A history of the early settlement of Highland County, Ohio, Part 16

Author: Scott, Daniel
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: [Hillsboro, Ohio] : The Gazette
Number of Pages: 442


USA > Ohio > Highland County > A history of the early settlement of Highland County, Ohio > Part 16


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nearly all that now remains to tell of their ambitious projects in Western the grain fieldls promising an abundant harvest, and the grazing herds -he thought indeed here was the valley of peace -- the realization of his early dream -- and here he would make his home in the sweet and quiet retreat thus gently


Near the middle of January, 1802, Thomas Dick moved up from Chillicothe Pennsylvania is the name of this pretty and built a cabin a short distance east of little valley. He was so charmed with the present town of Marshall. He there the scenery, as he leisurely surveyed it settled down with his family and became from a spur of the mountain -- the neat a permanent resident. At this time the cottages of the farmers with their clust- country around, with the exception of ering roses and other summer flowers, Major Franklin's cabin and clearing, was a wilderness and the nearest mill and smithshop were at the falls of Paint. Mr. Dick was one of the founders of the first Presbyterian Church in this region of country, of which he was a worthy member until his death a few years ago. embosomed amid the grandeur of the The first school taught in the present surrounding mountains. Towards the township of Marshall was taught by Mr. close of the day he arrived at one of the


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OMIIO.


most substantial looking farm houses turbed, and taking a direct route to the and was kindly received by the inmates. northwest


traveled night and . day In the morning he made known his oc- through the most secluded and unfre- cupation and desire for employment. quented parts of the country till they The neighborhood was not large but his reached the Ohio River. At this point, new friends interested themselves in the which was a considerable distance above matter and in the course of a few weeks Wheeling, they met other predatory a small school, composed of the little bands of their tribe with prisoners and folks who were too young for farm and plunder. They raised from the mouth house work; was made up for him. He of a small creek their canoes which they continued to teach until fall, amusing had sunk when they crossed before, and were all soon on the opposite side. himself mornings; evenings and Satur- days rambling among the enchanting Here they called a halt and rested. scenery of the valley and adjacent mountains. His school was continued during the winter and became more profitable as the numbers of his scholars


They did not, however, feel safe so near the settlements and soon resumed their inarch to their towns on the Sandusky, where they arrived after a long and fa- at that season was greatly increased. tiguing journey to their prisoners. Mrs. Satisfied and contented with his location


Dick was wearied out and frequently he felt that with one of the rosy-cheek- unable to travel, though the Indians ed girls of the valley, who had strongly attracted him, he could settle down for life in the pursuit of his peaceful voca- tion. Accordingly in the course of the following year he was married, and soon after established himself in a home of and companion of permanency as well as peace and happiness.


treated her quite as well as could be ex- pected, but the exposure to wet and the cold of early spring, to which the sons of the forest were accustomed, were too hard for her delicate constitu- tion, so that by the time they reached his own, with the prospect for himself Seneca town, near where the town of Tiffin now stands, she was seriously ill. Rest and the kind attention of her hus- band and some of the squaws, however, in time restored her to comparative health, but the exposure to which she had been subjected since her captivity brought on a violent attack of rheuma- tism, which continued obstinately to re- sist all modes of treatment known to the Indians.s


About a month after this ( March 18th, 1791,) having just returned from a busi- ness visit to Pittsburg, he was seated at his dinner table in company with his wife and a young man of the neighbor- hood who had called to see him on husi- ness, when his house was suddenly and without previous warning, surrounded by Indians. No danger had been antic-


On their way out after they had ipated in the valley, it being some fifty crossed the Ohio, the Indians made miles from the frontier, although the in- several ineffectual efforts to make Mr. habitants were aware of the hostility of Dick carry part of their plunder, but he the savages and the many deadly at- tacks recently made by them in neigh- borhoods less protected than theirs. always refused, and when a load was . placed upon his back would throw it off as soon as possible and walk on The first intimation Mr. Dick, therefore, leaving it behind. He was a verystout. had of the presence of the Indians was athletic man, but he was determined not to disgrace himself by working for Indians. At their towns they set him


the discharge of their rifles through the open door, by which the young man who sat with them at the table was kill- to work in the corn field with the squaws, but he would not work.


ed, and the next consciousness he had afterwards, was standing in a remote The Indians knew Dick was stout and some of them were anxious to list corner of the room an Indian painted and dressed in full costume, about to his manhood. But whenever one of strike him with a tomahawk. For some them took hold of him he always threw reason not apparent to Dick, the Indian him down quite roughly and walked desisted at the critical moment and off. His object being to show them seizing him by the arms bound them be- that he was strong and could defend fore he was aware of his purpose and himself if assailed, and that he did not feel inclined to degrade himself by sporting on terms of equality with savages. Such conduct tended gener-


led him out of the house. As soon as he was out, he discovered much to his relief, that Mrs. Dick was not injured, but like himself only a prisoner. The ally to lower their estimate of their Indians were a party belonging to the prisoner and they consigned him to the Seneca tribe. They hurried away rapid- discipline of the sqnaws, deming him ly with their prisoners, leaving the unworthy of the privileges and position house open and all the property undis- of a warrior. On one occasion, a mim-


A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


ber of Indians and squaws, together waited long and anxiously for the re- with several prisoners, had been hoeing turn of the Indian, but he never saw corn. They had divided the patch and him again. He then consulted the run a race. The party with which commander of the fort, and told him Dick was, beat, and started in Indian his purpose and the result of his form- tile over to help the others out. Dick


er effort. The officer laughed at him, was next to the hindmost Indian, who and told him the next time not to pay was a lazy, trifling fellow, and very unpopular with the others. This fel- low, without any provocation, struck Dick a pretty severe blow on the back till the work was done. He also di- rected him to a trustworthy Indian with whom he was able to make a con- tract for the delivery of Mrs. Dick in of the head which staggered him. He, Detroit on the payment of eighteen however, rallied and turned on the In- dollars. The second Indian started dian and knocked him down. The next morning in his bark canoe, down other Indians were much pleased at the Detroit River. He hadto go to the this, and were loud in their applause, mouth and then up the Maumee to the saying Good warrior! good warrior! to place where the party with whom Mrs. him, and laughing greatly at the fallen Dick lived was encamped on a fall combatant. On another occasion, a


hunt. This place he managed to reach large number wereracing and amusing in the night. He watched from the themselves on a beautiful level bluff, opposite side of the river the next overlooking the river which flowed morning till all the Indians had gone many feet below. This same lazy In- out hunting. He then crossed over and dian, whom Dick had knocked down few days before, again exhibited signs


secreted his canoe at the bank. Hav- ing concealed himself in a thicket with- of an inclination to play another rough in view of the camp, he reconnoitered trick on him. Dick was determined for some hours, until he ascertained not to be taken by surprise this time, that the men were certainly gone, and so he watched an opportunity and that there were but few squaws. For- seizing the fellow, threw him over the tunately, an old black woman, who had bluff into the river. This greatly been a prisoner for a long time, came amused the other Indians and com- near to where he lay concealed, and he pletely established a favorable reputa- accosted her. With this woman he tion for him. But the unfortunate In- was soon able to make a contract, after dian became at once a deadly enemy, ascertaining that Mrs. Dick was lying and watched an opportunity to kill in the camp, by which he would attain him. This, the other Indians soon be- his object. The understanding with came aware of, and they thought best the black woman was that the Indian


to sell him, as he would neither work was to go immediately back to the other side of the river and sink his canoe till nightfall, then raise it and make ready for departure, After all became still about the camp, he was to nor hunt. So they sold him to a trader who carried him to Detroit, where the English commander of that fort pur- chased and released him. Dick was an excellent penman, and soon became stand on the bank at a certain point the secretary of the commander, by known to the black woman with his which service he was able to save some face towards the camp, with a piece of money. He was, however, of course, punk between his two hands held be- very anxious about his afflicted and fore his mouth, on which he would oc- captive wife. Hehad not been permit- casionally blow his breath, at the same


ted to see her before he left the Seneca towns, but heknew that in her helpless condition, she had no hopes of escape, and there was no probability of her time opening his hands in front for her to see the light. The old black woman acted in good faith, apprised Mrs. Dick of the project, who rejoiced to rescue by her friends in Pennsylvania. hear it, and when the Indians had all So he set about devising some plan to returned from hunting, eaten, smoked, effect it himself. He knew it would chatted, grown sleepy, gone to bed and


not do for him to go back to the towns were certainly asleep, she took Mrs. with the view of carrying her off. He, Dick on her shoulders, for she was still therefore, employed a Chippewa Indian unable to walk from the rheumatism, to go and steal her and bring her to and carefully carried her to the bank of the river, where she had taken the pre- caution to conceal a canoe during the him at Detroit. The Indian would not undertake it unless he was paid twenty gallons of rum in advance. Dick pur- afternoon. She observed the Indian's chased the rum and gave it to the signals on the opposite side and having Chippewa, who started off down the gotten her burden on board the little riyer towards the Seneca towns. Dick craft, she quietly paddled over to


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


where the Indian awaited her. When of the winter was spent. Sometimes she arrived, the Indian took Mrs. Dick they were compelled to take shelter for by the shoulders, the black woman weeks at a wayside cabin, until the having her by the feet, and lifted her abatement of the intense cold, or the on board his own canoe, and immedi- partial melting of the deep snows, pe- ately started down the river to Detroit, culiar to that climate. But whenever exerting all his energies till daylight, the weather was at all favorable, and when he landed, carried Mrs. Dick off Mrs. D. could possibly endure the ex- several hundred yards and secreted her


posure and fatigue, her noble and in the thick woods, marking the place heroic husband would again set out in carefully with his eye, and returned to the direction of their home, either his canoe, which he carefully sunk. carrying her himself or having the He then hid himself a short distance temporary aid of some kind person from Mrs. Dick and slept several hours. who had the ability to afford it. Final- When he awoke, he went to see his un- ly, on the 8th of March, 1792, they ar- fortunate charge, and found her suffer- rived at Pittsburg almost worn out ing much from thirst as well as pain. with hardships and fatigue. From and home in Legonier Valley.


The Indian hurried immediately in this they soon reached their friends search of water. After some time he found a spring, and taking off his moc- During the next autumn Mr. Dick


casins, filled them with water, which and wife visited his friends in Phila- he carried to the suffering woman. Night at length came and he again set out with his charge. He rowed hard all night, and lay by the next day, tak- delphia, where the story of their cap- tivity and sufferings was heard with astonishment, and themselves regarded with deep interest by the citizens, ing the same precautions as he had the many of whom were anxious to have it preceeding one. The next night's ef- written and published, but Mr. Dick's fort took him out of danger, and he native modesty prompted him to de- continued to row on during the greater eline such a notoriety.


part of the day. Towards evening, he


In the following November (1793,) he arrived safely with Mrs. Dick at De- emigrated to Kentucky, but not being troit, delivered her over to her anxious as well pleased with that State as he husband and received his pay.


anticipated, he determined, after Wayne's treaty established peace on an apparently firm basis, to move to make his permanent home. Accord- ingly, he availed himself of the oppor- tunity offered by Gen. Massie and


After Mrs. Dick had sufficiently rest- ed, and her husband had secured sufli- cient means for the journey, they bid the Scioto Valley, where he hoped to adien to the kind hearted Englishmen who had so much aided him in his mis- fortunes. They got on board of a small however, finally at an enormous expense for one so low in funds as himself, en- gaged a man with a sleigh and horses to carry them part of the way. After this, he could procure no conveyance


vessel bound for Buffalo, and were joined his company in the spring of '06, landed at Erie, Pennsylvania, about the to make the first settlement in the vi- first of December, '91. From there he cinity of where Chillicothe now stands. found it very difficult to get any kind He assisted in laying out the town and of conveyance in the direction of his contributed much during the six years home in Westmoreland county. He, he remained there towards building up a Presbyterian congregation and estab- fishing good morals among the citizens. He was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church from his early youth to the close of his life. During of any description. So he took his still his residence at Chillicothe he had the almost helpless wife on his back and


misfortune to lose his wife, and the carried her several miles through the continued sickliness of the Scioto Val- snow and woods to the next settlement. ley finally constrained him to forego There he was fortunate enough to get


the pleasures of the society there and a boy and ox sled for a couple of days. seek health amid the Highland Hills. When the boy turned back, Dick again Mr. C. G. Dick, his son, was the first shouldered his companion and started white child born in the present town- forward, In this way the greater part ship of Marshall.


CHAPTER XVIII.


WILLIAM AND BIGGER HEAD AND JOSEPH, JOHN AND BENJAMIN WEST SET- TLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF SINKING SPRINGS AND MARSHALL- RUMORS OF INDIAN HOSTILITIES AT CHILLICOTHE CREATE GREAT FEAR AND EXCITEMENT IN THE NEW SETTLEMENTS-GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF THE KILLING OF THE SHAWNEE CHIEF, WAW-WIL-1-WAY.


About the year 1800 William and ed a hostile attitude and were hourly Bigger Head came with their families expected to attack that place. This from Barren county, Kentucky, and news spread, of course, with great settled in the neighborhood of Frank- rapidity throughout all the sparsely lin and Dick, the one in what is now Brushcreek township, the other near where Marshall now stands. They continued to reside on the farmns on which they then settled up to the time of their death, a few years ago, having reared large and respectable families, tlers in the vicinity repaired to the and being much esteemed as worthy house of Bigger Head and having hast- ily provided a supply of provisions, for- tified the house as best they could and made all preparation in their power for and useful citizens. The following year Joseph, John and Benjamin West moved with their families from Pittsyl- vania county, Va., and settled four siege and defense. There were in this miles west of Sinking Springs. These temporary fort five men, two women Wests were cousins of the great histor- and four children-namely, Bigger, ical painter, Benjamin West, who, Thomas and William Head, Anthony though born in Pennsylvania, was ed- Franklin and Thomas Dick; Mrs.


inhabited portion of Southern Ohio and put the tenants of every log cabin in an active and anxious state of prepara- tion to meet the enemy at any moment, for they did not know how soon the . attack would be commenced. The set-


The first sermon preached in the being the women. They had four ef- present township of Marshall was by fective guns and two kegs of powder. Rev. David Young, in June, 1802, at With these slender means of defense, the house of Bigger Head. Mr. Young they, with the courage that "ever and always" distinguished the frontiersmen resolved to defend their castle to the was of the Methodist denomination and a travoler through the county.


The Indians continued to visit the last. They only remained thus forted Brushcreek and Sunfish Hills for many about two days, word being received years after the first white settlements, that the alarm was false.


and after they had all moved to their That alarm caused the settlers about own lands set apart for them in the Sinking Springs to collect and fortify northwest part of the State, they themselves. The same was true in re- would return for a fall hunt on their gard to most other settlements old grounds among the hills. One old throughout the county. Notwithstand- Indian, says Major Franklin, named ing the notorious fact that a general King Solomon, encamped upon the peace had existed for more than eight banks of the branch that empties into years, and the further fact that the In- the Rocky Fork, near where Oakland dians had acknowledged their weakness meeting house now stands, about four and inability to contend with the miles east of Hillsboro. He and his whites, yet the old dread of an Indian companions hunted at will over the warfare and its well remembered surrounding country-were entirely horrors, caused all to distrust, and on peaceable and inclined to be sociable the slightest alarm to tremble for the and agreeable with the few white set- safety of themselves and their wives tlers in their range. They struck up and children.


The cause of the alarm originated


quite a little trade with the whites, ex- changing bear's meat and venison for quited singularly and was altogether salt. The Indians continued to be the fault of a small number of heartless quite numerous in this section as late and lawless white men. The Indians, as 1803. blood thirsty and relentless as to their


During the summer of this year great character, had, up to this time, strictly aların was caused by the arrival of a adhered to the treaty made with Gen. messenger from Chillicothe, with in- Wayne in 1795. formation that the Indians had assum-


Among those who raised the first


(76)


ucated and spent his life in England.


Thomas Dick and Mrs. Bigger Head


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A HISTORY OF HIGHILAND COUNTY, OHIO.


corn in the prairie below Chillicothe in to raise a company of men and go to the summer of '96, was Captain Herrod, the place -- also to proceed on through of Kentucky. He was a most respect- the Indian settlements to their towns able and worthy man, possessing great to ascertain if possible what complicity influence in the settlement, and beloved they had in the murder and if any posi- by all who knew him. He had re- tive discovery was made to seize the moved to a farm a few miles west of guilty parties. He was also ordered to Chillicothe, which he was engaged in collect information as to how far the clearing. In the spring of 1803, as Indians entertained hostile intentions some persons were hunting in the towards the whites. Gen. McArthur woods in the vicinity of his clearing, and . others joined the party until it they found the body of a man toma- numbered near fifty men. They pro- hawked and scalped, which was recog- ceeded as far as Mad River, saw sever- nized as that of Captain Herrod. It was al chiefs and many warriors, From all believed from the manner of his death they heard the same story of ignorance that it was the work of Indians and of the murder, and peaceful intentions the conclusion very naturally followed on the part of the Indians.


that they had recommenced hostilities The inhabitants of the North Fork on the whites. Subsequent develop. of Paint were all called to Old Town ments, however, disproved this and and among them was one David satisfied the people that Herrod was not Wolfe, an old hunter and a man of killed by Indians, but it was never wealth and influence. He had settled known by whom, nor for what purpose on the North Fork, twenty miles above the murder was committed, and it re- Old Town. After remaining in the mains wrapped in mystery to this day, town several days he employed two There were various conjectures at the men, Williams and Ferguson, to go time, and it was hinted, and by many with him to his farm, with the view firmly believed, that the savage deed of looking after his stock. The party was perpetrated by a white man who was, of course, armed, When they had been an unsuccessful rival candi- had proceeded about two miles and date to Herrod for the office of Captain were passing through a prairie, they of Militia. This was the impression of saw an Indian approaching them in the many, but no evidence ever was dis- distance and walking in the same path closed to fix the guilt upon him or any over which they were traveling. On a one else, which was, by the mode of nearer approach the Indian was found killing and scalping, attempted to be to be the Shawnee Chief, Waw-wil-a- fastened on the more honorable and way, the old and faithful hunter of magnanimous Indians. On the other Gen. Massie during his surveying hand a large majority were disposed to tours, and an unwavering friend of the believe the Indians were guilty. They white man. Ile was a sober, brave, in- lived all around and were regarded telligent, worthy fellow, well known


with much distrust and jealousy. The to most of the settlers of the country, account of his death by the hands of and beloved by all for his frank, manly Indians spread with great rapidity and generous demeanor. He had a over the Scioto Valley, and of course wife and twosons, who were also much respected by their white neighbors preparations for war followed. In some places block houses were hurried- where they resided, near the month of ly run up and all things put in order Hardins Creek, in the present county for defense. The citizens of Chilli- of Highland. Old Town was the trad- nothe' though in the center of popula- ing point where the Shawnee Chief tion, collected together for the purpose and his sons exchanged their peltries of fortifying the town. Sentinels were for powder, lead, &c., and be had left posted and a vigilant guard kept night home that morning on foot, with his and day. Rumor, with her overheated gun on his shoulder, for the purpose of and affrighted imagination and her visiting that place on his ordinary thousand tongues, was busily engaged business. When he met the company in spreading her alarms. AAt one time before him, he approached them in his it was reported that Captain John, an usual frank and friendly manner. Af- Indian Chief, with his warriors, had ter shaking hands with them most con- killed all the inhabitants of Darby; and dially, he inquired into the health of again, that other settlements had fall- each of them and their families. The en beneath the hand of the savage foe. salution being over Wolfe asked him if


Gov. Tiffin sent upa request to Major he would trade guns; the chief said Manares, who resided on the North maybe he would and handed his gun to Fork of Paint, some distance from Wolte to examine, at the same time where the body of Herred was found, taking his offered gun. While the


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


det walking at the white man's ner of a turban, and this being seized g. Wolm, being on horseback, un- by Wolfe instead of the hair, he gave a preiselbethe Indian, opened the pan violent jerk for the purpose of bring- of his gun and threw out the priming. ing him to the ground. The shawl He then handed it back to the chief, giving way, Wolfe fell on his back. saying he would not trade. Wolfe and Williams then dismounted and asked




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