History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One, Part 2

Author: Miller, Charles Christian, 1856-; Baxter, Samuel A
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond & Arnold
Number of Pages: 828


USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58


516


Jacobs, Thomas K.


138


Jacobs, Thomas K


401


Jamieson, John Q.


824


Jauman, Benjamin L


513


John, Abia


791


John Griffith


119


Johns, Elias H


455


Johnston, Charles W


727


PAGE


Light, Samuel


369


Lippineott, James M


479


Jolley, Cassius M.


743


Llewellyn, A. A


858


Lones, F.


628


Long, Minor


549


Long, Thomas C.


532


Longeoy, Dr. J. M


777


Longsworth, Ira R.


670


Lory, Daniel


493


Losee, C. E.


871


Lowery, Hon. James E


672


Ludwig, Isaac


827


Lugibihl. Adam D ... 660


1


MeBeth, William


A


666


MeCauley, George


382


MeCauley, S. E.


870


McClain, W. L


790


MeClure, Samuel


63


MeComb, William, Jr.


47I


MeCoy, Alexander Hamilton. 359


MeCullough, George M.


741


MeHenry, Dr. William


84


MeKerren, Daniel


602


Mclaughlin, T. A. 434


Mc Pheron, Jonathan M


705


Mackenzie, Eugene C.


648


Mackenzie, Hon. James


343


Mackenzie, W. H.


649


Maire, Edward J


487


Maire, Frank L


508


Maltbie, Rev. Harrison


360


Manges, Hon. John W.


507


Manning, Rev. Alfred Ed- ward 258


Marshall, Charles C.


155


Marshall, Jolın R.


570


Marshall, Joseph R


765


Martin, John


706.


Mason, M. D.


754


Mason, Zalmon R.


766


Land, Rev. Paul Henry.


260


Matthews, B. F.


700


Landis, Wallace


870


Mattingly, William H.


595


Lamison, Charles Nelson


218


Maus, James L


796


May, John


802


May, J. M


215


Mcily, John


88


Mell, Peter T.


390


Mctcalf, Benjamin F


216


Metheany, George H.


350


Metheany, Richard


88


Meyers, M


438.


Jones, Dr. Arthur L.


824


Jones, Isaac


470


Jones, Josiah


399


Jones, John D


499


Jones, John R


870


Jones, Llewelyn


399


Jones, Dr. Richard E


523


Jones, Thomas


756


Jones, William


513


Jones & Williams.


498


Kanawl, George D 492


Kay, Howard L


746


Keil, Phillip


474


Keith, John


423


Kelley, James C


433


Kennedy, Raymond R


391


Kerr, George S.


611


Kesler, Mrs. Catherine


637


Kilgore, Joseph W


409


Kimball, W. S.


681


Kindell, C. E.


435


Knisely, Dr. A. F.


456


Kiplinger, Abraham P.


655


Kiplinger, Clifford


451


Kiplinger, Daniel E.


852


Kissel, Jacob


792


· Klay, A. B


433


Klein, George


752


Klinger, William


395


Knittle, George W


684


Koeh, Louis


864


Krauss, S. K ..


644


Kreiling, Lewis


734


Kruse, Charles


465


Kruse, Henry


814


Lackey, Adam C.


4.38


Lathrop, C.


640


Laudick, Dr. Louis F


553


Lause, Casper


778


Mehaffey, Hon. Robert


581


Leech, Charles M


.512


Leech, Frank M


512


Leech & Leech


512


Lehman, Christian


612


Leilich, H. L.


677


Lemasters. Rev. Philip


410


PAGE


Johnston, Rev. Thomas Pow- ell 252


12


INDEX


PAGE


Miller, Hon. Azariah D.


539


Miller, Dr. Charles C. 674


Miller, Charles 629


Miller, D. W. 859


Miller, Henry


673


Miler, Rev. I. J


686


Miller, L. B. 844


Mills, Squire


II4


Mills, Walter S.


698


Mitchell, John Porter


75


Mitchell, Thornton T


387


Mohler, William F


702


Moore, H.


566


Moore, Col. Israel T


527


Morris, John B


376


Morris, J. R.


478


Morrison, J. H. M. 535


Moser. Jacob.


719


Mosier, E. W.


841


Motter, Isaac S.


685


Moulton, Col. B. M.


805


Mowen. Edward S.


637


Mowen, J. W.


610


Mowen, O. L. 638


Mowery, Samuel 704


Musser, Daniel


86


Napier, William 558


Neely, Scott


784


Neeley, Harry


796


Neuenschwander, Peter M .. 519


Newson, George L.


424


Nichols, Mathiah H


215


O'Brien, John 810


O'Day, Daniel J


387


Oen, F. W


863


Olson, Frederick


0.


689


Osborn, Calvin


556


Owen, Francis


355


Owen, M. D.


649


Page, L. W 744


Palmer, J. B. 517


Park, James A


500


Parks, S. G.


604


Parmenter, William L.


703


Patrick, Guy,


842


Patterson, John E.


566


Rowlands. J. W


660


Rudy, W. E.


580


Rumbaugh, Scott T


710


Rupe, Rev. Clarence Mulford 257


Rusher, Frank P.


372


Rusler, Hon, William


759


Russell, W. L. . .. 421


PAGE


Sager, Dr. Newton.


234, 694


Saint, Levi


107


Sanford, Dr. Samuel


233


Scherger, Constantine


567


Schnabel, John W.


728


Schultheis Brothers


462


Scott, Walter


680


Scott, William


84


Sealts Co., The J. M.


570


Secrest, J. H.


753


Selfridge, Oliver Boston


350


Siddall, Lucius J. R


5.36


Simons, Adam


799


Simpson, J.


865


Sims, Rev. George H.


261


Smith, Frank C.


SI5


Smith, O. W.


4II


Smith, William H.


665


Snider. Solomon D


5.53


Snook, Fred


733


Snow, Fred C.


395


Snyder, Ambrose


363


Spyker, Joel


832


Spyker, Samuel


831


Stadler, Dr. Charles E


635


Staley, Jacob


451


Stallkamp, Francis H


351


Stallkamp, Theodore J.


35I


Stamets, John P.


704


Standish, Walter H.


356


States. Joseph A.


497


Steiner, Adam


680


Steiner. Dr. David W.


663


Stephens. William H.


593


Stueber, Dr. Lou's J


445


Stneber, Dr. Frederick G.


4So


Sullivan. J. E.


68


Sutton, Richard 1


396


Swanson, Rev. Isaac J., B. A .. B. 262


Swinehart. Almon E.


638


Pence, Dr. James C.


391


Pennell, Frank


393


PAGE


Pennell, T. C. 392


Penny, Warren E 643


Pfeifer, Adam V.


622


Pierson, William T


802


Pierson, Joseph E


389


Pillars, Isaiah S.


217


Piper, Jacob


40I


Plate, Robert J


373


Post, Charles C.


431


Post, Isaac B


464


Post, Samuel


569


Potter, Emery D.


215


Powell, William W.


659


Settlage, H. C ..


424


Price, Hon. James L.


352


Severns, John B.


578


Prophet, Col. Hinchman


S


819


Shanahan, John W


462


Pugh, Charles


601


Shenk, Alexander


555


Ramseyer, Otto F.


774


Rankins, George H


364


Reed. Salem


539


Reed, Silas


508


Reichenbach. Ulysses


693


Reilly, William


422


Reis, Carl C.


843


Reynolds, William A


412


Richardson, Henry C.


755


Richardson, Joseph H.


79


Richie, Hon. John E.


429


Richie, Walter B.


353


Ricketts, M. C.


744


Ridenhour, Jacob C.


679


Ridenour, Samuel O.


441


Riley, J. C.


429


Robb. Hon. Theodore D 469


Robb, Thomas M


216


Roberts. Francis M


554


Roberts. Thomas


454


Robinson, Jere


846


Robinson, W. F


865


Roby, John W


403


Rogers. L. H.


580


Rogers, Wilbert L


4II


Romey, Hon. Henry L


466


Stevens, John


458


Ross, Joseph C.


586


Stolzenbach, C. F.


541


Rothe, John W.


453


Roush. Franklin


473


Roush, Dr. William


753


Pears, Hon. Howard W


822


Peltier, James


75


Peltier, W. C ...


587


Tague, Otto G.


656


Sherrick, S. S.


864


Shindoller, Reuben


619


Sieber, Frank


437


13


INDEX


PAGE


Tapscott, Joseplı 639


Taylor, R. M. 560


Terwilleger, Dr. Thompson


R 869


Thomas, B. F.


725


Thomas, Evan L


486


Thomas, Harry


454


Thomas, Morgan


472


Thomas, Dr. Thomas R


417


Thomson, Rev. Robert James, D. D. 255


Thrift, Dr. Robert W. 233


Tompkins, W. H. 788


Trevor, Baxter


446


Trust, Tharman


643


Van Guten, Henry 587


Van Note, Dr. W. B. 624


Vetter, Jean


457


Vicary, G. S.


465


Vortkamp, H. F.


849


Wahmhoff, J. H.


373


Wallace, E. D.


602


Walter, J. H.


607


PAGE


Walther, Leonard 636


Walther, Philip 665


Ward, John


79


Wilson, William 791


Wiltsee, Rev. Thaddeus L 256


Wohlgemuth, Bert


616


Wood, Christopher 116


Wood, F. E. 698


Woolevy, W. H. 748


Wooley, Joseph


741


Wright, Samuel W


372


Wykoff, Garrett


407


Yant, Noah B 611


Yoakam, William W


800


Yost, Edwin J.


734


Young, Alfred J.


752


Young, Rev. Ervin E.


260


1


Zeits, F. W. 595


Zetlitz, E. N.


569


Zimmerly, Peter


617


Zinsmayer, Rev. Dominic


699


Williams, Cary C.


499


PAGE


Williams, Henry D. V. 77


Willower, H. B. 370


Watt, Robert


534


Watt, W.


443


Weadock, Dr. E. G. 450


Weadock, J. J.


620


Webb, Elmer D.


756


Weger, Augustus E.


497


Weixelbaum, Adolph


621


Welch, Dr. Jacob R.


426


Wells, Clair B


618


Welty, Benjamin


416


Wemmer, Henry G.


499


Wemmer, William J


486


Westbay, Charles W.


810


Wetherill, Dr. Ira R.


450


Wheeler, S. S.


409


Whirrett, D. A 837


White, A.


672


White, Reuben.


773


Williams, B. F.


493


Zurfluh, Abraham


504


Illustrations


PAGE


Agerter, Frederick.


646


Allen County Children's Home.


122


Allen County Infirmary. 122


Allen County's Three Court Houses


223


Apple Tree, over 100 years old.


61


Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon H., and Family. .


716


Ashton, Francis.


490


Augsburger, John


730


Backwoodsman, A.


20


Battle of the Fallen Timber 28


Battles of the Maumee, Plan illustrating the. 30


Baxter, Samuel A., M. D. 334


Binkley, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon, and Family


584


Bliss, C. C., M. D


546


Bloom, Walter P.


750


Boegel, Carl W. E. 696


Bower, Alonzo Smith. 572


Brown, Absalom. 82


Brown, Mrs. Absalom


82


Brown, Maria Mitchell


82


Campbell, William Archibald.


510


Carnes, Ira P. 614


Carnes, John.


366


Churches-


Baptist, Old, Lima 246


Catholic, St. John the Baptist, Landeck (interior) .. 268


Catholic, St. John the Evangelist, Delphos .. 122


Catholic, St. Rose, Lima


246


Lutheran, St. Paul's, Lima.


268


Methodist Episcopal, Spencerville. 157


Methodist Episcopal, Trinity, Lima.


246


Presbyterian, Market Street, Lima.


246


Clark, Gen. George Rogers.


42


Colleges-


Central Mennonite, Bluffton 268


Lima, Lima.


268


Collins, Samuel.


342


Colucci, Frank.


782


Company C., Scenes in Camp Lifc, Spanish-Ameri- can War-


At Mess, Knoxville. 322


PAGE


Company C in Ponchos.


322


Hospital Tent, Chickamauga.


322


Kitchen, Chickamauga. 322


Lieut. John M. Bingham 322


Old Mill near Middlebrook Camp, Knoxville. . 322


Council House, Shawnee.


61


Court Crier of the early days, a.


18


Crites, Cryus D.


834


Crites, Hon. S. D.


460


Croghan, Col. George.


31


Custard, Jonathan.


448


Custard, Mrs. Sarah T.


448


Democratic Ox Roast, The-


"And we did"


106


"That Kentucky colonel was a beaut"


100


The Ideal Parade.


103


The Kentucky Colonel.


99


The Literal Parade.


104


Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Ry. Depot.


290


Dobbins, J. W


668


Dunn, D. C ..


502


East, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe M., and Family.


812


Edwards, Thomas J.


794


Federal Building and Postoffice, Lima.


290


First Electric Car in Lima.


200


Fort Amanda.


61


Fort Amanda, Relics of. 70


Fort Defiance Plan of.


27


Fort Washington.


48


French. Samuel Davison.


378


Gazette Building, Lima.


290


Goble, Ebenezer B ..


482


Grand Stand, Lima Driving Park.


200


Grubb, John B., Thomas, Rolla G., and Myrland


D., Hillyard.


856


Hall, George, D. D. S.


476


Handel, Mr. and Mrs. Theodorc A.


738


Ilarmar, Gen. Josiah.


42


16


INDEX


PAGE


Harpster, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel, and Family. 840


Harrison, Gen. William Henry 42


Hefner, Mrs. Christina H. 708


Hefner, Harison. 708


Hefner, Jacob


626


Hill, Robert.


564


Hiner, S. B., M. D. 348


Hitcheock, Salathiel A., M. D. 530


Hoeffel, Rev. Aloysius I.


414


Jackson, Pres. Andrew, and Black Hawk. 22


Jones, Josiah.


398


Jones, Hon. Richard E., M. D. 522


Kenton, Simon.


48


Kiplinger, Mr. and Mrs. Abram P., and Family .. 654


Laudick, Louis F., M. D. 552


Leilich, H. L.


676


Lima Club, The. 306


Lima Hospital, The.


306


Lima House, The.


150


Lima Locomotive & Machine Company, The, Plant of. 200


Lima Public Square Views ----


East Side, showing 23 oil derricks. 178


Northeast Corner, showing North Main


street. 150


Southwest corner (1850) 80


Lima Residences-


Baxter, Dr. Samuel A .. 102


Brice Homestead, The. 122


Dunn, D. C .. 102


Miller, Charles


C.


102


Russell, W. L.


102


Lima Views-


View from the Wapakoneta Road (1846) 76


View of Main Street in 1887. 138


Bird's-eye view, looking north from the Court House 150


Longcoy, J. M., M. D.


776


Ludwig, Isaac.


826


Ludwig, Mrs. Sophronia J.


826


McClure, Moses.


82


Mccullough Lake, Mccullough Park, Lima 150


Maltbie, Rev. Harrison. 358 Masonic Temple, Lima. 290 Miller, Hon. Azariah D. 538


Miller, Charles C., Ph. D. 16


Mitchell, Thornton T.


386


Moulton, Col. B. M ..


804


Oen, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. 862


Oil Industry Views-


An Oil Fire.


178


PAGE


Buckeye Pipe Line Building. ... 306


Longitudinal section of an oil-well. 174


Pumping an oil-well. 178


Shooting an oil-well. 178


Solar Oil Refinery.


178


Tank of burning crude petroleum. 170


Old Northwest, The (map) 33


Olson, Frederick O. 688


Opera House Block, Lima. 274


Pht's Cabin.


61


Prophet, Col. Hinchman S.


818


Pugh, Charles


600


Relics of Fort Amanda and Pioneer Days. 70


Richie, Hon. John E ..


428


Ridenour, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel O., and Family. 440


Robb, Hon. Theodore D.


468


Rusler, Hon. William


758


Russell, W. L.


420


St. Clair, Gen. Arthur


42


School Buildings --


East, Ruins of Old, Lima. 274


High, Lima. ..


268


St. Rose Parochial, Lima 274


Spencerville.


122


West, Old, Lima


274


Simons, Mr. and Mrs. Adam


798


Stadler, Charles E., M. D. 634


Steiner, David W., M. D. 662


Stephens, William H.


592


Subduers of the Wilderness


54


Tecumseh, Death of.


48


Terwilleger, Thompson R., M. D.


868


Thomas, B. F.


724


Thomson, Rev. Robert James, D. D.


254


Vortkamp, H. F.


848


Walter, Mr. and Mrs. J. H.


606


Wayne, Gen. Anthony.


42


Western Country in


the


Revolution,


The,


(map)


2.4


White, Mrs. Ann Eliza, Mrs. Laura Edgecomb, Mrs. Ida Edella Fetter, Mrs. Eva Wingate, Edrow Wingate, Mrs. Sarah Alice Witherill, Mrs. Mrytle Simmons and Hobart Sin-


771 White, Reuben, Mrs. Rebecca M. White, Mrs. Sarah Alice Witherill, Mrs. Mrytle Simmons and Hobart Simmons. 770


Wykoff. Garrett.


406


Y. M. C. A. Building, Lima


306


History


history of Allen County


L


CHAPTER


THE OLD NORTHWEST


Allen County and the Ordinance of 1787-Five New States-Marvelous Growth of the Old Northwest-Greatness of Ohio-First Colony in the Wilderness-Ohio's First County and First Court-Gen. George Rogers Clark-The Struggle in Kentucky --- Clark's Expedition-Fall of Kaskaskia and Vincennes-Ownership of the New Territory-Lands Taken From the Indians-Black Hawk-His Wrongs-The Black Hawk War-The Wilderness Subdued.


Allen County, Ohio, formed a part of the Old Northwest. By the celebrated Ordinance of 1787 the territory "northwest of the river Ohio" was to be divided into not less than three nor more than five sections or States. By the same law it was provided that "when- ever any of the said States shall have sixty thousand free inhabitants therein, such State shall be admitted, by its delegates, into the Congress of the United States, on equal foot- ing with the original States, in all respects whatever; and shall be at liberty to form a permanent constitution and State govern- ment." ( Article V, Ordinance of 1787.)


Acting under, this provision of our organ- ic law, Ohio became a State, February 19, 1803. and Allen County, as a part of Ohio, en- tered upon her history-making career, though the county had not yet been organized. There were five States carved out of the Old 1


Northwest-Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, making a total area of 250,- 000 square miles. At the time of the passage of the Ordinance of 1787 it is probable there were not more than 60,000 "free inhabitants" in the entire five States. Today there are more than 16 millions. In this section-the Old Northwest-we find now the largest lakes, joined by silvery rivers and canals, the richest mine deposits, and the most fertile soil in North America, if not in the world. Here are the longest rivers-and upon their banks sit in pride and majesty the noble cities from whose factories and mills come the clothing and food that help to feed and to protect the hungry millions of earth. The citizenship of this sec- tion is among the most enlightened and pro- gressive, Ohio alone having furnished six Presidents of the United States, one Vice- President, three Presidents of the Senate, one


.


18


HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY


Speaker of the House, two chief justices, five associate justices and 22 cabinet officers. In addition, there is a long list of distinguished senators, inventors, authors and scholars; like- wise


In army and navy our quota is full And you can on our fighting rely.


For many years after the coming of the white men, the American Indians-the orig- inal owners of the soil-made life a burden for these white men who were often forced to bare their breasts upon "upland glade or glen" to the tomahawk, the poisoned arrow and the fagot. The soil was redeemed for the white men by the veterans of three wars. It was red- dened by the blood of the Indian, the French, the English and the American. It was con- secrated by the death of many a noble son.


But the great ordinance did more than to provide for the admission of States-it had strong provisions in regard to slavery and ed- ucation. "There shall be neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude in said territory, other- wise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." No such expression had yet been seen in any document ; and this is all the more wonderful and noble, when we recall the fact that, at that time, all the original States had slaves. From this can be traced the liberty-loving sen- timent ever afterward found in the people of the Northwest. But this is not all. The great document resounded throughout the wilder- ness, as with a Titan's voice, the cause of re- ligion and education : "Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good gov- ernment and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." The 16th sec- tion of every township of 36 sections was set aside for the maintenance of common schools in each of these five States. This generous grant on the part of the general government gave to these five States five million acres. From the sale of this land the schools have realized more than 20 million dollars. The spirit of this section of the ordinance spread


to all the Western States and they now have magnificent school funds. The ordinance also gave to each State one township entire for the maintenance of a university. In Ohio this township is located in Athens County, and thus grand old Ohio University, at Athens, orig- inated, and is, in part, sustained to-day. It is the oldest university west of the Alleghany Mountains. Thus was the fund for education in Allen County begun, and it has been gen- erously increased by liberal donations from the State and from private funds.


FIRST COLONY IN THE WILDERNESS.


In 1787 Rev. Manasseh Cutler led a band of intrepid pioneers into the wilderness, and they formed the first colony or settlement in what is now Ohio, at Marietta. They named their camp "Marietta," after the beautiful French Queen, Marie Antoinette. Before the first year had passed. Marietta had 132 men and 15 families. The first Fourth of July, 1788, was right royally celebrated in this new home of liberty. On the 15th of that month,


COURT


"OYEZ! OYEZ!" A court crier of the early days. Courtesy of the American Book Co.


the first Governor of the Northwest Territory, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, arrived and took charge of affairs. He was well received by the people,


19


AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS


and most heartily supported by them. Gover- nor St. Clair soon began the work of organiza- tion and he laid out Ohio's first county ( 1788), which embraced about all of the eastern half of Ohio, and which he named Washington County. A sheriff, judges and other officers were appointed, and on Campus Martius. the first court in Ohio was opened in the block house. This was a great event, for on that day law and order began in the wilderness. The beginnings of great things are always of deep interest, and this interest grows with each decade. This beginning of established law was thus announced from the door of the log cabin court house, on Campus Martius. in the fall of 1788, by the newly appointed sheriff in these words :- "Oyez! Oyez! A court is now open for the administration of even-handed justice, to the poor and to the rich, to the guilty and to the innocent, with- out respect of persons; none to be punished without trial by their peers, and then in pur- suance of the laws and evidence in the case." From this first county of Ohio, the number has grown to 88, and courts of justice are estab- lished in each county.


GEN. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.


The history of the Old Northwest cannot be told without relating the great work of George Rogers Clark. It would really be the play of "Hamlet" with Hamlet omitted. He was born in Virginia in 1752, and was a bro- ther of Capt. William Clark, whose great jour- ney of 8,000 miles into the Oregon country, 1804-06, in company with Capt. Meriwether Lewis, a grateful nation is this year ( 1905) commemorating by a World's Fair at Port- land, Oregon. George Rogers Clark was made a brigadier general in 1781, but is gen- erally known in history, especially during the campaign in the Old Northwest, as Colonel Clark. He was only 20 years old when he plunged into the unbroken wilderness of Ohio, as a soldier and surveyor of Lord Dunmore's expedition. He was as fine a rifleman as ever entered a forest, and he was skilled in all the knowledge of woodcraft. As a soldier he was


brave and manly ; as a commander he was sa- gacious, patient and fearless. The Indians respected and feared him alike, and gave him and his men the title of "The Long Knives."


In 1775, at the close of Dunmore's War, Clark went to Kentucky, where he assisted Daniel Boone to fight Indians, and to build a new commonwealth in the wilderness. On his return to his old home in Virginia, he learned that the War for Liberty had actually begun between the Colonies and England-the mo- ther country. One year later we again find him in Kentucky, aiding the settlers on the borders in many ways. He is chosen by them to command the rude militia of this country, and it proved a wise choice. Every settlement was in constant danger of attack by the blood- thirsty Indians, and Clark knew full well how to resist them. But Virginia was claiming ownership of this country of Kentucky-"the dark and bloody ground"-and the hardy set- tlers thought they should have some protection from Virginia. At last two delegates, Clark being one, were chosen to go to Virginia and see the Governor and ask for the aid so justly due them. These determined delegates ob- tained an interview with the Governor of Vir- ginia-then the noted Patrick Henry-and very forcefully showed him their needs and the ne- cessity of immediate action. They petitioned for the formation of their, country into an in- dependent county, and that they might be al- lowed to assist the Colonies in their struggle against the tyranny of England. They also asked for 500 pounds of gunpowder and a supply of rifles. The Governor was at first inclined to refuse these requests on the ground that Virginia had all she could manage in the defense of the Colonies. But Colonel Clark told him plainly that a country that was not worth defending was not worth claiming. The delegates obtained their desired arms and am- munition, and when the Legislature next met the County of Kentucky was formed, with al- most the identical boundaries as now mark the State of Kentucky.


General Hamilton, the British command- er at Detroit, had set a price upon every settler's scalp in the Ohio Valley, and in


20


HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY


the spring of 1777 the Indians had been so incited to cruelty and bloodshed by the promise of pay on the part of the British, that they made constant raids on the settlements across the Ohio. Hiding in the dense forest, they boldly attacked the unprotected and helpless pioneer while at work in his field, burned his cabin, destroyed his cattle and his crops and carried his wife and children into hellish captivity. Not a single life was safe, for there was always a hidden dusky foe on every hand. Unless re- lief could be obtained soon, all the whites in the valley would be destroyed. Relief came- and under the guiding hand of the brave young Clark. He conceived the plan of not only protecting the settlements, but of saving the great Northwest. But to carry out his plans he must have more men, and he therefore hur- ried back to Virginia, and laid his plans fully before Governor Patrick Henry. He was duly commissioned to raise seven companies of 40 men each among the settlers west of the Alle- ghany Mountains. As, an incentive each sol- dier was promised 300 acres of land, to be se- lected from the richest valleys of the conquered territory. Thus originated the Virginia Mil- itary Reservation, between the Scioto and Miami rivers in Ohio, and the Reservation, now in the State of Indiana, for Clark and his soldiers.


In May. 1778, he started on the famous ex- pedition from Redstone Old Fort-Brownsville. Pennsylvania-with only about 150 men. But the band increased in size as it marched on to old Fort Pitt, where it embarked upon the Ohio. When Colonel Clark left the Governor of Virginia, he was entrusted with two specific commands. One was to protect the settlers in Kentucky, and the other-not yet to be made public-authorized him to attack Kaskaskia, a British post on the Kaskaskia River, one mile east of the Mississippi. Governor Henry also gave him $1,200, and an order on the com- mandant at Fort Pitt for all the powder he might need. From this fort the little band of men, without uniforms, fresh from the cabin. the forest and the mountain, began their per- ilous journey to conquer what has proved to


be as rich a country as can be found upon the globe. A motley crowd they were! Clad only in the garb of the hunter, and armed with the clumsy flint-lock rifle, the tomahawk and the long knife. But each man felt that he had a mission to perform, and under the leadership of the "Hannibal of the West," he knew not defeat. At the falls of the Ohio, the army of backwoodsmen halted and camped on "Corn Island," opposite the present site of Louisville. Here the settlers, who had accompanied the ex- pedition, decided to remain, and build their homes. Colonel Clark drilled his soldiers here, then boldly informed them of his secret com- mission from Governor Henry to attack the British post at Kaskaskia. Cheers from the sol- diers followed the announcement. Clark wise-


A BACKWOODSMAN.


A type of the men known to the Indians as "Long Knives." Courtesy of the American Book Co.


ly decides to make the journey by land, and therefore hides his little flotilla near the mouth of the Tennessee and begins his journey through the tangled forest. This journey was filled with dangers and difficulties, but, on the night of July 4. 1778, he surprises the gar- rison and captures the fort and the town. By a masterful management he brought all the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance to the United States-and that without shedding blood. The British colors were lowered, and




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.