USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 96
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TELEGRAPH LINE.
The telegraph line, from Zanesville to McCon- nellsville, was erected in 1867, but the wire be- ing galvanized, it went down, and was rebuilt in 1880. An office was established in Gaysport, in December, 1877, and is still nominally in oper- tion, but very little business is transacted in it.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Blue Rock Grange, No. 359, P. of H., was organized at Rural Dale, Blue Rock township, December 27th, 1873. by D. D. G. Master, S. H. Phipps.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
The first officers of Blue Rock Grange were as follows :
Master-T. M. Allen.
Treasurer -- E. W. Harlan. Secretary-C. Frame ..
The regular meetings of this Grange are held the second Saturday of each month.
The whole membership since the organization has reached one hundred.
The present officers are as follows :
Master -- Clarke Roberts.
Treasurer-Wm. B. Hunter.
Secretary-C. Frame.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
RURAL DALE, O., January 30, 1875.
A few thoughts in regard to the institution and progress of Rural Lodge, No.157, I. O. O.F., by one who has followed its fortunes through sun- shine and storm for the last twenty-four years, may not, I hope, be void of interest to its mem- bers.
At a session of the Grand Lodge, held at Cincinnati, Ohio, in February, 1850, Brethren J. P. Smith, W. A. Hawley, J. B. Milhous, Abram Morrison and C. H. Trimble, made ap- plication for, and were granted, a Charter for Rural Lodge, and on June 13th, of the same year, the Lodge was instituted by the then acting Grand Master, William C. Earl, assisted by brethren from Muskingum, Moxahala, and Valley Lodges. Among the prominent ones, the writer remembers, with warmth of feeling, Bros. Thos. Durban, Silvers, Porter. and L. Brenholts, of Zanesville ; James Gaylord, J. C. Stone and others, of Valley Lodge.
The Charter members had only advanced as far as the Second Degree, consequently the third, fourth and fifth Degrees had to be con- ferred at the time of the institution of the Lodge. The Lodge was instituted and declared ready for work, when the following brethren were elected and installed as officers, for the first term :
N. G .- J. P. Smith. V. G .- W. A. Hawley. Secretary-J. B. Milhous. Treasurer-C. H. Trimble.
There was received, by initiation, at the first meeting, eight members, making the total num- ber of members at the close of the first working session of the Lodge, thirteen.
The brethren went to work with a will. The first term was continued until the first meeting in January, at. which time it had increased to twenty members ; there having been received by initiation, fourteen, on card, one, and withdrawn by card, one.
The officers elected and installed for the term, commencing January, 1851, were as follows :
N. G .- W. A. Hawley.
V. G .- J. B. Milhous. Secretary -- C. H. Trimble. Treasurer-Wm. T. Talley.
The Lodge continued to work, gradually in- creasing in numbers, all the members taking the
degrees as fast as time would admit. We worked then, with a very primitive set of implements, made by our ingenious brother, William Stirk.
There was received, by initiation, during this term, sixteen ; and on card, one; there being none withdrawn, dismissed by card or expelled. The total number of members at its close was thirty-seven.
June 24th, 1851, the following brethren were elected to fill the offices for the next term :
N. G .- J. B. Milhous.
V. G .- C. H. Trimble.
Secretary-Henry McGuire.
Treasurer-Eli Smitley.
The Lodge thinking it unnecessary to have a Permanent Secretary, there was none elected, though the membership had increased to thirty- eight.
We find that the percentage to the Grand Lodge, for the previous term, was $18.27. During the term ending January Ist, 1852, there were added to the membership of the Lodge, by initiation, nine, and on card, three, making the total additions, twelve.
The officers for the term commencing January Ist, 1852, were :
N. G .- C. H. Trimble.
V. G .- Gibbons Harlan.
Secretary-Joseph Dye.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
Permanent Secretary -- J. P. Smith.
Brother Smith was the first Permanent Secre- tary whom the Lodge elected. We here have proof of the willingness of the brethren to work as Secretary, the Lodge numbering fifty mem- bers before any Permanent Secretary was elected, the Recording Secretary doing all the work of both offices, for the honor of passing the chairs. Brother Silvers Porter was District Deputy for the years 1851 and 1852, and installed the above officers. It was at this time that the Rebekah Degree was introduced into the Lodge, and during this term, was conferred on the greater part of the brethren, and also, several of the sisters were introduced into the Lodge. April 27th, cards were granted to Bros. Casey and Ray, for the purpose of instituting a Lodge at Cumberland, Ohio. During this term, there were added to the membership, by initiation, ten, on card, none, withdrawn by card, four.
By reference to the minutes we find that the chair was filled at every regular meeting during the term, and also at three special meetings, called for the purpose of conferring the Degree of Rebekah.
For the term commencing July ist, 1852, the officers elected were as follows :
N. G .-- Gibbons Harlan.
V. G .- Joseph Dye. Secretary-Enos. T. Hall.
Treasurer -- James Trimble.
The officers for this term were installed by the Deputy Grand Master, Porter.
There appears to have been nothing of partic- ular interest occuring during this term. The
436
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
additions were, by initiation, five ; on card, one ; expelled, one : withdrawn, one.
At the election of officers for the term com- mencing January ist, 1853, the Lodge chose as follows :
N. G .- Joseph Dye. V. G .- E. T. Hall. Secretary-G. W. Harlan.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
Permanent Secretary-Samuel Harlan.
June 13th, of this year, the Lodge took posses- sion of the hall which it now occupies, the build- ing having been erected by brother J. B. Milhous, and publicly dedicated to the use of the Order. They also provided themselves with all the em- blems necessary for a working Lodge. The initiations were three. It was during this term that brother W. A. Hawley was elected Repre- sentative to the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
District Deputy G. M., David H. Mortley, in- stalled the following as officers for the term com- mencing July, 1853 :
N. G .- E. T. Hall. V. G .- G. W. Harlan. Secretary-E. I. Trimble.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
During this term, there was nothing of es- pecial interest transpired in the Lodge, although the membership had increased to about seventy. There were added to the Lodge, by initiation, nine ; died, one.
December 27th, the following brethren were elected :
N. G .- G. W. Harlan.
V. G .- E. I. Trimble. Secretary-Samuel Harlan.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
Permanent Secretary-C. Frame.
During the week succeeding the election of offi- cers for this term a gloom was cast over the Lodge, occasioned by the death of Brother G. W. Harlan, the Noble Grand elect. The resolutions adopted by the Lodge demonstrate the fact that he was held in the highest esteem by the members of the Fraternity, and also by the community gen- erally. January 10th, Brother C. H. Trimble was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Brother Harlan.
The officers installed for the term were :
N. G .- C. H. Trimble. V. G .- E. I. Trimble. Secretary-Samuel Harlan.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
Permanent Secretary-C. Frame.
The Lodge moved along during this term without anything particularly interesting occur- ing. the additions being, by initiation, eight ; withdrawn by card, one ; died, one.
The officers installed for the term commenc- ing on the Ist of July, 1854, were :
N. G .- E. I. Trimble. V. G .- Samuel Harlan. Secretary-Samuel McCune. Treasurer-James Trimble.
January ist, 1855, the officers of the Lodge were as follows :
N. G .- Samuel Harlan.
V. G .- Joseph Dye.
Secretary-W. T. Talley.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
Permanent Secretary-C. Frame.
January, 1856 : N. G .- W. T. Talley.
V. G .- John Krapps.
Secretary-S. M. Harlan.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
Permanent Secretary-William Logan.
January, 1857, Brother J. V. Ramsey, of Valley Lodge, installed the officers elect, as fol- lows :
N. G .- S. M. Harlan.
V. G .- C. Frame. Secretary-A. G. Harlan.
Permanent Secretary-C. H. Trimble.
January, 1857, Installation by Brother Mil- hous, as follows : N. G .- C. Frame.
V. G .- E. I. Trimble.
Secretary-Willam Finney.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
The officers chosen and installed for the term commencing January, 1858, were as follows :
N. G .- E. I. Trimble.
V. G .- William Finney.
Secretary-James Trimble.
Treasurer-S. M. Harlan.
Permanent Secretary-C. H. Trimble.
It was during this term, that a full set of em- blems were procured, those which are now used by the Lodge. We were called upon to part with Brother William A. Hawley, one of the charter members, during this term ; he having applied for, and received, a card of dismissal.
The officers for the term beginning July, 1858, were installed by Brother George Holliday, of Valley Lodge, who was at, that time, District Deputy Grand Master. There were chosen for officers the following members :
N. G .- William Finney.
. V. G .- James Trimble. Secretary-John Trimble.
Treasurer-G. W. White.
During this term cards were granted to six Brothers, to form a Lodge at High Hill; this being the third Lodge which has been formed from Rural.
During this term two were initiated, six ad- mitted on card, and one expelled.
The officers for the term following the above were :
N. G .- James Trimble. V. G .- John Trimble. Secretary-A. G Harlan.
Treasurer-George White.
The officers are now given for each year, omitting Lodge work, and are as follows :
1859. Installation by D. D. G. M. of the following officers : N. G .- John Trimble. V. G .- A. G. Harlan.
437
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Secretary-William Logan. Treasurer-G. W. White.
January, 1860. Installation by D. C. Pinker- ton of the following officers :
N. G .- A. G. Harlan. V. G .- Daniel Border.
Secretary-H. W. Grubb.
Treasurer-G. W. White.
July, 1860.
N. G .- Daniel Border. V. G .- H. W. Grubb.
Secretary-G. W. White.
Treasurer-C. H. Trimble.
January, 1861. Installation by J. B. Milhouse of the following officers : N. G .- H. W. Grubb. V. G .- G. W. White.
Secretary-W. S. Harlan.
Treasurer- C. H. Trimble.
Permanent Secretary-John Krapps.
July, 1861. Installation by G. W. Welsh, D. D., of the following officers :
N. G .-- G. W. White.
V. G .- W. S. Harlan.
Secretary-Jacob Rutledge.
Treasurer-C. H. Trimble.
January 7th, 1862. Installation by D. D. G. M. of the following officers :
N. G .- W. S. Harlan.
V. G .- Jacob Rutledge.
Secretary-James McCune.
Treasurer-James Trimble.
Permanent Secretary-C. H. Trimble.
From this date the names of the Noble Grands are given, each having passed to the chair in the regular way: Jacob Rutledge, G. W. White, Samuel McCune, A. N. Jewett, A. R. Starrett, W. S. Harlan, J. B. Milhous, Jos. Reed, F. Cooper, Joseph Osborn, Joseph P. White, A. G. Harlan, E. W. Daniels, Costen Betz, J. T. Matchett, T. L. Elwell, C. C. Fra- zier, L. C. Betz. During this term, January, 1871, the Lodge purchased a full set of officer's regalia, at a cost of $110. N. G's., continued : Edward Miller, Joseph E. Peyton, James A. Woodburn, Enoch Harlan, B. V. Woodburn, A. Lynn, W. S. Parker.
We find that there have been taken into the Lodge by initiation about one hundred and sixty members, and quite a number on card. Of this number twelve have died, some have left the Order, and many have withdrawn by card and removed to other places.
We have furnished charter members for the institution of four Lodges, viz. : Cumberland, Wood Grove, High Hill, and Taylorsville. We call to recollection the following who have been removed from us by death :
Brothers G. W. Harlan, Eli Smitley, John F. Briggs, L. S. Frazier, Lewis Young, Madison Dye, John M. Sevall, John Trimble, George Matchett, Samuel MeCune, S. M. Harlan, and E. I. Trimble.
The Lodge has made donations in small amounts, for different charitable . purposes, amounting to $1,000.80, and have paid weekly
benefits amounting to near $1,500. The Lodge has also paid funeral benefits amounting to three hundred dollars, making the aggregate dona- tions and benefits amount to about $2,800. There were two brothers who were not entitled to benefits at the time of their death. on account of non-payment of dues.
The following is a list of members of Rural Dale Lodge, No. 157, I. O. O. F., together with their rank and remarks :
J. P. Smith, charter member ; died, 1872.
W. A. Hawley, charter member; died, 1873.
J. B. Millhouse, charter member ; withdrawn by card.
C. H. Trimble, charter member ; remains a member.
Abram Morrison, charter member ; dropped.
Samuel Harlan, P. G. ; withdrawn by card.
Eli Smitley, P. G. ; died December 31, 1853.
Geo. W. White, P. G. ; remains a member.
Alex. Clancy, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
W. T. Talley, P. G. ; remains a member.
Henry McGuire, P. G. ; dropped.
Gibbons Harlan, P. G. ; dropped.
D. T. Johnson, P. G. ; withdrawn by card.
Wm. West, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
Wm. Stirk, Fifth Degree ; dropped.
J. T. Bird, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card. Enos Smitley, Initiate ; withdrawn by card.
J. W. Bird, Fifth Degree ; dropped. Enos T. Hall, P. G. ; expelled.
W. P. Hall, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
C. Frame, P. G. ; dropped.
G. A. Alexander, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn . by card.
Joseph Dye, P. G. ; withdrawn by card.
James Trimble, P. G. ; remains a member.
Abram Hoopes, P. G. ; dropped.
Jas. Finney, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
John Reed, Fifth Degree ; dropped.
G. W. Harlan, V. G. ; died January 2, 1854. John M. Roberts, V. G. ; dropped.
Madison Dye, V. G. : died December 28, 1860.
A. G. Harlan, P. G. ; remains a member.
John West, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
J. M. Sevall, Fifth Degre ; died November 13, 1860.
Josiah Jackson, Fifth Degree : withdrawn by card.
E. J. Dye, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card. Robert Young, Fifth Degree, withdrawn by card.
L. L. Frazier, Fourth Degree : died October 7, 1856.
Joseph Osborn, P. G. : dropped.
Ezekiel McCune, Fifth Degree : dropped.
J. D. Hall, Initiate : dropped.
C. H. Hall, Initiate ; withdrawn from Order.
1. N. Pyle, Second Degree : dropped.
W. B. Hunter, Fifth Degree : remains a miem- ber.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
D. J. Harlan, Initiate ; dropped.
John Krapps, P. G. ; dropped.
A. N. Jewett, P. G. ; withdrawn by card.
John Trimble, P. G. : died October 25, 1866. Daniel Jewett, Fifth Degree ; dropped.
Charles Hurd. Initiate ; dropped.
W. W. Roup. Fourth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
Norris Hall, Second Degree : dropped. H. W. Carlow, on card : dropped.
+Samuel Ingram. Initiate : dropped.
H. W. Grubb. P. G. : remains a member. William Finney P. G., withdrawn by card. Lemon Fouts, Fifth Degree ; expelled.
Filson Cooper, P. G. : withdrawn by card. John W. Gray, Fifth Degree ; dropped. A. J. Imlay, Fifth Degree ; dropped.
Philip Schaus, Fifth Degree; withdrawn by card.
Nathan Jewett, Fifth Degree : dropped.
J. P. White, P. G. ; remains a member.
J. W. Macumber, Fifth Degree ; dropped.
Jacob Peyton, Initiate ; withdrawn by card.
Robert Whitehouse, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
William Marshall, Initiate ; dropped.
Philip Denick, Initiate ; dropped.
J. S. Groves, Initiate ; dropped.
Peter Hoppstater, Initiate ; withdrawn by card. Jefferson Blazier, Initiate ; dropped.
Peter Bussamer, Initiate : withdrawn by card. A. Lyons, Initiate ; withdrawn by card.
James Gallogly, Initiate ; withdrawn by card. John M. Finney, Initiate ; dropped.
Davis Johns, Fifth Degree ; remains a mem- ber.
Frank Umpenhour, on card; withdrawn by card.
John Denick. Second Degree ; dropped.
W. S. Harlan. P. G. ; withdrawn by card.
A. R. Starrett, P. G. : withdrawn by card.
Jacob Rutledge. P. G. ; remains a member.
S. H. Trimble. Fifth Degree : remains a member.
Joseph Matchett. P. G. ; withdrawn by card. Costen Betz. P. G .: remains a member.
E. W. Daniels, P. G. ; withdrawn by card. T. L. Elwell. P. G. : remains a member. Thomas Allen, Second Degree : dropped.
J. H. White, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card. Peter Coss, Second Degree ; dropped. Bishop D. Stahl, Second Degree ; dropped.
R. E. White, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card. Edward Miller, P. G. ; remains a member.
G. E. White, Fifth Degree ; . withdrawn by card.
William Reed, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
J. W. Ruby, Fourth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
S. C. Lindsay, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
Daniel Meloy, Fifth Degree ; remains a mem- ber.
N. S. Way, Fourth Degree ; dropped.
James A. Woodburn, P. G. ; remains a mem- ber.
John Kennedy, Initiate ; withdrawn from Or- der.
Riley Peyton, Fifth Degree; withdrawn by card.
C. C. Frazier, P. G. ; withdrawn by card.
L. C. Betts, P. G. ; remains a member.
T. G. Lawrence, Second Degree ; withdrawn by card.
Joseph E. Peyton, P. G. ; remains a member.
E. H. Daw, Fifth Degree ; remains a member. Harry Echelberry, Second Degree ; remains a member.
J. Q. A. Peyton, Initiate ; withdrawn by card.
Milton F. Ward, Fifth Degree ; remains a member.
T. C. Gander, Initiate ; withdrawn by card.
Hunter Hough, Fifth Degree ; remains a mem- ber.
A. M. Frazier, Second Degree ; dropped.
B. V. Woodburn, P. G. ; remains a member. Gilbert Newell, Fifth Degree ; remains a mem- ber.
Christian Hock, Fourth Degree; withdrawn by card.
Sidney Wagstaff, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
Lewis H. Dutro, Fifth Degree ; remains a member.
George W. Gander, Fourth Degree; with- drawn by card.
Orlando Ethell, Initiate ; withdrawn by card. Enoch Harlan, P. G. ; remains a member.
William H. Ethell, Fifth Degree ; remains a member.
James H. Gander, Third Degree ; remains a member.
W. S. Parker, P. G. ; remains a member.
Zachariah Riley, Second Degree ; withdrawn by card.
. N. A. Smith, Fifth Degree ; remains a member. A. Linn, P. G. ; remains a member.
Jacob Hall, Second Degree ; withdrawn by card.
James Beardsley, Initiate ; withdrawn by card. T. C. Hatfield, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
J. H. . Harlan, N. G. ; remains a member.
S. L. Haworth, V. G. ; remains a member.
Warren Pitts, Second Degree ; withdrawn by card.
W. A. Robinson, Fifth Degree ; withdrawn by card.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
William Miller, Fifth Degree ; remains a mem- ber.
John Osborn, Fifth Degree ; remains a member.
D. J. Smith, Fourth Degree ; remains a mem- ber.
J. T. Peyton, on card ; remains a member.
J. B. Taylor, Secretary ; remains a member.
S. H. Ross, Fifth Degree ; remains a member.
J. S. Baughman, Second Degree ; withdrawn by card.
E. C. King, Initiate ; remains a member.
James Herbert, Initiate ; remains a member.
J. A. Winder, Fifth Degree ; remains a mem- ber.
Robert Reed, Fourth Degree ; remains a mem- ber
J. W. Monroe, Fifth Degree ; remains a mem- ber.
William Harlan, Fourth Degree ; remains a member.
John A. Blackson, First Degree ; remains a member.
J. A. Brown, Fifth Degree ; remains a member.
G. B. H. Blackson, Initiate ; remains a mem- ber.
E. A. Jennings, Initiate ; remains a member.
The greatest number of members was ninety- five. The officers, when this history was gleaned, were as follows: N. G., J. M. Revenaugh ; V. G., B. F. Harlan ; Secretary, Nathan Jewett ; Permanent Secretary, T. L. Elwell ; Treasurer, C. H. Trimble.
The amount of funds and other property, be- longing to the Lodge, is about twenty-five hun- dred dollars.
GAYSPORT.
The site on which this village is laid out is part of the northeast quarter of section twenty. and was owned by Jacob Ayers. Asa Gay, Sr., bought the land of the Ayers heirs, and laid out the town, March 20th, 1880, naming it for him- self. It contains two stores, one hotel, one steam gristmill, one blacksmith shop, one grocery, and a postoffice. The population is about ninety in- habitants.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The Historical Society, formed for the purpose of aiding in the compilation of the History of Blue Rock Township, and which furnished the data herein contained, also report that the fol- lowing persons live on the farms on which they were born, in this township : Samuel Dutro. T. N. Pyle, H. S. Finley, D. Howard Proctor. Howard Osborn, James Shilling, William Echel- berry, Caleb HI. Trimble, Miss Mary Lee, Miss Rhoda Ward. Joseph Lee, Edward Smith, and Thomas McLees-all over fifty years of age .- [Signed : Thomas McLees, Secretary Historical Society, Blue Rock Township, April 27th, 1880. ]
RICH HILL TOWNSHIP.
GEOGRAPHICALLY-TOPOGRAPHICALLY -INDIANS -OLD FORT-PIONEERS-FIRST CABIN-FIRST FARM HOUSE-FIRST STONE HOUSE-FIRST BRICK HOUSE-FIRST BIRTH-FIRST MARRIAGE -FIRST DEATH-CEMETERY-FIRST SCHOOL- FIRST BLACKSMITH-FIRST STORE-NO TAVERN -FIRST GRIST MILL-FIRST SAW-MILL-FIRST PHYSICIAN-ORGANIZATION-WHO NAMED THE TOWNSHIP-NO RECORD OF THE FIRST ELEC- TION - TRADITIONAL ACCOUNT GIVEN-OFFI- CERS-RIXVILLE AND ITS DIRECTORY-POST OFFICES-RICH HILL M. E. CHURCH-GOSHEN BAPTIST CHURCH-RIXVILLE UNITED PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH-RICH HILL BAPTIST CHURCH -RICH HILL REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -MT. ZION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-AGRICUL- TURE-SOIL-PRODUCTS -WOOL GROWING - FIRST ORCHARD - IMPLEMENTS - IMPROVED STOCK.
Suggests the words of the poet-
" A gentle hill, Green, and of mild declivity.
But a most living landscape ; and the wave Of woods and corn fields, and the abodes of men. . Scattered at intervals."
Rich Hill township is located in the eastern part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Union township, and the military base line : on the east, by Guernsey County, Ohio : on the south by Meigs township, and on the west by Salt Creek township. It is a full Congressional township, and contains thirty-six sections. each a mile square.
TOPOGRAPHY.
Although named Rich Hill. this township can not be called hilly, as compared with some other townships of the county. There is very little land that could not be cultivated, if cleared.
Buffalo, and Williams Fork, of Salt Creek. drain the western portion, while McKee's and May's Forks, of Wills Creek, drain the eastern portion of the township. Water is abundant. and, although strongly impregnated with lime, it is good.
No minerals of any consequence. except coal. are found. A few coal seams have been opened. but the deposit has not been sufficiently develop- ed to determine its extent and quality.
LEAD. 2
That irrepressible "lead mine." in its pere- grinations through the country, has not failed to visit Rich Hill township, but. unfortunately.its ex- act location cannot, at present, be pointed out by the "oldest inhabitant.'
TIMBER.
The kinds of timber prevailing in this section are, oak. in its different varieties : walnut, pop- lar, butternut, hickory, chestnut, maple, in its different varieties : gum, elin, beech, buckeye.
440
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
sycamore, cherry, iron wood, sassafras, dogwood, mulberry, etc.
INDIANS.
During the spring of 1807, a band of Shawnee Indians numbering about thirty warriors, was encamped on Salt Creek bottoms, near the house of Abraham Warne. The white settlers had cleared land and planted corn, and were appre- hensive that the Indian ponies might destroy the growing crops. They therefore waited upon the chief. informed him of their dependence upon their crops for the support of their families, and their fears in relation thereto, and ended by ask- ing him to remove his camp. He replied that he would consult with the hunters when they came in.
The result was, that they "folded their tents like Arabs, and as silently stole away ;" leaving the pale faces in full possession of their former homes.
Would the white man have done the same? "Alas, for the rarity of Christiancharity !"
THE OLD FORT.
On a point of land between the two branches of Williams Fork of Salt Creek, and just about the center of the northeast quarter of section five, owned by T. W. Moore, is situated .one of those curious structures-the land marks of that mys- terious people called mound-builders. It is a military earth work of the defensive class. Its form is nearly circular, being an irregular poly- gon of twelve sides, the faces varying in length from ten to twenty yards. The diameter of the figure is seventy yards, and the circumference, two hundred and twenty. The ditch has origin- ally been about five feet deep, and the excavated earth, thrown inward, must have raised the para- pet eight or ten feet above the bottom of the moat, forming an effective barrier to an approach- ing foe. The works are at present overgrown with forest trees.
PIONEERS.
A German by the name of Lawrence, with his step-son, Leonard Stitchler, located on the school section sixteen, in 1805. They are thought to be the first settlers in Rich Hill township.
In 1806, Lewis Pierce, with his three sons, Llewellyn, Jonathan, and Andrew, came from Pennsylvania with Abraham Warne, John Moore, William Robison, and John and Neal McNaugh- ton. They landed at Duncan's Falls, May 12, 1806, and proceeding up Salt Creek, located on sections nineteen, twenty, and twenty-nine, of the present Rich Hill township-being town thirteen, of range eleven. About the same time, William Herron settled on the southwest quarter of section eighteen.
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