USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Annals of the Early Settlers Association of Cuyahoga County, number I > Part 9
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JULY 22, 1881.
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EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
AN INTERESTING LETTER.
The following letter, from Charles Crosby, of Chicago, Ill , addressed to the President of the Association, was then read by Hon. John A. Foot:
Dear Sir: A copy of the annals of your Association (No. 1) having been sent to me with the request that I would con- tribute from the tablets of my memory some reminiscences of the "early times " in the history of Cuyahoga county, I have somewhat hesitatingly consented to do so.
I beg to say, in the first place, that I find myself very much in the situation of the clergyman who said: "I would like to say a few words before I begin," or like the man who said: "I will take a short nap before I go to sleep."
I premise, therefore, that my narrative will consist of a plain and unvarnished statement of events, incidents and an- ecdotes of "men and things," correlative to, and characteris- tic of, " the times that tried men's souls" during the period of your early history.
Some writer has truthfully said: " Acts make habits, hab- its make principles, and principles make destiny." With these principles in view, I desire to show that they were rightly understood and adopted, in permanently establishing the moral and religious habits of your "early settlers."
The result has proved the advantages of correct "early training," in the formation of the highly moral and cultured condition of society, which has always distinguished this region; in contradistinction to the vicious and criminal hab- its of reckless adventurers, always to be found in the first set- tlement of all new countries. In referring to individuals, I shall use their familiar and well-known cognomens, and aim to avoid giving occasion of offence which may cause hyper- criticism from any quarter. With these preliminaries, and invoking your kind indulgence, I begin my narrative.
I was born in Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, De-
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cember 11, 1801. My father's family consisted of himself, my mother and their four boys, ranging in ages from six to fif- teen years (only my brother, three years my junior, and myself now living). Having exchanged his landed property with Nehemiah Hubbard and Joshua Stow, large land-owners in the Connecticut Western Reserve, my father with his family, and a colony of five or six other families, left their "old home" on the 20th of May, 1811.
Their destination was "the far-off West," then regarded as almost beyond the bounds of civilization. The parting with relatives and friends (which to many was a final one), caused many a painful struggle. I must not omit to mention the parting benediction and prophetic words of my venerable and saintly grandmother, with whom I was a special favorite. Her eyes streaming with tears, she pressed me to her bosom, and in the affection and anguish of her loving heart, she com- mended me to the care of her covenant-keeping God, and with her hand stroking my head, she said, " The Indians will have your scalp." The protecting care thus invoked, I trust, saved me from the loss of my " scalp," but a thousand times has my grandmother's prediction occurred to me when I have been in imminent danger that it might be fulfilled.
The outfit of the colony consisted of ox teams and large covered wagons, horses and lighter wagons, some cows and such household chattels as could be well conveyed by the means of transportation possessed.
Thus equipped, and farewells exchanged, the long and wearisome journey was commenced, which occupied forty days in reaching their destination. The greater part of the company settled in Dover, which was "the promised land " to them.
My father's lands were also there ; but after visiting the township he found it quite too much of a wilderness to suit his notions of civilized enjoyment, and having the privilege of pur- chasing any other land owned by the parties he had traded
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with, he located in Euclid where the condition of society was more advanced. He purchased 278 acres of unimproved land, built a log house in the woods, commenced the laborious work of clearing off the heavy timber, and in due time received the reward of his labors in abundant harvests and a cultivated farm. I may here say that when he started on his journey he had only $50 in money and at its close it was reduced to less than $5. The winters were then very mild and the spring seasons opened early. Fruit trees were in bloom in March that year, and crops most abundant. In winter the ground was not often much frozen, with but little snow, and what little snow there was usually fell in the mud. Mud-boats were once common on these streets, and if anybody dared to risk anything that had the semblance of a sleigh, they would extemporize a rude one-horse structure dubbed a "jumper." The contrast with the climate of the Eastern States, which was more than renowned for intense cold and deep snows in winter, was very remarkable.
But as the country became more cultivated and cleared of its dense forests, the winters entirely changed; and the East and West seemed almost to have interchanged in climate, the former becoming milder and the latter more severe, with abundance of cold and snow.
Tornadoes were of frequent occurrence and of terrific re- sults, prostrating the forests and causing great destruction of property, and sometimes of life. One occurred the year after our arrival, by which a fine ox of my father's was killed by the falling of a tree, and it made an extensive "wind-fall" of huge trees.
In 1816 the Presbyterian society of Euclid erected a church building which was enclosed, and remained for a long time unfinished, but was temporarily fitted up for public wor- ship, which was held mornings and afternoons. I well re- member being present on a Sabbath afternoon, when suddenly,
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in the midst of the service, a tempest of unparalleled violence burst upon us.
The darkness was like an eclipse of the sun; the wind blew persistently; the lightning flashed with constant viv- idness; the thunder rolled incessantly, and many of the trees which surrounded the church were shivered by the electric fluid; but, and strange to say, the steeple of the church, which was not protected by lightning rods, escaped. The tor- rents of rain drove through the openings for the windows, which were without glass, and drenched the congregation through and through, while the prayers and shrieks of the people could occasionally be heard above the deafening tumult of the raging storm. Escape was impossible, and all appar- ently thought that the " day of judgment " (at least to them) had surely come, and that every thunderbolt would demolish the church and send us all to swift destruction.
Rev. Thomas Barr, the excellent pastor of the church, turned his face to the wall and remained silent until the storm abated, which probably lasted half an hour. He then turned and addressed the congregation in words of vehement earnestness and eloquence, which seemed like an inspiration from the very throne of the Majesty on High. He spoke as if all the graphic language of the Bible, which described Jeho- vah as "thundering marvelously," was at his command, and specially furnished for this most extraordinary occasion. He was listened to with breathless attention and solemnity, and the effect was as profoundly impressive as the storm had been terrific and awful. I doubt if anyone who was present ever forgot this most thrilling event in their lives. In all my experience of four-score years I have never wit- nessed any scene so solemn and so awfully grand and impres- sive, saving, always, the terrific conflagration of Chicago in 1871.
But I hasten to speak of the peculiar characteristics of the " early settlers; " and by way of contrast and comparison,
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the principles which have predominated as the basis, which have made Cuyahoga county so prominent and influential in importance, and the beautiful "Forest City" of Cleveland, so conspicuous among the growing cities of our country. Here I am reminded of an anecdote of a rather facetious gentleman of New Haven, Ct, who for the first time visited Cleveland many years ago. New Haven is justly well known as one of the most beautiful cities of New England. After surveying aud admiring its attractiveness, the gentleman exclaimed: "New Haven is the handsomest city in the world, but Cleve- land is handsomer than New Haven." A well-deserved com- pliment, truly.
The pioneers of all new countries are made up of a diver- sity of character, and mainly consists of two elements. The moral and religious element, who carry their principles with them, and infuse them into all the ramifications of society; and on the contrary, the reckless adventurers and dishonest seekers after gain, utterly regardless of the immunities and morals of others, and who neither "feared God nor regarded man." I could with great pleasure give a numerous list of names of the first class, the impress of whose character is ap- parent among their descendants, (many of which appear in your annals) but as it might appear invidious to some, I omit them, and will relate only a few incidents and anecdotes of both classes, as will be germane to my purposes.
Noble H. Merwin was conspicuous among the "early set- tlers" for sterling integrity and enterprise, and no man did more to shape the commercial prosperity and interests of Cleveland than himself. He was a man of stalwart size-con- siderably above six feet in height, well proportioned, and of remarkable strength. It is related of him that he could take a barrel of salt (280 pounds) by the chimes and toss it into a wagon easily, and if he laid his hand upon a man's shoulder, he would be transfixed until he chose to release him. He pur- chased the old " Wallace Tavern" (a frame building and after-
B
.
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wards rebuilt it of brick), which was then considered a first-class hotel and affording as good accommodations as the times and customs would afford, but quite inferior to hostel- ries of the present day. Harmon Kingsbury, a wealthy and benevolent Christian gentleman, then well known throughout the country, related to me soon after the time, the following anecdote: He was staying at the hotel when a man and his wife by the name of Boughton, from West Stockbridge, Mass., arrived. Being quite fatigued, they retired early to their room. Messrs. Merwin, Kingsbury and others were quietly sitting in the bar-room, when they were suddenly star- tled by hearing Boughton, in a voice of apparent distress, call- ing out faintly, " Mr. Merwin, Mr. Merwin, do come here, quick!" Mr. Merwin seized a candle, and followed by the other gentlemen, quickly ascended the stairs, and opening the door, inquired, " What is the matter, Mr. Boughton?" He replied, with the most waggish drollery, "Do bring a pint of yeast and put it under my head to raise it!"'
Mr. Merwin at first was at a loss to know whether to take umbrage at the unexpected wit of his guest or to let it pass as a joke; but wisely concluded that " discretion was the bet- ter part of valor," and he and his friends hastily retreated down stairs to laugh over the amusing episode, and feeling that his pillows and beds were quite equal to his custom and as good as the market afforded.
I well remember the log tavern of Alonzo Carter and his father, which stood on the bank near Superior street, which was clap-boarded over and had the appearance of a frame building.
Dr. David Long was one of the earliest and most highly- esteemed citizens, and had a good medical practice; also Drs. McIntosh, and Graves of East Cleveland, who were regarded as skillful physicians, but less cultured, and of rough and in- temperate habits. Dr. McIntosh was called upon in most ex- treme cases, but not generally so often as others by reason of
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EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
his intemperate habits and profane language. It is stated of him that he was once sent for to visit Squire Hudson (the founder of the town named after him, ) as a last resort, who was extremely prostrated, and had been given over by other physi- cians. He found the good man very low, indeed, but entirely resigned to the will of his Maker, and wishing to die, and unwilling to have anything done with a view to his convales- cence. Dr. M. labored ineffectually to arouse and excite him, but to no purpose. At last he burst out with the most pro- fane oaths as follows: " You may die and be d-d, and go to h-11!"' This aroused the excellent man from his apparent apathy and excited him to show anger and caused him to re- buke the doctor with all the indignation and vehemence he could command. " Oh," said the doctor, "I can cure you; you've got spunk enough left to save you." The good man did recover and lived for many years thereafter an honored and useful life. Such was said to be Dr. McIntosh's resort in extreme cases; but the remedy is not to be recommended.
I am informed that the doctor came to his death at a horse-race where cach man was to ride his own horse, and be- ing intoxicated, he was thrown and broke his neck.
Doctor Graves was a skillful physician, but intemperate and profane. On one occasion when only women were present, one of them greatly offended him, when he broke out with a volley of oaths, for which my mother, who was present, re- buked him. He said, " Mrs. C., I have great respect for you, and beg your pardon, but when a woman insults me so, I swear I will swear."
There was quite a coterie of sporting characters who were accustomed to peregrinate along the lake region, with no fixed residence anywhere, for any considerable length of time; whose principal occupation and enjoyment were gambling, and what they termed "fun and frolic," and who everywhere made themselves notorious. Some of them would manage to control influence enough to get elected to office and would
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carry their propensity for reckless drollery into their official seats.
A story is told of one Elisha Norton who had been elected a justice of the peace, who was applied to by a " citizen of African descent " to marry him to his betrothed. Bent upon having some fine sport on the occasion, he notified his cronies to be present at the ceremony, and told them that for the com- icality of the thing he would request the groom, at the con- clusion of the marriage ceremony, to salute his bride. His comrades, only too eager for a rare frolic, promised to be present, but immediately informed the expectant groom that the justice would instruct him to salute his bride, but he must tell him, " After you, is manners for me." After the official act was performed, the justice, with much gravity, said, " Sa- lute your bride," when the happy darkey, stepping aside, and making a graceful bow, replied, "Manners! after you, sir!'' The official joker discovered most unexpectedly that he was " sold," and hastily seized his hat and vanished. But enough in delineation of the peculiar characteristics of the "early settlers," etc. ยท
During the war of 1812 the inhabitants were in a continual state of alarm and agitation. I well remember Perry's vic- tory, and his capture of the British fleet on Lake Erie; and Hull's surrender of Detroit; and of hearing distinctly the booming of cannon across the lake at each event. After the surrender of Detroit, the first information received was that the British were landing their forces at Sandusky, and with their Indian allies would be likely to overrun and devastate the lake country. The greatest consternation prevailed, and the inhabitants prepared to flee; and some did leave their homes, when news was received that the British were only landing the prisoners taken at Detroit, and the alarm was tem- porarily relieved.
In 1812 the Indian, John Omic, was hung at Cleveland for murder committed near Sandusky. This was a novel event,
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EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
inasmuch as it was an Indian, and the first capital execution that had occurred there. The Indian expected to be rescued and was uncontrollable until made nearly helpless by a free use of whisky.
In 1819 I was at Detroit and took passage on the " Walk- in-the-Water," the first steamboat that was built for lake nav- igation. Her commander was the gentlemanly Captain Rodg- ers, who was brought from New York, and only thought to be capable and qualified for so responsible a service. We left Detroit on Saturday and arrived at Cleveland on Monday, the voyage occupying about two days.
The Rev. Mr. Monteith, a Presbyterian clergyman, (well remembered for his elevated character), was a passenger, who, by request of the captain, performed religious services, and preached an excellent and appropriate sermon to a very atten- tive audience.
In those "early times" Cleveland had no harbor, the month of the river being oftentimes "barred up" by severe storms, which caused the river to flow back and become stag- nant, and a thick seum would form on the surface, and the malaria arising from it caused much sickness, and led almost to an interdiet with the surrounding country.
According to a census taken in 1810 the population was only fifty-seven in what was popularly known as "the city," and for the succeeding two or three years the increase was very slow; and during the war of 1812 to 1816 it was al- most at a "stand-still." But its rapid increase since then to 170,000 is almost marvelous, with its corresponding increase and improvement in the manufacturing interests, its magnifi- cent public buildings and splendid temples of worship, its gorgeous private residences, the beautiful parks and broad av- enues, of which Euclid avenue has the fame of being the finest for extent and adornment on this continent, if not in the world, all combine to make it one of the most enterprising as well as beautiful cities of our country; and betoken for it a
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"glorious future," and amply verify the New Haven man's opinion of it long time ago.
I have, in a somewhat erratic way, made a conglomeration of events, incidents and anecdotes of "men and things," gathered entirely from the memory of my boyhood to my ma- jority, whilst living in your county; and in the significant lan- guage of Abraham Lincoln, "with malice toward none and charity for all," have endeavored to perform what I set out to accomplish. My memory overflows with early impressions of things of minor importance which I have necessarily omitted.
I take the liberty to second the suggestion made at your first celebration, that a suitable monument, worthy of the memory of General Cleaveland, the founder of your beautiful city, be early erected in your central park, which shall be a fitting accompaniment to that of the gallant Commodore Perry, and make the location deserving the cognomen, " Mon- umental Park."
With the most profound interest in the prosperity and suc- cess of the " Early Settlers' Association," and desiring to be regarded as an honorary member, I have the honor to be
Your humble servant,
CHARLES CROSBY.
Chicago, Ill., July 6, 1881.
On motion, said Charles Crosby, of Chicago, was elected an honorary member of the Association.
The President then stated that a number of other letters had been received from early settlers which, for want of time could not be read, but were referred to the Secretary, and placed on file for future use.
On motion of H. M. Addison, James A. Garfield, a native of Cuyahoga county, and now President of the United States, and Mrs. Eliza B. Garfield, his venerable mother, were unani- monsly elected honorary members of the Association, and their election ordered to be certified to them by the Secretary.
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EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
On motion of Hon. John A. Foot, the following officers were unanimously reelected for the ensning year:
HON. HARVEY RICE, President.
HON. JOHN W. ALLEN, HON. JESSE P. BISHOP, Vice Presidents.
THOMAS JONES, JR., Secretary.
GEORGE C. DODGE, EsQ., Treasurer.
GEORGE F. MARSHALL, R. T. LYON, DARIUS ADAMS, M.
M. SPANGLER, J. H. SARGENT, Executive Committee.
Hon. Harvey Rice thanked the Association for the honor conferred and adjourned the meeting for the annual collation.
The collation was then served at the Tabernacle, free of charge to members of the Association. The guests were grouped at small tables laden with the substantials of life, and all with genial hearts and " flow of soul" seemed to enjoy the repast. This was a delightful feature of the anniversary.
AFTERNOON EXERCISES.
At the appointed hour (2 o'clock P. M.), the Associa- tion was called to order by the President, and the public ex- ercises conducted as arranged in the programme.
PRAYER.
BY THE REV. THOMAS CORLETT.
O Lord, the strength and hope of all those who put their trust in Thee, mercifully accept our thanks for continued life and health to meet together again as on this day. We im- plore Thy blessing upon our beloved country, and all in au- thority, that they may have grace, wisdom, and understand- ing so to discharge their several duties as most effectnally to promote Thy glory, the interests of true religion and virtue, and the peace, honor, and welfare of the state and nation; and for Thy great mercy and goodness to us, and to Thy servant, our Chief Magistrate, for rescuing him from the jaws of a painful and cruel death, and our nation from untold evils, bless and praise Thy great and glorious name; may it be Thy pleasure, O Lord, to restore him to perfect health, and ever- more to save our nation from such calamity. To the families of those of our Society who have been removed from us by death, grant Thy grace and consolation; and to us who still survive, grant grace and wisdom so to live and do, as to be dispensers of good to others, and so approve ourselves worthy in Thy sight of the rich heritage here be-
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EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
stowed, and at the close of our pilgrimage on earth, to be raised to that higher and better citizenship with Thy saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SONG : "AULD LANG SYNE." BY THE ARION QUARTETTE.
SETTLEMENT OF THE WESTERN RESERVE. BY J. H. RHODES, ESQ.
Not quite 400 years ago all Europe believed the world to be flat, and the sun, after sinking at night, to be in some mysterious manner ferried back to its rising place, beneath the horizon's edge, and along the watery outskirts of the world. Columbus was one of a half dozen in all Europe who believed it to be round, and that by sailing westward across the trackless Atlantic, a new route to the Indies of Asia might be discovered.
Hopeless and heartless he had become, suing in vain for the favor of Henry the VIIIth of England, and had at length, in his advanced years, besieged the King of Spain, and was in despair of success. At last the decisive hour had come. In the palace of Ferdinand an anxious throng, the haughty knights and nobles of Castile and Aragon, had gathered. A game of chess was in progress in the palace between King Ferdinand and a high official of those, the palmiest days of the Spanish court. Queen Isabella, the warm friend of Col- umbus, who had plead vainly for the royal aid, was leaning over the shoulders of the king, watching, with fast beating heart and kindling eye, the progress of the mimic contest of the heroes of the chess-board. The fate of Columbus had been staked on the results of the game. If Ferdinand, the king, should win, he had promised assistance to Columbus.
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If he lost, Columbus' dreams and hopes would go down in ruin. No wonder that all eyes were spell-bound on the ivory warriors of the chess-board. Columbus was present, and hope and fear chased each other in flush and pallor across his anx- ious face, like sunlight and shadow across a summer lake. Never before in the history of mankind was so much at stake in the results of a game of chess. Never did the discovery of a new world hang on so slender a thread. Never before were the interests of the ignorant and oppressed millions of Europe, and the vast and countless possibilities of the discovery of a new world thrown into such a precarious balance.
The game had from the first been against the king, and for a time alarm and terror were painted on the faces of Columbus' friends, as the combinations of Ferdinand's op- ponent threatened him with defeat. The critical moment had come, and the fair Queen Isabella hung in breathless watchfulness of the game. Her quick eye, her flashing intu- itions had penetrated the darkness that brooded over the re- sult. She saw, as in a vision, that the king could now check in five moves. The king's ear eagerly caught the whispered admonitions of the queen, and in a moment the fatal check was announced, which gave to Columbus the Nina, the Pinta, and the San Jacinto, three vessels, with which, on the even- ing of August 3, 1492, he set forth from the port of Palos, on the south coast of Spain, in quest of new worlds.
The story of the voyage is perhaps the most fascinating of all stories of voyages in the history of man. I cannot dwell upon it, but westward he sailed, and sailed, and sailed, until, on the 13th of October, the palm tree of the New World be- came the enraptured vision that brought wild delight to him and his sailors. On his return to Spain the news spread like prairie-fire throughout Europe, and soon thereafter the work of conquest and settlement of the New World began.
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