USA > Ohio > Allen County > A standard history of Allen county, Ohio : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development > Part 14
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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
The public career of Governor St. Clair ended most ignominiously. The rest of his life was embittered by unrelenting persecution. He was reduced to direst poverty by the failure of Congress to return to him money advanced during times of need while he was in the nation's serv- ice. He undoubtedly erred grievously in the administration of his great office, his judgment was frequently erroneous, perhaps he was not equal to the demands made upon him, but he was undoubtedly conscientious in what he did. His fidelity and devotion to Washington were most praiseworthy.
At the beginning of statehood the number of white settlers resident in the Maumee region was very small. A few traders and settlers had established themselves near the watercourses, but Northwestern Ohio had no representation in the government until after the organization of counties in April, 1820. Previous to this it was included in two or three counties at different times. Wayne County disappeared with the territory. Immediately following statehood it became a part of Hamil- ton County, but that unit exercised little jurisdiction, if any, over the settlers because it was still Indian territory. Following statehood the population of the state, and the southern half in particular, increased very rapidly. In 1810 the enumeration approached a quarter of a mil- lion. In the northern part even Cleveland, the most important settle- ment, was a very small place.
Following the decisive defeat of the Indians at Fallen Timbers, and the Treaty of Greenville closely following, the Indians remained in comparative quiet for several years, seemingly being satisfied with the annuities paid to them by the United States Government. For several years a number of forts were maintained in the Maumee Valley. There were Fort Defiance, Fort Adams, Fort Recovery, Fort Loramie, and Fort Head of the Auglaize, each of which were garrisoned by small bodies of troops, in order to hold the aborigines in check. Fort Miami was evacuated by the British, in 1796, and turned over to Colonel Ham-
89
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
tramck, but a garrison was not maintained there for long. The report of Hamtramck is as follows:
"Sir :- On the 7th instant two small vessels arrived from Detroit in which I sent a detachment of artillery and infantry consisting of sixty-five men, together with a number of cannon with ammunition, &c., the whole command of Captain (Moses) Porter. On the 9th a sloop arrived from Detroit at Swan Creek, purchased by Captain Henry De Butts, which carries fifty tons, and which is now loaded with flour, quar- ter-master's stores and troops. That, together with eleven batteaux which I have, will be sufficient to take all the troops I have with me, leaving the remainder of our stores deposited at this place, which was evacuated (by the British) on this day, and where I have left Captain Marschalk and Lieutenant Shauklin with fifty-two men, infantry, and a corporal and six of artillery, that is, including the garrison at the head of the Rapids (Roche de Bout ?). I have endowed Fort Miami with one month's pro- vision for both the troops and the Shawnees. The latter, you recollect, you promised subsistence until the crops were ripe. The number of Shawnees is about one hundred and eighty, besides twenty-six or thirty Ottawas. I shall embark in two hours, with all the troops for Detroit."
Almost at the beginning of the nineteenth century a stockade fort was built at the confluence of Swan Creek and the Maumee River. The exact year is not known, but it was not later than 1804. Fort Industry was placed in charge of Capt. J. Rhea. The remains of this fortifica- tion were not entirely obliterated as late as 1836. Many early settlers had distinct recollections of this fort, which, in the natural features of the country, occupied a prominent position on the bluff, on the site near the south side of Summit between Jefferson and Monroe streets in Toledo. In 1805, a treaty was held with the Indians at Fort Industry. At this conference, there were present chiefs and warriors of the Wyandots, Ottawa, Chippewa, Delaware, Shawnee, Pottawatomie and Seneca tribes. By the treaty made here another adjustment of the land question was made with the natives upon the payment of certain sums of money to them. None of the territory of Northwestern Ohio was included, but the Indians ceded all of their claims to the Western Reserve and the Firelands.
The next most important treaty with the Indians was effected at Detroit on the 17th of November, 1807. The Chippewas, Ottawas, Pot- tawatomies and Wyandots here quit claimed to the United States all their claims to the country north of the middle of the Maumee River, from its mouth to the mouth of the Auglaize, and thence extending north as far as Lake Huron. For this territory they received ten thousand dollars in money and goods, and an annuity of twenty-four hundred dollars. Certain tracts of land were also reserved for the exclusive . use of the Indians. These reservations within this territory were six miles square on the north bank of the Maumee, above Roche de Boeuf, "to include the village where Tondagame, or the Dog, now lives." Another reservation of three miles square included what is known as Presque Isle, and still another of "four miles square on the Miami ( Maumee) Bay including the villages where Meskemau and Waugau now live." It was furthermore provided that in the event the reservations could not be conveniently laid out in squares, they should be surveyed in parallelo- grams or other figures found most practicable to obtain that are specified in miles.
By a treaty with the Indians at Brownstown, Michigan, in 1808, a road one hundred and twenty feet in width was reserved to connect the fort at the Maumee Rapids with the line of the Connecticut Reserve, which is the old and much traveled road now running from Perrysburg
90
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
to Fremont, then called Lower Sandusky. It also provided for a tract of land, for a road only, of one hundred and twenty feet in width to run southwardly from what is called Lower Sandusky to the boundary line established by the Treaty of Greenville, with the privilege of taking, at all times, such timber and other materials from the adjacent lands as may be necessary for making and keeping in repair the said road,
with the bridges that may be required along the same." * * * No compensation was given the aborigines in money or merchandise for these roadways, as they were both desirable and beneficial to the Indians as well as to the United States, reads a clause on the cession. Congress failed to construct the east and west road, but eventually ceded its right to the State. The contract was finally let in 1824, and the road was com- pleted in 1826. For years it was the main thoroughfare over which thousands passed in their search for a western paradise. Many of the early settlers of Allen and Fulton counties reached their destinations by this thoroughfare. In his search for a land flowing with milk and honey, the pioneer certainly was obliged to undergo torture in crossing this "black swamp" country. On the desert a traveler can stop almost anywhere and pitch his tent, but here, in certain seasons, the travelers were wading all day in mud and water, and could with difficulty find a dry place where they might rest their weary limbs. On this route, however, there was a tavern for about each mile of road between Per- rysburg and Lower Sandusky. The right to mud holes was recognized. A young man started with a wagon and a team of mules for Michigan, with one hundred dollars in his pocket. He became mired so often, and was obliged to pay one dollar so frequently to people living near the mud holes to extricate him from his difficulties, that his money was exhausted long before his journey had ended. Not discouraged in the least, this traveler decided that the place to find what you have lost is right where you have lost it. He accordingly located near a mud hole and remained there until he had earned his hundred dollars back. Such a good finan- cier must certainly have accumulated a fortune in his later years. He certainly exhibited signs of financial genius.
General Harrison, writing to the War Department, says: "An idea can scarcely be formed of the difficulties with which land transportation is effected north of the 40th degree of latitude (including our section), in this country. The country beyond that is almost a continual swamp to the Lake. Where streams run favorable to your course a small strip of better ground is generally found, but in crossing from one river to another the greater part of the way at this season is covered with water. Such is actually the situation of that space between the Sandusky and the Miami Rapids, and from the best information that I could acquire the road over it must be causewayed at least one-half of the way."
Shortly after the opening of the nineteenth century, reports of many kinds concerning the activities of Tecumseh commenced to reach the officials in the Northwestern Territory. This chief aimed to repeat the history of Pontiac, excepting that his conspiracy was directed against the Americans instead of the British. His reputed brother, Elkswatawa, generally known as the Prophet, had gained something of notoriety as a sorcerer. He began to relate stories of his dreams and visions, which he claimed were inspired by the Great Spirit, and these greatly aroused the aborigines. Tecumseh aimed to unite his followers with the British, in an effort to drive the Americans from this territory. All efforts to pacify him failed.
Tecumseh was a son of a Shawnee chieftain. He was born in the Shawnee village of Piqua, on the banks of the Mad River, in 1768. The
91
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
name signifies "one who passes across intervening space from one point to another," and this well expressed his extraordinary career. He ever evinced a burning hostility to the Americans. He refused to attend the council at Greenville. He likewise declined to attach his name to that treaty and never ceased to denounce it. It was about that time that he and his followers removed to the White River, in Indiana, but he con- tinued in close relation with all the tribes of Northwest Ohio. At sev- eral councils with the Americans, Tecumseh exhibited the remarkable power of oratory for which he became noted. His brother likewise
TECUMSEH
began to come into prominence among the Indians, among whom he was known as the "Loud Voice." During the course of his revelations he said that the Great Spirit directed the Indians to cast off the debasing influence of the whites and return to the customs of their fathers. His audience numbered thousands, and many were recalled to the neglected and almost forgotten practices of their fathers. The Prophet's Town, as it was called, on the bank of the Tippecanoe, was visited by thousands of savages, who were roused to the highest pitch of fanaticism. The two brothers wandered from the everglades of Florida to the headwaters of the Mississippi and in words of greatest eloquence impressed upon the natives the necessity of united action against the pale faced intruders. In 1810 General Harrison summoned Tecumseh and his followers to Vincennes. Tecumseh rose to the highest pitch of eloquence, as he set forth the wrongs of the red men. In the War of 1812 which followed a short time afterwards, Tecumseh allied himself with the British. With
92
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
his death vanished the hopes of the aborigines ever to regain their lost hunting grounds in Northwestern Ohio.
Bodies of savages were continually passing to and from Malden, the British headquarters after the evacuation of Detroit, and they always returned liberally provided with rifles, powder, and lead. One savage was found to have been given an elegant rifle, twenty-five pounds of powder, fifty pounds of lead, three blankets and ten shirts, besides quan- tities of clothing and other articles. The British agent addressed a Miami chief to whom he had made a present of goods, as follows: "My son, keep your eyes fixed on me; my tomahawk is now up ; be you ready, but do not strike until I give the signal." Capt. John Johnson, agent of the Fort Wayne Trading Post, wrote that "since writing you on the 25th ultimo, about one hundred Sawkeys (Sacs) have returned from the British agent who supplied them liberally with everything they stood in want of. The party received forty-seven rifles and a number of fusils (flintlock muskets) with plenty of powder and lead. This is sending firebrands into the Mississippi country inasmuch as it will draw numbers of our Aborigines to the British side in the hope of being treated with the same liberality."
William Henry Harrison, then governor of Indiana Territory, was not idle during this time. He instituted preparations for defense, and was visited by many of the leaders of the hostiles. Tecumseh himself came on a visit to Harrison at Fort Wayne, accompanied by several hundred followers. He intended some treachery, but the Americans were too alert.
Meetings of citizens were held at many places in 1811, and petitions for protection were forwarded to the national government. Governor Harrison was allowed additional troops, after which he advanced against the savages and won his great victory at the battle of Tippecanoe, during the absence of Tecumseh himself among the southern tribes. This defeat did not stop the depredations and isolated murders, so that the whole country was kept under the gravest apprehension. We do not have absolute record of many murders in Northwestern Ohio, although John Johnson reported that three Americans had been killed at Defiance. A committee of Congress reported to that body that the British had been working among the savages with the intention of securing them as allies against the Americans.
Of the movements of Tecumseh, William Wells wrote from Fort Wayne on the 1st of March, 1812: "In my letter of the 10th ultimo I informed you that the Indian chief Tecumseh had arrived on the Wabash. I have now to state to you that it appears he has determined to raise all the Indians he can, immediately, with the intention no doubt to attack our frontiers. He has sent runners to raise the Indians on the Illinois and the upper Mississippi; and I am told has gone himself to hurry on the aid he was promised by the Cherokees and Creeks. The Prophet's orator, who is considered the third man in this hostile band, passed within twelve miles of this place on the 23rd ultimo with eight Shawanese, eight Winnebagoes and seven Kickapoos, in all twenty-four, on their way as they say to Sandusky, where they expected to receive a quantity of powder and lead from their father the British."
It is possible that if a more vigorous policy had been undertaken, the succeeding war might have been less bloody in this section. Had more and stronger forts been erected and larger garrisons been installed, the marauding bands could have been arrested and imprisoned and many American lives saved. The trouble was that the authorities at Washing- ton could not be fully impressed with the threatening dangers, and when once convinced they were very slow to act.
CHAPTER IX
A YEAR OF DISASTERS
It was in the year 1812 that Ohio was first called upon to participate in war. Although disastrous in the beginning and bloody throughout . its continuance, it eventually brought distinguished honor to the com- monwealth. The state now boasted a population of a quarter of a mil- lion. Forty counties had been created by the Legislature. The lands in the Western Reserve and the Firelands were being rapidly sold by the land commissioners appointed by Connecticut. But the greater part of the population were living in Southern Ohio along the Ohio River or its larger tributaries.
That some settlers had established themselves along the Maumee is proved by the following from the "History of the Late War in the Western Country" by Robert B. McAfee: "Colonel Cass was sent with his regiment (June, 1812) to cut the remainder of the road to the Rapids * * * and in a few days encamped on the banks of the Miami of the Lake, opposite the battle ground of General Wayne, and in view of a small village at the foot of the rapids. Here the army was cheered with a view of civilized habitations, after a tedious march through a dreary wilderness ( from Urbana). Having delayed a day, they marched down through the village in regular order, and encamped just below the ruins of the old British Fort Miami." With the exception of some people living at Fort Wayne, this was probably the only settlement of Americans along the Maumee, although there may have been a few traders near the small stockades called forts.
The war clouds in the new republic, and especially in this western country, had been growing heavier year after year. Although a formal declaration of war was not issued until the 18th of June, 1812, Ohio's governor had issued a call for 1,200 volunteers in April. More volun- teers responded than could be accepted. "Citizens of the first respecta- bility enrolled themselves, and prepared for the dangers of the field, con- tending with each other who should first go into the service of their country." Thus wrote a contemporary. Duncan McArthur, James Find- ley and Lewis Cass were elected colonels by their respective regiments.
The ostensible reason given for the war was the interference with American trade and the impressing of American seamen into the British service. But one of the strongest moving causes was the encouragement given the savages in their attacks upon the Americans, and the main- tenance of fortified posts upon American soil. This has been called the real war for independence to distinguish it from the first war which was the Revolution. In the three decades succeeding Yorktown overt and hostile actions had at no time wholly ceased. The necessity of such operations as should wrest from the enemy the command of the upper lakes and the northwest frontier at once became apparent and was promptly acted upon. From every American living within that territory came urgent appeals for protection. It was not fear of the British enemies that actuated them, but dread of the outrages of their savage allies.
By reason of her location on the exposed frontier the young state of Ohio was placed in a most trying situation. The war was destined to be fought largely within or adjacent to her boundaries, and especially in Northwesten Ohio. Circumstances demanded of her the very best
93
94
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
both in men and money. In no respect did she fail, and Ohio did more than her full share in this second conflict with Great Britain, generally known as the War of 1812. It was indeed fortunate that such a vigorous and able man as Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., occupied the gubernatorial chair at this period. He was one of the type of men who did so much to lay the foundations of the state. He had had some military experience, and was a man of unusually strong executive power. In his promptness and effectiveness in enrolling troops he was not equaled by the governor of any other state.
It so happened that William Hull, a superannuated relic of revolu- tionary days, was territorial governor of the Northwest, with headquar- ters in Detroit. He found favor with the Secretary of War in the cabinet of President Madison and was appointed brigadier-general and com- mander of the western department. Protests were without avail. It was said that he was too old, too broken down in body and mind to conduct such a rigorous campaign. Furthermore, the people resident there had no confidence in him, and the Indians were said to despise him. "On the very same day it passed the Senate," says a report, "the poor, weak, vain old man was seen in full dress uniform, parading the streets of Washington, making calls." A little later, General Hull arrived at Dayton, the place of rendezvous, and assumed command of the volun- teer army assembled there. Governor Meigs congratulated the men on the fact that they were to serve under a distinguished officer of the Revolutionary war, and one who was especially fitted both by training and experience to conduct successfully just such a campaign as they were about to enter upon. It was a fact that General Hull had won honors at Stony Point. He addressed his troops as follows: "In marching through a wilderness memorable for savage barbarity, you will remember the causes by which that barbarity have been heretofore excited. In viewing the ground stained by the blood of your fellow-citizens, it will be impossible to suppress the feelings of indignation. Passing by the ruins of a fortress, erected in our territory by a foreign nation in times of peace, and for the express purpose of exciting the savages to hostility, and supplying them with the means of conducting a barbarous war, must remind you of that system of oppression and injustice which that nation has continually practiced, and which the spirit of an indignant people can no longer endure."
The army of General Hull moved northward on June 1st, to Urbana, where it was joined by another regiment of regulars under Lieutenant Colonel Miller, a veteran of Tippecanoe. The army now numbered about nineteen hundred men. A council was held with a number of Shawnee, Delaware and Wyandot chiefs to secure their permission to march through their country. This was readily granted and they were promised every possible assistance. It was the intention and desire of General Hull to proceed to Detroit as directly as practicable. He seemed to doubt that war between the United States and Great Britain would follow. The course of the army led through an almost trackless forest and impassable swamp until it reached the Maumee River. Ague chills shook the sturdy frames of the pioneer soldiers. Danger lurked by the river bank and on the trail everywhere. Progress was extremely slow. One regiment was detailed to cut a road through the woods and to build blockhouses which should be used as deposit stations and to protect the line of communica- tions.
In obedience to orders a road was carved out of the primeval wilder- ness from Urbana to the Scioto River, and there were built two block- houses connected by palisades, which later received the name of Fort
95
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
McArthur after the colonel. The site was about three miles southwest of Kenton. The fort enclosed about half an acre. One of the block- houses was in the northwest and the other at the southeast angle. A part of the pickets were of split timber and lapped at the edges; others were of round logs set up end ways and touching each other. The rows of huts for the garrison were placed a few feet from the walls. It was a post of danger, and must have been an exceedingly dreary spot. Not a vestige of the fort now remains, but the graves of sixteen of the garri- son are adjoining. The road cut by this army, and generally known as Hull's Trail, was for many years the principal highway from Belle- fontaine to Detroit.
When the main army arrived at Fort McArthur, "Colonel Findlay was ordered to proceed with his regiment and cut the road as far as Blanchard's fork of the Auglaize * * the whole army followed, except a part of Captain Dill's company, which was left to keep the fort and take care of the sick. It now rained for several days excessively, so as to render the road almost impassable for wagons. After marching only 16 miles, the army halted again, in the midst of a swampy country, in which the water courses, both of the Ohio and the lakes, have their sources. A blockhouse was erected here, which was honored with the name of Fort Necessity. The mud was deep, and from every appearance the whole army was likely to stick in the swamps." Thus writes McAfee. This fort was situated near the south line of Hancock County. Here word was brought by Robert Lucas (afterwards governor) and William Denny of increased activity among the British and Indians and that their alliance had a threatening attitude. General Lucas had been present at a number of councils with the Indians and was well informed upon their attitude. Although war had been declared at this time, it was sev- eral days afterwards before the news reached the army. After a few days' delay the army advanced, and in a three days' march arrived at the Blanchard River. Here an advance detachment had already nearly com- pleted another palisade enclosure, 150 feet square, with a blockhouse at each corner. General Hull bestowed the name of Fort Findlay upon this fort. The site was within the present city of Findlay, and only a few squares north of the courthouse. Its service was that of a resting place and temporary storage of supplies. It was abandoned late in 1814.
Col. Lewis Cass was directed to take his troops and prepare the road north to the Maumee. In order to move rapidly much of the heavy luggage was stored at Fort Findlay. After a few days' march the army arrived at the Maumee, opposite to the field where was fought the Bat- tle of Fallen Timbers. Fording the rapids the next encampment was near Fort Miami. So absolutely imbecillic was General Hull that when he arrived at the Maumee, in the latter part of June, he decided to send his baggage, stores, and sick by vessel to Detroit. He was warned against this, but stubbornly refused to heed the advice. He seemed to treat the probability of war as a joke. Hence it was that on the 1st of July, he embarked his disabled men and most of his impedimenta on board a packet which proceeded down the Maumee bound for Detroit. Thirty soldiers were detailed to guard the vessel. Another open boat was sent along in which were placed the sick. Complete muster rolls of every company in the brigade were deposited in a trunk which was put aboard the larger boat. It is almost needless to say that it was captured by a British gunboat when opposite Malden.
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.