USA > Ohio > Historical collections of Ohio, containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc., relating to its general and local history : with descriptions of its counties, principal towns, and villages > Part 29
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And now we take leave of our primitive dwelling house, court house and tavern. It is still standing, and occupied as a residence. While our drawing was being taken, an old- fashioned long-handled frying-pan was over the fire-its spacious bottom well paved with rashers of ham, sending forth a savory odor; enough to make a hungry persons' mouth water .. What scenes it has witnessed-what memories it recalls. It has witnessed the organization of the county-the first administration of law and justice-the first exercise of the right of suffrage through the ballot-box, and the first legal punishment of criminals. Near it the first corn was ground into meal for the use of the settlers, and here they rallied to build block-houses to protect them from the hostile attacks of the Indians. As a tavern many a weary traveller, through the tall and lonely forest, has been sheltered and refreshed beneath its humble roof. How many buckeye lads and lasses have been reared within its walls-for
" Buirdly chiels and clever hizzies Are bred in sic a way as this is !"
How many jovial dances have been had on its puncheon floor. While we may suppose some lame or lazy fellow seated on a stool in a corner, prepared with an awl or Barlow knife, to extract splinters from the heels of the dancers, as fast as the sets were over. How many courtships have been carried on during the long winter nights-the old folks asleep, and the young lovers comfortably toasting their shins over the decaying embers-Cappy in present love, and indulging in bright anticipations of housekeeping in a cabin.
Long mayest thou stand, old relic, as a memento of pioneer life, primitive simplicity and good old-fashioned honesty, to remind the rising generation of the hardships and priva- tions our pioneer fathers encountered, in first settling the county, and to show by this humble beginning, compared with the present state of improvement, how much honest labor, pains-taking industry and thrifty management can accomplish.
Xenia, the county seat, is on the Little Miami railroad, 64 miles north of Cincinnati, and 61 from Columbus. It is a handsome, flour- ishing and well-built town, with broad streets, and some fine stores and elegant dwellings. The engraving represents a part of the principal street : the court house, shown on the left, is the most ele- gant, as yet built, in Ohio.
Xenia was laid off in the forest, in the autumn of 1803, by Joseph C. Vance, on the land of John Paul, who gave the ground bounded by Main, Market, Detroit and Greene streets, for the public build- ings. The first cabin was erected in April, 1804, by John Marshall, in the southwest corner of the town. The first good hewed log house was erected for the Rev. James Towler, of the Methodist persuasion, from Petersburg, Va. : it is still standing, and is now the hatter's shop, a short distance west of the old bank. David A.
198
GREENE COUNTY.
Sanders built the first frame house, on the spot occupied by the new bank : it is yet standing, on Main street, in Gowdy's addition.
View in Xenia.
The first supreme court was held Oct. 3d, 1804. The grand jury held their deliberations under a sugar tree, in the rear of the present residence of James Gowdy.
The first court of common pleas in Xenia, was on the 15th of November, 1804, and was held by the associate judges. A license was granted to " William A. Beatty, to keep a tavern in the town of Xenia for one year, on the payment of $8.00!" This was the first tavern ever licensed in the place. It was a double hewed log house, two stories high, and was in progress of erection at the same time with Fowler's house, It stood on the south side of Main street, opposite the public square, on the spot where there now is a two story brick house, occupied as a drug store. In the west room, above stairs, the court was held. The first election in the place was held in this house. It continued to be a tavern until after the last war with Great Britain, and, until Mr. James Collier built his brick tavern on Detroit street, was the grand hotel of the place. In a corner of the west room, there was an old-fashioned bar-the upper part enclosed with upright slats of wood, with a little wicket, through which the grog was handed out in half pint glass cruets. In time of the war, the recruiting officers put up at this house ; and here might be seen the recruiting ser- geant rattling dollars on a drum's head, and calling for half pints, appealing to the patriot- ism of the bystanders, tempting them with gingling dollars, and adding thereto the potency of whiskey, to enlist recruits for the army. Court continued to be held in this house for the years 1804 and 1805, and until a new court house was built.
In 1804, the building of the first jail was let to Amos Darough; it was received from the contractor in October. It stood on ground now covered by the new court house, and was constructed of hewed logs. It was burnt down the year following ; and in April, 1806, a new jail was accepted from William A. Beatty. It stood on the site of the present market house-was a rough log building; two stories high, with a cabin roof, and was burnt down in time of the war with England. The building of the first court house was let on the 8th day of April, 1806, to William Kendall, who was allowed six dollars for clearing the tim- ber from the public square. The house was built of brick, 40 feet square and 28 feet high, with a cupola in the center of the roof, 10 feet in diameter and 15 feet high. It was fin- ished, and on the 14th day of August, 1809, accepted.
On the 6th of April. 1806, " a license was granted to James Gowdy, for retailing mer- chandise, on his complying with the law!" He opened his goods in a log house, with a mud and stick chimney, which stood on Greene street, at the north end of where Mr. John Ewing's store now is. He was the first merchant in the place.
The first punishment for crime was in 1806. The person was convicted for stealing
199
GREENE COUNTY.
leather, to half-sole a pair of shoes. There was a sugar tree on the public square, which served as a whipping-post. He was tied up to the tree, and underwent the sentence of the court, which was to receive one stripe on his bare back, which was inflicted by James Col- lier. The sugar tree served as a whipping-post for the last time on the 8th of October, 1808. A man was convicted for stealing a shovel-plow and clevis, and the sentence was that he should receive eight lashes on his bare back, " and stand committed until perform- ance." He drank a pint of whiskey just before hugging the tree, though it did not prevent him from halloaing lustily, while receiving the eight stripes .*
Xenia contains 1 German Lutheran, 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Methodist Protestant, 1 Seceder, I Associate Reformed and 1 Bap- tist church, beside 2 churches for colored persons-two church edifices are erecting, one by the Presbyterian and the other by the Associate Reformed denomination-17 mercantile stores, 1 foundery, 2 newspaper printing offices, 1 bank, a classical academy in fine re- pute, and in 1840, had 1414 inhabitants, and in 1847, about 2800.
JOSIAH HUNT resided in this county in the time of the last war with Great Britain. He was a stout, well-formed, heavy-set man, capable of enduring great hardships and priva- tions, and was then a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. There was a tone of candor and sincerity, as well as modesty, in his manner of relating the thrilling scenes in which he had been an actor, which left no doubt of their truth in the minds of those who heard him. He was one of Wayne's legion, and was in the battle of the Fallen Timber, on the 20th of August, 1794.
At the commencement of the onset, just after entering the fallen timber, Hunt was rush- ing on, and about to spring over a fallen tree, when he was fired at by an Indian, concealed behind it. The latter was compelled to fire in such haste that he missed his aim. It was, however, a close shave, for the bullet whizzed through the lock of his right temple, causing that ear to ring for an hour after. The Indian's body was entirely naked from the waist up, with a red stripe painted up and down his back. As soon as he fired, he took to his heels. Hunt aimed at the center of the red stripe, the Indian running zig-zag " like the worm of a fence." When he fired the Indian bounded up and fell forward. He had fought his last battle.
He was an excellent hunter. In the winter of 1793, while the army lay at Greenville, he was employed to supply the officers with game, and in consequence was exempted from garrison duty. The sentinels had orders to permit him to leave and enter the fort when- ever he chose. The Indians made a practice of climbing trees in the vicinity of the fort, the better to watch the garrison. If a person was seen to go out, notice was taken of the direction he went, his path ambushed and his scalp secured. To avoid this danger, Hunt always left the fort in the darkness of night, for said he, " when once I had got into the woods without their knowledge, I had as good a chance as they." He was accustomed, on leaving the fort, to proceed some distance in the direction he intended to hunt the next day, and bivauck for the night. To keep from freezing to death, it was necessary to have a fire ; but to show a light in the enemy's country, was to invite certain destruction. To avoid this danger he dug a hole in the ground with his tomahawk, about the size and depth of a hat crown. Having prepared it properly, he procured some "roth," meaning thick white oak bark, from a dead tree, which will retain a strong heat when covered with its ashes. Kindling a fire from flint and steel at the bottom of his " coal pit," as he termed it, the bark was severed into strips and placed in layers crosswise, until the pit was full. After it was sufficiently ignited, it was covered over with dirt, with the exception of two air holes in the margin, which could be opened or closed at pleasure. Spreading down a layer of bark or brush to keep him off the cold ground, he set down with the " coal pit" be- tween his legs, enveloped himself in his blanket, and slept cat-dozes in an upright posi- tion. If his fire became too much smothered, he would freshen it up by blowing into one of the air holes. He declared he could make himself sweat whenever he chose. The snapping of a dry twig was sufficient to awaken him, when uncovering his head, he keenly scrutinized in the darkness and gloom around-his right hand on his trusty rifle " ready for the mischance of the hour." A person now, in full security from danger, enjoying the comforts and refinements of civilized life, can scarcely bring his mind to realize his situa- tion, or do justice to the powers of bodily endurance; firmness of nerve, self-reliance and
* From Thomas Coke Wright.
200
* GREENE COUNTY.
courage, manifested by him that winter. A lone man in a dreary interminable forest, swarming with enemies, blood-thirsty, crafty and of horrid barbarity, without a friend or human being to afford him the least aid, in the depth of winter, the freezing winds moan- ing through the bare and leafless branches of the tall trees, while the dismal howling of a pack of wolves-
" Cruel as death, and hungry as the grave ; Burning for blood, bony, gaunt and grim,"
might be heard in the distance, mingled with the howlings of the wintry winds, were well. calculated to create a lonely sensation about the heart and appal any common spirit. There would he sit, nodding in his blanket, undistinguishable in the darkness from an old stump, enduring the rigor of winter, keeping himself from freezing, yet showing no fire,-calm, ready and prompt to engage in mortal combat, with whatever enemy might assail, whether Indian, bear or panther. At day-light he commenced hunting, proceeding slowly and with extreme caution, looking for game and watching for Indians at the same time. When he found a deer, previously to shooting it, he put a bullet in his mouth, ready for reloading his gun with all possible dispatch, which he did before moving from the spot, casting searching glances in every direction for Indians. Cautiously approaching the deer, after he had shot it, he dragged it to a tree and commenced the process of skinning with his back towards the tree, and his rifle leaning against it, in reach of his right hand. And so with his rear protected by the tree, he would skin a short time, then straighten up and scan in every direction, to see if the report of his rifle had brought an Indian in his vicin- ity, then apply himself to skinning again. If he heard a stick break, or any-the slightest noise indicating the proximity of animal life, he clutched his rifle instantly, and was on the alert prepared for any emergency. Having skinned and cut up the animal, the four-quar- ters were packed in the hide, which was so arranged as to be slung to his back like a knap- sack, with which he wended his way to the fort. If the deer was killed far from the gar- rison, he only brought in the fore-quarters. One day he got within gun-shot of three In- dians unperceived by them. He was on a ridge and they in a hollow. He took aim at the foremost one, and waited some time for a chance for two to range against each other, intending, if they got in that position, to shoot two and take his chance with the other in single combat. But they continued marching in Indian file, and though he could have killed either of them, the other two would have made the odds againts him too great, so he let them pass unmolested. Amidst all the danger to which he was constantly exposed, he passed unharmed.
Owing to the constant and powerful exercise of the faculties, his ability to hear and dis- criminate sounds was wonderfully increased, and the perceptive faculties much enlarged. He made $70 that winter by hunting, over and above his pay as a soldier.
At the treaty at Greenville, in 1795, the Indians seemed to consider Hunt as the next greatest man to Wayne himself. They inquired for him, got round him, and were loud and earnest in their praises and compliments : " Great man, Capt. Hunt-great warrior-good hunting man ; Indian no can kill !" They informed him that some of their bravest and most cunning warriors, had often set out expressly to kill him. They knew how he made his secret camp-fires, the ingenuity of which excited their admiration. The parties in quest of him had often seen him-could describe the dress he wore, and his cap, which was made of a raccoon's skin with the tail hanging down behind, the front turned up and ornamented with three brass rings. The scalp of such a great hunter and warrior they considered to be an invaluable trophy. Yet they never could catch him off his guard-never get within shooting distance, without being discovered and exposed to his death-dealing rifle.
Many years ago he went to Indiana, nor has the writer* of this ever heard from him since, nor is it known among his old friends here, whether he is living.
Nine miles north of Xenia, on the Little Miami river and railroad, are the Yellow Springs. It has been fitted up as a place of fashion- able resort. The improvements, consisting of a hotel and numer- ous cottages, are in a picturesque situation. "The springs are strongly impregnated with sulphur and possess medicinal qualities, deemed equal in utility to any in the United States." The Duke of Saxe Weimer says in his Travels :
The spring originates in a limestone rock, the water has a little taste of iron, and de-
* Thomas Coke Wright.
201
GREENE COUNTY.
posites a great quantity of ochre, from which it takes its name. The spring is said to give 110 gallons of water per minute, which is received in a basin surrounded with cedar trees. The yellow stream which comes from the basin, runs a short distance over a bed of lime- stone and is afterwards precipitated into the valley. These limestone rocks form very sin- gular figures on the edge of this valley ; the detached pieces resemble the Devil's Wall of the Hartz.
Clifton is a flourishing manufacturing village, 10 miles north of Xenia, on the Little Miami, and contains 2 churches, 3 stores, 1 cot- .on and woollen factory, 1 paper, 1 grist and I saw mill, and over 300 nhabitants. The name originated from the cliffs which bound the river at this place. The stream commences run- ning through a deep ra- vine at the eastern ex- tremity of the village, and after circling around the town, leaves it on the southwest. For more than two miles it runs through a deep and nar- row gorge, bounded by perpendicular and im- pending rocks, overhung by evergreens, and pre- senting scenery of a wild and picturesque charac- ter. In this distance the stream is estimated, in an ordinary stage of water, to afford sufficient power for one hundred and five pair of burr stones. The mills and factories above mentioned are upon it, and the woollen and cotton fac- tory is built in the ravine and extends completely across it. The view given, was taken a short distance Cascade at Clifton. below this building, and shows a little water-fall on the northern wall of the bounding cliffs, at that point about 50 feet high.
Fairfield, 12 miles northwest of Xenia, on the Dayton and Spring- field turnpike, is a smart business place, in a rich country. It con- tains 4 churches, 5 stores and about 400 inhabitants. Bellbrook, 9 southwest of Xenia, has 3 stores, 4 churches and about 350 inhabi- tants. Jamestown, 11 east of Xenia, on the Dayton, Xenia and Washington turnpike, has 8 stores, 3 churches and 50 dwellings. Spring Valley, 7 southwest of Xenia, is a small manufacturing vil- lage, at which is a woollen factory, 1 oil, 1 grist and 1 carding mill.
26
202
GUERNSEY COUNTY.
Cedarville, on Massie's creek, 8 miles from Xenia, has 3 stores and churches; and about 300 inhabitants. Burlington and Paintersville are small places. On Massie's creek, 7 miles northeast of Xenia, 14 an ancient stone fort and a mound.
GUERNSEY.
GUERNSEY was organized in March, 1810. The upland is hilly and of various qualities, and the soil clay or clayey loam. Ther is much excellent land in the bottom of Wills' creek and its branches, which cover about one third of the county. The principal crops are wheat, corn and tobacco. Wool is a staple product of the county, together with beef cattle, horses and swine. The follow- ing is a list of its townships in 1840, with their population.
Adams,
866
Knox,
538
Richland, 1772 1
Beaver,
1686
Liberty,
835
Seneca, 1356
Buffalo, 1025
Londonderry, 1629
Spencer, 1669
Cambridge, 2033
Madison,
1569
Washington, 1008
Center,
976
Millwood,
1722
Westland,
1077
Jackson,
1155
Monroe,
1098
Wheeling, 769
Jefferson,
755
Oxford,
2133
Wills, 1 1887
The population of Guernsey in 1820, was 9,292; in 1830, 18,036 ; and in 1840, 27,729, or 45 inhabitants to the square mile:
Previous to the first settlement of the county, there was a party of whites attacked by Indians on Wills' creek, near the site of Cam- bridge. The particulars which follow are from the pen of Col. John M'Donald, author of the Biographical Sketches.
In the year 1791 or '92, the Indians having made frequent incursions into the settlements, along the Ohio river, between Wheeling and the Mingo bottom, sometimes killing or cap- turing whole families ; at other times stealing all the horses belonging to a station or fort, a company consisting of seven men, rendezvoused at a place called the Beech bottom, on.the Ohio river, a few miles below where Wellsburg has been erected. This company were John Whetzel, William M'Collough, John Hough, Thomas Biggs, Joseph Hedges, Kinzie Dick- erson, and a Mr. Linn. Their avowed object was to go to the Indian towns to steal horses. This was then considered a legal, honorable business, as we were then at open war with the Indians. It would only be retaliating upon them in their own way. These seven men were all trained to Indian warfare, and a life in the woods from their youth. Perhaps the western frontier, at no time, could furnish seven men whose souls were better fitted, and whose nerves and sinews were better strung to perform any enterprise which required reso- lution and firmness. They crossed the Ohio, and proceeded with cautious steps, and vigi- lant glances on their way through the cheerless, dark, and almost impervious forest, in the Indian country, till they came to an Indian town, near where the head waters of the Sandusky and Muskingum rivers interlock. Here they made a fine haul, and set off home- ward with fifteen horses. They travelled rapidly, only making short halts, to let their horses graze, and breathe a short time to recruit their strength and activity. In the eve- ning of the second day of their rapid retreat, they arrived at Wills creek, not far from where the town of Cambridge has been since erected. Here Mr. Linn was taken violently sick, and they must stop their march, or leave him alone, to perish in the dark and lonely woods. Our frontier men, notwithstanding their rough and unpolished manners, had too much of my Uncle To y's " sympathy for suffering humanity," to forsake a comrade in dis- tress. They halted, and placed sentinels on their back trail, who remained there till late in the night, without seeing any signs of being pursued. The sentinels on the back trail returned
203
GUERNSEY COUNTY.
to the camp, Mr. Linn still lying in excruciating pain. All the simple remedies in their power were administered to the sick man, without producing any effect. Being late in the night, they all lay down to rest, except one who was placed as guard. Their camp was on the bank of a small branch. Just before day-break the guard took a small bucket, and dipped some water out of the stream ; on carrying it to the fire he discovered the water to be muddy. The muddy water waked his suspicion that the enemy might be approaching them, and were walking down in the stream, as their footsteps would be noiseless in the water. He waked his companions, and communicated his suspicion. They arose, exam- ined the branch a little distance, and listened attentively for some time ; but neither saw nor heard any thing, and then concluded it must have been raccoons, or some other ani- mals, puddling in the stream. After this conclusion the company all lay down to rest, ex- cept the sentinel, who was stationed just outside of the light. Happily for them the fire had burned down, and only a few coals afforded a dim light to point out where they lay. The enemy had come silently down the creek, as the sentinel suspected, to within ten or twelve feet of the place where they lay, and fired several guns over the bank. Mr. Linn, the sick man, was lying with his side towards the bank, and received nearly all the balls which were at first fired. The Indians then, with tremendous yells, mounted the bank with loaded rifles, war-clubs and tomahawks, rushed upon our men, who fled barefooted and without arms. Mr. Linn, Thomas Biggs and Joseph Hedges were killed in and near the camp. William M'Collough had run but a short distance when he was fired at by the enemy. At the instant the fire was given, he jumped into a quagmire and fell ; the Indians supposing that they killed him, ran past in pursuit of others. He soon extricated himself out of the mire, and so made his escape. He fell in with John Hough, and came into Wheeling. John Whetzel and Kinzie Dickerson met in their retreat, and returned to- gether. Those who made their escape were without arms, without clothing or provision. Their sufferings were great ; but this they bore with stoical indifference, as it was the for- tune of war. Whether the Indians who defeated our heroes followed in pursuit from their towns, or were a party of warriors, who accidentally happened to fall in with them, has never been ascertained. From the place they had stolen the horses, they had travelled two nights and almost two entire days, without halting, except just a few minutes at a time, to let the horses graze." From the circumstance of their rapid retreat with the horses, it was supposed that no pursuit could possibly have overtaken them, but that fate had decreed that this party of Indians should meet and defeat them. As soon as the stragglers arrived at Wheel- ing, Capt. John M'Collough collected a party of men, and went to Wills creek, and buried the unfortunate men who fell in and near the camp. The Indians had mangled the dead bodies at a most barbarous rate. Thus was closed the horse stealing tragedy.
Of the four who survived this tragedy, none are now living to tell the story of their suf- fering. They continued to hunt and to fight as long as the war lasted. John Whetzel and Dickerson died in the country near Wheeling. John Hough died a few years since, near Columbia, Hamilton county, Ohio. The brave Capt. William M'Collough, fell in 1812, in the battle of Brownstown, in the campaign with Gen. Hull.
Cambridge, the county seat, is on the national road, 77 miles east of Columbus and 24 east of Zanesville. It is a flourishing village and contains 1 Presbyterian, 1 Seceder, 1 Methodist Episcopal and 1 Reformed Methodist church, an academy, 9 mercantile stores, 2 carding machines, 1 flouring and 2 fulling mills, 1 newspaper print- ing office and about 1000 inhabitants. The view represents the town as it appears from a hill on the west, about 300 yards north of the national road : the bridge across Wills creek is shown on the right, and the town on the hill in the distance.
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