A history of the early settlement of Highland County, Ohio, Part 9

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 9


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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


tracing long lines of light and shade up- on the irregular surface, presented a pic-


During the continuance of the exist- ture that none could fail to enjoy. As ence of civil jurisdiction by Adams an accompaniment, and to enforce the county over what is now Highland, consciousness of utter loneliness, the there were but two householders of the melancholy and spirit-like song of the European race resident within its pres- whipporwill arose at intervals, mingled ent limits. John Wilcoxon had the with the distant howl of the wolf, the honor of being the first settler on the hoot of the owl and the scream of the soil of the present county of Highland. panther. But when the early dawn ef- In the spring of 1795 he emigrated from faced the night scenes and hushed the Kentucky, crossing the river at Lime- sounds which had added to their pecu- stone, and boldly pushed out into the liar beauty, the aroused tenants of the (34)


--


1386714


A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO. 35


Lent were more than delighted with the residence. The luxury of a bed was at- music around them. The whole forest tained by gathering up leaves and dry. appeared alive with birds, and each one ing them in the sun, then putting them into a bed-tick, brought with them. For a bedstead, forks were driven into the ground, and sticks laid across, connect- ing with the walls of the cabin, on which was laid elm bark. On this was placed the tick filled with leaves, which in those days was considered a very com- fortable bed. Next, Mrs. Wilcoxon busied herself to plant some garden seeds which she had brought with her. This accomplished, and a chimney built something over six feet high, made of polls and mud, with backwalls and jambs of flat rock, and a rough clapboard door for the cabin, domestic comfort seemed to be complete, and the new home by the Big Spring was a joy to the simple; resolved to excel all the others in melo- dy and variety of song. The few and simple preparations for breakfast were soon over, and Wilcoxon, his wife, child and dog, sat down to their roast of fresh venison, with appetite, contentment and surroundings that the palace of no mon- arch on earth could rival. They did not then fear the Indians, as it was known that they had agreed to go into treaty with Wayne, and therefore hostilities, for the present, were not apprehended. But this genial weather and these fasci- nating scenes and sounds could not al- ways last. Several weeks had now been passed in this leisurely half hunting, half emigrating journey, and the cold rains of May commenced. The little honest hearts of the lonely settlers.


party were not entirely provided for this change, though a little exertion erected Time passed on. The small patch of corn and pumpkins grew finely and a bark camp under cover of which they promised an abundant yield, while in were enabled to keep dry. The rains the little garden at the end of the cabin continued several days and the time opposite the chimney flourished the passed gloomily enough. Hunting was gourd and the bean, the lettuce and po- disagreeable and provisions became tato. Around the door clustered the scarce in the camp. In addition to this morning-glory, and in a carefully pro- the horse, growing weary of his position tected nook by the wall grew the pink, in the cold, beating. rains, broke his hal- violet and other favorite garden flowers, ter and wandered off. As soon as the the seeds of which had been carefully storm abated Wilcoxon took his rifle and brought from Kentucky. These little dog and set out in pursuit of the horse. souvenirs seemed now, to the eyes of It was difficult to follow the track, owing Mrs. Wilcoxon, to be more beautiful to the effects of the rain, and, unfortun- than they were when she first learned to ately, the bell had been stopped with love them in the garden of her old home, leaves while the horse remained at the and they recalled to her mind many camp. He, however, made a thorough pleasant scenes of her girlhood days- bringing back and re-endearing to her lonely heart her little circle of distant search, and after several days found him and returned to camp. During this ex- cursion he discovered in a beautiful val- friends.


ley an unusually large and most remark-


Early one morning in July Wilcoxon able spring, which furnished a great started out with his axe on his shoulder abundance of most excellent water. and a large wooden pail in his hand, the Fancying this spring and the country result of his own skill as a rough cooper, around it, he determined to strike his to cut a bee-tree which he had discover- tent and go to it. He was also induced ed and marked a few days before in his to make the location permanent by the rambles. The tree stood some two miles necessity of having something for bread in a north-easterly direction from the for his family. When he arrived at the cabin. It was quite large and required spring, which is now known as Sinking considerable time to cut. He had fallen Spring, in Highland county, he went to it and gone with the pail to the part oc- work in earnest to make an improvement enpied by the bees, leaving his axe at and build a house. First he cleared off the stump. The honey appeared in great a small patch of ground and managed to abundance, and was but little damaged plant some seed corn he had brought by the falling of the tree. Large sheets with him from Kentucky. Next, he of beautiful white comb were taken out went to work with his axe and cut poles until the pail was filled and piled up to or small logs, such as he, aided by his the height of itself above the top, and wife, could manage to get up, and carried the supply not half exhausted. While and hauled with his horse to the spot vexed at the smallness of his vessel, and near the spring which he had selected


wishing it three times as large, he con- for his cabin. In the course of a few concluded to cat as much of the tempt- days it was so far completed as to serve ing and delicious comb as he could, and the purposes of the family for a summer accordingly fell to work with hands and


.


A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


mouth. He had been thus pleasantly cabin by the Big Spring, mnuch to his engaged but a short time, with the clear, own and his wife's joy. He was disturb- bright honey running down over his ed no more by Indians, or indeed by any chin and dripping from his hands and one else, for no human being seemed to armus to the elbows, utterly oblivious to be aware of the existence of his cabin all around him, when three Indians, who and corn patch, as none ever visited him. had been watching his movements for


.


In the fall he gathered quite a little pile some time from an adjoining thicket, of excellent corn, and made all necessary noiselessly slipped out, and approaching preparations for passing the winter, by him from behind, seized him by the daubing the cracks of his cabin on the arms, which they immediately bound, outside and lining the walls on the in- and thus put an end to his luxurious re- side with bear, deer and other skins. past. They had been attracted by the The long winter passed off pleasantly. sound of his axe, and reached the spot soon after the tree fell. After helping themselves to as much honey as they wanted, they carried the pail with its aid of his wife, manufacturing thein into contents to their encampment, three or four miles east. They manifested no


He hunted when the weather was suita- ble, and when it was not he remained in his cabin dressing skins and, with the'


clothing for himself and family, all of whom were dressed in skins of wild ani- disposition to hurt Wilcoxon, but took mals. Their bedding for the winter was him along as a prisoner. When they of the same material, as was not at all reached the camp he discovered them to unfrequent with the early settlers. They made hominy of the corn, which, when cooked in bear's grease, is said to be most delicious. be a war party composed of about twen- ty Shawnees, who, having refused to go into treaty along with the other North- western tribes with Wayne, had been on an expedition to the north-eastern part of Kentucky and were returning with some stolen' horses and considerable other plunder. The three who had so rudely intruded upon him and appropri- ated the proceeds of his morning's labor were out on a hunt. Shortly after their arrival at the camp the Indiams resumed their march, taking their prisoner with them. They took the direction of the separation from their fellow men, that they half reluctantly consented to abandon their little home in the wilder- ness and accompany them to Massie's settlement on the Scioto.


Early the following spring (1796) a small party of emigrants from Kentucky, going to join the settlers at what is now Chillicothe, accidentally took the route from the river which led them to Wil- coxon's improvement. These were his first visitors, and he entertained them . in true pioneer style while they chose to remain. He and his wife were so pleas- ed with their society after so long a


Indian towns on the North Fork of Paint, and apprehending no danger from pursuit, they traveled very leisure- ly, stopping frequently to hunt and amuse themselves. On the third day Early in the fall following the removal of Wilcoxon and his family, Timothy after the capture of Wilcoxon they struck Main Paint not far from where Marshon emigrated from Virginia, and Bainbridge now stands, and passing finding the vacant cabin of Wilcoxon, down the right bank of the creek to the settled down and occupied it for several point where the turnpike now crosses it, encamped for the night. They sent Braucher removed with his family from some hunters out in the morning, and after they returned, and had prepared


years. About the same time Frederick Virginia and settled about a half a mile north of the Sinking Spring, on the line and eaten breakfast, preparations were of Zane's trace, now known as the Zanes- made for resuming the journey, when, ville and Maysville road. Thus was greatly to the surprise of the Indians, commenced the first settlement in the who had taken no precautions, believ- present county of Highland, and these ing themselves entirely free from dan- two individuals, Marshon and Braucher, ger, they were suddenly fired upon. with their families, were the only inhab- Not knowing who the assailing party itants within its boundaries, who for was, nor its strength, the Indians inade about one year were subject to the civil a precipitate retreat across the creek, jurisdiction of Adams county.


leaving everything behind them except their guns. In the midst of the terror ยท and confusion Wilcoxon managed to es- cape. The attacking party was the same and the resolute pioneers while clearing mentioned in another chapter, under the and working their corn-patches, were command of Gen. Massie.


The ground on which every station was erected in the North-western Terri- tory, had heretofore been a battle ground,


guarded by armed sentinels, whose ut-


Wilcoxon arrived sound and well, only most vigilance failed to protect many minus his axe, pail and honey, at his from the unerring rifle of the enemy.


3.


A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


"Their steady perseverance had, how- kind but luminous in the annals of the ever, at last triumphed, and the red man, West. The time had come when the though "his soul is great-his arm strong hunter and warrior, clad in skins, was to give place to the tiller of the soil, and the camps in the wilderness to be sup- planted by the cabin and the cornfield. -his battles full of fame," was compell- ed to yield to the superior power of civ- ilization. His dominion over the broad lands of his fathers, though heroically battled for, had passed from him forever,


The settlement in and around Chilli- cothe was the first inade in peace west and he magnanimously buried the of the mountains. It grew very rapid- hatchet, so long stained with the white ly, and for some years was the point to which emigration was directed. The man's blood, and in harmony and unaf- fected friendship mingled with his an- town enlarged, and soon became a cient and triumphant enemy.


place of note and importance. New-


A large district of country having comers there found a temporary rest- been ceded to the United States by the ing place from the fatigues of the long and tedious journey through the wil- derness. They were also enabled to


wars by which these lands were acquired, regarded the country as of right belong-


Indians at the treaty of Greenville, the backwoodsmen, who had spent a great part of their lives in the front of the collect information in regard to the most eligible locations remaining un- appropriated, and to make their pur-


ing to the conquerors. With this view chases from the land proprietors. Chil- of their hard won rights, during the licothe thus became the point from winter of 1795-96, they poured into the which the settlements interior diverg- newly acquired territory by thousands, ed, and many of the early settlers of Highland had first located in the vicin- ity of Chillicothe. This place was also for about seven years the seat of jus- tice for all the inhabited part of what is now Highland county, and as such becomes connected, during that period. with our history. each determined to have the most ad- vantageous selection of land for a farm, on which to pass the evening of their days in peace and quiet. Parties of ex- plorers would sometimes meet with others on some inviting tract of first rate land, quarrels would ensue about priority of discovery and improvement, In Deceruber, 1796. old Robert Finley, having emancipated all his slaves in which frequently ended in battles, and sometimes in the death of some of the Kentucky, started twelve of them un- der charge of his son, J. B. Finley, for Chillicothe. They were mounted on


parties. Their improvements were what was called tomahawk improvements, but this pleasing dream of wealth, was of pack horses, loaded with bedding, cook- short duration. The veterans of the ing utensils, provisions, &c. Parts of woods soon discovered they had no three other families accompanied them favors to expect for conquering and de- with a drove of cows, sheep and hogs. fending the country. They were gen- After they crossed the Ohio River the weather became intensely cold, and there being no road but a path through the woods they were not able to travel more than eight or ten miles a day, and some days of storin they were compell- ed to lay by. After sixteen days of toil and suffering they reached their erally poor, did not understand farming for profit, and were entirely unacquaint- ed with trade and traffic. When, there- fore, peace came, they were far behind the times. The new emigrants who set- tled among them were, in all the arts which distinguish civilized life, greatly their superiors. The old backwoodsmen place of destination on the banks of the whose lives had been passed in hunting, Scioto below Chillicothe, where they built winter camps. Their bread was made of pounded hominy and corn meal, on which they lived, together with what they could find in the woods. Fortunately game was abundant, and they caught opossums by the score. The negroes enjoyed this kind of food and grew sleek and fat. In the spring the old man and the remainder of the family moved out, and as soon as they could erect a cabin all hands went to work and put in a crop of corn. It was necessary to fence the prairie. trapping and war, were strangers to the new order of things which a state of peace brought about, and they soon found themselves elbowed out of the ' way by the more wealthy and dextrous emigrants. Most of them abandoned the idea of becoming wealthy proprie- tors of the rich lands they had couquer- ed, and sought more congenial scones far away from the busy settlements, on the more remote frontier. The days of the original pioneer and Indian fighter had passed away, and with them the ne- cessity and importance of the leading spirits, whose heroism and endurance made them, not only beneficial to man-


In the fall they desired to sow some wheat, but there was no seed to be found in the whole valley. James and


38


A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


John Finley, therefore, set out with ment, it was disregarded by one of the their pack-horses for Kentucky to get traders, who was promptly subjected to wheat, which they procured, and car- the penalties, which effectually estab- ried in bags on their horses to their lished its supremacy.


new farm, camping out of nights, and Another instance of the early admin- istration of justice may be interesting. In the spring of 1797 one Brannon stole a greatcoat, handkerchief and taking care to find the largest log on which to unload their horses, so that they could reload in the morning with comparative ease. Thus these boys shirt, and immediately, in company tugged their way through the wilder- with his wife, fled. They were pursued ness with the first wheat sown on the and brought back. Preparations were waters of the Scioto. Previous to this made for a trial. A judge was ap- the inhabitants, after exhausting the pointed by the citizens, a jury empanel- corn meal which they brought with ed, and an attorney appointed by the them, were compelled to resort to the judge for the prisoner and one for the hominy morter for supplies, which, prosecution. Witnesses were examin- when made into bread and well anoint- ed, the case argued, and the evidence ed with bears oil, was quite palatable. summed up the judge. The jury retir- Wheat flour was entirely out of the ed for a few minutes, and returned question for some time, and the little with a verdict of guilty, and that the brought by the more thoughtful immi- culprit be sentenced according to the grants was most precious, and was discretion of the court. carefully saved for sickness.


The judge promptly pronounced sentence of ten


When the settlement was first made lashes on the naked back, or that the whisky was $1.50 per gallon, but in the criminal should sit on a bare pack- spring of 1797, when the keelboats be- gan to run, the distillers on the Monon- saddle on the back of his own pony and his wife-who was believed to have gahela rushed it to the new market in had some agency in the theft-should such quantities that the cabins were lead the pony to every house in the vil- crowded with it, and the price fell to lage and proclaim "This is Brannon, fifty cents per gallon. Men, women who stole the greatcoat, handkerchief and even children, it is said, drank and shirt," and that James B. Finley freely, and many became drunkards. should see the sentence faithfully exe- A considerable number of Wayne's sol- cuted. Brannon chose the latter, and diers and camp women settled in the "This is Brannon, who stole the great- town, so that for a time it became a coat, handkerchief and shirt!" was ill due form proclaimed at the door of every cabin in the village by his wife, he sitting on the bare pack-saddle on the pony, she holding the halter, and


town of drunkards. To all this may be added the almost constant presence of the Indians in their native costumes with their bundles of peltry trading for whisky, and yelling through the Finley present to enforce the execu- streets from its effects. These things tion of the sentence, with the entire population as spectators. called for the interposition of the more orderly and sober portion of the peo- ple, and a meeting was accordingly called to take the matter into consider- ation. This meeting was held under the shade of a large sycamore tree on the banks of the Scioto, and was large- ly attended. After mature delibera- tion and free discussion, it was resolved that all traders who sold spirits to In- dians, or in any way furnished them with intoxicating liquors, should be re-


In 1797 Governor St. Clair appointed Thomas Worthington, Hugh Cochran and Samuel Smith to be Justices of the Peace for the Chillicothe settlement. Smith transacted the principal part of the business, and his prompt and decis- ive manner rendered him very popular. His docket could be understood only by himself. Scarcely was a warrant ever issued by him, as he preferred al- ways to send his constable to bring the quired to keep all the. Indians made accused forthwith before him that jus- drunk by them in their own. store- tice might be administered. No law houses till they were sober, on penalty, book was of any authority with him, for the first offense, of being repri- and he always justified his own pro- manded by two persons appointed for their kegs or barrels of whisky were to ceedings by saying "All laws are in- the purpose, and on the second offense tended to secure justice, and I know what is right and what is wrong as be taken into the street and tomahawk- well as those who made the laws, and ed till all the contents were run out. therefore I stand in need of no laws to Thus appears the first legislation by govern my actions." The following is the people of Ohio. Notwithstanding one of his orally reported cases: Adam the importance attached to this enact- McMurdy cultivated some ground on


39


A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


the Station Prairie, below the town. execute this threat, for they were far One night during the plowing season more numerous than the whites. Some some one stole his horse collar. He of the inhabitants were for complying next morning examined the collars of but the majority were opposed to it. the plowmen then at work, and discov- After some considerable consultation ered his property in the possession of it was agreed to try another method. one of them, and claimed it. The man This was to buy the life of Thompson denied the theft, and used abusive and by presents to the relations of the de- threatening language. McMurdy went ceased, and promising to punish him to 'Squire Sinith and stated his case. according to law. This plan succeeded, The 'Squire dispatched his Constable and Thompson was placed under guard with striet orders to bring the thief of four men-they having no jail in and collar forthwith before him. The the place at that time. After some accused was immediately arraigned, two months he was permitted to make court being held in the open air under his escape, and one of the guards went


with him. The half brother of the de- ceased, not satisfied with the manner


the strade of a tree. A Mr. Spear was called as a witness, and, without being sworn, testified that "If the collar was in which the matter had been adjusted, McMurdy's he himself had written his determined to avenge the death of his name on the ear of the collar." The brother. He accordingly took with 'Squire turned up the ear and found him another Indian, and waylaying the name. "No better proof could be Zane's Trace, they found two young men traveling alone, whom they killed and robbed of their horses and effects,


given," said the 'Squire, and ordered the prisoner to be immediately tied up to a buckeye and to receive five lashes and so the trouble ended. well laid on, which sentence was im- mediately carried out.


In May, 1790, a Post-office was estab- lished at Chillicothe, and Joseph Titlin During the summer of 1799 an event ocenrred in Chillicothe very unfavor- able to the peace and safety of the peo- ple of the county. A Mr. Stoops, pre- paratory to opening a house of public appointed Post-master, and in 1801 Nathaniel Willis established the Scioto Gazette. In 1800) the seat of Govern- ment of the N. W. Territory was re- moved by law of Congress from Cin- entertainment, called together his cinnati to Chillicothe, and the first neighbors for the purpose of raising session of the Territorial Legislature his house a story higher. In the even- was held in a small two story hewed ing an Indian of the Wyandotte tribe, log house on the corner of Second and somewhat intoxicated, came into town Walnut streets. The same building was also used as a Church, a Court- room, a Singing School and Billiard Saloon. and behaved himself very rudely at the raising. He was reprimanded by a Mr. Thompson, who was a very athletic man. The Indian drew his Nearly all the first settlers in and knife, and, concealing the blade of it about Chillicothe, were either regular in his arm sleeve, watched his opportu- members or had been reared in the Presbyterian Church. This may be ac- nity to attack Thompson. A person who observed him, advised him to counted for in the fact that pretty leave for his camp, for if Thompson nearly all those who joined Massie's should find out that he had drawn his expedition to make -the settlement in knife he would kill him. The Indian the spring of '96 were members of the mounted his horse but refused to leave Cane Ridge Congregation, of Bourbon the place. Some one informed Thomp- county, Kentucky, under the curse of son of his danger, who immediately Robert W. Finley. Towards the fall seized a hand-spike, and strnek the of '97, the leaven of piety retained by a Indian on the head with great force. portion of these settlers began to The Indian fell from his horse, and diffuse itself through the mass, and a died that night from the effects of the large log meeting-house was elected. blow. His body was carried to the and the Rev. Mr. Speer, of Pennsyl- Indian encampment, and as soon as the vania, employed as pastor. The sleep- ers served as seats for the hearers and a split log table was used as a polpi :. Mr. Speer is described as a gentleman-




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.