History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 100

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County and Ohio > Part 100

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was an illiterate man, in whom the spirit of evil knew no superior nor control. He was a great coward, and it was resolved to make the effort to scare him out of his illegal proceed- ings. He was arrested by the Constable, and taken with great solemnity before "Squire " Mays, who, after hearing all the evidence and sifting the case to the bottom, informed the culprit, that, inasmuch as he had been pun- ished repeatedly by fines for a similar offense, without any change being obtained in his con- duct, it was the duty of the court, in order to preserve the sacred rights of private property, to place the offender beyond the reach of fur- ther violating the law, by hanging him to a tree in the yard of the cabin until he was dead. The prisoner was visibly affected and fright- ened. He trembled in every limb, and turned as pale as death, but the inexorable Justice gravely informed him that he had brought his fate upon his own head, and must prepare for death. A rope was procured, and preparations were being made to execute the sentence of the court ; and, while these were in progress, the prisoner was purposely left alone near an open window, thus favoring an opportunity for es- cape not to be overlooked, for, with a desperate bound, he leaped through the opening and ran off with the speed of the wind. He was in- stantly pursued by the officers, who had no in- tention of recapturing him ; but to keep up ap- pearances guns were fired, curses were hurled after the condemned man, and the servants of the law went scouring after him in swift pur- suit. He ran as though pursued by the furies, effecting an easy escape through thedeep woods. This ruse proved far more effective than admonitions or prosecutions, for Pratt left and was never afterward seen in the township. Cases of this character, however, were unusual in early years, and were only instituted when lawful proceedings were inadequate in securing the desired relief. Trouble of a similar nature was experienced by the settlers through the

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thievish propensity of John Henry, whose un- lawful acts are specified in the chapter on Chat- field Township in this volume.

Many cases are remembered where settlers, in returning from town or mill with their teams late at night, through the winding forest roads, became mired down, making it necessary for them to leave their wagons, and occasionally their teams, until the next morning, and being compelled to reach home on foot as best they could. It became customary to carry lanterns or torches, so that, if the road was obscure, all difficulty in following it might be avoided. The Parks brothers started one evening just at dark to go without light to the cabin of Eli Winters, who resided about a mile and a half distant. Night came suddenly upon them, they lost their reckoning, became bewildered, and, after wan- dering around in the woods for several hours, during which time they shouted themselves hoarse, navigated numerous swamps and bogs, and encountered sundry logs in a manner not calculated to soothe their tempers, they finally found themselves waist deep in mud and water, from which they were unable to extricate them- selves beyond climbing on a large log that lay half out of the water. The swamp was all around them, and. not daring to venture again into unexplored paths of water, they concluded to remain on the log until morning. It was in the fall of the year, and, after passing a miser- able night, during which they suffered intensely from wet clothing and the cold, daylight at last came, and revealed an easy path from the swamp, which was quickly traversed by the shivering brothers. They reached Mr. Winter's cabin thoroughly prostrated, and it was only after several hours, with hot coffee, before a roaring fire, that they were enabled to return home. This is only one of many cases of a similar nature. It was the easiest thing in the world to get lost in the woods, even in the day- time, and, unless a person was thoroughly fa- miliar with the path he was traveling, or had

with him a lantern, he was almost sure to get lost in the woods at night. The settlers of the township were often aroused to search for some child that had become lost in the pathless forest. James Ferguson's family lived in the western part, near Sycamore Creek. One even- ing in summer, Mrs. Ferguson, accompanied by her son, a boy ten years of age, started after the cows. The animals were found about a mile away, but they refused to be driven home, pre- ferring to daslı through clumps of bushes to avoid the flies, and, apparently, to annoy the driver as none but cows know how to do, when their feeding is likely to be cut short. In en- deavoring to head them toward home, Mrs. Fer- guson became bewildered, and was startled to find that she was lost. The cows seemed deter- mined to go directly away from home, although, really, they were aiming as straight for that spot as cows could through the deep woods ; but Mrs. Ferguson did not know this, and, thinking that she could retrace her steps, she left the cows and endeavored to find her way home. But she failed to see a single familiar object. This increased the terror, and, conse- quently, the bewilderment of the lost woman. She called repeatedly at the top of her voice, but only the terrifying echoes of her own tones answered her. Darkness came on, and the wolves began to howl at intervals through the dark forest. Mrs. Ferguson saw with alarm that she was doomed to remain in the woods all night, unless some providential circumstance brought her home. She knew that rambling through the woods would attract the wolves, and saw that the wisest course was to lie down near some large log that would afford shelter from descending dews, and remain quiet until morning. This was done, and the long, chilly night was passed, with occasional frights to the watchful woman by strange noises around her. At last the morning came, and the tired woman, taking her boy by the hand, started out, hoping to reach home for an early breakfast. But she

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wandered on and on until noon, without having seen a single familiar landmark. She exhausted all her knowledge of woodcraft to establish the cardinal points of direction, but failed. She traveled on until darkness came, and another night of terror and suffering was passed. Noth- ing had been eaten except a few wild berries, and the mother and her child were almost worn out with anxiety and hunger. Another day came and was passed wandering through the woods until about the middle of the afternoon, when the welcome report of a rifle was heard near at hand, and, in a few minutes, the over- joyed woman saw a neighbor walking rapidly toward her. He was one of a party that had been searching for her for two nights and nearly two days, and had brought with him some bread and butter, which was eagerly devoured by the half-famished woman and child. She was about three miles from home, and had kept wandering round and round in a circle, passing once or twice within a quarter of a mile of her cabin. She was soon at home, and in a few days was fully recovered from her exposure and nervous shock. Search for her had begun the night of her disappearance, and, although guns had been fired, and bells rung, yet not a sound thus made reached the ears of the lost woman. This seems unaccountable, and can only be explained by reason of distance and contrary winds. Mr. Ferguson was one of the most skillful hunters ever in the county. He had been reared in the woods, and was thor- oughly familiar with all the tactics known to professional hunters. He had taken a promi- nent part in the military expeditions in Ohio during the war of 1812, and was employed as a scout and a bearer of dispatches from one commander to another. He is remembered to have told, that, on one occasion, while bearing dispatches from near Columbus to some fort in the northern part of the State, he was seen by a party of hostile Indians, and pursued for two days before he succeeded in eluding them. He

is said to have been a remarkable marksman, being able to bring down with his rifle almost any bird, on the wing. He first located in San- dusky Township, but, after a few settlers had arrived, he moved to Lykens, where he re- mained a few years, and then went farther west.

The settlers, for many years, went to Seneca County for their flour and lumber. Extensive mills had been in operation in that county, on Sandusky River, for many years prior to the set- tlement of Lykens, and the settlers found it much handier to go there than south to the vicinity of Bucyrus. It was not long, however, before industries began to arise in the township, and, ere many years had elapsed, the settlers no longer went north for their lumber, although they continued to go there for their flour. Otto Fieldner, in about 1836, erected a small frame building about a mile south of the village of Lykens, in which was placed one set of " nig- ger-head " stones for the purpose of " cracking " corn. It was not designed for a flour-mill, al- though a feeble effort was made to grind wheat and rye. It was a great accommodation to the settlers, who, in order that the mcal might not become stale, were in the habit of getting a sackful ground at a time. The mill continued in operation about eight years, and then was allowed to run down. Milton Waller was a cooper by trade, an occupation he followed at odd times for a number of years. He had a small shop at his house and made tubs, kegs, etc., finding a ready sale for all he could man- ufacture. He was a prominent man, and his sons have been among the most enterprising and intelligent citizens in the township. Fran- cis Slee was a carpenter. He built many of the early frame houses, and manufactured chairs, looms, spinning-wheels, etc. Fra Cory was a blacksmith, the first one to work at the trade in the township, and erected a small shop a mile or so south of the village. Joseph Ken- nedy burned brick about a mile east of the vil- lage as early as 1840. No large quantity was

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burned, and a ready sale was found for all he prepared. One of the first houses erected in the village of Lykens was constructed of brick from Mr. Kennedy's kiln. Some say that Nathan Coran was the first blacksmith in the township. It is quite certain that his shop was erected as early as 1834. He worked at the trade for many years. William Jackson tanned skins on a small scale, begin- ning about 1840. Otto Fieldner, in connection with his " corn-cracker," operated one of the best of the early saw-mills. The mill was lo- cated on a small stream ; and, although noth- ing better than a slow motion could be obtained for the saw, owing to the sluggish flow of the water, due to the fact that the stream had but little fall, it was enabled to run about four months during the spring. It continued in op- eration as long as the "corn-cracker." Mr. Fieldner found it best to attach to the com- bined mill suitable machinery to be worked by horses, for the purpose of lengthening the time that the mills could run. This tread-power proved so satisfactory that it soon superseded the old water-wheel. It is stated that, in vio- lation of the United States revenue laws, liquor of various kinds, including whisky and brandy, has been distilled in the township, in cellars and other secret places, by different parties, at inter- vals, since the earliest times. Stories are in circulation, where certain parties are reported to have been seen under suspicious circum- stances during nights in past years. The re- ports have probably been exaggerated, but it is quite certain that the revenue laws have been violated, although the quantity of liquor man- ufactured has been small, and the quantity sold smaller still.

Joseph Stammits built and operated a steam saw-mill in the northwest corner, on Buckeye Creek, as early as 1844. He had a good mill, and did a large amount of sawing for the cit- izens. It is said that the creek furnished only sufficient water to supply the boiler. After

running ten or fifteen years, the engine and boiler were removed and the mill abandoned. Eli Winters, Jr., owned and operated this mill for a short time. He was a skillful sawyer, and was connected with several of the early mills. The most valuable and most extensive saw-mill in the township in early years, was built and operated by Jacob Foy, a sawyer of long ex- perience. The mill was a combined saw and grist mill, and was erected at the junction of the Big and Little Sycamore Creeks. The building was a large two-story frame structure, divided into two apartments, one for the grind- ing machinery, and the other for the sawing. Excellent water-power was secured by means of a race having sufficient fall to furnish ample power for the rapid running of the saw. The mill was built in about 1834, and continued in operation many years. The remains of the old mill may yet be seen at the junction of the two creeks. It is said that excellent flour and meal were furnished by the grist-mill. Inch lumber from any wood was furnished for about 40 cents by the hundred, or a share was taken, varying from one-third to two-thirds. Large quantities were sawed, and many of the older buildings yet standing in the township were constructed of lumber obtained at the Foy saw-mill. The " nigger-head" stones used in the grist-mill were bowlders taken from the farm of Eli Winter, and dressed down to the proper size and shape by some neighboring stone-cutter. After Foy had operated the com- bined mills for fifteen or twenty years, he sold out to Moses Woodsides, who increased the scope of both departments of the mill, by sub- stituting steam as the motor in place of water. After running many years, the mill was finally abandoned. A man named Patrick built aud operated a saw-mill on Sycamore Creek as early as 1865. A Mr. Blanchard also operated one for many years. Among the early industries must be noticed the effort made by two or three parties in the township, between 1840 and 1850,

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to rear silk-worms and to manufacture silk goods. Mrs. Breston, of Chatfield Township, was quite extensively engaged in the enterprise, and, through her influence, many were indneed to embark in the same pursuit. A man named Blanchard was indueed to begin the business on a small scale. A room in his house was fitted up with suitable shelves and heating ap- paratus, and eggs of the silk-worm were ob- tained from Mrs. Breston and placed therein, under proper conditions of heat and moisture, to be hatched. Here could be seen the wonder- ful metamorphosis from the egg to the mature insect. Mr. Blanchard experienced other ditti- eulties in condueting the business than Mrs. Breston did, from the fact that he was a novice in the rearing and care of silk-worms, being obliged to depend upon Mrs. Breston for neces- sary instructions. He, as well as the lady, soon found it extremely difficult to obtain the nec- essary supply of fresh mulberry leaves, which constituted the caterpillar's only food. After having got nicely started, he was compelled to forego the combined pleasures and anxieties connected with the pursuit. The inseets died on his hands, and the silk-culture soon became a thing of the past. One or two other parties made efforts in the same direction, but nothing was accomplished, except to discover that the business could not be otherwise than unprof- itable.

In October, 1870, J. F. Feighner secured the services of H. W. MeDonald, County Surveyor, and laid out fifteen lots on the northwest quar- ter of Section 15, Township 1 south, Range 16 east, and named the village thus surveyed, Ly- kens. These were the first lots laid out in accordance with the law of Ohio, although, many years previously, the village had sprung into existence, industries of various kinds had arisen, merchants had come and gone, and the real growth and business activity had passed before the village was properly laid out and or- ganized. Other suggestive names have been

bestowed upon the village, much to the disgust of the villagers, who recognize no name but Lykens. Citizens in the township, outside of the village, and even people living in distant parts of the county, speak of " Buljo," when referring to the only town in Lykens Township. The origin of this title is somewhat doubtful. It is related that many years ago, when the first saloon was doing a lively business in the town, several of the citizens were wont to assemble there to drink, tell stories and amuse themselves in various ways. Among the number was a man who told a funny story, wherein a negro, in referring to a certain place where liquor was sold and imbibed, said they had " high times in Buljo." The story, whenever told, elicited rounds of applause, and it was not long before the frequenters of the saloon, in speaking of their revels, said " We have high times in Buljo." After that, the village became known as " Bul- jo," a name that elings to it, despite the efforts made by the villagers to shake the title off. The name Santa Fe was bestowed upon the town, but after a few years this was forgotten. Several of the citizens in early years began calling the village "Buzzard's Glory." The origin of this name will be left to the imagina- tion of the impartial reader. The first dwelling in the town was built by a man named Swet- land on his own land, in 1834. It was a small frame structure, and was torn down a few years ago. A Mr. Hollister built the second about two years later. When these dwellings were erected, it was not imagined that a village was soon to spring up about them ; and perhaps, if the thought passed through the minds of these two men, it was unheeded and soon forgotten. By 1840, there were as many as six or eight dwellings in the village, and people began to talk of having lots laid out. It was about this time that Anson Brown built the brick house now owned and occupied by Dr. Ritchie's wid- ow. The brieks were obtained at the Kennedy kiln, a short distance east of the village. A

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man named Gossage built the frame dwelling now owned and occupied by the family of Hiram Dillinger. The villagers soon became clamor- ous for a post office, and began with one accord to call the town " Lykens," a title suggested by the name of the township. Mr. Swetland opened the first store. He placed in one room of his dwelling abont $200 worth of notions, including some half-dozen yards of calico, and a small quantity of groceries. This, however, did not satisfy the wants nor ambition of the villagers, as they still found it profitable to go to Bucy- rus, when a large bill of goods was wanted. Mr. Swetland began as early as 1835, and continued until 1840, when he closed out his stock, and turned his attention to his farm. In the fall of 1840, Anson Brown built a small storeroom and began the mercantile pursuit, with a gen- eral assortment of goods valued at $600. This was the first store of consequence in the town. Brown began doing a lively business from the start, and kept steadily increasing his stock, by investing all the profits in additional goods. He dealt quite largely in produce, buying and shipping butter, eggs, poultry, etc., and made considerable money. In 1847, his store caught fire, one windy night, from a defective flue, and 'burned to the ground, consuming several thou- sand dollars' worth of goods ; but this loss did not dishearten Mr. Brown in the least, for he immediately rebuilt, and began with a much larger stock than formerly. He was a shrewd business man, and, in time, increased his stock until it was worth nearly $8,000. He is said to have kept the largest and best stock of goods ever in the town, besides doing a large and active trade in produce of all kinds. He finally sold out to other parties. Byron Brown (not a relative of Anson Brown) opened a store in about 1848. His stock consisted principally of groceries, and was worth about $1,000. He continued the business for about seven years, and then closed out his stock. The Browns were succeeded by George Jackson, who sold a

small stock of goods for about five years. Samuel Martin began to sell a general assort- ment of goods about 1856 ; but, after following the mercantile pursuit for six or eight years, and discovering that the business was not likely to enrich him very soon, he sold out to other parties. Various other persons have sold goods in the town. It has been in past years quite an extensive trading-point, and even at present commands a fair patronage. Various other industries have arisen in the village. A man named Cummins erected a blacksmith- shop as early as 1838, and began to work at that trade. He was followed by a Mr. Madison. Carpenters, butchers, coopers, masons and oth- ers have followed their peculiar callings in the village. James Drake built an ashery quite early, probably 1845. The building was lo- cated on Sycamore Creek, near the southern limits of the town, and large quantities of ashes were manufactured into potash, and shipped to Bucyrus and other neighboring villages. Mr. Drake succeeded in manufacturing as high as fifteen tons of potash per annum, and contin- ued at about the same rate for a number of years, and finally sold the building and all the appurtenances thereto belonging to Anson Brown, and moved west to the Centennial State. Brown conducted the ashery even more extensively than Drake, and gave goods from his store in exchange for ashes. The ashery was finally sold with the store. Jacob Hodge built an ashery in the village, on the bank of Sycamore Creek, soon after the erection of the Drake building. He manufactured considerable potash during a period of six years, but finally abandoned the enterprise. Jerry Jolly erected suitable buildings, sunk some half-dozen vats, and began tanning skins as early as 1846. He did good work for ten years, when he sold out to Ephraim Adams, who, after continuing the same occupation for five years, abandoned it, and the buildings were taken down. A man named Brown (not Anson Brown) opened a sa-

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loon in the village in 1845 ; but, at the end of faur years, he transferred his stock of liquors to some other locality. Peter Howenstein built a saw-mill in " Buljo," on Sycamore Creek, in 1847. He did good work, and owned and op- erated the mill for nearly fifteen years, but finally sold out. Eli Winters owned and oper- ated the mill for a time. Other parties also owned it. The same mill, altered and en- larged, is yet in operation in the town. Dr. James Dodge was the first resident physician, locating in the village in 1848. He obtained a fair practice, but left for other fields of labor five or six years after his arrival. Dr. Harmon resided in town for a few years. He was suc- ceeded by Dr. Ritchie, who came in 1856, but died at the end of four years. The present physician is G. D. Spengler. The post office was secured about 1844; but, prior to that time, the mail was brought from Melmore, in Seneca County, and later, from Portersville. The mail was carried by William Hank, once a week for many years. Anson Brown was probably the first Postmaster. In 1872, the Odd Fellows organized a lodge in the village, beginning with fifteen members, a flattering number for so small a place, to be sure. A hall was hired over one of the stores, and the lodge was soon on firm footing. The present mem- bership is thirty-four. It will be seen from the above that the village was not properly laid out until 1870; but, prior to that time, lots were measured off, and sold to those desiring a residence in town. The village at present has a population not to exceed forty-five.

The Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike was traveled quite extensively for many years be- fore the last war by escaping slaves from the Southern States on their way north to the do- minion of the British Queen. Almost every citizen living on that well-traveled highway recollects of seeing many a dusky runaway skulking along the road under cover of the night, or being driven rapidly north by some

assisting friend. It occasionally happened that pursuing masters also traveled the road ; but it is not remembered that any runaway slave was captured by his master while escaping through the county. It was not customary for slaves to stop at houses directly on the road, even though the owner was a known friend. As morning approached, they left the road, and stopped at dwellings several miles from its course. It thus occurred that several citizens in and near the village of Lykens were known to harbor the black man, and to convey him farther on his way to Canada and freedom. On one occasion, one of the citizens was seen with a wagon-load of dusky women and chil- dren, heading for the house of some friend in southern Seneca County. And, at another time, a half-dozen or more of half-starved, half-clothed negro men were seen in a barn in Lykens Town- ship.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 100

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034