USA > Ohio > Union County > Jerome > History of Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio > Part 2
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The last bear killed in Jerome Township was on the farm of James Buck, afterward owned by Perry Buck, and near the banks of Sugar Run. A wounded bear had been chased into
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History of Jerome Township
the neighborhood by dogs and finally came to bay. A number of dogs were gathered up among the settlers and a great fight was soon in progress. Among the dogs were two or three bear dogs and they knew how to tackle the game by running in behind the bear and snapping at the heels and would then be out of reach before the bear could turn, keeping up this method of attack until the bear was completely tired out, and then the dogs could close in on him. In this pack of dogs two or three were not accustomed to bear-fighting and would rush in front of the animal and one stroke of his great paw would put them out of the fight. In this scrimmage one or two dogs were killed.
Mr. James Buck, who was working in a corn field near, had his hoe in hand during the battle. He became very much in- censed at the rough usage of the dogs by the bear and signified his intention of attacking the bear in front with his hoe, but was warned by James Curry, who was an old bear hunter, that he had better keep off at a good distance, as the bear, although wounded, had good use of his forepaws and one stroke would be sufficient to put him out of the fight for good. After the dogs had fought for some time, and to the satisfaction of the onlookers as well, the animal was dispatched by a rifle shot. While the exact date is not known, it was soon after the war of 1812, and some of us have been shown the spot on a little hillside on the east bank of Sugar Run.
Fox hunting was great sport and very exciting when the hunters were mounted. On the day set the hunters would as- semble at a time and place agreed upon with all hounds and hunting dogs that could be brought together in the neighbor- hood. Some of the old hunters would take the advance with the best dog and beat the brush in some locality where the game was likely to be sprung. If there was snow on the ground and it was soft and melting a track was soon struck and would often be followed by sight some distance until the scent would become warm before the dogs were allowed to take the trail. When they did start and were baying on the track it was sweet music to the hunters' ears and they were all off
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History of Jerome Township
on the gallop, following the hounds through brush, over logs, streams and fences, in a wild race which frequently continued for hours. In some instances the fox would double on the track, dodge the pack, and run through the fields or pastures where there were sheep or cattle and by the time the trail was again found the game would be a mile or two away, heading for the Scioto River or Darby Creek, and often reaching a place of safety in a hole among the rocks. It was great sport and dangerous as well, leaping fences or ditches, but a few bruises were just a part of the game and were not taken into consideration by the hunter if he could only, by a wild and reckless ride, be in at the death. Some of the men who yet survive and have reached the milestone of three score and ten, can feel the flush of youth yet come to their cheeks as they go back in memory to the days when they followed the hounds more than half a century ago.
In addition to the fox hunt, there was some horse racing without the hounds. There were no trotting races ,as that kind of sport was too tame for the boys of those days. The racing was just for sport and there was little betting. There was one track at Plain City, but on the Jerome Township side of the line running north, just west of where the flouring mill now stands. Another track was down on the bottom land near the creek, and just opposite and below the farms of Uncle Zack Noteman and Uncle Levi Taylor.
On the Fourth of July or Saturday afternoons during the summer and fall months, the clans gathered for the sport and some swift runners were usually on the ground with their backers. The distance was usually a quarter or half-mile dash. The jockeying for advantage in the "go" was often long and sharply contested and at times resulted in a clash at the finish between the backers of the rival horses.
On the Post Road toward Dublin, near the Tavern of Uncle Steve Lattimer, was another favorite race track. Here would gather the horsemen from Dublin, Pleasant Valley, and West Jefferson, frequently for an afternoon outing. The races would be fast and furious until toward evening, and usually
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History of Jerome Township
the day's amusement wound up with an exhibition not on the program, participated in by such actors as Hen Davis, of Dub- lin, Abe Garabrant and Tom Gregg, of Jefferson, and some- times the Lattimers and Kilburys would take a hand just as peacemakers. When the racing was subsiding and the argu- ments commenced, we boys would climb to the top of the stake and rider fence to see the fun, as we could get a better view of the performance, and for another reason it was safer.
In those days the actors were not governed strictly by Queensbury rules ; neither did they wear three-ounce gloves, and the rounds were not limited in number, although there was usually but one. That was in ante-bellum days, and after the Civil War Thompson Kilbury fitted up a fine circle half-mile track on his farm, where the horsemen had some very interest- ing meets.
There were some fine bred running horses in the commu- nity, among which the Printer and Lexington stock were the favorites. Running races was the great sport of that period and it was very fascinating. Compared with the baseball and foot- ball of the present day, there are nine points out of ten in favor of the race horse.
A boy must indulge in some kind of exciting exercise, and breaking colts or riding wild horses was the favorite sport of the country boy fifty years ago. When a farmer boy arrived at the age of 16 or 17, he was given a colt by his father, and was next given a new saddle and bridle. He was as proud of his outfit as the boy of today who has a rubber-tired buggy or an automobile.
There were many races along the soft, smooth dirt roads by these boys going and returning from town in the evenings, just for the fun and excitement and with no thought of betting. Among them were riders that would make a cowboy riding a bucking broncho green with envy. The racing on the Kilbury track, after the close of the Civil War, was conducted in a very quiet manner. No rowdying was allowed, and it was interest- ing, clean sport. At this time, the Cone boys, who had some- fine horses, took an interest in this sport, as did the Careys,
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History of Jerome Township
Taylors, Millikins, McCanns, and Converses around Plain City, all of whom were great horse fanciers, as were their fathers before them.
THE OLD LOG SCHOOLHOUSE.
Until about the year 1852, when the select school building was erected at New California, the schoolhouses were all built of logs. The schoolhouse attended by the children in the vicinity of the village was located in the center of a great woods, about three-quarters of a mile northwest from New California, on the farm of Perry Buck.
There was no cleared ground and the paths leading to the schoolhouse were marked by blazing the trees, and ran through the woods in many directions. The house was built of heavy logs, one room about thirty feet square, fitted with benches without any backs, and the desks consisted of long boards about a foot and a half wide, resting on wooden pins fastened into the logs by an inch and a half auger hole. Windows on three sides, and the front wall, with the one door in the cor- ner, was taken up by the blackboard.
The house was heated by a long, heavy iron box stove. The children from at least twenty families attended this school, and in those days the families were not as small as they are today. I think it is safe to say that there were sixty scholars in the district, and it seems an impossibility, as we go back in memory today, to see how they could all be crowded into a room of that size. Still, we did go to school there and learned something-in fact, the writer and many others never at- tended any other district school.
The district was in a radius, say commencing with the farm of James Robinson on the Watkins Road, now owned by Mr. Seigman, taking the McCampbells, Woodburns, Mitchells, Gills, Currys, Cones, Beards, Bucks, and Taylors on the Marys- ville Road.
We had a lot of fun in winter, playing fox and hounds in the snow, running miles through the woods, choosing and hav- ing our snowball battles. Base, Black Man, Corner Ball, Town
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History of Jerome Township
Ball, Anti-over, and two-ol'-cat and three-ol'-cat were the favorite games. The professional baseball of today was fash- ioned from the old town ball, played in the early days. The ball was made by unraveling old woolen stockings, winding the thread around a burnt cork, wetting it so that it would shrink and harden, and then covering it with sheepskin. There was a pitcher, a batter and a catcher. The other participants did some desultory outfield work and took their "turns" at places on the infield. Good pitching, batting, catching and running were all developed in town-ball playing, and there was plenty of material to draw from when professional baseball was first organized.
Of other games and sports, there was running and jump- ing, wrestling, boxing, and now and then a real fight with knuckles, for there were clans and gangs in those days. In the summer time the boys would build play houses out of poles and cover them with green leaves and twigs for the girls, where they had their stores of May-apple blossoms or berries to exchange for Genseng or Snake-root, as that was the usual commodity in trade.
There were spelling schools frequently when the good spellers from surrounding districts would come in for a contest, and the excitement would be up to fever heat as one by one the scholars went down on a hard word. The next week our best spellers would visit other schools, and so it would continue through the winter months.
Among the early teachers of that school were Caroline Buck, Olive Gill, Maria Buck, Rev. I. N. Laughead, Jane Porter, Polly Snodgrass, Emma Dodge, Eliza Gill, Sophia Dodge, Nan McCampbell, Lorinda Wilkins, Dr. D. W. Hen- derson, Elijah Brown, Charles Green, George Thompson, Milton Roney, and perhaps others whose names I do not now recall.
On Friday afternoons there were declamations by the boys and compositions by the girls. Parents would come in and we had a great time doing examples on the blackboard, parsing grammar lessons, and spelling.
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History of Jerome Township
The teachers did not spare the rod, but used it on all occa- sions, if in his or her opinion it was necessary. It did a boy a lot of good to have the teacher send him out to get a switch to whip a boy he did not like very well. I have a very distinct recollection of a boy getting a good whipping for inducing a lit- tle fellow to eat a piece of Indian Turnip, with the result that it burned his mouth seriously. But the greatest disgrace of all was to be "kept in" at recess or after school for some infrac- tion of the rules.
In writing lessons, we used quill pens, and it was a part of the duty of the teacher to make and repair all pens. In the old First Reader in use those days, there was a picture of a cow in a pond. In one of our Friday afternoon exercises I remem- ber of a boy getting up and reciting a verse about the cow which was as follows :
" The cow is in the pond. The cow gives us milk. We must not hurt the cow."
That was all he said, and sat down well satisfied with his effort. The boys used to tease him about it until he was a young man. He was a fine young man, and has passed to his reward.
For a number of years the township elections were held in this old log schoolhouse. At these elections many of the voters would spend the entire day at the voting place, and the discussions on political questions between the Whigs and Dem- ocrats were often very warm and loud. A club of the "Know- Nothing Party," as it was called, was organized here, a poli- tical party opposed to foreigners voting as soon as they set foot on our shores, and was largely recruited from the Whig party. It was only in existence a few years when members of that party and Whig party organized the Republican party. The "Know-Nothing Party" was a secret organization and an amusing story is told about the organization in the old Log Schoolhouse.
The meetings were held there as it was out in the woods, and thought to be a safe place. One night some of the boys
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History of Jerome Township
of the neighborhood were going home from the village by the path that passed the schoolhouse, and spied a man lurking in the shadows near the door, and heard some discussions in- side the room. Approaching the outer guard, which he proved to be, and a young voter, they were informed that the parties on the inside were making "Sugar Wax," and could not be disturbed, as it was a select party. In a few days it leaked out that it was a meeting of the "Know-Nothing Party," and the people of the village were all agog with curiosity. The young man on guard proved to be David O. Taylor, who was afterwards killed in battle during the Civil War.
The merchant of the village of California at that time, was a man by the name of John Robinson, and he had quite a reputa- tion for composing doggerel rhymes hitting on local events. When he heard of this incident, he composed a rhyme, one verse of which is recalled :
" The boys went out the Know-Nothings to find, The old log schoolhouse they crawled up behind, As Stephen stood there looking in through the cracks, The Know-Nothings run with their syrup and wax."
The Stephen referred to in that classic poem was Stephen Cone, who was one of the party of boys.
BARRING THE TEACHER OUT.
In those days, it was the custom in many of the schools to "bar the teachers out" on New Year's morning, and keep them out until they capitulated by agreeing to treat all of the scholars, usually with candy and raisins, as apples and nuts were plentiful and were no rarity for the scholars. New Year's morning some of the older boys would be at the school- house by daybreak, and one of the favorite ways of barring the door, as there were no locks, was to cut down a sapling from the woods near by, about six inches in diameter, put the pole in through a rear window, then cut it off so it would reach from the floor at the rear wall, to the top of the door and there brace it solid. Nail down all the windows but one, which was left so the scholars could be lifted in as they arrived. A fire
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History of Jerome Township
was started in the stove and a sufficient amount of wood car- ried in to last through the siege, which would sometimes con- tinue for half a day. The scholars would arrive early, and by the time the teacher arrived all would be ready for the parley, which was generally conducted by the "big boys." Some of the teachers would take it good naturedly, accept the terms dic- tated, and surrender at once. In that case, the door would be opened and a couple of boys would be dispatched to the village for the treat.
Other teachers would become indignant and at first refuse a conference, and even attempt to smoke the scholars out by climbing up on the roof and covering the chimney with a board. In one instance recalled, sulphur was dropped down the chim- ney, but the scholars were prepared for such an emergency by having a bucket of water and the fire in the stove was soon put out. Ultimately the teachers came to terms, and all went merry and frequently a half holiday was proclaimed. It was a lot of fun and usually ended in a convivial time for all.
Sleigh riding and skating were the great winter sports. In those days before the streams were ditched, and the trees and bushes were growing along the banks, when the January fresh- ets came the water would not rush in such a torrent. By rea- son of the logs, drifts and fences, the water would spread out over the low pasture grounds and meadows, and when it would freeze there would be acres of ice.
In the evenings the boys would congregate by the dozen build great fires along the banks, play shinney and other games, often until midnight.
The thick woods along the narrow roads would protect the snow and it was not unusual to have five or six weeks of good sleighing, which was enjoyed by both old and young in sleighing parties and attending singing schol.
MILLING AND OTHER EARLY INDUSTRIES IN JEROME TOWNSHIP.
The first mill erected in the township was by Frederick Sager, who settled on Darby Creek in the early years of 1800. Before this mill was erected, the settlers had to use a pestle
WILLIAM B. LAUGHEAD 96TH O V. I
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History of Jerome Township
and stone mortar, the same as those in use by the Indians. In this manner they would mash the corn and make coarse meal and hominy. At intervals they would place a wooden pack- saddle on the back of a strong horse and load it up with sacks of shelled corn. The pioneer would mount his hunting horse and start on a long and tedious journey to Lancaster or Chillicothe, followed by the packhorse. This trip would consume several days and his return was anxiously awaited by the family and neighbors, as he would not only bring the prec- ious meal, but the capacious leather saddle bags would be filled to full capacity with newspapers and other reading matter, which would be liberally distributed among the settlers.
The site of the old mill erected by Frederick Sager is just above the bridge on the California and Plain City Road, on the east bank near the farm of Samuel H. Ruehlen. The dam was built of logs and brush and this work was very largely done through the volunteer assistance of the settlers. The building was erected in the same manner, as they were all intensely interested in this new enterprise.
The first burrs for this mill were chiseled out of a boulder that Mr. Sager found on the farm of John Taylor. After weeks of tedious work the boulder was split open and the stone dressed ready for use. As soon as the mill was in run- ning order, there was a great rush by the pioneers and also by the Indians, and they came both on foot and horseback from many miles around with their sacks of corn.
For a few years he only ground corn, but there was soon a demand for flour, as the farmers began to raise wheat, and he installed a flouring bolt. For many years the bolting was done by hand. During the dry season the mill could run but little, as there was not sufficient water, but when the creek was not frozen in the winter and spring months, it was a very busy place, as farmers came with their grain from great distances, and when the water power was sufficient the mill ran day and night.
Mr. Sager also erected the first sawmill in the township, attached to his grist mill and run by the same water, thus fur-
3
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History of Jerome Township
nishing the first boards and sawed lumber used in the cabins. Before that date the floors and doors were made of puncheons split out of timber and smoothed by a drawing knife and adz. Mr. F. Heminway finally purchased this mill and it bore the name of the "Heminway Mill" for many years and until it was finally abandoned for want of water power.
The Kahler boys erected a sawmill along in the fifties on Robinsons Run, just above the bridge on the Plain City and California Road, which was run by water power and was the last mill in the township run by water. They also erected a grist mill near the same site run by steam power, which they operated successfully for a number of years.
The above described are the only grist mills that were ever erected in the township, although some of the sawmills have had burrs attached for grinding corn.
Many times a boy sent to the mill horseback on a sack of corn would have to wait all day for his grist. If the fishing was good he did not object, as he always took his hook and line along. The miller did not exchange meal and flour for corn and wheat, as was the custom in later years, but took toll out of the grain-he did not have facilities for weighing the grain and generally took the farmer's word for the amount, that the proper toll could be taken out for grinding.
An anecdote is related of one shrewd farmer who usually tried to get the best part of a bargain with his neighbors. Like the Irishman, he thought it was better to "Chate than to be chated." The story is told that he went to the mill one time with his grain and informed the miller that he had two bushels and a half in his sack. After the toll was taken out, he winked at one of his neighbors and said that he had "two bushels and a half and a peck and a toll dish full." The miller having taken out a toll dish, the sly old farmer got one peck ground free.
A doggerel poem written by a wag was set to music and sung with much glee by the old pioneers at some of their convivial gatherings.
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History of Jerome Township THE OLD MILLER'S WILL. "There was an old man lived all alone, He had three sons, big men grown, And he was about to make his will All he had was a wet weather mill.
Chorus : To my hi fal lal, diadle I da
He called unto his youngest son, Say son, O! son, my life is run, And if I to you the mill do make, Pray what is the toll you intend to take?
First Son- Dad, O! Dad, my name is Breck And out of a bushel I'll take a peck ; And if a fortune I can make, That is the toll I intend to take.
You ain't the boy, the old man said, You ain't the boy that's learned my trade And unto you the mill I won't give, For by such toll, no man can live.
Second Son- Dad, O! Dad, my name is Ralph, And out of a bushel I'll take half ; If a fortune I can make That is the toll that I will take.
Third Son- Father, Father, my name is Paul, And out of a bushel, I'll take all; If a fortune I do lack, Will keep the toll and swear to the sack.
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History of Jerome Township
You are the boy, the old miller said, You are the boy that's learned my trade, Unto you the mill I give, For by such toll a miller can live.
The old lady throwed up her hands and cried, The old miller rolled up his eyes and died ; He died, and died without a will And the old lady got the mill
To my hi fal lal, diadle I da."
POTTERIES.
Isaac Mason started the first pottery in Jerome Township. His little plant was located on the old Sager farm, on the east bank of Darby Creek, afterward known as the T. T. Kilbury farm, which he operated for a number of years.
TANNERIES.
In the early days the tanning business was quite extensively carried on in the township. William McCune operated a tan yard for many years, just over the line in the township, near Plain City. In those days, in the spring when the sap was coming up, many large white oak trees were cut down and the bark peeled for tanning purposes, and it was always a ready sale on the market. Unless the trees were needed for rail timber, they were frequently allowed to rot.
The tan yard of Asa Converse, located on his farm just west of the David Moss farm on the California and Union- ville Road, was perhaps the most extensive tannery of those days. In addition to the tanning business, he ran a boot and shoe manufacturing and repair shop. He employed a number of shoemakers during the winter season, and did quite a large and profitable business.
Mr. Arthur Collier for a number of years carried on the tanning business in Jerome. The country tan yard was so convenient for farmers in either selling hides or having them
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History of Jerome Township
tanned for their own use, but is now a business of the past and of which the younger generation has little knowledge, as it is largely concentrated in the cities.
ASHERIES.
Asheries for the manufacture of black salts and sometimes saleratus, were quite common. The proprietors had wagons running all over the country buying up the ashes saved by the housewives or by the boys in the springtime when burning logs in the clearing, and it was quite a source of revenue.
Kibourne and Amos Beach operated quite an extensive ashery in the village of Jerome for many years. Peter Beaver was also engaged in that business at New California, but these industries are all abandoned, although in the early days the business was quite profitable.
COOPERAGE.
The manufacture of barrels was engaged in quite exten- sively in the township by a number of citizens. The McCamp- bell brothers, John, Joseph, Andrew and Charles, were all coopers by trade, and engaged in that business on their farms during the winter season. Robert B. Curry, John Oliver, James and William Woodburn were also engaged in that line. They made suger barrels, flour barrels and pork barrels, many of which were disposed of in the neighborhood, but the bulk of them were hauled to Columbus. They had great high racks on heavy wagons which were used to transport the barrels to market, and merchandise of all kinds was brought back in re- turn. The loads were immense, and while I have no definite knowledge as to the number of flour barrels that could be loaded in one of those wagons, it seems to me that fifty would be a safe guess.
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