Washington Township (part 2 of 2)

Henry Nail relates, that, when a bo}', he was sent to Shrimplin's Mill, with two pack-horses, upon which the gi'ist was loaded. He started home late in the afternoon ; the path was narrow and winding, so that he was compelled to drive one horse before the other, he riding the rear one. The twilight of the dense forest was fast deepening into darkness, and he made all possible haste to reach the more open country, fearing he might be intercepted b}' a gang of wolves. Unfortunately, the forward horse passed too near the projecting point of an upturned root, and a large rent was made in the bag of meal, and its contents scattered upon the ground. Here was trouble. He had no means of fastening the parts of the torn bag together, and, if left over night, it was certain to be devoured by hogs or other animals, besides, there was a large family at home needing it for immediate use. Something must, however, be done immediately. The prolonged, undulating howl of wolves echoed through the forest, and an occasional child-like cr}', from a swamp not far away, fairly made his hair stand on end. The thought of a panther in the vicinity was not pleasant. His ingenuity being quickened, he drew several strands of hair from his horse's tail, gathered up as much of the meal as he could, and succeeded in closing the rent in the bag with the horse-hair. " I had not proceeded far on my way," said he, " when I heard the wolves quarreling over the remnant of the meal remaining on the ground, and with all my haste, by the time I reached the nearest clearing, there seemed to be a hundred of them within a few rods of me. The furious barking of several dogs belonging to a cabin near b}^, fortunately checked the pursuit, so that I reached home in safety."

On another occasion several 3'oung men residing on the Clear Fork started off to visit a pigeon roost, situated in a swamp near the present site of Danville in Knox County. Arriving at the swamp, and not knowing the exact localit}' of the roost, they separated, arid, surrounding it, were to proceed inwardly until the roost was discovered, or they should meet in the center. They had only advanced a short distance when one of the party, Alexander McKee, aroused a bear that had taken lodgings in the swamp. The animal immediately rushed upon McKee, seizing him by the leg just as he reached the branch of a tree he was trjdng to ascend. He held on with a death-grip, and shouted for assistance. His companions coming up, the bear let go his hold, and, rising on his hind feet, faced his new assailants, ready for fight. A rifle ball through the head sent him dancing a jig, and

Two young men, Henr}- and John Nail, sons of one of the earliest settlers, went out one day to hunt their horses, which were allowed to roam in the woods in summer. The}' caiTied their rifles, and were accompanied by two trusty dogs. When several miles from home, the dogs treed a young bear, which one the boys shot and wounded. It fell to the ground and set up a piteovis cry. Both had fired, and their guns were therefore empty, when the mother of the cub appeared and rushed upon the slayers of her 3^oung with savage gi'owls. The boys had neither time to re-load or climb a tree, but fortunately the dogs came to the rescue and attacked the bear fiei'cel}', upon which she unexpectedly beat a retreat. They carried the cub home, and had roast bear meat for dinner.

One of the earliest settlers of Worthington, Frederick Herring, erected a mill on the Clear Fork, near the present site of Newville, which was probably the second mill expected in the county. Beam's being first. The mill was resorted to from great distances b}' the early settlers. It was in operation nearl}' fifty years. Clear Fork fui-nished excellent water-power, and man}' mills have been erected from time to time on its banks. Another of the Hex-rings, David, erected a large three-story frame mill, about 40x60 feet, in 1841, two miles below Independence, on Clear Fork. Some years ago, this was converted into a woolen-mill, and is now owned and operated by Alexander & Zent, of Bellville. Its machinery is first class, and it is capable of doing a large business.

About a mile above Independence is a gristmill now owned by J. & E. Plank, erected about 1820, by Jacob Myers. It has changed hands several times and been rebuilt, but is now in first-class condition and doing good work. About 1850, Jacob Armentrout erected a grist and saw mill one mile northeast of Independence. It is now owned and operated by D. J. Hummel. These are all water-mills, and have saw-mills connected with them. In addition to these, saw-mills have been erected in various parts of the township on the swift little streams and near running springs.

The religious sentiment of this township is well developed ; the larger portion of its people being connected with some church. It is found here as elsewhere, that, long before the people were able to erect churches, they had preaching at private houses and the old log schoolhouses that began to spring up here and there in the woods, as the settlements grew. Among the earliest ministers were the Rev. James Johnson, of Mansfield ; William Hughes, Greorge Leiter, Shadrick Rhuark, George Hiskey and others. One of the earliest church buildings was the old Union, or United Presbyterian, located on Section 8 ; erected, and the society organized, through the efforts of Rev. James Johnson, who was its first Pastor, The first and most influential members were the Laffertys, Halfertys, Ramseys, John Robinson, William Wilson, Peter Alexander and others. The first building was a hewed log, and in after years (about 1831), a frame addition was built. This building and organization have long since disappeared, and nothing remains to mark the spot but the graveyard in the vicinity.

In an early day, the Rev. William Hughes established the church now known as the Clear Fork or Bunker Hill Presb}'terian Church, located on Section 23. Rev. Hughes preached many years to the people of this neighborhood before the building was erected. The first building was a hewed-log, and the second, the pi'esent frame, was erected about 1850. To this church belonged, in an early day, the Moffats. Pilchards, Hazletts, McClellands and others. Some of its early ministers were Luke Dorland, Frank Eddy and W. W. Anderson. Rev. Mr. Ferris is the present minister, and the membership is about forty. A Sunday scliool is conducted at this cliurcii during the summer, and has lieen for many 3'ears.

One of the early churches is the English Lutheran, erected about 1832, on Section 6. The first church was a small frame, costing about $400 ; the second one, which is also frame, was erected in 1876, at a cost of $1,000. It is sometimes known as the " Harsh Church," and among its first members were the Harshes, Berrys, Grouses, William Harter, Daniel Teeter and others. Rev. Seidel and Greorge Leiter were the first mfnisters. The membership is at present about fifty. An active Sunday school is also connected with it, the membership averaging fifty pupils.

A little later, about 183-1-, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Newville was organized. The early and influential memliers of this church were James Morrison, Daniel Carpenter, Peter Keller, David Shellenberger. George Fickle, James Hazlett, and the wives of these gentlemen. The earl}" meetings of this organization were held at the houses of James Morrison and George Fickle. Shadrick Rhuark was the first minister. Charles Reed and John Mitchell were also early ministers. Rev. Lion is pjesent minister, and the membership about forty. An active Sunday school is connected with the church, the average attendance being about fifty.

The United Brethren Church, located on Section 4, was organized about the same time, or, perhaps, a little before the Methodist of Newville. The first church was log, erected about 1840. It was afterward weatherboarded over, and thus used until the present brick was erected. The earl}- members were the Suaveleys, the Snyders, the J]asterlys, Henry Muck and wife, Peter Leyman and others. The early meetings of this organization were held at the residence of Lawrence Easterly. George Hiskey was among the early ministers. The present membership is about fifty, and a live Sunday school is in operation.

In an early day, the German Reformed society erected a log church on Section 22, which was used by them many 3- ears. The Baymillers, Cramers and others were influential in this church. It is now extinct, the church decayed and the society disbanded. A Baptist society was organized and a church erected in Independence, in 1852. The Rev. George Wilson was the founder, and called liimself an " Independent Baptist." The Halfords, Samuel Phipps, John Wise, Samuel Wilson, David Teeter and others were the first members of this church. The early ministers besides Wilson, were Benjamin TuUoss and Revs. Jenkins and Dye. No regular services are at present held in the church.

The Methodist Protestant Church of Independence was erected in 1857, at a cost of $800, though the society was organized four years before. The earl}' meetings were held in the old log schoolhouse. located on the farm of Thomas B. Andrews, near town.

The early members of this church were Thomas B. Andrews and wife, David and Jane Spear, William and Letitia Huston, Catharine Myers, Jane and William Lamley and Richard Gatton. Rev. N. T. Brown, of Fredericktown, was the first Pastor.

The Albrights are numerous and strong in this part of the count}-, having three separate and active organizations and churches near Independence. This church prefers to be known as the Evangelical.

about 1860. at a cost of $1,000. The principal original members were Michael, Jacob, John and David Secrist and their wives, Uriah Laffert}', Elizabeth Kanaga and Jonathan Plank. The first ministers were John Seibert and Rev. Bomgardner.

The Salem Church was organized about 1850, and the building erected in 1862, at a cost of $1,000. Its early members were Saipuel, Elias and Henr}' Moore, Jacob Shaffer and Jonathan Freeheffer and wife. The present membership is about forty, and this,- also, is about the average attendance of pupils at the Sunday school.

The Mount Sinai Evangelical Church is located in Independence. This is an offshoot from the other two. and was organized and a building erected in 1875. The building and parsonage cost about $3,500. Its principal organizers were Franklin Oberlin, Joseph Clever, James Near, Mary Clever, Sarah Thompson, Robert McEwin, Jonathan and George Freeheffer, and a majority of the members of their families. Bishop Stubl)s preached at the dedication of the church in December, 1875, and Joseph Rosenberger was their first Pastor. The present membership is about seventyfive.

The first of these, Newville, was laid out In' Frederick Herring in December, 1823, on the northeast and southeast quarters of Section 3, on the Clear Fork near the mill which he had previouslj' erected. His cabin, erected some years before the town was laid out, was the first dwelling on the town site. Abraham Nye was among the first residents, and was instrumental in inducing Herring to lay out a town.

He purchased a few lots and erected the first hotel, one of the first buildings in the place. The first people who settled in the place were the Hogans, Daniel Carpenter, George and Jacob Armentrout and Luther Richard. The latter erected the second hotel. Daniel Stoner erected the first blacksmith-shop. The first Herring mill has not been in operation for twenty years or more, but another mill erected later by the Herrings is in operation, and is owned by the Garretts, of Mansfield.

The first schoolhouse - a log one - was erected about 1826. Samuel J. Kirkwood, late Governor of Iowa, was one of the first teachers here. In 1830, a frame schoolhouse was erected, which was used until 1870, when the present neat, two-story frame was erected. It contains two rboms, two teachers, and accommodates sixty or seventy pupils. The population at present is about three hundred. There is one store, one hotel, and the usual number of mechanics and working people. Most of the inhabitants live by farming and various trades. The town is beautifuUj' situated on the Clear Fork, being inclosed by high, rocky bluffs. It is a rather sleepy little place, being undisturbed b}' railroads, or the rush and roar of the business world. It passes a dreamy existence, inclosed by a countr}' rugged, picturesque and charming. One of its honored citizens is Dr. J. P. Henderson, now in his seventy-eighth year, a graduate of Washington College, Pennsylvania, who, curiously enough, elected to pass his life in this quiet village, in the practice of his profession, among these simple, honest people, surrounded by his books and his cabinet of relics and curious things, in which he has always taken great delight.

In March, 1845, a town named Winchester was laid out on Section 9, on the Clear Fork, by Noble Calhoun. A few houses were erected, but the land upon which it was platted, being heavily mortgaged, was sold at Sheriff's sale, and the place never amounted to anjthing.

Independence was laid out on the northwest quarter of Section 20, January 12, 1848, by Daniel Spohn. In the early days of its existence it was nicknamed ''Spohntown"and "Squeelgut," but was named Independence b}' Thomas B. Andrews, rather in a spirit of defiance at the attitude of Bellville, which was not a friendly' one to the aspiring village. Andi'ews was its first Postmaster, and. before the town was laid out, kept the office in his house near the site. After the town was laid out and a warehouse erected, he moved the office into the warehouse. The land upon which the town stands was entered on the 18th of May, 1820, by William Simmons. The town plat was surveyed by -Joseph Hastings. Mr. Andrews was instrumental in getting the town established and laying it out, taking a lot for pay.

The first store was started by William Lamley, who kept groceries and whisky. It may be remarked here that Independence is a temperance town, and will not allow (since the Bowersox affair mentioned in another chapter) any saloon to exist in the place. Lamley's store was a small frame building, near the railroad, in the north end of the town. He afterward erected a building, which is now occupied by Downing as a store, and started a hotel. Joseph Geary kept this hotel, the first in the place. David Teeter erected a second hotel. John Diltz. a carpenter and present Postmaster, erected the next dwelling, and shortly after, Daniel Garber erected a shoe-shop on Main street. William Clapper erected the next building and kept boarders.

Gen. G. A. Jones came up from Mount Vernon, erected a warehouse, started a store and dealt in produce. In 1856, I. W. Pearce purchased the warehouse of Jones, conducted the business, and was also railroad agent. This gentleman at present keeps the principal store in the place, and does what banking business is necessary.

There are four dry-goods and gi'ocery stores, one hardware, one stove and tin, and several smaller establishments ; two churches, one hotel, and a proper proportion of mechanics and professional men. The population is about four hundred. The place stands in a great bend in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

One of the noted places in this township, whose history dates back to early Indian days, was known by the seemingly profane name of " Helltown." It is thus described by Dr. J. P. Henderson :

" Helltown was situated on the right bank of the Clear Fork of the Mohican, one and a half miles below Newville. It occupied a high bank, where the stream is low and easily forded. A few hundred yards above, on the margin of the creek, issues a fountain of water, and near the same place, on the opposite side, Switzer's Run empties into the Clear Fork. The ground on which the village stood is a rich, alluvial and loamy bottom, extending some distance to the east, and, when first seen by the writer, was overgrown with wild plum-trees, three appletrees, evidently volunteers ; and all around and east of the town stood a luxuriant growth of wild cherry-trees of the size of a man's thigh, and interspersed were a few ver}' large sugar maples. This bottom had evidentl}^ been cleared, and at an early day small conical elevations were to be seen, presumed to have been hills where corn had been cultivated. Back almost immediately from the village, and where the ground gradually ascended from the creek, was the graveyard, where about sixteen graves were originally counted.

Penns^ivania about the year 1745, and settled on the Muskingum and its tributaries, on lands granted them by their ' ancient allies and uncles, the Wj'andots.' Having in Pennsylvania commingled with the German and English population, and acquired a smattering of the language of both, they gave the name of the village partly to each. Hell, which in the German means clear, united with town, in the English, the words designating simply, but not profanely, the town on the Clear Fork. As to how many huts and wigwams stood originally in this ' Old Plum Orchard,' as it was sometimes called, tradition is silent. When first seen by the writer, there were but three cabins standing, old and dilapidated, without chimney, floor, door, window, or roof, and one of the corners broken down. Depressions in the neighboring grounds, however, were supposed to have been the sites of other buildings.

"In the spring of 1781, Col. Williamson and his party from Western Pennsylvania massacred the Moravian Delaware Indians at Gnaudenhutten, in Tuscarawas County, treacherously and in cold blood. When the inhabitants of Helltown heard of the massacre, the^' were panic-stricken and fled to Upper Sandusk}', the home of the Wyandots. for protection. The panic having subsided, the}' returned to Helltown, and, after some time, removed, founded and located at Greentown, in Ashland County, near the Black Fork, about two miles above Penysville. Helltown was not wholly abandoned, but was used until 1812 as a hunting encampment, and, being but five miles distant, the trail between the two places was deep and well marked. A trail also existed, on the first settlement of the whites, from Helltown to Mansfield, and crossed the one from Greentown to Upper Sandusk}-. A trail, too, from Helltown to Jeromeville doubtless originally existed, but, being disused, was necessaril}- obliterated in the lapse of years from 1782 to 1812.

" The route of Col. Crawford and his army in their march to Upper Sandusky in 1782 has not been definitely located. It is believed they marched from Odells Lake to Mansfield, but the course they took between these two places is not yet determined. In a conversation the writer had, mau}^ years ago, with the late Col. Solomon Gladden, of this count}', he stated that Col. Crawford and his part}' passed through Helltown on their way to Upper Sandusky, and that such was the statement to him of Capt. Munn, his uncle, who was an officer in the expedition. Of this conversation the writer took a minute shortly after, and as to the fact he cannot be mistaken.

" In and about Helltown many Indian relics, ancient and more modern, have been found, such as arrow and spear heads, pipes of stone, pottery and copper, a stone drinking cup, copper lancets, leaden bullets, a scalping-knife, fragments of gun-barrels and brass mountings of gun-stocks, etc. Many of the graves have been opened, as they were superficial and easily dug into, but, so far as informed, nothing but bones more or less decayed wei'e found and exhumed.

-^ It may be added, that the site of Helltown. with its gi'aves, has for years been part and parcel of a cultivated field, and when last seen, early last summer, the ripening wheat was waving over the former habitations of the departed and the dead.'"

Old Lyons was the last of the Indians who had a local habitation and a name' in Worthington Township. His dwelling was on the farm of David Rummel. near where it connects with that of *John Ramsey, and contiguous to the Clear Fork. It resembled a double barn, and consisted of two cabins constructed of buckeye logs, with a small ground spot intermediate, and the whole covered with basswood ])ark.

He was aged, dark, large for -an Indian, of coarse features, high cheek-bones and large protruding lips, so much so, indeed, that, when ornamented with a miniature silver clevis and double-tree in each ear, and one in his nose, and smoking from the bowl and through the handle of his iron tomahawk, he presented rather a grotesque appearance. He was, in a word, regarded by the whites as extremely homely and repulsive.

" Where he originated, or from what tribe he sprang, is unknown. He claimed land in Wyoming Valley, said ' the whites had no right to it, never bought it ; that it was his.' He requested Judge Kinney to procure lawyers, institute suit and oust the intruders, promising the Judge one-half if successful. Such action, it is needless to say, was never undertaken.

-- That he was superstitious, would appear from one of his dreams, its supposed baneful import, and its antidote. He dreamed that he was bitten l)y a mad hog, which he interpreted to mean that he would, while hunting the next day, be bitten by venomous snake, unless he plunged into the water the next morning, and thus broke in upon and nullified the vision of the night Hence his voluntary immersion in the Clear Fork the next morning before sunrise, though the water was cold, and he emerged from it shivering and perfectly chilled.

" That he was sarcastic, is also apparent from another incident. Mrs. Cunning, a 3'oung woman living near Hemlock Falls, and but recentty married, discovered him looking between the logs of the cabin before he entered the house. At this she became frightened, as her husband was from home. On seeing her trepidation, he laughed outright, and exclaimed, ' Very old woman, very much scared,' and left the house repeating the exclamation time and' again at the top of his voice, and in a chanting tone, till he disappeared in the forest.

" He called on jMrs. White, said he wanted a loaf of bread then on the fire baking. On being promised it so soon as baked, he exhibited to her a string of what he called the tongues of white persons, stating he had ninety-nine, and was determined to have another, a woman's, and then he would have 100. On her exhibiting some alarm, being alone, and her husband absent, he said it was not her tongue, but that of a woman who had mistreated or insulted him.

He was very communicative to Mr. Johnston, and talked to him often and long. He stated that, during the Indian troubles and hostilities on the frontier, he was accustomed to approach the cabins of the settlers at the dead hour of night, when the inmates were asleep, and, silently as possible, punch a hole through the c\a,j daubing of the chimney into the fireplace, and then attaching a charge of powder to his ramrod, thrust it into the embers, when the powder would flare up, and illumine the inside of the dwelling, and enable him to count and discriminate the inmates, and if he discovered two men within he withdrew, but if but one. lie entered the house and killed him, and then dispatched the women and children. He said, also, that at Crawford's and St. Clair's defeats, he had tomahawked white men till his arm was ' sick,' and denounced (len. Wayne as ' bad man, swear that he could be heard three miles.' The only scalp exhibited by him. however, was that of a fairhaired person, and said by him to have been taken from the head of a British oflficer.

" Notwithstanding this bloody record, he had the credit of saving the life of Mr. Flack, taken prisoner in Ligonier Valley, afterward taken to Detroit, redeemed by the French, and by them restored to his home and his tamily. While a prisoner in tlie hands of the Indians, and apprehending death at the stake, or otherwise, Lyons came to him and told him the only way to save himself was to strip off hi* clothes immediately, go to bed, cover himself up, and pretend to be asleep. He did so, and soon the savages dashed into the apartment where he was, whooping, j^elling, and careering through the room, in high and full feather, as though pandemonium itself was unchained. What all this had to do in saving the life of Mr. F., is a mystery we cannot solve. Suffice it to say, such was his lifelong conviction.

" On removing from Worthington Township, Lyons had his hut at Jeromeville, but frequently revisited Greentown and his former neighborhood. N. Flaharty, Esq., saw him with a hunting party camped on Pine Run, below his house, as late as 1818 or 1819, when too old to hunt, and he said he was one hundred and sixty. He sold wooden ladles, made b}' himself, to Mrs. F., had a new suit at the time, and

" It is said to have transpired that, on leaving a tavern in Lexington, Lyon was followed and killed by a party of roughs, probably stimulated by whisky. He had boasted of having ninety-nine tongues of the whites, and wanted one more, which, if obtained, he would die content, or be willing and ready to die. This was construed as a design on his part to murder some one, and it was determined to anticipate him by putting him to death. Soon after, he was found dead, and l^'ing beside a log, near Hanewalts mill, on the Clear Fork."

Source changes here: from History of Richland County Ohio, by A.a. Graham, published 1880; 3,957 words in this source stream.

Washington Township

ice of the Peace, and Solomon Culver, Sr., William Riddle and Daniel Dimmick for Trustees. The names of the early settlers, as far as can be ascertained, are as follows: William Stewart, Section 10; John Stewart, Section 10, April, 1815 ; Solomon Culver, Section 3; James Sirpliss, Section 11, April, 1815; William Ayers, Section 4; Solomon Lee, Section 10, settled here before 1816; Mrs. Cunningham, Section 1; Daniel McMitchell, Section 30; William Riddle, Section 30; Daniel Cook, Section 6; Gavin and Joseph Mitchell, Section 6 ; Vandorn, Section 31; Andrew Thompson, Section 27; John Lindsley, Section 28; John J. and Wesley Barnes, Section 14; Isaac Slater, Section 36; Alexander McClain, Section 25; Robert Crosky, Section 3; Thomas Shanks, Section 2; Noah Watson, Section 7, February, 1812; Jedediah Smith, Section 1, 1816; Calvin Culver settled here before 1816; Andrew Pollock, Section 13, 1817; Martin Ridenour, 1818 ; Jacob Ridenour, Section 25,1818; Thos. Smith, April, 1816, and Melzer Coulter, 1826. Among the pioneers living in January, 1880, were John 8. Smith, Solomon Culver, Mrs. Margaret Stewart (at the age of ninety-three),

These were the persons who penetrated the heavily wooded hills and valleys of Washington, and laid the foundation of its present prosperity and wealth.

It will be seen that one of the earliest, if not the earliest, family in the township, was the Watson family. Noah Watson wa. «::° of the claimants at the ax presentation in Mansfield, February 10, 1858. The following letter was written by Mr. Watson on that occasion :

To Jabez Cook, Umpire: I, Noah Watson, certify that I helped to build the first two cabins in the vicinity of Lexington, and also did a job of clearing on Amariah Watson's first field, commencing about the 8th of March, 1812. JI also entered the southeast quarter of Section 7, Range 18, Township '90, in which I now live, and commenced clearing in 1813.

Mr. Watson was elected one of the first Constables in the township. At the close of his term, he concluded to make an estimate of the amount of business transacted and the pecuniary emoluments arising therefrom. After a careful examination of the docket and other records, he found he had served two summons and two warrants, for which he had receivedno fees. He was not, therefore, under the necessity of employing an accountant to get his bus-

He volunteered, in 1813, in Capt. Ichabod Nye's company, and started for the relief of Harrison at Fort Meigs. The siege was raised befote their arrival, and their services were not needed.

John Stewart also became prominent in the township and county, being the first Justice of the Peace, and continuing in that office six consecutive years. In 1820 or 1821, he was appointed Auditor of the county by the Legislature, and, in the fall of 1822, was elected to the same office by the people, serving eight consecutive'years. In the fali of 1816, after the organization of the township, he was appointed County Surveyor by the Court, and held this office about eighteen years. In all, he served as a here as early as 1812, when he came to enter land. He was a great hunter, and many deer, wild turkeys, bears and other animals fell before his unerring rifle. He remembers, on his first visit, talking to Chief Armstrong of the Greentown Indians. The chief told him he believed Wayne was a spirit, "For," said he, "I had three shots at him with a dead rest, and could not bring him down; I could have killed a buck at twice the distance." He directed Mr. Smith to the Zimmer cabin for a night's lodging. This family then consisted of father, mother and a son and daughter, and the romance of this visit is that Mr. Smith fell in love with the beautiful daughter, Kate, and they were engaged to be married, when the Zimmer family was murdered - all except the son, Phillip, who happened to be absent. Mr. Smith had entered the land he afterward occupied, and returned to his home in Washington County, Penn., where he was when the tragedy occurred. He remained single until the family came out here four or five years later.

Calvin Culver was also a great hunter, as was nearly all the early pioneers. On one occasion, he was pursued by wolves: in the evening, and ran for the two cabins, then standing on the site of Lexington. He was unable to reach them, however, and was compelled to climb a tree, where he remained until morning.

Some weeks after Mr. James Sirpliss settled in the township, he, in company with one of his brothers, happening in the woods one day, half a mile from their cabin, came suddenly upon a black bear. Jowler, the dog, immediately gave chase, and the bear, being pushed, ascended a large poplar-tree. Being unarmed, the brother returned to the cabin for his rifle, while James and Jowler remained to watch. Before the brother returned with the gun, bruin, as if comprehending the situation, commenced descending. James and the dog immediately prepared to,give him battle. Upon alighting, the bear elevated himself upon his that injured, for the time being, his fighting qualities. Mr. Sirpliss, having an ax, was about making an attack, when the bear bounded away and escaped, just before the arrival of the brother with his gun.

The first road through the township was the "State road" from Mount Vernon to Bellville and Mansfield. This was for a long time but a mere trail, and the only stopping-place on this trail, between Mansfield and Mount Vernon, Was at McCluer's, near the site of Bellville. This was one of the first settlements in the county ; and this trail was established some time before the township was settled. Soon after the first settlement, a second road was cut from the vicinity of Lexington toward Bellyille.

The first public-house in fhe township was opened at a very early day, by Thomas Laughlin, on the State road, about six miles south of Mansfield, near the center of the township, and near the present Oberlin place. The majority of the earliest settlers entered the township by this road, and settled in the vicinity of and to the east of it, near where Washington Village was afterward laid out.

The first schoolhouse was built on the State road, near the "tayern," about the center of the township, on Section 16. It was one of those well-remembered, primitive schoolhouses, described in another chapter, which have disappeared from this country with the Indian and deer, and will yet be occasionally found with the Indian and deer, in the Far West. The first teacher was John Barnett, who came from Guernsey County. He taught six months, and received as wages $2 per scholar, for a term of three months. Sally Braden also taught school about 1818. She probably taught the summer school in the same building, following Barnett. One evening, while the school was engaged in large yellow rattlesnake raised its head through a crack in the puncheon floor, and took a survey of the scene. No one dared to move, however, until the prayer ended, when the boys dispatched his snakeship.

As early as 1820-21, this township was troubled with a company of horse-thieves, counterfeiters, etc. Their operations extended into the adjoining townships and counties. Several of the gang were well-known residents of this township, others lived in the direction of Perrysville, and others near Fredericktown and Mount Vernon. 'Two men, named Gardner and Black, and two sons of the former were suspected. This band was quite numerous, and, for a time, had things their own way. It seemed impossible to convict them, although generally known. After losing several horses and much other property, and the insecurity continually increasing, the settlers finally organized, for the purpose of self-defense, what they called the " Black Cane Company." The company was composed of the most prominent settlers of the different neighborhoods molested by these ruffians. Hach member carried a black cane, made out of the wood of a crab-apple or blackhaw; the bark being peeled off, and the canés 'burned black, after which they were oiltd to give them a glossy appearance. A few of the names composing this company were: Capt. Thomas Coulter, William Irwin, 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 Tannehill, Jonathan Coulter, James Irwin, Nathan Stearns, Harry Hill, David Hill, Reuben Hill, John Latty, Levi Taylor, John Coulter, and some others, whose names are not recollected.

called into requisition, as the country was once more alarmed by the cry of horse-thieves and counterfeiters. This gang was also composed of some of the actual settlers (whose descendants are living there to-day), and others ata distance. They began by stealing a horse of Mr. Taylor, on Honey Creek ; next a Rockingham colt, a valuable animal, from Alexander Rice ; and then robbing Mr. Hart's store on Honey Creek, three miles south of Hayesville. This alarmed the country, and the Black Cane . Company were soon marshaling their forces. It seemed to be the only way of ridding the country of this band, who could easily elude, or suecessfully resist, the officers of the law.

In retaliation for their pursuit, the villains burned the barns of Jonathan Coulter and William Irvin, and, about the same time, cut loose from its moorings a large flat-boat, loaded with three or four hundred barrels of pork, flour and whisky, and allowed it to drift at random down the Black Fork. The boat and cargo were, however, saved. During the year the gang operated, almost every house in the neighborhood was plundered of something. By the vigilance and exertions of the Black Cane Company and the citizens generally, this gang of rascals was finally driven from the township and country. Some of them were sent to the Penitentiary.

The first temperance society in Richland County, and indeed in this part of the country, was organized in this township. It was entirely indigenous to the soil of this township, none of its members having had any previous knowledge of such an organization. They early witnessed the baleful effects of strong drink, and saw with a good deal of concern that its use among the settlers was increasing. A great number of distilleries were erected all over the township. Nearly all the corn marketed was at these distilleries, and whisky was consequently plenty and cheap. It was found by the barrel in almost every cabin, and was in daily use. A few of these early settlers saw that this must be stopped ; that if they would escape the blight of intemperance, some organized effort must be made, A meeting was therefore called on the 29th of March, 1827, at the house of Samuel Smith, in Monroe Township, near the east line of Washington, and organized by calling Thomas Smith to the chair and appointing Samuel Richey Secretary. Thomas and Samuel Smith and Alexander McBride were appointed a committee to present a basis of action, and soon presented the following :

Whereas, The common use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is injurious to the health of the consumer, and ruinous to the morals of the community,

Resolved, That we form ourselves into a society to be known by the name of the Washington and Monroe Temperance Society, and that we adopt the following pledge for our guide:

We, whose names are hereunto attached, do pledge ourselves to dispense with the common use of ardent spirits in our families, and at our gatherings and frolics and, as far as our influence extends, use all laulable means to discourage the use of it in others.

To this were attached the names of the Smiths; including Samuel, Vernon T., Thomas, Sr., and Jedediah; Henry Mosar, Lambright Larnee, Joseph Coe, Robert McDermott, Levi

At first, the matter of getting along without whisky at log-rollings, raisings, etc., was earnestly discussed, but it was finally determined

To counteract this, an anti-temperance society was organized, but it did not last long; they. however, outnumbered the other in names, ten to one. This temperance society had an organized existence for more than thirty years, meeting once a year, on the first night in every

606 HISTORY January, and selecting officers and executive committees. There was nothing secret about it, as in the more fashionable temperance societies of later days, but it was kept up for this extraordinary length of time by citizens who were public-spirited enough to work for the public good. It kept up its organization as long as there was anything to fight. There is not at present, and has not been for many years, a piace in the township where whisky can be purchased. Their book finally contained the names of about six hundred members. It is impossible to calculate the amount of good accomplished by this first temperance society, not only during the period of its organized existence, but since that time, as the seed then sown is still exerting a powerful influence for good. No names are more worthy to live in history than those of its projectors.

The first brick house was erected by Jedediah Smith. Amos Day was the builder, and while working with brick and mortar, he was working upon the affections of the eldest daughter, Martha Smith, whom he married.

The religious sentiment of the township is well developed, seven churches belonging to different denominations having been erected within its limits, six of which now have an organized and healthy existence. orgaization, so far as known, was that of the Methodist Episcopal, about 1823 or 1824 ; their first meeting for organization being at the house of John Conwell. The first members of this society were Wesley Barnes and wife, David Newlon and wife, John Conwell and wife, James Sirpliss, Henry Hull, Henry Moser and wife, Richard Sirpliss, Jacob Reed, George, Robert and John McFarland and their wives, Benjamin and John J. Barnes and their wives, and Mary Pollock. Their first meetings for several years were held at the cabins of Conwell and the Messrs. Barnes, but, in 1828, they erected a log church on the site of Washington Village, about 25x35 feet. Their first min-

.isters were Abner Gough, Shadrick Rewark, Zepheniah Bell, Joseph Reed, John Powers and Andrew Poe. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. Lewis. The log church was used until about 1850, when the present frame was erected, costing about $1,000. The present membership is about twenty-five or thirty. They generally have a Sunday school during the summer. During the slavery agitation, between 1830 and 1840, this church was divided, political matters being carried into the pulpit. The occasion of the division was the sermon by Elder for some time growing and increasing. - Gradually a feeling grew up among the church members which culminated in the before-mentioned sermon and a division of the church. Fourteen members withdrew and organized what that called the Wesleyan Methodist Church. The McFarlands were influential in this movement. They were strong Antislavery men, as were in that vicinity. They were prominently connected with the " underground railway, and assisted hundreds of slaves in making their way to Canada. This settlement is the one referred to

David McFarland, Henry and Joseph Moser, William Scott, John Boden and the wives of alli these gentlemen. For several years, they worshiped in the old Methodist Episcopal Church, and then erected a church of their own. Itwas a frame, and cost about $1,000. This church was kept up about twenty years, Quring which they had regular preaching, and during which time, also, the cause of their troubles had disappeared in the smoke, din and blood of a great conflict. Their church building was finally sold, and is now used in Washington Village

History

About 1869, the former members of the Wesleyan Methodist, or those that were left, and some other citizens organized a Congregational Church, the original members of which were John, George and Andrew McFarland, Ezra Davis, James Ritchie, William Boden, Charles Stone, Sr., and the wives of these gentlemen ; Joseph Flemming, Ezra and Thomas Smith and Mary and Ida Boden. Their meetings, for a year, were held in the other churches ; they then erected a frame church, yet standing, at a cost of $4,000, of which amount $2,200 were paid by George and Andrew McFarland. This church was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Fairfield, of the Congregational Church of Mansfield. Their ministers have been the Revs. Fry, Moon, Webster, Achman ,and Royce. The present membership is about thirty-five. The organization of the Sunday school was coeval with that of the church, the first Superintendent being R. B. Smith. Joseph Flemming is present Superintendent, with a membership of about one hundred. It is a union school, and is in a very prosperous condition, being continued during the entire year. ;

Two churches have been organized, and two church buildings erected in the southeast part of the township. In an early day, the few Albrights and United Brethren in that part of the township formed two separate organizations, and had preaching occasionally in the log schoolhouse. This continued for some years, when the two organizations united their financial resources and erected a brick church, which cost about $1,300, and which was to be used equally by the.two organizations, and was, also, to be free to other denominations, as the citizens generally assisted in the erection of the building. Thus matters continued until about 1860, when they separated - the Albrights building another church further south, on Section 36. The old church is now occupied by the United Brethren, and is called Mount Tabler after a very enthusiastic minister of that name, who held a neyerto-be-forgotten revival in the church, during which many members were added. <A few of the first members in this organization were Ephraim Bull, William Norris, John Smith and Jacob Magglott. The church is not at present in a flourishing condition, having only about fifteen members. There is no Sunday school connected with it.

"The Albrights, in 1860, erected a frame church, which cost about $1,800. The first members of this organization were John Coates, Henry, Samuel and George Secrist, and the Clever family. John Stull was founder and first Pastor. Their first organization was at Stull's house, now known as the Taylor place. They call their church Ebenezer ; itis a live, active. organization. A large union Sunday-school is connected with it.

A mile or more west of Washington Village stands the Church of Christ, better known as Campbellite or Disciple. It was organized about the year 1835, by John Reed. William Moody and William B. Hammett were the first Elders. The members of the first organization were Jacob Deems, William B. Hammett, Richard Braden and John Boyd, and their wives ; Betsey Braden and Samuel Braden..

Their first meetings were held at the houses of William B. Hammett and Richard Braden, and their organization effected in the old log schoolhouse of the district. Their first church was a small frame, and was built. by. the joint labor of the people of the neighborhood. The present building was erected in 1874, and cost about $2,600. Mr. Hammett, yet living, but aged and infirm, has been very active in, this jimills do not pay; but little lumber is now | made from timber grown within the limits of | the township, and this little is made by portaministers are Wm. Neal and M. F. Gallagher.

The Sunday-school was organized about 1864; is large and active for a country school, having about fifty pupils. James Black is present Superintendent.

In addition to the foregoing churches is the German Reformed, located on Section 22, near the center of the township, on the State road. This building was erected about 1847, of logs, and is still standing, though it has been weatherboarded over. This organization was effected about two years before the church was erected. They worshiped during these two years in an old log church, built in an early day, by the Dunkards, about a half mile south of the present German Reformed . Church. This Dunkard Church has long since disappeared, and the organization disbanded.

Quite a settlement of Germans are found in this section of the township ; the larger part of the original stock being from Western Pennsylvania, which, however, had the effect to bring in a number of Kuropean Germans, who are excellent and thrifty farmers. Those who organized this church were Martin Toby, Peter Strader, Peter Shire, Conrad Englehart, John Strader, Christian Muli, J. W. Strader and the Kohisers.

The early preachers were Revs. Handchy, Tressel, Weiscotten, Lenshaw and Krause ; the latter continuing the ministerial relation about nine years. The present Pastor is Henry Walcer, and the present membership about sixty. A Sunday-school is maintained during the summer, with a membership of about fifty. At present, preparations are being made to erect a new church.

The numerous and beautiful springs and running streams furnished water-power for a number of mills. In an early day, when the township was heavily wooded, and lumber was taken from the vicinity for building purposes, quite a number of saw-mills were erected in different parts of the township. Latterly, stationary sawble saw-mills, using steam power. The old water saw-mills have therefore disappeared forever. The houses of to-day are generally built of brick, or else of pine lumber, purchased at the yard or lumber depots.

of Mansfield on the State road, or the one erected by Robert Crosky. John Stewart also erected one of the early saw-mills, which was destroyed by fire. No stationary saw-mill, at- present, exists in the township. The first grist-mill was erected in: 1818, and it is also a question whether Mr. Phelps built the first one in the southwest corner, Section 31, or George Marshall on the southeast corner ; both are claim- The second grist-mill was built in 1823, by John Stewart, and the third by Robert Bentley. The latter was erected very near the township line, and is mentioned | in the history of Madison Township. All the early mills, except the Stewart mill, have disappeared, and only their ruins mark the spot where the early pioneers waited hours, and sometimes even days, for their grinding. The Stewart mill has been rebuilt 'and improved, but and is doing good service, being now known as the " Wickert mill." It is in the northern part of the township. About twelve or fifteen years since, a small grist-mill was erected by John Strasbach (who yet owns it), on Section 31, in

There is 'nq town of consequence in this township. Washington Village was laid out where the road crosses, by John Conwell, Wesley Barnes and James Sirpliss. These gentle- men own the land divided by these roads. A round log schoolhouse was the first building erected in the place. It stood on the site of the present Congregational Church: ,

David Coulter was the first teacher in this house, and his pupils were the Smiths, the Barneses, Conwells, Sirplisses, Armstrongs and Pollocks. Mark Finnicum started the first store, soon after the town was laid out; and Emilus Day the first blacksmith-shop. Rev.

James I, McGraw, who, in addition to his ministerial labors, obtained something of a literary reputation, kept store here after Finnicum. There is no business at present in the village, except what is transacted' at the blacksmithshop of Elias Hiser. Thirteen families yet reside in the town. It is hardly likely, judging from present appearances, that it will ever equal its namesake of the District of Columbia, either in proportions or importance.