History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources, Part 28

Author: Dills, R. S
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Dayton, Ohio : Odell & Mayer
Number of Pages: 1070


USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 28


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Being an expert hunter, he was employed to supply the officers with game, while the army was encamped at Greenville in 1793. Environed by savages, the task was perilous in the extreme. The Indians climbed trees in the vicinity of the fort, and watched the garrison. If one was observed going out, note was taken of the direction, his path was ambushed, and his scalp rewarded the assas- sin. To forestall this, Hunt left the fort in the darkness, and once in the woods, "our chances," said he, "were equal."


After leaving the'fort, he made his way to the vicinity of his next day's hunting, and camped for the night. His plan to keep from freezing was unique. With his tomahawk he would dig a hole about the size and depth of a hat crown. Into this he placed dead white oak bark. Igniting this with flint and steel, he care- fully covered it, leaving an air-hole on each side. Spreading bark or brush over this miniature coal-pit, enveloped in his blanket, he sat down with it between his legs, and slept the sleep of a watchful hunter. When his fire grew low, he would give it a few blows through the ventilators, and it was all right again. In this way, he said, he could make himself sweat whenever he chose. The snap-


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JOSIAH HUNT.


ping of a twig aroused him ; and with his hand on his trusty rifle, his keen eye penetrating the silent gloom around, boded no good to the savage intruder, man or beast.


Sitting before our own quiet hearths, surrounded by all the com- forts and luxuries of civilization, we scarce can realize the immi- nent dangers, privations, and hardships through which our fore- fathers passed. Alone, amidst the denizens of the wilderness, in a " dreary forest, swarming with enemies, bloodthirsty, crafty, and of horrid barbarity, without a friend or human being to afford him the least aid, in the depth of winter, the freezing winds moaning through the leafless branches of the tall trees," the howling of the gaunt grey wolf-all conspired to awaken emotions of fear in the bravest heart. There would he sit in his blanket, nodding in his uneasy sleep, scarce distinguishable from surrounding objects, defy- ing the rigors of winter, yet showing no fire; calm, ready, and prompt to engage in mortal combat with any foe, whether Indian, bear, or panther. At daylight he proceeded slowly, and with ex- treme caution, to look for game, at the same time watching closely for Indians.


When he espied a deer, previous to shooting it he put a bullet in his mouth, with which to reload, which he invariably did immedi- ately after firing. Peering in every direction, he cautiously ap- proached his game, dragged it to a tree, and with his back against it, he would skin awhile, then straighten up and scan his surround- ings, to ascertain if the report of his gun had attracted a foe. Sat- isfied in this direction, he resumed skinning. The breaking of a stick, or the slightest sound, was sufficient to arouse all his vigilance, and with his trusty rifle firmly grasped, he was ready for any emer- gency. Having skinned and quartered the animal, the choicest parts were packed in the hide, slung over his shoulder, and carried to the fort. Once while hunting, he suddenly came upon three In- dians within easy gun-shot. His position was above them. Un- conscious of his presence, they were marching in Indian file, little dreaming of the deadly rifle, whose owner was waiting to get two of them in range. Not succeeding in this, and deeming the odds too great otherwise, he allowed them to pass unharmed. Through all his perilous adventures, and constant exposure to danger in all its forms, he passed unscathed, in great part due to constant watch- fulness, which seemed to render these faculties almost involuntary.


During the winter of 1793 he made seventy dollars, solely by


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


hunting. At the treaty of Greenville, the Indians inquired for him. and when he made his appearance they crowded around him, and were profuse in their praises and compliments. They seemed to consider him next in greatness to Wayne. "Great man," said they. "Captain Hunt great warrior ; good hunting man; Indian no can kill!" They informed him that often their bravest and most cun- ning warriors had set out expressly to kill him; they had often seen him; could recognize him by his dress, especially his cap, which was made of coon skin, with the tail hanging down behind, the front turned up, and ornamented with three brass rings. They knew his mode of making a camp-fire, which excited their admira- tion. Yet with all the glory of capturing such a noted hunter in- citing them, they could never surprise him, never get within shoot- ing distance without being discovered, and exposed to his unerring rifle. Some years after the war he removed to Indiana, and has never been heard of since.


EFFECTS OF THE WAR OF 1812.


Previous to this war the country was thinly settled, vast stretches of forests remaining in primitive luxuriance. The inhospitable woods were the habitation of wolves, wild Indians and panthers, who roamed undisturbed throughout the boundless solitudes; but her beauties were not long hidden. The watchful eye of the dar- ing hunter observed her rich and fertile valleys, sparkling streams, delicious summers and fruitful autumns, and game and range for all, and the sound of the ax was heard on every hand. from the banks of the Ohio to the prairies that skirt the far away Mississip- pi. Look now abroad, and lo! the forest, the Indian and his wig- wam, his light canoe, and the moccasined hunter have all sunk in- to the past. The ax of the white man, and the ordinance of 1787 have effected these changes.


Auxillary to these are : first, the Christian religion, the handmaid of civilization, the bulwark of civil liberty; secondly, the love of labor-noble and honest labor-offspring of sober thought, and im- munity from evil propensities superinduced by the first. To the combined effects of these two potent agencies, therefore, are we to ascribe the great progress, and the many changes that have taken place in our noble county since the first lonely pioneer cleared a spot for his solitary cabin.


Notwithstanding the energy of the pioneers, the country was paralyzed for a time by the war and the consequent reduced cir- cumstances of the people, especially those whom it more immedi- ately affected, yet we see almost a supernatural recuperation and pro- gression in all directions.


The character of her soil having been made known, the conse- quence of which was that when the country was entirely free from Indians, and all danger removed by the treaty of Ghent, the hardy and enterprising Virginians and Pennsylvanians, and the unique Yankee, whose inventive and mechanical genius has rendered his name almost a synonymn for these terms, made their appearance in


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


this county. A better combination for the development of a new country could not have been found. The sturdy habits, iron will and agricultural proclivities of the one, impelled by indomitable energy, leveled the forests, converted the barren wilderness into fruitful fields, and shed the light of civilization where darkness and gloom had hitherto reigned supreme, while the ever active, al- most ubiquitous mind of the other soon gave birth to the me- chanical appliances of civilization.


THE OLD MUSTER.


As it may be a matter of interest to many to know the military discipline to which the youth of early days were subjected, we de- vote a page to its explanation.


July 25, 1788, a law was published at Marietta for "regulating and establishing the militia," which was confirmed by the territorial legislature, and approved by the governor (St. Clair).


This law provided that all male citizens between the ages of sixteen and fifty, should perform military duty, be armed with a musket and bayonet, cartridge-box and pouch, or powder-horn and bullet-pouch, one pound of powder and four of lead, priming wire, brush and six flints.


For the promotion of health, civilization and morality they were required to drill on the first day of each week, at ten A. M., armed and equipped, adjacent to the place of public worship, and at all other times and places as the commander in chief should direct. For failing so to appear on the first of the week, they were fined twenty-five cents; and for failure on the day designated by the commander in chief, fifty cents ; for refusing to do guard duty, one dollar, and for refusing to serve in case of invasion, they were con- sidered guilty of desertion and court martialed.


On the 23d of November, 1788, the governor and judges publish- ed a law providing that all who should not furnish arms and ac- coutrements according to law, after thirty days' neglect, should, for a musket and bayonet, be fined five dimes ; for every pound of pow- der and four pounds of lead not furnished in fifteen days, two dimes and five cents ; for every powder-horn and bullet-pouch, two dimes; for every six flints not provided within ten days, one dime and five cents, and brush not provided within thirty days, one dime. They were also to be inspected by the commandant of companies, on the first Sabbath of each month. By a law passed July 2, 1791, all commandants of companies were to drill their men two hours on each last day of the week, and inspect their arms, ammunition, etc.


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


All who attended the drill on Saturday, were excused from church or drill on Sunday. Also if they attended church, armed and equipped, they were not required to drill on Saturday. Thus the law remained until December 13, 1799, when the whole was re- vised by the territorial legislature, which fixed the ages at eighteen and forty-five, men were to be armed and equipped in six months, officers to have sword or hanger and espontoon (spontoon or pike), arms exempt from execution. It also provided for districting and officering the militia; the commissioned and non-commissioned of- ficers to be drilled by the brigadiers, six days, five hours each, dur- ing the year. Company musters once in every two months, except December, January, February and March. Each batalion to mus- ter in the month of April every year, and a muster of the regiment in October. For non-attendance at company muster, one to three dollars; regimental or battalion, one dollar and a half to six dollars.


By act of December 30, 1803, Quakers, Menonites and Tunkers were exempt from military duty on payment of three dollars each year. Privates were allowed twelve months to equip, and fine re- duced from one dollar to a dollar and a half.


February 14, 1809, all laws for organizing, etc. were repealed. Only two company musters a year, in April and September. Bat- talion once in April and September. Commissioned to meet in August of each year for two days' exercise, according to Steuben's tactics.


February 2, 1813, a bounty of twelve dollars per month was al- lowed soldiers whose term of service had expired, in case they con- tinued until their places could be supplied.


Passing over all the intermediate laws, continually changing the mode of organizing, times of drilling, fines, etc., we finally reach the act of 1844, which declares military duty a failure in so far as the improvement of morals is concerned, and excuses the rank and file from drilling in time of peace, thus verifying the words of Dryden-


" Raw in fields the rude militia swarms ; Mouths without hands; maintained at vast expense, In peace a charge, in war a weak defense ; Stout once a month they march a blustering band And ever, but in times of need, at hand."


On the prairie, north of Oldtown, was a favorite place for drill- ing, as was also Washington, in this county. , It was a day


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THE OLD MUSTER.


looked forward to with a great deal of pleasure. At the command of the captain to "stand at ease," the sergeants passed along the line with a bucketfull of whisky, tin cup in hand, to which every man helped himself according to his calibre. The officers were more highly favored.


Days of regimental and battalion muster were agreeable occa- sions, but officer muster was creta notandum.


Then these men swelled out with warlike pride, and "set the teeth and stretched the nostrils wide," and "gave the eye a terrible aspect," and as sable-save the blue coats and brass buttons- knights of old, they pranced upon their pampered steeds, with the glitter of the polished saber, the waving white plume, the brilliant sash and flashing epaulet, the proud recipients of many admiring smiles from fair ladies whose sparkling eyes rivaled their own gay uniforms in brilliancy; while the stolid anti-bellum Quaker, looking on, exclaimed with the sentiment of the frogs, "It may be fun for you, but it is death to us."


We subjoin a few of the names given us by J. L. Myers, from the muster-roll of the third company, odd battalion, third brigade, of the militia of the State of Ohio.


Samuel Myers, captain.


Joseph Thomas.


David Allen, lieutenant.


Jonathan Smith.


Enoch Harvey, ensign.


Albert Ogden.


Isaac Dickason.


Jacob Dickason, jr.


James Harvey.


John Page.


James McCafferty.


Richard M. McCafferty.


David McCafferty.


William Morgan.


Charles White.


Abraham Coon.


Peter Coon, fifer.


Michael Coon.


Henry Coon.


Adam Coon.


Thomas Barton.


Jesse Barton.


Jesse Stretch.


William Sawyer.


James Rozell.


Amos Hankins.


Jacob Thompson.


Armstead Carder.


John McGowan.


James McGowan.


George Kyle.


Larkin Asher.


George Allen.


Jeremiah Allen.


Elijah Allen.


James Allen.


Arnold Richards.


Daniel Hinkle.


James Henderson.


I. Rankin.


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


' John Sowers.


John Herrod. Horatio Walker.


Jeremiah Riley. Samuel Herrod Thomas Cook.


Michael Hawk.


Robert Corbet.


James Thompson.


George Basick. .


Solomon Parker.


Aaron Parker.


George Jamison.


Amos Harris.


James Wilson. John Thomas.


Jeremiah Thomas.


John Alexander.


James Kerr.


Michael Hornbeck.


Moses Stein.


Thomas Nolin.


John McIntire.


SHARP-SHINS OR CUT MONEY.


0


From the abundance of her agricultural products, and especially her live stock, Fayette County, though in her infancy, sent many supplies to the army during its operations in the northwest, in the war of 1812.


The almost impassible condition of the roads rendered transpor- tation towards the north very expensive and difficult, requiring all the assistance that. could be obtained for that purpose. While the snow was on the ground, sleds were used in preference to wagons, for carrying supplies to the St. Marys, thence to be forwarded north by water. A good deal of money was put in circulation by the sale of army supplies to the government; as many as eight hun- dred hogs having been furnished at one time, principally from this county. In these transactions the government paid partly in spe- cie, but mainly through the banks in Cincinnati: Miami Export- ing Company, Bank of Cincinnati, and John H. Piatts' bank. Piatt was a heavy army contractor, and his notes obtained an ex- tensive circulation during the war.


A noted peculiarity of the money put in use in the Miami and Scioto valleys, previous to and during the war, was what they de- nominated cut money. This is said to have originated in Kentucky; the object being to keep silver in home circulation, where it was current at par in ordinary business transactions, while it was not receivable in exchange for public lands, or merchandise outside of the county. The Spanish milled dollar, or quarter, was taken to the blacksmith, who, placing it on his anvil, with a cold chisel cut it into two, four, and sometimes five pieces, keeping the fifth for toll, and yet having four quarters remaining. Occasionally it was cut still smaller, its vernacular names being quarters, bits, and fips. Again, you would often hear the term, eleven-penny-bit, and five- penny-bit; hence, eleven-pence, fip-and-a-bit-undoubtedly taken from the English, and brought into this country by Pennsylva- nians.


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


The name "sharp-shins" arose from the sharp edges exposed after cutting, not unlike the tibial angle of that unfortunate class who can not boast of adipose tissue, otherwise known as sheep shanks. Sharp-shins could not be carried in the pocket, but a stout leather bag was provided, which confined it until spent for a hunting shirt, or some other useful article. Though metallic in its nature, it did not possess that tendency to burn through the pocket 'of the youth of 1812, as we now so often observe in the modern greenback.


Shortly after the beginning of the war state banks were institu- ted, shin-plasters became the medium of circulation, and sharp- shins took their departure.


Jno. Larger.


PIONEER GIRLS.


In drawing a contrast between the past and the present, we are led to inquire, What have all the refining influences of Christianity and civilization done to elevate the standard of the female sex to a higher position of excellence in society? Suppose a youth of eighty years ago should call to pass an hour or so with his lady-love, and find her hair done up in frizzles and frouzles, bangs, spit-curls, gum tragacanth, quince seeds, etc., playing on the piano, or reading the latest novel, while her poor old mother was bending over the wash tub; conversely, let us suppose a youth of to-day, with his fancy livery turnout, button-hole bouquet, red silk rag dependent from his coat pocket, cigar at an angle of forty-five, in the northeast corner of his mouth, gold-washed chronometer, patent-leather boots, and hair parted on the meridian of his brainless skull, should call to see his inamorata, and find her pulling flax, or in the barn, swingling the same, dressed in linsey, her feet uncramped by side lace, her hair unconfined, " wooed by every wind." The result, in each case, can be imagined by the reader.


The clothes for the pioneer family were manufactured from the raw material ; no muslin, in the first decade of the nineteenth cen- tury, supplied the place of home-made linen. The men generally sowed the flax, gathered, and broke it, leaving to the women the succeeding steps in its transformation into wearing material, namely, pulling, spreading to water, rolling, taking up, swingling, hackling, spinning, weaving, and making into garments. With all this before them, and without that inevitable modern appendage, a hired girl, they kept themselves and their houses neat and tidy; and when the bride of those days of natural simplicity and hard work, when the hands find plenty to do, and the mind is pure and innocent, leaves the arms of her mother, the ceremonies attendant npon her nuptials were unostentatious. No broadcloth scissor-tailed coat, no stove-pipe beaver, no Alexandre seamless, no flash of the diamond, nor the gauzy real point lace, nor silks, nor satins, adorned the


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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.


scene ; but the honest pioneer, in his home-made hunting shirt, buckskin breeches, moccasins on his feet, with dried leaves for stockings, and his big heart full of love, stood by the side of the innocent girl, in her linsey-woolsey frock, guiltless of all " magnolia balm," or " bloom of youth," quince seed, frizzles, etc., except that which nature gave her; for she is nature's child, pure and artless.


CORN HUSKINGS.


The modus operandi with corn was for all hands to go into the field, and jerk off and throw in heaps till dinner. In the afternoon it was hauled in, and either thrown in heaps or more commonly one long pile. When the crop was all thus gathered, preparations were made for a night's husking. The neighbors for miles around were invited in. Two captains were chosen, who each selected an equal number of assistants. The pile was then divided equally, by placing a pole on the center. If there were two heaps, one cap- tain had first choice of hands, and the other of heaps. When all were ready, " Black Betty" was handed around to get up the proper spirit, and work began in good earnest, the object being to see who could husk out on his side of the dividing line first. After many whiff's at old "Black Betty," as the whisky bottle was familiarly called, the victorious party placed the bottle in the hands of the captain, and two stout men would seize him, one by each leg, and amid the shouts of " Hoist the captain !" lift him up and carry him over to the other party, and with swinging of hats and yells of victory, parade him along the lines of the vanquished huskers. Then old Betty was passed from mouth to mouth until all felt glo- riously happy.


"The night drave on wi' sangs and clatter, And ay the rum was growing better ; The souter tauld his queerest stories, The woodman's laugh was ready chorus; Care, mad to see men so happy, E'en drowned himself among the nappy. Kings may be blest, but they were glorious, O'er all the ills o' life victorious."


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GAME AND HUNTERS.


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The rich, juicy grass, cool, sparkling springs, in some parts deep forests, pellucid streams, afforded sustenance and delightful retreats for every species of game, from the fish to the otter, from the squir- rel to the couger and bear. The scream of the panther and the squall of the wild cat mingled with the sweet song of the thrush, and the howl of the wolf drowned the sweet notes of the mocking bird, while stolid bruin roamed the woods, with no ear for music save the squealing of the pioneer hog.


The rifle was an inmate of every household, in the use of which our forefathers were very familiar, and were very solicitous in keep- ing it in perfect working condition. Those who could afford it, kept two rifles, one for large game, carrying about forty to the pound, and a smaller, or squirrel rifle, running from 120 to 140 to the pound. The powder flask was made from the horn of an ox, boiled and scraped so thin as to transmit the rays of light; a round block of wood neatly fitted to the bottom, and a plug inserted in the smaller end, with usually a buzzard's quill for a charger.


The territory watered by Deer, Paint, Rattlesnake, Sugar, and Compton creeks, now embraced in the limits of this county, when first settled abounded in all kinds of game, and had been for many years the favorite hunting grounds of the Indians; and long after the white man's cabin was erected they built their camps and fol- lowed the old trails over the white man's fences, and through his tilled fields, they struck the trace in the woodlands.


There was an old Indian fort on the bank of Sugar Creek, where the Indians would stop on their route from Fort Clark to Oldtown. Captain Burnett, a Virginian, and settler of 1810, says that parties of them, during their yearly hunts, were in the habit of camping at the old site years after the white man came in, rest awhile, and where sitting around his solitary camp-fire, he reviews the scenes of the past, and in his reveries we seem to hear him bemoan the past as follows : "Our fathers have passed away like vapors from the


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GAME AND HUNTERS.


earth; our very history is fading into forgetfulness, and the places that once knew us will know us no more forever; our graves have been trodden under foot; our forests destroyed; our hunting grounds have disappeared; we have been driven from our native abodes and the sepulchers of our fathers; hunted like wild beasts about the earth, and with violence and butchering sent down to the - grave." In the language of an old warrior: " We are driven back until we can retreat no farther; our hatchets are broken, our bows are snapped, our fires are nearly extinguished; a little longer, and the white man will cease to persecute us, for we shall cease to exist."


Among the first hunters of note in this county was Jacob Allo- way, whose territory lay along the valleys of Paint and Compton creeks.


Daniel Grubs, moving from Virginia to Kentucky, came thence to Fayette, and dwelt on Glaze's Run. The trees around yet bear marks of his presence, and bear, wolf, and deer alike fell before the aim of his deadly rifle.


Edmond Blearage, John Arnold, George and Samuel Viniger, James Stewart, John Hase, David Baldwin, John Gest, and H. H. Harmer, were all men who made a specialty of hunting, and were noted marksmen.


George Rupert claimed to have shot in one season one hun- dred and twenty deer, two bears, wolves, and many of other game.


George Roughner, a hater of Indians, and a Virginian by birth, arrived in the Scioto Valley in 1789. His father, while serving un- der Dunmore, in 1774, as a spy, was killed by the Indians, and Roughner's revenge extended to every exposed Indian. His hunt- ing grounds were on the Paint and Rattlesnake, and he often met, at Cedar Pond and Cliffs, the hunters from the Hocking and Ken- tucky. Finally, a volunteer under General Cass, he was slain by the Indians in 1813.


The Nimrod of old-time hunters was Frederick Berly. The for- est was his natural home. He loved solitude, and lived a hermit. A camp frequented by him was on Sugar Creek. From his record, it appears that he had slain sixty bears, ninety-six panthers, one hundred and six wolves, one thousand elk and deer, eleven buffa- loes, and ninety-six Indians. His comrades in the chase were Boone, Kenton, Wetzel, and others. At the age of one hundred




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