History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 63

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 63

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The fifth frame building is yet stand- ing, and is one of the two oldest structures in the city, now known as the Peach House. It was built about 1821 by Nicholas Whittinger. In the upper story was a hall in which Hawkins' theater gave entertainments.

The oldest house yet standing was also the first brick house in the town. For half a century it has been the Beaugrand residence. It was built about 1819 by a man named Williamson, who never be- came a citizen, nor paid his building bills.

The next brick building was erected by Josiah Rumery about 1820, on the hill just south of the old Catholic church. It was removed in 1857.

Besides these frame and brick houses, there were about thirty cabins scattered over the tract now covered by substantial blocks and handsome dwellings.

The buildings of the fort were sold in 1818. These block-houses had been use- ful resorts and stopping places for emi- grants until houses could be built. One block-house was occupied by three families for a short time just after the war closed.

One of the families who stopped in the fort before making permanent settlement was the Braytons. The capture and life of the eldest son, Matthew, is an episode in the early history of this region. The following is Doctor Daniel Brainard's ac- count :

Mr. Brayton, who lived in this village, nioved to the country some time during the year 1824 or 1825, for the purpose of farming more largely. On the 20th of September, 1825, his eldest son, a boy of about fifteen years, and a younger one of about seven years named Matthew, started at evening when the sun was half an hour high, to hunt the cows. Not find- ing them in their usual range, the oldest told his brother Matthew he had better return to the house, as they might be some distance off, and he himself would find them. On getting upon a log they both thought they could see the opening on their father's farm, and Matthew cheerfully left his brother to re- turn. Some short time after dark the oldest brother

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drove home the cows, when he was asked by his mother "Where is Matthew?" He told the facts, which much alarmed and disturbed the parents. A com- munication was immediately made to several of their nearest neighbors who turned out and helped to hunt for the boy till morning without effect. A general alarm was then given along the river for forty miles, and to all the settlements on the west side, for it was on the west Brayton lived. The whole people, or all who could leave home, became at once anxious about the fate of the boy, and showed their sympathy for the parents by joining in the task of hunting him. The weather was quite mild, and high hopes were entertained of their being able to find him alive. On the first morning after his absence, the place where the brothers had parted was carefully examined. He was barefooted and could be tracked a short distance towards home, then in a more westerly direction till the hardness of the ground admitted no further im- pression. It was now the third day when the grand turnout took place. The neighboring Indian villages had been looked to. Many of them in a very kind man- ner joined in the hunt. As it was thought that all per- sons, and more especially children, would soon be- come wild or partially deranged, and would hide or flee on hearing their name called, or the sound of a horn or voice, they thought it advisable to form two extensive wings at some distance apart, to penetrate the wilderness in perfect order, and meet at some given point, then circling in smaller and smaller com- pass till they would all come together in the centre, that if he was encircled he could not escape. This, no doubt, was a rational plan, but unsuccessful. Many persons in the hunt imagined they had seen under logs, or in thickets, where the child might have bedded in leaves, etc., yet no certain trace could be found. The pursuit was continued daily and unre- mittingly till the 20th of December, when some gave out from fatigue, and their places were supplied by others. Such was the anxiety of all to afford some relief to the almost distracted parents. If they could find the dead body, or some part of his cloth- ing. it would mitigate their grief, even if thev had proof he had been devoured by wolves, and that his sufferings were at an end. But no such consolation; not a foot trace could be discovered; the whole wilderness and settlement had been thoroughly searched from the Sandusky to the Maumee in width, and as much as fifty miles in length, and principally in the manner described, when further pursuit was abandoned in despair.

From that day to this, the fine, active, promising little Matthew Brayton has never been heard of. The mystery will never be solved in this world. Two or three journeys have been made to the far distant tribes of Indians to the West and beyond the Missis- sippi for the purpose of discovery, believing it pos- sible that some straggling Indians might have come across him, and taken him to some remote tribe. No

comments need be made on the unhappy affair, or the affliction of the parents, brothers, and sisters; they can better be conceived than told. However, with regard to Matthew's fate, I am myself of the opinion that if the wolves had killed him, some part of his clothing and some portion of his body would have been found. My conclusion is that he wandered till life was nearly spent by want of food and exces- sive fatigue; that in this exhausted state he laid him- self down in some secret place and perished-though his death has been more generally ascribed to the wolves.

Such is the account of the late Dr. Brainard, of the loss of Matthew Brayton, and the extensive search made for him by his friends and neighbors. It was not the Doctor's lot to live to see Matthew, after thirty-four years captivity among the In- dians, return to his parents, and thus to clear up all doubts as to his fate. None would have rejoiced more with the family than he, for, undoubtedly, he had often seen Matthew, and dandled him upon his knee, for he was born in this town.

The Sandusky River was, in the early history of Lower Sandusky, of great commercial and economic value. The settlers produced a surplus of corn and pork, but these articles of food were at first not exchangable for groceries and wearing apparel. Flour was also a scarce article, and salt was almost impossible to obtain, except occasionally when a schoon- er ascended the river from Portland (now Sandusky). But in the village there was a man of enterprise and remarkable in- ventive genius, whose name we have men- tioned and shall frequently have occasion to mention again. Lieutenant Thomas L. Hawkins was ever alive to the interests of the settlement, and his ingenious method for facilitating trade with Port- land, for the accommodation of immi- grants, is worthy of minute description.

The boat constructed by Mr. Hawkins consisted of two large canoes placed at a proper distance apart, on which were placed a platform sufficiently large to carry the

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

superstructure of machinery, a large amount of freight, and several passen- gers. The machinery consisted of a four -. horse power, by which was turned wheels or paddles at each side of the boat. When freights were light only two horses were used. The boat was propelled in 'this way with facility, making trips when- ever the demands of trade or travel re- quired. This craft was built in 1819, and during the following three or four years made many rounds trips without any seri- ous accident, though occasionally an in- cident relieved the monotony of tedious journeys. On one occasion a refractory horse made a successful attempt to escape his dreary work. He broke his halter and leaped over the railing, plunging head first into the water, and in that precarious situation hung until cut loose. He then swam triumphantly to the shore, "to the great delight and satisfaction of the whole crew."*

Hawkins' boat was built the same year the first steamer navigated Lake Erie. The horse power boat brought goods, groceries, and salt, and carried away furs, flour and pork. Lower Sandusky being the most southern market of the lake, be- came the trading emporium of a large part of Northern Ohio. Fish, which at times literally filled the river, gave Lower Sandusky a prestige in the trade with southern farmers. They brought their flour and pork here in exchange for fish, which cost practically nothing, for, as an old manuscript remarks, "every spring the pickerel and white bass were found in such multitudes lying (apparently wait- ing to be caught) all along the rapids, that it was often found quite impossible to ride a horse across the ford till much exertion was made to drive them away to make room for his feet."* Did we not know the author of this statement to be

a man of sincere truthfulness, it might be accredited to Munchausonism. The tes- timony of many others confirms the state- ment. Such was the trade in fish that every spring many of the villagers became fishers and fish packers. From the mid- dle of March till early in June other busi- ness was practically laid aside. Shanties were built on the river bank, and as often as they cast their nets they drew forth fish in abundance. Early in spring time suckers were drawn forth; next came red horse. Pickerel was the choice quality, which came third during the season ; and last, but in greatest numbers, were brought up out of the water white bass. The sight of these fishers at work was really an interesting one. A law required that all the offal should be buried. For viola- tion of this law criminal proceedings were frequently brought. At the first term of court, held in May, 1820, three indict- ments were found on the charge of caus- ing nuisance. Fines for this offence were from one to twenty dollars. In the board shanties those in the business kept salt, barrels and salted fish. Outside was a long scaffold or table of convenient height, on one side of which the men engaged at dressing stood, and on the other was a long trench in which the offal dropped and was buried. Fish-dressing was a trade which required a quick hand and accurate eye to learn. By the side of the dresser stood a barrel in which live fish were poured from the seine .. They were seldom given time to die a natural death, but while yet fluttering were caught in the left hand of the dresser, thrown upon the board, when one cut of the knife severed the head and sent it flying into the trench. One more cut opened the back, and a single scrape sent the entrails into the trench. A barrel for the purpose received the dressed fish, and the operation, which required but a few seconds, was repeated.

Dr. Brainard's Manuscript.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

Barrels of fish were in this way dressed and salted down. Some men became notorious for their expertness. David Grant and John S. Tyler were known as leaders and masters of their trade.

As soon as roads became passable in spring time, the scattered little village filled with teams from southern counties. Till long into the autumn the road from Urbana, Dayton, and Franklinton was thronged by great covered wagons, drawn . by four, six, and sometimes eight horses. Coming down they were weighted with flour, linsey cloth, dried fruit, bacon, and other articles such as in older settled com- munities were produced. Here they bar- tered their commodities for fish, salt, and leather, often leaving much cash, occa- sionally their tavern and whiskey bills. It is said that a marching army is greatly supported by display of uniform and music. Even horses catch the inspiration of display and are enabled to bear extra- ordinary fatigue. On the same principle the old-time teamster surrounded his busi- ness with attractive paraphernalia and glit- tering pretension. There was something animating in a street scene, as we picture it on the imagination from a description be- fore us. The horses were large and well trained. No elaboration was spared to make their strong gearing handsome. Broad straps and fancy housings, and an arch of small bells jingling at every step, gave the animal a proud consciousness of being an object of attention. The teamster, almost always a jolly fellow, oc- cupied a saddle on the near wheel horse. In one hand he swung a long whip, which cracked with pistol shrillness whenever a horse was indisposed to pull his share. The other hand held a single line, guiding six horses over roads which, to our un- trained eyes, would seem impassable for two. The accuracy attained by the team- ster in whip craft is remarkable. It was

an old-time hotel amusement to test each other's teamstership by snuffing with a whip- lash a tallow candle, at a distance of twenty feet; the driver who outened the flame or missed the candle altogether was ruled ont. We have heard tell of teamsters able to pick off with a whip-la'sh a horse-fly without hurting the animal on which it was sitting. The full-freighted wagon, arched over with canvas, was the driver's dwelling place as well as store-house. The typical teamster was jolly and full of good nature. Noth- ing would ruffle his cheerful temper except inability to procure feed for his horses. He was willing to endure hardship for himself, but that the horses in which he took an affectionate pride should suffer from hunger, was more than his manly heart could stand. These traders "made our roads, bad as they were, vocal and cheerful, and presented an animating spec- tacle." During the early life of the village the arrivals and departures of these teams, -sometimes one alone, but frequently consisting of a train of five or six-was of daily occurrence, and the tavern nightly rang with the merry laugh of self-contented, fun-loving teamsters.

Such was the beginning of trade in Lower Sandusky, and such were daily village scenes during the summer for a great many years. A decade later wheat and stave wagons crowded homely Front street, and oftentimes blockaded the way. Indians, from the beginning, made Lower Sandusky their principal trading point. The Senecas, and kindred tribes from the neighboring reservation, traded here ex- clusively, and the Wyandots of Upper Sandusky often visited and traded with the white man at this ancient seat of their tribe. What change a quarter of a cen- tury had made in the condition of this heroic tribe, whose dominion for more than a century had been acknowledged by all the West. Wayne's -expedition was

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the arrow which struck deep into the body of Indian power, and its deadly effect pen- etrated the heart. Did the Wyandots who came here to trade ever picture the village home and corn-fields, the gauntlet track and the council fire of their heroic ances- tors? We know that they were familiar with the history of their tribe, and we have a right to suppose that, as they sat upon store benches or reclined upon the smooth sod of the common, drawing from homely pipes dense mouthfuls of smoke, con- sciousness of humiliation and degeneracy oppressed them. Little more than a quarter of a century before, their tribe headed a confederacy which defeated two American armies ; but the spot lighted by the council fire, around which these great campaigns were planned, was now the scene of busy traffic and trade.

It is a pleasure to record the fact that the Indians who came to Lower Sandusky were treated with becoming courtesy. Scarcely a day passed without the appear- ance of some of them, bringing furs, ven- nison or sugar to exchange for tobacco, pork, ammunition, blankets and calico. A balance was usually due the merchants, which was paid from the annuities. Once a quarter the head chiefs of the Senecas came to Lower Sandusky to transact tribal business and draw their annuity. The Olmsted firm transacted their busi- ness, and it is remembered that Hard Hickory, Coonstick, Tall Chief, Crow, Seneca John, and others, being detained late by business, often remained in the store all night. They slept on blankets with their feet towards the fire, the thought of theft or dishonesty never en- terering their honest heads.

The chiefs of the Senecas were singu- larly honest and honorable in their busi- ness transactions. They were abiding in their faith that no Indian could enter the happy hunting ground who left debts be-

hind. We believe, however, that purer promptings made these pagans honest. The Socratic death of Seneca John, told elsewhere, shows that he, at least, was a man of lofty character and capable of high moral convictions. The Senecas and Ottawas traded here till 1832. The Wyandots made occasional visits till they moved away in 1842. Of Seneca John, whe was murdered by his brothers, Coon- stick and Steele, an account of which is given in the chapter relating to Ballville township, Mr. Everett, who knew him well, says:

He was a man of remarkable power of mind, and head chief of the Senecas. When any difficult mat- ter was presented in council Seneca John was looked to by all as the right man to solve and explain it; and, as the Indians said, he always made crooked things straight. At the age of about forty-five years his remarkable mind, with a brave heart, fine person and manly demeanor, had given him unbounded in- fluence over his tribe.

A VILLAGE NIGHT.

While Lower Sandusky sixty years ago was a spot busy with enterprise and traffic, a forest oppressive in its shade, and deep gloom extended on all sides, wild beasts made night hideous and dangerous, and at times in their midnight prowlings ran through the village. Wolves were the boldest of all wild animals, and were often alarming to the settlers. They in- habit almost all unsettled districts; climate has little effect upon them. From Mexico to Hudson's Bay the primitive forest echoed with their howls. Like the Indians they receded before white settle- ment, but kept up a prolonged and an- noying border war.

The primitive village of Lower San- dusky was especially troubled with these obnoxious animals. The packs driven from eastern and southern counties took refuge in Northwestern Ohio, adding greatly to the number already here. To the Indian wolves could do little injury,

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and were of no value. They consequently escaped the primitive hunters, being left to roam the woods at will and multiply rapidly. The bear was a choice mark, and in consequence they were more numerous around this Indian camping ground, and soon disappeared after white settlers broke the stretch of forest. Wolves are natur- ally thievish. Neither in town nor in country, during the period under con- sideration, were young cattle, hogs, or sheep safe outside of secure stables. Dr. Brainard, an old resident of the village, remarks in his manuscripts that their hunger and rapacity knew no bounds, and fearing their ferocity, and knowing their peculiar and exquisite taste for sheep, for many years settlers did not attempt to keep this useful animal. They would very often prowl through the village after night, to secure some more deli- cious repast. This is shown by an inci, dent. A man living on the first street from the main one, one evening be- ing in a paroxysm of chill and fever, recol- lecting that his horse, in the stable across the street nearly opposite, had not been fed his grain, requested his wife to carry his accustomed allowance to him. She being an accommodating partner in hard times, readily consented. She had pro- ceeded about half way when a gang of wolves made an assault. Being yet young and active, you may conclude she was not long in retracing her steps; fear lent wings to her speed, the wolves close to her heels when she shut the door against them. They being thus foiled and disappointed, appeared to be in great rage, set up re- peated and tremendous howls, and seemed unwilling to depart. In a few minutes, however, as the people had not yet retired to rest, nearly all the male part assembled at the scene of this wild confusion, armed with such weapons as they in the moment could most easily grasp. The common

enemy, seeing they would be overpowered by numbers, fled, and all again was quiet, except their distant howls, which still sounded upon the ear. This is one of many similar attacks that occurred in our village during the hours of night. The only serious consequence of this was the husband being told by his affectionate wife that, sick or well, he would there- after feed his own horse for all her.

THE FIRST THEATRE.

Thomas L. Hawkins, the village miller, was one of those useful men in a small community to whom we apply the phrase " universal genius." He was a mechanic and a landscape painter, a poet and a phi- losopher, a preacher and a stage actor. As master of the village theatre, three of his many faculties were called into exer- cise. He painted the scenery for the stage, wrote the prologue, and performed diffi- cult and important parts. The Lower Sandusky theatre was formally opened in 1819, by Goldsmith's play, "She Stoops to Conquer," acted by the young men of the village. Mr. Hawkins wrote a pro- logue, in which he predicted the introduc- tion of railroads, steamboats, and tele- graphs. He also hints at the town's gen- eral bad reputation for wickedness, and then proceeds to preach a sermon in verse. Here is the prologue in full:

Sandusky Theatre, of tender age,

Now makes its first appearance on the stage.

Lord! what a crowd! I blush for what? These are but men,

And fellow mortals every soul within.

Then, first, my friends, -for friends you surely are, - As foes and critics have no business here,

Yet, should they come, their astonished sense shall burn

To find how youths in Lower Sandusky learn.

But you, my friends, on your good sense I call, Oh, pray excuse our imperfections all.

Your uneasy seats- on poles and wooden pins- May try your patience ere the play begins.

Our paper scenes, and flimsy curtains new,

May make you think our actors flimsy too. Not so. I hope, and hope you'll hope with me;

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'Tis all I crave, -the exhibition's free. " That's false! I paid before I entered here!" You did? But 'twas to pay the music, sir.

"What, free?" says one. "Upon my soul I thought These painted scenes, these candles bought!" They truly were, and dearly paid for, too; Yet we live in hopes to get that pay from you. For, if our youths should now be blessed with skill, We'll force you here, though much against your will. Our time and talents we will devote to you; You cannot wish to take our money too ?

"'Oh!" cries the foe, " I see your whole intent; I've long wished to know what the deuce you meant. You think, by painting, pasting, rhyming, jokes, E'en to make money from us poor folks!" Not so, good sirs; let me begin again; Lend but your patience, I'll not long detain. Long has our place with crimson dies been stained, And counterfeiters' residences gained; Both far and near our character been lost, In the life of Spicer and death of poor La Coste. But now, thank God! a happy change succeeds; (With painful hearts we face those wicked deeds. ) 'Tis time, good sirs, those actions to despise, Since all around our tender offspring rise. In their blest lives let us re-live again A life of virtue, freed from conscious pain. Those are the pillars of expected state; As life declines, they will our souls elate. In future days, when snug on yonder rise Their once loved parents, fieed from toil, lies, In senates they, as statesmen bright, will stand, While arts and science roll at their command; Thy sons shall then in fond remembrance tell, And bless the sires that tutored them to spell. Blessed be the man, that friend, who taught me first From science's page, undaunted, to rehearse- To stand, regardless of the critic's sneer, And boldly speak, nor mortal face to fear. With thoughts like these, we anticipate delight; 'Tis this alone which brings us here to-night. Dear fathers, mothers, guardians, tutors too, Oh, what a task, good heavens! devolves on you. Look forward then, anticipate with joy, What prospects burst upon your infant boy! Behold yon wide, uncultivated plain, From ocean's wave to ocean's wave again; Where silence reigns, nor human face is found- All nature sleeps secure from human sound; Where bounds the deer, pursued by savage cries, Shall adventurous man with villages arise. Town after town and State on State unfurled, "Til the proud Pacific hails a new-born world. When solitude sits with time and age grown gray, The arts sliall flourish, e'en like the blaze of day. Hammers shall ring, and the anvil's lab'ring peal Shall cheer the maid that hums the spinning-wheel. Those hidden ores that line Superior Bay Shall quit their beds and shine in upland day;

While o'er its tide sail after sail shall bend, And with proud cars of fire and steam contend. Rivers that have rolled since time itself began Shall lend their aid to bear adventurous man; While through the groves, uncultivated plains, They extend their arms, and meet with arms again. To unite their forks, oh! wonderful to tell! The upthrown earth bespeaks the proud canal! With spreading sail, then merchantmen may go From Hudson's mouth through States to Mexico. The fluted railroad, with bars above, below, Thus man may speed a hundred miles a day, And leave the bird a lingering on the way. The speaking-tube, concealed beneath the ground, All news convey to distant seats around.

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History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 63

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040