A history of the early settlement of Highland County, Ohio, Part 7

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 7


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Massie, having permanently establish- Gallipolis, was one unbroken wilderness ed himself in his station, commenced through which the surveying parties making locations and surveys of land on passed regardless of roads, and uncheer- ed by any of the incidents of civilization which now greet the traveler. All around was the lonely solitary gloom of the dark old forest, except when relieved by an occasional wide spread prairie, smiling in the silence and beauty of its variegated a pretty extensive scale. In the early part of the winter of 1791-'92, he was engaged in surveying the lands on Brushcreek as far up as the three forks. Towards spring he shifted his party to the waters of the Little Miami, and ad- vanced up the river as far as the place and odorous flowers. Through all this now occupied by Xenia, without molest- vast wilderness roamel the bear, the elk, ation. Early one morning the party the buffalo, the deer, the panther and started out to perform the labors of the the innumerable smaller game peculiar day. Massie was walking in advance of to a country in a state of nature. These the party, when an Indian was perceiv- were the hereditary hunting grounds of ed by Gen. William Lytle with his gun pointed at Massie, and in the act of firing. Lytle, with great quickness, fired and the Shawnee, the Wyandott and the Miami, and they watched with the most vigilant and jealous eyes the intrusive killed the Indian. After this occurrence white man with his chain and compass they advanced more cautiously and soon measuring their lands. Their prophetic found themselves near an encampment vision penetrated the future and saw of about one hundred and fifty Indians. their cherished shades of sylvan beauty The party commenced a hasty retreat, disappear before the devastating hand of and were closely pursued. The retreat civilization. Consequently they resent- and pursuit continued without relaxation ed every encroachment with a courage, a on the part of the Indians until the patient resolution and fortitude truly party reached Manchester in safety.


heroic.


During the winter of 1792-'93, Massie The surveyors generally chose the continued to locate and survey the best winter for their expeditions, because the lands within a reasonable distance of the Indians were always more quiet during station. He also, in company with Joseph Williams and one of the Wades, that season. The plan adopted for these expeditions was essentially military. explored the Valley of Paint creek, and Four or five surveyors were generally part of the Scioto country, and finding engaged in the same party. To cach the bottom rich beyond his expeeta- surveyor was attached six men, making tions, made entries of all the best lands, a mess of seven. Every man had his and returned in safety to the station.


prescribed duty to perform. The hunter In the midst of the most appalling went in front, and kept in advance of dangers, during the winter of 1793-'94, the surveyor two or three hundred yards, Gen. Massio explored the different looking for game, and prepared to give branches to their sources, which empty notice should any danger from Indians into the Little Miaudi river, and then threaten. Then followed the surveyor, passed in a northerly direction to the heads of Paint and Clear creeks, and the branches that form these streams. He


the two chainmen, marker and pack- horsemen with the baggage, who always kept near each other to be prepared in thus formed from personal observation caso of an attack. Lastly, two or three a correct knowledge of the geographical hundred yards in the rear, came a man position of the country composing the


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


Virginia Military District. an ambuscade might be formed by the Early in the winter of 1794-'95, Mas- sie again set out on a surveying expedi- tion with Nathaniel Beasley, John Beas- ley and Peter Lee as his assistant sur- veyors. The party left Manchester well equipped to enter and survey lands, or Indians to destroy the party as they re- turned to light up the fires. This was an invariable custom in every variety of weather. If immortality is due to the names of heroes who have successfully labored in the field of battle, no less should necessity require, to give battle honor is due to such as these, who equal- to the Indians. They took the route of ly risked life, without the hope or pros-


Logan's trace, and proceeded to a place called the Deserted Camp, on Todd's permanent good to the country.


Fork of the Little Miami. At this point


pect of fame, and with more real and'


The party continued to survey up they commenced surveying, and con- Cæsar's creek, nearly to where its waters tinued till they surveyed large bodies of interlock with the waters of Paint creek. land. They then passed up Massie's Late one evening they came upon the creek and Cæsar's creek nearly to their tracks of Indians in the snow. Some of the men were dispatched to search out the Indian encampment, while others were sent to collect in the assistant sur- veyors and their companies in order to heads. By the time the party had pro- gressed thus far winter had set in, and the ground was covered with a sheet of snow from six to ten inches deep. Dur- ing the tour, which continued upwards have the whole force in a body, that they of thirty days, they had no bread. For might be prepared either for attack or the first two weeks a pint of flour was distributed to each mess once a day to mix with the soup in which the meat had been boiled. When night came


defense as circumstances might direct. About sun down the force was all collect- ed, and in a few minutes the two men returned who had been sent to discover four fires were made for cooking. Around the Indian encampment. They reported these fires, until sleeping time arrived, that they had approached as near the the company spent their time in the Indian camp as they could with safety, most social manner, singing songs and and that it consisted of eight or ten tents, telling stories. When danger was not and that from the noise about the en- apparent or immediate, McDonald, who


campment they had no doubt but that was one of them, says they were as there was a large number of the Indians.


merry a set of fellows as ever assembled. Gen. When bed-time arrived Massie always that


Massie therefore concluded


it would be too hazardous to attack them while the snow was on


gave the signal, and the whole party would then leave their comfortable fires, the ground, believing it would endanger carrying with them their blankets, their the whole party if they should be com- pelled to retreat, encumbered with their wounded. He therefore resolved to quit surveying, and make a rapid retreat to his own station, not doubting but that he would be pursued, as the Indians would find no difficulty in tracking them formed for home, and they traveled with night, when they halted and remained till morning, when they again resumed their march in a southern direction. About twelve o'clock they came to a fresh trail, which was made by four horses and eight or ten footmen. This trail crossed diagonally, and was again feet extending to about the middle of struck upon after traveling a few miles. fire-arms and their little baggage, and walking in perfect silence two or three hundred yards from their fires, they would stop, scrape away the snow, and huddle down together for the night. Each mess forming one bed; they would spread down on the ground one-half of the in the snow. The line of march was blankets, reserving the other half for covering. The covering blankets were all speed till about eleven o'clock at fastened together by skewers to prevent them from slipping apart Thus prepar- ed the whole mess crouched together, with their rifles in their arms, and their shot-pouclies under their heads for pil- lows, lying spoon-fashion, with three heads one way and four the other, their their bodies. When one turned the After a consultation with some of the whole mess turned, or else the close most experienced of his party, Massie range would be broken and the cold let concluded the Indians whose trail had in. In this way they lay till broad day- been crossed knew nothing of them, light; no noise and scarce a whisper and determined to follow them as long being uttered during the night. When as they kept the direction in which they were then going. The pursuit of the it was perfectly light Massie would call up two of them in whom he had the Indians was kept up as fast as the men most confidence, and send them to re- could walk until dark, without overtak- connoitre, and make a circuit around the ing them. The party then halted to encampment left the night before, lest consult as to their future operations.


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


In a few minutes the Indians were heard the next in the line would move on, step- at work with their tomahawks, cutting ping carefully in the tracks of the man who had preceded him, so as to avoid the noise made by breaking the crust of the snow. In this cautious and silent manner they crept within twenty-five yards of the Indian encampment. The Indians had not yet laid down to rest, but were singing and amusing themselves around their fires, never dreaming of danger in their own country in the middle of winter. The surveyors crept on until within a few rods of the camp, and fired upon the unsuspecting Indians, who fled, leaving arms and everything, tempt was made to pursue them. Their camp was plundered of horses, arms, &c., making altogether considerable booty. The party now resumed their march with all speed on the Indian ponies, and traveled night and day till they reached Manchester. They afterwards learned that they were closely pursued by Indians to within a few miles of home. wood and tent poles, within a few hun- dred yards of the place where the party of surveyors had halted. It was put to vote whether the Indian camp should be attacked immediately, or the attack be postponed till day-light. A majority were in favor of the latter. Two or three men were sent to reconnoitre the Indian encampment and bring away their borses. This was successfully done, and the party made preparations to lay by for the night. But Massie finally in- duced the party to make the attack about two hours after dark. The day had. but not one of them was killed. No at- been warm and melted the snow, which was eight inches deep, and quite soft on the top. At night it began to freeze rapidly. and by this time there was a hard crust on the surface. The men were formed in a line, in single file, with their wiping sticks in their hands to steady themselves when walking. They then commenced moving towards the Indian camp, the foremost man walking about twenty steps and halting, then


CHAPTER VII.


HARDSHIPS AND PRIVATIONS SUFFERED BY THE SURVEYORS-SIMON KENTON MAKES THE FIRST LOCATION IN HIGHILAND-EARLY ADVENTURES ABOUT MANCHESTER-THE CAPTURE OF ANDREW ELLISON-EXCITING RACE OF . JOHN EDGINGTON-WAYNE'S VICTORY AND THE PEACE FOLLOWING-THE LAST INDIAN BATTLE ON THE SCIOTO-WILLIAM ROGERS AND REV. ROBERT FINLEY.


(ARLY in March, 1795, Massie headed and a soft rain fell for a short thine. another surveying party and direct- Suddenly it became intensely cold, and ed his course to the waters of the a hard strong crust soon formed on the Scioto and Paint. The weather was fine snow. The snow was at least two feet when they left Manchester, and spring deep after settling, and the crust would seemed to have commenced in earnest. about bear half the weight of a man. They surveyed on the head waters of The turkeys and other small game could Brushcreek, and passed on from there to run on the crust of the snow, but the the Rocky Fork of Paint, thence to the hunters could not pursue, and as the Rattlesnake Fork. They then crossed party had no provisions with them, the main Paint and passed up Buckskin and doleful prospect of death by starvation across to "the old town" on the North stared them in the face.


Fork of Paint. While surveying in this The prudence heretofore exercised of section of country the weather became sleeping away from their fires was now cloudy, and snow began to fall. The disregarded. They lay around their tires snow continued to fall and drift for two day and night earnestly praying for a days and nights, and when it ceased the change in the weather. Some of the ground was covered between two and strongest and most intrepid of the men three feet deep. About the time it ceas- several times made ineffectual efforts to Ned snowing the weather became warm kill game. Among these hunters was


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OIIIO.


Duncan McArthur, then a chainman, very first made in the District. This afterwards Governor of Ohio, and Win. entry was on the Rocky Fork, three Leedom. On the third day of the storm miles south-east of Hillsboro, and has they killed two turkeys. They were acquired considerable celebrity from the boiled and divided into twenty-eight long and spirited litigation to which it. parts, one for each man, but this little gave rise. It was a five hundred acre food seemed only to sharpen their ap- entry made on four Military warrants in petites. The fourth morning after the the name of Samuel Gibson. From the snow-fall, the party turned their faces settlement at Chillicothe in 1796, the homeward. The strongest and most lands of the present county of Highland hardy of 'the men were placed in front were rapidly taken up. Robert Todd, a to break through the snow. This most deputy under Col. R. C. Anderson, was fatiguing work was necessarily perform- an early surveyor in the county, also ed alternately by the strongest and most John Beasley, Henry Massie, brother of spirited of the party. They thus pro- Gen. Massie, Gen. McArthur and Jo. Carr.


ceeded on their heavy and disconsolate march the whole day, and at night reached the mouth of Rattlesnake, a


An ordinance for the government of the territory north-west of the river Ohio distance of only ten miles. The next passed Congress on the 13th of July, 1787, day the sun shone through the clouds and Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed for the first time since the commence- Governor, Winthrop Sergeant, Secretary, ment of the storm, which greatly lessen- and Samuel H. Parsons, John M. Varnum ed the labor of the march. The hunters and John Clives Simmes, Judges. The now killed several turkeys, which were Territorial Government was organized cooked and equally divided among the during the summer of 1788, and some inen. That night the party lay by their necessary laws adopted by the Governor fires without any sentinels, and as the and Judges, and shortly afterwards the night was warm the snow melted con- county of Washington, the first in the siderably. Early the next most of the party turned out to hunt, and killed a number of turkeys, some deer and bear. When these were brought into camp a feast commenced, which was enjoyed with a zest and relish which none can properly appreciate who have not been similarly situated.


morning Territory, having its limits extending west to the Scioto river and north to Lake Erie, and embracing nearly one-half of the surface within the present limits of the State of Ohio, was established by proclamation of the Governor. Hamil- ton county was the next. It was estab- lished by proclamation on the 2d of Jan- The hardships and privations of this uary, 1790. At this period there was no expedition are spoken of by McDonald, fixed seat of Government. The laws to whom we are indebted for the facts were passed whenever they seemed to above recorded, as the most trying to the be needed, and promulgated at any place firmness, resolution and fortitude of man where the Governor and Judges happen- ed to be assembled. The Judges appoint- ed by the National Executive constitut- ed the Supreme Court of the Territory. Inferior to this court were the County Courts of Common Pleas and the Gener- al Quarter Sessions of the peace. Single he ever witnessed. Twenty-eight men exposed to the horrors of a terrible snow storm in the wilderness, without tent, hut or covering, and what was still more appalling, without provisions, without any road or even a blazed route on which to retreat, and nearly one hundred miles judges of the Common Pleas and single from aid or place of shelter, is truly a justices of the Quarter Session were also clothed with certain civil and criminal situation little short of the worst, and


can hardly be appreciated by the people powers to be exercised out of court. The of the present time, who now inhabit general court was fixed at Cincinnati and this county, sheltered from the storm and Marietta. In 1795 the Governor and cold in comfortable and elegant mansions. Judges assembled at Cincinnati and con-


The storm being past, fine weather and tinued in session two months, revising plenty ensued, and the party again went the laws of the Territory, and adopting cheerfully to work till the purpose of the additional laws from the statues of the expedition was accomplished, when they old States.


all returned to Manchester.


The Northwestern Territory early at-


The lands in that part of the Virginia tracted the attention of persons of the Military District, known as Highland old States contemplating a removal to county, were not entered and surveyed the West, and its merits, when known, . as early as some other parts of it. There placed it in successful rivalry with Ken- was, however, one entry made in it by tucky. But even after the organization Simon Kenton as early as September 7th, of the Territorial Government under the 1791, which doubtless was among the act of Congress, and the establishment of


2,


A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


the military posts at the mouth of the generously ransomed by a British officer Muskingum and Fort Washington, emi- for one hundred dollars, who sent him gration was still held in check by the de- to Montreal, from whence he returned termined hostility of the Indians, and its home before the close of the summer. main current continued to flow into the rich country on the south and more se- cure bank of the river. About seven years elapsed after the first permanent settlement in the Territory before the country was entirely free from the dan- gers and alarms incident to savage hostil- ity, and during much of this period the Indians were constantly on the alert, and many sanguinary battles were fought be- tween them and the resolute pioneers on what is now the soil of Ohio. Their predatory bands were untiringly travers- ing the woods in the vicinity of the torti- fied settlements on the river banks, and picking off unwary stragglers and hunt- ers, or seizing a favorable opportunity, at an unguarded moment, and boldly assail- ing the stockade itself.


Another incident connected with this period and the Manchester settlement is equally characteristic of the pioneer days on the southern border of the present State of Ohio. John Edgington, Asahel Edgington and another started out on a hunting expedition towards Brushcreek, and camped out in the woods, between where West Union and Fairfax now stand. The Edgingtons had good success in hunting, having killed a number of deer and bear. Of the deer killed, they saved the skins and hams only. The bears they fleeced, by cutting off all the meat which adhered to the hide without skinning, and leaving the bones. They hung up the proceeds of their hunt on a scaffold, out of the reach of the wolves and other animals, and re- turned home for pack horses. The two Edgingtous went back to the camp alone.


In the spring of 1793, says McDonald, the settlers of Manchester commenced drew Ellison, one of the settlers, cleared a lot immediately adjoining the fort.


clearing the out lots of the town. An- It was late in December, and they ap- prehended no danger, as the winter season was usually a season of repose He had completed the cutting of the from Indian incursions. When they ar- timber, rolled the logs and set the heaps rived at the camp they alighted from their horses and were preparing to strike a fire, when they were fired upon by an on fire. The next morning, just about daybreak, he opened one of the gates of the fort and went out to throw his logs ambuscade of Indians, not more than together. By the time he had finished twenty steps distant. Asahel Edgington this a number of the heaps blazed up fell dead, but Jolm was more fortunate. brightly, and, as he was passing from The sharp crack of the rifles, and fright- one to the other, he observed, by the ful yells of the savages as they leaped light of the fires, three men walking from their place of concealment scared briskly towards him. This, however, did the horses, and they took the track not alarm him, although he perceived towards home at full speed. John Edg. they were dark skinned fellows, for it at ington was very active on foot, and the once occured to him that they were the occasion required his utmost speed. The Wades, whose complexions were very moment the Indians leaped from their dark, going out for an early hunt. So hiding place they threw down their guns he continued to right up his log-heaps, until one of the fellows seized him by the arms, and called out in broken Eng-


and gave chase. They pursued him, screaming and yelling in the most savage manner. For near a mile the Indians lish "How do ? how do ?" when to his stepped in his tracks before the bended surprise and horror he became conscious grass could rise, and the uplifted toma- that he was in the clutches of three hawk was frequently so near his head Indians. He therefore submitted to his that he fancied he actually felt its edge. fate without any resistance or attempt Every effort was made by him for life, to escape.


and every exertion by the Indians to ar-


The Indians quickly and quietly mov- rest him in his flight. But Edgington, ed off' with him in the direction of Main who had the greatest stake in the race, Paint. When his absence was discover- at length began to gain on his pursuers, ed Massie started with a party in pursuit. and finally, after a long race, he distanc- They followed on to Paint Creek, when ed them, made his escape, and safely they found the Indians had gone north, reached home.


Immediately after the disastrous de- had no hope of overtaking them, they fent of St. Clair, President Washington urged forward the vigorous prosecution of the war for the protection of the


and so far in advance of them that they therefore abandoned the pursuit and re- turned to the station. The Indians took their prisoner to Upper Sandusky, com- North-western Territory, but various pelled him to run the gauntlet, &e. They obstacles retarded the enlistment and then took him to Detroit, where he was organization of a new army till the spring


A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


The Ore. finally amabled at melancholy duty was performed, a forti- fr .. v., in whati now Parke county, fication was built and named Fort Re- covery, in commemoration of its being recovered from the Indians, who had possession of the ground in 1791.


To: : conto ind of Gien. Anthony For, a lold and experienced officer rt HaHaNon. His forces consisted "! !! two thousand regular troops During the summer of '95, owing to the strong probability of peace with the Indians, a decided inclination to emi- grate to Ohio manifested itself in Ken- and die en hundred mounted volunteers from) Kentucky. Wayne had arrived on the ground with a part of his forces the previous- December, and built a strong tucky. Three years previous a consti- fort which he named Fort Greenville. tution had been framed for that State, The Indians had collected their entire .on which it was received into the Union, force amounting to about two thousand June 1st, 1792, which tolerated slavery. men at the foot of the rapids of the This caused many to prepare for emi- Maumee river. On the 28th of July, gration as soon as it could be done with Wayne marched his army to meet the safety, to where slavery would probably never be authorized. Accordingly, many cabins were raised along the northern bank of the Ohio and Brush and Eagle Creeks, and the fertility of the soil on Paint Creek, and throughout the Scioto Valley, began to attract attention. As Gen. Massie had, some years before, entered and surveyed the land in that section, and was the owner of large tracts, he determined, at all hazards, to attempt a settlement at some point in the Scioto Valley. For the purpose of attracting settlers, he published a notice of his in- tention to lay off a town, and offered as an inducement to the first hundred set- tlers, a donation of lots, provided they would build cabins on them, or other- wise become permanent settlers in the vicinity. A party was soon formed to explore the country, and select the site of the town. enemy, and encountered them on the 20th of August. After a short and dead- ly conflict, the Indians fled in the great- est confusion. After destroying their houses and corn fields, the victorious army returned to the mouth of Auglaize, where Wayne erected Fort Defiance. Previous to this action, .various fruitless attempts had been made to bring the Indians to peace, and some of the mes- senger's sent among them for that pur- pose had been murdered. This victory did not, however, at first bring the sav- ages to submission. Their country was laid waste, and forts erected in the heart of their territory before they could be entirely subdued. At length they be- came thoroughly convinced of their in- ability to resist the American arnis, and sued for peace. A grand council was held at Fort Greenville, in which eleven of the most powerful North-western While Wayne was in treaty with the Indians, the party, composed of forty or fifty men, set out from Manchester. tribes were represented, to whom Gen. Wayne dictated the terms of the treaty, which was finally concluded on the 3d of In this party was the Rev. Robert Fin- August, 1795. Thirteen hundred Indians ley, William. Rogers, father of Col. Thomas Rogers, of Greenfield, in the present county of Highland, and Amos Evans, long a resident on Clear Creek, in the vicinity of the present town of Hillsboro. were present, and the basis of the treaty was the permanent cessation of hostili- ties and the restoration of all prisoners. Boundaries were fixed between the ter- ritory allowed the Indians and the lands of the United States, and thus one of the chief causes of strife between the sons of the forest and the adventurous pioneer and hunter was removed. When Wayne arrived at the site of Fort Greenville, in the winter of '93, he sent a detachment horses.




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