History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 82

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Ohio > Medina County > History of Medina county and Ohio > Part 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1822, a eamp of about eight families was located on Mallet Creek during the "bleating season," and they began to destroy the fawns in sueh numbers that the settlers resolved to stop the slaughter. Daniel Ford and six or seven other men started from the Center to warn them off. Two of the men, eoneluding it was safer to return, did so, but the others went on. When they arrived at the eneampment, the wigwams were deserted ; but, from the con- dition of things, the settlers knew the Indians were eoneealed in some neighboring thieket. A large tree was stripped of its bark on one side, the figure of an Indian was drawn with ehareoal on the white wood, and then the set- tlers, retiring a short distance, shot their rifles into the image, and then returned to the Center. The Indians understood the hint and imme- diately started for some other locality. A few sheep were brought to Liverpool prior to 1820, but the wolves were so fierce and bold that they were soon destroyed. Cattle were attacked and devoured, and so great became the fear of these marauders that a grand circular hunt was

resolved upon, to take in portions of Liverpool and Brunswiek, and a portion of Lorain County, the eenter to be near the northeast eorner of Liverpool, in Lorain County. The hunt took place in the summer of 1819, and began early in the morning. About three hundred men surrounded a large seetion of country, the een- ter being as above stated. The center was a portion of land about a quarter of a mile square, and was indicated by blazed trees. When this square was reached, the firing was to eease, and the men were to stop marehing. The words, "all ready," were passed around the ring, and then the mareh toward the eenter began, with horns and shouts and frequent reports of the rifle. On the mareh toward the central square, the men were instrueted to shoot every animal that appeared. As they were nearing the een- ter, when every man was excited, as large num- bers of deer and other animals could be seen bounding from side to side of the cirele, a man named Warner, following a running deer with his rifle, fired, and shot another man named Pritehard, through the heart, killing him in- stantly. The report swept around the eirele that a man was shot, and scores left the ring to see if their father or brother was the one killed. This eaused the eirele to break, and the exeited animals broke through and bounded off through the woods. It was estimated that between two hundred and three hundred deer eseaped, besides several bears, foxes and wolves. The unfortunate death of Mr. Pritehard cast a gloom on the oeeasion, and the men returned to their homes. It was looked upon as an aeci- dent that might have been avoided, with proper eare. Warner and Pritchard were cousins and good friends, and no implieation of intentional shooting was ever added to the distress of Mr Warner.

Liverpool Township was ereated, organized and named in 1816, and at that time comprised the following boundaries : All the territory west of the 12th Range to the fire-lands, and

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

541

all south of Township 5 to the south line of the Reserve. How the township eame to be called Liverpool is unknown, unless it was named for a city of the same name in England, where there were extensive salt works. This is said to have been the origin of the name. Among the first officers elected were Moses Demming and H. H. Coit, Justices of the Peaee. It was the custom of Mr. Demming, so far as possible, to adjust the eases that came before him by a compromise-a procedure well worthy of imi- tation, though but little followed at the present day. One day, a man with a battered face came to him and asked for law on the subject of assault and battery. Mr. Demming saw " fire in the man's eye," so he handed a well- worn copy of the Bible to the stranger, who, after turning it around for some time, finally announced that he could not read. The Justice took the book and read, " He that smiteth thee on the one cheek, turn to him the other also." The stranger first looked at the book, theu at the reader, slowly put his hat on his head, and, as he walked out of the door, said, "That law is too devilish poor to do me any good." Jus- tus Warner was one of the first Justices, and was noted for his eccentrie though satisfac- tory ways of settling disputes. One day, Asa Marsh was boiling at the salt works. Mrs. Townsend called to him to get his gun and shoot an otter which she saw in the river. This was done, and Marsh carried the animal to the salt works, intending to preserve the skin, which was quite valuable. Mr. Townsend, who thought he was entitled to the animal, came and conveyed it to his cabin, whereupon Marsh fol- lowed him and brought it back. Townsend again appeared, and, after eutting the animal into two equal portions, carried one-half to his house. He was summoned to appear before Justice Warner to answer for his conduct. After the evidence was all in, and the defend- aut had made his statement, the "Court," who had grown considerably excited, and whose eyes

sparkled, passed judgment in this wise : " Mrs. Townsend found it, she did, and Marsh shot it, he did, and each man has what belongs to him, and the case is dismissed, it is." Tradition says that the costs werc taxcd to the Consta- ble, but that is undoubtedly a slander on the " Court." Justus Warner lived to the remark- able age of one hundred years and twenty-two days. A short time before his death, he was asked to lie down, but he answered : " If I do, I shall never get up again." He began lying down, and, in a few days, his kind old heart eeased to beat. His wonderful will, energy and vitality were all that kept him alive so long. He was very eccentric in his manner, and af- forded eoustant amusement to those about him by the singular freaks of his character. One day, in a canoe, he attempted to cross the Rocky River, which had risen far above its banks and had a very swift current. After struggling with the waters for some time, and making no headway, he suddenly ceased row- ing, ejaculated " Ah !" threw his oars into the water, and, scizing a rope tied to the bow, he began tugging at it with all his power, as if he expected to pull himself ashore by that means. He floated down the river about a quarter of a mile, and landed, fiually, on the same side from which he started. On another occasion, he dug a well, and, while working around it one day, Minerva, his daughter-in-law, told him to be careful and not fall in. He made no reply, and, soon afterward, disappeared. Minerva, think- ing that perhaps he might have fallen in the well, ran and looked down, and there he was, sure enough, up to his arm-pits in water, shiv- ering with cold. He was drawu up, and, after he had changed his clothing and become warm, Minerva enjoyed the satisfaction of telling him, "I told you so." But the old man was not cornered, for he tartly replied : " Ah ! I didn't fall into the well, I didn't ; I slipped in, I did ; and I suppose, now, you'll never forget getting your say, you won't." He did a great deal,

542

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

during his loug and eventful life, to build up the township, and people it with iudustrious and intelligent citizens. When Minerva, the wife of Alpheus Warner, left Connecticut, she tied up a small package of apple-seeds, design- ing to plant them in their new home in Ohio. After about ten acres had been cleared, she went out one day in 1812, and, with a case- knife, made small trenches and sowed therein the apple-seed. Many of the trees thus ob- tained are standing on the old farm, and the grandchildren are enjoying the fruit to-day. This was undoubtedly the first orchard in Me- dina County.

When the first settlers came into the towu- ship, and for many years thereafter, the woods were filled with deer and other wild animals. So plentiful were they that, at any season of the year, a hunter could go into the woods and return in a short time having killed one. Daniel Ford in one year killed a hundred, and, ere they had eutirely disappeared, he killed over a thousand. Often the skin and the most valu- able portions of the flesh were all that were taken, the remainder being left to the wolves and buzzards. One day Mr. Ford was out hunting deer in the northern part of York Township, when he heard his dog barking fu- riously some distance in advance. He hurried forward and discovered that his dog had treed a large bear, which quietly sat on a large limb above, surveying the angry movements of the dog below. A shot from the unerring rifle brought the huge animal to the ground, dead. When deer could be driven into the windfall in the southern part of the township, they were easily secured, but the animals instinctively avoided those places, and sought the more open portions of the forest. A tornado must have swept across the township a few years before the settlers appeared, as a strip of timber in the southern part was almost wholly leveled with the ground. The windfall and the decp woods adjoining it became a great resort for countless

thousands of pigeons that alighted there in the spring of the year. Thousands of dozens were taken and shipped to Cleveland and other cities. Gentlemen of sporting proclivities from Cleveland visited the grounds on hunting expeditions, and slaughtered a great many. It was extremely dangerous to carry a torch or lantern among the pigeons, as they would in- stantly dart for the light and dash it to the ground, and endanger the eyes and face of the reckless hunter. After many years, when that portion of the township was cleared up, guano was found upon the ground to the depth of six inches. Albert Heath shot the largest deer ever killed in the county. The animal was known to all the hunters as the " big buck," and many a tiresome chase after him had re- sulted in failure. One day, when on his track following him, Albert, then but a boy, heard the distant report of a rifle, and, stopping short, he soon saw the big buck running like the wind directly toward him. When close enough, the young hunter fircd, and the animal fell dead upon the ground. When dressed, it was found to weigh 254 pounds. Portions of its antlers were worked into knife handles, and may yet be seen at the residence of Mr. Heath. About a mile southeast of Liverpool Center, there were in early years, several acres of crab-apple trees, which every year hung full of the sour fruit. Justus Warner devised a rude cider- press, and began manufacturing cider of suf- ficient sourness to satisfy the taste of the most inveterate toper in the neighborhood. The ap- ples werc made into sauce, also, and afforded a desirable addition to the homely fare of the cabin. Large quantities of wild plums were found near the crab-apple marsh, and were used in the culinary department by the back woods- women. One day, Eri and Heli, two small sons of Alpheus Warner, were out in the woods with an ax, when they heard their dog barking off at some distance, and ran to dis- cover the cause. The dog had driven some

543

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

animal into a large, hollow log, and the boys immediately resolved to dislodge and kill it if possible. Heli crept in several feet at the open end of the log to prevent the egress of the ani- mal, while Eri began chopping vigorously at the other extremity, designing to make an opening where the animal could be driven out. The first blows of the ax brought the beast to within a few feet of Heli, who, lying at full length in the end of the log, saw its eyes glow- ing like two balls of firc. "Here he is, here he is ; I see him," shouted Heli, and the ani- mal drew back. An opening was soon made at the other end, and, suddenly, the head of a large fox appeared, but the ax was brought down upon it with great force, stretching the animal lifeless on the ground. The courageous boys proudly conveyed the dead fox to their home, and their exploit soon became the talk of the neighborhood, and the boys were lion- ized by the neighbors.

As soon as the settlers had arrived in suffi- cient numbers to render the outlook auspicious, various industries arose to supply articles that could be obtained otherwise only by long jour- neys to neighboring mills or villages. The roads were not then as they are at present, when fifty or sixty miles can be made in a day. Twenty miles was a long, hard day's journey, and usually fifteen miles of travel through the muddy roads completely exhausted the best teams. This led to a demand for lumber, flour and household supplies at some point nearer home. A man named Darling erected a combined saw and grist mill on the river, in the southern part as early as 1818. The building was a long, low one, with two apartments, in one of which was placed the apparatus for sawing logs, and in the other, a small set of " nigger head " buhrs for grinding grain. Good water-power was obtained by means of a race and a dam, and the mills were enabled to run eight or ten months of the year. Almost all the early houses and barns were built of lumber obtained at this mill. Saw-

ing was done either on shares, half being taken by the sawyer, or at the rate of about $3.50 per thousand. Rinaldo Cossctt, a boy of about fourteen, was one day fishing at the mill-pond, when, by some means unknown, he was drowned. It was whispered that foul play had been done him, and many entertain that view of the mat- ter at present ; the truth will probably never be known. The grist-mill furnished a fair article of flour, and was well patronized. After being in operation about ten years, the mill was abandoned. After this, for a number of years, the settlers were compelled to go to Middlebury for their flour and meal, or, if they were satis- fied with an inferior article, as many of them were, it could be obtained at a sinall grist-mill operated by a Mr. Jackson, who had erected it about the year 1826. Combined with the grist-mill (if such it can be properly denomi- nated) was a saw-mill that did splendid work, and commanded an extensive patronage. Fine lumber was prepared here at prices within the reach of all. The grist-mill furnished excellent meal, but the flour was coarse, and but little bet- ter than " cracked wheat." The bolters were small and defective, and much of the bran was left with the flour. It was wholesome, but con- siderable difficulty was experienced in getting it to rise properly when bread was being made. The mills were operated by water-power, and were continued for about fifteen years, when the machinery was removed to some more favored locality.

In 1823, Daniel Ford began manufacturing wooden bowls from cucumber-wood and white- wood. A small shanty-shop was erected, and the machinery consisted of a hand-lathe. The business was continued a few years, but, not proving profitable, was discontinued. In 1820, Abner Martin built a small distillery a short distance south of the center. The building was a frame structure, built of lumber obtained at the Darling saw-mill. A copper still, having a capacity of about twenty-five gallons, was used,

544

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

and the grain was ground, or rather chopped, by a small set of stones, operated by horse-power. It is said that au excellent article of whisky was manufactured at this distillery. Old settlers in the township who remember drinking it, speak regretfully of the difference between the whisky furnished by the Martin distillery and the adul- terated article found in commerce at the present time. The whisky was so superior, or so small in quantity, or both, that it was drank as fast as it was made. It is even asserted that thirsty settlers were often seen with cups in their hands standing around the warm-tuh waiting anxious- ly for the liquor to cool. Stories are also told of bacchanalian revelry at the old distillery, car- ried on late at night, or, rather, early the next morning. At any rate, the liquor disappeared so rapidly that none was left to be carried to other localities and sold. After some fifteen years, the distillery was abandoned. On the east bank of Rocky River, opposite Liverpool Center, William Wilson erected a small distillery, and began the manufacture of whisky as early as 1825. His liquor was pronounced a fair ar- ticle by the topers of Liverpool, aud he received a sufficient patronage to render the business profitable for about eight years, at which date the still was removed and the building devoted to other uses.

In 1830, John Groll built a distillery onc mile and a half southwest of Liverpool. The building was frame and was constructed of home-made lumber, much of it being white- wood and walnut. His still had a capacity of some fifteen gallons. Attached to the ma- chinery was a set of chopping-stones, where grain was prepared for fermentation, the mill- ing apparatus being operated by horse-power. The building is yet standing, a monument to the early enterprise of Mr. Groll. He ran the distillery six years, and manufactured consid- erable whisky. It is said that he liad a small receipt book giving the composing elements of almost a hundred kinds of mixed drinks, many

of which he manufactured for his customers. Salt was added to give pungency, strychnine to give flavor and a staggering sensation, and other drugs and poisons to produce the sensa- tions so well known to the dram-drinkers of the present day. In 1840, a man named Gow engaged in the same pursuit, in a small frame building a short distance northwest of Marys- ville. He made a limited quantity of good whisky, and continued the occupation nearly six years. The early distilleries were of great value to the settlers, in that they furnished a market for rye and corn at home, and furnished what was then known as one of the necessities of life-liquor. The laws of supply and de- mand lowered the price of grain, and increased that of household and farm implements, utensils and supplies. The price of corn, and, in fact, all the cereals, was rendered so low by the cost of transportation to the consumer, that but little profit could be made in their cultivation, be- sides the unavoidable loss of time and expeuse incident to their conveyance to market. But, when several distilleries were in comparatively extensive operatiou, a steady market, somewhat limited in extent, was provided. Corn and rye were given in exchange for whisky or mixed drinks, which never left the mantel-piece of the cabin of the backwoodsman. Whisky was looked upon by many as a panacea for all ills to which mankind are subject. It was used both as a cooling beverage and a warmiug one. It was prescribed by pioneer physicians for both digestion and indigestion. It was taken in sickuess aud in health with a prodigality that seems startling in this day of temperance activities. Traditions are afloat which point to dark decds at some of the early distilleries in Liverpool. A band of counterfeiters had a rendezvous on Mallet Creek, and some of the settlers were detected while passiug spurious dollar and half-dollar coins. Pewter coins minted in Liverpool, at an early day, may be seen at the residence of Mr. Ford, where they

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

545

are preserved as curiosities. One of the set- tlers was tried and convicted of having an in- terest in the unlawful business, and was sen- tenced to the penitentiary, where, according to reports, he afterward died. Another was tried, but was acquitted for lack of evidence of guilt. It is probable that the distillery-men were in no way connected with the band, otherwise than as furnishing them with liquor of various kinds.

Messrs. Warner and Coit were not the only ones engaged at an early day in the manufact- uring of salt. Demming, Cogswell, Wilmot and others dug wells, procured suitable kettles, over which were erected rough shanties to protect them from the weather, and began a more or less extensive manufacture. All the salt man- ufactured prior to the opening of the Erie canal, sold readily for an advanced price. Some of the men while prospecting for salt at an early day, made the discovery of the pres- ence of oil in the township. Attempts were made to utilize the oil for lighting and lubricat- ing purposes, and prosecuted in a quiet way. After wells had been dug and water had set- tled therein, a dark, pungent oil was found to issue from the water and form upon the surface at the rate, in some instances, of about a bar- rel a week. A small quantity was taken to Connecticut by Alpheus Warner, where it was analyzed and tested by experienced chemists, who pronounced it valuable in cases of throat disease, aud as a lubricant. Attempts werc made to use it as a remedy for sore throat, but its disagreeable taste and smell, coupled with the fact that its properties as a remedy were largely unknown or undetermined, were suffi- cient reasons for avoiding its use. Some of the oil was bottled and circulated in commerce and used in the Western States. It was found that an agitation of the water in the wells, in- creased the yield of oil to half a dozen times its former quantity. In about 1850, when the oil excitement in Pennsylvania aroused the

people of the country to the fact that they were destined to have better lights in their houses, the citizens of Liverpool and capital- ists from abroad began prospecting along Rocky River, a short distance above Liverpool Center. The strength of the well was thor- oughly tested, and the quantity of oil obtained gave flattering promises to capital seeking in- vestment. Land along the stream upon which oil was discovered, arose considerably in value, and the owners began selling stock in their wells. A large percentage of the citizens, with the hope of securing fortunes like those read about in Pennsylvania, invested what they could spare in purchasing stock, and, for a time, the out- look was flattering. At different times, cleven wells were dug, and arrangemeuts were made for skimming the black-looking oil from the surface of the water. The wells were dug down to the rock, the distance varying from twenty to seventy feet, after which, drills were used to increase the depth, in one casc to 1,450 feet. But, although the flow of oil did not wholly cease, it was found to be so small in quantity as to render the working profitless. Every effort was made to increase the flow, but with- out avail. Mr. Parmelee, at the center, owned $500 worth of stock, aud at one time, was offered $2,500 for it, but he refused, and soon afterward the stock was worthless. Many others experienced a similar fortune, or mis- fortune. Several wisely sold their land, secur- ing the increase in value, while others, who possibly had a colossal fortune like that of Astor or Stewart in view, waited a little longer, and failed to realize any gain from the excite- ment. The proprietors of the wells, and those who sold out, were the only oncs benefited. The former were not benefited, however, by the sale of oil, but by the sale of stock. The oil, when first obtained, is black, with a reddish cast, and is found to be of unusual excellence as a lubricant, as it never gums up the machin- cry. It has never been rectified, except in

546

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

small quantities. One hundred and fifty bar- rels of the oil were obtained at one well, and several of the others yielded a score or more. It is yet obtained in small quantities, and is used to the exclusion of other oil on all kinds of machinery, and is also used to some extent for lighting purposes.

The first settler who came into the north- eastern corner, was Abram Becbe, who arrived in 1824. He came in a covered wagon, drawn by two yoke of oxen, and drove with him ten head of sheep and one cow. His land-fifty acres- was purchased of Daniel Coit. The fol- lowing year, Hollis Newton settled near him, and soon afterward Salathiel Bennett, Roder- ick and Benjamin Beebe arrived in 1828, and immediately afterward several came, among whom was Obadiah Newton. The Beebes were intelligent and energetic people, and did much to advance the cause of education and religion. The neighborhood became known as Becbe- town, a name it yet retains. The northwestern and southwestern portions of the township were not settled as early as other portions. The land was not so open, aud there were not those inducements to locate there as there were along the turbid Rocky River, where the coun- try was comparatively open. In addition to this, there were more marshy tracts on those portions. However, in about 1830, several large emigrations of Germans established them- selves there, and tliese portions of the town- ship are almost wholly German at present.

In 1837, the village of Marysville, or Hard- scrabble, as it is more popularly knowu, was surveyed and platted by Nathan Bell. The land was owned by the heirs of Daniel Coit, one of whom was his son, H. H. Coit, who acted as agent for the others. Thirty-three lots were laid off and offered for sale. H. H. Coit (or per- haps Justus Warner), gave sufficient land for a public square, or park, and around this were grouped the lots. Mr. Warner gave two or three acres on a commanding prominence near the

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 82

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014