History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 45

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896

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This site of Johnny, that Atoly Hem. J. W. Das sor, was For :, her lind wall's name was Wollen Berend They at one time resulted on the farm not owned by Wuhan cowan, in Green to sahip, a mis mab of Perrysville on the road to Asdand. Braem had the care of one of two tonecuirs towant to formes), in theen to slip.

along the Black fork belonged to Knox until 1813, we incline to the opinion he may have passed up the Black fork as early as :808-9, for he had a very fine nur- sery one and a half miles west of Mifflin as early as IS:1- 12, and had, in ISog, obtained a small piece of ground for a nursery from Alexander Finley, near the present site of Tylertown, in Mohican township. Here he was ready with his choice apple-trees as soon as the woodman's axe began to echo through the forest. Be- sides the nurseries at Finley's and west of Mifflin, he planted one on the farm subsequently owned by the late John Oliver, in Green township, and a fine one on the bottom, near the present site of Leidigh's mill in Orange township, and sundry smaller ones in the east and west parts of the county, along the small streams, where the early settlers procured trees for a trifle. Ever restless, Johnny kept moving from point to point. His nurseries were not neglected, for he frequently returned and pruned them so as to make the trees symmetrical. His nurseries were scattered along the streams for hundreds of iniles, and he consumed many months during the year travel- ing from place to place. Sometimes he would be gone several months, and then suddenly appear among the pioneers, all tattered and braised by the briars and bram- bles, ready to give them fresh news right from Heaven. His usual charge for young trees was a "fip-penny-bit" apiece. As money was extremely scarce, Johnny was very accommodating; and if the pioneer could not pay the money he would sell in exchange for old clothing, and if he could not get such articles he would kindly close the contract, in a business way, by taking a note payable at some future period, and if he ever got his pay he was very much gratified, and if he never got it he seemed equally content and happy.

In the year !Si he extended his operations into Rich- land county, planting several nurseries there, and proba- bly one or two within the present limits of Crawford county. During the war of 1812-15, he often visited Mansfield, Mt. Vernon, Clinton, and the settlements along the forks of the Mohican and the Walhonding. When these sparsely settled regions were threatened by Indian invasion, he bastened from cabin to cabin notity- ing the pioneers of approaching danger, and conjured them to flee for their lives to the block-houses and places of safety. He was well known among the Indian tribes ; and from his harudess demeanor, was regarded as a "great medicine man ;" and never incurred the bate and suspicion of the warriors. Thus, he was enabled to glide through the forests from settlement to settlement on er- rands of mercy, in entire safety. From Richland county, after the close of the war, he passed through Crawford to Upper Sandusky, and as early as 1825 into the present limits of Defiance county, and along the Maumee. In 1826 he visited John 1. James, reading lawyer at Urbans, concerning a nursery that he had planted sometime prior to that year, in Champaign county. and which had passed into the hands of a third party owing to the neglect of the man from whom he had permission to plant it. to reserve the interest of Chapman. He doubtless had planted nurseries in Delaware county prior to 1826. From 1815

JOHNNY APPLESEED.

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

to 1843, when he made his last visit, he often returned. to Ashland county, at which times he usually passed down the Black fork, among the Copuses, the Irwins, the Coulters, the Tannehills, the Rices, the Olivers, and the Priests. From thence, he passed over to Findcy's: 1

then up the Jerome fork, among the settlers along that stream, until he reached Jacob Young, Patrick Murray, and the Fasts and Masons, at his nursery, near Leidigh's mill-rarely stopping in the villages-though occasional- ly he called in Mifflin, at the Thomas hotel-in Ashland, at Slocum's; and in Mansfield, at Wiler's. When he did so, lie always slept on the floor of the bar-room.

The precise period when he ascended the Maumee and entered the territory of Indiana is left in doubt. It is probable he had reached Fort Wayne as early as 1826; for in 1830 he was seen on the Maumee seated in a sec- tion of a hollow tree, which he improvised for a boat, laden with apple-seeds, and which he landed at Wayne's fort. Thus, as the pioneers infringed upon the location of his nurseries, he passed on, and continued to plant seeds in advance of the settlements, until death, that waits for no one, called the old man from his toil.

When interrogated on the subject of grafting, he would dilate on the evils of such a custom with as much earn- estness as most surgeons would the operation of separat- ing an arm or a limb from a human being, insisting that the true way to obtain good fruit was to let it grow upon ungrafted trees, because the native growth produced the finest fruit. How often he visited the cider mills in the cast is not known; but the practice must have been kept up to a late period in his life, for he visited the pioneers of Green township as late as 1843, looking very much as he did a quarter of a century before. The old man generally traveled alone, and rarely had lodgers at his primitive camp fires. We hear an occasional instance of parties, desiring to purchase trees, tarrying all night at liis solitary hut.

It is a matter of surprise to many how he survived so long, while roaming through the forests, without defens. ive weapons, illy clothed and half famished for healthful food during the inclement seasons of the year. He always refrained from taking the life of animals-never, if possible, even disturbing their lairs or haunts. So, he never procured sustenance in that way. His food was generally meagre, and consisted of berries, nuts, vege- tables, and a Ettle corn-bread of mush made from meal given him in exchange for trees, of as a matter of char- ity. He carried with him a few cooking utensils-a tin pan, which served the double purpose of a hat and a mush pot, when he had no other head gear. Ile would rarely eat at a table with families -- and never until le felt sure there would be enough left to satisfy the hunger of the children, always manifesting a great affection for young people, especially little girls, for whom he always had some little keep-sake, consisting of a piece of ribbon or calico. This peculiarity throws a faint explanation over bis monomania for the life of a hermit. The shadow of some bright little lady of New England still dlung to the heart of this strange man.

When he remained any length of time about a nursery

he erected a pole hut, over which he placed a bark roof after the manner of the Indians. He then gathered leaves and made a very comfortable bed upon which he slept, while the wolves and other wild animals gave him a sort of rude welcome to their precincts by assembling in the vicinity of his slumbers and giving him nightly serenades. He often slept on the ground in the midst of the forest near a small fire, erected to cook his scanty meal and protect him from freezing, if the weather was cold. At other times he reposed upon the leaves beside a log, with his pan and other traps by his side, and seemed to be the object of special interest and regard of both wild animals and savages, for he always escaped injury from both. In his tenderness for every sentient creature he was a greater humanitarian -- or if you please, "animal- tarian," than even the famous Bergh, of New York city; for it is related that more than once he suffered the chill night air and winds of autumn rather than singe the wings of the mosquito by his camp fire. In this re- spect the affection he possessed for the brute creation seems to have been fully reciprocated, for the fiercest animals and Johnny Chapman seemed to have had a truce. He avoided them and they avoided him.

His dress was a marvel of scraps and tatters. It con- sisted, invariably, of cast off, badly worn garments, giver him by the pioneers in exchange for young apple trees. He always seemed thankful for such small favors, and by the aid of such articles-ili-fitting, patched and shabby -- he protected himself against the wintry blasts. Upon his head he generally wore a crownless hat, much dinged and limbered with rough usage, which he often ran his hand through and carried on his arm. Sometimes he tumed his tin pan over his crownless hat, in the top of which rested a testament and a well-worn volume of Swedenborg, which he declared was an infallible protec- tion against snakes, wild animals, Indians, and all other evils. At other times he wore a pasteboard hat, with an enormous rim, which he conceived protected his face from the scorching rays of the sun.

His feet were generally covered, in the winter season, with old shoes, or one shoe and a boot: sometimes one foot was bare, undergoing, in most rigorous weather, a sort of penance for some imaginary violation of Johnny's religious whims. At other times, he wrapped his feet in old rags or bark, and tied on a sort of wooden sandal, which protected the bottoms of his feet against thorns and rough stones. Sometimes he was seen slowly advanc- ing through the snow, with one foot entirely naked, breaking the crust with the other, on which he wore an old boot or brogan, which he had picked up at some cabin. Being asked why he favored one foot more than the other, he replied that the one with the boot on had once been bitten by a rattlesnake, and had suffered more than the other, and deserved to be favored.

While clothed in such habiliments he presented a most ludicrous appearance, and it was hard to repress a smile on meeting him: yet such was the regard of the pioneers for this strange old man that even the children of the cabins greeted him respectfully when he entered and craved the privilege of lying upon the floor a short

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

time to give them fresh news, right from Heaven. "Al- most the first thing he would do when he entered a house, was to lie down on the floor, with his knapsack for a pillow, and his head toward the light of a door or window, when he would carefully take out his old worn books, the exponents of the beautiful religion that Johnny so zealously lived out. We can hear him read just now, as he did that summer day, when we were busy quilting up-stairs, and he lay near the door, his voice rising and thrilling, strong and loud, as the roar of the waves and winds, then soft and soothing as the balmy airs that stirred and quivered the morning glory leaves about his gray head." +

His charitable impulses were such, that when he met a poor emigrant going west, shoeless and penniless, he would part with his last shoe and penny to help the stranger and his family on their way. Rude and uncouth as to appearance, he was not without sensibility and modesty; and often excused himself .rom entering the cabins of the settlers, "because his clothing was not fit." In conversation, he was attentive, polite and chaste in all kinds of company. He was a small man, rather bony and sinewy, about five feet nine inches high, with dark eyes, thin beard, and dark hair, which he generally wore long. Sometimes he could be induced to clip his beard, which rather improved his appearance, for his face was more round than bony, and was rather pleasant in ex- pression, when he engaged in conversation.

His religious sentiments were as remarkable as his other traits. He was a devout and ardent disciple of the great Sweedish: seer, Emanuel Swedenborg; and always carried portions of his works. Whenever an opportunity presented, he entered upon the discussion of the peculiar doctrines of Swedenborg, upon which he expatiated with great warmth and eloquence. Some- times he carried a volume of Swedenborg beneath his waistband, from which be distributed fragments when- ever he could get a reader, until a volume had disap- peared. His ideas apon marriage were as eccentric as upon other topics. He excused himself from Entering that state on the ground that he had a vision, in which two angelic ladies visited him to encourage his single blessedness, by the assurance that if he held out in this world, he would secure two wives in the world to come! While relating this circumstance, a wag took the liberty of interrogating Johnny as to the occupation of people in the other workl. Johnny seemed to think people would recognize the marriage state there, and pursue much the same occupations they did here. The wag said:

"So you think men will follow the same occupations in Heaven?"

Johnny -. "I ically do." Wag -"Do people die in Heaven?" Johnny- - "I think not."

Wag -- "Then my occupation is gone; for I am a grave digger!"

Johnny seemed somewhat quizzed by this argument, . Recollections of Johnny Appleseed by Rose la Rice, contributed to Kannq's History, page 32.

but still consoled himself on the idea of having two vives in the spiritual land of Swedenborg. His theo- logical tenets taught him it was wrong to deprive any creature of life; and he carried this doctrine so far as to refuse even to kill a rattlesnake, after it had bitten him. His kindness to horses was such, that when he found an old or worn down animal turned out to die, by pioneers, he would always conduct it where it could get food, or hire same one to feed it. From some intimations dropped by him at Mansfield, and other points, it is be- lieved that he was regularly ordained by the disciples of Swedenborg, and sent west as a missionary. Some ex- pressions of his when Rev. Adam Paine, a sort of Io- renzo Dow, was once preaching on the public square in Mansfield, confirm this impression. In winding up an eccentric discourse on the sin of pride, Paine called out: "Where now is your barefooted pilgrim on his way to Heaven?" Johnny, holding up his bare pedals, exclaimed : "Here he is." A repetition of all the anecdotes con- cerning this strange wanderer would fill a volume. He was just as happy in the solitudes of the forest, commun- ing with the author of all, as he lay gazing at the stars, where he could almost see the Angels, as in the midst of his nurseries or among the pioneers.

How, and where did he die? He died at the house of William Worth, in St. Joseph township, Allen county, Indiana, Maich ir, $$45. Some days prior to his de- cease, information was conveyed to Johnny, who was some fifteen miles distant from Mr. Worth's, near where he had a nursery, that some cattle had broken into it; and he immediately started. When he arrived he was very much fatigued, having exhausted his strength in the jourrey, which being performed without intermission, and on foot, was too great a task for the poot old man. He laid down that night never to rise again; for he was attacked with pneumonia, which baffled medical ski!l, and in a few days he passed into the spirit land. Jir. Fletter, a neighbor of Mr. Worth, who laid out the body of Johnny, states, he had on when he died, next to his body, a coarse coffee-sack, with a hole cut in the centre, through which he passed his head. He had on the waists of four pairs of pants. These were cut off at the forks, ripped up at the sides, and the front thrown away, saving the waist-band attached to the hinder part. These hinder parts were buttoned around him, lapping like shingles, so as to cover the whole lower part of his body; and over all these were drawn a pair of what was once pantaloons. In this garb he died as he had lived *.

He was buried in David Atcher's graveyard, two and one half miles north of Ft. Wayne, near the foot of a natural mound, and a stone set up to mark the place where he sleeps. He remained a firm believer in the doctrines of Swedenborg. His calm and resigned man- her attracted the attention of his physician, who en- quired about his religious tenets, asserting that he never saw a patient so resignedif. Johnny Chapman was a

fletter of Richard Worth to the Shit and Berg, of Material. thescribing the last hours of johnny Appleseed. Wilian Wirth, it whose house he died, has imer sad several years

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good man, He possessed many virtues. He was bon- est -upright, and harmless. He seems to have been specially fitted by Providence to prepare the wilderness for the reception of emigration and civilization.

The lovers of choice frait in Ohio and Indiana owe him a monument to be erected over His remains, as a token of their high regard for the cheerful sacrifices he made, to contribute to the comfort and happiness of those seeking homes in the western wilds. APPLESEED JOHN. Old Johnny was bent well-nigh doable With years of toil and care and trouble, But his large old heart oft feh the need Of doing for others some kindly deed.

"But what can I do?" old johnny said; "1, who work so hard for daily bread? It takes heaps of money to do so much good, I am far too poor to do as [ would."

The old man sat thinking deeply a while, Then over his features glemmed a smile; While he clapped his hands with a childish glee, And said to himself : " There's a way for me !" 1 So he went to work with might and main, But told to none the plan in his brain. He took stale apples in payment for chores, And carefully cut from them all the cores.

When he filled his bag, he wandered away, And no man saw him for many a day. With the well-stuffed bag o'er his shoulder flung, He marched along and whistled or sung.

He seemed to roam with no object in view, Like one who has nothing on earth to do; But, rambling thus o'er prairies wide, He paused sonictimes and his bag untied.

His sharp- pointed cane deep holes would bore, And in every hote he placed a core; Hle covered them well, and left them there, In keeping with sunshine, rain, and .tir.

Sometimes for days he waded through grass, And saw never a living creature pass; Though oft; when sinking to sleep in the shark, He beard owls hoot and prairie dogs bark.

But sometimes butterflies perched on his thumbs. And birds swarmed round him to pick up his eninabs. They know he carried no arrow or gun, And never did mischief to any one:

For he was :coder to all dumb things That crept on the earth or soared on wings ;. He stepped askle lest a worm shonkl die, And never had heart to hurt a fly.

Sometimes an Indian, of sturdy limb, Came striding along and walked with l'm. Whichever had food, shared with the other, As if he bad met & hungry brother.

When the Indian saw how the bag was filled. And noticed the holes that the white man drilled, He thought to himself 'twas a silly plan To be planting seed for some future man.

Sometimes a log-cabin came in view, Where John was sure to find jobs to do, By which he gained stores of bien lard nent. And welcome rest for 1 is weary fort. Hr Inlied potatoes and hard the co., And mended shows that were someplat woth, He taught the babies to use their 1. 34, And helped the boys to hunt for uggs.

He was so hearty at work or pinny That every one urged a longer shy; But he replied: "I have something to do, And I must go on to carry it through."

The boys, who were sure to follow him round, Sooa found what it was he put in the ground; So, as time passed, and he traveled on, All the folks called him " Apple-seed Jolin."

When he used up the whole of his store, He went to cities and worked for more; Then off he marched to the wilds again, And planted, seeds in prairie and glen.

In cities some said the man was crazy, Others said, No; he was only lazy. But he took no notice of jibes and jours, He knew he was working for future years.

He knew that trees would soon abound Where once a tree could never be found; That a flickering play of light and shade Would make dancing shadows on the glade.

That blossoming boughs would form fall bowers, And sprinkle the earth with rosy showers; And the little seeds his hands had spread Would form ripe apples when he was dead.

So he kept on traveling, far and wide, "Till his old limbs failed him and he died. Hle said, at last: "'Tis a comfort to feel I've done good in the world, though not a great deal."

Weary travelers, journeying West, In the shade of his trees find pleasant rest; And often. they start with glad surprise At the rosy fruit that around thein lies.

And if they inquire whence came such trees, Where not a bough once swayed in the breeze, The reply still comes, as they travel on, "These trecs were planted by Appleseed Jol.n." -- LYDIA MARIA CIUL.D.

THOMAS SPROTT

was born in Newville, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 5766. His parents were of Irish birth, from: county Downe, in Ireland, and emigrated to America in the year 1764. When Thomas Sprott was a small boy his parents moved to the region now known as Allegheny county, and settled on the ba iks of the Youghiogeny river, where they remained a short time. Owing to the sparseness of the settlers and the hazards of Indian in. vasion, they deemed it best to change their location. The father of Thomas selected a new home, twelve miles west of Pittsburgh, and four south of the Ohio river, which at that point runs nearly west. Here he erected a strong log cabin after the manner of the pioneers, and commenced to prepare a farm for culture. The Wyan- dot and Delaware Indians made frequent incursions among the border settlers, capturing the children of the pioneers, killing and scalping whole families, and con vying away horses and other property. These eux di- tions were an die quently repeated that the Government deemed it best to establish forts within the Indian tour. tory. Accordingly, General Meistoch was ordered to construct a fort near the junction of the Beaver with the Ohio river, in the spring of 1778. It was built of string

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stockades, furnished with bastions, and mounted one six- pound cannon. The fort was called MeIntosh, after the general. A strong garrison was placed within the fort to protect the settlements. The ferocity of the northwest- ern Indians continuing, and many incursions being made by them into the border settlements, General McIntosh was ordered to conduct an expedition, consisting of one thousand men, to Upper Sandusky to punish the war- riors. Prior to setting out, he erected Fort Laurens, on the Tuscarawas, and proceeded on his expedition, the result of which is narrated in the history of the times.

The pioneers of the border were generally rough, rug- ged and fearless men. They taught their sons the art of border defence, and it was not unusual to find boys at the age of twelve or fifteen years fine woodsmen and un- erring marksmen. The sons of Mr. Sprott, like the Wetzels, the Shepards, the Zanes, and others, were early taught the use of the rifle, that they might aid in repel- ling the savage red-skins in their attempts at capturing or murdering the settlers. At the age of seventeen Thomas Sprott was sufficiently skilful to become an effective scout and spy, and was induced by Brady to enter the service .**

In 1779 General Broadhead was ordered to Fort Pitt with his regiment, and Samuel Brady, who had been at the siege of Boston, and was a lieutenant at the massacre of the Paoli, accompanied the regiment. A short time prior to this, his father and brother had fallen by the hands of Indians, and Brady had sworn to avenge their murder; and was. full of relentless hate. He was selected by General Broadhead, upon the suggestion of General Washington, as a suitable officer to proceed to Upper Sandusky to ascertain the number of British and Indians in that region. He was appointed captain of the spies, and furnished a rude map of the country in which the Indians were supposed to be located. He was accom- panied by four Chickasawes, and some eight or ten select woodsmen and Indian hunters, as spies. They were all dressed and painted in true Indian style, and looked so much like Indians that it was really difficult to distin- guish them from the genuine article. Brady was versed in the wiles of Indian strategy, and was well acquainted with their languages and mode of warfare. He led his band in safety through the deep, dark forests, across streams and over marshes and bogs to the Sandusky. On the way, his Chickasawos deserted him, and suspect- ing treachery, he was doubly on his guard. On his ani- val at Sandusky, he concealed his men, and stealthily approached the Indian town in company with a select spy, where from his concealment he saw aboat three thousand Indians engaged in the amusement of the race- ground. They had just returned from Virginia and Ken- tucky with some fine blooded horses. After watching the Indians some hours, he and his companion returned

* Captain Samuel Brady was born in Shippensburgh, Cumberland county. Pennsylvania, in 1755. He entered the array of the Rezolu tion at an ently age, and was in several battles. In 377 , he was of- dered to Fort Ist, under General Broadhead, where he became noted as an Indian hunter and spy. He was a brave and reckless man. Those who were best acquainted with him say he was, morally, quite naserupulous.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 45

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros Publication date: 1880 Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams Number of Pages: 896

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896