USA > Ohio > Adams County > A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth > Part 8
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"All the mills that the early settlers had was the hominy block, or a hand mill. The horse-mills or water-mills were so far off that it was like going on a pilgrimage to get a grist; and besides the toll was so enor- mously high, one-half, that they preferred doing their own milling.
"Almost every man and boy were hunters, and some of the women of those times were experts in the chase. The game which was con- sidered the most profitable and useful was the buffalo, the elk, the bear, and the deer. The smaller game consisted of raccoon, turkey, opossum, and ground-hog. The panther was sometimes used for food, and con- sidered by some as good. The flesh of the wolf and wildcat was only used when nothing else could be obtained.
"The backwoodsmen usually wore a hunting shirt and trousers made of buckskin, and moccasins of same material. His cap was made of coon-skin, and sometimes ornamented with a fox's tail. The ladies dressed in linsey-woolsey, and sometimes buckskin.
"One great difficulty with the pioneers was to procure salt which sold enormously high, at the rate of four dollars for fifty pounds. In backwoods currency, it would require four buckskins, or a large bear skin, or sixteen coon skins to make the purchase. Often it could not be had at any price, and then the only way we had to procure it, was to pack a load of kettles on our horses to the Scioto salt lick, and boil the water ourselves. Otherwise we had to forego its use entirely. I have known meat cured with strong hickory ashes.
"I imagine I hear the reader saying this was hard living and hard times. So they would have been to the present race of men, but those who lived at the time enjoyed life with a greater zest, and were more healthy and happy than the present race. We had not then sickly hysterical wives, with poor, puny, sickly dying children, and no dyspeptic men constantly swallowing the nostrums of quacks. When we became sick unto death, we died at once, and did not keep the neighborhood in a constant state of alarm for several weeks, by daily bulletins of our
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dying. Our young women were beautiful without rouge or cosmetics, and blithesome without wine. There was then no curvature of the spine, but the lassies were straight and fine-looking, without corsets. They were neat in their appearance. and fresh as the morning in their home- spun.
"We spun and wove our own fabrics for clothing; the law of king- ness governed our social walks; and if such a disastrous thing as a quarrel broke out, the difficulty was settled by a strong dish of fisticuffs. No man was permitted to insult another without resentment; and if an insult was permitted to pass unrevenged, the insulted party lost his standing and cast in society. It was seldom we had any preaching, but if a traveling minister came along and made an appointment, all would attend, the men in their hunting shirts with their guns."
Early Marriages.
'The first law regulating marriages in the Territory was published in the fall of 1788, at Marietta.
Section 1. Provided that males of the age of fourteen, and not prohibited by the laws of God, might be joined in marriages.
Section 2. Provided that any of the Judges of the General Court or Common Pleas or ministers of any religious society within the district in which they resided, might solemnize marriages.
Section 3. Provided that before being joined in marriage, the parties should give notice of their intentions by having them proclaimed the preceding Sabbath in their congregation ; or notices in writing under the hand and seal of one of the Judges before mentioned, or a Justice of the Peace of the county, and posted in some public place in the town where the parties respectively resided; or a license might be obtained from the Governor, under his hand and seal, authorizing the marriage without the publication aforesaid.
A supplementary act was passed August 1, 1792, empowering every Justice of the Peace to solemnize marriages in their respective counties, after publication aforesaid, or upon license.
The following list embraces all the marriages that took place in Adams County down to January 1, 1800. The records are missing from that date down to May, 1803. We give a partial list of the mar- riages for the subsequent ten years :
1798.
April 17-James Scott and Elizabeth Kilgore, by James Scott. April 17-Joseph Lane and Mary Hastley, by James Scott.
June 5-Thomas Harrod and Esther Templin, by James Scott. June 12-Andrew Edgar and Nancy Brooks, by James Scott. Aug. 7-Turner Davis and Elizabeth Vance, by John Belli. Aug. 7-William Russell and Ruth Heneman, by John Belli. Aug. 15-John Stockham and Francis Kahn, by Moses Baird. Oct. 31-James Folsom and Elizabeth Martin, by John Russell.
Oct. 31-Jacob Strickley and Martha Cox of Mason County, Kentucky, by John Russell.
Nov. 26-Fred Baless and Nancy Erls, by Thomas Kirker.
Jan. 10-John Davis and Nancy Aikens, by Moses Baird.
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1799.
Jan. 3-David Miller and Catharine Studebaker, by Moses Baird. Jan. 22-Peter Bible and Isabel Morrison, by Thomas Kirker. Jan. 22-George Noleman and Polly Edgington, by Thomas Kirker. March 5-Jesse Nelson and Martha Wilson, by Moses Baird. April 4-Thomas Foster and Jennie McGovney, by Rev. John Dunlavy. May 16-William Stout and Margaret Bennett, by John Russell. May 16-Isaac Stout and Ann Snodgrass, by John Russell. June 14-Joseph White and Elizabeth McHenry, by John Russell. July 25-John Smith and Nancy Dennis, by Noble Grimes. Aug. 8-Abraham Thomas and Margaret Baker, by Rev. John Dunlavy. Aug. 20-Elijah Shepherd and Hannah Rodgers, by John Belli. Aug. 25-Alexander Barker and Beckey Dennis, by Noble Grimes. Sept. 12-Abraham Shepherd and Peggy Moore, by Rev. John Dunlavy. Sept. 17-Jonathan Liming and Jane Liming, by Rev. John Dunlavy. Oct. 23-Joseph Corns and Anna Truesdale, by John Belli. Dec. 20-Alexander Burnside and Margaret Martin, by John Belli. Dec. 30-John Jones and Jane Mitchell, by John Belli.
1803.
May 12-Wm. Morrison and Prudence Noleman, by Rev. John Dunlavy. May 5-Richard Woodworth and Sarah Roberson, by Rev. John Moore. May 26-William McClelland and Margaret Fink, by Israel Donalson. June 2-Robert Taylor and Sarah Palmer, by Mills Stephenson. April 18-Nathan Glaze and Nancy Creswell, by Mills Stephenson. April 13-William Bayne and Patty Bayne, by Mills Stephenson. June 3-Marcus Tolonge and Sara Bagger, by Mills Stephenson. Sept. 15-Coleman Asberry and Amy Compton, by Nathan Ellis. Sept. 9-Henry Shaw and Nancy Rogers, by Joseph Newman. Oct. 6-Peter Parker and Mary Fele, by Joseph Newman. Sept. 15-James McIntyre and Ann Roebuck, by John Baldwin. May 14-Michael Sloop and Mary Ann Gilsever, by John Russell. Aug. 3-William Frizel and Nancy Stolcup, by John Russell. Sept. 22-William Coole and Sara Stout, by John Russell. Sept. 15-George Campbell and Caty Noland, by Thos. Odell. Aug. 18-William Taylor and Millie Key, by Jas. Parker. Aug. 30-Daniel Kerr and Sarah Curry, by Jas. Parker. Nov. 1-Alex. Harover and Mary Stevenson, by Nathan Ellis. Oct. 6-John Davidson and Isabel Pence, by William Leedom. Sept. 29-James Hunter and Hannah Gordon, by William Leedom. Oct. 20-John Moore and Nancy Edwards, by Jos. Moore. Nov. 21-John Knots and Catharine Adams, by Rev. Thos. Odell. Oct. 9-Nicholas Washburn and Lily Lacock, by Mills Stephenson. Oct. 20-James King and Elizabeth Larwell, by Mills Stephenson. Dec. 15-John Davidson and Margaret Kincaid, by Rev. John Dunlavy.
1804.
Jan. 5-Thomas Mullen and Ann Megonigle, by Philip Lewis. Jan. 26-William McCormick and Mary Charlton, by John Ellison. Jan. 16-John Shelton and Sarah Middleton, by Jas. Parker.
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Jan. 15-Thomas Lewis and Irene Smith, by Rev. T. W. Levimey. Feb. 23-James McComas and Esther Smith, by Noble Grimes. Feb. 23-James Horn and Elizabeth Miller, by Rev. John Dunlavy. Feb. 15-Gilbert Hiett and Polly Gunnings, by William Leedom. March 1-John Abbott and Hannah Reynolds, by Jos. Newman. Feb. 29-Jonathan Wamsley and Sarah Odell, by Rev. Thomas Odell. May 6- Joseph Reynolds and Jane Abbott, by Joseph Newman. May 23-George Fisher and Hannah Haden, by Joseph Newman. May 17-Solomon Shoemaker and Agnes Kerr, by Paul Kerr. June 26-Aquilla Denham and Harriet Thompson, by Hiram Currey. June 30-George Roebuck and Ann Bealles, by Jas. Parker. May 23-Adam Morrow and Frankie Barley, by Mills Stephenson. April 19-Samuel Smith and Mary Peyton, by Philip Lewis. Feb. 12-Levi Sparks and Mildred Anderson, by Noble Grimes. July 12-Joseph Lovejoy and Priscilla Anderson, by Noble Grimes. July 12-Stephen Clark and Rebecca Ogle, by Noble Grimes. Aug. 9-Lewis Coleman and Elizabeth Stalcup, by John Russell. July 15-Cornelius Cain and Elizabeth Newman, by Jas. Moore. Aug. 14-William King and Peggy Wright, by Samuel Wright. Dec. 26-Mathew Thompson and Mary Simral, by John Baldwin. Dec. 29-John Copas and Betsey Grooms, by James Carson. Oct. 13-William Dunbar and Rebecca Delaplane, by John Ellison.
1805.
Feb. 4, Isaac Edgington and Sarah Bryan, by William Leedom. Jan. 20-John Philips and Elizabeth Cole, by Paul Kerr. Feb. 7-James Moore and Peggy Wade, by Wm. Leedom. March 25-William Rolland and Sally Crawford, by John Russell. March 25-John Means and Sally Collier, by John Russell. May 23-Thomas Palmer and Ruth Noleman, by William Leedom. July 4-Philip Lewis, Jr., and Nancy Humble, by Rev. T. W. Levinney. June 27-William Wills and Sara Shepherd, by Rev. James Gilleland. Nov. 4 -- John Baldridge and Lila Cole, by James Scott.
Dec. 2-Andrew Elliott and Martha McCreight, by Robt. Elliott.
1806.
June 23-Isaac Edgington and Margaret Palmer, by James Scott. June 20-James Wilson and Sally Horn, by Robt. Dobbins, V. D. M. June 26-John Grooms and Deborah Sutterfield, by James Moore. July 17-Isaac Aerl and Rebecca Collier, by P. Lewis, Jr. July 21-David Murphy and Catharine Williams, by P. Lewis, Jr. June 25-Hugh Montgomery and Polly Secrist, by Robt. Elliott. June 25-Jesse Stout and Sara Morrison, by John Russell.
June 19-John Ailes and Rebecca Vires, by John Russell. July 10-John Bilyue and Grace Dunbar, by James Moore. Oct. 11-John Sellman and Nelly Parmer, by Wm. Leedom. Aug. 7-Philip Bourman and Mary Dragoo, by Jas. Parker. Aug. 8-Hezekiah Bellie and Sarah Stephenson, by John Russell. Oct. 24-John Hamilton and Isabella Smith, by Wm. Lee.
Dec. 11 -- Reuben Pennywitt and Mary Lucas. by Wm. Williamson, V.D.M.
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1806.
Dec. 25-George Washington Green Harroll and Sarah Askren, by Mills Stephenson.
Aug 3-Robel Butler and Comfort Pettijohn, by Mills Stephenson.
1807.
Oct. 9-Henry McGarah and Sarah Young, by James Moore. May 27-Dr. Joseph Keith and Sarah Beasley (relict Major John Beas- ley), by Rev. Wm. Williamson.
Oct. 22-John West and Barbara Platter, by Curliss Cannon.
Dec. II-Samuel Laremore and Catherine McGate, by Jas. Moore.
1808.
Jan. 14-Hamilton Dunbar and Delilah Sparks, by James Scott. Jan. I-William McClanahan and Nancy Paull, by Adam Kirkpatrick. Feb. 18-Samuel Finley and Polly Glasgow, by James Scott. Dec. 9-Thomas Lockhart and Marry Grimes, by P. Lewis, Jr. Nov. 10-Davis Reynolds and Milley Dunn, by John Lindsey.
1809.
March 10-Jesse Grimes and Polly Meggitt (McGate), by John Ellison. Feb. 28-Moses Lockhart and Sarah Aldred, by John Russell. March 23-Cornelius Washburn and Susanna Dunn, by John Lindsey. April 6-John Mannon and Sarah Washburn, by John Lindsey. June 8-James Wikoff and Rachel Ellis, by Rev. Robt. Dobbins. June 8-William Russell and Nancy Wood, by Rev. Abbott Goddard. Aug. 17-James Collier and Sarah Eyler, by Job Dinning.
Sept. 14-Thomas Hayslip and Isabel Paul, by Wm. Williamson, V. D. M. Sept. 13-Robt. Glasgo and Rosanna Finley, by John W. Campbell. Sept. 25-Enos Johnson and Sally Sparks, by John W. Campbell. Nov. 2-Samuel Finley and Milley Sparks, by John W. Campbell. Oct. 24-Horace L. Palmer and "the amiable Miss Margeretia Campbell of Kentucky," by Mills Stephenson, J. P.
Dec. 11-"The Honorable John Ewing to the amiable Mrs. Hannah Cutler, both of the county of Adams," by William Laycock, J. P.
1810.
March 2-Mark Pennwitt and Nancy Naylor, by Wm. Williamson, V.D.M. March 14-Thomas Dawson and Druzilla Palmer, by James Parker. March 14-Damascus Brooks and Priscilla Palmer, by James Parker. April 3-Angus McCoy and Agnes Horn, by Rev. James Gilliland. April 26-Thomas McGovney and Jenny Graham, by Samuel Young. June 28-Stout Pettit and Martha McDermott, by Jos. Westbrook.
1811.
Jan. 14-John Dixon and Polly Middleswart, by Mills Stephenson. Aug. 8 Jacob Edgington and Mary Anne Dobbins, by Rev. Robt. Dobbins.
"James Parker certified that "Archibald Ousler " was married on the 8th day of April, 1806.
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1812. March 26-Joseph McKee to Peggy Eakins, by Joseph Westbrook.
1813. Feb. 11-Zachariah Grooms to Fanny Shanks, by Job Dinning.
REMINISCENCES.
Diseases of the Pioneers.
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The first settlers were attacked with a skin disease which produced a terrible itching. All newcomers to the settlement became afflicted with this disease. It was attributed to the water. Sore eyes prevailed to a very great extent, and influenza was a frequent scourge in the early spring of each year. It was then believed to be caused by the melting of the snow in the mountains. Fevers prevailed along the river bottom and the valleys of the larger streams due to the use of creek and river water, there being no wells, and to the decay of vegetable matter in the newly cleared lands. For this reason the highlands were occupied by the pioneers in preference to the rich bottoms which could be purchased at the same price per acre, as the uplands. The bloody flux prevailed at frequent periods in the early settlement of the country, produced by bad water and excessive use of green vegetables, and unripe fruit, especially wild plums which grew in great abundance in the bottoms of all the streams. The poorer classes of women went barefooted most of the year to which was attributed cases of obstruction of calamenia and hysteria.
Medicinal Herbs and Roots.
There were few, if any physicians in the early settlement. In cases of fractures some one in the neighborhood more skilled than others did the setting and bandaging. Cuts and bruises were simply bound up, and nature did the rest. Cases of childbirth were attended by the elderly women of the vicinity. The ills of children were colds, bowel complaint and worms, and horehound, catnip and the worm-wood were the remedial agencies. Among the other standard roots and herbs were senna serpentaria virginia. tormentilla, stellae, valerian, podophillum peltatum (may apple), percoon, sarsaparilla, yellow root, hydrastis canadensis, rattleweed, gentian, ginseng, magnolia (wild cucumber), prickley ash, spikenard, calamint, spearmint, pennyroyal, dogwood, wild ginger (coltsfoot), sumach and beech drop.
Whiskey and Tobacco.
In the early days of the country all classes used whiskey as a medi- cine and a beverage. "Old Monongahela double distilled" was a staple article. Old and young, men and women drank it, and there was but little drunkenness. After the settlements were made in the interior there were hundreds of little copper stills set up along the spring branches, and much of the grain grown was consumed in making "Old Mononga- hela" or something "just as good." The whiskey and brandy in those days had one recommendation-they were not adulterated. But even
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then "the appetite" of some overcame their discretion, and they became sots, and eyesores to the community. An early Methodist preacher gave as his reason for not becoming a member of a Seceder congregation, was that he had seen one of the elders carried home drunk and the next Sabbath he again saw him at the communion table. The preachers in those days expected the black bottle with spikenard, dogwood buds, and snakeroot, in the whiskey to be passed as an "appetizer" before meals. Many were not averse to taking it "straight." Of the early prominent families, nearly all got a start in the world in the whiskey business, in either its distillation, or by keeping "tavern" or "grocery" where the chief source of profits was from the "liquor" sold. But then it was "fashionable" and fashion rules the world.
Floods in the Ohio.
The first great flood in the Ohio, over thirty miles of which borders Adams County, is that of 1765 which swept the Shawnee village "Lower Old Town" from the high bottoms near the old site of Alexandria below the mouth of the Scioto. In 1808 the Ohio in this region again became higher than ever was known before, and the great flood in 1832 was thought to be the limit. In 1847 there was a December flood that al- most equalled that of 1832. In 1867 there was a June freshet that caused great damage to crops, and swelled the Ohio to the "great flood" mark. In the winter of 1883 the record was broken in the "great floods" of the Ohio, 66 feet and 4 inches above low water mark at Cincinnati; which is 2 feet and 6 inches above bed of the channel. The flood of 1832 reached 64 feet and 3 inches at Cincinnati. But the greatest flood came February 14, 1884 when the Ohio reached the height of 71 feet and three-fourths of an inch above low water mark at Cincinnati. At Manchester the waters reached the Hotel Brit, from which skiffs took and returned guests. Backwater came up Brush Creek to the vicinity of the Sproull bridge. In 1832 the backwater came up Brush Creek to forge dam.
Great Gatherings of the People.
The first great gathering of the people, and one of the largest consider- ing population and means of travel at that period was at the hanging of Beckett at West Union in 1808, an account of which is recorded in this vol- ume. It had been a noted trial in many respects and the crime committed by Beckett had been discussed throughout southern Ohio, northern Kentucky and western Virginia, from which regions people came in great numbers to witness the execution. Among those from a distance was Capt. William Wells, a noted frontiersman and the founder of the town of Wellsville, Ohio.
The next great meeting of the people was at the great Vallandig- ham rally at Locust Grove September 4. 1867. Political excitement was at highest pitch and people from Brown, Highland, Pike and Scioto counties, came in wagons, on horseback and some on foot to attend this great rally. The roads leading to Lucus Grove were lined with campers the night before, who had come from a distance to be at the meeting the next day. It is said that fifteen thousand people, men, women and children, attended this meeting.
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The third and last. and greatest outpouring of the whole people of Adams County, practically, was at the Centennial meeting at West Union, July 4, 1876. The crowd has been conservatively estimated at twenty thousand people, while others put it much higher. It took one line two hours and forty-five minutes to pass the old toll-gate on the Man- chester pike. There were present Maj. Joseph McKee, aged 87; Wil- liam Jackson, aged 85; William Brooks, aged 79; James Umble, aged 85; James Little, aged 83; and Andrew B. Ellison, aged 81 ; survivors of the War of 1812.
Thomas J. Mullen delivered the address of welcome. W. H. Penny- witt, Rev. I. H. DeBruin, John W. McClung and others addressed the. assembled people.
The Squirrel Plague.
In 1808 the crops of corn were greatly injured and in many places destroyed by myriads of gray squirrels. They seemed to be migrating from the north to the south. Hundreds could be scen crossing the Ohio River where it was nearly a mile wide. In this attempt thousands were drowned. They were greatly emaciated and most of them were covered with running ulcers made by worms of the grub kind. Bythefirst of Janu- ary they had mostly disappeared. Afterwards woodmen in cutting into hollow trees would find them filled with the bones and skins of squirrels, some trees containing as many as forty or fifty. From this it would seem that they died of disease and not of famine. This was the season that fever and influenza ravaged the country. The Legislature passed an act requiring each male over twenty-one years of age to produce to the County Clerk 100 squirrel scalps or pay three dollars cash.
Flooks of Pigeons.
In the early history of the county and as recently as 1865, great flocks of wild pigeons came into the county in the seasons when there was much mast. These would fly in such numbers as to darken the sky cverhead, and in lighting in the timber would crash the branches and limbs like the force of a hurricane.
The Regulators.
After the Civil War, a class of "refugees" came into the eastern portion of Adams County and the western border of Scioto, and com- mitted many petty crimes. Some of them were accused of horse- stealing. A number of prominent citizen formed a kind of league, known at the "Regulators" who punished and drove out the most offen- sive of the "refugees." The "Regulators" held annual public re-unions for years.
A Glen on Beasley.
Many of the steep hillsides bordering the streams are covered with dense thickets of "red brush" which in the early springtime when the buds are fully blown, appear like clusters of lilacs, or huge bouquets of violets. They have a charm that never tires. On the headwaters of Beasley's Fork, near West Union, is a glen noted for the beauty of its redbud coves and the number of its redbird inhabitants. Years ago
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Judge Mason, noting the particular charms of the locality and the num- ber of its scarlet plumed dwellers, named it Redbird, which others (mis- taking the name to refer to the thickets of "red brush") called Redbud. Noting this fact, the writer spent a pleasant afternoon in the month of May, in company with the Judge along this charming glen, to determine which name should go down in history. The decision favored both. And so it shall be "Redbud," "Redbird," and its charms shall be perpet- uated in the following lines by an unknown author whose name deserves to be enrolled among the immortals :
The Redbud and the Redbird.
The redbud thicket by yonder stream, Shines forth with a roseate purple gleam ; As if from the sky at even, A sunset cloud had deserted the blue To join with the green its brigher hue, Brought down from the azure heaven.
And out and in, on his crimson wing, With a note of love that he only can sing, The redbird gaily is flitting; As if a cluster of bloom from the tree Had started to life and minstrelsy- Its beauty to melody fitting.
Sweet tree-sweet bird! Such a pair I ween, In the month of beauty was never seen Nor heard in so sweet a duetto; Where blossom and bird have equal part, And where each raptured, listening heart May furnish its own libretto.
One sings in color, one blooms in song, Both making sweet harmony all day long In the pleasant vernal weather- A charming music, or seen or heard For the redbud and the redbird Ever blossom and sing together.
Redbud, ceris canadensis. Redbird, Tanagra aestira.
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CHAPTER VII.
CONFLICTS AND ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS
A Battle with the Indians on Scioto Brush Creek-Captivity of Israel Donalson-Asahel Edgington Killed by the Indians- Capture of Andrew Ellison.
The last contest between any considerable number of whites and Indians in the Virginia Military District took place on the waters of the north fork of Scioto Brush Creek in the northern part of Adams County, and within the present limits of Franklin Township. The site is about two an one-half miles northeast of the village of Locust Grove, on lands recently owned by the widow of John Moomaw. The place is on the dividing ridge between the headwaters of the north fork of Scioto Brush Creek and the tributaries of east fork of Ohio Brush Creek, at what is known as Wethington's Spring, where Jesse Weth- ington, one of the nineteen persons who signed the articles of agreement with Nathaniel Massie to settle at his stockade at the Three Islands in 1790, finally settled, and where he died. His widow Betty, resided here many years. This was also the last battle during the old Indian War from Dunmore's expedition into the Northwest Territory to Wayne's treaty at Greenville. In accounts of this expedition it is stated that during the attack at Reeve's Crossing, a white prisoner escaped from the Indians and returned with the exploring party to his home. That pris- oner was John Wilcoxon who had early in the spring of that year come out from Limestone over Tod's Trace to the "Sinking Spring," and there built a rude hut in which he and his wife and child resided until his capture by the Indians, while taking honey from a bee-tree, about the time of this expedition.
Rev. James B. Finley, who wrote the first account of this expedi- tion and the battles growing out of it, and whose father was one of the party of explorers, says: "While Gen. Wayne was treating with the Indians at Greenville, in 1795, a company of forty persons met at Man- chester, at the Three Islands, with the intention of exploring the Scioto country.
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