USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, from the close of the revolutionary war to July, 1880 > Part 1
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History of Seneca county, from the close of the revolutionary ...
William Lang
P
RESENTED IN MEMORY OF
ANNIE NELSON BAILEY, 1800-1919
HER SON THOMAS A. BAILEY 124. AND
HIS WIFE SYLVIA DLAN RAILEY2TO THE
STANFORD OSIVERSITY LIBRARIES
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FRESS LITHOGMINING CO. CINCINNATI
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Many
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HISTORY
-OF-
SENECA COUNTY
-FROM THE-
CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO JULY, 1880;
EMBRACING MANY PERSONAL SKETCHES OF PIONEERS, ANECDOTES, AND FAITHFUL DESCRIPTIONS OF EVENTS PERTAINING TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY AND ITS PROGRESS.
BY W. LANG. (Of the Timhin Bar.)
1880. TRANSCRIPT PRINTING CO., Springfield, Ohto.
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F497 SHL26
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Year 1880, BY WILLIAM LANG, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
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Dedication : TO THE YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN OF SENECA COUNTY, CHILDREN AND GRAND-CHILDREN OF THE PIONEER FATHERS AND MOTHERS, THIS BOOK IS KINDLY ASCRIBED,
WITH THE HOPE THAT THE PERUSAL OF ITS PAGES MAY TEND TO INSPIRE NEW LOVE AND VENERATION FOR THAT NOBLE OLD BAND OF MEN AND WOMEN, NOW RAPIDLY PASSING AWAY, AND TO APPRECIATE PROPERLY THE RICH LEGACY THEIR VALOR HAS BEQUEATHED.
BY THE AUTHOR.
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PREFACE.
S YOME fifteen years ago I cherished a desire to write a history of Seneca county. Want of confidence in my ability to do justice to the subject, conflicted with this desire for many years, until finally, about one year ago, at the solicitation of friends, I commenced the work in earnest and prosecuted it with such ability and industry as I had at my command.
I had collected material for this purpose many years, without regard to order. My task required close application and patient labor, but I found consolation in the thought that I was engaged in a work of gratitude and paying a debt of friendship I owed to the memories of the generous and noble men and women who, nearly fifty years ago, stretched the hand of welcome to an exiled boy in a strange land and among strangers. Thus my work became a source of pleasure, and now, that I am about presenting it to the public, I wish to add that nothing has been set down in malice. Truth requires that the shady side shall accompany the light, else the picture be deficient.
I have faithfully endeavored to avoid errors, but have no doubt some may be found, therefore claim no perfection for the work.
Having lived in Seneca county from my boyhood, and taken an active part in public life. I became identified with many affairs in the progress of events; and since I found it necessary to connect my own name with some of the scenes I describe, the reader will please excuse the liberty I took, for if I know my own nature, there is very little egotism in its make-up.
I wrote in a conversational way, and with the same freedom with which I would talk to a friend.
My intention was to pass before the mind's eye of the reader, a true and faithful panorama of Seneca county, from the time she broke her bands of "forest wild" to July, 1880; and to do justice to the memory of the men and women who figured upon the stage of her progress during that time. This was the height of my ambition, and the reader is left to himself to judge whether I have succeeded. He will, I am sure, give me credit at least, for presenting to him a variety of subjects in a plain, comprehensible way, without resorting to etherial flights and stretching after high-sounding terms to express a generous thought.
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PREFACE.
Many biographical sketches are scattered through the work-pen pictures of men and women, as they appeared to me. These may also not be perfect, but some of them will seem natural to the reader that knew the persons.
It is a source of regret to me that some people in Seneca county, who had it in their power to furnish material for this enterprise, took no interest in it, and in consequence, many valuable points may have been overlooked; but I take great pleasure in expressing gratitude to all who were so friendly as to aid me in my researches.
My especial thanks are hereby tendered to Dr. C. G. Comegys, of Cincinnati, a son-in-law, and to Miss Diathea Madison Tiffin, of Chillicothe, a daughter, of Governor Tiffin, for valuable material found in the life of the illustrious Governor; and to the gentlemanly editors of the newspapers of Tiffin: to the several county officers, who have so willingly and courteously assisted me in searching records.
To Mrs. Sally Ingham, to the Rev. Joseph Bever, Mr. Charles W. Foster, Elder Lewis Seitz, Dr. B. Williams, Esquire Kelley, Dr. J. W. Crawford, Dr. J. C. Myers, Hon. James Purdy, of Mansfield, Mr. Luther A. Hall, Mr. N. 1 .. Brewer, Mr. D. V. Flummerfelt, Mr. Mark A. Harris, Judge Hugh Welsh, Mrs. T. Stanley, Mrs. R. R. McMeens, J. H. Pittenger. Esq., Father Evrard, Father Healey, Rev. J. H. Good. D. D., Mrs. Geo. Strausbaugh, Dr. A. A. Rawson, of Iowa, Judge Pillars, Governor Charles Foster, and to many others, I tender my sincere thanks.
Proper credit has been given to the authorities I consulted, but if any omissions have occurred, I desire to make the proper apology here.
Conscious of having pursued and prosecuted this labor with none other than the best of motives, to preserve from the tooth of time, for a while, scenes and events that helped to make up the history of this good old county of ours; regretting that some abler pen did not take up the task; knowing full well also that my shortcomings will pass through the usual ordeal of criticism, I can only fall back upon my old motto that has guided my life, and I fear, may at times, have given unintentional offence:
"Purity of motive and nobility of mind Shall rarely condescend To prove its rights and prate of wrongs to others : And It shall be small care To the high and happy conscience What jealous friends, and envious foes, Or common fools may judge."
TIFFIN, O., July 1, 1880.
W. LANG.
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CONTENTS. 3+
CHAPTER 1.
BATTLE OF FORT STEPHENSON HARRISON AND CROGHAN-FORT SENECA WIPINGSTICK-PERRY'S VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE-BATTLE OF THE THAMES -DEATH OF TECUMSEH.
CHAPTER II.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION ON PUT-IN-BAY-MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE - SPEECHES OF EL. COOK AND DR. PARSONS.
CHAPTER III.
PEACE-TREATIES-RESERVATIONS-CESSIONS-EMIGRANTS ARRIVING-WARS BETWEEN THE WYANDOTS AND SENECAS- SPEECH OF LOGAN AND HIS DEATH.
CHAPTER IV.
HARRISON IN COUNCIL WITH THE INDIANS - CROGHAN'S DEFENSE OF HARRISON-BLUE JACKET AND BEAVER . BLUE JACKET'S DEATH-ARMY ROADS- THOMAS CORWIN - JAMES MONTGOMERY-JAMES T. WORTHINGTON.
CHAPTER V.
SPEECH OF ISAAC I. DUMOND-SAMUEL CROWELL'S CONTRIBUTION-THE DOG-DANCE-SOW-DOWS-KY.
CHAPTER VI.
EARLY SETTLERS-THE HARRIS FAMILY-ROBBERY OF SPICER-THE BRUSH- DAM-PETER PORK-JACOB KNISELY AND CROW-GOING TO MILL-KILLING WITCHES-THE FIRST HORSE-RACE.
CHAPTER VII.
THE SENECA CHIEF PRESENTS THE GOVERNOR OF CANADA WITH 954 AMER- ICAN SCALPS-TALL CHIEF-THE TUQUANIAS-KILLING THE SQUAW OF GEORGE WASHINGTON-JUDGE HULBURT-CALEB RICE-BENJ. CULVER- REV. JAMES FINLAY-CAPT. JOSEPH- MRS. INGHAM.
CHAPTER VIII.
DEATH OF COMSTOCK-SENECA STEEL- EXECUTION OF SENECA JOHN-TRIAL AND DISCHARGE OF COONSTICK - JUDGE HIGGIN'S DECISION - JUDGE BIRCHARD'S STATEMENT-BENJAMIN F. WARNER-HARD HICKORY AND HIS DEATH-IMMIGRATION OF THE SENECAS TO THE NEOSHA AND COW- SKIN RIVERS-CHARLIEU-THE GIRTYS-THE DEATH OF DRAKE.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
ROCKY CREEK-FORT BALL-COL. BALL ATTACKED BY INDIANS-ERASTUS BOWE-OAKLEY-NEW FORT BALL-FIRST POST OFFICE - MILLS-ARM- STRONG AND McCULLOCH SECTIONS-EARLY SETTLERS IN FORT BALL- LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT-HUNTER'S MILL-EARLY SETTLERS IN THOMPSON, ON HONEY CREEK AND ROCKY CREEK-MELMORE-COL. KIL. BOURNE-HARRY BLACKMAN'S CORNERS -- ANCIENT FORTIFICATIONS-COL. RICHARD JACQUA.
CHAPTER X.
FIRST MERIDIAN - BASE LINE - TOWNSHIPS - RANGES -- SECTIONS-GENERAL SURVEY-ORGANIZATION OF SENECA COUNTY-THE OLD COURT HOUSE- FIRST COURT - FIRST ELECTION-FIRST MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS-APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS-BUILDING THE FIRST JAIL-RUDOLPHUS DICKINSON-SALE OF THE RESERVATIONS.
CHAPTER XI.
JESSE SPENCER-COUNTY ROAD FROM FORT BALL TO TIFFIN-WOLF SCALPS -ORGANIZING TOWNSHIPS IN CRAWFORD COUNTY-BUILDING THE FIRST BRIDGE-FIRST KILN OF BRICKS-DAVID BISHOP-ORGANIZING ALL THE TOWNSHIPS-HISTORY OF THE BUILDING, THE BURNING AND THE RE- BUILDING OF THE COURT HOUSE-BUILDING THE STONE JAIL-THE NEW JAIL.
CHAPTER XII.
THE WOOD-CHOPPER-HOW TO BUILD A CABIN-THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SETTLERS - THEIR BENEVOLENCE AND HOSPITALITY - PIONEER GIRLS - RUSTIC FURNITURE - THE HOMINY BLOCK - THE HANDMILL GOING TO MEETING-INDIAN VISITORS-NATURAL FANNING MILL -"THE LIFE IN THE WOODS FOR ME"-HOME-MADE CLOTH-YOUNG AMERICA.
CHAPTER XIII.
GOVERNOR EDWARD TIFFIN-A BIOGRAPHY.
CHAPTER XIV.
SPENCER vs. HEDGES-THE BRUSH-DAM CASE-THE FIRST JURY TRIAL - BROUSE-THE SUGAR CAMP . INDIAN WAY OF COOKING COON FOREST CULTURE-SCARCITY OF MONEY -WORK ON THE CANAL - JIGGERS AND CHICHA-THE MIAMI, DAYTON AND MICHIGAN CANAL-CANAL TAX OF SENECA COUNTY.
CHAPTER XV.
SANDUSKY RIVER AND THE CREEKS IN SENECA COUNTY-TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVI.
JOSIAH HEDGES-CHANGE-FIRST PLAT OF TIFFIN-THE SAW-MILL-MIASMA -FIRST FRAME : HOUSES-FIRST STORES - FIRST BRICK HOUSES - THE DUG-OUT-FIRST HOTELS-BLACK-STRAP-HENRY GROSS, Sr .- BREDOON'S DEATH-CREEGER FAMILY-THE FAMILIES OF HENRY CRONISE, HENRY LANG AND DR. BOYER.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVII.
ADDITIONS TO TIFFIN-THE BRIDGES-THE BURNING OF THE FREE BRIDGE -CHOLERA-MR. HOFFMAN-LITTLE CHARLOTTE-JONNY DALRYMPLE- RAILROADS-FIRST TRAIN TO TIFFIN-HEIDELBERG COLLEGE-LIVES OF REV. J. H. GOOD, D. D., REV. C. V. GERHART, D. D., AND REV. GEO. W. WILLARD, D. D.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE CHURCHES.
CHAPTER XIX.
BIOGRAPHIES OF JOHN GOODIN, MRS. ANN . SENEY, R. W. SHAWHAN, C. __ SNYDER, GEO. RUMMELL, DAVID E. OWEN, JUDGES LUGENBEEL AND PITTENGER, JOHN PITTINGER, JOHN AND LOUISA FIEGE, C. MUELLER- WYANDOT CHIEFS-MARK, 6TH CHAP., 2D VERSE, IN MOHAWK.
CHAPTER XX.
SURPLUS REVENUE-POLITICS-FIRST POLITICAL JOLLIFICATION-TIFFIN IN THE WOODS -TIFFIN INCORPORATED-FIRST TOWN ELECTION OF TIFFIN - INCORPORATION AND ONLY ELECTION OF FORT BALL - INCORPORATION OF THE CITY-FIRST CITY OFFICERS-PLANK ROADS- PIKES -TELEGRAPHS-THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE BANKS OF TIFFIN-INSURANCE COMPANIES-SECRET AND BENEV- OLENT SOCIETIES.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE BENCH AND BAR CONTINUED.
CHAPTER XXIV.
DRS. DREISBACH, KUHN, FISHER, HOVEY, AND OTHERS-TIFFIN MEDICAL SOCIETY-THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-THE PRESS: MESSRS. LOOMIS. NAYLOR, GROSS-THE COUNTY INFIRMARY-AGRICULTURAL WORKS- THE GAS LIGHT COMPANY-THE PIONEER ASSOCIATION-DER BRUDER- BUND-THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY-MRS. HARRIET CRAWFORD-DR. JOHN D. O'CONNOR.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE TOLEDO WAR.
CHAPTER XXVI.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SENECA COUNTY ON THE TAX DUPLICATE-SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR-SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812-SOLDIERS IN THE WAR WITH MEXICO -INDE. PENDENT COMPANIES-OHIO MILITIA.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVII. SENECA COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
DR. ROBERT R. McMEENS. CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTER XXIX.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXX. BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP.
BLOOM TOWNSHIP.
.
CHAPTER XXXII.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
EDEN TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXV.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
. LOUDON TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
REED TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XI ..
SCIPIO TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XLL.
SENECA TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XLII.
THOMPSON TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXI.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XLIN.
VENICE TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XLIV.
COUNTY OFFICERS TO 1880 INCLUSIVE, AND CONCLUSION.
APPENDIX.
THE EARTHQUAKE -THE GREAT HURRICANE-THE JERKS-THE MORMONS- SALUTATORY OF THE VAN BURENITE-THE OLD STATE HOUSE AND DIRGE OF THE STATE HOUSE BELL-THE TIFFIN PAPERS.
CENTENNIAL ORATION. JULY 4. 1876, AND CELEBRATION IN TIFFIN.
INTRODUCTORY.
T! MIIE great and bloody struggle of the Colonies, through a long seven years' war, being over, the British Lion retreated growling to his den and, following the Revolutionary War at the Treaty of Paris in 1783, peace was made with England, in which the Independence of these Colonies was recognized.
For the first time in the history of the human race, the intelligent world saw a young government start on its career with the conscious knowledge and proud proclamation of man's capacity for self-government.
Then the genius of Freedom Her banner unfurled, And inspired with hope The whole civilized world.
But as the waves of the ocean continue to lash the shore long after the storm has ceased, so the agitation of the frontier, between the settlers and the Indians, continued for many years.
The intense passions and mutual hatred engendered by the conflict were not allayed by the Treaty of Paris. When the British forces withdrew to the Canadas or across the Atlantic. the Indians, who, long before and during the Revolutionary struggle, were a source of constant annoyance to the frontier settlers, still remained.
While the settlers were determined to get possession of the lands of the Indians, the Indians were equally determined not to relinquish their ancient hunting grounds. The life and property of the frontiersmi were constantly in danger, and often at the mercy of the savages-the general government having neither the means nor military to afford protection; thus the frontier settler was left to his fate as before. Since then a century has rolled off into the ocean of time, and while still "Westward the course of Empire takes its way," the Indian atrocities upon the frontier settlements continue as of yore, and the question calls into requisition the wisest of statesmanship and the best and most vigorous policy of the government to meet it. The indications now are that the Indians mist either give up their nationality and savage life, and become citizens of the United States, or be exterminated.
During the Revolutionary War and for some time thereafter, the military post of the British at Detroit supplied the savages, throughout the Northwest. with munitions of war, and encouraged and supported them in their villainous depredations upon the frontier.
The hot-bed of the councils of the savages was the Wyandot towns along
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INTRODUCTION.
the banks of the Sandusky river, of which Upper Sandusky was the leading one. There was a constant intercommunication kept up between these Indian towns and Detroit. This state of things continued for a long time after the Treaty of Paris, and until the British evacuated Detroit, when the Indians were finally thrown upon their own resources and compelled to come to terms.
Even in the late war with Great Britain, after Hull's surrender and with the British in possession of Detroit, the same policy was inaugurated under General Bartoe, and the Indians were again made the allies of the British. as we shall hereafter sce.
ยท Expeditions were set on foot against the British at Detroit and the Indians on the Sandusky, during the war, by the Continental Congress and afterwards by the government of the States. Fort Pitt was a small garrison in the charge of General Irvine. Here all the early expeditions were organized. Congress being fully aware of the fact that all the terrible atrocities along the frontier were directed and supported from Detroit, and in order to bring peace to the border. ordered General Laughlin MeIntosh, from the regular army. to move upon Detroit. He descended the Ohio river with a force of regulars and militia to the mouth of Beaver river in October, 1778, where . he established the first military post of the U'nited States beyond the frontier settlements. Congress, however, reluctantly suspended the expedition against Detroit for want of means to prosecute it, and ordered General McIntosh to proceed upon and destroy the Indian towns in the vicinity that. in his opinion, would most effectually tend to chastise the savages. He thereupon undertook to move upon Sandusky and destroy the Wyandot towns. He started with one thousand men, and on reaching the Muskingum in the present county of Tuscarawas, he built a fort and called it Fort Lawrence, in honor of the President of Congress. Leaving Colonel John Gibson in charge of this post with fifty men, he returned with the rest of his army to Fort Pitt. Fort Lawrence was the first military post established on Ohio soil. In August following, Fort Lawrence was evacuated. . This ended the first expedition. Fort McIntosh was also abandoned.
An expedition for the same purpose, under Col. Broadhead, was also.a failure.
Another expedition was organized under the command of Col. Crawford.
CRAWFORD'S EXPEDITION.
The lamentable expedition of Col. Crawford falling into this period and being a part of the Revolutionary struggle, occurring before the Treaty of Paris, and the sad. terrible conclusion of which took place so near the border of Seneca county, an abstract relation of the same will not be out of place in these pages.
The British had succeeded in enlisting into their service all the savage element northwest of the Ohio river, and provided them with all the requisite munitions of war.
Deserters from the army under Washington, runaway tories and desperadoes from the Colonies, united with the savages to make their continued attacks upon the frontier as expressed in the language of Lord Chatham : "Letting loose the horrible hell-hounds of savage war."
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The British directed the operations against the frontier from their military post at Detroit, where Henry Hamilton, a vulgar ruffian, was in command.
The Wyandots. Senecas and Shawnees were the principal tribes enlisted in this murderous warfare. Nearly all the smaller tribes were made allies of these. The Delawares were the peaceable nation amongst them that had not joined in the war upon the frontier, and even these eventually became enemies.
These elements, thus combined-British. savages. tories and desperadoes. were turned loose upon peaceable settlers, upon unarmed men, upon helpless women and children. They extended their atrocities all along the western frontier of Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The effect upon the frontier people can better be imagined than described. Their patient endurance became exhausted. It became now a war to the knife. To kill an Indian was a source of pleasure, and at the same time a signal for attack upon the settlement.
In a letter from General Washington to General Irvine at Fort Pitt. instructions were given to the latter in these words: "Still continue to keep yourself informed as to the situation at Detroit, and the strength of the ' enemy at that place." The subject of another expedition against Sandusky became quite popular, but Irvine hesitated, and at first rather opposed the project, but finally yielded to the popular demand, and even assisted in the enterprise.
The people became so clamorous in urging on the organization as to demand of General Irvine that he should himself lead.
This he declined to do for want of authority to leave his post.
The expedition was thoroughly considered and supported by the best of men along the frontier. No one doubted its propriety. Everybody saw the necessity. Sandusky was the infernal den from whence came all their trouble. Volunteers flocked in from every side. Then the place for rendezvous was fixed at Logan-town-at-Mingo. (Mingo Bottom,) now in Steubenville township, Jefferson county. Ohio. On the 24th of May, 1752. they met. There were four hundred and eighty in all. William Crawford was elected Colonel, and David Williamson. David Gaddis, John McClelland and one Brinton were elected Field-Marshals.
Early in the morning of the 25th day of May, the army. under Crawford. began its march from Mingo Bottom, in four columns. It was to lead in the straightest direction through the woods to Sandusky. a distance of one hundred and fifty miles. The route lay through what now constitutes the counties of Jefferson, Harrison, Tuscarawas, Ashland, Holmes, Richland. Crawford and near to the center of Wyandot. The whole distance was through a dense, unbroken forest, except where they reached the plains.
Nothing of any particular interest occurred except that on the second day out two Indians were discovered. They were shot at, but being missed. escaped. Fearing that they were scouts. Crawford pressed forward with greater speed.
On the ed of June they reached the Sandusky river at a point immediately East of where Leesville, in Crawford county. now stands, and near the mouth of a small creek called "Allen's run."
The Sandusky river rises in Springfield township. Richland county. at the
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INTRODUCTION.
"Palmer Spring," so-called. Taking a southwesterly course, and receiving several small tributaries, it enters Wyandot county about two miles north of the southeast corner, and pursues that course generally through Wyandot. Seneca and Sandusky to the bay, a distance of eighty miles from its source, along the stream. Its principal tributaries from the right bank are the Broken Sword and Sycamore, and from the left the Little Sandusky and Tymochtee, in Crawford and Wyandot counties.
The army was now approaching the enemy's headquarters. Slover. the guide, who had been amongst the Wyandots, said to Crawford that they were near the plains. These they reached on the next day, near the mouth of a small stream entering the Olentangy, or Whetstone.
To most of the volunteers the sight of the prairie, or plains, was a novelty. The islands of timber, the tall, coarse grass, prairie hens, wild geese, dneks. prairie owls, etc., attracted their attention. Little they thought and less they knew of the sad fate that awaited them.
How happily has a kind Providence drawn a curtain between man and his future!
The Olentangy is on the eastern boundary of Wyandot county. The Tymochtee is on the west. On the south these prairies form the north part of Marion county. Their extreme length, east and west, is forty miles; their extreme breadth, twenty miles; the average elevation above lake Erie, three hundred feet.
These were the favored hunting grounds of the savages, and to which they clung with a tenacity that bordered on desperation. The army camped abont ten miles from their place of destination.
The next morning, the 4th of June, they started on their march, with great precaution, in a northwesterly direction, and reached the mouth of the Little Sandusky, where they found Indian trails leading in every direction. They crossed the river and followed a trail, but discovered no Indians. Slover, the guide, told Crawford that a Wyandot town was close by. A little further on they came upon the town but found it deserted. Crawford ordered a halt for consultation. The soldiers dismounted and refreshed themselves and their horses at the spring.
This forsaken town was on the east bank of the Sandusky, and about three miles south of the present town of Upper Sandusky.
The Sandusky of the Wyandots, as known to Slover and Zane, the guides, was eight miles below, where the Kilbourn road crosses the river. Here was the residence of Pomoacan-Half-King-as he was called.
Of all the Indian allies of Great Britain, the Wyandots were the most powerful, because they were the most intelligent. caused by their association with the French and British. In their treatment of prisoners they seldom, if ever, resorted to torture, which was common with the other tribes.
Arentz De Peyster, the commander at Detroit, had sent Butler's rangers to assist the Indians. The night preceding the battle, these camped in the limits of Seneca county, near the river in Pleasant township. They were mounted troops, and had two field-pieces and a mortar.
The Indians who had watched the progress of Crawford from Mingo Bottom to the Sandusky, had marshaled their host and were ready for action. Their combined forces greatly outnumbered those of Crawford.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The squaws and children had been sent to a ravine on the Tymochtee.
Simon Girty was with the Wyandots. He was an Irish tory and an adopted son of the Senecas, who had captured him when young, and is described as a fierce, cruel and beastly creature. His Indian name was Katepocomen. which. if it means anything, ought to mean deril. He had been liberated, and having returned to the settlements became the friend of Crawford. aspired to office in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, failed, vohmtarily returned to savage life and became the most savage of the savages. ITis name was a terror along the Ohio river and throughout the northwest. Yet when Simon Kenton was brought to Mac-a-chack town as a captive, under sentence of death, Girty got him released, and Kenton being taken to Detroit as a prisoner made his escape. But to return. It was now one o'clock in the afternoon. Crawford determined to pursue the trail to the other town. where he expected to find the enemy. At a point about one mile south of the present Upper Sandusky, Crawford called a council of war.' Rose, the Surgeon, whom General Irvine had sent along with the expedition, and Zane. advised and urged an immediate return, because they feared that the Indians had too many warriors for them. Crawford then acquiesced, but they finally determined to pursue their march that afternoon only and then return. Immediately seouts came hurrying up announcing the discovery of the enemy. This news was received with evident satisfaction, and rapidly everything was put in readiness, and an advance ordered to meet the enemy.
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