USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 67
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PIONEERS' DREADED ENEMIES.
The wolves were the pioneers' dreaded enemies and were of two kinds, black and gray. The former was seldom seen, but the latter infested the country in immense packs. The wolf is long legged, with heavy foreshoulders, light hindquarters, very lean and gaunt through the loins, keen eyed, with pointed nose, ears erect and a long bushy tail, usually curled between his hind legs, giving him the appearance of a thievish, sneaking cur.
The first settlers suffered more from the depredations of these animals than from the depredations of all others combined. The wolves made onslaughts upon the sheep, pigs, calves and colts; and often great numbers would congregate under cover of night and attack individuals who happened to be belated, or even whole families whose
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cabins were isolated from the more thickly settled country. The wolf had a peculiar and distinctive howl, which would be quickly taken up by others and in an incredible short space of time the cries of the pack would be heard in every direction, rapidly con- centrating toward one point. The wolf's manner of fighting was quite different from that of the common dog. Instead of grappling with its antagonist, its fighting was done by springing forward, snapping or cutting with the front teeth, which were very sharp, and then retreating for another opportunity. This method of advance and retreat was rapidly repeated so long as its adversary was within reach; but when their numbers were overpowering, they exhibited a greater boldness and dash, thereby demonstrating their cowardly natures. As the settlements increased, these pests grew beautifully less in number, their destruction having been encouraged through a premium for wolf scalps, offered by the county commissioners during the first seven years of the county's history. In 1835 an immense wolf hunt was organized in the eastern portion of the county, which proved but a slight success, and was the cause of the Rev. Isaac Jones receiving an accidental shot through one of his wrists, which crippled him for life. Ile had purposed ascending a tree so as to obtain a better view of the animals that were to be gradually hemmed in toward that point and shot by him as they came in sight. As a Mr. Pitcher was handing him his rifle ere he got too far up the tree, the weapon was discharged, with the foregoing result. Soon after this event, the wolf disappeared from this region, although old ones occasionally were later seen and dispatched.
THE USEFUL DEER.
The beautiful animal known as the red deer was a Godsend to the pioneers. From these harmless inhabitants of the forest, accessible at all times, the early settlers pro- cured most of their meat. Deer were very numerous and more than fifty in one herd have been seen grazing upon the prairie or "stamping flies" beneath the shady groves; but they were usually found in pairs, or half a dozen at most, except when chased by the wolf or dog, at which times large numbers would be aroused from their slumbers and join in the stampede. Not only was the deer valuable as an article of food but its skin, when tanned, served many useful purposes. The stalwart backwoodsman generally wore a vest and a pair of "buckskin breeches" made from the prepared hides of these animals. In an untanned condition, or rawhide state, it was cut into strips, twisted, then dried in the sun, after which it served the purpose of tugs or chains for the settlers' harness: also lines, bridles, mittens, moccasins and other articles used in pioneer life.
Wild hogs were frequently met with. and were more dreaded, perhaps, than any other of the wild beasts. The genuine wild boar, exasperated by the hunters, was the most terrible game of the forest. and the hnit was exciting and dangerous. His attack was too sudden and headlong to be easily turned aside or avoided, and the spap of his tusks, as he sharpened them in his fury, was not pleasant music to the timid or amateur hunter. His tusks are known to have measured over a foot in lengthi, and many desperate fights and hairbreadth escapes are reconnted in connection with this animal. The wild hog was not valned for its flesh, but was regarded simply as a dangerous pest, and hunted mainly to rid the country of his presence.
There were other animals that once inhabited these parts, such as the panther lynx, native wildcat, porcupine, and the like, but these, like the elk, the bear, the wolf and the more valuable deer, have long since become extinct. Even the fox, raccoon, wood- "linek. opossum and squirrel, together with many other small animals are growing scarcer year by year under the ruthless hunter's vengeance: and the day is not far distant when Madison county will be entirely devoid of the animal as well as the
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feathery tribes that once infested its forests and prairies. This is not as it should be. The few specimens that are left ought to be spared, and stringent laws should be passed to protect those innocent dwellers of the forest and prevent their utter extinction.
PASSING OF THE SNAKE.
Among the venomous reptiles that once endangered life and limb were the racers, copperheads and prairie rattlesnakes. The latter were very numerous, as well as formidable and dangerous. The antidote for their bite, however, grew upon the prairie lands, and was a kind of herb called by the Indiaus "rattlesnake weed." The person bitten, by immediately chewing a considerable quantity of the stalk, swallowing the jnice and binding the pulpy chewings upon the bitten part. prevented all ill effects that would otherwise result from the bite. It is well that these reptiles no longer exist in this land, and that all such venomous things disappear before the onward march of civilization.
THE BLALOCK TRAGEDY.
Intense excitement was caused in Madison county by a deed of blood which occurred in what is now Canaan township, on the 29th of September, 1822. There lived in the township at that time a school teacher named Levi Phelps, a man of ;so much influence that, upon its erection in 1819, it was, in honor of him, called Phelps township. Near where Mathias Slyh's farm later was located resided George Blalock and family, and with them lived a Miss Sallie Whitney and Levi Francis. It became the current report that Blalock and this woman were living together as man and wife, although not married. At that time, the settlements were quite scattered, and the settlers became quickly excited at any offense against the morals of the com- umunity, deeming immediate justice the best and cheapest punishment under the cir- cumstances. So it appears that this case so shocked the early residents of that por- tion of the county that many thought it expedient to put a stop to such licentious con- duct. A meeting was held and it was determined to notify Blalock that if he con- tinned any longer such an immoral example to the settlement. he would be treated to a coat of far and feathers and driven from the community. Blalock was either innocent or defiant, as he paid no attention to the threat.
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- cluded 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 free and lit upon the road in front of them. 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 monnds, 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, 1SS1, 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 slip 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 fonnd 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 abont 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 years, 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 Monhent, 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 spread 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 historie 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 publie 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 one thousand five hundred acres, belonging to Jolm 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, eat 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- fentiary 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 stage 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 tarm 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 aeres 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.
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