A history of the early settlement of Highland County, Ohio, Part 34

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 34


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38


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A HISTORY OF HIGHILAND. COUNTY, OHIO.


of twenty large rattlesnakes were killed leap off and run at full speed towards on Mrs. Jane Trimble's farm. A place it till he came to another fallen tree on near the late residence of Dr. R. D. Lilley, known as the Sand Ridge, was for many years a favorite haunt of the rattlesnakes, and very few persons had the fortune to pass it without meeting one or more.


to which he would spring. Then he would again stand on the log and list- en for his bell. Getting a more dis- tinct note from it, he would again jump and run through the grass, pea- vine, &c. Thus he would continue for perhaps a mile, always stopping to rest and listen, on every log in his course. until he reached his stock. He speedi- ly caught and mounted his horse, and not till then did he feel safe. The reader has doubtless already guessed the reason for both the rapid and cautious manner of the horse and cow hunter. It was simply to avoid as far as possible an encounter with the rat- tlesnakes known to abound in the range.


One bright Sabbath morning in July, 1808, says an early settler, Andrew Ed- gar started out to look for his horse in the extensive rauge south of his resi- dence. He lived on the first farm on the Washington road, and in the first house, after crossing the Jackson Spring branch. Edgar was either in his bare feet, which was then quite common in the summer season, or had on a low pair of moccasins. In those days all the horses in the county were turned out to graze on the abundant Edgar had gone on the morning re- ferred to about a mile in this way, when near the top of the Sand Ridge. whither he had been drawn by the well known sound of his bell, and jumped on a pretty large fallen tree, where he stood but a moment to listen to the tinkle, which he knew was close by. In his hurry he had not observed a large yellow-spotted rattlesnake sun- ning on the same log. The snake gave the usual alarm with his rattle, but coiled and struck before Edgar conkl jump from the log. The fangs of the snake entered, as it was supposed, the large vein of his foot. He was greatly alarmed and started immediately for home in a full run. The rapidity of his movements before he was bitten had warmed him much, and his race loine, which was greatly accelerated by his fright, heated his blood to the highest point. The poison was thus carried with great rapidity to all parts of his body. Before he reached his peavine, wild rye, &c., which covered the open woods, waist high, and of course as they found abundance in the range there was little or no induce- ment for them to return home to go to work. The consequence was, they had to be hunted whenever they were wanted, and the custom of the boy or man who undertook this service, which was always considered dangerous, was to hurry with his utmost speed to the part of the range where he expected to find the stock, for the cows also had to be brought home to be milked. Every owner of stock always, on turning them out, put a bell on one or more of the horses and cows, otherwise, in the thick woods the chances were that he would not find them. The stock in grazing rarely strayed far and the hunter could generally catch the tones of the distant bell pretty soon after he entered the range. It was, of course, essential that he should be able to recognize his own bell by the peculiar own cabin he became almost exhaust- sound, for many others were frequent- ed. He, however, by a great and last ly heard in the same range at the same . effort, reached the fence near his door, time. These bells, strange as it may and in a faint and plaintive voice call- ed his wife. She heard him and ran out, aware that something had hap- pened, even before she saw him. He was a frightful looking object-almost black in the face, and already greatly swollen, and in intense agony. Some now appear, could be heard pretty dis- tinetly from halt a mile to a mile dis- tant, and an experienced ear in the dis- crimination of these sounds, which on a summer morning absolutely made the woods musical, and formed a beau- tiful and prolonged afterpiece to the of the neighbors from Clear Creek on rapturous songs of the birds, which al-


their way to Hillsboro to hear John ways ceased about snurise, rarely fail- Shields preach, fortunately stopped in ed to recognize his own. The most time to witness his death, which oc- curred in a short time. distant tone of his own horse or cow bell could be detected by the owner in search of his stock, among twenty others in the same range. As soon as


Uncle Tom Trimble was bitten the same year, but happened to be at home at the time, and was soon cured by a he discovered the direction of the prescription furnished by Jo. Swearin- sound from the top of the fallen tree gen. A. Gossett was also bitten, per- on which he paused to listen, he would haps a year or two earlier, while out


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


hunting, but was also fortunately safe keeping until he could be taken to cured by applying a fresh leaf of to- Chillicothe for trial. The second night bacco to the wound.


after he was incarcerated, he managed


The Commissioners of Highland to saw out of the jail at the door, after county held an adjourned meeting on getting his hand cuffs off. He was caught the next day, however, and brought back. the 28th of June, 1808, at Knox's tavern in Hillsboroughi. After transacting considerable ordinary business of the county the Board came to the account filed by Allen Trimble for repairing the jail door, fetters and hand cuffs.


For several days and nights after this the jail had to be guarded by the citizens of Hillsborough and vicinity. They were ordered out by the Sheriff and marched their rounds with rifle in hand. John Davidson, John Moore, George W. Barrere, Levi Warner, Wm. Barnett, James D. Scott, Allen Trim-


The new jail, which had just been completed, by the hanging of the strong wrought iron doors, made by Jonathan Laupton, near where Leesburg now stands, and wagoned by Evan Evans to ble, B. H. Johnson, Angustus Richards, the seat of Justice, was believed to be Enoch B. Smith, John Belzer, James proof against all attempts to break out. McConell, John Rickman, and some But its fallibility was demonstrated by


the first person committed to its guar- act as guards. Tong was then sent ull- dianship. One Thomas Tong, of Bain- der a strong escort to Chillicothe. bridge, stole a horse in Ross county, Frederick Fraley, being a blacksmith, and took refuge in the Brushcreek was called by the Commissioners to ap- Hills. A reward was offered for him praise the repairs of the jail, &c., for and he was caught and brought to which he was allowed one dollar. The Hillsborough and committed to jail by Commissioners then audited Allen ten or twelve others were required to


'Squire Enoch B. Smith. Tong was a Trimble's account for the blacksmith desperate fellow-tall, active and very work at nineteen dollars and sixty-two strong. He was merely committed for and one half cents.


0-


CHAPTER XXXII.


THE TOWNSHIP OF RICHILAND -- A DESCRIPTION OF A GENERAL MUSTER- ELECTION RETURNS-THE WHIPPING POST.


At this session of the Commissioners three Justices of the Peace, and that the following order was made: "Or- dered that there be a township laid out of the name of Richland, and bounded as follows, to-wit; Beginning at the west boundary line of Highland coun- ty, on Anderson's road leading from Cincinnati to Chillicothe; thence east- wardly with said road to where the old road, leading from New Market to Mad River, crosses said road; thence a, straight line to Joshua Huzzey's, and thence a straight line to leave Edward Curtice on the right of said line, to a road laid out from Hillsborough to Ur- bana, on Mad River, and thence such a course as will leave James Mill's two miles west of said line, to intersect the Champaign county line, and thenco


the Trustees of said township be noti- fied thereof. This township was regu- larly organized during the summer of that year, and thencefortli for a time became one of the townships of High- Jand county. It embraced nearly all of the territory of the present townships of Union and Dodson and a considera- ble portion of Fairfield; but in the course of some years, the further di- visions of the county into townships, as its population and resources increased, completely annihilated the large and promising township of Richland, and long ago its very name and existence were forgotten, and it ceased forever to form an integral portion of the civil and political localities of Highland. The westerly on the Highland county line first Justices of the Peace of this town- to the beginning.".


ship were Jesse Aughs, Thomas Hink-


The Court of Common Pleas, on the son and Absalom Vanmeter, who were 28th day of June, 1808, ordered that the elected and qualified prior to October, township of Richland be entitled to 1803.


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


At this session of the Commissioners dollars and fifty cents for twoquires of the boundaries of New Market town- paper and making out the duplicates ship were again changed as follows, to- for the county, and for three days ex- wit: "From the crossing of the Clear amining said duplicates, and making Creek road and Rocky Fork, a north- out an exhibit for the year 1sos, and westerly course to Andrew Kessinger's; for one day's acting as Commissioner thence with the old Mad River road to and one day's clerking.


Anderson's road; thence westwardly At this session of the Board, Moses with said road as before." Coinmis- Patterson resigned his office of Com- sioners adjourned to the 30th of July, missioner and also of Clerk of the on which day they again met at the Board.


same place as before. The only busi- The first Justices of the Peace elect- ness of this session was to determine ed in Paint township were Jesse Lucas upon the location of the Court House and Nicholas Robinson, who were duly on the public square, and the following qualified by the Court of Common order to that effect was then made. Pleas, on the 6th of September, 1808; "Ordered that the Court House beset the Trustees were Zeuri Combs, Josiah on the public square, with the door Tomlinson and Jesse Lucas and the eastwardly and thirty-three feet from Clerk, Joshua Encas. We are imable High street, and the southerly square to give the names of the first Consta- the same distance from Main street, bles in this township. Indeed, it is ex- each square parallel with said streets." tremely difficult to obtain authentic in- Commissioners adjourned. This im- formation as to these officers in any of portant point being settled, the ground the townships of the county at the date was broken and the work of laying the of which we speak.


foundation of the Court House com-


In the new township of Richland, menced early in August of this year. JJesse Hughes, William Noble and The stone for the walls were mostly ob- Thomas Hardwick were the first Trus- tained from a quarry which was open- tees and Absalom Vanmeter Clerk. ed for that purpose, and which was the The first Constables in this township first opened in or around the town plat, can not be ascertained.


and is yet to be seen in the southern


In the township of Liberty, Daniel suburbs of the town. A consider- Fraley and Sammel Evans were duly able quantity of stone was, how- elected Justices of the Peace and quali- ever, gathered up around the outskirts, fied on the 2d day of September, 1508. which could be obtained without the George W. Barrere and George Cailey labor of quarrying. The impression were qualified as Justices of the Peace then arose and existed for many years of New Market township, on the 26th afterwards, that good building rock of October of this year, and Bigger could not be procured in this neighbor- Head for the township of Brushcreek. hood, but experience has since denion- strated the contrary.


During the month of September of this year the first "general muster" of the ur-


On the 6th of September, of this year, ganized militia of the county was held at the Commissioners again held a special Capt. Billy Hill's on Clear Creek. This was at that day, and for some years


session, and after issuing orders to pay for wolf scalps, road surveys, &c., or- prior to this date, had been a prominent dered that the road to Countryman's point in the county, proceeding chiefly, mill be established, agreeable to the re- however, from the fact that one of the port of the viewers, and that the same be opened a width not exceeding thirty feet. This road is the ohl Sinking Springs road.


first, if not the first, store in the county was established there. It was at this time, perhaps, nearer the center of the population of the county than the old seat of justice, which was objectionable


On the 7th day of October they again met in special session, and after paying at any rate, in consequence of the found for killing a number of wolves, "Order- between the citizens of that place and ed that a way be viewed for a road, the vicinity and the people of other sections nearest and best route from the ford, of the county, which grew out of the re- next above Thomas Rogers' on l'aint moval of the county seat two years be- Creek, the nearest and best way to fore. Hillsborough was not at all adapt- Hillsborough, and that Jacob Hair, ed at that day to the evolutions of the William Hill and Benjamin Golladay military, for the plain reason that the view the same and report to the next streets were yet full of logs, and the sur- Board of Commissioners' the advant- rounding grounds had not been cleared ages, &c., and that James Johnson sur- out, except in a few instances for pota- vey the same." Ordered that Moses tous. Hill's meadow was therefore Patterson receive an order for thirty chosen for the exercises of the day,


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


"which was bright and pleasant for the two companies, and one in Fairfield season.


township. The spirit, however, pervad- Ten o'clock was the hour for the "roll ed the entire people of the county and call" of the different companies, but during the spring and summer of 1803


long before that time the men and boys


him rea fort to other parties emulated their neighbors.


began to pour in from all quarters, It became necessary as a well defined through the thick green woods and from the dim paths and traces leading in the direction of the inuster ground. A came on foot, many of them a distance of fifteen miles, and though too young for enrollment and present only through curiosity, yet they felt a military enthu- siasm equal if not superior to their sen- iors-the much envied officers and inen


to th re 100 public duty, to form companies and drill them, whenever a sufficient number of available inen could be collected. large number, chiefly boys, however, Brushcreek and Liberty townships or- commanded by James Wilson, and the Liberty township men by Samuel Evans, with Allen Trimble for Lieuten- ant. The names of the Commanders of the other companies have already been given. In all, they amounted to six full companies when assembled on the mus- 0 ganized their companies and Greenfield -- then a part of Fairfield township, al- ways public spirited, --- also formed her citizens and those of the surrounding neighborhood into a large and hand- some company, commanded by John in the ranks-and they longed for the Coffee. The Brushcreek company was day when they could be permitted to shoulder the rifle and keep step to the tap of the drum. This feeling is com- mon, perhaps, to all boys, but with boys of eighty years ago it was peculiarly strong and active. They were the sons of Rev- olutioners and Indian fighting pioneers and the stories of the struggles and the ter ground, and falling short of the re- triumphs of those times, not taught by


quired number for a regiment were or- books, but from the lips of surviving ganized into a battalion under the con- mand of a Major.


actors, or mellowed and beautified in song as poured forth in the rich and


At 10 o'clock on the day of which we clear strains of their mother's voice, speak all the members of the six conll- while they toddled about the cabin in panies were assembled on Hill's meadow, the woods, or clung to ler knee by the their horses hitched around to the limbs clear light of an early autumn evening of trees, neighing, stamping and doing their part most faithfully to keep up a noise till the drums and fifes of the sev- eral companies struck up and the hoarse cry of the orderlies of "fallin"-Captains Barrere, Wilson, Coffee, Berryman, Evans, Bernard's company-was heard.


fire, as she busily plyed the wool cards or spinning wheel, had deeply impress- ed their youthful minds. Then, too, al- thoughi no newspapers had yet found their way to the liumble home of the Highland farmer, tales of the achieve- ments of the great Captain of modern times had some how slowly traveled out to the back woods of the West, and his


These companies being formed and handed over by their Sergeants to their Captains, G. W. Barrere being a military


brilliant campaigns of the Rhine, the man and one of the oldest Captains, Danube and the Po-his personal hero- took upon himself the duties of Adju- tant for the time and formed all the companies into column. When thus ar- ranged, they presented a fine appear- ance. They were mostly men in the prime and bloom of life, inured to hard- ship, toil and privation, and the whole line of over five hundred exhibited a ism at Lodi, and his overwhelming vic- tories at Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena and Eylau, had sent their magic influence through the invisible medium of the air, far over rivers, mountains and seas, to the hearts of the pioneer boys of High- land, who hurried from their log cabins by daybreak, traversed the woods to the picture of health and good humor rarely gathering place at Billy Hill's, watched witnessed. They appeared fully to real- cunningly the maneuvers of the militia, ize the idea of citizen soldiers in a free fancied the little, uncouth squad one of country. the grand armies of the French Emperor When all was ready a flourish of and longed to be heroes-in battie, drums at one end of the line announced wounded or killed in the cause of their the approach of the Commander, Major country-to win glory and become men of history for all coming time.


Anthony Franklin. He appeared on a handsome bay, well caparisoned, and ap-


Besides this, a muster in those days parently fully conscious of the import- was almost the only novelty in the ance of the position which he occupied. country. The county was new, it is The Major came not, however, alone, true, but already military companies for some half a dozen half grown boys, full of military ardor, had mounted their had been organized two years in some parts of it. At New Market there were father's horses and precipitately joined


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


him, or rather fallen in his innnediate long broad sword of the Revolution, and rear just before he entered the field, and most of them had seen service in, that formed his rather uncouth and totally, glorious conflict. to him, unconscious escort as he slowly rode to the center of the line and faced to their front at a respectful distanec,


The battalion was exercised pretty vigorously for about two hours in the drill of the Baron de Steuben. During the boys supporting him a little in the this time the Major seemed to feel the rear, on the right and left. The Major was splendidly uniformed -- and the only vast importance of the drill and handled himself with wonderful agility -- gallop- officer, by the way, of the Battalion who ing from one end of the line to the other, followed by his escort of boys and


was-in a blue coat of the Revolution- ary style, turned up with buff leather superintending in person every evolu- breeches and top boots-long sword and tion. He at length, about 12 o'clock, cocked hat, adorned with a magnificent the men being in a perfect drench of black ostrich feather. The whole equip- sweat, ordered a recess of one hour, ment, including the sword, was that which was cheerily heralded by the which his father had worn at the sur- drums throughout the ranks.


render of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and, At 1 o'clock precisely the drums beat as a matter of course, struck the "ranks" to arms, and the Highland militia again almost with amazement, and awed them fell into ranks, less zeaiously, however, into the most profound silence. But the than in the morning. They had had a Major, who well supported his dignity, pretty warm time of it in the fore part soon relieved the gazing and admiring of the day, and having hurriedly re- ranks. He raised on tip-toe in his broad freshed themselves with ginger bread and heavy stirrups all his escort imita- and whisky, felt like taking more rest ting him-and at the top of his voice, than was in accordance with the disci- cried-"Attention, the battalion ! Shoul- pline of the occasion.


der arms; about face, march," and in an


The battalion was again formed, and instant all was in motion. It is worthy the Major again took command, but his of remark here, that most of the rifles escort had greatly increased. Other shouldered on that occasion, had been either in the battles of the Revolution, and were the only bequests of dying heroes to their sons, or in the many bo :- der frays with the Indians. They were boys emboldened by the example of those who had dared to follow in his train in the morning, now mounted, most of them barebacked, and barefoot- ed, and some bareheaded, fell into the therefore shouldered and borne on this rear of the juvenile escort. After fol- occasion with just pride at the command lowing the mounted Commander of the of Major Franklin. One rifle, we know, five hundred round the field a few times, was carried on that drill by James A. all the boys in attendance, who had Trimble, which his father used as his heretofore maintained a respectful dis- weapon of offence and defence at the tance during the forenoon, now joined memorable and bloody battle of the on foot. So the Major and the music "Point," which was fiercely fought by were literally surrounded at times, at the gallant Virginians from day light others, he had a heterogeneous tail al- till dark.


most as long in appearance, made up of boys on horses, colts and on foot, follow- ed by dogs, as the great comet which ap-


The dress of Barrere's riflemen was white hunting shirts and looked very well, but that of the militia men was ex- peared three years later. Towards the ceedingly varied and plainly bespoke close of the drill, the Major rose on tip their plainly different origins in the old toe in his stirrups and called at the top States. Of course cach man put on his of his voice, "Attention, the Battalion ' best to attend such a large gathering of The Battalion will take our to form a fellow citizens, and men were seen in the hollow squar." The Major was an old same company in the full dress of the Virginian, and spoke to perfection the Revolutionary era, except the hat, and vernaentar in which r is sounded short ot the border pioneer-the shad bellied at the termination of a word. In this coat, knee breeches and long stockings, evolution considerable difficulty was found. It was, however, at last accom-


and the leather breeches and hunting shirt, at the side of which hung the plished to the satisfaction of the Com- otter wolf skin shot pouch, were som side by side. Every variety of dress be- side were ordered to take distance, so tween these extremes was perceptible that the companies might again resume in the ranks. The officers, as we stil before, had no uniform, but of course wore their best clothes and looked clean. backwards to the top of the drum. They, however, had swords the ohl their position m bre. In doing so they had to face the square and of course step mander and the officers who stood out- While thus moving slowly back, close to


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


the point occupied by the Major and his privilege.


Immediately after the men were dis-


staff', Captain Sam Evans fell over a small stump and lay a moment on his missed and before they had commenced back, sword point and heels up. This leaving the field, a large, fine looking caused a great shout of laughing from man from Whiteoak, belonging to Capt. the boys, and the Captain rose rather Barrere's company, whose name is not riled. The Major promptly ordered him known, took off his hunting shirt, and to his post, and accompanied the order slowly walked all around through the with a slight reprimand for his awkward- men, saying he could whip any man in ness, to which Capt. Evans replied in the Battalion. No one paid much at- what the Major thought to be disrespect- tention to him at first, but finally Billy ful language, upon which he ordered Hill said the banter was becoming a gen- Evans. under arrest. His sword was eral insult and the fellow must be whip- taken from him and he marched out of ped. So he hunted up "Jimmy Smith," the field, followed by the entire escort of the man who built the first water inill the Commander. Lieut. Trimble then on the Rocky Fork, and told him he took the command of Evans' company. wanted him to go and whip that fellow. But so great was their indignity at the Jimmy replied "thee knows Billy, that I arrest of their Captain, that they refused have nothing against him, and am a man to obey orders and the Major soon dis- of peace"-being a Quaker-Billy said missed the Battalion. One of the men that made no difference in this case, the of Evans' company, a little drunk, by fellow must be whipped, and you Jim- the name of Robert Branson, attempted my, are the only man on the ground to get a fight out of the Major. He said, who can do it; Well, said Jimmy, if




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