Vermillion Township (part 5 of 6)

Efforts were, some years later, made-to arrest the elder Driskel, who, having effected his escape from the penitentiary, had been discovered, one December evening, near dark, by John Kidwell, in Mohican Township, making his way, stealthily, on horseback, through the woods, in the direction of the dwellings of his son and son-in-law. The younger Driskel in the mean time had served his term in the penitentiary, and was at home. Kidwell, anticipating the destination of the old man, immediately set out on foot through the woods to communicate his discovery to the immediate neighbors of the outlaws. A force of five resolute men were assembled, and proceeded to the suspected houses, which they reached at a late hour in the night; and a careful reconnoissance of the premises discovered hanging under the portico of young Driskel's cabin a new saddle, which had been described by Kidwell as the one upon the horse which the old nan was riding. Being thus persuaded that the fugitive was in the house before them, three of the party, consisting of William Irvin, David Ayres, and Thomas W. Coulter, opened the door and entered. The latter approached the fire-place to stir the live coals, and produce a light in the room. The inmates of the house had, until this, been in a profound slumber; but the movement of Coulter awoke the women, who immediately gave utterance to piercing screams. Their cries at once aroused the old man; and, springing from bed with a bowie-knife in hand, stooped down and also seized his rifle, threatening with death every intruder who did not instantly leave the house. His order was promptly obeyed - the three men retreating and closing the door after them. The old man stormed terribly, and swore that he would not be taken alive - that he would rather be shot down in his tracks than returned to the penitentiary - and that he would sell his life as dearly as possible.

It was a bitter cold night; and the party on the outside, suffering from the inclemency of the weather, determined to bring the scene to a close, and they accordingly announced to the old man that he had five minutes in which to make his election of death or surrender. During this interval, he at several times sought to escape through the door and confront his enemies; but his son, aided by the women, would as often force him back from the door. In one of these efforts, he had thrust his gun and arm through an opening in the doorway, when William Irvin seized the opportunity to deal a heavy blow with a club upon his exposed arm, which for the time paralyzed it. Four of the five men were armed with flint-lock muskets - these being the best fire-arm in common use in those days - and the other had a pistol. Old Driskel was a little ahead of the times. He owned a pick-lock gun - percussion caps were not known in this country then - but old Driskel's nice gun had what were called "percussion grains." These grains were about the size of a pin's head, and the pick striking down on one was what exploded the powder. The old man had his gun raised to fire at Mr. Rice, who was standing in front of the partly open door, when his son Pearson slipped his hand between his gun and the pick, thereby preventing the discharge of the gun, but receiving a wound upon his own hand. He once snapped his gun within four feet of the breast of David Ayres, and the latter aimed a pistol at the body of the culprit, but his weapon also missed fire. The five minutes having expired, the order to fire was given, and the result was four "snaps" and one "flash." Ayres's pistol was a crack one, and in a few minutes its load was accidentally discharged. To obtain a better sight on the old man, the party began to push out the "chinking" between the logs for the purpose of securing port-holes for the muzzles of their guns; when the criminal yielded to the entreaties of his family, and announced his willingness to surrender. The men then entered the house and secured the limbs of the prisoner with a rope - committed him to the charge of two strong men, brothers, named Peterson, who, on the same morning, left with their charge for Columbus. Arriving at Sunbury, Delaware County, on the first night, the old villain managed to effect his escape - and thus terminated the career, in Ohio, of one of the vilest desperadoes that ever cursed a civilized community. His family and confederates soon joined him in the West, where they pursued their vocation of crime for some years; when old John, his son William, and another of the gang, fell into the hands of a band of " Regulators," in Northern Illinois, and were shot immediately upon their seizure. The body of his youngest son, David, was soon after found hanging upon a tree.

A communication by John Coulter, Esq., published several years since in the Mansfield Herald, contains the following reference to this band and their depredations, and the names of those who had organized to bring them to justice : - _ "This gang was also composed of some of the actual settlers as well as others at a distance. The following are some of the depredations which were committed previous to their being detected and routed.

"They commenced first by stealing the horse of William Taylor, Esq., then living on Honey Creek, about three miles east of Perrysville. Next was the stealing of Alexander Rice's Rockingham colt, a very valuable animal; then the breaking open and robbing Mr. Hart's store, on Honey Creek, about three miles south of Hayesville.

"These depredations, committed in succession, alarmed the different neighborhoods, calling into action the services of the 'Black Cane Company.'*

* This company was composed of the most prominent settlers of the different neighborhoods molested by these ruffians. Each member of the company carried with him a black cane made of

" Marshaling their numbers into the field, they started out upon a searching expedition. Information had reached them that the goods stolen from Mr. Hart's store were secreted in a certain elder swamp, about one and a half miles above the village of Perrysville, which swamp was situated near the banks of the Black Fork.

"On receiving the information, the company immediately repaired to the swamp, and after searching it, they returned without meeting with any success.

"In a few days after this, the saddle of John Coulter was stolen, and, as he supposed, in retaliation for assisting in the search of the goods stolen from Mr. Hart.

"On hearing this, Mr. Coulter and Mr. Smith (after being duly authorized) went in pursuit of said goods, overtaking the wagons at Monroeville, and searched them, but without success; and they came to the conclusion that the goods were not there, and returned home.* the wood of crab-apple or black haw, as follows: the bark was peeled off, (the knots being left on,) after which the canes were burned black, and then greased for the purpose of giving them a shining appearance.

The names of the persons composing this company, as far as recollected, are, Captain Thomas Coulter, William Irvin, A. Rice, Isaac Martin, Thomas Martin, David Coulter, C. H. Rice, David Ayres, Charles Tannehill, Lewis Oliver, T. W. Coulter, John Capel, Solomon Gladden, Melzer Tannchill, Jonathan Coulter, James Irvin, Nathan Stearns, Harry Hill, David Hill, Reuben Hill, John Latty, Levi Taylor, John Coulter, Esq., and some others whose names are not now recollected.

"After his return home, Mr. Coulter commenced the collection of several judgments then due on his docket, one of which, amounting to about forty-five dollars, was on one of this notorious clan, who, having considerable business before Mr. Coulter in his official capacity, knew where he (Mr. Coulter) kept the money he thus collected. |

"After collecting the money, one evening after his return, a thought occurred to him that his desk might become an object of consideration to this villain and his gang, and that the removal of said deposits to another place might not be unimportant. This was done; the money, excepting about five dollars, was removed. That night his desk was removed from the house into the meadow, about one-fourth of a mile distant, then owned by Dr. Ayres, and rifled of its contents, amounting to five dollars in money, a set of shaving tools, and a penknife, all of which the villians took. By removing the money, Mr. Coulter saved about one hundred dollars.

"About the time that the barns of Jonathan Coulter and William Irvin were fired and burned, a large flatboat, built by Lucius Doolittle, and loaded with three or four hundred barrels of flour, pork, and whisky, was cut loose from its moorings by the same clan of villians, and left to drift at random down the Black Fork of Mohican. Luckily it drifted but a short distance, when it was discovered and made safe.

Coulter Family

"The Coulter family are known as among the earliest settlers at Perrysville, on the Black Fork. Thomas Coulter (the father of John) was born in the State of New York, and moved from thence with his father to the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, and was living there at the time of the Wyoming massacre.

"Many years before the Revolution, a colony from Connecticut had commenced a settlement in the valley of Wyoming. About one thousand families had settled in this valley up to the time of the Revolution, which event called out a thousand brave youths of noble sires to fight for freedom. In the absence of these, the tories collected several hundred Indians together, who, with horrid yells and fearful imprecations, commenced the work of death and carnage upon the defenseless inhabitants. The old men were murdered, and women and children and babes were all locked up in forts and houses, and destroyed in one awful conflagration. Wyoming was never more called the happy valley. The few who survived the massacre had a bitter lot, and the grave received crushed and broken hearts.

"The father of Tom Jelloway (one of the Greentown Indians) lived at this period in the valley of Wyoming; he was a friendly Indian, and on hearing of the intentions of the savages, he immediately commenced warning the whites of their danger, and among the number saved by his timely warning was the Coulter family. On hearing this news, Mr. Coulter took his family into a canoe, and, under cover of the darkness of the night, made his escape down the creek into a fort.

"After the massacre, Mr. Coulter moved his family to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where Thomas volunteered, under General Morgan, to fight the Indians on White River. In this expedition a severe battle was fought and gained, and many Indians taken prisoners.

"After returning from this expedition, Mr. Coulter and his father took a trading excursion down the Ohio. In this expedition, Thomas and his father were attacked with the small-pox. The father died, and was buried in Maysville. The son recovered, settled up his business, and returned home.

"Qn his return, he fell in company with the notorious Simon Girty,* and having often heard of this bloody white savage, and finding himself in his company, determined to guard himself against surprise.

* This notorious renegade was the son of a notorious drunkard, who had emigrated from Ireland. The old man was beastly intemperate, and nothing ranked higher in his estimation than a jug of whisky. His sottishness turned his wife's affections, and she yielded her heart to another, who knocked Girty on the head, and bore off the trophy of his prowess. Four sons remained behind, Thomas, Simon, George and James. The three latter were taken prisoners in Braddock's war, by the Indians. George was adopted by the Delawares, and died in a drunken fit. James was adopted by the Shawnecs, and became a bloody villain. Simon was adopted by the Senecas, and became an expert hunter. In Kentucky and Ohio, he distinguished himself as an unrelenting barbarian. It was his constant wish that he might die in battle. This wish was gratified. He was cut to pieces, by Colonel Johnson's mounted men, at Proctor's defeat.

"Girty and Mr. Coulter had met upon the borders of a dark, long forest, through which they both had to pass, being on their way to the same station.

"On entering the forest, Mr. Coulter sprang behind Girty with his rifle in hand, ready cocked, and commanded him, under the penalty of being shot, to lead the way, and neither move to the right nor left.

"The two strangers were well armed, but Mr. Coulter had gained the advantage of Simon on entering the woods, and thus compelled him to lead the way to the station, where they parted company and never met again.

"Some short time after his arrival at home, (Washington County, Pennsylvania,) Mr. Coulter married Miss Nancy Tannehill, sister of General Tannehill, of Pittsburg, who, during the revolutionary war, served as a captain, and had been engaged in fighting several bloody battles.

"Among the number implicated in this affair was Thomas Coulter, who was taken prisoner by the authorities, and acquitted only on condition of his signing an instrument of writing, in which he, with all others, promised loyalty to the United States laws.

"Shortly after this event, Mr. Coulter immigrated to Washington County, Pennsylvania, when, after remaining a few years there, he made his way into Ohio, about the year 1806, and settled down in Jefferson County, which, although created by proclamation by Governor St. Clair, in 1797, was, nevertheless, as yet a dense wilderness.

"After remaining here a few years, he finally immigrated to and settled down on the Black Fork of Mohican, Richland County, Ohio, (near the present site of Perrysville, Ashland County,) in 1811.

"This region was then a primal wilderness, presenting a scene of wild magnificence. The bottoms were covered with the most luxuriant growth of grass, while the banks of the stream were lined with an almost endless variety of wild flowers and flowering shrubs.

"Mrs. Thomas Coulter had four brothers, who fought in the revolutionary war. She once made a most magnificent cockade, which she intended to present to one of her brothers; but coming under the eye of General Washington, who took a fancy to it, she presented it to him, who, on receiving it, kindly thanked her, in the name of Liberty, for this memento of her respect."

John Coulter

John Coulter was born September 13th, 1790, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The following is from an article published in the Mansfield Herald, and was written by himself: -

"JT came in company with a young man, the name of Edward Haley, who my father hired to accompany me. We came into Richland County in the fall of 1810, and commenced cutting brush to clear off a spot of land to put up a cabin, on the third day after the second Tuesday of October of that year. We continued to labor for two months, during which time we put up a cabin, (said cabin was afterward converted into a block-house,) grubbed out ten acres of land, and cut and split three thousand rails, and cut the timber all off the lot, set out some fruit trees, and then, during the winter, returned to Island Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio; there remained until the Ist of March, 1810. I then, in company with my father and brother Melzer, came out to the cabin we had built the fall before on the bank of the Black Fork of Mohican, now in Green Township, Ashland County, Ohio. From that time until the present, I have been a resident of Richland County, and suppose I have gained my residence in Richland County. Joun Courter."

Mr. Coulter was the first coroner of this county, and the first assessor of the eastern half of the county. He was twice elected justice of the peace in Green Township; twice in Washington Township; served twice in the legislature, and once on the State Board of Equalization.

Besides the cabin which he helped to erect for his father, Mr. Coulter aided his companions to put up two others the same fall - one for Mr. Crawford, which was located on the present site of Perrysville, Ashland County, and one for Tannehill, which stood on the land now occupied by his son, Melzer Tannehill.

These cabins were in the midst of a dense ,wilderness and delightful hunting country. The nearest settlement was about three miles distant, and was composed of the following named pioneers: James Cunningham, Henry McCart, Andrew Craig, Samuel Lewis, and David Davis.

celebrated one of their religious festivals in the village of Greentown. This village, as remarked in another chapter, stood upon or near the banks of the Black Fork, and contained about one or two hundred inhabitants.

The festival was held in the council-house, a spacious building, some sixty or seventy feet long. In the center of this building a temporary altar was erected, about eight feet in diameter and some one or two feet high. Upon this altar a large fire was kindled, which burned with a most lurid brilliancy. Around this fire the principal speakers performed their solemn marches, speaking and singing alternately, while the rest of the audience were arranged in rows, two or three deep, around the walls inside the hoise.

During the performance of these officials, the audience kept up a kind of grunting exercise, accompanied by a variety of gesticulations and singular contortions of the countenance, indicating that the occasion was one of deep and solemn interest, and would also occasionally cast a piece of fresh meat (prepared for the occasion) into the fire, on which a general "pow-wow" would be heard for a few moments.

The costumes of the prominent chiefs were singularly fantastic, being ornamented with various colors, arranged in such a manner as to produce the most striking effect. Deers' hoofs were also attached to their leggings, which produced a rattling noise as they moved around the fire.

Among the number of these officials was the celebrated Captain Pipe, of Jeromeville, who acted a most conspicuous part in the devotions. He was a tall and very graceful chief, somewhat stricken in years. His movements were quick, though bending

"Tt was evident," says our informant, "that this occasion was one of no ordinary importance, for during the whole exercises a most profound solemnity characterized their devotions, and during some particular parts of their ceremonies the audience were moved to tears."

These ceremonies lasted about two hours, when the occasion was ended by a general shaking of hands, indicating the utmost good feeling among the worshipers. After the ceremonies were over, the Indians, in order to show their respect to the white spectators present, who came to witness the festival, presented each one of them with a piece of the meat which they had prepared for the occasion. Mr. Coulter received a piece of bruin's fat, which, after tasting, he threw away.

Among the persons present on this occasion, the following are recollected, viz.: John Coulter and his sisters, Rachel and Abigail, David Coulter, Harvey Hill, Alexander Rice, and his sister, Elizabeth, (wife of J. Coulter, Hsq.,) and Mariah Petty.

James Gladden

James Gladden, with his family, emigrated from Jefferson County, Ohio, to the farm upon which he now resides, in 1826. He is now sixty-eight years of age - sixty-five of which he has spent in Ohio. Mr. Gladden having immigrated to the country at a comparatively late date, there were no incidents regarding his pioneer life, in Green Township, which he regards worthy of relation.

Samuel Graham

Samuel Graham and wife removed to Green Township in October, 1821, and entered the northwest quarter of section 17, upon a part of which he yet resides. He was an emigrant from the State of New York.

Upon the quarter above mentioned, there was a circular embankment, embracing about half an acre of ground. The embankment was about five feet in height, forming a regular circle, with the exception that it had been broken on the west side by what appeared to have been a gateway. This supposed gateway was about twelve feet in width. The embankment, as well as the interior space, was covered with a heavy growth of timber. In the center of the circle was a mound of irregular sides, the center of which rose about three and a half feet above the natural surface of the ground. Excavations were made in this mound to the depth of about nine feet, which appeared to be the distance of the artificial work. No other relics than wood, coal, and a substance resembling feathers, were found. These were discovered near the lowest depth. The latter substance rapidly decomposed on exposure to the air. This ancient work was about half a mile northeast of the old Indian Greentown.

Another similar embankment, but near twice the height of the one above described, was situated about half a mile east of Greentown. It inclosed near an acre of ground, but had no mound within the inclosure. The plow has nearly obliterated these ancient works, though their outlines can yet be traced.

Calvin Hill

Calvin Hill, an emigrant from Vermont, purchased, in November, 1811, the land in Green Township, which subsequently became his homestead for many years. This farm is now the property of G. W. Carey, Esq. His nearest neighbors were Captain Ebenezer Rice, (father of Alexander Rice, who lived on the place now occupied by the latter;) Joseph Jones, (who owned the farm upon which now resides John Taylor;) Judge Thomas Coulter, (who lived upon the quarter directly south of Charles Tannehill;) Lewis Hill, (who resided immediately below what is now the town of Perrysville;) Solomon Hill, (who resided immediately above said town;) Moses Adzit, son-jn-law of Solomon Hill, (and who resided upon the place of his father-in-law;) Melzer Tannehill, (whose farm adjoined Judge Coulter's on the east;) Lewis Oliver, (whose farm was directly east of Charles Tannehill;) and Jeremiah Conine, (whose farm was east of Melzer Tannehill's;) Sylvester Fisher, (whose land joined Mr. Rice's on the northwest;) - these were the neighbors of Mr. Hill.

Andrew Humphrey

Andrew Humphrey removed with his family, consisting of his wife and four children, to Green Township, in the year 1824. He emigrated from Champaign County, Ohio. The previous year he had purchased the half section now owned and occupied by his son, William Humphrey. He died in 1850, at the age of sixty. William and John Humphrey, both residing in Green Township, are the only surviving members of the family. The north part of the township, when Mr. Humphrey removed to it, was an unbroken wilderness - no house between him and Mohicanville and Hayesville, and only one or two between him and Perrysville.

William Hunter

William Hunter, an emigrant from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, removed with his family, consisting of his wife and eight children, to Green Township, in March, 1818, and commenced improvement upon the north half of section 26. He originally emigrated from Ireland, and was an officer in the Federal service against the insurgents in the "whisky insurrection."

He died on the 17th of January, 1819, at the age of forty-seven. He had been to the mill at Newville, and on his return his family discovered, from an unusual appearance in his features, that he was ill. He remarked to his family, " Faith, childers, I believe I am poisoned," and laid himself down before the broad fireplace, so close to the embers on the hearth that his feet were partly imbedded in the warm ashes. His trembling limbs created a great dust, which, added to his chattering teeth, despite their warm sympathy for their father's affliction, provoked mirth from the little ones. This demonstration so annoyed the sufferer, that he raised himself up, and demanded to know whether they had "no better manners than to laugh at the miseries of a dying man," and made an effort to give the children "a brush." His attack proved to be a hard ague chill - the first of which he or his family had any experience - and which, in about three months, resulted in his death.

About two years after the death of the elder Mr. Hunter, his widow died, leaving a. family.of. nine orphan children - the eldest boy being between sixteen and seventeen years of age, and the youngest only fourteen months. This young family, in a new and wild country, struggled with the privations that beset them, and remained together (with the exception of two sisters, who married) until David, the senior brother, attained the age of twenty-seven years. On the third morning after the death of the widow, the youngest child rose, and, approaching the bed formerly occupied by his mother, called upon her in piteous terms to receive him - an incident which . opened afresh the fountains of grief in the elder members of the family.

Some years after the death of his parents, David Hunter, on his way to Mansfield to pay his tax, met, for the first time, with Johnny Appleseed. The two sat down upon a log and engaged in conversation - Hunter dividing with his new acquaintance the few cakés he had taken with him to sustain himself on his journey. Johnny inquired into the circumstances of Hunter's family, where he lived, etc., and receiving answers, advised the young man that he should not delay in obtaining and transplanting trees for an orchard. IHlunter stated that he was too poor to pay for the trees. His new friend rejoined that he could supply him with fifty or sixty trees, and that as to the question of pay, it was a matter of no moment whether they were ever paid for. He then told Hun- ter to call upon his brother-in-law, William Broom, (who lived upon the farm now owned by William Cowan, Esq.,) and obtain the trees. He did so, and from this beginning, has made additions until now he has orchards numbering over six hundred fruit trees.

About fifteen years since, in plowing a field below a depth that a plow had ever before reached, some bones of a skeleton, in a good state of preservation, were exposed, and, upon further examination, all the principal bones were found. Among other relics found near the skeleton was a skillfully-wrought and highly-polished stone hatchet, in exact imitation of the most perfectly-formed modern instrument of that name, including the eye for the handle. The arts that belong to our present civilization could not produce a more perfect specimen than this.

The first wheat raised upon the place, which was the second year after the family settled upon it, was a remarkably fine crop. As the family had been without wheat flour since their residence in the country, Mr. Hunter lost no time in threshing six or seven bushels, and taking it to the mill at Newville for manufacture into flour. The flour had every appearance of being of the best quality. On returning home, the children could not wait the ordinary process of baking bread, and Mrs. Hunter immediately commenced preparations for baking "slim cakes." The family were soon engaged in partaking heartily of the cakes; and their meal being finished, the faithful dogs also were were not neglected. Within from five to ten minutes after supper was concluded, one of the family became suddenly seized with an attack of what was termed "water brash," which was soon followed by violent and painful vomiting. Soon the whole family, and finally the dogs, were similarly attacked. Not attributing the cause to the cakes of which they had eaten - for they had yet learned nothing of "sick wheat" - the family again, after they had recovered of their illness, which was brief, partook of the cakes, and the same results followed. Subsequently, hogs were fed of this wheat. They eagerly ate of it, and its effects was to make even "hogs vomit." Chickens were also -affected by it. The only animals whose stomach could endure it, were cattle, sheep, and other ruminating beasts. At the raising of Alexander Skinner's mill, on the Black Fork, half a mile above Loudonville, a Mr. Green, who had been attending the raising, applied at the house of Hunter for some food. He had been partaking rather freely of liquor. There was bread in the house, made of the flour of this "sick wheat," which David offered him, with a cup of milk. Within a few minutes after partaking of this food, and having withdrawn his chair from the table, the saliva commenced accumulating rapidly in his mouth. He was resting his face upon his hand, and soon his rebellious stomach involuntarily deposited most of its contents into the broad sleeve of his hunting shirt; which, in the position of his hand and arm, was in a good situation to receive it. He attributed his illness exclusively .to the liquor, and after his stomach recovered from the effects of its sickness, and as it was now more empty than before he had partaken of the food, he called for more bread and milk. David, whose love of fun was equal to his hospitality, readily complied with the request of the hungry man, and again supplied him with bread and milk. Soon another misfortune, even worse than the first, occurred to him. When the paroxysm was over, he gave it as his solemn opinion, that the liquor he had drank had ruined the coats of his stomach - advised the boys to take warning of him, and never drink liquor - thanked them for their kindness, and took his leave.

William Irvin

William Irvin immigrated to Montgomery Township, Richland County, from Mt. Vernon, in 1815, and in the year following purchased eighty acres of the southeast quarter of section 20, Green Township, upon which land he yet resides.

Moses Jones

Moses Jones, with his family, settled in Green Township, on the farm now owned by John Taylor, Esq., in August, 1815. He died in 1856, at the age of seventy-eight. Joseph Jones is the only survivor of his family resident in Green Township.

Thomas Johnston

Thomas Johnston emigrated from Pennsylvania, in March, 1828, and made his first purchase in section 9, Green Township, a tract originally entered by John Murphy. Mr. Johnston, at present, is the owner and occupant of section 33, southeast quarter, Vermillion Township, a tract which he purchased, within a few years past, of his father-in-law, Mr. Joseph Workman.

Peter Kinney

Peter Kinney, formerly a resident of Columbiana County, entered, in April, 1810, the land upon which the families of Thomas W. Calhoun and Elias Groff now reside. He made some improvement, but never removed his family to this land, having made another purchase in the adjoining Township of Monroe, to which he removed his family on the 7th of July, 1819. He subsequently removed to Illinois, where he died in 1833, at the age of fifty-two.

Abraham Baughman gnd John Davis had preceded him to Green Township, but what length of time is not known to Mrs. James Irvin, (daughter of Mr. Kinney,) who communicates this memoranda. Mr. Davis was a widower, and had been a revolutionary soldier, and, some years subsequent to his settlement in the township, was found dead on the roadside, above Chillicothe, to which place he had been to draw his pension.

When Captain Douglas, of Mt. Vernon, with his command, visited Greentown for the purpose of removing the Indian inhabitants, a party of Indians, on the night of the day that Douglas made his appearance in their town, came to the house of Mr. Kinney, and stated to him their troubles, and asked him to intercede for them, and permit them to remain at their homes. He accompanied them on their return; had an interview with Captain Douglas, and remonstrated with him on the injustice and impolicy of removing the Indians from their town, since they had agreed to give up all their arms, and have the roll of the men called twice aday. So confident was Mr. Kinney that evil to the white settlers would result from their removal, and so earnest did he become in his protest against the folly, that the captain drew his sword upon him, and might have committed violence, had he not been for the moment surrounded by the anxious and indignant Indians. It is doubtless true that, had Mr. Kinney's counsels prevailed, the massacre upon the Black Fork would not have occurred.

It was a command under Colonel Robert Crooks, of Pennsylvania, that burned the buildings in Greentown a few days after the removal of the Indians.

William Mcnaull

William McNaull immigrated to Montgomery Township in June, 1815, and in 1828 removed to Perrysville, and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1856 - a period of twenty-eight consecutive years. He is the oldest merchant in the county, and has lost by "the credit system" an amount sufficient to secure a life-long competence to the poorest family in the county.

John Neptune

John Neptune, an emigrant from Maryland, removed to Wooster in 1819, and in 1824 purchased the farm in Hanover Township, now owned by John Sneer. In 1831 he purchased and removed to the farm upon which himself and family have since resided, in Green Township.

Allen Oliver

1810. Inthe preceding June, he entered the southwest quarter of section 28, Green Township; and in February, 1811, removed his family to a half-faced cabin, without a roof, upon this land. During the first night the family lodged in their roofless house, the snow fell to the depth of ten or twelve inches.

His family at this time consisted of his wife and sons, John, Daniel, and Lewis, and four daughters. Daniel and Lewis - the latter residing upon the old homestead - Mrs. Sarah Tannehill and Mrs. Elizabeth McMahan are the only survivors of the family of Mr. Oliver now residing in Green Township. His own death occurred on the 28th of September, 1823, 'in the sixty-fifth year of his age.

Johnny, from more respect to his sense of right than law, would join parties who were employed in work upon the public roads. On one occasion, while thus engaged near the Jones prairie, in Green Township, a yellow jackets nest became disturbed, and one of the insects found its way under his pants; and although it inflicted repeated stings, he gently and quietly forced it downward by pressing his pants above it. His comrades, much amused at his gentleness under such circumstances, inquired why he did not kill it? To which he replied that "it would not be right take the life of the poor thing, as it was only obeying the instinct of its nature, and did not intend to hurt him." and freighted it, partly at the place of Mr. Oliver and partly at the Loudonville mills, with wheat, flour, lumber, pork, chickens, and whisky, and safely navigated their craft and its burden to New Orleans. At that place, not finding a market for their wheat and pork, they reshipped those portions of their cargo to Richmond, Virginia. From the latter place, they traveled homeward, on foot.

William Reed removed, with his wife, to Green Township, in April, 1829 - his father having previously entered for him the northeast quarter of section 11 - being the same tract which he improved, and upon which he has since resided. Mr. Reed was an emigrant from Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Ebenezer Rice

Captain Ebenezer Rice and family immigrated to Green Township, in February, 1811. He had emigrated from Essex County, New York. In August, 1811, he removed his family to the northwest quarter of section 29, which tract he had entered in November, 1810.

Mr. Rice's family were the thirty-ninth which settled in Richland County, and the fifth in Green Township. He died in 1821, in the forty-ninth year of his age.

Aiexander Rice occupies the farm originally entered and improved by his father, and is the only son of Kbenezer Rice now residing within Ashland County.

Abigail Underwood Rice. Samuel was the son of Gershom, who was the son of Ephraim, who was the son of Thomas, who was the son of Edmund and Tamazine Rice, who emigrated from Barkhamstead, England, in 1638, and lived and died in Sudbury, Massachusetts. The old homestead, on the banks of the Sudbury River, with its beautiful spring and its broad meadows, is still in the possession of the Rice family.

" Any way to make money to pay taxes, and have a little something to trade on," thought the poor pioneer; and no better way was there than to make whisky. And here, in early days, among the sylvan shades of wild and beautiful Green Township, were no less than eight distilleries. A staunch, buzzing, seething, chattering, peerless one, was that which stood on the ereen slope just a few rods above Greentown meetinghouse: old, old settlers will tell you now, with a sneaking, fun-loving twinkle in the half averted eye, "it made most delicious whisky." But, alas! for the curse! poor men hung around it, willing to chop wood, empty slops, or do any dirty jobs, for all they could drink while they worked. Another distillery was near where Warring Wolf now lives, a mile or so below McKay; another on the Cowen farm; another on the Van Horn estate; one on the Vanscoyoe farm; another on Richard Guthrie's; another on Jesse Parr's; and the last one we can remember, near the old Manner mill, on the Clear Fork. Thank God! they are all gone now! The sweet autumn airs play over the green, grassy places where once rose their snaky hisses and their pestilential breathings, and the brooks and hillside springs and gushing fountains, that were once so wickedly perverted to base uses, now sin no more. Where stood the distilleries with the cavernous hole dug under them, are now fields or woodland pastures, with only a green hollow, or dimple, left to tell the tale. But, my oh! how handy it was to have something to trade on - good deal handier than stamps. Mr. bought a horse of old Billy Rag Bag, and gave fortyfive gallons of whisky; great, big, good horse, nothing the matter at all with him; not shoulder-stove, or spavined, or ailing at all. -And the Rag Bag family lived gloriously, superbly, fora whole month or two - had ege-nog to drink three times a day, and a good swig all round before they went to bed at night, and had their pumpkin sauce seasoned with whisky, and their corn bread; and then it was excellent to take the wild, woodsy taste off the spring water in those early times, when the very sunshine would not penetrate through the dense, leafy screen that curtained in their hill-side springs!

And this fine young horse that the wealthy Miss Skimmens drives so beautifully every day, her veil and ribbons all a flutter after her, and her dainty gloved hands toying so charmingly with the scarlet lines! Fine horse, that - carries his head like a Napoleon! Well, his great-great-grandam only cost sixty gallons of whisky, and grandpa carried it home himself, in pails and such like. Boggs wouldn't let him have the big barrel in the bargain. Boggs was close in a deal - Young America would call him cussed stingy.

'In the year 1809, Judge Thomas Coulter was going down the river, from Jefferson County, Ohio, with a boat load of flour, pork, and whisky, when a man, who owned a large tract of land on which Cincinnati now stands, hailed him, and was very anxious to make a trade with him - let him have his land for the contents of his boat. The judge didn't like such mighty rough, broken land, and, after talking a few minutes, went on his way to New Orleans. That was a common way then, among enterprising men, to make a good stout boat, and take provisions down to New Orleans, unless they sold out before they got there.

In early days all the salt the pioneers could obtain was brought from Zanesville, on horseback, subsequently in boats. Neighbors often borrowed pints or teacupsful, and then used it very sparingly, it was so precious. Mush was almost intolerable without salt. The old pioneer mothers tell us now that stewed pumpkin was eaten three times a day, and was considered a staple, or as much of a necessity as potatoes are now. A young married couple, who commenced housekeeping in a bare log cabin, with a straw bed, an axe, and a borrowed dinner pot - no teakettle or spider or other ironware, save this memorable pot - the first winter dried one hundred large pumpkins for their own family use; for, as she says now, "we wanted to busy ourselves at some kind of employment in the long evenings." The following summer, she taught school at home - had a few scholars, some of them great slab-sided young men, who couldn't tell how many months there were in a year. The cheery, sweet little wife would have to stand tip-toe beside them, and used to get so tickled at their funny answers. Notas school ma'ams do now did she when school was out - draw her pay and buy something new. Oh, no! their parents paid in spinning and weaving, and in helping John clear and grub in the sturdy wild wood. Sheep were very scarce, but the good wives managed to get up an occasional homespun coat for the husbands to wear to meeting. They dyed the cloth brown with butternut bark, or, in better days, blue,. with a dye made of chamber lye and indigo. The dear little dye tub had to stand in the warmest corner; it held as honorable place then as my lady's trim little workstand does now in the family sitting-room. The dye tub had a tolerably close cover, and was used to sit on altogether. We have frequently heard a story about a young man in those days, in Green Township, going sparking Sunday night, and, while he stayed, he occupied the honorable seat above named. The cover got shoved aside a little, and the skirts of his light-drab coat slipped down into the blue element. And there he sat, like a beaver soaking his tail, and the skirts were dyed a pretty blue. We never believed this, but it made a capital thing for the girls in those olden times to titter about, at quiltings and corn-huskings and frolics, and "after meeting was out." They had pretty girls in those days - we love to ask the old fellows about 'em now, and hear the invariable answer, "she was like a steel-trap;" or, "her eyes were like a wild deer's;" or, "her cheeks were like red roses;" or, "she'd a complexion like a china radish;" and, again, "oh! she could ride like the winds; manage any critter you ever saw; go so fast she'd leave no shadow at all." Once in awhile, in those days, a girl hed a nice dress - or short gown, it was called - made out of mama's gray cloak, or crimson camlet, that had passed through

For the first few years the pioneers had to eat corn bread and mush altogether, except on Sunday mornings, when the whole family would be treated to short cake for breakfast. The poor little children did love that holy day so, for the short cake was delicious. Then, on that morning, the mother indulged in a cup of tea; real store tea, that smelt of dear old New England or New York; and we'll warrant, the hot tears often coursed down those dear old care-worn faces as they sipped little tastes, and tried to make it taste longer and get all the good of it. Folks had to have pills then as well as now, and, as there were no pill venders with their boxes or one-horse wagons perambulating the country, they manufactured their own. They boiled butternut bark down to a thick syrup, thickened it with meal or flour, and made it out into pills; and every well-to-do family kept a supply. In peeling off the bark from the trees, be sure it had to be stripped downward, or it wouldn't physic. The leaves of the boneset stripped off, upward, were dried, and saved among the valuable medicines for an emetic.

Naughty pride would creep in among the young men even then; and do let me tell an incident that afforded me a good laugh. It was in the long, long ago, about 1816, an indulgent father told his two boys, who were, perhaps, eighteen and twenty, that because they had been so good to work and help bring up the younger brothers and sisters, they might have a fine seven-acre field to put out in tobacco, and they might have the proceeds all themselves. The great strapping good fellows thought they had the best father in the world. They raised a fine crop, took special care of it, and sold it. Well, but how to lay out the money to best advantage troubled them a good deat. At last they decided to buy hats, and went off and bought each a great, long, furry stovepipe hat, just exactly like the preacher wore. Qh! they were the happiest boys; went to meeting regular, and wore the hats every time, unless the weather was bad or the clouds looked lowering and suspicious; then they left them safe up in the loft, in the "chist." Both went to see the rosiest girls they knew, and both were married in less than a year, and to-day they are rich old farmers, trotting their grandchildren on their knees; and all this came of wearing such monstrous, fine, furry, unexceptionable hats!

Good Methodist preachers used to be very common in early days, real talented men too. One of them, though, in his moments of thoughtless excitement, used to swear - real, wicked, bad swearing - and, on being reprimanded once, he replied, " My dear brother, it's not swearing; it is a kind of a rough way I have of praying when I am excited !"

Some of the industrious, busy mothers, in those perilous and hard times, never took time to comb their little children's heads only once a week, and that was on Sunday morning before church. After this performance was over, each child had to take a spoonful of bitter cordial, made of aloes and other stuff, to keep off ague and sickness, and keep the stomach in healthy order. Little ones dreaded this as much as they liked the morning that brought the delicious offset, the short cake.

stick them over the cabin door, and giggle, and watch what young fellow would pass under first. Had lots of fun. Then they would press the leaves of the rue on the bare arms, and wish, and if it left a red impress, the wish was sure to come true - never failed. In milking a young cow, for the first time, sometimes they would milk in a big washing tub, or some large vessel - it was a sure sign she'd be an abundant milker; any woman was silly who would milk first in a small pail or tin cup.

The country in those early days was more beautiful than any pen can describe. The valley of the Black Fork was very densely covered with a low, matted growth of small timber, while, close to the creek, the ground was rankly covered with long grass, and the interlacing vines of the wild morning-glory, plumy willows, and the dark, thick growth of alder. The hills were crowned with giant oaks, and the fragrant winds were healthful as the breezes of the ocean. Wild game abounded, even great ferocious wild hogs, with their foamy, white tushes gleaming out and looking frightful. Captain Rice got his neighbors and all their dogs to help him catch one once. It took a sty as stout as the hills and the rocks to hold him captive.

The first school taught in Green Township, that we know of, was taught by Betsey Coulter - a little accommodating neighborly affair, in her own house, in the summer of 1814. The next summer, poor old William Maxwell Adolphus Johnson taught in his own house. He was a Scotchman, a man of some talent and good education. The following winter, Asa Brown, a shrewd Yankee, taught in the new school-house. It was built near the center of the town, on the south side of what is now Esq. Cowen's farm. It had a good, stout puncheon floor, wide fireplace, a log left out at each side of the house, and the aperture covered with greased paper, for windows.

The Oliver boys "stalled the master" that winter, in the rule of three, but Judge Coulter helped him out of the scrape creditably. Oh! what good times they did have that first winter at school! Only yesterday, we heard one of the boys and one of the girls laughing heartily over fun of running races and snowballing and playing tricks on the master! Though the boy is now hale and hearty, and on the shady side of seventy, and the girl a little younger, their laughter was cheery and ringing, instead of cracked and tremulous. Before that winter's school was fairly closed, the master went into the dry goods business. His entire stock was bought in Zanesville, and brought up the river and tributary creeks, and safely landed at Perrysville, in a boat of his own making. He lived on the old Esq. Taylor farm, now owned by Hiram Cake. One of his children thrust a burning stick into some powder; the house was partly demolished, and two of his children killed. The explosion was felt for a great distance, and heard in Vermillion Township, ten miles distant.

At an early day, John Coulter and Captain Rice took the job of cutting a road from Ashland to Mansfield. They contracted to cut ten miles for ninety dollars, and the place of beginning was specified then as the Trickle farm. The Trickle family had left their poor little home on account of the Indians, and gone to Wooster for safety. The father of the family died the day the men commenced their job of cutting.

After the roads were cut, or laid out through the woods ready to work on, Philip Seymour was made one of the first supervisors. His district extended from Perrysville up the Mansfield road, almost to Lucas. One time when they were laboring on the road and felling trees on the Mohawk Hill, one fell aslant and broke one of Richard Conine's legs. The men made a comfortable resting-place for him against a tree, and then started John Oliver off to borrow Peter Kinney's old gray mare to carry Dicky home. John had five miles to walk through the woods; it was growing late when he returned, and Dicky suffered extremely. His father rode and took him on behind, and there he was all that weary ride of rough miles, his leg dangling and the broken bones grating together and paining him intensely. Solomon Hill and Judge Coulter attended to the binding up and splintering and fixing his poor limb that night, as the family were in poor circumstances, and no doctor nearer than Mt. Vernon. It was many weeks before Richard could get around, and as soon as he could walk, he limped out on crutches to look at the young pigs in the pen, and before he got back to the house, he slipped and fell and broke it over again; and then the two men were sent for, and the dreadful performance unskillfully gone through with another time. Then, before he wholly recovered, the settlers had to flee to the block-house for safety from the Indians; and there, within its dreary, lonesome walls, Dicky's young mother died, with no physician near to save or help; none but hardy and sympathizing men and weeping and pitying neighbor women. How these little life-incidents will run on into stories; one leads into another and another, and we hardly know where to stop or how to close! What a web of history is even the incidents of pioneer times in one township! And what fun those stalwart, handsome, sunburnt young fellows, clad in buckskin, did have! How they did love the free, wild wood, and the cheerful-looking clearings, with their burning brush heaps and piles of logs lying promiscuously every way, and the green framing-in of woodland that shut out everything from sight except the spanning of blue sky! Those were glorious old times, indeed, and no wonder that weary, 'sluggish old pulses leap as with the vigorous life of childhood, now when they, old friends, meet together and live those times over again, as they sit in the shade of their own vines and roof-trees. They did have the jolliest singing schools and spelling schools and log-rollings and raisings of barns and double log houses. And then, at elections and trainings, sometimes some of the old fellows would drink a little too much,'and they would have such laughable fights, and the younger ones would be so tickled at the "dog falls" and the aimless blows at the head that wouldn't tell on the head at all, and the great earnest grips that would bring the tow shirt with them, and the tumbling over, and the too drunk to make a raise again, and the lying on the ground, and the feeble pecking at each other's heads, blows that a suckling baby would almost take as caresses! We often hear the dear old boys laughing heartily over these merry recollections. And we hear them tell, too, of deaf old Aston. <A crowd of them would gather in: the old man's shop, and some of them would say real saucy things right to his face, and swear at him, and call him bad names, and make an immense sight of fun for the rest, who would be in convulsions of laughter, and the poor old man wouldn't hear a word they'd say. Once in. awhile they would make some pleasant remark to him to keep him in good humor, and from suspicion.

And then, one time, some of the young men went, after night, away up toward Hayesville, to search for a thief. They suspected him to be hidden in his house, and they all lay down slyly close up to the outside wall of the big fireplace, where they could peep in. Nobody was to be seen inside the house except the man's wife and an old gal, who was living with them. There sat the two women, right before the fire, knitting, and both talking busily enough, never dreaming that a dozen ears heard every word they said. The boys could hardly keep from laughing, and one giggling fellow had to go off a little distance, occasionally, to laugh it out. After awhile they got to passing the bottle around - must have something to drink to keep them warm; and the funniest part was that the two women smelt whisky, and sniffed up their noses and wondered what it was, and kept sniffing and wondering until after they had gone to bed.

The thief did not make his appearance that night, but a few weeks afterward the boys searched again, and found him under the floor, and made him crawl out, and they took him.

handsome man, by the name of Gerry.* For awhile he made his home in Green Township. He was wedded to an accomplished Irish lady. The gambling saloons of our cities know not a more successful and scheming rascal, and yet over all he dared to wear the "livery of Heaven." His eloquence was of a masterly style, and. he won the hearts of all his hearers, while he held in his power even those who doubted his sincerity and godliness. His bearing was fascinating and faultless, and his polite demeanor was winning in the extreme. Of his superior rascality, two instances I remember to have heard from those interested.

He had borrowed a hundred dollars of David Coulter, a son of Judge Coulter, and had not paid it back at the time specified. He had removed to some city distant from here, and Mr. Coulter, growing tired of his promises to pay, started off in a rage, swearing he wouldn't come home until he had received his money. It was Saturday night when he arrived there, and he sallied out the next morning in anything but a good humor. People were thronging the streets on their way to church, and, as Coulter was walking along, moodily, with his head down, a manly but silky-toned voice said: "My dear Coulter, how happy Iam to see you! J am to preach at ten; come with me, please." It was Gerry, who drew Coulter's arm within his own, saying blandly, "I wish to speak with you, privately, after service ;" and he took him right along with him.

A few days after, Mr. Coulter came home, looking very serious, and, when his jolly chums inquired his success, he told them that he went and heard Gerry preach, and the beautiful sermon, so wonderful in its touching eloquence, made him feel that he could well afford to give Gerry one hundred dollars.

The text was, "Love one another ;" and Coulter said it affected him to tears, and he felt mean and guilty, and thought he wasn't good enough to receive money from Gerry's hands, and that, as soon as service was over, he sneaked out and hurried away, for fear Gerry would see him. So great is the magical power of eloquence !

Gerry was one time riding.in a carriage, going to fulfill an appointment, when he came to where some laborers were working on the roads, in the western part of Green Township. They were fixing a crossing, and the carriage could not be driven over very well, and Gerry got out and led the horse, while the men got the carriage safely across. Gerry, with his usual politeness, took off his hat, and, bowing, thanked them very nicely, and, to add a flourish probably, went to pull his handkerchief out of his coat pocket, when out came a loose pack of cards, flying hither and thither all over the road!

Not at all discomposed, he smiled sweetly, and said in his silkiest tones: "It is not very creditable, gentlemen, to find such things in a minister's keeping. I had no idea these were the contents of a little package that your neighbor B.'s children were sending to some of their little friends - ha! ha!" and he laughed heartily; while the honest men, believing his glowing words, gathered up the little tell-tales, brushed off the dust, and returned them to his pocket.

Simon Rowland Charles And Bazel Tannehill

1812, when about seventeen years of age. Several years later, he married Sarah, daughter of Calvin Hill, and purchased the farm in Green Township, now owned by John Maurer, which place he occupied until the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1838; and his widow died on the 17th day of March, 1859. CHARLES AND BAZEL TANNEHILL.

Charles and Bazel Tannehill, in October, 1810, commenced improvement on the northwest quarter of section 33, Green Township. They had, the month previous, entered the above described quarter, together with the southeast quarter of section 29, (which was subsequently improved by Charles Tannehill, and upon which he at present resides.) They were emigrants from Jefferson County, Ohio.

The family of Abraham Baughman was the only one residing in the township when Messrs. Tannehill commenced their improvement. This place became afterward known as "the Guthrie farm," and is now occupied by John Castor. There was also an unmarried man, named John Davis, keeping "bachelor's hall" upon the farm now owned by William Irvin, being the southwest quarter of section 30. In the fall of 1811, Melzer Tannehill, Sen., (father of Charles and Bazel,) removed his family to Green Township.

Melzer Tannehill, Sen., of Green Township, James McClure, of Belleville, and Samuel Watson, of Lexington, were the first Commissioners of Richland

County, elected in 1813. Mr. Tannehill, in 1812, had been elected assessor for Knox County, (Green then being one of the townships of that county.) He was also among the first. justices of the peace of Green Township.

Directly after Hull's surrender, at Detroit, the public necessities were supposed to demand immediate additions to the military force for the purpose of resisting anticipated Indian invasions of Ohio. Charles Tannehill responded to the call for volunteers, and enlisted for a term of forty days, under the | command of Major Kratzer, of Mt. Vernon. <A body of troops, himself among them, were out on a scouting expedition, and in the vicinity of the present town of New Haven, Huron County, discovered a vacated encampment, which had the appearance of having been a few hours previously occupied by the Indians. On Saturday night, the white and Indian encampments were not separated by a distance exceeding a mile; although this fact was not discovered by our troops until Sunday evening, which gave the enemy a day's advance of us. Early on Monday morning, the troops pushed forward on the Indians' trail, and on that evening reached the place where the town of Ganges now stands. On Tuesday morning, (the day Copus was killed,) a party of five, including Mr. Tannehill, were sent to the relief of the settlers on the Black Fork, as it was supposed the Indians contemplated an attack upon that settlement. They were led to this conclusion, from their knowledge that Seymour and Ruffner had been killed a few days previously. Arriving near the Ruffner place, they met the remaining troops, (seven in number,) who had been engaged in the battle at Copus's, having in charge the surviving members of the Copus family. These troops had also, since the battle, been joined by about one hundred others belonging to the same command, (that of Major Krebs, of Tuscarawas County.) The united force on that night encamped in the vicinity of the Copus cabin, and, on. the next morning, Mr. Tannehill and party took leave of the Tuscarawas militia, and pursued their way to the deserted village of Greentown. Near that place, at the cabin of Abraham Baughman, (which was also found deserted,) Mr. Tannehill separated from his companions'and continued his way homeward. Near Perrysville, he overtook John Coulter and Harvey Hill, who were urging forward some cattle at "double quick," and from whom he learned that the settlement had heard the tidings of the last battle, and that they formed the rear patel of the settlers who were fleeing to Samuel Lewis's block- house, on the Clear Fork.

On the day following, the men returned and erected a block-house on the place of Thomas Coulter, which afforded security for a greater portion of the Black Fork 'settlement of Green Township during the remainder of the war.

From the date of the first settlement of the township until about 1816, the wants of new immigrants created a good Aemans and good prices for all the surplus produce the farmer could raise; but in the year above mentioned, a surplus beyond the wants of the settlement was produced, and prices fell to a very low figure. This made it peculiarly hard upon the first settlers who had leased Virginia Military District School lands, as the interest on their purchases fell due about this time. Corn, which had in the previous years since the first settlement, found ready sale at seventy- -five cents per bushel, could not be sold at any price; and wheat, which had formerly sold for $1.25 per bushel, and even higher, was now reduced to 374 and-even 25 cents per bushel. Five bushels of wheat were exchanged by Mr. Tannehill for one bushel of salt. The first market was at Portland, or Sandusky City. The first trip which Mr. Tannehill made, in 1819, occupied ten days.

Melzer Tannehill, Sen., died in April, 1851, at the age of eighty-five and three-quarter years. Charles and Melzer Tannehill, Jun., are the only survivors of the family that originally immigrated now residing in the county.

Melzer Tannehill, Jun., immigrated with his father's family to Green Township, in September, 1811, and is now the owner and occupant of the original homestead of the family. He was a boy ten years of age when he came to the township.

Mr. Tannehill is of opinion that Green Township, - in 1810, embraced what is now Hanover, in Ashland County, Monroe and Worthington, in Richland County, and Brown, Jefferson, and probably other townships, in Knox County. The territory thus organized, he believes, derived its name from the old Indian Greentown, and when the territory finally became subdivided into civil townships conforming to the United States surveys, the old town, falling within the limits of the present township, retained the original name.

In October, 1813, after all apprehension of Indian attacks had subsided, and the families in the neighborhood had withdrawn from the forts and returned to their homes, a corps of soldiers, who had been stationed at Lewis's block-house, of which. the old soldier, John Davis, had also been an inmate, concluded to test the courage of the old man. Accordingly, about daybreak, they approached within a short distance of his cabin, and discharged their guns. The old man, however, was not driven from his propriety, and exhibited no symptoms of fright. But the consequences of the joke did not end here. Lieutenant Winteringer, of Jefferson County, then in command of Coulter's block-house, hearing the report of the guns, but mistaking the direction of the sound, concluded that the house of Mr. Adsit was attacked, and, placing himself at the head of his troops, made for the relief of that citizen's family. Arriving at Adsit's, and finding all quiet, he proceeded to Mr. Rice's, controlled by the opinion of Mr. Adsit that the firing had proceeded from the vicinity of that neighbor's premises. The heutenant was soon at the house of Mr. Rice, whd had also heard the report of fire-arms, and had inferred that the sound proceeded from the neighborhood of Lewis's block-house. Adopting Rice's theory, he made for the block-house - upon reaching which place, he soon learned the truth of matters. After severely reprimanding the thoughtless wags for their violation of discipline, and for having cost him so much anxiety and labor, he returned. The "comedy of errors," which had produced such perplexity and confusion of sound, originated, as will be plainly evident to those

During the years 1812 and 1813, the fall crops of wheat and rye were put in by the farmers in the neighborhood under guards of soldiers - those being the periods when attacks from the Indians, in consequence of occurrences elsewhere related, were most apprehended.

During the excitement that pervaded the community at the block-house, on the evening after the attack upon the Copus family, the male inmates of the fortress, including boys and men, assembled, in the dusk of the evening, in the vicinity of the fort, and near the apprehended point of attack, for military drill. There were no regular soldiers, and it was a parade of the militia. Such as had bona fide rifles and muskets shouldered them, and those who had not, substituted wooden or Quaker guns. The roll was called, and the men would respond for themselves, the boys, and a multitudinous number of mythical persons - thus leaving the impression upon the minds of the concealed foe, if such were in sight and hearing, that an immense force was defending the block-house.

This gentleman, who immigrated to Green Township in the spring of I811, was one of the most intrepid, intelligent, and useful citizens who cast their lot among the pioneers of the country. When the dangers that threatened the settlement from Indian attacks appeared most imminent, he mounted his horse, and, in company with Harvey Hill, made a night trip through the wilderness to Wooster, for the purpose of securing troops for the defense of the community. When the majority of the inhabitants, under the influence of panic, were inclined to seek refuge in the more densely settled places, he protested against all propositions to abandon the old fort. He was always foremost in every enterprise that required courage and sacrifice. When Richland County was organized, he was elected by the General Assembly one of the first Associate Judges. As a Christian, a citizen, and a neighbor, he commanded the esteem of all who knew him.

The first interment in the burial ground at Perrysville was the body of Samuel Hill, in June, 1812. The second was the body of Mrs. Conine, who died in the block-house, in the fall of the same year.

William Taylor

William Taylor removed from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, to the northeast quarter of section 21, Green Township, in August, 1821. He subsequently, at different dates, purchased and became the owner of the whole of section 21. His family, when he came to the county, consisted of his wife, eight sons, and one daughter - of whom John Taylor, Esq., and Mrs. Thomas McGuire are the only survivors now residing in the county. Mr. Taylor died on the 7th of March, 1851, at the age of seventy-seven years - having been born one year before the Declaration of American Independence.

William Wallace

William Wallace emigrated from Jefferson County, Ohio, with his wife and three children, to the northwest quarter of section 27, Green Township, in April, 1824. He died in April, 1850, at the age of fiftythree years. Of his family, who came with him to the township, his widow and son Levi reside upon the homestead above described. John Wallace, the other surviving son, is also a resident of Green Township.

John White Isaac Wolf

Isaac Wolf removed with his family, consisting of his wife and three children, from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, to Green Township, in the spring of 1819. He had, the year previous, entered the northwest quarter of section 25, and cleared a field, sown wheat, and erected a cabin. He died in October, 1840, at the age of fifty-five years.

Warring Wolf, who yct resides upon the farm above mentioned, is the only survivor of the family, except the widow, now residing in Ashland County.

"Bell's trail," after passing through the farm of Joseph M. Byers, also passed through this place, as well as the lands of David Hunter and Benjamin McGuire.

Election Of April, 1817

At a meeting of the trustees of Green Township, at the house of Jonathan Coulter, on the Oth day of July, 1817, it was agreed that a road tax be levied upon the following property holders, namely : -

Election Of April, 1818

Grand Jurors: Abel Strong, Basil Tannchill, Jedediah Smith, and Isaiah Walters - Pelit Jurors: James Rowland, John Bailey, Alexander Skinner, and Simon Rowland.

Election Of April, 1830

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1829. Clerk: Peter L. Campbell - Trustees: Thomas Andrews, John Chappel, and John Oliver - Treasurer: Simon Rowland. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1830.

Election Of April, 1836

Clerk: Hugh Martin - Trustees: William McNaull, Matthew Anderson, and Nathaniel Haskell - Cons/ables: George M. Grim and Calvin Hill - Treasurer: James Gladden.

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1843. Clerk: Hugh Martin - Trustees: John Oliver, William Simms, and Thomas Kithcart - Treasurer: James Gladden. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1844.

Election Of April, 1845 Election Of April, 1846

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1845. Clerk: Abram Dehaven - Trustees: William McNaull, Wm. McKinley, and John Oliver - Treasurer: John Coulter. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1846.

Election Of April, 1847 Election Of April, 1848

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1847. Clerk: James A. Segur - Trustees: Alexander Rice, Thomas Calhoun, and William McKinley - Treasurer: Lewis K. Sheehand. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1848.

Successive Justices Of The Peace In Green

1818. James Rowland, elected. 1819. Jonathan Coulter, elected. 1821. Trew Pattee, elected. 1822. Jonathan Coulter, re-elected. 1822. Ahira Hill, elected. 1824. Simon Rowland, elected. 1825. Jonathan Coulter, re-elected. 1827. William Taylor, elected. 1828. Jonathan Coulter, re-elected. 1830. William Taylor, re-elected. 1831. John Coulter, elected. 1833. Thomas Andrews, elected. 1833. Simon Rowland, re-elected. 1834. John Coulter, re-elected. 1836. Thomas Anderson, re-elected. 1836. Simon Rowland, re-elected. 1837. Thomas W. Coulter, elected.

1838. John M. Rowland, elected. 1838. Isaac Martin, Jr., elected. 1840. Thomas W. Coulter, re-elected. 1841. John M. Rowland, re-elected. 1841. Isaac Martin, Jr., re-elected. 1843. Thomas W. Coulter, re-elected. 1844. Hugh Martin, elected.

1853. Abram Dehaven, elected. 1853. William Reed, re-elected. 1856. Thomas Calhoun, elected. 1856. George W. Carey, elected. 1859. John Taylor, elected.

Chapter Xi

SurverED in the year 1807, by General James Hedges, Deputy Surveyor of the United States - then a citizen of Virginia, but afterward a resident of Mansfield, for a period of about fifty years, and duly platted and certified to Jared Mansfield, Surveyor- General of the United States. Organized in November, 1818.

Hanover may be properly designated THE MOUNTAIN TownsuIP of Ashland County. The "Loudonville Hills," to all who had ever traveled the old stage route between Columbus and Cleveland, were understood to be "a power in the State." Some of the lofty and precipitous hills of this township reach an altitude attaining the real grandeur of mountains. A considerable portion of the surface of Hanover is not adapted to cultivation, although there are many farms not excelled in fertility by those of any other township in the county.

The Clear Fork enters Hanover from near the northwest corner of the township, and flowing an average southeasterly course about five miles, unites with the Black Fork, and forms the Mohican. There is not a distance of a mile that does not afford sufficient fall and volume to turn a mill the year round. Its channel is narrow and rapid, and confined within high banks. There are, however, only two privileges used upon it in Hanover Township - the "McMahan mills," which includes two pairs of burrs and one saw, and a sawmill owned by James Coe, which runs one saw.

The Black Fork enters Hanover Township at Loudonville, and pursues a southwesterly course, about three miles, when it unites with the Clear Fork. There is a carding machine, and also a sawmill propelled by its waters.

The first election was held on the 7th of November, 181S - fifteen votes being cast. The following are the names of the electors: Thomas Taylor, Robert Dawson, George Davidson, George Snider, Anthony Zeers, William Burwell, George Davidson, Jr., Amos Harbaugh, William Webb, Ransom Clark, Abner Winters, Stephen Butler, John Lisar, Abel Strong, and John Burwell. The following are part of the officers elected : - ,

Election Of April, 1819 Election Of April, 1820

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1819. Clerk, Ransom Clark - Trustees, Thomas Taylor, Abel Strong, and John Hilderbrand - Treasurer, Amos Harbaugh. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1820.

Election Of April, 1821 Election Of April, 1822

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1821. Clerk, Ransom Clark - Trustees, Wm. Robinson, John C. McCoy, and Andrew Smith - Treasurer, Stephen Butler. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1822. [There is no record of the election of this year. ]

Presidential Election Of 1828

The electoral ticket supported by the friends of ANDREW J AOKson for President, and Joun C. CaLHoun for Vice-President, received 39 votes. The ticket supported by the friends of John Quincy Adams for President, and Richard Rush for Vice-President, received 10 votes.

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1843. Clerk, George W. Bull - Trustees, George C. Heisler, E. S. Hibbard, and John Strong - Treasurer, Adolph Klemm. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1844.

Election Of April, 1855

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1854. Clerk, John McCormick - Trustees, William Buckmaster, John Shearer, and Samuel Blackmore - Treasurer, John Taylor. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1855.

Election Of April, 1862

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1862. Clerk, Darius Rust - Trustees, Henry Brown, William Garrett, and John Crowner - Treasurer, Jacob W. Stacker - -Assessor, William Crowner - Constable, John W. Rollins.

1818. Stephen Butler, elected. 1821. Stephen Butler, re-elected. 1824. Abel Strong, elected. 1824. John McCoy, elected. 1827. Abel Strong, re-elected. 1827. Gilbert Pell, elected.

1830. Abel Strong, re-elected. 1830. Thomas Shearer, elected. 1833.. Edward S. Hibbard, elected. 1833. William McMillen, elected. 1834. John Kennedy, elected.

Evangelical, Lutheran, And German

Edward 8S. Hibbard, re-elected. James Willson, elected. John Kennedy, re-elected. John A. McFall, elected. George W. Bull, elected. Edward S. Hibbard, re-elected. John A. McFall, re-elected. George W. Bull, re-elected. Edward Hibbard, re-elected. Peter Yost, elected.

George W. Bull, re-elected. James M. Ayres, elected. Peter Yost, re-elected. George W. Bull, re-elected. James M. Ayres, re-elected. Peter Yost, re-elected. Thomas J. Bull, elected. Solomon Givler, elected. James L. Drake, elected. William Garrett, elected. George W. Bull, re-elected. Jacob Hublitz, elected. John Taylor elected. William Garrett, re-elected. A. N. Bishop, elected. Joseph B. Sanborn, elected. J. B. Cummings, elected. A. C. Kile, elected.

Reformed

pulpit every third Sunday. The Lutheran branch of the society only have now a church organization. John Vance and Mr. Hecht are the elders; George Doup and Henry Nipps, deacons, and Philip Thoma, treasurer.

Murder Of John Whitney

Among the criminal annals that have rendered Hanover Township somewhat conspicuous, none have attracted so large a share of public attention as the murder, on the night of the presidential election of 1856, of John Whitney. He was a worthy and highly-esteemed citizen, and the circumstances attending his death created general astonishment. Although several years have now elapsed, no trace of the guilty parties has yet been discovered.

"Tt becomes our painful duty to record the commission of a second brutal murder within the limits of our county. Mr. John Whitney, one of the oldest and most respectable citizens of Loudonville, while on his way home, after nightfall, on Tuesday night, was waylaid by some inhuman wretch, knocked down, and robbed of the few dollars he happened to have about his person, within forty rods of his own house! Mr. Whitney finally recovered sufficiently to make his way to his dwelling, but was unable to utter a word after he reached home. His skull was fractured, and his mouth badly bruised. The blood having flowed freely from his wounds, the exact spot where the murder was committed is thereby pointed out. Mr. Whitney died about six o'clock this morning. Who the fiend was who committed the bloody deed remains a profound mystery. The deceased leaves a wife and several children to mourn his unhappy end. We hope no effort will be spared to ferret out the author of this deed. The fair fame of our county and the safety of all is at stake."

The town is situated on the line of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad, and contains four churches: 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Baptist, 1 German Reformed, and 1 Lutheran; a Masonic Lodge, and a Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows; 1 academy, 1 attorney, 3 physicians, 2 clergymen, 3 dry goods stores, 2 clothing stores, 2 drug stores, 3 millinery shops, 2 founderies, 1 tannery, 2 tin and stove shops, 3 blacksmith shops, 3 boot and shoe shops, 2 saddlery and harness shops, 1 bakery and confectionery, a lumber yard, 2 cabinet shops, 1 marble shop, 1 chair shop, 1 tailor shop, 1 barber shop, 1 coverlet manufacturer, 1 gunsmith, and 5 groceries.

The officers of the town for the year 1862, are as follows: - Mayor: William Larwill, Jr. - Recorder: Morrill Rust - Warshal: J. W. Rollins - Council: Henry Brown, George Hunnybarger, Clodius Peto, Adam Ullman, and G. G. Leopold.

In the legislation connected with the internal improvement system undertaken by the State of Ohio, the town of Loudonville and the Black Fork of the Mohican occupied no inferior space. At a very early day the Black Fork was declared by legislative enactment to be within the purview of the fourth . Article of the Ordinance of 1787, which proclaimed the navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, and the carrying places between the same, as "common highways,* and forever free, as well to the inhabitants of the said territory, as to the citizens of the United States, and those of any other States that may be admitted into the confederacy, without any tax, impost, or duty therefor."

The Walhonding Canal was commenced with the intention and expectation of extending it up the branches of the river of that name, to Loudonville, on the Black Fork, and to Mt. Vernon, on the " Vernon River," or, as it was and is more generally known, the "Owl Creek." On the 10th of March, 1838, a law was passed. to provide for the extension of the Walhonding Canal to the points above named. This law directed "that whenever the Board of Public Works shall be satisfied that the work on said canals may be commenced and prosecuted with

* If a dam is erected across such stream, and loss is sustained by the navigation, in consequence of the obstruction, the owners of the dam are responsible, although the erection was authorized by the legislature upon certain terms and conditions, and although all diligence was used by the owners of the dam to prevent it from creating obstruction to the navigation. If such dam is not kept in the condition required by the act of the legislature authorizing its erection, it may be regarded as a common nuisance, and persons injured may maintain an action as in the case of an injury by anuisance. Hogg v. Zanesville Canal Co., etc., 5 O. R. 410.

economy, and without material detriment to the public works in the vicinity which may then be in progress,' * * * "they shall certify the same, together with an estimate of the sums which can be advantageously expended on the same, within the year next ensuing, and so on, from year to year, during the progress of the work, to the Commissioners of the Canal Fund. That the Commissioners of the Canal Fund shall, from time to time, on receiving such certified estimates from the Board of Public Works, be authorized to borrow, on the credit of the State, at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent. per annum, the sums so certified to be necessary for the prosecution of the work."

On the 6th of April, 1839, the Board made the necessary certified estimates to the Commissioners of the Canal Fund, and also made preparations for commencing the work, by a permanent location of the same.

A few days previous to the time designated for advertising the letting of the work, a communication was made to the Board of Public Works by the Commissioners of the Canal Fund, then in New York, notifying the Board that money could not then be borrowed at the rate authorized by law, and urging that the work for a time be suspended.

The suspension proved to be indefinite; and thus, after a few spasmodic but ineffectual revivals, ended a project which, had it been successful, would, in all probability, have made Loudonville at this day the seat of justice of one of the most flourishing counties in Northern Ohio. It was only the protracted period of financial embarrassment that immediately succeeded the year above mentioned - an embarrassment in-.

volving all the productive interests of the country as well as corporations and States - that defeated the construction of the improvement of the Black Fork.

Churches In Loudonville Baptist

This church was organized in May, 1839 - Isaac Wolf and John Neptune, deacons. Rev. Mr. Wilson had charge of the congregation two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Stearns, who also remained two years. Rev. William Leete is the present pastor.

The church was organized with eleven members. There are now fifty-six. Warren Wolf, Joseph B. Sanborn, and John Neptune are the deacons at this time; William Campbell, clerk.

In the spring of 1834, the first protracted meeting was held by Rev. Elmore Yocum, in an old stone house, owned by Thomas McMahan, at which time forty-four persons joined the church.

At a meeting of the Quarterly Conference, held at Kckley's Meeting-House, Ashland Circuit, Wooster District, Ohio Conference Methodist Episcopal Church, February 14, 1835, the following Board of Trustees were appointed to estimate the expense of building a church in Loudonville, namely: Joseph White, James Martin, and Leonard Parker. On the 14th of

March, 1835, the following Board of Trustees were appointed by Rev. H. M. Shaffer, namely: Joseph White, James Martin, Leonard Parker, Thomas Shearer, Daniel Oliver, William Kay, Edward S. Hibbard, Henry Hannawalt, and Joseph Hill.

The church was organized by Rey. Elmore Yocum, in March, 1834, in Thomas McMahan's warehouse. Meetings were also held at the houses of Joseph White and James Martin, and at the old Plank School-House. David Drake was the first classleader. The first church building was erected in the summer of 1836. Its walls were of brick. Dimensions, 24 by 36 feet, and cost $500. The present building, which is 40 by 50 feet, was completed in the summer of 1856, at a cost of $1500. It will seat comfortably four hundred persons.

The present membership is sixty-five. Class-Leaders: Samuel White and Andrew Mumper - Steward: C. S. Deyarman - Preacher in Charge: Rev. C. D. Lakey - Juntor: Rev. J. L. Beardsley.

German Reformed And Lutheran Evangelical

These denominations erected a house for public worship, in Loudonville, in 1846, for the joint use of both. In July, 1860, the building was destroyed by fire. In 1861, the denominations having previously separated, each erected, during that year, houses for public worship.

Rev. Mr. Greenline, during the last three years, has had charge of the German Reformed congregation, and Rev. Mr. Herzberger, since April, 1862, has supplied the pulpit in the Lutheran Church.

Benevolent Institutions Hanover Lodge No. 115, Free And Accepted Masons

The dispensation for the lodge, at Loudonville, was granted in Novembcr, 18438, toGeo. H. Stewart, Adolph Klemm, Nathaniel Haskell, John Ewalt, Wm. J. Cullen, P. B. Griffith, E. B. Fuller, and Jacob Booth. At a special communication, October 28, 1844, the officers were regularly installed by Kimball Porter, of Ebenezer Lodge.

At the organization of the lodge, the membership numbered fifteen; at the present time (1862) the number is fifty-eight. The three principal officers are, G. G. Leopold, W. M.; C. S. Deyarman, S. W.,; and J. H. Sanborn, J. D.

Sylvan Lodge, No. 240, I. 0. 0. F.

This lodge was instituted April 20, 1854. The chartered members were John Taylor, David E. Stockman, A. P. Mather, C. Hildebrand, and A. Yarnall.

The present officers are, C. Hildebrand, N. G.; J. B. Long, V. G.; F. Shuck, Recording Secretary ; J. Brown, Per. Secretary; J. W. Rollins, Treasurer ; and P, Guth, P. G.

Samuel Garret

Samuel Garret emigrated from New. Jersey to Hanover township in 1825, having the year previous entered eighty acres in section 11, (the west half 'of the southwest quarter.)

For several years subsequent to Mr. Garret's settlement in the country, it was the custom of township officers to make no charge for public services. From about the year 1830, township officers received their first compensation.

Mr. Garret is now (August, 1862) in the eightyfirst year of his age. His father, William Garret, served during the revolutionary war, in the Life- Guard of General Washington. After his first discharge, in 1780, he received his arrears of pay in Continental paper, and, on the following morning, a landlord declined to receive the whole amount of his "money" for his breakfast.

Nathaniel Haskell

Nathaniel Haskell established himself at Loudonville, in April, 1820, and purchased the flouring mill on the Black Fork, one-half mile north of the town. To this he added machinery for the manufacture of woollen goods. In 1826, he disposed of his interest to Thomas J. Bull, and subsequently the mills passed into the hands of J. C. Larwill. About 1828, Mr. Haskell engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued about twenty-eight years - having been a merchant a longer continuous period, probably, than any other within the present limits of the county.

From 1817 until about 1830, a direct trade, by means of flat-boats, was conducted with Louisville and New Orleans - the boats passing down the Black Fork into the Mohican, then into the White Woman, (or Walhonding, as it is now named,) thence into the Muskingum, and thence into the Ohio. These boats were generally freighted with flour and whisky, and would carry about forty-five tons. The completion of the Muskingum improvement and Walhonding Canal cut off this trade. During the period of this commercial intercourse with New Orleans, flour at Loudonville would command from $2.50 to $3 per barrel, and would sell at the former place for $5 @ $6.

John Hilderbrand Mark Mapes

Mark Mapes removed to Hanover Township in the spring of 1822. He had previously resided in Muskingum County. When he commenced improvement upon the land he now occupies, his nearest neighbors on the north were Edward 8S. Hibbard and Gilbert Pell, two miles distant; on the east, his near-

James Loudon Priest removed from Pennsylvania to Lake Township in May, 1810, and entered the land now owned by Calvin Hibbard, of Loudonville. His children were William, Olive, Clarissa, Daniel, Alvin, Eliza, James, Isaac, Jonas, John, and Sarah.

Mr. Priest purchased the land '(one hundred and sixty acres, northwest quarter section 1) upon which is now situated Loudonville - and which town bears a part of his name - in the year 181 . At this date there was not a building of any sort within what now constitutes the town of Loudonville.

Mr. Priest was elected the first justice of the peace in Lake Township, and built, upon the farm above mentioned, the first log cabin in said township. He died August 12, 1822, aged fifty-five years; and was the first citizen buried with Masonic honors in Loudonville. His wife died in October, 1859. William Priest died about 1847; Olive married Robert Davis, (who died thirty years since,) and is now the wife of Andrew Smith, with whom she is now living, in Holmes County. Clarissa married Benjamin Quick, and deceased about twenty-seven years since. Daniel is now a resident of Holmes County. Of Alvin, nothing is known concerning him; the last information from him being that he was in Texas, in 1860. Eliza married George Webster, with whom she now resides, in Logansport, Indiana. James, when last heard from, (about thirteen years ago,) was in Ireland. Isaac died in Illinois in 1856. Jonas (who communicates these details) is a resident of. Washington Township, Holmes County, about one mile east of Loudonville. John is a neighbor of the latter; and Sarah married Cephas Parker, with whom she now resides, in Lake Township, Ashland County.

A few months prior to the Indian murders upon Black Fork, but while the savages had betrayed signs of hostility, Mr. Priest and his eldest son, William, went forth upon a reconnoissance. During their absence, Mrs. Elijah Bowland, a neighbor, came to the house and notified Mrs. Priest that she had discovered in the neighborhood unmistakable signs of Indians, their tracks, and a piece of blanket. She so impressed her feelings of alarm upon Mrs. Priest that she immediately proceeded to vacate the house, and, placing her three youngest children in a canoe, which _ happened to be passing on the Lake Fork, under the management of Samuel Magnin, with the other seven she followed a trail which led to the house of Henry Darnell. She had not proceeded far, however, before she became impressed with a fear that she might be waylaid by the Indians, and sent Daniel to the house to await, in an adjoining thicket, the return of his father and brother, to inform them of the circumstances that had transpired during their absence. In the mean time, she and the other children had sought refuge in an "alder swamp," not far distant. About midnight Mr. Priest and eldest son returned; upon discovering whom, Daniel came forward, and

Although the result proved that there was no just cause for alarm, it was determined, as a measure of safety, to build a fort, which was accordingly done, upon the farm of Mr. Priest, and became the constant abode of the settlers in the neighborhood during the subsequent three months, and at nights during the entire period of the war.

George Snyder

George Snyder and family removed from the neighborhood of Wooster to Loudonville, in 1818. There were then but three families between Loudonville and Mt. Vernon. Mr. Snyder had been a soldier during the war of the American Revolution. He died in 1840, at the age of ninety-three years. Henry Snyder, of Green Township, is the only son now residing in the county.

Contributed By Miss Mary E. Stewart

The town of Loudonville was laid out, in the year 1814, by Mr. James Loudon Priest and Mr. Stephen Butler. The beauty of the surrounding. scenery, the mildness of the climate, and the fertility of the soil, attracted the attention of the pioneer, and, in many cases, induced him to rear his humble dwelling upon some of our beautiful farms, and make it his future dwelling-place.

When the town was first laid out, there was but a single building in the place. It was a log cabin, owned by Mr. Stephen Butler, and, although it had but one room, it was the hotel, and dwelling house of two families. .

Owing to the many hardships which the emigrants to the far West (it was then called the far West) had to endure, and the difficulties they were obliged to encounter, the town improved but little during the first few years of its existence. In the year 1813 Mr. Caleb Chappel immigrated, with his family, to the then far West, and settled, for a short time, in Knox County, a few miles south of Loudonville. He assisted in surveying the grounds where the town now lies, and, in the spring of 1814, he entered land adjoining the town. The remainder of the year was spent in clearing the timber off the farm, erecting a log house, and preparing the grounds for use by the next spring. In the spring of 1815 he removed his family to his farm, which joins the northwestern corner of the ° town. Everything was new; and the many inconveniences with which they had to contend, and the dangers to which they were exposed, can only be known to those who have left comfortable homes, and taken up their abode in the wilds of a new country.

Wild animals roamed at large through the surrounding forests, and the Indians built their fires and held their councils in the neighboring woods. Mr. Chappel's nearest neighbor was Mr. Butler; he was the squire, the tavern keeper, and, in fact, the only man in town. Mr. James Loudon Priest lived some five miles east, and Mr. Oliver three miles to the west. The nearest places for trading were Wooster and Mansfield, then small towns, containing a limited number of buildings and inhabitants. The dress mostly worn by the male portion of the community consisted of a loose hunting-shirt - made of homemade linsey - being sometimes red, and sometimes blue. Those made of blue linsey were trimmed with a red fringe, and those made of red were trimmed - with blue fringe. A pair of pantaloons made of the same material; a pair of stout moccasins; a cap made frequently of rabbit skin; a broad, black belt, worn around the waist, to which was attached a large knife, and frequently a tomahawk and gun, completed the dress of the early settler.

Pantaloons made of deer-skin were generally worn by hunters. The female dress was made of either flannel, linen, linsey, or calico - the calico being the most expensive, as the others were manufactured at home. Such was the dress worn by the early settlers of our country, contrasting greatly with the dashing style of the fast young man and modern belle of the present age; and no doubt many a young American would consider it far beneath his dignity to acknowledge such was the simple dress worn by his forefathers. |