History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 68

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207

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Early one morning, John Kilgore went to Jonathan Alder and invited him to join a crowd then assembled, whose object was the expulsion of those sinners against the fair name of the neighborhood. Mr. Alder declined taking any part in the affair, and warned Mr. Kilgore that such a proceeding was illegal and dangerous; that, although Blalock was considered a coward, Mr. Francis was not, but, on the contrary. was a man who would most surely resist any demonstration of the kind. So strongly did Mr. Alder represent the danger and illegality of the movement that Mr. Kilgore con- «Inded to have nothing to do with it. and urged Mr. Alder to go with him to the meet- ing and persuade the others to abandon the project. To this Mr. Alder consented, and on the way there an owl flew down from a tree and lit upon the road in front of theni. Mr. Alder, true to his Indian education immediately exclaimed, "That is a bad omen, and means trouble!" He, however, went to the meeting. and probably would have succeeded in breaking up the raid had it not been for the influence of Levi Phelps, who was determined that Mr. Alder's advice should not be followed. Denouncing the latter bitterly, he wound up his harangue by intimating his willingness to assist in putting Mr. Alder's head under the fence and leave him there twenty-four hours. as a punishment for what he considered his officiousness in trying to prevent the execution of the proposed scheme.

The men of peace failed in their object, and Phelps was victorious. The men blackened their faces, and. thus disguised, Levi Phelps, Robert Patterson. William

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Patterson, Isaac Johnson, Stephen Cary, Caleb Strawbridge, Arnold Fuller, David Garton and others, whose names are not a matter of the older record, marched to the house where Blalock lived. As the fates would have it, neither of the men were at home, and the party retired. A week later another visit was made, which resulted in a bloody tragedy that filled the community with horror. Attempting to force the door, they were warned by the inmates that any farther trespass would be dangerous; but, persisting in their efforts to gain an entrance, a gun was thrust through the half- open door and discharged, instantly killing Isaac Johnson. A few moments later, another shot was fired from the house, mortally wounding Stephen Cary, whereupon the attacking party fled. Mr. Cary was attended by Doctor Wetmore, of Worthington, but died on the following day. Blalock and Francis were arrested and lodged in the Madison county jail, at London. On the 25th of November, 1822, they were indicted by the grand jury for willful and malicious murder, and arraigned before Hon. John A. McDowell, who was then the presiding judge, while Hon. Caleb Atwater was prose- cuting attorney. They pleaded not guilty, and elected to be tried by the supreme court. At the July session of the latter tribunal, in 1823, they were tried and acquitted. Thus ended one of the saddest scenes in the history of Madison county, a tragedy that cast its gloom over a whole community, that, prior to its enactment, was peaceful and happy. All of the actors in this tragic affair long ago have gone to their final account and the story, which, for years was familiar to everyone then residing in the county, is today remembered only as a fading dream; but it is known that the name of Phelps became so odious to the residents of the township that the title of the township was changed to Canaan, a word suggestive of joy, happiness and plenty.

MOUND BUILDERS.

Beginning in the southern portion of Madison county, there is a chain of mounds extending to its northern limits, although with no apparent connection in location or size. It is, however, evident that all excepting one belong to the sepulchral order of mounds, as their construction is exactly alike. The largest of the burial mounds is located in Oak Run township, on an elevation overlooking the beautiful valley of Deer creek. It is about two hundred and forty feet around the base, and twelve feet in height, circular in form and gradually tapering toward the summit. In January, 1881, it was opened to a depth of six or eight feet by Mathew Rea and Thomas Roby, who found the remains of two skeletons, the skulls being the only portions in a fair state of preservation. Nothing else was discovered there, the different layers of burnt clay, charcoal and ashes, being the same as in all sepulchral mounds. This mound, doubtless, originally was several feet higher than it is today, and the view to be obtained from its summit is such an excellent one, that it is probable it was also used as a mound of observation.

There are two small mounds in Union township, northwest of the mound above referred to, but the plow has so nearly obliterated all evidences of these once sacred spots that little remains to attract the attention of the casual observer. Neither of these mounds have ever been large, not more than from three to five feet in height, and thirty-five feet in diameter. With the exception of the common evidences peculiar to burial mounds. nothing has been discovered in either. The cause of this was, perhaps, the absence of care in opening them, or that atmospheric influences had com- pletely destroyed whatever remains may have been buried therein, their diminutive size affording little or no protection against the ravages of time.

Southeast of the mound in Oak Run township. in Pleasant township, is the remains of what was once a burial mound. It evidently was once of good size, but for many years the leveling process has gone on until its once beautiful symmetrical proportions

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have disappeared. Located in a cultivated field on the east bank of Deer creek it now appears as a large hillock sloping gradually in every direction. There is also a small mound near the western line of Pleasant township.

One of the handsomest mounds in Madison county is on the east side of Little Darby, about one mile southwest of Jefferson. It stands a few hundred yards from the banks of the stream, is about two hundred feet around the base, and ten feet high. Still following the meanderings of Little Darby, northwest of Jefferson, there are four small mounds. When the first was opened a whole skeleton was taken out and the remains of others were discovered. Some distance northwest of this one, but on the opposite bank of Little Darby, are three similar mounds all being about five feet in height, and thirty-five feet in diameter. These are all in Jefferson township. They have been dug into by different parties and in one was found a copper needle .and three slate ornaments nicely polished, with holes drilled through them by which they were suspended, fastened or made convenient for whatever use their owners put them to. It is said that quite a large mound existed at an early day in the southern portion of Deer Creek township, but that a Mr. Ewing scraped it down and erected his resi- dence upon its side. Another burial mound is located on the north bank of Big Darby, about one mile northwest of Plain City, and as this territory originally belonged to Madison county it will be proper to mention it briefly here. It was originally about the same size of the larger mound in Jefferson township, but is much smaller today. In 1848, a society called "the Rectifiers," was organized in Plain City, the object of which was the improvement of morals, the advancement of education, benevolence and institutions of charity, and the development of archaeological history. In 1850, the society opened this mound from which they took the remains of some skeletons. The thigh bones were very massive, while the jaw bones were sufficiently large to stip over the face of the ordinary man, demonstrating that the beings to whom they belonged must have been of extraordinary size and proportions. The teeth were found in an almost perfect state of preservation, and belonged to persons of full growth and well-developed maturity. It is not understood that there was anything else of interest found here but this, like all the other burial mounds, bore the same evidence of the prehistoric age.

THE "TEMPLE" MOUND.

The largest mound in Madison county, and one of the largest in Ohio, is classed under the head of . "temple mound," is oval in shape, six hundred feet around the base and about twenty-five feet in height. Located upon an elevated ridge in the southeast corner of Monroe township, it overlooks the valley formed by the junction of Spring Fork and Little Darby, the view from its summit being a charming one. Like all temple mounds, it has an unfinished appearance, and presents evidences of steps or inclined planes leading to the top. It is the supposition among archaeologists that this class of mounds, which are not numerous, were surmounted by wooden structures, all traces of which had disappeared long prior to the coming of the white race. During the pioneer days of Ohio the vicinity of this mound was a favorite camping ground by the Indians and it is said that they used the mound for burial purposes. In after venrs, when the whites had possessed and settled upon these lands the Indians often returned to this spot made sacred as the resting place of their loved ones. Here it was that Tobias Bright shot in cold blood an Indian named Nicholas Monhem, in 1810. which deed created great excitement among the Indians, almost leading to a collision with the whites. Thus it will be seen that this mound which was constructed by one race. way "back in the bygone time, lost 'mid the rubbish of forgotten things," became one of the favorite spots of their successors.

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From the foregoing the reader can glean the knowledge that Madison county, with its silent monuments everywhere sprend before wondering eyes, like the everlasting rocks that point the geologist to the past history of the globe, can truly lay claim to being called historic ground. Can it be that these people, becoming very numerous, living in affluence upon the golden riches of the soil, vain in their superiority of knowledge, bigoted in their religious superstitions, effeminate and weakened in long security, have met the same fate as the Roman Empire, when barbarians of athletic proportions and warlike prowess swept down from the north, laying vandal hands upon accumulations of art gathered in past centuries? The people were annihilated or driven farther toward the south; their works, all that could be destroyed, were destroyed, and the country allowed to grow up again in its primitive wildness, furnishing hunting grounds for the American Indians. They in turn were driven out by the more powerful white race which now dwells therein, giving to the present generation the Madison county of today, with her well-tilled farms, her schools and churches, her towns and villages, and her railroad and telegrahpic communications with every portion of the civilized world.

LONDON PENITENTIARY FARM.

When the "powers that-be" in the state of Ohio decided to further experiment with the honor system in regard to prisoners at the state penitentiary, they gave evi- dence of the awakening of public consciousness to the duty that the state owes even to the inmates of her penal institutions. And when those "powers" purchased one thousand five hundred acres of Madison county farm land to use in this experiment they evidenced even greater foresight.

Two years ago there were many idle prisoners in the state penitentiary. There was no work for them to do. Those who were life-term men were kept in close con- finement, others were put at work when work was to be had. But the state wanted them all to be producers-it would be beneficial to them and to the state. Hence the commission appointed by the governor began the search for a suitable site for a new prison farm. with the possibility of locating on it the entire penitentiary plant when the opportunity presented itself.

This commission, after carefully investigating every prospect, decided to buy the cne thousand five hundred acres, belonging to John Ellsworth, of London, which was located on the Springfield pike. This land was practically virgin soil and an ideal spot on which to build a model farm and prison plant. It was a great expanse of land, only three hundred acres of which had ever been cultivated. Such a field of operations gave a wonderful opportunity to the state to show what could be done by the use of so-called "unskilled" prison labor.

FACED ENORMOUS TASK.

P. C. Herron was the man selected to superintend the work. His experience on the state experimental farm had fitted him for the place and with C. P. Noggle as fore- man, the work was started. These two men faced an enormous task-that of cultivating the three hundred acres .of tilled land and of clearing timber from the uncultivated portions so that it could be made productive. To do this meant that men would be needed and men meant adequate accommodations.

Hence the first need was that of buildings. The state sent to the farm about twenty-five men who were housed in tents during the summer. These men went to the work of farming the land which could be farmed and also looked after the cattle, which were at once put on pasture to provide an immediate income on the invest- ment.

As soon as possible a dormitory was planned and after the usual red tape which surrounds political projects had been unwound, the building was completed. It is one hundred and ninety-two by forty-one feet, one story in height, with a basement, and

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is divided into five sections. At the rear is the enormous kitchen, where a great wood range, presided over by a competent chef, yields "three square meals" a day for the hungry workmen. These men, fifty-one at present (1915) on the farm, cat in a large, airy dining room next to the kitchen. The tables are kept neat and clean and the table ware, while not expensive, is neat and serviceable.

In front of the dining room is the reading room and barber shop. Here the men gather in the evening and enjoy newspapers and magazines and a "good night" pipe. Just forward of this room is the sleeping room. Here are four rows of neat iron beds, one hundred in all, each provided with clean bedclothes made in the shops of other state institutions and as good as could be purchased anywhere. Hooks and racks for clothing are plentiful and benches and chairs are sufficiently in evidence to give the necessary comfort. The front of the building is used as an office and store room.

This building, while regarded as temporary, is complete in every way. Toilets and baths are being installed in the basements, running water will be provided, electric lights are in place in every room and the whole dormitory is heated by a steam furnace. Such accommodations are in every way superior to the cell blocks in the typical peni- tentiary and who can believe that the men do not appreciate the opportunity granted them to live in such surroundings?

PLANS FOR EXTENSION.

The plans for furtherance of the farm project are indeed extensive. Some may be inclined to believe that, with fifty-one men at work every day, supervised by com- petent and experienced farmers, the entire one thousand five hundred acres should be at the bearing stuge of cultivation. Do not be misled by mere numbers. A trip to the farm will soon convince the most skeptical that wonders have already been accomplished and all doubt as to the practicability of the scheme will vanish.

Although there are fifty-one working men on the farm, it must not be supposed that all are engaged in farming. In order to care for these fifty-one men and for the products of the three hundred acres under cultivation more buildings were needed. Hence wells were dug, a pumping station installed and a twenty thousand gallon. water tank erected. Next work began on a tool and grain shed, one hundred and sixty by twenty-four feet, to house all farm implements and all grain not shipped from the farm. The horse and cow barn, one hundred and seventy by thirty-six feet, is now being rushed to completion.

The farm has now on hand about thirty cows which are furnishing milk. Part of this milk is used by the laborers and the remainder fed to the young calves which are being raised to enlarge the herd. In a short time the dairy herd will be increased to about fifty cows and consequently it is planned to erect a large and modern milk house. This will be equipped with a cream separator and enough butter sent to the creamery to provide butter for the farm. Any extra butter will be shipped to other state institutions needing it. There also are large hog houses and a complete poultry plant. These things are necessary if the efficiency of the farm is to be up to standard. Then, too, it is necessary to clear several hundred acres of timber land and for this purpose a large saw-mill has been erected and will begin operations in a short time. Just now with all the building that is going on, the farm is short of men and another crowd of fifty is expected in the near future.

PROFIT FROM CATTLE.

There are several hundred acres of fertile pasture on the farm and at present the state has about one hundred cattle fattening on grass. More are being purchased from time to time and the Holstein herd used for dairying is being increased as fast as is

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necessary. In 1914 the state had two hundred and fifty-eight cattle on the farm which yielded a profit of six thousand dollars and it is expected that a great deal more will be obtained.

The products of the farm in excess of the amount needed for food and running expenses will be shipped to the various state institutions in return for articles produced there. This system of co-operation between the many state institutions is proving a great factor in efficiency. For instance, the state reformatory, at Mansfield, supplies the London prison farm with all the clothing needed and in return receives whatever farm products it requires. Bulletins are issued at intervals showing what is available in each institution for distribution and any institution has but to send a requisition for the articles and they will be sent immediately. In this way the labor of the men in various places goes to provide necessities and comforts for those in other places and the state is saved the expense of buying from outside corporations at advanced prices.

TEARS OF TROUBLE GROUNDLESS.

There have been many doubts expressed as to the advisability of placing on their honor, men who have been committed to state prisons. It is argued that men are sent to prison to be punished and that placing them on a farm, under no restraint what- ever, removes the sting of punishment. Also, it is claimed, that men will not remain on the farm without constant watching.

The record of the state farm at London refutes these arguments. Since prisoners have been on the farm only one has broken his parole and walked away. The men are not guarded-they are sent to the farm to work and are placed on their honor to remain. Their sentences are "indeterminate" under the new law, and if they make good in a year or two on the farm they are in line for an early discharge.

The fact that they are not under guard and that they are in the great out-of-doors `where each has an equal chance to make good, to make his record show, appeals to the man and he works. He works not listlessly. not as a shirker under compulsion, but as a man who is proud of his ability and eager to prove his worth. The very removal of necessity for routine work gives added pleasure to the out-door labor and the men all show their appreciation.

The prison farm is yet in its infancy. The plans are made which will cover years of concentrated endeavor, but the start has been made and it is to be hoped that the project will be carried to completion. It is hinted that within a few years the entire penitentiary, shops. factories and all, will be moved to the new farm site. The probable location, in such an event, would be on the Ohio Electric railroad, between London and Summerford.

At present the farm is here and it will be profitable for anyone to go out and see it. Do not expect too much. Go prepared to grasp the entirety of the proposition : go prepared to realize the enormity of the field and the limited basis given the super- intendent and his foreman to work on-then you will be ready to praise the efficiency of Mr. Herron and Mr. Noggle and the state carpenter, Mr. Whittaker, for the splendid plant they have begun.

EARLY BURIALS.

The following incident was related by Mrs. Alice Eastman, whose father, Mr. Finch, had the personal knowledge of the incident. In the early days there were not nearly so many undertakers as there are at the present time and coffins were quite often not to be had. Very frequently when a person passed away, rough boards were planed off, cut the proper size and nailed together for a casket. Sometimes the lid was fastened on with hinges and nearly always screwed fast when the casket was finally closed. Quite frequently they were covered with white muslin for a child and black

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paper muslin for an adult, but more often they were without covering. The fine shav- ings from the planing were used as filling in the bottom to lay the body on and for the pillow.

When Jonathan Alder died they took a tree trunk of sufficient length, sawed it lengthwise and scooped or hollowed out the inside with a sort of bent drawing knife to make a hollow large enough for the body to lay in. Then auger holes were bored in the corners and after the body was placed in this rustic casket the top was laid on and fastened down with wooden pins driven into these holes and the body was laid to rest.

OHIO STATE FISH HATCHERY.

The Ohio state fishery, three and one-half miles northwest of London, is a place of great interest. Its present superintendent is George Morcher, who is a native of Seneca county, but has been in his present position nine years, giving most eminent satisfaction, and showing to the state of Ohio that he is fitted by nature and study for the business of fish culture. Mr. Morcher is in love with his work. He is and has always been both a student and a close observer. Book lore alone, has not made him the successful man that he is, but observation. patience, infinite care, have all contributed. After nine years of thought and labor he has developed the fishery into a place of beauty as well as wonder. Nineteen ponds have been constructed and in them are cropies, black and gray bass and cat fish. From these are hatched yearly as high as five hundred thousand fish, all used by the wardens in stocking the rivers, lakes and ponds of the state. Mr. Morcher is engaged in a great work and enjoys the confi- dence of the officials and people of Ohio.

INCIDENTS FROM THE LIFE OF A PIONEER.

James Porter, one of the pioneer settlers of Madison county, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, in 1789. In the year 1794 his father removed to Ross county, Ohio. Here the boy grew to manhood during an exciting pioneer period, subject to Indian marauding and raids. He took an active part in the defense of the settlers and soon became a noted scout and woodsman. During the War of 1812 he acted in the capacity of a soldier, scout and dispatch bearer. Owing to his great size-he being six feet six inches tall and weighing from two hundred and seventy-five to three hundred pounds- he was known as "Big Jimmie Porter."

In 1817 Mr. Porter married Elizabeth Kilbourn, of Ross county. They moved to Madison county in 1820 and settled in Union township, in what is now known as the West End. Here he commenced to improve a tract of land consisting of one thousand one hundred acres. which lies mostly south of the present Springfield road. The log cabin in which he went to housekeeping was located on that part of his land which was owned until lately by the heirs of his son. James G. Porter.

In October, 1829, Mr. Porter's wife died, leaving six children in his care. As he could not make satisfactory provision for the care and schooling of his children here, he took them to Ross county and placed them among relatives and friends. After returning to Madison county, he continued to make improvements on his land. He was known as an energetic worker. but he was never too busy but that he could make several trips a year to Ross county to see his children. The distance was fifty miles, but he always took it afoot and covered the distance in one day. He was thought to have known more trails and short cuts through the forests of central Ohio than any man in Madison county.

In 1834, James Porter married Mary Bradley Tingley, a widow with one child. They went to housekeeping in a house, consisting of two log cabins with an entry between them -- a typical cabin of the day. In preparing additional room for his family,

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 68

Author: Chester E. Bryan Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1207

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207