Weston Township (part 11 of 15)

1888, for Edwin Reed, E. \Y. Merry and J. H. Sands; the Munshowcr block, erected in 1887; the "Hotel Brown," in 1889, by Paul J. and G. M. Brown (leased by Major McLymau and conducted by him until March 17, 1896, when L. H. Cottington took charge); the Doctors block, erected, in 1887, for Dr. J. C. Lincoln and Dr. W. M. Tuller; the Orme livery barn, erected in 1887, and the Biggs block, erected in

On Wooster street, west of Main, south side, are Dr. L. L. Vonker's brick block - 1892-93 - and the City Hall, noticed in other pages. Opposite are the Clark block, built in 1887, and the Union block, built in 1884 by C. 1\ Button. Beyond these buildings the street is a residence one, with lines of heavy shade trees and large, modern homes. On Wooster, east of Main, are the Sentinel office, built in 1887 by C. W. Evers; the Wittmer block, erected in 1866 by S. L. Boughton, remodeled in 1889 by Fred Wittmer; the Methodist church and the "Ross House." The Black, Boughton, Brewer and other residences are west of the Ohio Central railroad; while east of that road are several homes. The streets paralleling Main street are favorite residence streets, and are well improved. Outside the business center Bowling Green may be called a garden city. Orchards are common, and almost every one of the older homes has its garden and orchard.

Municipal Affairs. - The petition for the incorporation of Bowling Green, dated July 23, 1855, was signed by S. L. Boughton, Alfred Thurstin, G. Z. Avery, Joseph Hollington, Hiram Noyes, John W. Felton, Jehu C. Wooster, W. G. Lamb, Lee Moore, J. M. Lamb, Daniel Noyes, C. P. Rogers, D. L. Hixon, L. C. Locke and thirty-eight others. It was considered by the commissioners September 3, 1855, but not until November 9 did they grant it, excluding, even then, the N. \ of S. W. J Sec. 13, T. 5, R. 10, which the petitioners wished to be placed under the village government.

The records of the first meeting of the council are not to be found. The journals of the council down to 1 866 are known to have gone where no mortal can search for them. The tax- ; levy documents afford very little information, and, of course, the Perrysbury Journal failed to notice such a place as the incorporated village of Bowling Green. From interviews and other sources it is learned that Dr. Lamb was the first mayor. Dr. Rogers, the second. J. D. Smith, the third, and Dr. Smith, the fourth. R. M. Culver held the office in 1866; Isaac Clay, 1867; Joseph Hollington, 1869; David Cargo, 1870; J. W. Canary, 1872; John A. Shannon, 1874;!). W. H. Day, 1878; John A. Shannon, 1S80; M. P. Brewer, 1882; W. M. Tuller. 1 88.4; B. L. Abbott, 1886; A. J. Mears, 1888 and 1890; A. B. Murphy, 1891 and 1892; and W. S. Haskell, elected in November, 1893. vice Mayor Murphy, resigned. Aimer R. Campbell was elected mayor in 1896.

very efficient clerk of Bowling Green. His record books are quite in keeping with their importance, and the advanced conditions under which municipal affairs are now transacted.

The marshals from 1866 to 1874 were A. Walker, 1 866; Nathan L. Badger, 1867; J. N. Stiner, 1868; P. M. Clifford, 1869; J. T. M. Reed, 1870; A. M. Wyckoff, 1871; Jonathan White, 1871; J. W. Brownsberger, 1872, and M. S. Davenport. 1874. Messrs. Biggs, Fowler and Reed filled the position in later years, while a large number of citizens have aimed to serve the village as guardians of the peace. In 1896 Joseph F. Reed was elected marshal.

The ordinance creating the office of corporation solicitor was adopted March 5, 1883. The office was held by D. W. H. Day, in 1884. On February 13, 1888, the office of city solicitor was created, and N. R. Harrington was elected to fill that office in April following. B. F. James was the incumbent in 1890, and R. B. Moore from 1892 to 1896, and re-elected in 1896.

The trustees of the gas works, elected in April, 1888, were John R. Hankey, Frank B. Roath. Jacob F. Long and Joseph H. Sands. The second city well was begun by them in August, 1888, L. W. Dougherty being then superintendent of the gas line until succeeded by J. H. Mohr. In 1890, J. H. Willey was superintendent, in April, 1891, R. B. Moore, J. F. Long, A. Graham and John O. Adams were elected trustees, and served as such until the gas plant was sold to Mr. McDonald, as related in another page.

In 1882, the question of purchasing grounds for park purposes was submitted to a committee of the council, who received from George Wooster an offer to sell that part of his grove, north of Thurstin avenue, for $1,800. In October, the resolution to purchase grounds for a park was adopted, and December 4, 1882, the sale of $3,000 bonds and the adoption of an ordinance for the purchase of grounds were recorded.

The contract with Ferris & Halliday for the construction of waterworks, was signed December 19, [887, by the contractors, Benjamin L. Abbott, mayor, and Ira C. Taber, clerk of Bowling Green, subject, however, to the vote of the people. The contract came to naught; but early in 1892, another contract was entered into, which was carried out by June of that year.

The "Nine O'clock Ordinance" passed in August, 1884, won for the council the thanks of the W. C. T. U. A year later, the question of lighting the streets was discussed, and the Natural Gas Co. asked to give prices. In December. 1885, the anti-explosive ordinance was adopted.

The resolution providing for the issue of $25,000 bonds, the proceeds to be invested in drilling gas wells and supplying gas to the people of the village, was adopted in April, 1,887. At the same time, the resolution providing fqr an election on the issue of $10,000 bonds, the proceeds to be expended in the encouragement of local manufacturing industries, was agreed to. On April 13, the council voted to buy a tract of land for $6, 500; on April 28, authority was given to expend $1,000 on a water well, on April 20, the celebrated offer to manufacturing enterprises was made, and, on May 19, 1887, the first con- the close of the fall of that year, the men were tract with manufacturers was entered into by the called into service, and acquitted themselves so village. The council also rendered every aid in well, that on October 22, the council passed a procuring right-of-way for the C. H. & D. K. R , vote of thanks to the members of the company, and in every way worked enthusiastically in the In July, 1885, the purchase of fire apparatus was interest of modern Bowling Green. authorized, and for over two years the little de-

In the summer of 1888 many improvements, ; partment battled with sundry little blazes. The such as widening and macadamizing Main street, big fire of August, 1887, however, showed its and constructing a great sewer therein, were utter uselessness in a great emergency, and the under way; the repeal of the prohibition ordi- people called for reorganization; hence, in Jannance; the closing of saloons at a certain hour; nary, 1888, the beginnings of the present fire and other manufacturers, occupied the attent- were enrolled, with George W. Gaghan, chief; ion of the councilmen. In January, 1889, the Rev. J. H. Palmer, foreman; J. D. Bolles, first proposition to establish an electric-light plant assistant; Bert Froney, second assistant; Aus.

October. 1890, it was ordered that the proposi- of water works was completed, and the departtion to sell the city gas plant be submitted to the ment was reorganized to meet the new and better voters; but there is nothing on the minute book to show the action taken by the citizens. On November 21, however, the bid of A. C. Mc- Donald is recorded. He offered $6, 500 for all the property and plant, which sum was accepted November 24, 1890. A year later a contract for covery of gas here is related in the chapter on the electric lighting of the city was made with the Gas and Oil Fields; but little is said therein of Elias H. McKnight, and January 26, 1892, the the men who drilled for the Huid, and tendered contract for water works was entered into with its use to the public. Their names may be given Isaiah W. Newcomer. The subject of building here as the original members of the Bowling a city hall was discussed in council March 31, Green Natural Gas Co., organized April 11, 1892, and a resolution declaring such a building 1885: C. W. Evers, E. W. Merry, Chris, Lehnecessary was adopted. On April 18 Messrs. man, M. P. Brewer, S. L. Boughton, Dr. J. C.

ing committee, and on the 25th bonds for $20,- Luther Black, Orrin Henry, J. O. Troup, W. 000 were issued to meet the expense of the house M. Donaldson, R. M. Donnelly, Rogers & Manthe first for $500 being payable March 1,1893. ville, James W. English, Jasher Pillars, R. P. and the last for $500 on September 1, 1912. In Morrison, B. R. Taber, \V. A. Wiggins, J. H. April, 1892, the $150 bid of H. W. Sterling for ; Crane, Norton Reed, Mary H. Leet, J. D. Bolles the old town hall was accepted; on June 26 the 1 & Co., George C. Phelps, Dr. W. M. Tuller, R. water works were reported complete, and the W. McMahan, S. Case, J. H. Watson, A. E. present city building practically finished; and in Royce, R. S. Parker, George W. Gaghan, F. A. September the issue of $12,000 six-per-cent. Baldwin, W. A. Benschoter, R. C. Kinney, bonds was authorized to refund or meet the debts ; George Smith, George M. Brown, Dr. J. H. of the village, the first bond for $300 being made Whitehead, F. Von Kanel, J. C. H. Elder, L. payable March 1, 1896, and the last, for a like ! T. Van Tassel. J. R. Hankey, Henry A. Lease, sum, September 1, 1915. I Edwin Reed, R. S. Thurstin, J. H. Sands, A.

was organized in [888, to take the place of the ' 1885, and gas for illuminating and fuel purposes old fire company of 1883. A few small fires supplied to houses, stores and factories - the limesuggested the organization of a body of fire-light- 1 kilns being large consumers. In 1866 or '67 ers, and in April, 1883, the council considered the town issued bonds, and went into the gas the question, approved of the plan, and in May business, to supply factories and, incidentally, a appointed A. Ireland, chief engineer. Before few consumers. When the supply began to fail, conditions. The fire of October, 1888, referred to in this chapter, pointed out clearly that the department, as organized in January, 1888, was unable to cope with any serious conflagration.

An Explosion. - The explosion of the Ohio & Indiana Torpedo Company's nitro-giveerine magazine of 520 quarts of explosive, occurred at 10:15 o'clock on the night of December 6, 1895. The magazine stood in a grove on Austin Fowler's farm, two and one-half miles southwest of the city, and only 300 feet away from the Bradford Company's store-house. The shock was felt throughout northwestern Ohio. In Wood county much damage was done, such as the breakage of glass, disarrangement of oil-pipe connections with tanks, etc. The damage to windows on the east side of Bowling Green's main street; at Tontogany and villages in central Wood county; and to the farm houses in the neighborhoc*!, was said at the time to amount to a few thousand dollars; while the magazine, 300 feet away, was untouched. G. A. Smith, the manager of the Ohio & Indiana Company in this lield, a fearless and intelligent worker in nitroglycerine, could not explain the cause of the explosion. A hole, eight feet in depth and twentyfive feet in diameter, and shattered and uprooted trees, speak of the power of the glycerine. The fact that the stuff in the Bradford Company's magazine was frozen accounts for its escape from total annihilation.

Howling (irern's Piontvr i\ nil 'rood. - The Rowling Green Railroad Co. was organized June 6, 1 874, with S. L. Houghton, president and general manager; A. J. Manville, vice-president; A. A. Thurstin, secretary; 1\ Beverstock, treasurer; and they, with S. W. St. John. Henry Lundy and J. R. Rudulph, were directors. This association was the outcome of a meeting held at Reed's Hall, at which Mr. Boughtun showed the necessity for a branch railroad to Tontogany. Committees were appointed to visit the nearest towns on the main line, then called the I). A M. R. R. j. B. Newton favored Roachton; John II. Reid, Perrysburg; S. L. Boughton, Tontogany. while others preferred Haskins and Weston. The men named were appointed to report on the points of junction favored bv them; but S. L. Houghton's logic in favor of Tontogany prevailed, and the route surveved by David Donaldson to that point was adopted. Capt. Black, S. W. Whitmore, Martin Warner, Judge 'Fuller, and other old settlers of that town being friendly to t he enterprise. The right-of-way was obtained at a cost of $2,248 from eighteen land owners, and on August 18, 1874, the pion. or railroad builders entered upon work. For the year ensuing, Mr. Boughton left his store every day to work on that road, and gave half his time during the second year; S. W. St. John worked and -'bossed'1 the grading from beginning to end. and A. A. Thurstin drove his horses in breaking the first furrows on Addison Fay's farm. Henry Lundy was not often called to work, nor did J. R. Rudulph exhaust his physical strength; but each gave moral and material support to the enterprise, as did the other local stockholders and the majority of the citizens. The grading and the team work cost $1,447.60; ties cost $3,366.92; timber, logs and lumber, $2,027:25; one hundred and one citizens received $4,627.92 for labor; $1 15. 18 were paid for tools; S. L. Boughton received for traveling expenses to Carrollton, Ohio,' Pittsburg, Penn., Toledo, Cincinnati, Lima and Dayton, $171.40, while the expenses of other agents amounted to $101.93; fuel cost $62 5. 76; iron and rolling stock, $9,576.52; freight and express charges amounted to $1,384.45; books and printing to $73.79; interest and discount, $1,743.46; the " Y " at Tontogany, $802.38, and miscellaneous expenses, $1,703.98, or $30,076.94 in all. Of this sum sixty-two men at Bowling Green gave $13,630.78 and a few at Toledo $2,445.00, or $16,075.78 cash subscription. Bonds would not sell, but a sum of $3,000 was borrowed from William Hood, all the stockholders, save one, being bound severally and individually to pay the note with interest. In addition, an assessment of 20 per cent, on stock was levied. The comparatively heavy debt urged the owners to lease the road to M. T. Wiggins for ninety -nine years for $io,ooo, but the sum of $750 or $800 was yet necessary to pay up all debts. When the Wiggins brothers desired to sell their road to the ('. H. & I). Co., they asked Mr. Boughton what he would demand for a majority of the stock. He replied, " $1,000." The sum was paid within six months, the last debt was paid with interest, and the old Bowling Green Railroad Co. was disbanded.

The Carroll County railroad (including 210 tons of strap-rail, spikes and switch fixtures, purchased at $33 a ton; the ''Old Huldah," a seven-ton locomotive of twenty-horse power, two coaches, a box car and two fiat cars), became the property of the Bowling Green Railroad Co., in 1874. At the beginning of May, 1875, a few days before the connection was made with the C. IF N 1). at Tontogany, the receipts from passenger traffic were double the operating expenses. During the first week in May, the " V " was placed, and combination trains left Bowling Green at 7 a. m., i, and 5:30 i>. m., and Tontogany at 8:10 a. m., 2:40 and 6:10 i\ M. The total earnings for the month ending July 17,

1875, amounted to $394.26, and the operating expenses to $182. The road, as managed by Mr. Boughton until July or August, 1876, met all operating expenses and produced $1,000 to be applied on the indebtedness.

Charles N. Culver, the first engineer, found he had a very fickle machine to deal with; but with care, he made regular trips and kept very close to schedule time. Henry A. Lease acted as attorney, conductor, passenger and freight agent, and man of all work. The engineer and brakeman were the only employes in the mechanical department. The road was built with the object of developing the interests of Bowling Green, and the stockholders and subscribers paid their moneys directly with this object, rather than with the hope of any financial returns; but the little iron way met all its expenses, and doubtless would have yielded profits, had its founders carried their enterprise a little farther toward making it a modern road. On the death of Treasurer Beverstock, Dr. Manville was elected to that position.

In 1878, Mark T. Wiggins leased the road for a period of ninety-nine years, the sole consideration being $10,000. Under this lease, Mr. Wiggins operated the road, and substituted the "T" for the strap-rail. The locomotive "William Hood," superceded the "Old Huldah," and the road bed was improved. Greater changes were yet in store. A board of directors was one of them. F. Holderman was appointed superintendent, and Patrick Faha, roadmaster; the capital stock was increased from $18,000 to $40,000, of which Mr. Wiggins received $20,000 stock for his interest; the rolling stock was increased to three locomotives, two coaches and four freight cars, the road bed was further improved, and the little iron way was in fair condition. when, in 1886, it was consolidated with the C. H. & D. railroad. In 1890-91, the North Baltimore extension was built by the latter company, and the Slippery Elm railroad of 1 874- 75 lost its identity in the greater system.

Methodism at Bowling Green may be said to date back to 1836, when Rev. Austin Coleman, of the Waterville circuit, preached in the log school house, south of the village, later, in what was afterward known as the ' ' Bell school house, " and in other cabins along the route to Waterville. James Wood is said to have been the first leader of this Bowling Green class, though John A. Sargent was leader of the older class at his house. Every sixth Sunday, the preacher ap- peared here before his little congregation, at Henry Shively's house, which then embraced Peter Klopfenstein, W. C. Hunter, John A. Sargent, Alfred Thurstin, Robert Barr and James Wood, with their wives, together with the following named single members: Erastus, Zelpha and Diannab Hunter, Margaret Shively, Margaret Linsey, Eliza Hixon, Nancy Sargent, Susannah Groves and Isaac Tracy. A Sunday-school was organized the same year with Henry Lundy, superintendent. Among the early preachers, other than Mr. Coleman, may be named Wesley Broek, who was here in 1837, John Janes, Shortis and Fleming in 1838, Leonard Parker, 1838, Adam Menear, 1839, RollaH. Chubb, 1840, Leonard Hill, 1841, Ezra C. Norton, 1843, I. J. Killum, 1844, W. W. Winters, 1845, and Thomas J. Pope, 1846. Thomas Barkdull and W. W. Winters organized a protracted meeting in 1846, which resulted in bringing many of the settlers into Methodism, among the number being Ambrose Hollington, now a preacher of Delaware county. Rev. F. W. Vertican came as preacher-in-charge in 1852; N. B. Wilson in 1853, and Ambrose Hollington in 1854. Mr. Hollington is still a citizen of Ohio, and was present at Bowling Green in July and August. 1895, when the beginnings of the church and school at Bowling Green were discussed.

The first mention of the Bowling Green circuit appears when David Gray was presiding elder of the Maumee district, and H. L. Nickerson, preacher-in-charge, in 1854 or 1855. J. A. Shannon came in 1856, and Martin Perkey in 1857. In 1859, S. L. Roberts and Josiah Adams were here; J. A. Shannon and Jason Wilcox in i860, and G. Lease and I. N. Kalb in 1861. The Conference of 1862 divided the circuit into two parts, and again the Bowling Green part into four appointments. The eastern part retained the name " Bowling Green," while the western was given the name "Gilead," with Rev. J. Good, preacher in the first and G. Mather in the second. The appointments originally set off were Bowling Green, Portageville, Carrs and Tontogany. On November 14, 1S63, Hull

Prairie,' or Haskins, class, was added, and the | five appointments constituted Bowling Green j circuit, of which Rev. J. Good was preacher-in- ; charge down to July 25, 1865. In September of ' that year, Rev. F. L. Harper succeeded him, and : served until his death, January 22, 1866. In i 1868, John S. Kalb was appointed, while, in 1869, Thomas N. Barkdull (who was here in i860 and 1861, when John A. Shannon had charge) succeeded him. At that time the Mcth- odists held meetings in the old house of 1847, which stood on the site of the present Disciples church, and which was then (1869) owned by the Congregationalists. When that body secured a preacher, Mr. Barkdull was denied the use of the building, and had to seek elsewhere. Some time after, the Methodists found shelter in the Presbyterian meeting-house, but that body also found a preacher soon after. The society then rented Reed's Hall, in which services were carried on until the* new or present building was completed, August 25, 1872. Rev. D. R. Cook succeeded Mr. Barkdull in 1872; L. M. Albright came in 1873, and was reappointed in 1875. That year, Bowling Green appears to have been attached to the Weston and Tontogany circuit, which was served by Adam D. Barnes and Joseph D. Sims until September, 1876, when Rev. I. N. Smith was appointed. Mr. Smith revived the society at Bowling Green, and succeeded in having it advanced to a station again. He sold the parsonage, and applied the $700 received for that property toward the liquidation of the church debt. In 1879 he purchased a bell, and, on September 26, that year, ended his services as pastor, leaving to his successors a class of 157 members and eight probationers. Rev. R. Wallace was preacher-in-charge in 1879, and Rev. N. B. C. Love, from 1881 to 1883. The progress of this society during the last decade has been very marked. To the activity of the preachers and revivalists, as well as of the enthusiastic Sabbathschool workers, must be credited much if not all of this progress. They go a long way to arrest the advance of infidelity, and, unknowingly, perhaps, in working for themselves, do general good. The pastors of the Church since 1883 have been as follows: Rev. L. E. Prentice, one year, from fall of 1883 to fall of 1884; Rev. G. H. Priddy, one year, from fall of 1884 to fall of 1885: Rev. C. W. Taneyhill, three years, from fall of 1885 to fall of 1888: Rev. W. H. Scoles, four years, from fall of 1888 to fall of .1892; Rev. J. W. Holland f present incumbent), four years, from fall of 1892 to fall of 1896. The present membership is upward of 500.

The First Presbyterian Chun k was organized October 13. 1855, by Rev. Perry C. Baldwin, with the following named members: Tobias and Louisa C. Rudesill, Addison and Matilda Fay, John and Mary Evers, Nathan Noble. Sidney L. Brewster, Phcebe M. Moore, George Underwood, Mrs. Underwood, and Aziel B. Bradley and wife. The election for elders, which took place the same day, resulted in the choice of Messrs. Rudesill, Fay and Bradley, who were at once ordained and who organized with Tobias Rudesill, clerk of session. S. L. Boughton was ordained an elder April 7, i860, chosen clerk of session in October following ;ih April, i860, he was appointed superintendent of the Sunday-school. Ambrose S. Nims, wife and son joined this Church in 1869, and of it the senior Nims became a ruling elder, a position he was holding in the fall of 1895, though not on the list of active elders. John Coen, I. A. Noble, Fred VanFleet, D. E. Prosser, W. T. Reese and F. H. Boughton were elected elders from time to time, and were members of the session in 1895. In September of that year, S. L. Boughton, E. A. Barton, Frank \V. Thurstin, D. A. Haylor, J. S. McClelland and Luther Black were elected elders. Mr. Baldwin, who organized the society, resigned the office of pastor, July 30, 1865. A year after. Rev. Robert Herenden was called, and until April 15, 1867, preached to the Presbyterians of Bowling Green as well as to the Congregationalists of Plain. In July, 1867, Rev. R. G. McCarthy came, and preached here until 1868. Rev. J. E. Vance accepted a call in the spring of 1869, and remained until April 17, 1870. Shortly after, a call was extended to Rev. William McElwee, of Philadelphia, who was installed pastor, June 3, 1870. Mr. Boughton, in his sketch of the Church, tells of his deposition by the Maumee Presbytery, September 19, 1871. His successor. Rev. J. B. Hubbard, came in the spring of 1872. and remained until March, 1879. A few months later, Rev. W. R. Higgins was installed, and preached here until October 7, 1883. Rev. Henry Cooper came in December following, and was pastor until July

I , 1885. Rev J. R. Boyd supplied the pulpit until October 1 , when he accepted a call as pastor, and attended to the duties of that office until his death, February 15, 1886. On June 20, that year, Rev. George S. J. Brown was called, and he preached here until the close of November, 1894. On March 1, 1895, Rev. R. M. Dillon, the present pastor, was installed to preside over the 351 members forming the society. The first house of worship, on the site of the present building, was erected in 1859, and dedicated February 8, i860. The present $15,000 structure, known as the Presbyterian church, was built in 1888, and dedicated March 31, 1889.

The Presbyterian Sabbath-school was organized April 8, i860, with S. L. Boughton as superintendent, Mrs. Boughton, treasurer, Tobias Rudesill, A. Fay, J. VanGorder, Mesdames Wm. Hood. Lee Moore, P. C. Baldwin, Rogers, and school, including teachers, had about forty scholars. Down to May, 1880, no less than ninetysix teachers were enrolled. During the last twenty years, numbers of teachers, corresponding with the increase in scholars, have been employed, the first superintendent being still as active in Sunday-school matters as in Church affairs.

The Catholic Church of Bowling Green, dates back, as a congregation, to 1883, when forty children made their first communion in the new church building. Prior to that time, the few Catholic families of the central townships were considered parts of the Custar congregation. Sometimes Rev. Louis J. Filliere, of Providence, who for years attended eighteen stations in Wood and Lucas counties, came to visit the people. Father Hyacinthe Kollop succeeded him, but Dr. Leeming was the pastor, who, in 1883, prepared the children referred to above. It was Father Kollop who built part of the present chapel. In later years, the now celebrated young Paulist, Father Kress, was resident pastor, preceding Father Schriener, the present priest of Bowling Green and Cygnet. The development of the oil field, and the general advance toward modernism, brought to Bowling Green a number of Catholics, so that with the exception of a few old families who adhered to the faith, the congregation is made up of new citizens of the town and neighboring country. The pastoral residence, the addition to the church building, and improvement of the grounds are all the works of the present congregation, while the library was mainly collected by Father Kress.

The Baptist Church at Bowling Green, was organized March 27, 1858, at the house of S. L. Boughton, D. A. Avery being moderator, and S. L. Boughton, clerk. On March 31, W. Legally, Z. F. Williston, M. D. L. Buell, S. L. Boughton, Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Boughton signed articles of association. William Legally was the clerk in i860. That organization disbanded, and little if anything, is known of it by the moderns of the town. The record, however, is at Haskins, and from it the above minute of the society's beginning was made.

The present society, known as the First Baptist Church, was organized September 29, 1878, with the following named members: Rev. James Abbott and Caroline Abbott, Rev. E. B. and Mrs. C. A. Turner, Mrs. J. H. Sands, George and Mrs. A. O. Kimberlin, Thomas W. Knight, Sr., and Thomas W. Knight, Jr., Amy and Ellen Knight, David Holbrook, W. S. Haskell, I. W. Clayton and Mrs. Theodosia Wade. The articles

; church building was then entered upon, the corner stone placed July 20, 1880, by Rev. James Adams (who was the pastor from December, 1878, to February, 1882), and the house completed in the fall, at a cost of $3, 500. M. W. Homes was pastor from April, 1883, to June, 1886; J. H. Palmer, from August, 1886, to October, 1890; and Rev. Herbert Agate from July, 1891, to the present time. There were 122 members belonging to this society in January, 1896, as reported by Mrs. J. H. Sands, the church clerk.

The United Brethren Church was organized in 1874, with a few members. For forty years prior to that time itinerant preachers of this denomination visited Bowling Green, Rev. John Crom being the pioneer in the work. Societies were organized east, west and south of the village, as related in the sketches of the United Brethren in Christ of Beaver Creek, Center and Portage, and to these societies the modern Moravians of this town belonged. In 1880, the local class was sufficiently strong to build a house of worship; the trustees selected a lot on the northeast corner of Court and Summit streets, and by the close of the year a brick house, 60x42 feet in area, was completed at a cost of $5,000 for house and lot. Rev. J. M. Crim was the active spirit in beginning this enterprise, but Rev. J. P. Lea was the pastor during the finishing period and at time of dedication. In 1893, the house was re-

; modelled and enlarged at a cost of $4,000. In 1 890, Rev. J. W. Hicks suggested the building of a parsonage, and the present house resulted, the cost being $1,800. The growth of the society was slow for many years, but, since 1890, it has been rapid, the membership, at the close of 1895, being 450, while G. A. Smith presides over a large and flourishing Sunday-school. The pastors who have served this Church from 1874 to the present time, are named as follows: Rev.

The Church of Christ , though little over fifteen years old, is one of the prosperous religious societies of the town. There were 225 members enrolled on January 1, 1896, who subscribed $i,868. 19 for the sidereal year 1895. Nineteen of the number paid more than their assessment, 102 paid the assessment, forty-eight paid a portion of their dues, and fifty-eight took no notice of the financial part of their duty as members. The figures are taken from Secretary Horn's report, made January i, 1896. While the title given above is the legal one, though in the Eastern States the followers of Alexander Campbell are generally known as " Disciples " and in the Western States as "Christians." The society was organized in 1882, by J. V. Updike, with fourteen members. The lot fronting on Main street, and the old Methodist building of 1847, which stood thereon, were purchased from the Congregationalists in 1882, and the house was used for purposes of worship until 1890, when Daniel Mercer bought and removed it to his property. The present commodious building was erected on its site in 1890.

The First Congregational Church of Bowling Green elected trustees, January 13, 1868, and filed articles of association. N. A. Noble, Philander Raymond and N. L. Badger were the trustees; William Irons, at whose house the meeting was held, presided. In 1869 the trustees purchased the old Methodist building, and secured the services of Charles Irons as preacher; but within thirteen years they sold the building to the Disciples, and disbanded in 1882 or 1883.

The Seventh Day Adventists of Bowling Green signed articles of association March 6, 1879, and elected J. B. Craw, R. A. Boardman and H. H. Van Camp, trustees. The society struggled along for a short period, but left the field to the older organization, a few miles northward. The Free Methodist , Free- Will Baptist, Church of God, and a few other earnest sects also appeared here.

The old cemetery of Bowling Green, which now may be called its own caretaker, was donated to the settlement by Robert Barr. Prior to its establishment, two children of Presley Walker were buried on the dune or ridge. After being set apart for burial purposes, the wife of Robert Barr was interred in the sand, and next, Robert Barr, himself. Margaret Arbuckle was the third person buried there. In 1891, while the transfer of the remains of the dead was in progress, her skeleton was found intact, with a part of the long hair well preserved.

The headstones now standing in the old cemetery tell the following tales of those who were interred there prior to 1850: Elisha Morse, 1834; Mary Wilson, 1837; Rev. I. VanTassel, March 2,

In 1872, the newspapers agitated the question of a new cemetery, and the agitation was successful. Prior to April 23, 1888, a report to the council shows that nine bodies were removed from the old cemetery down to that date. The new burial ground is modern in its landscape gardening and its monuments. Many of the stone and bronze reminders of the dead are art works of which many an older and more populous community in Ohio might well be proud.

Miscellaneous Societies

Bowling Green of the " Forties " and "Fifties " had its quiet social as well as its quiet business character. The Masonic lodge, the Knownothing council, the churches, the Lyceum, the Sunday-school and band were really social organizations, designed to gratify the social demands of the inhabitants. The first brass band organized was that of which Edward Gossett, the tavernkeeper, was leader and instructor, until Guido Marx, of the Neiblung settlement, was employed as instructor, late in the " forties." Nathan Moore, now of Toledo; J. D. Smith, Miles Deshler, E. Winchester and S. W. St. John were the first and principal musicians. In later years W. R. Peck was known as leader. Smith was the collector of airs, who would whistle what he heard for Ed. Gossett. Gossett would write it out, and give each performer his part. In 1855, when the cornetist, Nathan Moore, moved away, the organization fell to pieces. Since that time various brass bands have come and gone; orchestras, too, with singing societies, literary societies, choirs, etc., have appeared and disappeared; but amid all the changes, the progress of such associations has been like that of the city, so that to-day it is difficult to pick out an adult atom of the population who does not belong to a religious, secret, benevolent, musical or literary society.

Wood County Lodge, No. 112, F. & A. M., may be said to date back to 1842, when Morris Brown, a teacher, farmer and man-of-allwork, called the Masons of this county to meet at the Mission farm, in Middleton township, for the purpose of organizing a lodge of Masons. A year later, on June 7, 1843, the lodge was organized under dispensation, granted April 29. In October following the charter was granted to Martin Warner, David Maginnis, Sr., Sylvanus

Hatch, Emilius Wood, Morris McMillen, Jairus Curtis, Morris Brown and Leonard Pierce, and the place of meeting fixed at Wood's log cabin, near the present village of Tontogany. In 1849, the lodge was moved to Selkirk's Corners, near the Klopfenstein residence in the S. E. corner of Bowling Green; but in 1854, a room was rented in the George H. Thomas, or old hotel building, on Main andWooster streets, at $10 a year. A few years later, meetings were held in the J. V. Owen building, where is now the Boston store, and in 1870 in the Rogers & Manville brick building. The membership in August,. 1894, was 131. The worshipful masters of No. 112, from 1843 to 1895, are named as follows: Jairus Curtis, 1843; Emilius Wood, 1847, 1848, and 1855; Morrison Mc- Millen, 1849; William R. Peck, 1850 to close of 1854; J. Ralston, 1856; M. B. Tracy, 1858; L.

Geo. M. Brown, 33d degree; J. M. Cunning, S. L. Boughton, B. R. Taber, N. R. Harrington, Thomas N. Bierly and Frank Powell. J. W. Canary, the first high-priest, was succeeded in January, 1891, by A. M. Russell, and he in January, 1892, by J. D. Bolles. J. M. Cunning, the first secretary, was succeeded in January, 1891, by Guy C. Nearing, who retired in January, 1892, when the present incumbent, Thomas F. Conley, was installed. Dr. Taber, who died in 1891, was a 33d degree Mason; the other member of that degree received it at Columbus the night before he was to officiate at the hanging of a criminal from this county. The membership of the chapter, at the close of August, 1895, was sixty-six. The older chapter, referred to in the history of Perrysburg, was removed to Toledo in 1846, so that for about forty-three years the R. A. M. had no organization in this county, though it claimed a few members.

Centennial Lodge, No. 626 , I. O. O. F. , was chartered June 6, 1876, with the following named members: George J. White (1), P. M. Ford (2), Geo. H. Houck (8 and A); William Goit (3), (treasurer, D. H. Richards, not a charter member), H. H. Callin, A. W. Rudulph (4 and B); (O. G. Samuel Slocum not a charter member), Chris. Lehman (13), R. S. Lease, A. E. Royce, C. P. Fox, M. (L.-S.-V.-G., J. D. Pike, not a charter member), W. J. Campbell, W. R. Noyes (5) and R. M. Culver (C), officers in lodge rank from N. G.' to chaplain, with E. H. Selkirk, S. P. Harrison, J. W. English, Joseph Buttneff, Fred. Wittmer, Charles Noyes, B. A. Williams, George Wolf and Edson Goit, Sr. The past grands in the order of election and in good standing are those after whose names the numerals stand above, with J. C. Lincoln (6); F. B. Roath (7 and D); Guy C. Nearing (9 and F); A. H. Boardman (10 and E.); J. R. Hankey (11 and J); J. S. McClelland (12 and K); F. A. Baldwin (14 and N); H. G. Hixon (15 and L); R. S. Parker (16 and P); D. J. Cargo (17 and R); Jay Simons (18 and S); J. P. Marshall (19 and T); Wilbur Simons (20 and U); M. L. Case (21 and V); G. S. J. Brown (22 and W); J. W. Underwood (23 and X); Ira C. Taber (24); C. G. McCauley (25 and Z)\ W. H. Smith (26); Geo. W. Fearnside (27); J. B. Miller (28); J. B. Newton (29 and G.); H. H. Reid (30); W. W. Hartman (31); R. B. Moore (32); C. T. Wallace (33); S. S. Hopkins (34); and J. G. Ralston (35). The past grands admitted by card are T. C. Reid, J. R. Lundy, George Cessna, E. W. Poe, D. E. Prosser, J. C. Monks, E. A. Bernard and M. A. McKendree. There have been thirty-five incumbents of the secretary's office down to September, 1895. The members named above, after whose names letters are placed, seryed in alphabetical order, J. P. Latshaw being the 8th, S. A. Brown the 9th, S. P. Harrison the 1 5th, J. A. Noble the 17th, and A. O. Saylor the 25th incumbent. Since the close of C. G. McCauley's term, as the 26th secretary, G. W. Fearnside, J. B. Miller,

Underwood, C. T. Pope and W. B. Thomas have filled the office. In January, 1896, D. Pugh was installed as noble grand, and William Lehman, recording secretary. Robert Minear, W. B. Thomas, J. Simons and J. Underwood were elected officers of the lodge at that time.

Green Encampment , I. O. O. E. , instituted June 14, 1877, was named in honor of the spot so called by General Hull in his march toward Detroit. R. W. McMahan was C. P. ; A. W. Rudulph, H. P. ; A. J. Orme, S. W. ; J. C. Lincoln, J. W. ; T. C. Reid, scribe; and G. M. Brown, treasurer. The encampment, known in the charter as No. 210, is a powerful organization, recruited from Centennial Lodge.

Allie Hartman, Anna Marshall, Flora Hopkins, Marie Wittmer and Hattie Parmenter. There were six male members. The office of noble grand was held by Sattie Hankey from August, 1893, to July, 1894; Hattie Parmenter to January, 1895; Altie De Riar, to July, 1895; and Hattie Cargo to January, 1896. The secretaryship was held by R. B. Moore, from organization to September 27, 1893. Altie De Riar, Hattie Cargo, Cora Avery, and Kate Bever, followed in the order given, Mrs. Bever being the secretary at the close of 1895. The financial secretaries have been Marie Wittmer and Mrs. G. C. Nearing. There were ninety-six members enrolled on September 18, 1896, and the lodge was altogether flourishing.

Washington Camp , No. /<?, P. O. S. of A., is in a measure a revival of the Council of 1854, with the same patriotic and personal motives, but wanting in the political influence of the old Council. It was organized April 11, 1892, and -chartered June 13, that year. M. S. Davenport was the first president, W. M. Coller, the second, followed by Abel Comstock, C. C. Potter, N. R. Harrington, L. W. Coy and Henry I. Deel, the councillor-in-chief at the close of 1895; re-elected in January, 1896, and now presiding. H. B. Brooks, the financial secretary, and N. R. Barrackman, the recording secretary, were also reelected, with A. M. Neifer, treasurer; W. A. Keys, vice president; H. A. Stacy, M. of F. ; W. A. Moore, conductor; E. L. Kitchen, inspector; F. Beebe, guard; Otis Mollencup, Geo. Hannon, Ray Ketchuin and Leroy Chase, sentinels. They, with about sixty-seven other patriots, were members on September 14, 1895. !

Kress Commandery, No. 204, Knights of St. John , is, as the title implies, a uniformed association. While giving it a place here, among secret societies, its work is not secret in any particular. The uniform resembles that of the Knights Templar, while its governing principle or constitution is based on that of the Portugal order, founded after the interdict on the older chivalrous orders of the Church.

I Vi ley Post, No. 46, G. A. A'., was named in honor of Enoch B. Wiley, a Pennsylvanian, who settled at Perrysburg in 1852, moved to Bowling Green in 1857, enlisted in Company C, 21st O. V. I., August 29, 1861, was wounded at Stone River, December 31, 1862, and died January 5, 1863. The charter was issued to this Post April 8, 1881. The members named in the charter of April 8, 1881, are: W. R. Noyes, J. D. Bolles (1), J. A. Shannon, E. W. Merry, J. R. Hankey, C. W. Evers, A. Comstock (2), R. C. Kinney, M. S. Davenport, Oliver Goodman, H. C. Oldroyd (6), George W. Callin (8), Daniel Coller, Milton Zimmerman, George W. Vail, F. E. Hammond, G. C. Nearing (4), T. J. Avery, W. Miller, A. K. Vail, A. T. Lathrop, J. Y. Pettys, D. L. Hixon, Henry G. Hixon, Lewis Wilbur, James Hughes, W. H. Wood, W. Callahan, John H. Reid, H. Goodenough, A. J. Orme, Reason Bates, E. G. Wetmore, John Parker, E. Constable, Charles Decker, John Russell, James Russell, T. P. Howard, D. W. H. Day (3), R. Wallace, J. B. Newton (5 , H.

post having lost three of its members by death and many by resignation of metnbership. Again, several soldiers whose names were on the petition were not mustered in, so that the majority of the fifty-three comrades of 1 884, were really new members. The commanders elected from the charter members are denoted by numbers in the above list, except J. N. Baker, the seventh, and J. W. Canary, the ninth in order of service. The position of adjutant has been held by A. Comstock, I. A. Noble, Theo. Alexander, A. S. Rush, C. T. Pope, G. C. Nearing, C. Finkbeiner, John McLaughlin and James M. Cunning. There are seventy-two members.

The Wood County Soldiers' and Sailors' Association was presided over in 1884 by F. M. Young, with L. Black, secretary; J. R. Hankey, treasurer; and J. W. Thompson, chaplain.

The Ohio Division, Sons of Veterans, though organized at Toledo, January 8, 1883, may be considered a Wood county institution, because, on July 9, 1884, the headquarters were transferred to Bowling Green, and a number of Wood county men elected State officers, E. W. Poe, W. B. Ayres, L. L. Yonker, I. N. Burket, H. L. Davis, G. A. Repass, C. E. Gregg and A. S. Muir, being among the number.

The Woman's Relief Corps, known as Wiley Relief Corps, No. 85, was organized May 26, 1885, and chartered two days later, with Malona Wiley (1), president; Josephine Wood and Rosa Comstock (4), vice-presidents; Georgia Black (A), secretary; Emma Hankey, treasurer; Harriet Rush ( 5 ), chaplain; Asenith Hixson, conductor; and Stella Vail, guard. The unofficial members were Margaret Vail, Cora Potter, Julia M. Haskins, Caroline Poe, Sarah C. Evers, Mary Case, Alice Gaghan, Martha Terry, Celestia Russell, Mary Leet, Alice L. Noble, Caroline W. Merry, Mary Kramer (D), Mary McCarty (2 and 7), Jennie Cramer, Letitia Sullivan, Fannie Biggs, Clara Clough, Rebecca Hughs, Eliza Boughton, Hattie B. Young (8 and B), Carrie Noyes, Alice Simons, Cleantha Walker, Mary Bordner, Rebecca

Alexander, Ada Thurstin, Emma Phelps, Jane Dupoy, Elsie Thomas, Martha Bates and Hannah McCarty. Of the eight presidents the names of six are denoted in the list of charter members by the number after the name. Lucinda Lathrop, the third president, and Elvira Sears, the sixth, were not charter members. The secretaries have been Georgia Black, Hattie B. Young, Mary E. Hopkins, Mary Kramer and Sattie Hankey, while the present secretary is Hattie N. Lenhart. The membership, on September 13, 1895, was fortythree.

Wood Camp, No. 16, Woodmen of the World, was presided over in 1895 by M. A. Ireland as C. C., with C. M. Foster, secretary. While the Camp is the senior of the K. O. T. M. , as an organization, the membership is much smaller.

Brooks, W. W. Mann, C. M. Foster, D. C. Van- Voorhis, Owen Krum, H. Martindale, M. A. Mc- Kendree, William Nailor, William Dennis, E. C. Bailey and E. Levine. The charter was issued March 2, 1893, to twenty-seven members, among whom were R. P. Morrison, P. C. ; M. A. Mc- Kendree, C.; H. C. Brown, R. K., and John Crane, F. K.

The Uniformed Rank , K. O. T. M., was organized October 1 1 , 1895, as Lincoln Division No. 7, and took at once a leading place among the uniformed societies of the count)-. The original members were S. W. Bolles, L. J. Bowers, W. P. Cobley, L. W. Coy, W. B. Eastwood, C. M. Foster, John Gentelmen, E. J. Greenfield, A. Hill Lee, Ellis Levine, W. W. Mann, H. Neiman, S. Magill, Sam Reiss, N. A. McComb, H. M. Stacy, Paul Schneblin, F. Tibbits, W. Vanbuskirk, Jacob Wolf, P. Kendall, F. B. Mc- Clung, D. D. Binkley and Sam Epstein. C. M. Foster was elected captain.

Hive, No. 10, L. O. T. N. , was organized October 31,1 894, with the following named members: Cora E. Caldwell, Sarah Hankey, Florence Foster, Harriet Parmenter, Josephine R. Wood, Alice M. Crom, Lydia McKendree, Eva Martindale, Maggie Cramer, Minnie M. Degg and Lo- rena Nailor, who were elected officers. The names are given in Hive rank from past commander to picket. The unofficial members were Cora Bailey, Almeda Beebe, Hattie Cargo, Alma Clark, W. Diffenbaugh, Marcia Dair, Almina Foster, Adele S. Hill, Rosa Klearer, Ida E. Little, Emma Mineer, Cora Monroe, Nettie Nieman, Fannie Reiss, Martha and Sarah Terry, Belle Biggs, Carrie Hughes, and one or two others. The present secretary, Josephine R. Wood, reported fifty-four members in September, 1895.

The Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized May 7, 1881, by Josephine Marlett. Mrs. Mary McFarland, was elected president, and Mrs. Jennie Cramer, first secretary, while the first members included the officers named, with Mesdames Austin Taft, A. Van Tassel, D. D. Ames, Lucy Shannon, Adeliza Kimberlin, Rebecca Kane, Julia Hogkins, M. Wiggins, Josephine R. Wood, and a few others. The recruits have been numerous, but to name all is out of the question. The union has worked with zeal in the temperance cause. At one time these women drove the council to adopt the local option clause of the Dow law.* They labored well in the interest of the Clark School Suffrage bill, sending to the House a petition signed by 600 persons. A like number was signed to the petition for the Haskell bill. There are now fifty members who prosecute the work of the union vigorously. Mrs. A. M. Housel, the late secretary, was succeeded in 1896 by Mrs. M. George; Mrs. Rose Carothers was elected president, and Mrs. J. Y. Housel, treasurer.

Bowling Green Division, No. 554, Sons of Temperance, was organized January 22, 1849, with W. H. Seely, Thomas Jolly, L. C. Lock, James R. Tracy, Peter Klopfenstein, Lee Moore, James Lamb, Nathan Moore, H. L. Burr and E. D. Winchester, officers in divison rank.

Source changes here: from Reminiscences of Pioneer Days in Wood County and the Maumee Valley : a Pioneer Scrap Book, by Evers, C. W. (Charles W.), published 1909; 22,174 words in this source stream.

Weston Township

Year after year during the Twenties, white settlers came, and by occasional accessions of other families, the little settlement at the mouth of Bear Creek and at the head of the rapids of the Maumee, grew, until in the spring of 1830, they demanded a township organization for themselves. The reader will please remember that up to this time all of what is now Wood county, was included in one big township called Perrysburg, which township has been divided and sub-divided since that time.

So in the spring of 1830, the settlers at the head of the rapids and mouth of Beaver Creek and at Bear Rapids or Otsego, petitioned for a new township to be called "Ottawa," and the township was duly created by the county commissioners, but before the time came to elect township officers in the spring of 1831, the name was changed from Ottawa to AVeston.

The township as first organized included all of what is now Weston, Milton, Jackson and the west part of Washington townships, or a strip of land six

Scrap-Book

The first election ever held in Weston township was on the 1th day of April, 1831, when all of the voters met at the house of Edward Howard, and proceeded to elect themselves, for at that first election there were barely enough voters to intelligently fill the offices. The first officers were as follows : Trustees, Edward Howard, Wm. Pratt and Emanuel Arnold; treasurer, R. M. Howard; clerk, R. A. Howard; poor overseers, M. P. Morgan and Jas. Donaldson; constables, Wm. North and Wm. Wonderly; fence viewers, Wm. Lough ry and Joseph North; Justices of the peace, Alexander Brown and Emanuel Arnold, who did not receive their commissions from the governor until in August of that year.

James Donaldson was also elected road supervisor, and the only road that came under his supervision was the road leading along down the river bank from the settlement to Fort Meigs, which was a poor excuse for a road at that time, being only partially chopped out and not worked at all. For the care of this, the only road in the township, except the Indian trails, Mr. Donaldson, received the princely salary of seventy-five cents.

The only officer who received any salary during the first year was the treasurer, R. M. Howard, who drew, all at one time, seventy-five cents. So for $1.50 \\ eston township was as peacefully governed as she has ever been since that date, and I find no record of any speculation or defalcation. The Fence Viewers' office in 1831 was almost a sinecure, unless they went to inspect the rude brush fences that surrounded the first clearings. But the settlements were looking up, new people coming in every year, and during the next five years,

We may say then that the village of Weston was not started until in 1854 when the Taylor saw mill was put in operation. Thirty years ago the site of our town was all farm land and used as such. In 1854 Jonathan Crom built his shanty, started a saloon and kept a few groceries. Benjamin West came in 1854, and wishing to get an eligible site for his blacksmith shop, went directly across the street from Crom's saloon, and located his forge just about where Indlekofer's bar stands in his saloon today. His shop was a mere shanty. In 1855 Levi Taylor built the front half of the building now owned by Ames, and in the fall of that year, put in the first stock of dry goods and groceries that the village ever saw.

Many of our older citizens frequently speak of the celebrated missionary, Isaac Van Tassel, one of the pioneer preachers who frequently visited Weston and talked to the few citizens in the little old school house. He was found dead on the Galeae! road, about 20 rods west of where Allen Bortell now lives. He was on his way to his home in Plain township, from Gilead. It is not known whether his horse threw him off, or whether he died suddenly of heart disease. It occurred March 2, 1849.

The entire Northwestern territory for some years had but three county organizations. These were Washington, Hamilton and Wayne, the latter embracing Wood countv.

The P10Neeu Attacked By Savages

THE late Hezekiah L. Hosmer said, on the authority of Peter Navarre and others, that Pierre Minard, known as Peter Manor, received the news of war from a Delaware named Sae-a-manc, who in passing' through the settlement said:

"I shall go to Owl Creek. I shall kill some of the Long Knives before I come back, and will show you some of their scalps. In ten days after I get back all the hostile tribes will hold a council at Maiden; very soon after that, we shall come to this place and kill all the Yankees. You, Manor, are a good Frenchman, and must not tell them what I say."

Sac-a-manc returned, after an absence of six days, and showed Manor three scalps, which he said were those of a family he had murdered on Owl Creek, lie repeated to Manor in confidence that il was the intention of the Indians to c< uiie to the valley in force sufficient to massacre the American settlers. This intelligence Manor communicated to .Major Spafford, accompanied with advice to leave the valley immediately. The major laughed, and dismissed the subject with some remark expressive of incredulity, and Manor left him, promising that should he learn of any further cause of alarm he would let him know.

Aliouj a month after this conversation, a man by the name of Miller (some accounts say Gordon), who had lived many years with the Ottawas, and who was well known to Major Spafford, entered his house in breathless haste, and told him that at no greater distance than Monclova there was a band of fifty Pottawatomdes, on the march, from their country mi the St. Joseph River, to join the hostile Indians at Maiden, and take part in the council spoken of by Sac-a-manc. They had plundered and set fire to the buildings at Monclova, and would soon be at the foot of the Rapids.

But little time was left to escape. The major with his family and the few settlers that had remained in the valley, hastened immediately to the river, where they dislodged and launched a large barge, in which some officers had descended the river from Fort Wayne the year before. Raising a sail made of a bed blanket, they were enabled, by dint of hard rowing and a favorable breeze, to round the point and get under cover of old Fort Miami just as the Indians made their appearance on the bank, where Maumee City is built, and before the boat passed Eagle Point they saw the flames ascending from the homes they had just deserted. This little band of fugitives, favored with fair winds, made a safe passage in their crazy craft to the Quaker settlement at Milan, where they remained until after the war. Manor says, they were panic-stricken, and left their horses, cattle, and most of their household goods. Their property was taken by the Indians, who completed their work by burning every dwelling, belonging to an American, in that part of the valley. This accomplished, they pursued their course to Maiden, to attend the Indian council spoken of by Sac-a-manc.

Not long after Hull's surrender, the French settlers remaining at the foot of the rapids, received a call from a party of sixty Delawares, who arrived there in advance of the main body of the British army, on their march to Fort Wayne. Manor says that he. with some of his neighbors, was standing in front of Beaugrand's store, at Maumee, when the Indians came out of the woods - that they drew up in line, and each put his gun to his shoulder and aimed, as if to fire at the little group of settlers. Beaugrand came out and waved a white handker- i hief. They dropped their muskets, and approached the store an a run, and remained a few minutes. An hour after their departure, about LOO British boI-

(i u-rs. and as many Pottawatomies and Wyandots, came up. Their first inquiry was for guides. Manor, from prudential motives was seized with sudden and severe lameness; but it would not do. The officer in command pressed him into service as a guide, and lame as lie seemed. he was compelled to conduct this company, to the head of the rapids. Here Ins lameness so increased, that his persecutors dismissed him, and he set out on Ids return home. At the foot of Presque Isle Hill, he met Colonel Elliott, the oflieer in command of the detachment, and the remainder of the troops and Indians composing it. Elliott examined him closely, and on learning that he had been employed as a guide, permitted him to go on his way, as to the time the settler.- left the Rapids. In this. Mr. Hosmer quotes Manor incorrectly, n<> doubt. Hull had news of the declaration of war July 2nd. lie surrendered his army August 16th. from Mr. Hosmer's statement, we would h; led to believe that the settlers fled on hearing war had been declared. Mrs. Green and Clark both say the flight was after the surrender of Hull. Their version is doubtless the correct one. In the history of Erie county, incidental mention is made of Major Spafford being at the mouth of Huron river, with his family, in a boat, about September 1st. The reasonable inference is that he had hut recently sailed from the Maumee, that is, iii the latter part of August, after the surrender. The probabilities are that in the impending danger, after Hull's surrender, the settlers foresaw that they were no longer safe for even a single day : that in the confusion and anxiety of the hour each acted as his hopes or fears impelled him.

Bowling Green

early history of Bowling Green, than the following, penned by the late C, W. Evers, whose studious efforts in gathering every incident connected with the pioneer history of Wood county, rendered him a reliable authority in all that pertains to that early period:

The first time white men came to disturb the forest solitudes where Bowling Green now stands, was in June, 1812, when Hull's army passed here, marching from Dayton to Detroit.

That column of troops, preceded by guides, scouts and axmen, followed in turn by the cavalry battalion, with its gaudy pennons, escorting the commanding genera] with his gaily uniformed staff retinue, then the infantry, field hands, artillery and trains formed a pageant which even to-day would attract all Bowling Green to the east side of town, about where the T. & 0. C. railvav track lies. That is about on the line the troops held, until near Ridge street, when they turned a little to the west, coming out on the Maumee nearly opposite Waterville. That was the first v/agon trail through the interior of ..Wood county, and the only one for the two succeeding decades. The land was then owned by the Indians. After the war, in 1817, at a treaty at the foot of the Maumee Rapids, the United States bought the land, at a price slightly less than four cents an acre, and in 1819 sent surveyors here, which was the second appearance of white men on official business. In 1821 the final surveys were completed and the plats made, when the lands were ready fcr market.

Unfortunately the Black Swamp country, after the war of 1812, had a worse reputation, if possible, than ever; the soldiers and others who had been here, told horrible stories about it. Few buyers of land came - none to the interior of the county. Those who stopped invariably located on or near the river; so that, aside from roving parties of Indian hunters and occasional white furtraders, or the weekly trips of the old Bellefontaine mail carrier, the interior of the county was practically unknown and shunned by settlers for more than a decade after its survey. Prior to the year 1828, Collister Haskins, at Portage, was the only settler between Findlay and the Maumee settlement.

Some few land entries were made in Plain and Center in 1831, but the pioneer entry in the present corporation of Bowling Green, was made October 29, 1832, by Elisha Martindale; the tract, 40 acres in the northwest part of town, lying on both sides of Haskins road or street, is known as the Clinton Fay place. Martindale later bought 120 acres more; he built his cabin where the present Fay house stands, near the great willow tree just west of the road, the following spring, 1833. Careful inquiry has failed to discover evidence of any cabin here prior to that date; Lee Moore, Henry

Walker, Jacob Stoufter and others came and built in the summer and fall of '33. Alfred Thurstin began his cabin in November, 1833, as did Joseph Hollington si., but so far as known the Martindale cabin was the first, and stood on the first land entry in what is now Bowling Green.

(Without going into all the particulars of the land entries given at that early day and noted by Mr. Evers, we will simply give the names of a few of those who entered land. Among them were Joseph Hollington, Benjamin Reed, J. M. and Samuel Lamb, Stephen Ward, Thomas Tracy, Henry Walker, Andrew Race, Jonathan Fay, Robert Barr, Alfred Thurstin, Lee Moore, David Hickson and others.)

These few notes from the land entry books, though not including all entries embraced in the present corporation of Bowling Green, neither the names of all purchasers, are yet sufficient to afford the reader some idea of the pioneer real estate men of the town and when they first came. Some, perhaps only one or two, of all those named bought merely for speculation. Most came in quest of homes. Some tried life here, got tired of it and left. Of those faithful ones who remained to buffet with adversity and fight the battle th?,t was eventually to make a town here, of which they never even dreamed perhaps, most, alas, have passed from this stage of action; their toils and trials have ceased. They did their part bravely and well; their work of subduing the wilderness, begun more than half a century ago, and its results, are before us to-day. Their descendants and successors surely have just cause to remember them with respect and pride. If the story of their humble start in the race and their faithful stewardship to the end, shall inspire us with the ambition and will to do our part as well, then

A glance at the old land entry books shows the rapid influx of settlers from 188:1 to 1836 or 183<. That was an era of speculation. Everyone had a mania to buy land, but. the money panic and business crash of 183? brought it to a sudden end. That was a paralytic stroke from which the western country did not entirely recover until the California gold discovery, more than a decade later. Wood county was especially prostrated. There was nothing here that the people could sell, not even their homes; but there was most everything in the May of necessities even, to buy. There was in those gloomy years, little to inspire hope; much to thwart and discourage effort.

By the middle of the year 1834 the ridges and higher spots within a radius of three miles of this place were mostly pa tented from the government, and in many instances the owner had built and occupied his cabin on his new purchase. This brought the population largely to the west and north, where the most ridges lay. The mail carrier between Perrysburg and Bellefontaine passed on the old army trail once each week, at first every two weeks, and this group of settlers petitioned for a postoffice in their midst; they were distrustful, however, that Cbllister Haskins, of Portage, might not approve of the move and went about it a little cautiously. The story of this enterprise incidentally reveals

The civil history of a town is but the biography of its founders and their successors, in which every incident, sometimes the most trivial, has an interest to the dwellers therein. \ot. only the name

Since Bowling Green has become the thriving seat of justice of one of the most prosperous counties in Ohio, inquiry is- often made how it happened that it was so named. For the first time, in print, the story is here told, with the incidents that led to the naming, as told to the writer by two of the pioneers who had a part in it at the time, and several others personally known to all the circumstances. Bowling Green was christened after, or for the capital town of Warren county, Kentucky, by Joseph Gordon, a veteran mail carrier of the pioneer days here. Of one who performed so important a part for us in our infantile state, we naturally ask, Who was he? in his paper, the Findlay Courier, January 1847, William Mungen wrote editorially of Gordon as follows:

"Joseph Gordon was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th day of January, 1784. In the year 1801, when but 17 years old, he commenced carrying the mail, on horseback, from Kussellville, Kentucky, via Bowling Green, to Glasgow, a distance of 85 miles, once in two weeks, for which he received $12 per month. In 1802 he took a contract to carry the mail from Shelbyville, Kentucky, to Nashville, Tennessee. In consequence of the route being changed, he carried the mail only two months. From that time till October, 1804, he carried it from Shelbyville to Russellville, Ky. In October, 1804, he commenced carrying the mail on horse-back from Wheeling, Virginia, to George Beymer's in Ohio, a distance of 50 miles, with a led horse and a hea.vy mail on each. In 1805-6, he carried the mail from Wheeling, through St. Clairsville, Zanesville, and New Lancaster, to Chillicothe. In February, 1823, he commenced on the route between Bellefontaine and Perrysburg, a distance of 81 miles, through a wilderness, there being but one family residing in Hardin county, and but one -postoffice on the route, and that (Findlay) at this place. Mr. Gordon was the only contractor on this route from February 1 , 1823, to December 31, 1839. Sim.' ' 1839, he has carried the mail semi-weekly from Bellefontaine to this place, 55 miles."

Few indeed have constitutions sufficiently strong to endure such labor for such a length of lime. It is to such men a.- (iordon - to our hardy pioneers, who were ready to encounter all kinds of toil and privation, that Ohio owes her present state of prosperity and advancement. For such men we cannot but cherish sentimeirts of respect.

Jacob Stouffer's cabin here was the central point of the new postoffice movement. Henry Walker, son-in-law of Stouffer was to be the postmaster. The Walkers and Stouffers occupied the same cabin: it stood on the high ridge just east of Main street, not far north of Merry avenue.

(iordon on one of his northward trips had stopped at Stouffer's as was his usual custom, in passing; the petition for the new office was ready, except that the movers, two or three of whom were present, had not yet agreed upon a name. The old mail carrier wdio stood on the cabin steps listening to the discussion, said to Stouffer, half jestingly, "if you will give me a tumbler of cider I'll give you just the name."

Stouffer who had brought out a keg of cider from Columbiana county, filled a glass and handed it to Gordon; the latter briefly explaining how appropriate the name he would suggest was to the landscape about them, said with a sweep of his arm. "Here's to the new postoffice of Howling Green," swallowed the cider and was in the act of mounting his horse when those present detained him a moment while they could write a name in the petition, which, sure enough, was the one (iordon had suggested.

The pa peis were soon folded, and on their way to Perrysburg for some addiiional endorsements, after which they were sent to Washington.-^ The office was established March 12, 1834? In 186.5, when Walker sold his place, he and the Stouffers moved over to the west side of Main street, where the office was kept for a time, since which it has had many different locations and masters.

Afterwards in 1855, when the village was incorporated, there seemed no good reason why it should not take the same name as the postoffice, under which name it had been going in fact since in the early fifties. That is the way Bowling Green came to have its name.

Aside from school and church work Bowling Green had but little history prior to the time she was incorporated, that does not properly come within the purview of the histories of Plain and Center townships. Robert Mackey's store enterprise at the Xapoleon road in the south pari of town, intended as the nucleus of the village of Mt. Ararat, never, under its various proprietors, met expectations. John Tiannon in the north end of the street, with his tavern and blacksmith shop did not attract village neighbors about him. When, in 1847, Dr. E. D. Peck sent L. C. Locke out here to start a mercantile enterprise, most of the settlers were sure it would he a failure ; the proprietors did not feel sanguine for the stock was opened on a very small scale in a little room in one corner of a tavern called then White Hall, on the. west side of Main just north of the intersection of Liberty street, where a hotel called the American House has

Locke soon felt encouraged to call on his partner for Larger quarters; then was Ml. Ararat's chance for resurrection; Locke tried to buy out Emerson, Eaton & Co., who were sort of successors to Mackey, though in a newer, better building and on the east side of Main street. I he owners declined to sell and the star of Mt. Ararat, sank to rise no more. Locke 1 (ought an acre of Alfred Thurstin, including that part, of the east side of Main street from the First National Bank south, and taking in the opera house, and there built a store and residence under one roof; his trade was prosperous, and not long after he was appointed postmaster and a little later built and operated an ashery, the first manufacturing enterprise begun in the village, if we except Caleb Lord's cabinet shop. Locke had by his enterprise practically determined where the center of the village would, be. Anyone who came in after that, and wanted to go into business, Located as near Locke's as he could get.

opens a new chapter - a new era in the history of Bowling Green. This circumstance is of greater import to the town than the first casual thought would suggest. \ot in the sense that we expect the town to be a center of vast population or a great commercial or manufacturing center. Its development in these respects rests largely with those who now rule its destiny - their enterprise, ambition and far-sightedness.

The railroad from north to south, a distance of :!<> miles through a rich and largely unoccupied portion of the county, will not only develop a vastly increased trade' and make better market facilities for the town, but settle forever its status as the business center - capital, of one of the largest and most prosperous agricultural counties in Ohio. As sanguine as many of our people felt on this point, it was not settled beyond cavil until this road came. This settles it and the town now stands on solid footing in this respect. It is the capital of a grand and populous county. It is the official business center and is naturally the trading center.

The Bell School House

TllL Bell school house was built in 1841, says Joseph K. Tracy, on Section 26, Plain township, by John Whitehead, John E. Jenkins, carpenters, and Joseph I'. Tracy and other residents assisting. The money was contributed by the Leading citizens of the township, who desired to have a house for a private school, as well as for religious purposes. The bell, from which the house took its name, was formerly used on the Mission Chapel on the Maumee river. It was presented to the builders of the school bouse and placed in a cupola erected for the purpose. A subscription school was carried on for a number of years, after which the house passed into the possession of the common school trustees.

The P10Xeeu

mile to the west. The Methodist class that used to meet there was merged into the church at Bowling Green. The same is true of the Baptist and Congregational adherents. Each became the members of larger churches. Thus the particular necessity of this school building ceased.

The bell has been the subject of much theorizing as to what became of it. As far as can be learned, it being the property of Isaac Van Tassel, he took possession of it and removed it. Mr. J. E. Judson says it was removed in 1845 on the plea that the belfry was not safe. He says he does not know who had charge of it the next 10 or 12 years, but he is pretty certain that it was placed in the Minton school house in the late 50's. Newton Stearns says it is on the Minton school house and has not been changed. He says he bought the bell for $2 and sold it for $3 to Nate Minton. T. W. Minton. writing under date of Eebruary 1. 1909, says, "In 1870, a new school house was built on his father's farm in Plain township, five miles west of Bowling Green - that his father learned where the old mission bell was and went and bought it for something like $3.00 from a 'party Avest of Bowling Green, and if I remember correctly he presented it to the district by placing it on top of the school building and it is there today if it has not been taken down."

Mr. C. W. Kvers once doubted whether the old Mission bell and that on the Minton school house was the same. But after more thorough investigation and the statements of those upon whom he could rely he was less skeptical and admitted the probability that they were the same. Mr. Evers attended school in the old Bell school house in 1846-7, and had many tender associations in all that pertained to it. In writing of the bell he says: "Its silvery peals swelled up from that little forest-hidden chapel over forest and glade, and bore the glad tidings to the scattered settlers, far and near, that some one would preach, some one would sing, and some one would pray that day at the 'Bell'. That bell was the pioneer evangelist of this kind in Wood county, or for that matter in Northwestern Ohio. It came with the vanguard of Civilization."

Last Of Big Game

IN the Sentinel of November 27, 1884, Mr. Evers gives substantially the story, as told by Wm. Mears and J. G. Ralston, of the killing of the last bear ever slain in Wood county: it was late in the fall of 1858; there was a nice tracking snow on the ground. Wash. G. Avery, who then lived on his farm north of town, was out hunting; had wounded a deer and was following in its track when, about three o'clock in the afternoon he came across a big brown bear poking along in the woods. Mr. Avery thought no more about h'is deer, but immediately turned his attention to the "bigger game.''' His gun was a small one, and not just the thing to tackle a bear with, but Wash did not stop to think of that, but pulled up and blazed away. The ball struck the bear in the thigh, inflicting a flesh wound of no consequence, and bruin set off in an easterly direction. Wash went over to Joe Ralston's on Sugar Ridge, and got Joe and

Geo. Walker, who were there visiting, and the three sel out. in pursuit. They fol- Li wed. the trail as far as the McCutchenville road over in Webster, and then, ii l)eing late in the aighl and all hands being tired, they went to the Ten Mil'' house and stayed until morning. At daylight they were again on the trail, the crowd re-enforced by (he addition of Jesse Williams, a harness maker from Perrysburg, and a friend of his. They followed the trail to the Ottawa county line, where they found that the bear had taken the back track, crossing the Mc- CutchenviUe road within a mile or so of where they had started in the morning. As they crossed the road, they found that some one else,, with a dog had taken the trail- Jesse Williams said it was old Jake Hedinger. an old hunter who lived in the vicinity; said he knew his track. Away they all started on the dead run, whooping and halloing to Hedinger to stop and wait for them, but he did not stop. They finally heard the dogs and taking a short cut came up with Hedinger. They found where the bear had attempted to climb two different cottonwood trees, but had been pulled down by Hedinger's big dog, and had been obliged to continue his flight by the near approach of the men. Tie finally came out and crossed the plank road at the intersection of Center and Middleton township lines. When the men came out on the plank road Williams and his friend followed the trail after the dogs, and Ralston went down the plank road to watch what was then called the Rudolph road. Win. Avery. Wm. Mears, and Benj, Johnson had been hunting that day in east of the John Hood place, north of the bend. Mr. Mears had killed a turkey gobbler that weighed 55 lbs., and they were returning homeward. Mr. Johnson had left them and gone home, and the others mel doe jusl as he turned off from the plank road, and an explanation ensued, when Mears and Wm. Avery agreed to join the bear hunt. They agreed that the bear which had gone away in west of the road would attempt to get back to the Devil's Hole, and that they had better station themselves along what was known as the Rudolph ditch. Ralston, Mears and Wm. Avery accordingly went over on the ditch. Joe Ralston took up his station on the ditch-bank, while Wm. Avery stood about L5 rods east of Joe, and Mears about the same distance east o1' Avery. As it began to get dusk they heard the dogs coming, yelping at every jump. Pretty soon bruin came in sight of Joe, lumbering along to within a fewyards of him, with back bowed up, mouth open and tongue hanging out, looking tired and savage. Joe pulled up his gun - and it snapped. Tried it again, but it was no good. By this time the bear had passed on to Mr. Avery, who. owing to the gathering darkness could not see to shoot very good. He fired, however, striking the bear in the back, but not inflicting a serious wound. Now came Mr. Mears' turn. He waited until the bear was within a few- feet of him, and had just cleared a 14-foot ditch at a bound, when he put a half -ounce ball through his heart. Bruin fell, apparently dead, and the dogs coming up at that instant, sailed in, and then immediately sailed out again, for, with his last strength, the bear struck one of them a terrible blow with his paw, knocking him about 20 feet away, whereupon the two dogs set off through the woods, howling as if "the old Nick" was after them.

When they found that the hear was dead, Mears, Avery and Ralston set up a shout of triumph which soon brought Wash., Williams and Hedinger to the scene. After a coii.-ii 1 1 a t ion it was decided to take the bear up to Thomas' tavern and there divide up. They accordingly dragged the carcass through the snow to the [dace of destination.

The Pioneer Turkey Foot Rock

THE large boulder called "Turkey Fool Rock" which lavs on the north hank of the Maunicc denotes the point on tin river where (ien. Wayne gained a decisive victory over the combined Indian tribes of the Northwest, on August 20, 1794. The Indians were principally directed and commanded by Blue Jacket and Little Turtle, and the tribes engaged included the Shawanese, Miauiis, Wyandot ts, Potfcawattomies, Delawares, Ohippewas, Ottawas and a lew Senecas and other remnants of tribes. The Wyandotts, a once powerful tribe lost all their child's, nine in number, at that battle, and tradition says that one of the hravest of their clan, called "Turkey Foot," was slain by Wayne's infuriated followers near this rock and that after Wayne, whom the Indians called the "Whirlwind" was gone, the few scattering members of the

Wyandotl nation repaired to the spot where their beloved chief had fallen and carved the representation of a Imge turkey's foot on the rough boulder with their hatchets. This roughly chiseled turkey's foot is still to he seen, although the rock has been sadly defaced by sacrilegious and disrespectful hands.

The armies of Banner and St. Clair had been butchered and destroyed, and the savages, encouraged by the. British agents, were exultant and Mood thirsty.

Bui an avenging Nemesis was after them at last. The highest tribute paid to Wayne's generalship, was by Little Turtle in a council speech the night previous to the battle, which he was not in favor of. Said he, "the Americans are now led by a chitd' who never sleeps. The night and the day are alike to him. During all the time he has heen marching OH our villages we have heen unahle to surprise him. Think well of it." Hut. the counsel of Blue Jackel who was more bloody and precipitate prevailed. The Indians were overpowered, out generaled, driven into the river and almost annihilated, and the glad tidings were heralded across the Allcghanies in shouts of triumph. That, boulder is a mute reminder of the battle of Fallen Timber.

I notice in your daily of June L"> that Dr. Dwight Canfield in his review of the battle of Fallen Timber has fallen into the usual mistake of people who write about Turkey Foot rock. There is such a rock as we all know, but that there was a "noted Indian child'" named Turkey Foot, as he stated and as many others have done, I deny. I know I am going in the face of a long standing legend- - breaking an idol as it were: hut it is host, that we get our history of the long ago correct before it is too late.

Turkey Foot Rock

haps some time in 1830 or possibly earlier when the Indians were still here, by T. M. Coffinberry, called the Forest Hangers, foot note, page; - (1 have not the book before me, though several of them are owned in Toledo) they will get the facta, regarding Turkey Foot rock. Mr. Cofhn berry was a lawyer, lived at Perrysburg, was well educated and mingled, out of curiosity perhaps, much with the Indians, and knew their habits, customs and history quite well.

According to his statement, 1 give the substance rather than his words, the Indian killed, at or near the big boulder, August 20, 1794, was a sub-chief of the turkey clan of the Wyandott tribe, whose totem or coat of arms or monogram was the imprint of a turkey's foot. Each tribe is divided into more or less clans; (he beavei-, the muskrat, the eagle, the dog, the bear, or any favorite object may be adopted as the emblem of a clan. A turkey in Wyandott is Massas.

This warrior, killed that day was evidently popular and beloved of his clan for they not only carved the emblem of the dan, a turkey's footprint on the big granite boulder, but always, when passing that way, some of his kin or clan would stop and leave some little tribute of their affection, oftener plug tobacco than anything else.

Thus it was the stone took the name Turkey Foot rock. There was no noted chief of that name. No treat} record with the Indians hears such a name. No such name is mentioned in the many fights before Wayne's battle. If lie had been a noted warrior, some where his name would appear. It is just a fiction of some of the white men of the later years and with some has grown into an honest belief as is the case with many other fictions we (ling to as truths.

There is a turkey fool rock. It is a land mark denoting the high tide spot of Wayne's battle. Near it a brave of the turkey chin was killed. He was popular and his clansmen cut the clan emblem, the print, of a turkey's foot, on the stone and very naturally it has gone by the name Turkey Pool rock. Its chief importance, however, is that it marks the place of one of the great battles of the border war period.

The old rock should be cared for and preserved and above all when we take our school history pupils to these historic places we should give them the history straight - unmixed with any fiction or carelessly drawn conclusions formed without due investigation.

Unbroken Forests

AN old pioneer of Perry township, in writing to the Sentinel, says that prior to the year 1830, the southern part of Wood county as far as known was without a living white settler. Its forests of oak, walnut, beech and poplar were primeval in beauty, and teemed with bears, wolves, deer and other animals, while countless multitudes of wild geese and ducks quacked in the tangled undergrowth along the various branches of the Portage.

About the year 1830 solitary hunters would come in occasionally and chase a bear or herd of deer, but for the most part it remained an unbroken wilderness, and although speculators and those contemplating actual sett lenient had entered lands, they were laughed at, for their credulity ii' they asserted it would ever be a habitable region. The "Munchausen" stories of the Black Swamp represented it as being occupied by a species of genii closely allied to mother Eve's persuader. Black snakes were said to attain constrictor proportions, while the dread rattle!' was supposed to hiss forked lightning from every stump and crevice. Gradually, however, these stories became ''old/' and some adventurous spirits began to talk seriously of making a "clearing."

The cholera which made its first appearance in the United States in 1831, spread north with great rapidity and dire effects. At the old town of Gallipolis on the Ohio, its advent was felt and sent many northward, who preferred any hardship to a tussle with the dread malady.

In the election of '34 the number of voters had increased to twenty-eight, and during the fall and winter the settlement at the McCormick entry was sufficiently large to warrant James McCormick in surveying a. piece of his land and laying it out in lots. He secured the services of Davis, and lots were laid on the Mc- Cutehenville road, and the road to Fremont and the streets named Main and Sandusky. Since thai lime several additions have been made and, new streets laid out. McCormick named the town Mill Grove; to which has been suffixed West to distinguish it from Mill Grove in Morgan county. The sale of lots was slow and building slower.

One of the greatest pests to the raising of any kind of stock were wolves, the forests seemed literally alive with them, and in the winter they were ravenous, attacking every living animal from a chicken to even the settler himself. Gradually, however, they disappeared, drew deeper into the forest, and it has been many years since the wolf lost his identity in the county. Settlers used different modes to protect their stock from them, the steel trap and chain being very effective. Many daring exploits are related of the old hunters then young men, chuck full of grit. One is worth relating.

George McCormick at that time a mere boy, went out one morning to see his trap, and found a very large wolf fast hut unhurt. Now as there were some new settlers just come in, George determined they should have a close view of a live wolf. After considerable planning he succeeded in tying the wolf's mouth and feet. He then very coollv strapped him on his back and walked home, a distance of over a mile.

The Hollingtons

AMO^G the list of early settlers of Plain township, may be mentioned Richard Bollington, who came out to the Maumee country in the year 1834, by the lake, and almost directly from England, lie entered tOO acres of land, embracing what is now a fine farm south of Bowling Green. Mr. Hollington selected a spot about one-fourth of a mile west of the Findlay road as his future abiding place, and in course of time had a fine orchard of apple trees planted from the old Station orchard on the Maumee.

After contracting with a man named MeK night, for the building of a log house, and buying two yoke of oxen (the first ever owned in the township) he re-

He had ii wife and five children, four son- and one daughter. Richard, the eldesl son, then L3 years of age, became av residenl of Williams county, this State. Mary became the wife of Hon. Octavius Waters, of Fulton county. Joseph was a residenl of Bowling Green. William, the youngest of the family, became a residenl of M issouri.

Ambrose, next to the youngest, will be remembered by many of the present day throughout this section of Ohio, as Rev. Ambrose Hollington, who was classed among the most eloquenl of pulpit orators. His son. Dr. K. D. Hollington, of

Mr. Hollington had in the old country been a Tradesman, while his wife, who was a well educated woman, had been accustomed to all the comforts and conveniences of Life. But her piano had been lefl across the ocean, and the only music she would be Likely to hear for many Long months would be a medley of uncouth sounds of frogs, mosquitoes, wild beasts and birds. Hollington knew nothing of woodcraft, did not know how to use an ax. in fact with his wife, he was entering upon an undertaking rendered doubly trying because of their inexperience.

After a toilsome journey through swamps and forests, they finally arrived at the cabin of Joseph Mitchell, who had settled a short time previous near the south boundary of the township, and ahout two miles north of Cass' Corners, in Liberty township. The Mitchells had barely go1 their cabin covered. A place for a door and small window had been cut out, but lumber for a door or glass for windows were practically out of the question then, nor had the cabin even a puncheon floor, hut such as they had the early settlers shared freely with each other, or with the stranger who came among them.

It was here in mid-winter, after the last weary day of their long journey was done. that, the Hollingtons began fully to take in the situation. They had reached the goal of their ambition, free America, where every man is a law unto himself, no kingly power, no necks galled with the yoke of oppression, no excisemen, a land of plenty and unmixed happiness. But alas, how different the picture of fancy and the homely reality.

Mrs. Hollington, of all the souls gathered there, was the most disheartened and most keenly realized their disconsolate situation. Overcome at last by he]- feelings, she sank down on one of the floor sleepers and burst out crying. But her grief was not the grief of despair. It was a transition in her life pilgrimage. This evanescent storm of tears seems to have washed awav all the weaker elements of her womanly nature, and instead of the dependent, timid woman, -he became the strong arm, the pillar of strength in that household; when her husband grew despondent, she spoke words of encouragement to him. With each new and trying vicissitude, h r courage arose. No trial seemed too great for her fortitude. She seemed suddenly to have been imbued with that strength of character and tenacity of purpose which can surmount every difficulty, and which in all ages of the world has made men heroes.

The family remained at Mitchell's ahout six weeks, and their own house still being incompleted, they moved with what few articles they had. to the cabin of Lee Moore, ju-i iii the south edge of the present town of Bowling Green. -C. II'. E.