USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 33
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 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
On reaching the Shawnee towns on the Great Miami, the prisoners were compelled to run the gauntlet for the amusement of the old Shawnees, the squaws and youth. Several of the prisoners were severely beaten. A man by the name of Baker, a silversmith by trade, from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was beaten almost to death. In his desperation, he ran past the council- house two or three times, being blinded by the blows and fright, and was about to sink, when a friendly voice directed him to enter the door. He did so and was spared. When this performance was going on, the old warrior who had young Fast in charge, shoved him back among the Indians, and he did not have to undergo the punishment of the gauntlet.
When the party arrived at Upper Sandusky, the pris- oners were again compelled to undergo the ordeal of running the gauntlet. They were all handled very severely, but none of them were killed. Young Fast was again excused from the gauntlet by his Indian mas- ter. His wound, by this time, had nearly healed. The surviving prisoners soon recruited from their fatigue, and were exchanged at Pittsburgh, and on the Muskingum.
Young Fast was retained, and adopted into an old Delaware family, in lieu of a son who had lost his life in a border skirmish. His hair was plucked out in the usual manner. leaving a small scalp-lock about the crown; his white blood was all washed away; his ears and the cartilage of his nose were perforated, and brooches placed therein. After this, he was dressed in Indian costume, his hair roached up, and filled with gaudy feathers. Being taken to the council-house, he was regularly indoctrinated as the son of the tribe. He received the name of Mo-Jun-the. and was taken to the cabin, or wigwam, of his new parents.
Young Fast resided on the banks of the Tymochtve about two years. He was treated very kindly by bis Indian mother. He had an Indian brother, by the name of Ke-was-sa, to whom he became much attached. They often hunted coon and other game. Ou one oc- casion, Ke was-se invited young Fast to accompany him to hunt bear. After traveling some distance in the for- est, they discovered evidences of the ascent of a bear up a large elm, which was hollow near the top. Mer try- ing some time, in vain, to rouse the bear from its retreat, it was proposed that a tree, which stood at a proper distance from the cIm, should be felled, in such a man-
135
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
ner as to lean against the elm, to enable young Fast to climb to the hole, and smoke bruin out with punk and rotten wood: The tree was cut, and fell against the elm. Young Fast, being expert in climbing, ascended it to the proposed point, and commenced operations with a view of smoking bruin into a surrender. Kewassa placed himself in a position, gun in hand, where he could welcome the bear, on its appearance, to a smell of powder. Young Fast lighted the dry tinder and threw it into the hole, but bruin failed to make his appear- ance. While engaged in this fruitless enterprise, a strong breeze struck the leaning tree, and it fell to the ground. Here was a dilemma. Young Fast was some forty feet from the ground, on a large elm. He could not grasp his arms around it, so as to safely descend. Kewassa was alarmed for his safety. There could be no help, for the only tree in the vicinity had been cut. After gazing at young Fast some time, without being able to-offer as- sistance, he hastened to the camp, several miles away, expecting that his new brother would be dashed to pieces.
Taking in the situation at a glance, young Fast con- cluded that he only hazarded his life by remaining where he was; and the attempt to descend could result in nothing niore than death, but might terminate in safety. Summoning all his strength, he grasped the rough bark with his hands, at the same time making good use of bis feet and legs, and commenced the descent, moving cau- tiousiy, until he came within fifteen or eighteen feet of the ground, when his strength so far failed him, that he was compelled to relax his grip and slid down, mangling his hands, and the inside of his arms and legs badly. On reaching the ground he was considerably stunned, but soon revived and started for the camp, where he arrived amidst the grief of his Indian mother and brother, who had given him up as lost.
On one occasion, after he had been a captive over a year, when all the warriors were absent from the village, his Indian mother having also left the camp for a short time, he hecame very melancholy. Thoughts of home stole upon him. He left the wigwam and proceeded a short distance into the forest, and seating himself upon a log, soon became absorbed in meditation. While thus musing, he was interrupted by a stranger, who suddenly appeared and confronted him. Discovering his embar- rassment and dejection, the stranger said in the Delaware language :
"Ah, young man, what are you thinking about?"
Fast .- "I am alone, and have no company, and feel very lonesome."
Stranger .- ".That is not it, you are thinking of home. Be a good boy and you shall see your home again."
After some further conversation, he learned that the stranger was none other than that terror of the pioneers, the renegade, Simon Girty. Young Fast afterward be- came well acquainted with Girty, and was the recipient of many favors at his hands. In fact, Girty's assurance that he wouldl again see bis home in Pennsylvania, greatly revived his drooping spirits and led him to believe that City, though often denounced by the pioneers a . a vil-
1
iain, a demon in human shape, was not destitute of sym- pathy and kindness, though associating with the fierce red men of the northwest.
During the campaign of Colonel William Crawford, which ended so disastrously, Mr. Fast was with the Del- aires on the Tymochtee. Captain Pipe and Wingenund. leading Delaware chiefs, resided, when in their villages, in that region of Ohio. After the rout of Crawford's army, when the Colonel was brought back a prisoner, Mr. Fast was present and saw him. He was in hearing distance when the Delawares tortured the Colonel, and could hear his groans. He was so much affected that he left the spot in company with his Indian brother and mother. Mr. Fast, in his lifetime, often related incidents connected with the unfortunate expedition of poor Craw- ford. As they have been repeated by Dr. Knight, Slover. and Heckewelder, it is unnecessary to narrate them here.
Shortly after the execution of Crawford, Mr. Fast was urged to marry a young squaw, a daughter of an Indian family ef some distinction. He was then about nineteen years of age. It was a question of much delicacy, and required a good deal of tact to repel the proposal in such manner as to avoid offence. When the subject was again seriously pressed upon his attention, he inti- mated he was only a boy, and was too young to marry. The Delawares were greatly amused at his modesty, and his reason for refusing. He added as a further objection, that no man should marry until he had become a good hunter, and could provide meat. Not being the owner of a gun, it would be impossible for him to supply the quantity of game required for food. Moreover, he thought he could not get along without a cow, an essen- tial to every person designing to marry. As soon as these could be procured he would gladly consent. Hle professed much admiration for the young squaws, and intimate he could easily select a wife from among them, if his terms could be met. It was agreed his ideas were correct, and that he should accompany the first ex- ped. ion to the settlements along the Ohio, and the first gun captured should be his, and on returning he should be permitted to bring bark a cow.
In August, 1782, there was a grand council at Chilli. cothe, on or near the Great Miami, in which the Hyen. dots, Delawares, Ottawas, Mingus, Shawnces, Miamis and Pottawatomies participated. Simon Girty, Elliott and McKee were present, and addressed the assembled warriors. The council resolved to raise two amies, one of six hundred inen, and the other of three hundred and fifty, the larger to march into Kentucky, and the smaller into western Virginia and Pennsylvania. By the last of August. the greater army appeared under the lead of Simon Girty, at Bryant's station, in the territory of Ken- tucky. The story is narrated in all the histories of Ken tucky.
The Indian forces destined to operate against the border settlements of Virginia and Pennsylvania, delayed their manh until a runner brought tiling, of success. from Kentucky. Some toer hundred ferre warriors assembled on the Sandusky, and were armed and equipped by the agents of the British. The warriors were dressed
1
136
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
and painted in the most fantastic manner, their hair, be- ing gathered in a sort of cue and drawn through a tin tube, was ornamented by colored hawk or eagle quills. With scalping knives, tomahawks and guns, they present- ed a formidable appearance. For many days and nights before the expedition started, their wild orgies echoed through the forests. Speeches, dances, and the like, ac- companied by threats of extermination against the white race, were common.
Young Fast was painted in true warrior style, his hair being put up in a cue and drawn through a tin tube, and ornamented with feathers. He was furnished a toma- hawk, scalping knife, and bow, and told he might accom- pany the expedition. Before departing, he buried, in a secure place, his fancy brooches and other ornaments of silver, so that if he ever returned he could reclaim them. The expedition passed down the old Wyandot trail through what are now Crawford, Richland and Ash- land counties, by Mohican Johnstown; thence near the ruins of the Moravain towns on the Tuscarawas. Arriv- ing at that point, a difference of opinion arose as to the exact destination of the expedition.
After some consultation in council, as the expedition to Kentucky was proving successful, it was decided that the Indian army should proceed to and attack the small fort or block :- house at what is now the city of Wheeling, West Virginia. On the approach of the Indian army, the expedition was discovered by John Lynn, a noted spy and frontier hunter, who was scouting through the forests and watching the Indian paths west of the Ohio. He hastened to the stockade and gave the alarm. The stockade had no regular garrison, and had to be defended exclusively by the settlers who sought security within its walls. On the arrival of Lynn, all retired within the stockade, except a family of Zanes; and when the attack began, there were but about twenty efficient men to op- pose nearly four hundred savages, led on by Simon Girty.
The Indian army soon crossed the Ohio river, and ap- proached the stockade waving British colors. In imme- diate surrender was demanded. Colonel Silas Zane responded by firing at the flag borne by the savages. The assault was commenced by the Indians, and kept up briskly for three days and nights, but each attack was successfully repelled by the little garrison. While the men within were constantly engaged in firing at the ene- my, the women mouldled bullets, losded and handed guns to the iren, and by this means every assault was repulsed. The galling fire poured upon the savages ex- asperated them to madness. In the night they attempted to burn Zane's house, from which they had suffered mest, but through the vigilance of Sam, a colored man, their intentions were thwarted.
.
On the return of light, on the second day, the savages, after some delay, renewed the siege. A wooden cannon, loaded with balls captured from a small boat on its way to the falls of the Ohio, was pointed towar Is the stock- ade, and, amid the yells of the infuriated Indians, dis- .charged. They expected to see a section of the stock. ade blown to splinters, and .an opening for the warriors created. The cannon exploded, and the fragments flew
in every direction. Several of the warriors were wounded and a number killed, and all were appalled at the result. Recovering from their dismay, and being furious from disappointment, they again pressed to the assault with renewed energy. They were as often repelled by the deadly aim of the little garrison, and forced to retire.
The achievements of Elizabeth Zane, on this occasion, are matters of history, and too well known to require repetition in this article.
The third day the siege was renewed with terrible .ferocity; but every attempt to storm the fort was success. fully resisted. In the afternoon, despairing of success, the Indians resolved to change their programme. About one hundred warriors remained to annoy the stockade, lay waste the country, and scour the neighboring settle- ments. The balance of the army crossed the Ohio, and made a feint of returning to Sandusky, but the neve morning re-crossed the river above the stockade, and divided into two parties, and hastened towards the set- tlements about Fort Rice, some forty miles away, in what is now Washington county, Pennsylvania.
On the third night of the siege, learning of the de- parture of a part of the Indian army, and presuming the savages were about to invade his old home, young l'ast resolved, if possible, to effect his escape. Late in the night, while reposing beside his Indian brother on h's blanket, on the ground, the memory of his home and dear friends came fresh to his recollection, and knowing the whole settlement was imperiled by the approach of his savage companions, intent on revenge and blood, he could not sleep. Ka-wa-sa, his Indian brother, wearied with the ckertions of a three days' siege, slept soundly. Knowing the nature of an Indian, when profoundly slum- bering, young Fast attempted to awaken lis Indian bro- ther, stating that he was very thirsty and desired him to go with him to the river for water. He refused to rise, telling Molunthe to wait until morning.
Permitting his brother to return to his state of stupor for some time, he again made an effort to arouse him, insisting .hat he could not wait, but must have water. The Indian, having full confidence in young last, as a brother, told him to go himself, as no one would harm bint. He was but too happy to comply. Taking a small copper kettie, he hastened to the river bank and placed the keitle in a position that might imply that he had fallen into the stream, been drowned and floated down the current. Then carefully wending his way through the Indian Ines, he proceeded across the hills and val- leys in the direction of Fort Rice, on Buffalo creek, some fifteen or twenty miles from his old home. He groped his way among rocks, down declivities and across small streams, sometimes falling headlong down the embank- ments, and about daylight became exhausted from fitigee and want of food, and was compelled to seek repose at the base of a steep bluff; in a thicket of undogrosth; and while resting there. could distinctly hear the passing warriors conversing. A short distance hear the trail lividled.
Carefully concealing himself until all the warriors passed, ne again proceeded in the direction of the fort,
---
157
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
taking a ridge inidway between the trails. By a vigor ous exertion he got in advance of the savages, and when within about two miles of the fort, he discovered a white man approaching with a bridle and halter in his hand. Springing behind a large tree, he waited until the settler arrived within a few feet of his concealment, when he stepped into the path and confronted him. The white man was taken by surprise and trembled with fear. and was about to flee for life, when the supposed warrior ad- dressed him in English, briefly informing him who he was, where he was going, the approach of the warriors and the danger that environed the settlement. Calmed by the assurances of present safety, the white man caught his horses, which were near, and he and young Fast mounted and hastened to the fort and spread the alain, and succeeded in gathering the settlers in the vicinity into it before the savages appeared. The fort consisted of a strong block-house, surrounded by sev- eral cabins of the settlers When all the men were gathered in, there were only six.
The savages approached with much assurance, and offering to spare all the prisoners, i: the little band would surrender. Young Fast assured the inmates that the cold steel of the tomahawk would be the price of such an indiscretion. Their proffers of safety were not accepted. A fierce assault at once commenced. The siege was kept up all day and night ; but the little fort held out. Several of the savages were wounded, and the warriors finally despairing of success, suddenly with- drew and spread among the scattered settlements in de- tached parties, burning houses, and shooting cattle and hogs. They had probably learned the approach of Colonel Swearinger with relief for Wheeling, that was yet beleaguered by the red fiends.
After the retirement of the savages, young Fast has- tened to bis old home, painted and dressed as an In- dian warrior. On arriving at the cabin of his parents in what is now Fayette county, he so nearly resembled a wild Indian warrior of the wilderness that his parent, were unable to distinguish him. Indeed, they were much alarmed at his presence, fearing he was a genuine savage acting as a decoy. He attempted to calm their fcars by assuring them, in their own tongue, that his name was Fast, and that he was really their own son ! At length his mother, recalling some peculiarity about the pupils of his eyes, and some spots on his breast, rec- ognized him, and rushing forward to embrace him in her arms, was told not to do so, as he was covered with vermin from the Indian camps. The tube in which his scalp-lock was enclosed was removed, and he repaired to an out-building where his infected garments were taken off and burned. Soap and water soon removed the encrusted paint and soil from his person, when he was presented with a clean suit of clothes, which re- stored him to his status as a white man. The joy of his parents on his sate return home, scarcely knew bounds. A full detail of his adventures was given, and often repeated to inquiring friends.
On arriving at manhood, Mr. Fast located in Danker township, Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he mar-
ried, and remained until the spring of 1815, when he removed with his family to what is now Orange town- ship, Ashland county, Ohio, and settled about half a mile southeast of the Vermillion lakes. When Mr. Fast and family arrived at the lakes, he found a number of In- dians encamped near where he subsequently erected a cabin. He built a fire and his wife proceeded to prepare supper, surrounded by a dense forest. While in the act of cooking, their little company was alarmed by the ap- pearance of eight or ten Indians, headed by an old warrior who was extremely ugly, shriveled in flesh, and ferocious in appearance. They had just discovered their new neighbors, and came to see who they were. On approach -. ing within a few fect of Mr. Fast and his children, who were seated on a log near where Mrs. Fast was preparing supper, the old Indian looked steadfastly at Mr. Fast for a moment, and then rushing forward exclaimed, Molunthe! at the same time offering his hand in token of friendship.
The old warrior was Thomas Lyons, who was present at the capture of Mr. Fast, on the Ohio, some thirty-five years prior to that time, and was along with the expedi- tion to Wheeling when his favorite young warrior, Molunthe, made his escape. The Indians had never suspected him of desertion, but had always believed hc had, in the darkness, fallen into the river and drowned. On finding him here alive, "old Tom," manifested much gratification, and gave many tokens of a friendship that remained very cordial up to 1822, the last appearance of the Delawares in this region. During the ensuing seven years, the Delawares often encamped in the vicinity, re- garding Mr. Fast and family as of their tribe. They fre- quently went into his cabin in the evening and Janced after the Delaware manner, making rude music by pounding on a stool and singing, while the dancers hop- ped about the room, flourishing their scalping-knives, shouting and keeping time to the music.
In the fall of 1819, old Thomas Lyons and a party of Delawares had a feast, on what is now known as the John Freeborn farm, southwest of Savannah, to which Mr. Fast and his sons were invited. Being unable to be present, his sons Nicholas and Francis, aged respective- Iy twenty-five and fifteen, attended. The feast was in their camp. There were present some fifty or sixty In- dians, and no whites, except the Fasts. A large black bear had been roasted and boiled. The body being roasted, was cut into small slices, and handed around on new bark plates. The head and feet, unskinned, were boiled in a copper kettle, and a sort of soup made therefrom, which was handed around in wooden ladles. Nicholas and Francis partook, courteously, with the Indians. The roast was elegant, but the soup was not relished. At the conclusion of the feast, Lyons insisted on painting Francis, Indian fashion. The boy readily submitted, for the fun of the thing. "Old Tom" laid on a good coat of vermillion, which gave him the appearance of a young Indian. The paint was so adhe- sive that, when he returned home, he was unable to remove it for a long time: and was afterwards known as "Indian Frank." Billy Montour, Jim Jirk, Monos, Jona-
18
.
-
138
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
cake, Georgeand Jim Lyons, Buckwheat, Billy Dowdee, Captain George, and other well-known Delawares, were at the feast.
Christian Fast had nine sons, Jacob, Martin, William, Nicholas, David, Francis, George, Christian, and John ; and four daughters, Margaret, Barbara, Isabel, and Christena. Jacob, aged 84, William 73, and George 65, remain in Orange township.
Christian Fast, sr., died, at his farm in Orange town. ship, in 1849.
GEORGE AND ELIZABETH FOULKS.
About the year 1774, the parents of George Foulks located in the midst of the dense forest in the northwest corner of what is now Washington county, Pennsylvania, near the Ohio river. The family of Mr. Foulks con- sisted of three boys and two or three girls. He was quite poor, and had ventured to improve his fortunes amid the dangers surrounding the border settlers. He had lived some years in the city of Philadelphia, where most of his children were born. When he moved to his new home, the Delaware and Wyandot Indians vis- ited that region in great numbers in search of game. The colonies had been greatly oppressed by Great Brit- ain, and were just on the verge of a revolt. Her agents and traders were busy in alienating and exciting the sav- ages against the rebel inhabitants of the eolonies, as they were then denominated.
It was the eustom of many of the settlers of that re- gion, in the spring of the year, to cross the Ohio-which there runs nearly west for many miles-in eanoes, to make sugar on the finte bottoms. John, George and Eliz- abeth Foulks, aged respectively nineteen, six and seven- teen years, crossed the river in company with their father and erected a neat camp house of small poles, and a fur- nace, in which they placed kettles to boil sap .* After tapping a large number of sugar trees, Mr. Foulks re- crossed the river to his cabin, leaving John, Elizabeth, and George to gather and boil the sugar water. This was early in March, 1777. After they had been thus en- gaged several days, one evening about nine o'clock, while the moon was shining brightly, the camp-nouse was ap- proached by five or six Wyandot Indians, well armed. They had been attracted by the camp-fire. When they arrived within a short distance of the camp John Foulks discovered their approach, and judging the visit to be hostile, fled in the direction of the Ohio river, where he hoped to cross in a canoe left near the north bank of that stream, leaving his little sister and brother to the merey of the savages. The Indians followed him with a dog, and he had fled but a short distance, when they
* George Foulks never became a citizen of this county. Two or three of his brothers settled in Richland county, one Jacob Forthe in Clearcreek, now Ashland county. We invert thi sketch that the reader may learn the trial, and annual condition of this territory from 1761 to 1705. This Castleman fordy boiled in the north part of Richin. county, and the last of the girl (Mrs Stoner) dial in Clearcreek a wal- ship, in this county, i 18gp. Giunge Frutas was born in Philadelphia, December 4, 1769.
overtook him, and insisted on his surrender and return; but continuing to retreat, several of the warriors dis- charged their guns after him, and he was mortally wounded, fell, and soon expired. His scalp was taken, and they hastily returned to the camp, where George and Elizabeth had been taken without resistance.
The Indians hastily entered the forest in a westerly direction, ordering Elizabeth and George, in broken En- glish, to follow. They were mueh terrified, but complied promptly. They traveled some miles, when their pris- oners were secured, and all slept on the leaves. Early the next morning, the Indians arose, and broiled slices of venison, on which ali breakfasted, and continued their flight nearly west all day, and again slept as they had done before. During their progress through the forest, they crossed a number of small streams on logs or poles. While crossing one, some three feet deep, an Indian who walked behind George, in sport, pushed him off the log, and he was thoroughly saturated. At this, the Indians all laughed heartily. George refrained from showing temper, but resolved to reraliate the first oppor- tunity. The next day they came to another surcam somewhat more swollen, and had to cross it on a log. The Indian who had pushed him in the day before, pointed to the log, desiring him to lead again. George refused the honor of leading, and fell in behind the In- dian. They had gone about half over, when George eaught the belt of the Indian, and giving him a sudden twitch, the savage fell into the stream nearly neck deep. He waded out, venting all sorts of threats and impreca- tions on George for his temerity. The Indian was thor- oughly soaked, and his eomrades gave vent to the most uproarious meriiment over the incident. This calmicd the fury of the enraged Indian, and changed his revenge to admiration. The little captive was regarded from that time with favor, and as much tenderness as if he were a real Indian. They traveled a little southwest until they reached the old trail which passed near the present site of Wooster, to a village then known as Mo- biean Johnstown, near the present site of Jeromeville, in Ashland county. They were several days in reaching this point, and being unaceustomed to the Indian mode of preparing food, which consisted almost wholly of venison, without salt, bread, or even parched corp, the prisoners were very hungry. They remained at Mohican johnstown several days, and then continued along the trail in a northwest direction across what is now Ashland and Richland counties to Snipestown, an Indian village near the present site of Rome. Here they found a large number of Ilyandets who rejoiced at the success of the captors, who proved to be of that nation or tribe. Here the scalp halloo was given, as at Mohican Johnstown, but at neither piace were they required to run the gauntlet."
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.