parties regarded it in the same light, and acted with the calmness and bravery usual to forlorn hopes, formed of soldiers commanded to encounter some desperate exigency. Daniel Boone, the pioneer Indian fighter, acted as a spy for the expedition. The skill and vigilance which entered into the campaign will be demonstrated by a presentation of the manner, form and conduct of the army while on the march.

It was separated into two divisions. Gen. Clark commanded the first and Col. Logan the second. Between these two columns marched the pack mules and the artillery.

The men in each division were ordered to march in four lines, about forty yards apart, with a line of flankers on each side, about the same distance from the right and left lines. In the event of an attack from the enemy in the front. it was to halt, and the two right lines would wheel to the right, and the two left lines wheel to the left. and the artillery would advance to the front, the whole forming a complete line of battle. The second division would form in the same manner, and advance or act as a reserve. By calling in the right and left flanking parties, the whole force would present a line of battle in the form of a square, with the pack mules and the baggage in the center. An attack on either flank, or the rear, the same maneuver would put the army in the most favorable position for defense or assault.

On the 6th day of August, A. D. 1780, the army arrived at the Indian town of old Chillicothe, only to find it burned and the inhabitants gone. On the 7th, some days sooner than the Indians had expected, it drew up in front of Old Piqua. A soldier had deserted to the Indians before the army arrived at the mouth of the Licking, and gave notice of the approaching expedition. The attack commenced about 2 o'clock P. M. on the 8th day of August, and lasted until 5 in the evening. The assaulting forces were divided into three separate commands. One, under the command of Col. Lynn, was ordered to cross the river and encompass the town on the west side. To prevent this move from being successful, the Indians made a powerful effort to turn the left wing of the assaulting party, which Col. Lynn successfully defeated by extending his force a mile to the west of the town. Col. Logan, with 400 men under his command, was ordered to march up the south sideof the river, concealing, if possible, the move from the observation of the Indians, and cross over the stream at the upper end of the prairie, and prevent their escape in that direction. Gen. Clark remained in command of the center, including one six-pounder cannon. He was to assault the town in front.

This disposition of the forces, with a simultaneous assault made by the sep arate commands, promised, if well executed, the capture of the town and a complete rout of the Indians, with the death of a great number. According to the eustom of the times, no prisoners were made. All that were captured were put to death.

The Indians, according to their plan of defense, could not safely retreat, if defeated, over the round-topped hill, for the elevation would bring them within sight and range of the American rifle, and the cannon, with the command of Gen. Clark, which, in appearance and sound, ereated more fear than it did harm.

Neither could they escape out of the upper end of the prairie, for Col. Logan and his 400 men had been sent to intercept them there; nor to the north. for this route was too much obstructed by the rocks; nor to the west or lower part of the town, the location of the stockade fort, for at this point the battle raged with the greatest fierceness, under the command of Col. Lynn. The constant crack of the rifle in its deadly work, the shouts of the white soldiers, the yells of the Indians, the screams of the wounded and dying, the distant roar of the cannon, disclosed this to be the point where defeat was to be accepted or victory won. ^ y 3 Y

Simon Girty, who never was a constant friend to any party, gnashing his teeth in impotent rage," ordered his 300 Mingo Indians to withdraw from what may have appeared to him an unequal fight.

This moment of time, near the same hour of the day one hundred yearago, was a dark and doubtful crisis in the history of that part of our country which is now regarded as the most beautiful, fertile and thickly populated part of Ohio. iN ied

If Clarks army had been defeated. we cannot doubt but that every white soldier would have been put to death. and the State of Kentucky invaded by the Indians: and what would have followed on the border can only be conjectured hy what we have been told in the history of Indian wars.

by the fierce, rather desperate fighting of the whites, which they denominated "madness," or fate, so reckless were the soldiers in exposing their lives. Against "madness," the Indians never contend. They gave up the fight and slowly fell back up the prairie, partly concealed by the tall grass, the wigwams, and the trees in the willow swamp. They fought as they retreated, not for vietory, but for their lives, until they reached the rocks. beneath which they had concealed their women and children.

Their situation was now worse than it had been at the commencement of the conflict, for they had passed all the low ground. making a retreat to the north practical, with the exception of the opening cut down from the top of the cliff already described, and up through this, tradition claims, they marched out into the hills. If Col Logan had executed his part of the plan with greater rapidity, the Indians would have been cut off from this place of retreat, and a great number of them put to death. Some persons assert that Col. Logan marched to a point where Mad River meets with the waters of Buck Creek before he crossed the river, and then marched down the east side thereof to execute his part of the general plan. He marched about three miles, according to all the authorities, and that is the distance from the site of the Old Piqua to the mouth of Buck Creek.

It follows that, if he did go so high up the river as the point named, that he would have traveled six miles before he could bring his men into action.

This view of the maneuvering, after looking over the location of the battlefield, seems so unmilitary that I cannot accept it. I presume that he made a detour from the river, that his force might not be observed, as secrecy was one of the conditions of success. To accomplish his part of the general plan, he may have marched three miles, but certainly not six. Let this point be settled as it may, there is no dispute about the fact that when he got his men into position, the battle had been fought and won, and the Indians gone. The loss was about equal - twenty men on each side.

On the 9th of August, the stockade fort, the shot-battered cabins, and the corn-fields, were destroyed. On the i0th, Gen. Clark, with his army, left for Kentucky. This campaign left the Indians without shelter or food. They had to hunt for their support and that of their families, leaving them no time for war, and the border settlements lived in peace and without fear.

This once powerful nation of the Shawnees had resided near Winchester, Va., then in Kentucky and in South Carolina, after that on the Susquehanna, in the State of Pennsylvania. From this last-named point they emigrated to the banks of the Mad River, and remained until driven from Piqua by Gen. Clark.