Wayne Township

Wayne Township

Wayne Township

From the fact that Wayne township, the southeastern in this county, was next to Ross county, and that several of the Ross county pioneers moved across the border at a very early date, Wayne can boast truthfully of being the first township in Fayette county where the first white men settled and remained permanently. A man named Wolf, from Virginia, located on the North fork of Paint creek, near the Ross county line, in 1796, hence was first of all to invade the wilds of Fayette county. This tract of land was, in the seventies and eighties, owned by John H. Bryant, who remembers of seeing the figures ''1800" on the mud chimney of the original cabin on the place, and he is confident that it was built at least three and possibly four years after the settlement was made by Wolf. On this land was discovered a perpetual, clear and very cold spring of water, which no doubt induced that early settler to locate as he did. Wolf was described, by those who remember him, as a tall, powerful man, who made hunting, trapping and killing Indians his occupation. He died here and was buried near White Oak, on Hamilton's run. The family moved west and some of them were heard of in Indiana in i860. The old Bryant homestead, later owned by Mr. Speakman, was settled in about 18 1 5 by Philip Louderman, a relative of pioneer Wolf, from Virginia. Another relative of Wolf settled on the opposite side of North fork of Paint creek, on what was later known as the Dr. Judy place. The man referred to was one Alexander Hamilton, probably Wolf's cousin. He died and was also buried at White Oak cemetery.

In 1803 came William Harper, who was born in Berkeley county, Virginia. He was accompanied by his wife and eight children and settled on lands which, thirty years ago, were in the ownership of Robert Harper. The elder Harpers were members of the Presbyterian church, but later united with the Baptists.

Benjamin Davis was another noted pioneer, born in South Carolina, moved to North Carolina, and in 1802 settled in Highland county. Ohio. He remained there till 1807, then took possession of three hundred acres which was a part of the Griffith survey. No. 738. He built a cabin and there lived many years. He was fond of books and paid as high as forty-five dollars for one book he owned, and he wrote on its fly-leaf, "Don't steal this book for fear of shame, for above there appears the owner's name." Davis died in 1837, when his son Jacob bought off the remainder of the heirs to his estate and thus secured the old homestead.

Samuel Sollers, a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, born in 1784, left that section in 1808 and immigrated to Ohio, having been land seeking the year before, and selected a tract in present Highland county. He brought his wife and one child the entire distance in a wagon, drawn over the rough roads and heavy forests by three horses. It will be understood that at that date Fayette county had not yet been organized, hence they settled in Ross countv, but at present it is wholly in Wayne township and is knovrn as the C. Wallace survey. No. 7577. The part selected by Sollers contained four hundred and fifty acres. It was bought from Wallace, who surveyed it for the government.

Hamilton Rogers, wife and eight children removed to this township in 1808 from Kentucky. They were natives of Pennsylvania. They located at the mouth of Indian creek. There were no signs of any improvements about them and Indians abounded all about them ; their huts could easily be seen in almost every direction one might look from his cabin. They seemed friendly, but they expected the white men to respect them and their rights.

Another son of old Virginia wended his way to this township in 1821 and worked for farmers several years. This was none other than Aquilla Jones, a native of Bradley county, Virginia, born 1798, the son of English parents. After being here about ten years, he returned to Virginia, stayed there a year or so, then came back to this his adopted country. He did not locate on his own land in this township until 1831, when he married Elizabeth Garinger, who bore him seven children. He lost his wife, married a second time and by this latter union reared two beautiful daughters, Maria and Laura. He had a son who made a patriotic record during the Civil War.

John Kule, son of John Kule, Sr., should not be omitted from that sturdy band of home builders who braved the dangers of a wilderness a century ago, for the object of making for himself and worthy family a comfortable abiding place. He was born in 1808 in Virginia, and moved when quite small with the family to Ross county, Ohio, settling in Concord township in 18 1 7. He obtained his education in a log school house at Greenfield, which was also used as a store and public tavern. Year by year he prospered until he finally possessed more than five hundred acres of land. He held many public offices and stood high among his fellow men. He had in his home a gun which was placed in a spring when Ohio was yet known as the Northwest territory.

Early Taverns

At a very early date this township had no public stopping place for the weary travelers. So any settler's cabin must be sought out for a resting place during the night. All were open to well-disposed men and women. Later, but still before the advent of the railroad through the place, the State road travel became large and some place like a country inn, or hotel, was almost a necessity to the times and to the traveling public. Finally Noah Hukill was induced to open such a tavern at his homestead place, on the Washington and Chillicothe pike. It soon got great name and fame. It was always orderly and clean and good beds and meals were always "set up'" to those- passing through who wished entertainment. He sold liquor, and his first sign-board read 'AVhiskey and Oats.'' The next sign flung to the breeze read, ''Inn by N. Hukill." The third and last of which there is any record, and which hung at the side of the house, at the sport of the wind many years, bore this inscription, "Independence, Please and Plenty." As high as twenty teamsters frequently stopped there in a single night. The township had no further attempts at hotels until the building of the railroad through Good Hope.

Indian Horrors

One need not go to the far-off-West, or read cheap literature, giving harrowing accounts of Indian savagery, for right here in Ohio, and in Ross and Fayette counties, there were events and crimes committed by the Indians that make the published stories in dime novels sink into littleness. These are true stories of happenings right here at home. The following is vouched for by Mrs. Scott, a granddaughter of pioneer George Scott. It was given through a request of an historian more than thirty years since, and runs as follows :

By birth Heath was a Virginian, his grandfather having participated at Valley h'orge with the American armies during the Revolutionary struggle; his wife was engaged in attending to the wounded after the battle. They had three children ; one was killed by Indians while engaged in plowing.

George came to Kentucky as a scout during the Revolution, and at the age of twenty-one married Anna Wright, who lived near the Ohio river, in Kentuckv. During the last vears of the eighteenth century the voung couple (21) crossed the Ohio river, coming to this county, settling on Indian creek, in Wayne township, on land later owned by William Rodgers. They had ten children. The Davises, Wrights, Hills, Brannons and Clousers afterwards located in the same neighorhood, some of them on the opposite side of Paint creek. Heath participated in the War of 1812; in what capacity is not known now.

The Miamis had a camping ground near the mouth of Indian creek, about four hundred yards from the humble home of the Heaths. During the winter from Hve to six hundred red-skins were encamped here - generally peaceful, though apparently very quick tempered at times. When Deborah Heath, the mother of our informant, was twelve years of age, a white man named Harrod shot and killed an Indian while out on a hunting expedition, and covered him up with logs of the forest. In the morning after the killing of the savage, Heath departed for Frankfort, leaving his family unprotected. The Indians instituted search for their missing companion and, upon discovering his dead body, very naturally concluded that the deed had been committed by a pale face. They became very much excited, and one of their companions, who went by the sobriquet of "Wild Duck," an ugly and ferocious looking savage, came to the Heath caliin and inquired for the head of the family. He was told that the man had gone to Frankfort. He did not depart readily upon receiving this information, but continued to inquire for Heath, at the same time brandishing his huge knife in a threatening manner, but was finally induced to depart and the terrible suspense of the family was relieved. On the morning following the Indian made a second call, meeting Heath a short distance from the house. For more than an hour angry Avords and threats passed between the two. finally, howexer, tliey dropped their weapons in token of peace. As Heath's brother had been massacred bv the Indians, his hostility to the latter was avowed and known to them, hence he was suspected of being the murderer of their late companion. Presumably he gave a satisfactory account of himself, at all events he was not molested. The entire settlement was much alarmed and feared an attack from their savage neighbors. To ensure safety, the Heaths took up a temporary abode at Frankfort, Mrs. Heath having buried her tableware in the garden before departing. Harrod was captured by the Indians in Ross county, and burned to death at the stake, near what is known now as Harrod's creek. Seven white men lay in ambush and witnessed the terrible execution, but were either too cowardly or had no inclination to attempt a rescue. Apparently the savages were fully revenged by the death of Harrod, as they made no further attempt to disturb the little settlement.

''Wild Duck's" squaw was a dang-hter of the chief of the tribe, and during- one of his fits of anger he took her Hfe, which caused much grief and indignation among the rest. A number came to Heath's cabin and requested Mrs Heath to dress the corpse for burial as was the custom of the whites. Next day her body was deposited in a rude grave, a handful of dirt thrown on the same during war whoops, the grave being filled with cedar midst frequent whoops.

Immediately after the ceremony the old chief and another warrior tied "Wild Duck," who had been secured in the meantime, to a pony and started up the creek for the "Cedar Hole," and shortly returned with the pony, though minus a rider. Heath enquired of the chief what disposition had been made of the wife-murderer. The wily old chief shook his fist under Heath's nose and said: "No white man's business."

With the tribe was a white woman who had been captured, with her little brother, in childhood; the latter was killed because he was a burden, being too. young and delicate to walk. The girl grew to womanhood, became accustomed to the habits of her captors, and married the chief's son. She frequently came to the Heath cabin to bake bread at the fire place. When questioned as to her early life, she stated that she knew nothing except that her name was Sallie and that she had come a great distance.

Village Of Good Hope

Good Hope, the chief village within the bounds of Wayne township, is situated on the east bank of Indian creek, at the crossing of the Ohio Southern railroad (now^ the D. T. & I. line), and Wabash and Good Hope pike, south of Washington C. H. Its present population is about two hundred and fifty. It was surveyed November i, 1849, by Benjamin Nelson and John L. Burnett, at the instance of Robert Harper and James Sargent, proprietors, says the county records. Thirty lots were platted at that date. Number i beginning at a point on North street, running thence north eightvseven degrees and thirty minutes south, seven poles and two links, to a stake on the line of said street ; thence south two and a half degrees east, with West street twenty poles and two and a half feet to a stake. Thence with the Greenfield road twenty-four poles to the beginning, containing an area of seventy poles, two and a half feet.

It should be remembered that while this platting was not executed until 1849, there had been quite a village there for a number of vears before that date. About 1830 Isaac Smith bought of WilHam Rodgers five acres, inchiding part of Lot i, giving as pay a rifle. Then Smith presented his sonin-law, ^Vi^iam Merchant, who erected a blacksmith's shop thereon, with the same. In 1838 Isaac Smith opened a little store in the building in which the shojj had been kept, after remodeling it somewhat. A few years later James Smith, a cousin, started what we now would term a saloon and sold much of the desired fire-water.

Ira Yoenian had a wagon shop there about that date and Robert Mc- Ehvaine kept a tan-yard. He furnished leather made up on shares, and people then hired a shoemaker to come in and take their measure and make their boots and shoes. Some were calf and some were cow-hide stock. Mc- Elwaine died and John C. Jones ran the tannery until 1850, when he was appointed sheriff (a better job), and thus the tannery went down, with some unfinished stock on hand in the deep vats.

Doctor Coffman, later of Washington C. H., was the first permanent phvsician of the village. He remained ten years and sold to Doctor Goldsbury. Doctor Harlow, later a druggist in the county seat, also practiced medicine at Good Hope.

Good Hope postoffice is a fourth-class office, and there have been but few postmasters in charge. N. A. Divines was commissioned in 1881 and served for the exceptionallv long period of tliirty-three years and up to April 10, 1914, when I. O. Fountain was commissioned. There is one free rural delivery route out from this point, a distance of sixteen miles.

There is a large, two-story frame town building, in which is a pul:)lic hall and the postoffice has been kept in the corner room of the first story since June, 19 14.

There are churches, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist, each having brick edifices (see chapter on churches). The lodges are confined to the Modern

There is an extensive tile factory which produces a vast amount of superior drain tiling annually. With it is coupled a saw-mill for cutting native lumber. This plant is owned by J. W. Rife & Son, and was established about 1906.

Besides Good Hope, there are, or have been, in this township towns as follows : Rockville or Rock Mills, in survey No. 2925. This place has a history running back almost a century. The mills and a store and small shops made up the sum total. Stephen Yoenian was first to locate there in 18 1 5. He built the mill and constructed the dam.

Convenience is the name of another hamlet. It is a station on the railroad and was once embraced in the farm of W. R. Hukill. This, too, is a platted village. There are also flag stations on the railroad line of the Ohio Southern system, known as Bogus Road and Ghormley. None of these are places of much commercial importance today.

Source changes here: from History of Fayette County Ohio, by Frank M. Allen, published 1914; 2,676 words in this source stream.

Wayne Township

From the fact that Wayne township, the southeastern in this county, was next to Ross county, and that several of the Ross county pioneers moved across the border at a very early date, Wayne can boast truthfully of being the first township in Fayette county where the first white men settled and remained permanently. A man named Wolf, from Virginia, located on the North fork of Paint creek, near the Ross county line, in 1796, hence was first of all to invade the wilds of Fayette county. This tract of land was, in the seventies and eighties, owned by John H. Bryant, who remembers of seeing the figures "1800" on the mud chimney of the original cabin on the place, and he is confident that it was built at least three and possibly four years after the settlement was made by Wolf. On this land was discovered a perpetual, clear and very cold spring of water, which no doubt induced that early settler to locate as he did. . Wolf was described, by those who remember him, as a tall, powerful man, who made hunting, trapping and killing Indians his occupation. He died here and was buried near White Oak, on Hamilton's run. The family moved west and some of them were heard of in Indiana in 1860. The old Bryant homestead, later owned by Mr. Speakman, was settled in about 1815 by Philip Louderman, a relative of pioneer Wolf, from Virginia. Another relative of Wolf settled on the opposite side of North fork of Paint creek, on what was later known as the Dr. Judy place. The man referred to was one Alexander Hamilton, probably Wolf's cousin. He died and was also buried at White Oak cemetery.

In 1803 came William Harper, who was born in Berkeley county, Virginia. He was accompanied by his wife and eight children and settled on lands which, thirty years ago, were in the ownership of Robert Harper. The elder Harpers were members of the Presbyterian church, but later united with the Baptists.

Benjamin Davis was another noted pioneer, born in South Carolina, moved to North Carolina, and in 1802 settled in Highland county, Ohio. He remained there till 1807, then took possession of three hundred acres which was a part of the Griffith survey, No. 738. He built a cabin and there lived many years. He was fond of books and paid as high as forty-five dollars for one book he owned, and he wrote on its fly-leaf, "Don't steal this book for fear of shame, for above there appears the owner's name." Davis died in 1837, when his son Jacob bought off the remainder of the heirs to his estate and thus secured, the old homestead.

Samuel Sollers, a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, born in 1784, left that section in 1808 and immigrated to Ohio, having been land seeking the year before, and selected a tract in present Highland county. He brought his wife and one child the entire distance in a wagon, drawn over the rough roads and heavy forests by three horses. It will be understood that at that date Fayette county had not yet been organized, hence they settled in Ross county, but at present it is wholly in Wayne township and is known as the C. Wallace survey, No. 7577. The part selected by Sollers contained four hundred and fifty acres. It was bought from Wallace, who surveyed it for the government.

Hamilton Rogers, wife and eight children removed to this township in 1808 from Kentucky. They were natives of Pennsylvania. They located at the mouth of Indian creek. There were no signs of any improvements about them and Indians abounded all about them; their huts could easily be seen in almost every direction one might look from his cabin. They seemed friendly, but they expected the white men to respect them and their rights.

Another son of old Virginia wended his way to this township in 1821 and worked for farmers several years. This was none other than Aquilla Jones, a native of Bradley county, Virginia, born 1798, the son of English parents. After-being here about ten years, he returned to Virginia, stayed there a year or so, then came back to this his adopted country. He did not locate on his own land in this township until 1831, when he married Elizabeth Garinger, who bore him seven children. He lost his wife, married a second time and by this latter union reared two beautiful daughters, Maria and Laura. He had a son who made a patriotic record during the Civil War. .

John Kule, son of John Kule, Sr., should not be omitted from that sturdy band of home builders who braved the dangers of a wilderness a century ago, for the object of making for himself and worthy family a comfortable abiding place. He was born in 1808 in Virginia, and moved when quite small with the family to Ross county, Ohio, settling in Concord township in 1817. He obtained his education in a log school house at Greenfield, which was also used as a store and public tavern. Year by year he prospered until he finally possessed more than five hundred acres of land. He held many public offices and stood high among his fellow men. He had in his home a gun which was placed in a spring when Ohio was yet known as the Northwest territory.

Early Taverns

At a very early date this township had no public stopping place for the weary travelers. So any settler's cabin must þe sought out for a resting place during the night. All were open to well-disposed men and women. Later, but still before the advent of the railroad through the place, the State road travel became large and some place like a country inn, or hotel, was almost a necessity to the times and to the traveling public. Finally Noah Hukill was induced to open such a tavern at his homestead place, on the Washington and Chillicothe pike. It soon got great name and fame. It was always orderly and clean and good beds and meals were always "set up" to those passing through who wished entertainment. He sold liquor, and his first sign-board read "Whiskey and Oats." The next sign flung to the breeze read, "Inn by N. Hukill." The third and last of which there is any record, and which hung at the side of the house, at the sport of the wind many years, bore this inscription, "Independence, Please and Plenty." As high as twenty teamsters frequently stopped there in a single night. The township had no further attempts at hotels until the building of the railroad through Good Hope.

Indian Horrors

One need not go to the far-off-West, or read cheap literature, giving harrowing accounts of Indian savagery, for right here in Ohio, and in Ross and Fayette counties, there were events and crimes committed by the Indians that make the published stories in dime novels sink into littleness. These are true stories of happenings right here at home. The following is vouched for by Mrs. Scott, a granddaughter of pioneer George Scott. It was given through a request of an historian more than thirty years since, and runs as follows :

By birth Heath was a Virginian, his grandfather having participated at Valley Forge with the American armies during the Revolutionary struggle; his wife was engaged in attending to the wounded after the battle. They had three children; one was killed by Indians while engaged in plowing.

Cipe came to Kentucky as a scout during the Revolution, and at the . age of twenty-one married Anna Wright, who lived near the Ohio river, in Kentucky. During the last years of the eighteenth century. the young couple crossed the Ohio river, coming to this county, settling on Indian creek, in Wayne township, on land later owned by William Rodgers. They had ten children. The Davises, Wrights, Hills, Brannons and Clousers afterwards located in the same neighorhood, some of them on the opposite side of Paint creek. Heath participated in the War of 1812; in what capacity is not known now.

The Miamis had a camping ground near the mouth of Indian creek, about four hundred yards from the humble home of the Heaths. During the winter from five to six hundred red-skins were encamped here - generally peaceful, though apparently very quick tempered at times. When Deborah Heath, the mother of our informant, was twelve years of age, a white man named Harrod shot and killed an Indian while out on a hunting expedition, and covered him up with logs of the forest. In the morning after the killing of the savage, Heath departed for Frankfort, leaving his family unprotected. The Indians instituted search for their missing companion and, upon discovering his dead body, very naturally concluded that the deed had been committed by a pale face. They became very much excited, and one of their companions, who went by the sobriquet of "Wild Duck," an ugly and ferocious looking savage, came to the Heath cabin and inquired for the head of the family. He was told that the man had gone to Frankfort. He did not depart readily upon receiving this information, but continued to inquire for Heath, at the same time brandishing his huge knife in a threatening manner, but was finally induced to depart and the terrible suspense of the family was relieved. On the morning following the Indian made a second call, meeting Heath a short distance from the house. For more than an hour angry words and threats passed between the two, finally, however, they dropped their weapons in token of peace. As Heath's brother had been massacred by the Indians, his hostility to the latter was avowed and known to them, hence he was suspected of being the murderer of their late companion. Presumably he gave a satisfactory account of himself, at all events he was not molested. The entire settlement was much alarmed and feared an attack from their savage neighbors. To ensure safety, the Heaths took up a temporary abode at Frankfort, Mrs. Heath having buried her tableware in the garden before departing. Harrod was captured by the Indians in Ross county, and burned to death at the stake, near what is known now as Harrod's creek. Seven white men lay in ambush and witnessed the terrible execution, but were either too cowardly or had no inclination to attempt a rescue. Apparently the savages were fully revenged by the death of Harrod, as they made no further attempt to disturb the little settlement.

"Wild Duck's" squaw was a daughter of the chief of the tribe, and during one of his fits of anger he took her life, which caused much grief and indignation among the rest. A number came to Heath's cabin and requested Mrs Heath to dress the corpse for burial as was the custom of the whites. Next day her body was deposited in a rude grave, a handful of dirt thrown on the same during war whoops, the grave being filled with cedar midst frequent whoops.

Immediately after the ceremony the old chief and another warrior tied "Wild Duck," who had'been secured in the meantime, to a pony and started up the creek for the "Cedar Hole," and shortly returned with the pony, though minus a rider. Heath enquired of the chief what disposition had been made of the wife-murderer. The wily old chief shook his fist under Heath's nose and said: "No white man's business."

With the tribe was a white woman who had been captured, with her little brother, in childhood; the latter was killed because he was a burden, being too young and delicate to walk. The girl grew to womanhood, became accustomed to the habits of her captors, and married the chief's son. She frequently came to the Heath cabin to bake bread at the fire place. When questioned as to her early life, she stated that she knew nothing except that her name was Sallie and that she had come a great distance.

Village Of Good Hope

Good Hope, the chief village within the bounds of Wayne township, is situated on the east bank of Indian creek, at the crossing of the Ohio Southern railroad (now the D. T. & I. line), and Wabash and Good Hope pike, south of Washington C. H. Its present population is about two hundred and fifty. It was surveyed November 1, 1849, by Benjamin Nelson and John L. Burnett, at the instance of Robert Harper and James Sargent, proprietors, says the county records. Thirty lots were platted at that date, Number 1 beginning at a point on North street, running thence north eightyseven degrees and thirty minutes south, seven poles and two links, to a stake on the line of said street ; thence south two and a half degrees east, with West street twenty poles and two and a half feet to a stake. Thence with the Greenfield road twenty-four poles to the beginning, containing an area of seventy poles, two and a half feet.

It should be remembered that while this platting was not executed until 1849, there had been quite a village there for a number of years before that date. About 1830 Isaac Smith bought of William Rodgers five acres, including part of Lot 1, giving as pay a rifle. Then Smith presented his sonin-law, William Merchant, who erected a blacksmith's shop thereon, with the same. In 1838 Isaac Smith opened a little store in the building in which the shop had been kept, after remodeling it somewhat. A few years later James Smith, a cousin, started what we now would term a saloon and sold much of the desired fire-water.

Ira Yoeman had a wagon shop there about that date and Robert Mc- Elwaine kept a tan-yard. He furnished leather made up on shares, and people then hired a shoemaker to come in and take their measure and make their boots and shoes. Some were calf and some were cow-hide stock. Mc- Elwaine died and John C. Jones ran the tannery until 1850, when he was appointed sheriff (a better job), and thus the tannery went down, with some unfinished stock on hand in the deep vats.

-Doctor Coffman, later of Washington C. H., was the frst permanent physician of the village. He remained ten years ana sold to Doctor Goldsbury. Doctor Harlow, later a druggist in the county seat, also. practiced medicine at Good Hope.

Good Hope postoffice is a fourth-class office, and there have been but few postmasters in charge. N. A. Divines was commissioned in 1881 and served for the exceptionally long period of thirty-three years and up to April © 10, 1914, when I. O. Fountain was commissioned. There is one free rural delivery route out from this point, a distance of sixteen miles.

There is a large, two-story frame town building, in which is a public hall and the postoffice has been kept in the corner room of the first story since June, 1914.

There are churches, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist, each having brick edifices (see chapter on churches). The lodges are confined to the Modern

There is an extensive tile factory which produces a vast amount of superior drain tiling annually. With it is coupled a saw-mill for cutting

Besides Good Hope, there are, or have been, in this township towns as follows: Rockville or Rock Mills, in survey No. 2925. This place has a history running back almost a century. The mills and a store and small shops made up the sum total. Stephen Yoeman was first to locate there in 1815. He built the mill and constructed the dam.

Convenience is the name of another hamlet. It is a station on the railroad and was once embraced in the farm of W. R. Hukill. This, too, is a platted village. There are also flag stations on the railroad line of the Ohio Southern system, known as Bogus Road and Ghormley. None of these are places of much commercial importance today.