USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Early history of Cleveland, Ohio : including papers and other matter relating to the adjacent country : with biographical notices of the pioneers and surveyors > Part 21
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391
THE FIRST MURDER.
THE MURDER OF MENOMPSY.
The first murder committed within the limits of this city, occurred at the cabins under the hill. The parties were Indians. There are three persons now living who were in Cleveland at the time, and saw the combatants. They are ALLEN GAYLORD and ALONZO CARTER, of Newburg, and JULIUS C. HUNT- INGTON, of Painsville. As to the precise time when it was committed, they do not agree, but place it in 1802 or 1803.
NOBSY, MENOBSY, or MENOMPSY, was a medicine man, either a Chippewa or an Ottawa. Among Indians, a medicine man is a conjuror, priest, prophet and warrior, as well as a doctor. MENOMPSY had prescribed officially for the wife of BIG SON, who was of the tribe of the Senecas, and she had died.
BIG SON was brother to SENECA, a noted Indian and friend to the whites, sometimes called STIGONISH or STIGWANISH.
At the time of the murder, DAVID BRYANT had in operation his still for making whisky, under the hill.
ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, was also at his trading house; that must have stood in River street.
In the dusk of the evening, BIG SON and ME- NOMPSY, somewhat elevated by the fire - water of BRYANT's still, had an altercation respecting the case of mal-practice, by which BIG SON claimed that his wife had been killed. Retaliation is the Indian law
392
SCENE UNDER THE HILL.
of justice. He had threatened to kill the Indian doctor, but MENOMPSY claimed that he was a charmed man and no bullet could hurt him. "Me no fraid," said MENOMPSY, as they walked out of the store and took the trail that wound up the bluff, along Union lane.
The Senecas were encamped on the east side of the river below CARTER's, and the Chippewas and Ottawas on the west side, partly up the hill.
As they went along the path, BIG SON put out his hand as though he intended a friendly shake, after the manner of white men. At the same time he drew a knife and stabbed MENOMPSY in the side. The blood spirted from his body, which CARTER tried to stop with his hand, as the Indian fell. "NOBSY broke now, yes, NOBSY broke," were his last words. In a few minutes he was dead. The Chip- péwas took up the corpse and carried it to their camp on the west side.
Major CARTER knew full well what would happen, unless the friends of MENOMPSY were appeased. During the night the valley of the Cuyahoga echoed with their savage voices, infuriated by liquor and revenge.
The Chippewas and Ottawas were more numerous than the Senecas. In the morning the warriors of the first named nation, were seen with their faces painted black, a certain symbol of war. Governor HUNTINGTON resided here at that time, and AMOS
393
AN INDIAN FIGHT PREVENTED.
SPAFFORD, who, with Major CARTER, constituted the principal men of the place. The murder of ME- NOMPSY was compromised for a gallon of whisky, which BRYANT was to make that day, being the next after the killing. One of the stipulations was that the body should be taken to Rocky river before it was " covered," or mourned for, with the help of the whisky. BRYANT was busy and did not make the promised gallon of spirits. The Chippewas waited all day, and went over the river decidedly out of humor. They were followed and promised two gallons on the coming day, which reduced their camp halloo, to the tone of a mere sullen murmur. But CARTER and his party well knew, that in this sup- pressed anger, there was as much vengeance as in the howlings of the previous night. They fulfilled their promise, and upon receiving two gallons, the Chip- pewas and Ottawas took up the corpse, according to agreement, went to Rocky river and held their pow wow there. CARTER did not sleep for two nights, and few of the residents enjoyed their beds very much, until the funeral procession was out of sight.
Such is the substance of the statements of Captain GAYLORD, Mr. CARTER, and Mr. HUNTINGTON, all of whom remember the event.
BIG SON was a half brother of STIGONISH, STIGWA- NISH or SENECA, and previous to the murder had been regarded as a coward. SENECA refused to 26
394
BIG SON BECOMES A BRAVE.
acknowledge him on this ground, until his heroism had been demonstrated in this way. By the Indian code of honor, a successful trick against an enemy, takes rank with high personal bravery.
STATEMENT OF ALONZO CARTER.
NEWBURG, June 14, 1858.
My father came here on 2d of May, 1797. He was from Rutland, Vermont, but stayed the winter previous in Canada. I was seven years old then, going on eight. We built a log cabin under the hill, five or six rods from the river, and about twenty rods north of St. Clair street. There was an old trading house on the west side of the river, which stood not far from the corner of Main and Center streets.
It was a double log house, quite old and rotten, which the traders used only during the trading sea- son. JAMES KINGSBURY and his family came here two or three weeks after we did, and stayed a while in that house.
In July, 1797, our hired girl was married to a Mr. CLEMENT, from Canada. They were married by Mr. SETH HART, who was a minister, and the agent of the company. .
I remember seeing the cabin where the crew of the British vessel wintered, after it was wrecked. It was about two miles down the river, on the bank
395
THE FIRST SHIPWRECK.
of the lake. The vessel had two brass guns on board, which were buried on the shore. My father used to go to the wreck, and get bolts, spikes and other pieces of iron. Some of this iron is in the gate at my house now.
In the year 1798 my father brought on some goods to trade with the Indians. I remember when MENOMPSY, the Chippewa medicine man was killed ; it was towards evening. MENOMPSY had doctored BIG SON's wife, who said he had killed her with his medicine. They were in CAMPBELL's store, under the hill, which stood between the surveyors' cabin and store house. BIG SON threatened to kill the doctor in the store, but MENOMPSY said, "me no 'fraid." They went out and walked along the road up Union lane. It was getting pretty dark. BIG SON pretended to make friends, and put out one hand, as though he would shake hands. With the other hand he drew his knife and stabbed MENOMPSY who fell down and died. The Chippewas were encamped on the west side of the river, and the Senecas and Ottawas on the east side. Every body expected there would be an Indian fight. The west side Indians painted themselves black, and threatened the Senecas very severely. My father did not sleep for two days and nights.
My father built a new frame house in 1803, near the junction of Superior lane and Union lane. Just as it was finished the shavings took fire, and it was
396
THE FIRST WAREHOUSE.
burnt. He then built a block house on the same spot in the same year.
I knew AMOS SPAFFORD ten years; he was a sur- veyor and came here to live in 1799. He and my father set the big posts at the corners of the streets in 1801, or 1802. I and my brother were boys with his boys, and in 1799 we went about the streets a good deal, and sawed the corner stakes. SPAFFORD took up the stakes, and put down the posts which he cut in the woods near by. The stakes had been there three or four years. Superior lane was a sharp ridge where we could not get up or down. Trav- eled up and down to the river, on Union lane. In 1800, or 1801, a vessel landed one hundred barrels of salt on the beach, which was carried off on horses, or carried up the beach. My father built his ware- house there in 1809 and '10. General TUPPER, an army contractor, used it in 1812 to store provisions, and also MURRAY's warehouse. In 1813 they moved everything two miles up the river, to Walworth's Point, to keep the stores from the British.
My father's warehouse was washed down in 1816 or '17. The remains were there in 1823 and '24. It was a double log house, and was undermined by the lake.
Persons were buried in the old burying ground in 1797. A Mr. ELDRIDGE was drowned at Grand river, and his body was brought here. We got some boards and made a strong box for a coffin. We put
397
THE FIRST BURIAL.
him in, and strung it on a pole with cords, to carry him up to the burying ground. Built a fence around the grave.
The water rose in 1813-overflowed all the low ground. Bank begun to slide in 1818. Ontario street was cut out at the time of the war.
The Connecticut Land Company built two build- ings between Superior and Union lanes.
The general landing was near foot of Superior lane. Vessels could seldom get into the river. They anchored off and had lighters. When they came in they landed at the foot of Superior lane.
My father died in 1814. They began to work Superior lane very early-soon after I came here.
The Indians had been camping on the beach at the Point, and left a cat there which my mother wanted. It was in 1798, I went with her to catch the cat, who ran under the logs back of the beach, and as I jumped over after her I went plump into the water, on this side where the swamp was.
In 1806, the channel was three rods wide, and ten inches deep. My brother went in there to bathe, and got on the bar. I was across the river in the field topping corn. I saw his hands out of the water and ran there as fast as I could. He was never seen any more. The river has never been so far east as it was then.
In 1803 and '04, the hill road was traveled to Painesville. It crossed the Cuyahoga at the foot of
398
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
Union and Mandrake lanes where the Indians used to cross. They swam their horses.
In 1802, a man killed a bear with his hoe on Water street, near the Light House.
1804.
MILITARY ELECTION AND REMONSTRANCE.
"To ELIJAH WADSWORTH Maj. Genl. 4th Division :
Agreeable to General orders, the Qualified Electors of the fourth Company district, in the second Brig- ade, of the fourth Division of the Ohio Militia; met at the house of James Kingsbery, Esq., at eleven o'clock forenoon, and maid choice of three Judges and a clerk, and when duely sworn proceded and made choice of Loranzo Carter Captain, and Nathan- iel Doan Lieutenant, and Samuel Jones Ensign for sd Company given under our hands and seals at Cleveland Trumble county ; this seventh day of May one thousand eight hundred and four.
JAMES KINGSBERY,
NATHANIEL DOAN,
BENJAMIN GOLD,
Judges of the Election."
REMONSTRANCE.
" To ELIJAH WADSWORTH, Major General of the 3d Division of Militia of the State of Ohio:
SIR :- We, the undersigned, hereby beg leave to represent that the proceedings of the company of
399
ÅN APPEAL WITHOUT EFFECT.
Militia, on Monday, the 7th day of instant May, in choosing officers, in our opinion, illegal and improper. Firstly. By admitting persons under the age of eighteen years to vote, and Secondly. By admitting persons not liable to do military duty to vote. Thirdly. In admitting men to vote who did not belong to the town. Fourthly. By not comparing the votes with the poll book at the close of the elec- tion. We also consider the man who is returned as chosen Captain ineligable to the office. Firstly. By giving spiritous liquors to the voters previous to the election. Secondly. On account of having fre- quently threatened to set the savages against the inhabitants. All which charges we consider prove- able and able to be substanciated by good and suffi- cient witnesses. We therefore beg leave to request that the appointment of officers in the township of Cleveland may be set aside, and the said company led to a new choice.
THADEUS LACEY, WILLIAM W. WILLIAMS,
RODOLFUS EDWARDS, AMOS SPAFFORD,
JOEL THORP, ROBERT CARR,
JAMES HAMILTON, ABNER COCHRAN."
It does not appear that this remonstrance pro- duced any effect. At the next election CARTER with- drew or was dropped, though he was present and acted as one of the judges.
400
TREATY WITH THE INDIANS.
1805.
"Major CARTER's son, HENRY, a smart boy of about eleven years, was drowned at the mouth of the river. Search was made along the beach for the body, many days without effect. DAVID ABBOTT built the " Cuy- ahoga Packet " at Chagrin river, a schooner of twenty tons, which sailed on lake Erie until the war, when it was captured by the British."-(BARR.)
Judge HUNTINGTON about this time abandoned his hewed log house, the most aristocratic residence in Cleveland city, and removed to the mills he had purchased at the falls of Mill creek. This was prob- ably owing to the same cause, which induced other families to prefer the highlands, the prevalence here of the detestable ague. What is now Newburg was then much the largest settlement.
This was the year of the final settlement with the Indians, for their claims to lands west of the river. WM. DEAN, on his return from the treaty ground, writes to Judge HUNTINGTON as follows: The letter is superscribed to "The Hon'l. SAM'L. HUNTINGTON, at the mills near Cleaveland," and is dated "On board the sloop Contractor, near Black river, July 7, 1805."
" Dear Sir :- On the 4th instant, we closed a treaty with the Indians, for the unextinguished part of the Connecticut Reserve, and on account of the
401
PRANCING DUTCHMEN EXPECTED.
United States ; for all the lands south of it, to the west line. Mr. PHELPS and myself pay about $7,000 in cash, and about $12,000 in six yearly payments, of $2,000 each. The government pays $13,760, that is the annual interest, to the Wyandots, Delawares, Munsees, and to those Senecas on the land, forever. The expense of the treaty will be about $5,000, including rum, tobacco, bread, meat, presents, expen- ses of the seraglio, the commissioners, agents and contractors. I write in haste, being extremely sorry I have not time to send you a copy of the treaty. You will see General CHAMPION, who will be able to give you further information.
Having some intention of making a purchase of considerable tracts of land, in different parts of the Reserve, amounting to about 30,000 acres ; I beg of you to inform me what I should allow per acre, pay- ments equal to cash ; and address me at Easton, Pa. From thence, if I make a contract, I expect, with all speed, to send fifteen or twenty families of prancing Dutchmen."
ABRAHAM TAPPEN, of Unionville, Ashtabula Co., O., among many reminiscences of the surveys and set- tlements, thus refers to this treaty.
" Owing to various causes, a treaty for the extin- guishment of the Indian title to the Company's land west of the Cuyahoga, and also the Sufferers', or Fire Land, was not held until June, 1805. Cleveland was designated as the place for holding the treaty.
402
RELUCTANCE OF THE TRIBES.
The Indians to the west, having claims to the lands in question, were invited to attend in council at that place. The Indians residing in Western New York, having some claim to the land, sent a deputation of not far from thirty of their number, to attend the treaty at Cleveland. They arrived at that place in June, accompanied by JASPER PARISH, their inter- preter. The treaty was to be held under the auspi- ces of the United States Government. Commission- ers from the different parties interested in the treaty, were promptly and in season at the contemplated treaty ground. On the part of the General Govern- ment, Col. JEWET was the Commissioner, a very large muscular man. On the part of the Connecticut Land Company, Gen. HENRY CHAMPION appeared as Com- missioner. General CHAMPION was also of more than common size, and a man of good sense.
"For some cause the Indians living to the west, and interested in the subject matter of the treaty, refused to meet the Commissioners in council at Cleveland. And, if we except the deputation from New York, few or no Indians appeared at that place. After staying a few days at Cleveland, and being well assured that the Indians would not meet them in treaty there, the Commissioners proceeded westward ; and after some delay, and a show of great reluctance on the part of the Indians, they finally succeeded in meeting them in council. The treaty was held at the Ogontz place near Sandusky City."
403
SPECIE AND WHISKY RECEIVED.
[Other authorities have it at Fort Industry, on the Maumee.]
"It is said by those who attended this treaty, that the Indians in parting with and making sale of the above lands to the whites, did so with much reluc- tance, and after the treaty was signed, many of them wept. On the day that the treaty was brought to a close, the specie, in payment of the purchase money, arrived on the treaty ground. The specie came from Pittsburg, and was conveyed by the way of Warren, Cleveland, and the lake shore to the place where wanted. The treasure was entrusted to the care of LYMAN POTTER, Esq., of Warren, who was attended by the following persons as an escort: JOSIAH W. BROWN, JOHN LANE, JAMES STAUNTON, JONATHAN CHURCH, LORENZO CARTER, and another person by the name of CLARK, all resolute men and well armed. The money and other property as presents to the Indians, was distributed to them the next day after the signing of the treaty. The evening of the last day of the treaty, a barrel of whisky was dealt out to the Indians. The consequent results of such a proceeding were all experienced at that time."
Prof. KIRTLAND, in an introductory lecture deliv- ered at the opening of the term in the Cleveland Medical College a few years since, related the follow- ing incident, connected with this attempt at holding a treaty :
" While waiting their tardy movements, the com-
404
MR. GRANGER'S PREDICTION.
pany collected one afternoon on the bank of the lake, near the present location of the light-house, and were observing the descent of the sun, into the broad expanse of waters at the west. The gorgeous dis- plays of light and shade, heightened by the brilliant reflections from the lake, unsurpassed by the bright. est scenes ever exhibited by Italy's boasted skies, served, in connection with concurring circumstances, to add interest to the occasion. One of the company, the Hon. GIDEON GRANGER, distinguished for talents, enterprise and forethought, uttered, to his astonished associates, this bold and what was then deemed, extraordinary prediction :
"'Within fifty years,' exclaimed he, 'an extensive city will occupy these grounds, and vessels will sail directly from this port into the Atlantic Ocean.'
"A prophecy so specific and decided, coming from such a source, though received with a share of skep- ticism on the part of some, made a deep impression on the great body of his hearers."
CHARLES JEWET, was the Commissioner 'on the part of the United States, HENRY CHAMPION for the Land Company, and I. MILLS, for the Sufferers by fire, or the Fire Lands Company.
At the election in the fall of 1805, the poll book for Cleveland was rejected for two very good reasons. The certificate to the oaths of the clerks and judges was not attached, neither were the signatures of the judges of election. The number of votes cast was
405
ELECTIONS IN 1805.
twenty-nine, of which JAMES KINGSBURY had twenty- seven for State Representative. In the county of Trumbull there were given for EDWARD TIFFIN, for Governor; (the second term) three hundred and seventy-nine votes, and none against him. JAMES KINGSBURY received for Representative three hun- dred and seven votes, and HOMER HINE three hundred and fourteen.
MILITARY ELECTION IN CLEVELAND.
To ELIJAH WADSWORTH Maj. Genl. 4th Division :
We, the Judges of an election Holden in the seventh Company of the second Battalion of the First Regiment of the fourth Division of the Ohio Melitia do Certify that the persons here after named is just and truly elected in sd Company to the differ- ent posts atached to their names, given under our hands. This the twentyeth day of May said eighteen hundred and five.
NATHANIEL DOAN, Captain. SAMUEL JONES, Leuftenant. SYLVANUS BURK, Ensign.
LORENZO CARTER,! WM. WR. WILLIAMS, Judges. WILL'M. ERWIN, 1
Done in presence of RODOLPHUS EDWARDS, Clerk.
406
RESULTS OF BAD SPELLING.
ELECTORS' NAMES.
JACK F. MASON,
NEHEMIAH DILLE,
DAVID KELLOG,
TIMOTHY DOAN,
EB. CHARTER,
SETH DOAN,
JACOB COLEMAN,
STEVEN GILBERT,
BEN WARDEN,
SAMUEL HURST,
DANIEL PARKER,
RICHARD BLIN,
CRISTOFER GUN,
EPETARY ROGERS, ?
WILLIAM COLEMAN,
SAMUEL JONES,
JOHN DOAN,
NATHANIEL DOAN,
THOMAS THOMAS,
WILLIAM ERWIN,
HENRY NORTON,
BEN WOOD,
HARRY GUN,
SYLVANUS BURK,
JONATHAN HUBBARD,
SAMUEL DILLE,
MASON CLERK,
MEAGE DATA,
NATHAN CHAPMAN,
CHARLES PRARD. ?
NATHANIEL DOAN, Captain, 29 votes for Captain.
SAMUEL JONES, 29 votes for Leuftenant.
SYLVANUS BURK, 24 votes for Ensign.
SAMUEL JONES, one vote for Leuftenant.
EZEKIEL HOLLEY (HAWLEY) six votes for Ensign.
These returns are in the hand writing of RODOL- PHUS EDWARDS. It is very difficult to decypher some of the names which are given literally. In this way the names of families are subject to such changes that the originals cannot be recognized. "HAWLEY," has now become "HOLLY" or "HOLLEY " which is identical with the HOLLEY's of Salisbury, without any relationship.
The name of Mr. WILLIAMS, of Newburg, the builder of the first mill is in the early papers written
407
A DISTRESSING SHIPWRECK.
WHEELER W., WM. W., and WILLIAM WHEELER. Our immediate ancestors were not as well versed in orthography as they were in penmanship. The dis- turbances of the Revolution, had a depressing effect upon education, even in New England.
1806.
" Early in the spring, Mr. HUNTER, his wife and one child, with a colored man, called BEN, and a colored boy, were driven ashore in a skiff, a short distance east of Rocky river. The shore at that place is a rocky cliff, nearly perpendicular. They held as fast to the rocks as possible, the surges breaking over them continually.
"The wreck occurred on Friday, and the storm continued to increase that night. On Saturday there was no abatement, and the children died. Mrs. HUNTER expired on Sunday, and Mr. HUNTER on Monday. Some traders were passing along the coast for Detroit on Tuesday, and discovering BEN, who was the only survivor, brought him back to Cleveland. He was almost naked, having for three days and four nights kept his position on the cliffs, without a morsel to eat, by means of some bushes which grew in the crevices of the rocks. Major CARTER took care of BEN, and treated him kindly, for a year or more, while he was an invalid. The flesh came off from his lower limbs, rendering him a very disagreeable object.
408
SURVEYS WEST OF THE RIVER.
"Surveys were commenced this year on the lands west of the Cuyahoga river. This brought many strangers to the place, which contained more white people than ever before. The year was rendered conspicuous by the holding of a militia training. They marched and countermarched to the lively roll of JOSEPH BURKE's drum, which he had used in the Revolutionary War, and to the soul-stirring strains of LEWIS DILLE's fife. They were all undoubtedly brave, many of them bearing on their shoulders the old fire-arms of the Revolution."
"The little settlement sustained a severe loss in the death of DAVID CLARK, and received a valuable accession in Judge WALWORTH and Major PERRY, Senior."-(BARR.)
ABRAHAM TAPPEN, an old surveyor, proposed to run the town lines. The following extracts are from a full account of the survey by himself, published in the Cleveland Herald, in January, 1851 :
"I had spoken to Mr. AMOS SESSIONS to join with me, and endeavor to obtain a contract for surveying the new purchase the coming season. Mr. SESSIONS was not a surveyor, but he was a man then in the prime of life, and possessing energy of character, and great perseverence in business he undertook, would make him a safe and trustworthy partner. We accordingly made the following proposals to be laid before the Directors :
409
SURVEYS WEST OF THE RIVER.
' PAINESVILLE, August 20th, 1805.
'To GEN. HENRY CHAMPION: - We will survey the land belonging to the Connecticut Land Com- pany, west of the Cuyahoga river, at the rate of dollars, cents per mile. We will survey it into townships, and make other sub-divisions as shall be directed by the Company. We will plainly blaze and accurately chain the lines; will map, and return field book, &c. We will begin and finish the survey next season. For the purpose of furnishing provisions and other necessaries for said survey to receive dollars in hand at the commencement of the survey; remainder at the close. For the well and faithful performance of such survey, we will bind ourselves in bonds with sufficient security.
' ABR'M, TAPPEN, ' ANSON SESSIONS.'
The contract was made, the work commenced and vigorously prosecuted during the season.
"From the west side of the Reserve, five hundred thousand acres of land, was to be measured off by the surveyor of the Fire Land Company. . ALMON RUGGLES, Esq., was the surveyor of that Company. The balance of the Reserve, from the east line of the Fire Land to the Cuyahoga river, was comprised in our contract for surveying, amounting to some eight hundred and thirty thousand acres. We agreed to and did meet in Cleveland on the 15th of May, to-
27
410
THE SURVEYORS OF CLEVELAND.
gether with our men, chain carriers, pack-horses and their drivers. Capt. JAMES HARPER, of Harpers- field, was engaged as surveyor. The names of the men employed were JAMES ARBUCKLE, IRA WRIGHT, AUGUSTUS STAUGHTON, GUY CARLTON, JOHN ROSS, SAMUEL PARKER, Mr. McMAHAN and his two sons, ALEX. MOMAHAN and WM. McMAHAN, and a young man by the name of HEWIT, and an Englishman, a worthless fellow, whom we soon discharged. Also, for a short time, an active young half-breed Indian, who took charge of a very vicious Indian horse, hired as a pack-horse. The horse had once been the property of the noted Indian chief OGONTZ. As before stated, our party assembled at Cleveland on the 15th of May, and our boat with flour, tents, and other necessary articles, came into the river on the same day. We were prepared to send out two sur- veying parties immediately ; but the surveyor desig- nated by the United States Government to run the south line had not yet arrived. We had notified Judge KIRTLAND at what time we should be at · Cleveland to commence the survey. He accordingly met us at that place on the day of our arrival. As it could not be known the precise time when the Government would commence running the south line, Judge KIRTLAND proposed that our surveying parties should commence, and should measure off their own meridians, taking care to commence so far south that when the south line was run, it would be
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