USA > Ohio > Historical collections of Ohio in three volumes ; an encyclopedia of the state : with notes of a tour over it in 1886 contrasting the Ohio of 1846 with 1886-90, Vol. III > Part 85
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Mr. Cuneo was born in a small village near Genoa, Italy. He says :
Reports of America,-My father had heard good reports of America. A neighbor of his returned home with some money, and his en-
thusiastic accounts of what he saw here and opportunities for making something gave my father the American fever. He saw no hope
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of ever improving his condition over there. Yes, the poor peasant is born in a rude and humble home, and there he must die. He cultivates his little hillside and fields of ground, cats his common coarse meal, ad- mires the beauties with which nature has sur- rounded him, but no light of education enters his mind. There were then no rolling mills, factories or mechanical establishments to fur- nish him steady labor, or even to ineite him to industry. He was born poor-poor and un- educated he must remain. Nature has done all she could for him, but he is the victim of eruel tyranny. I tell you, my friends, that it may be, and undoubtedly is, very pleasing to the eye, to behold the very elaborate terraeed hillsides, and valleys decorated with grape- vines, fig and olive trees, but to reside and make a living there is altogether a different thing.
Despotic Rule .- And what is still more un- endurable is the stern fact of having to live under rulers who occupy their positions, not because of eminent merits, peculiar qualifica- tions, or the voice of the people over whom they rule, but simply by the right of heredi- tary descent, a principle which originated in hell. Then, too, with the knowledge that those very despots are placed over you and your children for life. There is no alternative but to bow and submit. I wish you to think for a moment, and to imagine what feelings would creep over you, if you were now to be informed that you had no longer a voiee in the making of your laws and the choice of your rulers. In this country the people are the rulers, and the officers mere hired ser- vants. In Italy . a public functionary will pass you with less respect than you would a cow. In this country he will stop to inquire as to the condition of your health, and that of your family, especially if he be a shrewd politician, with aspirations for re-election or promotion. He knows that, religiously and politically, you stand upon the infallible roek of equality, and he treats you accordingly. Here every citizen worships God as he pleases. If our public servants prove meritorious, we honor them by re-election ; and if unworthy, we kick them out and repeal the bad laws they have enaeted. In Italy, although a man may have the brains of an ignoramus, and the heart of a villain, yet if he be the son of a king he becomes heir to the throne ; and he who is born poor, although endowed with the genius of a Shakspeare, and the wisdom of a Franklin, he must die as he was born, in obscurity.
Liberty and Equality .- But in this country,
thanks be to God, the noble patriots who es- tablished this benign government, and the hosts of its living maimed defenders, the fact that a man may have been born in an humble cottage and followed the trade of a tanner, like General Grant ; split rails, like Abraham Lincoln ; drove a canal boat, like James A. Garfield ; or taught school for a living, like Millard Fillmore, does not debar him from becoming the honored executive of the nation. Truly here are no distinctions but such as man's merits may originate. Here the temple of fame opens its portals alike to all. Still it is my experience, that whatever may be a man's surroundings, or the country where he resides, the novelty of all around him will wear off, and in turn he be- comes the victim of despondency and discon- tentment. The peasant of Italy is ignorant, without ambition, and requires much less to satisfy him. Our own people are ambitious. This is right. A man without ambition is as worthless and powerless as an engine without steam. But the more we have the greater our desire for what we have not.
Appreciation of American Institutions .- We take up a poor boy, educate him, make a Governor of him, send him to Congress, and then, instead of feeling grateful, he will growl, and even abandon his benefactors, be- eause they don't keep him there for life, or elect him to the Presidency. The Italian peasant feels thankful and happy when he has health, sufficient to cat and work ; but we keep up the perpetual ery of "hard times," because we haven't thousands of bushels of wheat to sell and piles of greenbacks in the bank. And when we have plenty of wheat we are not happy, because the price is too low. Now, my kind reader, when you are disposed to despond, when business is dull, don't fret because you aint in California, dig- ging up nuggets of gold ; but remember how transeendentally superior is your lot when compared with the condition of the peasants of Italy. and the millions of the poor and oppressed of other lands. He who fails to find a reasonable degree of happiness in America is truly to be pitied, for I don't know where he can go to better his condition. It has often seemed to me that the American people do not appreciate their institutions" and privileges as they should. I will not say that I prize and enjoy them better than they, .... but I do say, most emphatically, that I ap- preeiate them far better than if I had not gone through what I have related in these chats.
Sails for America .- On March 6, 1849, Pietro, then thirteen years of age, ac- companied his father to Genoa, from which city they were to sail for America.
"In sixty days from the time we sailed we reached New York city. There were about one hundred passengers on that little ship. We were packed below like criminals, and our situation, especially during the prevalence of sea-sickness, can be better imagined than described."
An Organ Grinder .- " When I arrived in New York I could not understand
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a solitary word of the English language, had no trade, and could not read nor write my own name in any language. What to do was the question. Father was advised to start me out with an organ. He accordingly rented one. I. shouldered it, and went to that part of the city then called 'Five Points.' I rested the organ on a cane and proceeded to turn the crank. I gathered a few . pennies, but soon found that I could not carry it. It was different from those we occasionally see on our streets. It had a top to it in which were figures that 3. daneed to the tunes played. It was too heavy for me, and so father had to return it to the owner. I have mentioned this to some kind friends, and it got to the cars of some Democratic editors, and when they got displeased at me they called me ' the organ grinder.' I am guilty, and the worst of it is that I did not make a success of it. I gave them the best tunes that the internal machinery of the box and diligently turning of the crank would afford, took such pennies, and they were few, passers-by saw fit to give me. If I had been three or four years older I think I would have made it go. I would have added a monkey to the business after a while. I had the will but not the strength so I made a failure of it. And I tell you I was discouraged and home-sick."
A Farm Laborer .- From New York he went to Philadelphia, and then worked on a farm in Milford, Del., receiving three dollars per month and board. In about two years, on account of sickness, his father was com- pelled to return to Italy, expecting Pietro to follow, but the latter had begun to master the difficulties of the English language, and decided to remain in America. For the next four years he drifted from farm to farm in the vicinity of Philadelphia. In 1852, while working on the farm of Mr. Starn near Cam- den, N. J., he was urged by his friends and fellow-laborers to go to school and learn to read and write.
"Mr. Starn told me that if I wanted to go to school he would board me for what work I could do about the farm night and morn- ing, or, if I wanted to work steadily, he would give me three dollars per month. I accepted the latter offer, and promised to try and learn at home in the evenings. The teacher was boarding in the family of Mr. Starn, and offered to teach me ; so I purchased a spell- ing book and tried a few evenings, but soon became utterly discouraged, and gave the book to a little daughter of Mr. Samuel Ross."
A year later, at the age of seventeen, he again tried to get the rudiments of an educa- tion, and took his first lesson in learning the alphabet.
Learning to Read and Write .- " I tried hard to learn, and the teacher and pupils took particular pains to assist me. The teacher, Win. Snowden, I think, was his name, and the pupils, were very kind to me. He be- came interested in my welfare, and soon after I began the term he invited me to stand by his side one noon, while he was cating dinner, and spell words on the book, which he helped me to pronounce. The next day I did not go up. The second day he invited me again. I went up, and he asked me why I did not go up the day before. I told him that I did not know that he wanted me to do so. He then
explained that he was willing to hear me every noon. I was only too glad to accept. So, after that, every noon, for the balance of the winter, I stood by his side and spelled a lesson while he was eating his dinner. It was no trouble to him, but a great favor to me. He was one of God's noblestemen. On taking my leave of school I asked my teacher to sell me a copy of 'Swann's Instructive Reader,' of which he had several 'second- hand' copies. 'Why,' said he, 'what do you want with it ? you can't read it.' 'Well,' said I, 'I will keep it till I can.' He said I could have a copy for 12} cents. I took him up and honored my promise, as I kept the book, read, and have it yet. I was deter- mined to make a useful man of myself if pos- sible, and decided to work hard during the spring, summer and fall of each year, and at- tend school during the three winter months till I arrived at the age of twenty-one. I had heard good reports of Pennsylvania, and in the fall came to Coatesville, Chester county, of that State.'
" What Does United States Mean ?"- During the next two winters he began to study arithmetic and geography. "After a while I came to the map of the 'United States,' and the question in my mind was, What does that mean? I knew I was in America, but I could not understand what the words ' United ' and ' States' meant, and I am free to confess I never thoroughly un- derstood their meaning till after I studied 'Young's Science of Government,' 'De Toc- queville's American Institutions,' the history of American Colonies and the War for Ameri- can Independence. One great obstacle in the way of my progress was the fact that I did not comprehend the meaning of so many words. In studying arithmetic I labored un- der peculiar difficulties. as I could not un- derstand the rules. Well, I purchased a small pocket dietionary, but here I met with new and unexpected difficulties, for when I resorted to it I was as much at a loss to un-
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derstand the definitions as the words them- selves. When I read a book or paper I found so many strange words that I could hardly get any sense of the subject. I finally resorted to this practice : When I found strange words I wrote them on a slip of paper, and, after I was through reading, would examine the dic- tionary and write the definition opposite the word, and carried it in my pocket. When at my work I would reflect over what I had read ; and if I could not remember the words or their meaning I would pull the slip from my pocket and read it. To learn to pro- nounce the words was another great task, and one which I never expected to master."
Wants to be an Editor .- In Septem- ber, 1856, Mr. Cuneo came to Canton, Ohio, worked in the shops of Auitman & Co., carrying lumber and doing other manual labor at seventy-seven cents a day. He worked for this firm for the next nine years, excepting during certain intervals when he worked on a farm for his board while attending school. He gradually mas- tered, with great difficulty, one after another of the different branches taught in the public schools until he received notice of his promo- tion to the high school. From time to time he purchased standard books until he had the nucleus of a library, and in the fall of 1858 taught in a school where he had formerly been a pupil. Through reading the " Life and Essays of Benjamin Franklin" he was stimulated with a desire to become a news- paper editor, and entered the office of the Stark County Republican as a printer's "devil " at the age of twenty-two. About five months later his parents arrived in Can- ton, and as he could render them and his sis- ters no assistance while an apprentice in a printing office he was obliged to return to work in the shops of Aultinan & Co. In the fall of 1865, still ambitious to become an editor, he purchased with his savings a half interest in the Medina Gazette. In Septem- ber, 1866, he sold out this interest and pur- chased the Wyandot Pioneer, of Upper Sandusky. He changed its name to the Wyandot County Republican in 1869, and has been its sole editor and proprietor ever since.
In concluding the sketch of his career Mr. Cuneo says :
Mean Fun .- During the several years I worked in the machine shops I carried books in my pocket, and when I arrived at the shops a few minutes before the time to com- mence work I would seize the books and study them. Sometimes, when deeply ab- sorbed over those books, some of the shop fellows would throw iron turnings on me, which would come down like vigorous hail. But when I looked to learn who threw them, no one was to be seen-that is, the guilty fellow was not visible. It was very annoying and unkind to me, but great fun for the boys.
When working on the farin I kept a book in the barn, and while the horses ate I read. Thus I gathered a little here and a little there, which has been a great help to me.
Poor Boy's Opportunities .- I had now ac- quired such a thirst for knowledge, that when I heard of a book, the study of which I thought would assist me, I resolved to have it if it took the very last cent. As I continued iny readings I found that the great philoso- pher, Benjamin Franklin, was once a poor printer boy ; the statesman, Roger Sherman, was a shoemaker ; William Wirt was left a poor orphan boy at eight years of age. In fact I found that a large number of those who have contributed so much to the lustre of our nationality and the glory of our institu- tutions began their careers in obscurity and poverty.
Then, too, as I looked among the living, I saw men everywhere, who were once poor, in the possession of wealth and stations of honor. This encouraged me, for the idea of poor boys becoming rich was new to me, as I never saw such instances in Italy. The ex- perience of others taught me the fact that, in most every community, in this country, the men and women who have made honor- able reputations, and achieved success in business and mental culture, began in humble circumstances, often at the very bottom of the ladder. Yes, in the old country, men boast of having royal blood flowing in their veins, but in this country we often point with pride to an humble log-house-which we did not own, but paid rent for the privilege of living in it-as our starting point. True, indeed, that " Westward the star of empire takes its way," and equally true, that the heart of the honest, ambitious American lad looks upward and onward, in the direction of an honorable career which is within the reach of every boy gifted with common sense, integrity, grit and laudable ambition.
Pleasure in Work .- In conclusion, and in . all candor, allow me to assure you, reader, that I see nothing in the story of my humble. experience to boast about. Indeed, I have never thought and have no intentions of ap- plying for a patent for anything recorded above. I claim no merits for myself, have done nothing that any ordinary boy may not do. Every boy, born in this country, has at once the advantage of learning our language from his mother's lips, and entering the school door at the age of six years. I had a harder struggle to learn what little I know, of the English language, than most of our boys have in acquiring a practical common school education. In fact, with me, progress in the way of acquiring knowledge and property has always seemed slow, hard work, uphill. But __ there is a pleasure in diligent study, persistent industry and practical management. I wish I could impress npon the minds of my young readers that we are most happy when we are busy, engaged in accomplishing something useful. The writing of this long article has been a pleasing task to me.
Gratitude for American Institutions .- Bnt may I not hope that the perusal of this simple narration of facts will cheer the hearts of some lads, who are depressed, and whose future seems gloomy, as mine did. Oh, no, I
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shall not boast, for the long weary years, the heart-aches and gloomy future of my boy- hood and young manhood are far more vividly impressed upon my mind and heart than any joy I ever experienced. No, I elaim no merits for myself, but attribute what little success may have attended my efforts to the free, common schools of our glorious country, and have thus briefly related my experience, since arriving in America, for the purpose of demonstrating to our young men that they are surrounded by golden opportunities, which, if properly improved, will enable them in due time to reap a pleasurable harvest. I . lasting and indestructible as Time."
elose with words and sentiments that I penned a little over eighteen years ago, and which are as warm in my heart now as they were then: "The gratitude I bear toward those who urged me to go to school, and gave me an op- portunity to do so ; to the teachers and this benign goverment, which opened the school- room doors to me, shall only fade away when my heart shall beat no more. God grant that this, my adopted country, this beloved land, this paradise for men on earth, this asylum for the oppressed of all countries, this Union of States and of hearts, may be as
WYANDOT EXECUTION.
The following account of the execution for murder of a Wyandot Indian has been written for this work by Dr. A. W. Munson, of Kenton, O., an eye-witness of the execution, under date of Kenton, O., January 3, 1891, and directed to Henry Howe :
In compliance with a promise made you on your visit to this city a few years ago I send the following account of the incidents leading to and connected with the last Wyandot Indian excention which took place at Upper Sandusky in October, 1840. For many years previous to the time here spoken of, owing to Christian influence, the Wyandot nation had been divided into two parties, one known as the Christian, the other as the Heathen party.
Many of the Indians, being very fond of drink, would become intoxicated whenever they could obtain whiskey, and when intoxicated were troublesome and difficult to control. In consequence of this, the United States officers at the Ageney had issued an order prohibiting persons settling on the reservation from selling or giving to any Indian any intoxicating liquors.
There being no law preventing persons living outside the reservation from keeping and selling liquor to any person, a number of small villages outside were liberally supplied with liquor vendors, from whom the Indians could obtain all they wanted. It was in one of these villages that a party of Indians in Septem- ber, 1840, congregated, many of whom became intoxicated and engaged in numer- ous contentions. Among those present were two who were parties to the tragedy about to be described.
The Murder .- Que old man, a half-brother to n prominent half-breed named John Barnet, belonged to the Christian party, and although he had indulged in frequent pota- tions, was but slightly intoxicated ; the other, a young man, the son of a noted chief known as "Black Chief," was a rude and tur- bulent fellow, and had become greatly intoxi- cated during the day. Late in the afternoon, the former having procured a jug of whiskey started to go home, when the latter joined him. Their route was along a trail through the thick woods. Soon after entering the forest the young Indian wanted the old man to give him some whiskey, and when refused became enraged and seizing a bludgeon dealt the old man a murderous blow on the head, felling him to the ground, and following up his murderons blows crushed the head of the prostrate victim, killing him on the spot.
The Arrest and Trial .- Soon thereafter a body of Indians going along the trail came upon the dead body of the victim, and pass- ing a short distance farther found the mur-
derer, still drunk, and lying upon the ground fast asleep, while the jug sat near by. This party seized the drunken Indian, and, binding his arms, conveyed him, together with the dead body, to Upper Sandusky, and lodged the former in the little Indian jail for safe- keeping. The news of the tragedy created great excitement in the nation, and soon the executive council ordered an examination, whereupon the prisoner was taken before that tribunal, and after examining into the par- ticulars found him guilty of murder while in a state of intoxication, and sentenced him to perpetual banishment and the confiscation of all his property.
This disposition of the case caused great dissatisfaction among the nation, especially among the Christian. party, and a demand was made for a reversal of the decree, and the culprit to be tried by the highest tribunal, viz., a trial before the assembled nation, act- ing as a jury, to decide by ballot the question of life or death.
Before the Grand Tribunal .- The decree
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of the chiefs was set aside, the accused brought before the grand tribunal, and, after a full investigation of the case, the question, "Shall the prisoner suffer death or be per- mitted to live ?" was decided by a vote of all persons entitled to vote (all male persons over twenty-one years of age). The vote resulted in an overwhelming majority in favor of death. The prisoner was thereupon sentenced to be shot to death, and the third Friday thereafter selected as the day. The place of execution was to be the Sandusky bottoms, adjoining the village of Upper Sandusky.
The Indian Jail .- It was early in the morn-
ing of the Friday designated for the execution that I set off on horseback to make a journey of twenty miles to witness the proceedings. I arrived at the village about nine in the morning, and found a considerable number of both whites and Indians of both sexes al- ready in the village. The prisoner was con- fined, in the jail, which was a hewed log structure standing upon a high bluff a short 3. distance northeast from the council-house, which stood on a lot used as an Indian grave- yard, and enclosed by a rude fence. Evi- dences of that graveyard may yet be seen. The jail building was about 14x18 feet and
THE INDIAN JAIL.
two stories high, standing with the ends pointing north and south, and overlooking the Sandusky bottoms to the south and cast. The lower story consisted of one room about eight feet high, supplied with one small win- dow in the south end, from which a fair view of the bottoms could be had. The entrance was near the northwest corner; the outer door was a thick, heavy plank batten, and the inner door an iron grated one. These doors were so arranged that the outer one could be opened, and afford an opportunity for outside persons to converse with the prisoner; while the inner grated door, being securely fastened, prevented any escape.
The lower floor, as indeed the upper one, was made of hewed logs about eight or ten inches thick.
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The upper room was of the same dimen- sions as the lower, with a window in the south end and an entrance at the north end, provided with two doors, situated and ar- ranged as in the room below. The roof pro- jeeted over the north end some six or eight feet, thus affording a kind of porch. The upper room was reached by an outside stair-
way, which commenced at the northwest cor- her and extended up to the platform at the door to the upper apartment. This building was erected soon after the establishment of the government ageney, and stood as a pioneer relie until. a few years ago, when the vandal hands of progress demolished it, and nothing now remains to mark the place where it stood.
The Executive Council .- Upon my arrival I was informed that the prisoner could be seen at the jail, and that the execution would not take place until afternoon, as the exeeu- tive couneil was then in session in the eoun- cil-house, probably arranging the details of procedure.
It was also rumored that an effort on the part of friends of the prisoner was being made to have the sentence suspended and the prisoner turned over to the State au- thorities to be tried by the laws of the State, and that the question was being considered by the council. However, preparations for the execution were going on ; the grave was being dug by a party of Indians. The site of the grave was in the Sandusky bottom,
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