History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 69

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 854

USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881 > Part 69

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The nation's memorable day and its honored hero must not be forgotten. The materials for a sumptuous feast were at hand, Night came on, the tables were covered with the smoking viands, alias " owls," and the word was out for all, far and near, to come and partake. A night of revelry succeeded ; merrily the bowl went round, the swaggering song was encored, the welkin rang with huzzals for the chieftain of the day-Gen- eral Jackson forever-and all were too much " half scas over " to tell when the carnival ended. So auspicious a beginning was not suffered to end thus. There was organized, forthwith, what was called the "Whoo-whoo Society of Coshocton," which was to meet annually on the 8th of January, in honor of the day and its hero. It is impossi- ble to give a full account of what was done by this strange and novel organization, nor would it be desirable if possible. The genius of the institu- tion was a bacchanalian, reckless and extravagant- ly boyish hilarity. The presiding officer was known as the great " Whoo-whoo Owl," and a monstrous bird of this species always stood at the head of the table by his side. The second officer was called the "Little Screech Owl," and a bird of this kind stood by him. No citizen of the place, and no stranger who might chance to be in town, was permitted to be absent, and was as surely in- toxicated as present. Those who declined to at- tend were often forced along against their will.

Once assembled, at the direction of the master of ceremonies, folly and madness reigned supreme, and strange modes of amusement were contrived by minds half frenzied with the fumes of intoxi- cation. The members arrayed themselves in gro- tesque costumes, representing celebrated charac- ters or various animals, and the initiate was intro- duced to these severally. At one time the story of " the babes in the woods" was enacted in a most ludicrous manner. Great and over-grown men lay down in an arbor as babes in the woods, while another with huge wings, representing an angel, was let down from above them by ropes, to cover them with leaves.

The chapter is closed with a journal written by Colonel Charles Williams of his life and travels. It perhaps affords a better insight into the char- acter of Coshocton's first settler than could he conveyed by another. A small portion is omitted and in some instances the phraseology has been modified, but the writing in the main is as it originally stood.

CAPTAIN WILLIAMS' JOURNAL.

Started from Fifteen Mile Creek, Maryland, October, 1779, crossed the mountains barefooted and came to a place called Brush Run, seven miles west of what is now Washington Town; there I stayed under my father's control. In the spring of 1781, the Indians captured a family and killed some of them about one mile off from our place. In the same spring my father moved to Cox's Fort. There we lived upon boiled wheat and hominy; in the fall we lived very well on cashaws, pumpkins and milk; we had nothing but gourd cups and horn or wooden spoons. The Indians were killing or taking somebody almost every week. Here I soon bacame able to carry a gun.

In 1783, I moved with my father into the coun- try on Cross creek, three miles from the fort. In a short tine I became a hunter and killed bears and deer, and other animals. After some time, I began life for myself. The Indians killed one Yankee in my hearing; then we raised about twenty men and followed them, and overtook the Indians in Sugar creek plain at the mouth. There I killed one, I think, and we got the white man's bible and a deed for some land, and returned home safe. Then, I think in the year 1784, I crossed the river when, I understand, there were but eight men in the State of Ohio. After some time I engaged in the ranging business, Those were very troublesome times. I lived hard but

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

free. Then I married a girl named Susanna Carpenter. I had to steal her away, and, as we were poor, I was unable to get a marriage license for want of money; but all came right. There was a justice of the peace in Virginia, and he agreed to marry me for a buckskin, and we went over the river in Ohio and got married on a big rock in the woods; some who were present were barefooted ; then we went home and had a fine dance.

In the next winter I lost my mare, by carrying a heavy load of meat, and then had nothing but my gun and dog I moved over the river into Ohio, I think, in the year 1787; there engaged in the ranging business; followed the Indians and hunted for a living, for several years, living happily, though the Indians were very trouble- some. I lived at a place called Carpenter's Sta- tion, one mile up Short ercek. We had fine times; nothing to do but dance, and cat hominy, and guard ourselves. Then, after some years, I thought I would quit this kind of life, and go to work. I went down the river to Manchester, in this State (Adams county), and thought I would work for my living. I began to raise a crop, but had not been there long until a party of men came along who were going after some prisoners who had been taken on Flat river, Kentucky, about thirty women and children. Nothing would do, but Imust go with them, and fat last agreed to do so. On the second, day we fell in with a party of Indians, and attacked them, and killed perhaps three. I shot one, who happened to be a white man. raised with the savages from a child, and was going to war then, to the mouth of the Scioto, to hack boats, steal property and kill people, as they had taken many boats there. In the above attack, I lost one man ; he fell against me. His name was Joseph Jones, a fine sollier. Four of our party thought it best to run in the camp, with our knives and tomahawks, and did so, and lost Jones. It was in the night. Jones had not yet expired when I left him, but we had to run for our own safety, as we supposed there were more Indians near by. Sure enough, it was so, and we returned home. I thought I would quit fighting the Indians, but in a short time they took three horses from me. Then my ambition was raised against them, and I started out with a party of surveyors, who were going to survey the Virginia Military Land, beyond the Scioto, and lay out, without tire, sixty odd nights, with one blanket. The greater part of the time, there was snow. We would cook before night; then I would gather brush, scrape away the show and lay my brush or bork on the ground; spread my blankets upon this, and put on dry socks and moccasins. There I slept very well, about half awake, not knowing what might happen to us that night.

After being out for some time, we met an In- dian in the woods, as the surveyor was running a line, and the Indian ran off, and we gathered together all our force, which was, I think, twenty- one, most of them young lads; perhaps ten or eleven with guns. In the morning, after break- fast, we started with intent to strike the camp, but missed it a little, but fell on their trail and found they were too many for us. Our company was very much alarmed on account of the young lads. Colonel Nathaniel Massie, who was with us, would not permit us to attack them. I was put before. We went about two miles, when we found the trail of about eight Indians. I told Massie that we would follow them, as they went our course ; then he took the precaution to push up for fear of what might be behind. At sun- down we came to the place where the Indians were eneamped for the night. We soon caught their horses, and waited patiently until dark; then myself and four others, who were to attack the camp, erceped up to within a few feet and fired upon them. Two were killed; the rest es- caped. We went fast for home through fear of those we had passed that day. We went about four miles; there we stayed all night, cooked and ate our breakfast; then started for home, killed two buffaloes, and reached home in safety the next day.

Then I determined to go with Anthony Wayne, and started; reached him at Cincinnati, where I was given $2 a day to go about twelve miles to take care of cattle for the use of the army. It was very dangerous, for the Indians wore plenty, watching the army. After some time I got word that my wife was very sick and I returned home, I found my wife very low. In the spring we moved to a piece of land in Ohio which I had bought, on Brush creek,* with a family with me, by the name of Hoglin. He died a short time after, and I moved back to the station. When we were at the land it was very dangerous. After some time I moved up the river where I came from, Carpenter's Station, on Short crock. I then had some money and two horses. There was peace with the Indians by this time, and I thought I would ropay them for the damage they had done me. Following them many miles, I reached New Comerstown; there, Fand three others, fell in with thirty or forty Indians; we gave them a small keg of whisky and kept one to trade on. They got pretty high, and soon came to take my bread. One got hold of the bag and ran, but I soon overhauled him and took it from him. Soon after they came to get more whisky, and I sold it to them for $1 a quart, one-third water; thus I was paying them up. In two or three days I got done trading and went home in

$Adams county, Ohio.

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

fine heart, thinking what I would do next trip. I soon started out again with several horses loaded with articles for trade and one loaded with whisky, as it would make nearly two horse loads. I came to the camp and found many In- dians there eager to trade, and made good bar- gains for myself.

I found a white man there named Robert Hig- gins, and the Indians and I got an old woman willing to marry him; then the buck's foot and corn were handed about, and the marriage was over. We put them to bed on a bear-skin. Then I started home; had made a good trade and brought some Indians home with me. My fath- er-in-law had been wounded and taken prisoner by the Indians, and was very angry at them. It was hard work to save them from him, but I did it. I soll off my trade and lived high, played cards and ran horses. I spent my money as fast as I made it, but took good care of my family.

In the spring I took my brother-in-law with me; took plenty of trade, especially whisky, as it was good trade that would sell when cash and all skins were gone, for the best of clothing. This was full of lice, but we would wash it and sell it again to others who had skins. Then the Indi- ans got very troublesome. They wanted to take my whisky, and I fought for it, and Carpenter left me alone. I had to work to save my prop- erty, but none was taken. In a few days I sold all out and started for home. About fifteen or twenty went with me. Then I began to under- stand them a little, which made trading easier for me. I traded eight years with them, and my wife, too, understood them before I was done trading.

Then, after some time in the next fall, I deter- mined to move to the Muskingum Salt Springs, where Chandlers made salt. I started down the Ohio to the mouth of the Muskingum, then up it to the salt works. On the way I got the ague, and had it two months, or thereabouts; landed at Duncan's Falls, where there were thirty or more Indians waiting for me. I had a barrel of whisky -great joy for them. Soon they got drunk. There were no persons with me but my wife and three children. My hands had gone up to the salt works. We had to move our bed and barrel of whisky seven times that night to keep from being robbed, as they always found us.

Daylight came at last. I had hard work to save all but did so. After some time in the day my hands came for me. They stole off the barrel of whisky and left it out in the woods, then came back for the family. When we had gone about two miles I took sick and they left me under a tree with a blanket over me. Up came a very hard rain but I was not able to get up. In the evening they came for me with a horse; we went about four miles, there came to my wife and chil-

dren, with no shelter except a small tent. Those were hard times. There was no person to work for me and I laid siek for about two months with- out bread or any other food except meat. It was a very hard winter. After some time I got able to go for some provisions, and brought several horse loads. I had to fetch it about eighty miles through deep snow. There was no road, but at last I got home, and we had bread.

There were some young men who had been trading with the Indians. They came to see us and the Indians were all very dry. They sought to have a frolic and had one. I had to keep very steady. All got pretty high. Solomon McCul- loch and William Morrison cut a hole in the ice, or it was ent, and poked one Indian in it. I ran and took him out. By that time they had stripped one more all but one leggin and breech clout. He broke away and ran to the woods where he stayed all night. The snow was deep and it was very cold. My wife and I followed but could not overtake him. In the morning he came back and wasnot frozen as we expected he would be. He had lain under a bank where there was a spring. The next night the Yankees played a trick on one of our hands ; they got a rope around his neck and swore they would draw him up the chimney, I abed heard them, spoke to them and they let him go.

My neighbors were Indians, but in a short time I had two neighbors who were white men, William MeCulloch and Henry Crooks. Then I made money making salt and keeping provisions for travelers. I spent it all in cutting a road so as to keep the road by my house. I then sold out and moved to the Whitewoman. The In- dians came there and robbed me of my best clothes from under my head. They stole my horse, and several others. I went with the own- ers of the horses and got two back again. Then they stole more horses. I felt very willing to follow them, took two Indians with me and start- ed. I overhauled the one that had stolen my clothes, but he had lost them at gambling. The chief told me to take him but I thought it best to leave him. The Indians had sent the horses he had stolen to where I lived. Then the next morning I started and came to a place called Helltown,* a small Indian town. I was treated very well but there were no news of stolen pro- perty. The next morning I went on to Lower Sindusky. There I found them very much alarmed on account of two Indians that had stolen two horses, and three men had followed and killed them. The white men's names were Elias IFughes, John Ratliff and John Bland.t At

*In Richland county.

+This was in April, 1800. See Howe's Historieal Collec- tions of Ohio, page 202, or Graham's History of Licking county.

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

Sandusky the Indians had a feast, about 300 were there. I thought my chances were bad, but good or bad I bolted up in the midst of them, tokl the chief what my errand was-to have the horses returned and the stealing stopped, and that then there would be no more killed. They agreed to give up all the horses, and I got eight or nine home for their owners. That put a stop to horse stealing by the Indians to this day, 1831.

I then had the ague for nine months almost every day. Then I moved to Coshocton, here I have lived thirty-two years. I thought when I came that I would try to make something to live .on in my old days. I kept a tavern for about twenty-eight years, and drove hogs and cattle, and made money on all sides. Before I left the salt works the Indians robbed my wife of one keg of whisky and stole two horses when I was away from home. When I returned I followed them with two other men, and we overhauled them on White Woman river. That was in time of peace. I think I was gone five days.

About twenty-one years ago I had my house burned and two children, one of my own and one of my brother James', burned and everything but a mere trifle lost. In about one month i was doing business as good as ever, keeping tavern and droving. After a time the last war came on. I thought I must see what was going on. At Hull's surrender I was ordered out with 100 men or thereabouts, went on to Mansfield. Before I got there I had some trouble with the Indians, to get them to tell what they would do, go to the British or go to our army, and my men killed one. They came to us after a day or two; we stayed at Mansfield. In a few days, the Indians came within a few miles and killed two old persons, man and wife, I think they were seventy or up- wards, and their daughter and one other man. I and four or five more went where they were killed, found them dead and scalped. In the course of the day they were buried without cof- fins. In a few days, about fifteen or twenty Indians eame where there was a family and some military men, about one mile distant from where they had killed the others, and killed, I think, four persons. I was sick at the time. Sent twenty men after them but could not overhaul them. After a month, I was ordered home with my men.

CHAPTER XLVI.

GROWTH OF COSHOCTON - PRESS - FRATERNITIES.

Location of Tuscarawa-Description of Original Plat-Ad- ditions to Coshocton-Increase of Population-Incorpora- tion-List of Mayors-Postmasters-City Hall-The Press- The Coshocton Republiean-Spy -- Democratie Whig-Pro-

gressive Age-Coshocton Age-Castle of Liberty-Western Horizon-Democrat- Practical Preacher-Young America -Saturday Visitor - People - Commonwealth - Farmers' Home Journal-Wochenblatt-Secret Orders-Masons-Odd Fellows-Red Men-Knights of Honor-Patrons of Ilus- bandry.

T THE original proprietors of the town of Tus- carawa must have had high anticipations of the future importance of the place, if the extent of its boundaries be any indication ; and, indeed, the location was amply sufficient to warrant glowing expectations of eminence. It was situ- ated at the headwaters of one of the most beau- ful and noted rivers of the West, in the midst of a luxuriant and classic valley, readily accessible by water crafts, then the only means of extensive transportation

The town plat embraced a territory perhaps three-fourths of a mile square, extending south- ward three squares beyond Mulberry street, and eastward as far as Fifth street, including 308 lots. Besides these, there were forty-seven large out- lots, No. 1 to 23, inclusive, east of the town plat proper, between what are now Fifth and Seventh streets; 24 to 35, west of Muskingum river, and 36 to 47, north of Tuscarawas river. Three. squares, of just four acres each, were donated to the public; one, occupied by the north building, for school purposes, and two for the public use. One of these is now occupied by the court house; the other lay directly south of it.

The land between the town and river, several hundred feet in width, was to be used as a com- mon, reserving to hoklers of lots fronting on the common the right of building warehouses and wharves in front of their lots, between lots 229 and 240, provided a street four rods wide be left between the lots and wharves, and provided such wharves and warehouses interfere not with any usual ford or any ferry that the proprietors may establish ; the proprietors reserving all rights to ferries within the bounds of the town.

The State legislature, January 13, 1811, passed an act authorizing that the name of Tuscarawa be changed to Coshocton; that the portion of town south of Mulberry street (including 132 lots) be vacated, and that the county commissioners subdivide into lots and sell the public square lying between Main and Walnut streets. This

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

latter was divided into fourteen lots (300-322) and sold soon after. At the same time the pro- prietor re-subdivided a portion of the plat as vacated by the act into what is known as the south out-lots, and also revised the plan of the east out-lots, lying between Fifth and Seventh streets.

The various additions made to the town of Co- shocton are as follows: R. M. Lamb, in May 1837, made a subdivision of land lying east of " east out-lots " into what was called Location lots. It is now known as Lamb's Addition, and was surveyed by John Fulks, deputy county surveyor. William F. De La Mater laid out an addition in March, 1854, comprising east out-lots 13 and 14; surveyed by John C. Tidball. James M. Burt's addition was laid out in March, 1862, from parts of out-lots 13 and 14; surveyed by John C. Tid- ball. Samuel H. Lee's addition was made in May, 1866, from a portion of lot 12, section 1. September, 1867, James R., David M. and Thomas H. Johnson made an addition including parts of east out-lots 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 It was surveyed by Thomas H. Johnson. John Burt, Sr., made an addition from a portion of lot 12, section 1, in No- vember, 1866; surveyed by Hunt and Johnson. Spangler's addition was made in April, 1868, by E. T. and A. H. Spangler and Joseph Burns, from parts of east out-lots 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20; sur- veyed by R. A. Cunningham. Daniel Triplett's addition, comprising parts of out-lots 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, was made in August, 1868; surveyed by William Humrickhouse. John B. Elliott's ad- dition was made in March, 1872, from a part of section 1. It was surveyed by John A. Hanlon. The Coshocton Iron and Steel Company's ad- dition was made in April, 1872, from portions of east out-lots 6, 7 and 8; surveyed by John A. Hanłon.

In August, 1872, Thomas Willard subdivided lot 9, and A. M. Williams and Martin Weisser, lot 8 of Triplett's addition. The Coshocton County Agricultural Society, in December, 1872, subdivided the fair grounds-a part of lot 12, sec- tion 1-J. A. Hanlon, surveyor. W. E. Hunt, Daniel Triplett and Anthony Wimmer, in Feb- ruary, 1873, subdivided in-lots 37, 38, 39 and 40.

Ricketts' additions were made in April and in December, 1873, by T. C. Ricketts, Houston Hay

and F. Barney from portions of east out-lots 1, 2, 3,4 and 5; John 1. Hanlon, surveyor. In March, 1873, Willis Wright subdivided lot 13, of Lamb's Location lots.

The growth of the village was at first extremely slow. At the end of ten years there were scarcely a dozen families living here. Directly after the close of the war 1812 settlers began to arrive more rapidly, and the estimate of several pioneers is, that in 1820 Coshocton contained probably one hundred and fifty people. The census for 1830 gives it three hundred and thirty-three inhabit- ants. The Ohio canal had just been building, and it served to increase the population of Co- shoeton, though to a less extent than Roscoc. In 1833 there were in Coshocton a brick court house, a jail, two printing offices, five mercantile stores, four taverns, four lawyers, three regular and two Thompsonian practitioners of medicine, a num- ber of mechanics, a large steam mill with four run of buhrs, and two saw mills, owned by Ren- frew & Company. The population was computed at four hundred. In 1840 it had increased to six hundred and twenty-five, and 1850 to eight hun- dred and fifty. From that date it began to in- crease more rapidly, and 1860 it had reached eleven hundred and fifty-one. Ten years later it was seventeen hundred and fifty-four. The cen- sus returns for 1880, however, indicates the most marked advance in population, for in that year it was three thousand and forty-eight.

Coshocton was incorporated by act of legisla- ture, January 21, 1833. The early records are lost or destroyed, rendering it impossible to give a com- plete list of the mayors of the village. Since 1847,, they have been as follows: Thomas Campbell 1847-51; John C. Tidball, 1851-52; J. Irvin, 1852- 54; John C. Tidball, 1854-56; Welcome Wells, 1856-58; A. J. Wilkin, 1858-59; John C. Winn, 1859-60; C. H. Johnson, 1860-63; G. F. Wilcoxon, 1863-64; J. C. Pomerene, 1864-65; W R. Forker, 1865-66; William Ward, 1866-67; J. S. Elliott, 1867-68; L. L. Cantwell, 1868-69; J. S. Elliott, 1869-70; Hiram Beall, 1870-72; John M. Compton, 1872-76; L. L. Cantwell, 1876-78; Thomas C. Ricketts, 1878-80; George A. Hay, 1880.

The following list of postmasters at Coshocton since the formation of the county is believed to be correct and complete. If there was an office

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

at this point prior to 1811, diligent inquiry has failed to reveal it: Adam Johnson, from IS11 to to about 1826; Wilson MeGowan, from about 1826 to 1830; William K. Johnson, 1830-45; C. HI. Johnson. 18415 49; R. F. Baker, 1849-53; Sam- uel Rich, 1853-54; H. N. Shaw, IS54-61; Asa L. Harris, 1861-64; A. H. Fritchey, part of 1864; W. A. Johnson, 1864-5; R. M. Voorhees, 1865-69; T. W. Collier, 1869-81; J. G. MeGaw, present postmaster. In 1828 the office yiekled an income of about $62 per annum. It was held by Adam Johnson in his store room on Water street. After his term of service, it was usually located at some point on Second street, until within a few years, since when it has been kept in various rooms on Main street. Its present commodious quarters are in one of the rooms of the Opera House.

The city hall, standing on the northwest corner of lot 140, Main street, is a handsome and credit- able public structure. It is built of brick, with stone facings, and is two stories in height. The upper floor contains a large audience hall and two front offices, one of which is occupied by the mayor. Below are two large store-rooms, and in the rear is the dismal apartment which is best known to offenders against the peace and dignity of the village. The erection of the building was begun in 1877 and completed in 1878, the eon- tract for which was awarded to H. Waggoner for $9,793.

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History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 69

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 854

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 854