Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume II, Part 44

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Ohio > Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume II > Part 44

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Miamisburg in 1846 .- Miamisburg is ten miles southerly from Dayton, on the Miami canal and river, and the State road from Dayton to Cincinnati. This locality was originally called " Hole's Station," and a few families settled here about the time Dayton was commenced. The town was laid out in 1818 : Emanuel Gebhart, Jacob Kercher, Dr. John and Peter Treon, being the original proprietors. The early settlers were of Dutch origin, most of whom emigrated from Berks county, Pa. The German is yet much spoken, and two of the churches worship in that language. The river and canal supply considerable water power. The town is compactly built. The view was taken near J. Zimmer's hotel-shown on the right-and gives the appearance of the principal street, looking from that point in the direction of Dayton. A neat covered bridge crosses the Miami river at this place. Mi. misburg contains 1 Dutch Reformed, 1 Lutheran and 1 Meth- odist church, 1 high school, 12 mercantile stores, 1 woollen and I cotton factory, 1 grist mill, 1 iron foundery, and had in 1840, 834, and in 1846, 1055 inhabitants .- Old Edition.

In the lower part of Miamisburg are the remains of an ancient work ; and this region abounds in the works and fortifications so common in the West. About a mile and a quarter southeast of the village, on an elevation more than 100 fcet above the Miami, is the largest mound in the northern states, excepting the mam- mouth mound at Grave creek, on the Ohio below Wheeling, which it about equals in dimensions. It measures about 800 feet around the base, and rises to the height of 67 feet. When first known, it was covered with forest trees, from the top of one of which-a maple tree growing from its apex-it is said Dayton could be plainly seen. The mound has not been thoroughly examined, like that at Grave creek ; but probably is similar in character. Many years since a shaft was sunk from the top ; at first, some human bones were exhumed, and at the depth of about 11 feet, the ground sounding hollow, the workmen were afraid to progress farther. Probably two vaults are in it, like those of Grave creek ; one at the base in the centre, the other over it, near the summit ; it was, we suppose, this upper vault which gave forth the hollow sound. The mound is the steepest on the north and east sides, and is ascended with some little difficulty. It now sustains an orchard

Drawn by Henry Howe in 1846.

THE GREAT MOUND NEAR MIAMISBURG.

Drawn by Henry Howe in 1846.

STREET VIEW IN MIAMISBURG.

SCIE

Drawn by Henry Howe in 1846.

STREET VIEW IN GERMANTOWN.

301

MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

of about 40 apple, and a few peach and forest trees. The view from the summit is beautiful. At one's feet lays the village of Miamisburg, while the fertile val- ley of the river is seen stretching away for miles .- Old Edition.

In July, 1869, a number of resident citizens made another effort to determine the nature of this mound. They sunk a shaft five or six feet in diameter fron the top to two feet below the base. They found eighty feet from the top a human skeleton, in a sitting posture facing due cast. A cover of clay several feet in thick- ness, and then a layer of ashes were found, and deposits of vegetable matter, bones of small animals, wood and stone surrounding it.

At twenty-four feet a triangular stone, planted perpendicularly, about cight inches in the earth with the point upward was discovered. Around it at an angle of about forty-five degrees and over-lapping each other like shingles upon a roof, were placed stone averaging about a foot in diameter, all rough, but of nearly uniform size, and similar to those quarried in the neighboring hills.

The work vs sinking the shaft continued from day to day until a depth of sixty- six feet was reached. This was down to two feet below the natural surface as surveyed, as nearly twenty feet had been cut from the cone in former explorations, its original height must have been over eighty fcet.

It had been determined to remove the skeleton before closing up the shaft, but upon examination it was found in condition to render this impossible, and it was allowed to remain.

The Miamisburg Bulletin published a series of interesting articles on the explor- ations at the time they were made.

MIAMISBURG is ten miles southwest of Dayton, on the Great Miami River, Miami & Erie Canal, and on the C. H. & D., and C. C. C. & I. Railroads. It is the centre of the Ohio seed leaf tobacco producing district. City Officers : 1888, Lewis H. Zehring, Mayor ; A. C. Schell, Clerk ; Geo. T. Mays, Treasurer ; Wm. Dalton, Marshall; H. Ross, Street Commissioner. Newspaper: Bulletin, Independent, Blossom Bros., editors and publishers ; News, Democratic, Chas. E. Kinder, editor and publisher. Churches: 1 United Brethren, 1 Reformed, 1 Lutheran, 1 Catholic and 1 Methodist. Bank : (H. Groby & Co.)

Manufactures and Employees .- Miamisburg Binder Twine and Cordage Co., 205 hands; Hoover & Gamble, agricultrural implements, 185; Bookwalter Brothers & Co., carriage wheels, etc., 46; D. Grobe, builders' wood-work, 8; Miami Valley Paper Co., 42; The Ohio Paper Co., 54; A. Kuehn, lager beer, 4; The Kauffman Buggy Co., carriages, etc., 63.

Population, 1880, 1396. School census, 1888, 925. Thomas A. Pollok, school superintendent. Capital invested in industrial establisliments, $700,300. Value of annual product, $1,544,500 .- Ohio Labor Statistics, 1887.

Germantown in 1846-Germantown, named from Germantown, Pa., is thirteen miles southwest of Dayton, in a beautiful valley, surrounded by one of the most fertile sections of land in the West. It is steadily improving, and is noted for the substantial industry and wealth of its citizens. This thriving town was laid out in 1814, by Philip Gunckel, proprietor, who previously built a saw and grist mill on Twin creek, and opened a store at the same place. Most of its early settlers were of German descent, and emigrated from Berks, Lebanon and Centre counties, Pa. Among these were the Gunckels, the Emericks, the Schæffers, etc., whose descendents now comprise a large proportion of the inhabitants. The village is handsomely laid out in squares, the houses are of a substantial character, and the streets ornamented by locusts. It contains 2 German Reformed, 1 Lutheran, 1 Episcopal Methodist and 1 United Brethren church, a flourishing academy for both sexes, 1 book, 2 grocery and 5 dry goods stores, 1 newspaper printing office, 1 brewery, 1 woollen factory and about 1200 inhabitants .- Old Edition.

GERMANTOWN is twelve miles southwest of Dayton on the C. J. & M. R. R., and in the beautiful Twin Valley, and is sometimes called the "Twin City." It is the seat of Twin Valley College and Ohio Conservatory of Music. Its manufac-

302

MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

turing industries are carriages, buggies, agricultural implements, tobacco and cigars. Newspaper : Press, Democratic, E. B. Harkrider, editor and publisher. Churches : 1 German Reformed, 1 Lutheran, 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 United Brethren. Bank : First National, J. W. Shank, president, J. H. Cross, cashier. Population 1880, 1618. School census, 1888, 408. J. F. Fenton, superintendent of schools.

CHAMBERSBURG is six miles north of Dayton, on the C. H. & D. R. R. Popu- lation, 1880, 115.

VANDALIA is eight miles north of Dayton. Population, 1880, 315. School census, 1888, 104.

BROOKVILLE is thirteen miles northwest of Dayton, on the D. & U. and P. C. & St. L. R. R. It has 1 Lutheran, 1 United Brethren and 1 Methodist Episcopal. Population, 1880, 574. School census, 1888, 248.

NEW LEBANON is ten miles west of Daytou. Population, 1880, 76.

FARMERSVILLE is fourteen miles southwest of Dayton, on the C. J. & M. R. R It has five churches. Population, 1880, 794. School census, 1888, 130.

CENTERVILLE is nine miles south of Dayton. Population, 1880, 294.

MORGAN COUNTY.

399

MORGAN.

MORGAN COUNTY, named from Gen. Daniel Morgan, of the Revolution, was organized March 1, 1818. The Muskingum flows through the heart of the county, which, with its branches, furnishes considerable water-power. The sur- face is very hilly ; the soil, limestone clay, strong and fertile.

Area about 400 square miles. In 1887 the acres cultivated were 57,506; in pasture, 120,966 ; woodland, 43,947; lying waste, 3,229; produced in wheat, 150,256 bushels; rye, 972; buckwheat, 240; . oats, 74,190; barley, 108; corn, 482,299 ; broom-corn, 300 lbs. brush; meadow hay, 26,212 tons ; clover hay, 1,772; potatoes, 37,802 bushels; tobacco, 123,080 lbs. ; butter, 518,583 ; cheese, 450; sorghum, 2,883 gallons; maple syrup, 1,308; honey, 7,532 lbs .; eggs, 571,534 dozen; grapes, 23,040 lbs .; wine, 233 gallons ; sweet potatoes, 2,126 bushels ; apples, 4,181 ; pcaches, 1,348 ; pears, 1,005; wool, 592,039 lbs .; milch cows owned, 4,876. School census, 1888, 6,066 ; teachers, 225. Miles of railroad track, 26.

TOWNSHIPS AND CENSUS.

1840.

1880. 898

TOWNSHIPS AND CENSUS.

1840.

1880.

Bloom,

1,388

Marion,

1,989

Bristol,

1,647

1,448

Meigsville,

1,159

1,201

Brookfield,

1,433

Morgan,

1,518

2,005

Center,

1,171

1,164

Noble,

1,315

Deerfield,

1,224

1,035

Olive,

1,650

Homer,

1,693

Penn,

1,119

1,245

Jackson,

920

Union,

1,334

1,595

Malta,

1,404

1,574

Windsor,

1,279

2,392

Manchester,

1,266

723

York,

1,030

1,112

Population of Morgan in 1820, 5,299; 1830, 11,800; 1840, 20,857 ; 1860, 22,119; 1880, 20,074, of whom 17,789 were born in Ohio; 795, Pennsylvania ; 467, Virginia ; 65, New York; 27, Indiana; 13, Kentucky; 140, German Empire ; 127, Ireland ; 43, England and Wales; 15, British America ; 5, France ; and 4, Scotland. Census, 1890, 19,143.

The first settlement in this county, made at BIG BOTTOM, on the Muskingum, near the south line of the county, was broken up by the Indians. In the autumn of 1790 a company of thirty-six men went from Marietta and com- menced the settlement. They erected a block-house on the first bottom on the east bank of the river, four miles above the mouth of Meigs creek. They were chiefly young, single men, but little acquainted with Indian warfare or military rules.

Those best acquainted with the Indians and those most capable of judging from appearances, had little doubt that they were preparing for hostilities, and strongly opposed the settlers going out that fall and advised their remaining until spring, by which time, probably. the question of war or peace would be settled. Even Gen. Putnam and the directors of the Ohio company, who gave away the land to have it settled, thought it risky and imprudent, and strongly re- monstrated against venturing out at that time.

A Block-House Built .- But the young men were impatient, confident in their own prudence and ability to protect themselves.

They went ; put up a block-house which might accommodate the whole of them in an emergency, covered it and laid puncheon floors, stairs, etc. It was made up of large beech logs and rather open, as it was not chinked between the logs ; this job was left for a rainy day, or some more convenient season. Here was their first great error, as they ceased to complete the work, and the general interest was lost in that of the convenience of each individual ; with this all was lost. The second error was, they kept no sentry and had neglected to stockade or set pickets around the block-house. No system of defence and dis- cipline had been introduced. Their guns were lying in different places. without order,

MORGAN COUNTY.

about the house. Twenty men usually en- camped in the house, a part of whom were now absent, and each individual and mess cooked for themselves. One end of the building was appropriated for a fire-place and when the day closed all came in, built a large fire and commenced cooking and eat- ing their suppers.

The weather, for some time previous to the attack, as we learn from the diary of Hon. Paul Fearing, who lived at Fort Harmer, had been quite cold. In the midst of winter and with such weatheras this, it was not customary for the Indians to venture out on war parties, and the early borderers had for- merly thought themselves in a manner safc from their depredations during the winter months.

Two Cabins Built .- About twenty rods above the block-house and a little back from the bank of the river, two men, Francis and Isaac Choate, members of the company, had erected a cabin and commenced clearing their lots. Thomas Shaw, a hired laborer in the employ of the Choates, and James Patten, another of the associates, lived with them. About the same distance below the garrison was an old "tomahawk improvement " and a small cabin, which two men, Asa and Eleazer Bullard, had fitted up and now occupied. The Indian war-path from San- dusky to the mouth of the Muskingum, passed along on the opposite shore in sight of the river.

Indians Surprise and Destroy the Settle- ment .- The Indians who, during the summer, had been hunting and loitering about the settlements at Wolf's creek mills and Plain- field, holding frequent and friendly intercourse with the settlers, selling them venison and bear meat in exchange for green corn and vegetables, had withdrawn early in the autumn and gone high up the river into the vicinity of their towns, preparatory to winter-quarters. Being well acquainted with all the approaches to these settlements, and the manner in which the inhabitants lived, each family in their own cabin, not apprehensive of danger, they planned and fitted out a war party for their destruction. It is said they were not aware of there being a settlement at Big Bottom until they came in sight of it on the opposite shore of the river in the afternoon. From a high hill opposite the garrison they had a view of all that part of the Bottom, and could see how the men were occupied and what was doing about the block-house. Having reconnoitered the station in this manner, just at twilight they crossed the river on the ice a little above and divided their men into two parties; the larger one to attack the block-house and the smaller one to make prisoners of the few men living in Choate's cabin without alarming those below. The plan was skilfully arranged and promptly executed. As the party cautiously approached the cabin they found the inmates at supper ; a party of the Indians entered, while others stood without by the door and addressed the men in a friendly manner.

Suspecting no harm, they offered them a part of their food, of which they partook. Look- ing about the room the Indians espied some leather thongs and pieces of cord that had been used in packing venison, and taking the white men by their arms told them they were prisoners. Finding it useless to resist, the Indians being more numerous, they submitted to their fate in silence.

While this was transacting the other party had reached the block-house unobserved ; even the dogs gave nonotice of their approach, as they usually do, by barking; the reason probably was, that they were also within by the fire, instead of being on the alert for their masters' safety. The door was thrown open by a stout Mohawk, who stepped in and stood by the door to keep it open, while his companions without shot down those around the fire. A man by the name of Zebulon Throop, from Massachusetts, was frying meat and fell dead in the fire ; several others fell at this discharge. The Indians then rushed in and killed all who were left with the toma- hawk. No resistance seems to have been offered, so sudden and unexpected was the attack, by any of the men ; but a stout back- woods Virginia woman, the wife of Isaac Meeks, who was employed as their hunter, seized an axe and made a blow at the head of the Indian who opened the door ; a slight turn of the head saved his skull and the axe passed down through his cheek into the shoulder, leaving a huge gash that severed nearly half his face ; she was instantly killed by the tomahawk of one of his companions before she could repeat the stroke. This was all the injury received by the Indians, as the men were all killed before they had time to seize their arms. which stood in the corner of the room. While the slaughter was going on, John Stacy, a young man in the prime of life, and the son of Col. William Stacy, sprung up the stair-way and out onto the roof, while his brother Philip, a lad of six- teen, secreted himself under some bedding in the corner of the room. The Indians on the outside soon discovered the former and shot him while he was in the act of "begging them, for God's sake, to spare his life, as he was the only one left."

This was heard by the Bullards, who, alarmed by the firing at the block-house, had run out of their cabin to see what was the matter. Discovering the Indians around the house they sprung back into their hut, seized their rifles and ammunition, and closing the door after them, put into the woods in a direction to be hid by the cabin from the view of the Indians. They had barely escaped when they heard their door, which was made of thin clapboards, burst open by the Indians. They did not pursue them, although they knew they had just fled, as there was a good fire burning and their food for supper smok- ing hot on the table. After the slaughter was over and the scalps secured, one of the most important acts in the warfare of the American savages, they proceeded to collect the plunder. In removing the bedding the

305

MORGAN COUNTY.

lad, Philip Stacy, was discovered; their tomahawks were instantly raised to dispatch him, when he threw himself at the feet of one of their leading warriors, begging him to protect him. The savage either took com- passion on his youth or else, his revenge being satisfied with the slaughter already made, interposed his authority and saved his life. After removing everything they thought valuable, they tore up the floor, piled it on the dead bodies and set it on fire, thinking to destroy the block-house with the carcases of their enemies. The building being made of green beech logs the fire only consumed the floors and roof, leaving the walls still standing when visited the day after by the whites.

There were twelve persons killed in this attack, viz., John Stacy, Ezra Putnam (son of Major Putnam of Marietta), John Camp and Zebulon Throop-these men were from Massachusetts ; Jonathan Farewell and Jas. Couch, from New Hampshire ; William James, from Connectieut ; Joseph Clark, from Rhode Island ; Isaac Meeks, his wife and two children, from Virginia. They were well provided with arms, and no doubt could have defended themselves had they taken proper precautions : but they had no old revolutionary officers with them to plan and direct their operations, as they had at all the other garrisons. If they had picketed their house and kept a regular sentry, the Indians would probably never have attacked them. They had no horses or cattle for them to seize upon as plunder, and Indians are not very fond of hard fighting when nothing is to be gained ; but seeing the naked block- house, without any defences, they were en- couraged to attempt its capture. Col. Stacy, who had been an old soldier, well acquainted

with Indian warfare in Cherry valley, and had two sons there, visited the post only the Sunday before, and secing its weak state, had given them a strict charge to keep a reg- ular watch, and prepare immediately strong bars to the doors, to be shut every night at sunset. They, however, fearing no danger, did not profit by his advice.

The party of Indians, after this, bent their steps towards the Wolf creek mills ; but finding the people here awake and on the lookout, prepared for an attack, they did nothing more than reconnoitre the place, and made their retreat at early dawn, to the great relief of the inhabitants. The number of Indians who came over from Big Bottom was never known.

The next day Capt. Rogers led a party of men over to Big Bottom. It was a mel- ancholy sight to the poor borderers, as they knew not how soon the same fate might be- fall themselves. The action of the fire, although it did not consume, had so blackened and disfigured the dead, that few of them could be distinguished. Ezra Putnam was known by a pewter plate that lay under him, and which his body had prevented from entirely melting. His mother's name was on the bottom of the plate, and a part of the cake he was baking at the fire still ad- hered to it. William James was recognized by his great size, being six feet four inches in height, and stoutly built. He had a-piece of bread clenched in his right hand, probably in the act of eating, with his back to the door, when the fatal rifle-shot took effect. As the ground was frozen outside, a hole was dug within the walls of the house and the bodies consigned to one grave. No further attempt was made at a settlement here until after the peace.

McConnelstille in 1846 .- McConnelsville, the county-seat, named from its original proprietor, Robert McConnel, is situated upon the east bank of the Muskingum, seventy-five miles southeasterly from Columbus, thirty-six above Marietta, and twenty-seven below Zanesville. The view was taken in the centre of the town. On the left is seen the court-house, the jail and connty clerk's office, and in the distance, down the street, appears the Baptist church. This thriving town contains one Presbyterian, one Congregational, one Baptist, one Protestant Methodist, and one Methodist Episcopal church ; fifteen mercantile stores, two newspaper printing-offices, one foundry, one woollen factory, two flouring mills, and had, in 1840, 957 inhabitants .- Old Edition.

MCCONNELSVILLE, county-scat of Morgan, is about sixty-five miles southeast of Columbus, on the east bank of the Muskingum river, forty-eight miles above Marietta and twenty-seven below Zanesville; also, on the Z. & O. Railroad. County officers, 1888 : Auditor, Jesse T. Elliott ; Clerk, John Q. Abbott ; Com- missioners, Henry F. James, Leonidas J. Coburn, Thomas J. Chappelcar ; Coro- ner, Andrew H. Henery ; Infirmary Directors, James Ralph, Henry L. Mellor, A. S. Wilson ; Probate Judge, Eugene J. Brown ; Prosecuting Attorney, Marion E. Danford ; Recorder, William H. Young ; Sheriff, John R. Harper ; Surveyor, Joseph F. Dougan ; Treasurer, Albert P. Whitaker. City officers, 1888 : J. W. McElhiney, Mayor ; W. O. Fouts, Clerk ; Enoch Dye, Marshal ; C. E. Cochran, Treasurer ; Jacob Hatton, Street Commissioner. Newspapers : Herald, Republi- can, Charles. S. Sprague, editor and publisher ; Morgan County Democrat, Demo-

306

MORGAN COUNTY.

cratic, J. B. Tannehill, editor and publisher. Churches : one Baptist, two Meth- odist, one Methodist Episcopal, one Methodist Protestant, one Universalist, one Presbyterian and one Catholic. Bank : First National, James K. Jones, president, R. Stanton, cashier.

Manufactures and Employees .- George P. Hann, cigars, 16 hands ; McCon- nellsville Sash and Door Co., doors, sash, etc., 9; McConnellsville Roller Mills, flour, etc., 6 ; Morgan County Democrat, printing, 5; McConnellsville Herald, printing, etc., 7; James Bain, wagons and buggies, 7; E. M. Stanberry & Co., flour, etc., 3 .- State Reports, 1888.

Population, 1880, 1,473. School census, 1888, 469. Capital invested in in- dustrial establishments, $101,500. Value of annnal product, $131,000 .- Ohio Labor Statistics, 1887. Census, 1890, 1,771.

MALTA is on the west bank of the Muskingum river, directly opposite McCon- nellsville, on the Z. & O. Railroad. It has two churches. City officers, 1888 : J. W. Rogers, Mayor ; W. S. Conner, Clerk ; H. A. Davis, Treasurer ; J. H. Dunnington, Marshal ; Harmon Seaman, Street Commissioner ; Newspaper : Val- ley Register, Independent. Bank : Malta National, W. P. Sprague, president, George S. Corner, vice-president.

Manufactures and Employees .- A. M. Dunsmoor, furniture, 5 hands ; Brown- Manly Plow Co., Malta plows, 130 ; McGrath & Humphrey, doors, sash, etc., 8 ; G. L. Hoffman & Son, harness leather, 10 .- State Reports, 1888. Population, 1880, 652. School census, 1888, 239. Capital invested in manfacturing establishments, $64,000. Value of annual product, $162,000 .- Ohio Labor Statistics, 1888.

THE DEVIL'S TEA TABLE.

One of the most remarkable natural curiosities of the Muskingum valley is the " Devil's Tea Table," which stands on one of the bluffs on the east side of the river, three miles above McConnelsville, on a farm owned by L. D. Reed. Its position is exactly central on the top of a high hill, the ground sloping rapidly from it in every direction. It stands like a lone sentinel, keeping its silent watch, as the years go by, over the beautiful river whose waters glide by it on their way to the ocean. The following description of it was contributed to this work by Dr. H. L. True, of McConnelsville.

It consists of an immense table of sandstone estimated to weigh over 300 tons, supported by a slender base of shelly slatestone. It maintains its place and position mainly by its equilibrium, the top being so evenly balanced on the pedestal that if a small portion were broken from one side of the table it would cause it to topple over. The table is quad- rangular or diamond shaped, and has the fol- lowing dimensions : it is about 25 feet high. 33 feet long, 20 feet wide, 10 feet thick, and 85 feet in circumference. The dimensions of the base are as follows: length, 18 feet, width 5 feet, height about 14 feet, circumfer- ence 40. The long diameter is in a direction north and south.

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Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume II, Part 44

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio Number of Pages: 916

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 916