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 45
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The Indians encamped that night on the bank of the Ohio. The next morning they prepared their horses for a return to their towns, with the unfortunate and unhappy pris- oner. Nothing but death in the most appalling form presented itself to his view. When they were ready to set off, they caught the wildest horse in the company, and placed Ken- ton on his back. The horse being very restif it took several of them to hold him, while the others lashed the prisoner on the horse. They first took a tug, or rope, and fastened his legs and feet together under the horse. They took another and fastened his arms. They took another and tied around his neck, and fastened one end of it around the horse's neck ; the other end of the same rope was fastened to the horse's tail, to answer in place of a crupper. They had a great deal of amusement to themselves, as they were preparing Ken- ton and his horse for fun and frolic. They would yelp and scream around him, and ask him if he wished to steal more horses. Another rope was fastened around his thighs, and
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308
LOGAN COUNTY.
lashed around the body of his horse ; a pair of moccasons was drawn over his hands, to pre- vent him from defending his face from the brush. Thus accoutered and fastened, the horse was turned loose to the woods. He reared and plunged, ran through the woods for some time, to the infinite amusement of the Indians. After the horse had run about, plunging, rearing, and kicking for some time, and found that he could not shake off, nor kick off his ri- der, he very quietly submitted himself to his situation, and followed the cavalcade as quiet and peaceable as his rider. The Indians moved towards Chillicothe, and in three days reached the town. At night they confined their prisoner in the following manner : He was laid on his back, his legs extended, drawn apart, and fastened to two saplings or stakes driven in the ground. His arms were extended, a pole laid across his breast, and his arms lashed to the pole with cords. A rope was tied around his neck, and stretched back just tight enough not to choke him, and fastened to a tree or stake near his head. In this painful and un- comfortable situation, he spent three miserable nights, exposed to gnats, and musketoes, and weather. O, poor human nature, what miserable wretches we are, thus to punish and harrass each other. (The frontier whites of that day, were but little behind the Indians, in wiles, in cruelty, and revenge.) When the Indians came within about a mile of the Chillicothe town, they halted and camped for the night, and fastened the poor unfortunate prisoner in the usual uncomfortable manner. The Indians, young and old, came from the town to welcome the return of their successful warriors, and to visit their prisoner. The Indian party, young and old, consisting of about 150, commenced dancing, singing and yelling around Kenton, stopping occasionally and kicking and beating him for amusement. In this manner they tormented him for about three hours, when the cavalcade returned to town, and he was left for the rest of the night, exhausted and forlorn, to the tender mercies of the gnats and musketoes. As soon as it was light in the morning, the Indians began to collect from the town, and preparations were made for fun and frolic at the ex- pense of Kenton, as he was now doomed to run the gauntlet. The Indians were formed in two lines, about six feet apart, with each a hickory in his hands, and Kenton placed between the two lines, so that each Indian could beat him as much as he thought proper, as he ran through the lines. He had not ran far before he discovered an Indian with his knife drawn to plunge it into him; as soon as Kenton reached that part of the line where the Indian stood who had the knife drawn, he broke through the lines, and made with all speed for the town. Kenton had been previously informed by a negro named Cæsar, who lived with the Indians and knew their customs, that if he could break through the Indians' lines, and arrive at the council-house in the town before he was overtaken, that they would not force him a second time to run the gauntlet. When he broke through their lines, he ran at the top of his speed for the council-house, pursued by two or three hundred Indians, screaming like infernal furies. Just as he had entered the town, he was met by an Indian leisurely walking towards the scene of amusement, wrapped in a blanket. The Indian threw off his blanket; and as he was fresh, and Kenton nearly exhuasted, the Indian soon caught him, threw him down. In a moment the whole party who were in pursuit came up, and fell to cuffing and kicking him at a most fearful rate. They tore off his clothes, and left him naked and exhausted. After he had laid till he had in some degree recovered from his exhausted state, they brought him some water and something to eat. As soon as his strength was sufficiently recovered, they took him to the council-house, to determine upon his fate. Their manner of deciding his fate was as follows: Their warriors were placed in a circle in the council house; an old chief was placed in the center of the circle, with a knife and a piece of wood in his hands. A number of speeches were made. Ken- ton, although he did not understand their language, soon discovered by their animated ges- tures, and fierce looks at him, that a majority of their speakers were contending for his destruction. He could perceive that those who plead for mercy, were received coolly ; but few grunts of approbation were uttered when the orators closed their speeches. After the ; orators ceased speaking, the old chief who sat in the midst of the circle, raised up and - handed a war-club to the man who sat next the door. They proceeded to take the deci- sion of their court. All who were for the death of the prisoner, struck the war-club with violence against the ground ; those who voted to save the prisoner's life, passed the club to his next neighbor without striking the ground. Kenton, from their expressive gestures, could easily distinguish the object of their vote. The old chief who stood to witness and record the number that voted for death or mercy, as one struck the ground with a war-club he made a mark on one side of his piece of wood ; and when the club was passed without striking, he made a mark on the other. Kenton discovered that a large majority were for death.
Sentence of death being now passed upon the prisoner, they made the welkin ring with shouts of joy. The sentence of death being passed, there was another question of conside-
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309
LOGAN COUNTY.
rable difficulty now presented itself to the consideration of the council ; that was, the time and place, when and where, he should be burnt. The orators again made speeches on the subject, less animated indeed than on the trial ; but some appeared to be quite vehement for instant execution, while others appeared to wish to make his death a solemn national sacrifice. After a long debate, the vote was taken, when it was resolved that the place of his execu- tion should be Wapatomika, (now Zanesfield, Logan county.) The next morning he was hurried away to the place destined for his execution. From Chillicothe to Wapatomika, they had to pass through two othe: Indian towns, to wit: Pickaway and Machecheek. At both towns he was compelled to run the gauntlet ; and severely was he whipped through the course. While he la ;; at Machecheek, being carelessly guarded, he made an attempt to escape. Nothing worse than death could follow, and here he made a bold push for life and freedom . Being unconfined, he broke and run, and soon cleared himself out of sight of his pursuers. While he distanced his pursuers, and got about two miles from the town, he accidentally met some Indians on horseback. They instantly pursued and soon came up with him, and drove him back again to town. He now, for the first time, gave up his
case as hopeless. Nothing but death stared him in the face. Fate, it appeared to him, had sealed his doom ; and in sullen despair, he determined to await that doom, that it was impossible for him to shun. How inscrutable are the ways of Providence, and how little can man control his destiny ! When the Indians returned with Kenton to the town, there was a general rejoicing. He was pinioned, and given over to the young Indians, who dragged him into the creek, tumbled him in the water, and rolled him in the mud, till he was nearly suffocated with mud and water. In this way they amused themselves with him till he was nearly drowned. He now thought himself forsaken by God. Shortly after this his tormenters moved with him to Wapatomika. As soon as he arrived at this place, the Indians, young and old, male and female, crowded around the prisoner. Among others who came to see him, was the celebrated and notorious Simon Girty. It will be recollected that Kenton and Girty were bosom companions at Fort Pitt, and on the campaign with Lord Dunmore. As it was the custom of the Indians to black such prisoners as were in- tended to be put to death, Girty did not immediately recognize Kenton in his black dis- guise. Girty came forward and inquired of Kenton where he had lived. Was answered Kentucky. He next inquired how many men there were in Kentucky. He answered, he did not know ; but would give him the names and rank of the officers, and he, Girty, could judge of the probable number of men. Kenton then named a great many officers, and their rank, many of whom had honorary titles, without any command. At length Girty asked the prisoner his name. When he was answered, Simon Butler. (It will be recol- lected, that he changed his name when he fled from his parents and home.) Girty eyed him for a moment, and immediately recognized the active and bold youth, who had been his companion in arms about Fort Pitt, and on the campaign with Lord Dunmore. Girty threw himself into Kenton's arms, embraced and wept aloud over him-calling him his dear and esteemed friend. This hardened wretch, who had been the cause of the death of hundreds, had some of the sparks of humanity remaining in him, and wept like a child at the tragical fate which hung over his friend. " Well," said he to Kenton, " you are con- demned to die, but I will use every means in my power to save your life.
Girty immediately had a council convened, and made a long speech to the Indians, to save the life of the prisoner: As Girty was proceeding through his speech, he became very animated ; and under his powerful eloquence, Kenton could plainly discover the grim visages of his savage judges relent. When Girty concluded his powerful and animated speech, the Indians rose with one simultaneous grunt of approbation, saved the prisoner's life, and placed him under the care and protection of his old companion, Girty.
The British had a trading establishment then at Wapatomika. Girty took Kenton with him to the store, and dressed him from head to foot, as well as he could wish : he was also provided with a horse and saddle. Kenton was now free, and roamed about through the country, from Indian town to town, in company with his benefactor. How uncertain is the fate of nations as well as that of individuals ! How sudden the changes from adversity to prosperity, and from prosperity to adversity ! Kenton being a strong, robust man, with an iron frame, with a resolution that never winced at danger, and fortitude to bear pain with the composure of a stoic, he soon recovered from his scourges and bruises, and the other severe treatment he had received. It is thought probable, that if the Indians had continued to treat him with kindness and respect, he would eventually have become one of them. He had but few inducements to return again to the whites. He was then a fugi- tive from justice, had changed his name, and he thought it his interest to keep as far from his former acquaintances as possible. After Kenton and his benefactor had been roaming about for some time, a war party of Indians, who had been on an expedition to the neigh-
310
LOGAN COUNTY.
borhood of Wheeling, returned ; they had been defeated by the whites, some of their men were killed, and others wounded. When this defeated party returned they were sullen, chagrined, and full of revenge, and determined to kill any of the whites who came within their grasp. Kenton was the only white man upon whom they could satiate their revenge. Kenton and Girty were then at Solomon's town, a small distance from Wapatomika. A message was immediately sent to Girty to return, and bring Kenton with him. The two friends met the messenger on their way. The messenger shook hands with Girty, but re- fused the hand of Kenton. Girty, after talking aside with the messenger some time, said to Kenton, they have sent for us to attend a grand council at Wapatomika, They hurried to the town ; and when they arrived there the council-house was crowded. When Girty went into the house, the Indians all rose up and shook hands with him ; but when Kenton offered his hand, it was refused with a scowl of contempt. This alarmed him ; he began to admit the idea that this sudden convention of the council, and their refusing his hand, boded him some evil. After the members of the council were seated in their usual man- ner, the war chief of the defeated party rose up and made a most vehement speech, frequently . turning his fiery and revengeful eyes on Kenton during his speech. Girty was the next to rise and address the council. He told them that he had lived with them several years ; that he had risked his life in that time more frequently than any of them ; that they all knew that he had never spared the life of one of the hated Americans ; that they well knew that he had never asked for a division of the spoils; that he fought alone for the destruction of their enemies ; and he now requested them to spare the life of this young man on his account. The young man, he said, was his early friend, for whom he felt the tenderness of a parent for a son, and he hoped, after the many evidences that he had given of his attachment to the Indian cause, they would not hesitate to grant his request. If they would indulge him in granting his request to spare the life of this young man, he would pledge himself never to ask them again to spare the life of a hated American.
Several chiefs spoke in succession on this important subject ; and with the most appa- rent deliberation, the council decided, by an overwhelming majority, for death. After the decision of this grand court was announced, Girty went to Kenton, and embracing him very tenderly, said that he very sincerely sympathized with him in his forlorn and unfortunate situation ; that he had used all the efforts he was master of to save his life, but it was now decreed that he must die-that he could do no more for him. Awful doom!
It will be recollected, that this was in 1778, in the midst of the American revolution. Upper Sandusky was then the place where the British paid their western Indian allies their annuities ; and as time might effect what his eloquence could not, Girty, as a last resort, persuaded the Indians to 'convey their prisoner to Sandusky, as there would meet vast numbers to receive their presents ; that the assembled tribes could there witness the solemn scene of the death of the prisoner. To this proposition the council agreed ; and the pris- oner was placed in the care of five Indians, who forthwith set off for Upper Sandusky. What windings, and twistings, and turnings, were seen in the fate of our hero.
As the Indians passed from Wapatomika to Upper Sandusky, they went through a small village on the river Scioto, where then resided the celebrated chief, Logan, of Jefferson memory. Logan, unlike the rest of his tribe, was humane as he was brave. At his wig- wam the party who had the care of the prisoner, staid over night. During the evening, Logan entered into conversation with the prisoner. The next morning he told Kenton that he would detain the party that day-that he had sent two of his young men off the night before to Upper Sandusky, to speak a good word for him. Logan was great and good-the friend of all men. In the course of the following evening his young men re- turned, and early the next morning the guard set off with the prisoner for Upper Sandusky. When Kenton's party set off from Logan's, Logan shook hands with the prisoner, but gave no intimation of what might probably be his fate. The party went on with Kenton till they came in view of the Upper Sandusky town. The Indians, young and old, came out to meet and welcome the warriors, and view the prisoner. Here he was not compelled to run the gauntlet. A grand council was immediately convened to determine upon the fate of Kenton. This was the fourth council which was held to dispose of the life of the pris- oner. As soon as this grand court was organized and ready to proceed to business, a Ca- nadian Frenchman, by the name of Peter Druyer, who was a captain in the British service, and dressed in the gaudy appendages of the British uniform, made his appearance in the council. This Druyer was born and raised in Detroit-he was connected with the British Indian agent department-was their principal interpreter in settling Indian affairs ; this made him a man of great consequence among the Indians. It was to this influential man, that the good chief Logan, the friend of all the human family, sent his young men to intercede for the life of Kenton. His judgment and address were only equalled by his humanity.
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LOGAN COUNTY.
His foresight in selecting the agent who it was most probable could save the life of the prisoner, proves his judgment and his knowledge of the human heart. As soon as the grand council was organized, Capt. Druyer requested permission to address the council. This permission was instantly granted. He began his speech by stating, " that it was well- known that it was the wish and interest of the English that not an American should be left alive. That the Americans were the cause of the present bloody and distressing war- that neither peace nor safety could be expected, so long as these intruders were permitted to live upon the earth." This part of his speech received repeated grunts of approbation. He then explained to the Indians, " that the war to be carried on successfully, required cunning as well as bravery-that the intelligence which might be extorted from a prisoner, would be of more advantage, in conducting the future operations of the war, than would be the life of twenty prisoners. That he had no doubt but the commanding officer at Detroit could procure information from the prisoner now before them, that would be of in- calculable advantage to them in the progress of the present war. Under these circumstan- ces, he hoped they would defer the death of the prisoner till he was taken to Detroit, and examined by the commanding general. After which he could be brought back, and if thought advisable, upon further consideration, he might be put to death in any manner they thought proper." He next noticed, " that they had already a great deal of trouble and fatigue with the prisoner without being revenged upon him ; but that they had got back all the horses the prisoner had stolen from them, and killed one of his comrades ; and to in -. sure them something for their fatigue and trouble, he himself would give $100 in rum and tobacco, or any other articles they would choose, if they would let him take the pris- oner to Detroit, to be examined by the British general." The Indians, without hesitation, agreed to Captain Druyer's proposition, and he paid down the ransom. As soon as these arrangements were concluded, Druyer and a principal chief set off with the prisoner for Lower Sandusky. From this place they proceeded by water to Detroit, where they ar- rived in a few days. Here the prisoner was handed over to the commanding officer, and lodged in the fort as a prisoner of war. He was now out of danger from the Indians, and was treated with the usual attention of prisoners of war in civilized countries. The Brit- ish commander gave the Indians some additional remuneration for the life of the prisoner, and they returned satisfied to join their countrymen at Wapatomika.
As soon as Kenton's mind was out of suspense, his robust constitu- tion and iron frame in a few days recovered from the severe treat- ment they had undergone. Kenton remained at Detroit until the June following, when he, with other prisoners, escaped, and after enduring great privations, rejoined their friends.
About the year 1802, he settled in Urbana, where he remained some years, and was elected brigadier-general of militia. In the war of 1812, he joined the army of Gen. Harrison, and was at the battle of the Moravian town, where he displayed his usual intrepid- ity. About the year 1820, he moved to the head of Mad river. A few years after, through the exertions of Judge Burnet and General Vance, a pension of $20 per month was granted to him, which secured his declining age from want. He died in 1836, at which time he had been a member of the Methodist church about 18 years. The frosts of more than eighty winters had fallen on his head with- out entirely whitening his locks. His biographer thus describes his personal appearance and character.
General Kenton was of fair complexion, six feet one inch in height. He stood and walked very erect ; and, in the prime of life, weighed about one hundred and ninety pounds. He never was inclined to be corpulent, although of sufficient fullness to form a graceful person. He had a soft, tremulous voice, very pleasing to the hearer. He had laughing, grey eyes, which appeared to fascinate the beholder. He was a pleasant, good-humored and obliging companion. When excited, or provoked to anger, (which was seldom the case,) the fiery glance of his eye would almost curdle the blood of those with whom he came in contact. His rage, when roused, was a tornado. In his dealing, he was perfectly honest ; his confidence in man, and his credulity, were such, that the same man might cheat him twenty times; and if he professed friendship, he might cheat him still.
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312
LORAIN COUNTY.
West Liberty is 8 miles south of Bellefontaine, on the Cincinnati and Sandusky City railroad. This is a thriving, compact, business- like town, and in a beautiful country. It lies upon Mad river, one of the best mill streams in the state, the valley of which is here two or three miles wide. The Miami feeder, which enters the main trunk at Lockport, and now extends as far as Port Jefferson, in Shelby county, will probably be continued to the Mad river at this place, an act of the legislature having been passed to that effect. West Liberty contains 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist and 1 Christian church, 9 stores, 1 flouring, 1 saw, 1 carding and fulling mill, and a population but little less than the county seat.
Zanesfield, 43 miles east of Bellefontaine, on Mad river, has 5 stores, 1 grist and 3 saw mills ; 1 Methodist church, 1 Friends' meet- ing-house, and about 230 inhabitants. Cherokee, 6 miles north of Bellefontaine, Logansville, 10 west, Middleburgh, 11 southeast, and Quincy, 13 southwest, are places about the size and importance of Zanesfield. East Liberty, Rushsylvania and Richland are also small villages.
LORAIN.
LORAIN was formed December 26th, 1822, from Huron, Cuyahoga and Medina. The surface is level, and the soil fertile and generally clayey. Parallel with the lake shore, are three sand ridges, which vary from 40 to 150 rods in width: they are respectively about 3, 7 and 9 miles from the lake, and are fertile. The agriculture of Lorain is rapidly improving. The principal crops are grass, wheat, corn, oats, rye and potatoes. Dairy products, wool and beef cattle are also staple products, and madder and oil of peppermint are also produced. Bog iron ore is found in quantities. The following is a list of the townships in 1840, with their population:
Amherst,
1186
Eaton,
764
Ridgeville, 818
A von,
1211
Elyria,
1636
Rochester,
487
k
Blackriver,
668
Grafton,
713
Russia, 1302
Brighton, 999
Henrietta,
743
Sheffield,
521
Brownhelm, 934
Huntington,
743
Sullivan,
782
Camden, 504
Lagrange,
991
Troy
289
Carlisle,
1094
Pennfield,
405
Wellington,
781
Columbia,
876
Pittsfield,
704
The population of Lorain, in 1830, was 5,696, and in 1840, 18,451, or 33 inhabitants to the square mile.
There was found in this county, a few years since, a curious ancient relic, which is thus described in the Lorain Republican, of June 7, 1843.
"In connection with our friend Mr. L. M. Parsons, we have pro- cured two views or sketches of the engravings upon a stone column
m
se by
th
an
Pe
bu th
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LORAIN COUNTY.
or idol, found upon the farm of Mr. Alfred Lamb, in Brighton, in this county, in 1838. The fol- lowing is a side view of the pil- lar or column.
"It was found about three fourths of a mile from Mr. Lamb's house, covered with a Louis Vac accrcl thick coat of moss. Upon three different places are engraved ES33 In France the figures 1533. The horns represented are now broken off, 1533 but their place is easily defined. A flat stone, 8 inches in diam- eter and 1} inches thick, was found beneath this column, on removing it from its erect po- sition, upon which the figures 1533 were discovered, also engraved. Another stone was found about 10 feet distant, of like quality. It was about 6 inches long and 3 in diameter, (6 sided,) support- ed by 3 pillars about 3 inches long, of pyramidal form. No marks of tools were upon it. Upon the top part of the first mentioned pillars, above shown, was an engraving of a vessel under full sail, in form, as near as now can be ascertained, as follows. The engraving was most unfortunately nearly ob- literated by the boys cracking hickory nuts upon it. These are about all the facts con- nected with these curious rel- ics, which have come to our
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