USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 10
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One in particular is well remembered. General Coe, who had entered handl in Honglin township and was sick of his bargain and was then a l'oorder at Glenson's hotel, thought of a
good plan to work up a trade by which he could unload. He joined the society and be- came one of the most active workers. One day he tackled a "Mover" and after picturing the county as the coming garden spot of this country and enlarging upon the value of the grand timber, etc., he said, "I have a quarter section four miles north of town that I will sell you at government price." The man said, "Which direction from here did you say your land was?" Coe replied, "North." "Isn't it rather wet?" "Yes," he replied, "but by there is plenty of timber to bridge it." The crowd smiled as the "Mover" drove off.
In the fall of 1844 some men were working near the road on the Gilliland farm east of Van Wert, and they counted 83 wagons pass in one day.
In 1847 the stream of those returning was scarcely less. The chills had attacked whole families and after two years of battle they had given up in despair.
There were dozens in this county, who. if they could have sold their land for enough to take them back to their former homes, would have been glad to make the exchange. But they were compelled to remain and their descend- ants today are among the county's wealthiest farrers.
A COUNTRY SPELLING SCHOOL.
Early in the '40's some of the school tench- ers decided to have a spelling school of all the schools in the county, and an invitation was sent out accordingly. The scholars came in all kinds of conveyances.
The editor well recollects that his school came to town in a big farm wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, driven by J. G. Gilliland and a Mr. Dodge. The spelling school was held at the Court House and E. R. Wells pro-
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nounced the words. After a spirited contest, the Ridge School was pronounced the victor, with Harriet Gilliland (Mrs. J. J. McMillen) the last on the floor. She was not more than 10 years of age but could spell Webster's "Elementary Speller" through and not miss half a dozen words. Scholars then learned to spell.
AN EARLY ELECTION.
The following is an abstract of the votes cast in Van Wert County at an election held in October, 1840:
Governor
Member of
Congress
County
Commissioners
TOWNSHIPS
Willia m Shor.non
Thomas Corwin
William Sawyer
Patrick G. Goode
Loren Kennedy
Daniel O. Morton
George B. Way
John F. Hinkle
Daniel Reed
David W. McCoy
ยท Harrison Jennings ..
22 11
22
11
22
22
11
11
22 11
13
5
13
5
13
13
5
5
13
3
Liberty ..
9
7
9
5
9
9
5
5
13
Pleasant
29
17
20
17
29
20
17
17
21
21
Ridge.
17 23
16
23
10
17
23
23
10
30
Tully .
25
1
24
1
24
24
1
1
23
1
9
8
9
8
9
9
8
8
5
10
50 30
50
30
50
50
30
30
50 30
York.
17 5
17
5
17
17
5
5
21
1
191 107|189 105 189 190 105 105 165 120
Certified as correct by Robert Gilliland, Clerk, Joseph Gleason, J. P. Thomas Gilliland, J. P.
THE VOTE ON TWO IMPORTANT PROPOSITIONS.
On June 17, 1851, an election was held to determine the will of the citizens whether the sile of intoxicating liquors should be licensed. The following is the vote :
TOWNSHIPS.
YES.
NO.
Harrison
51
6
Hoaglin
II
6
Jennings
14
5
Liberty
50
8
Pleasant
77
32
Ridge
23
7
Tully
28
Union
6
4
Washington
73
48
Willshire
90
9
York
17
5
Total
440
130
Certified as corrected by E. R. Wells, Clerk, Thomas Gilliland, J. P., O. W. Rose, J. P.
On the same date, the electors voted on the adoption of the new State constitution, with these results :
TOWNSHIPS.
YES.
NO.
Harrison
25
36
Hoaglin
17
2
Jennings
8
18
Liberty 9
50
Pleasant
69
41
Ridge
12
27
Tully
28
Union
4
6
Washington
63
68
Willshire
16
95
York
5
23
Total
256
368
Certified as correct by E. R. Wells, Clerk, Thomas Gilliland, J. P.
O. W. Rose, J. P.
BONDS ISSUED BY COUNTY FOR A RAILROAD.
The following account gives Van Wert County's experience in the line of issuing bonds in behalf of a railroad, which resulted in Van Wert becoming a station on what is now the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway. a part of the great Pennsylvania system.
The Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad had been constructed to Crestline and the people
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Washington Willshire.
State Representatives
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
made in farm wagons over mud roads, while now they can be made in buggies and carriages over good, improved roads.
The Grange has not completed its work. Neither will the work be as well done if left to one or two organizations in a county, as it would if the whole county were waked up.
INFLUENCES THAT HAVE DEVELOPED THE COUNTY.
What influences have contributed to make Van Wert County one of the first counties in the State in all that makes a community great?
First and foremost are her common schools. The first settlers had scarcely built their cabins until they began to look up a location for a schoolhouse. We often hear men say they look back with pride to the county's round-log schoolhouses. They were the foundation on which the little red schoolhouse was built, as that will be the foundation on which the cen- tral school will be built in each township in the future.
Then the Grange came in due time with its educational influence, and brought the farmers closer together in the exchange of methods of farming and stock-raising. And not only that but it started a generous rivalry as to who should push his work to the best advantage and keep his fences, out-buildings and home in the neatest condition.
And the Farmers' Institute has perhaps contributed as much as anything to the im- provement of the crops and stock, and the attendance at the institutes shows the interest that is taken. When our large Auditorium that will seat between 700 and 800 will not hold the people, it shows the interest that is taken in these meetings. The papers and lectures given by home talent compare favorably with what are given by the best State speakers.
Then there is another force that is at work quietly-"Example." In driving through the country with one or our up-to-date farmers, the editor remarked upon the great improvement in the appearance of the farms, crops and farm buildings. He said that two or three energetic men in a neighborhood will influence the whole neighborhood.
Then the literature that the farmers are taking has its influence.
But we must not ignore the influence of the church. When the morals of the community are improved, the whole man is improved. He becomes a better neighbor, and a better farmer or mechanic.
COMMON PLEAS JUDGES.
The first term of the Court of Common Pleas for Van Wert County was held in Will- shire, May 11, 1838. William L. Helfenstein officiated as president judge under his commis- sion from Governor Vance, bearing date of February 8, 1838. Joshua Watkins, Oliver Stacy and Benjamin Griffin acted as associate judges under their commissions from Governor Vance, bearing date of February 8, 1838. ap- pointing them for a term of seven years.
The following persons composed the grand jury : Daniel D. Cross, James Major, Peter Frysinger, Jacob M. Harter, Robert Gilliland, Washington Mark, Peter Bolenbaugh, John Keith, David King, John F. Dodds, Ezra F. Parent, Eli Compton, John Pool, Thomas C. Miller and Henry Myers. The court appointed Daniel D. Cross, foreman.
George B. Holt. of Dayton, was appointed prosecuting attorney for the term and was im- mediately sworn into office. In a suit of John Keith against Elizabeth K. Goodwin and others, Edwin M. Phelps appeared as attor- ney. Also a Mr. Rood appeared as attorney.
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Hoaglin Grange, No. 400, was organized about June 14, 1874, or near that date. You ask what it has accomplished; I suppose you mean in Van Wert County. If you will recall my brief remarks at the annual banquet of the Business Men's League on the subject, "Van Wert and the Country"-I then pictured briefly the way the country looked upon the town and its business profession before the Grange day ; and, through the educational force of the Grange organization, how the country looked at the town and its business and professions after the Grange day. It has been the greatest educator and stimulator to the grown-up farmer of any agency that I know.
"Its inspiring motto has been, "Faith, Hope and Fidelity." The fruits from this cor inuous teaching has been a better manhood and wom- anhood on the farms, and a healthy rivalry to have better and prettier farms and farm homes and the end is not yet. Some day in the near future I hope to see some of the finest and best Christian homes within our county in the rural districts, with all the modern con- veniences and up-to-date appliances being made, to lessen the burdens of the farmers' wives and daughters.
"In the matter of public road improvement in the past in our county-when the advance step was taken-upon investigation you will find the leading spirits were Grangers (take the case of A. R. Merrick on the Defiance road for instance) .; and vice versa, whenever oppo- sition to these public improvements was struck, there you will look in vain for the Grange or- ganization. The same is true on legislation matters. The organization was nearly right on legislation asked for. Notably in the past in Ohio. Better pure food laws with a com- missioner to enforce them; and equal and just tax laws. They are now for State laws pro- hibiting the use of free passes on railroads by
State and county officials; and better banking laws that will protect all the people from dis- honest officials. I hope to live to see the day these and other reforms are brought about."
All that Mr. Giffin has said for the Grange is true and much more might be said. The re- fining influence that it has exerted on the young of both sexes is beyond measure. The social side is of equal value with the material advance- ment. It was a schooling that the young boys and girls on the farm could get in no other way. The young man or woman 40 years ago, had they been called upon to express an opinion on any given subject, would likely have stam- mered out an excuse and sat down. That is not the case now. It has taught them not only to think but to express their thoughts in well chosen words.
While the primary object of the Grange was to study the science of farming and horti- culture, yet it has taken a much wider range and not only prepared the boys for better farmers, and the girls for better home makers, but it has prepared them to take with credit their places in any walk in life. It has taught them kindness. Teach the boys and girls that it pays to be kind to the dumb brutes on the farm and they will cultivate a kindly disposi- tion to all around them. How soon the culti- vation of kindness changes not only the heart of the individual but the very countenance.
It is unfortunate that the interest in the Grange has been allowed to lag. While it still has an influence, yet such influence cannot be compared with what it would be if there were a Grange in every township. Was it because the leaders grew old and lost interest? If so, elect the officers from the younger generation. It ought not to be allowed to retrograde. The roads are such that it is not the task to drive to the Grange that it was a few years ago; then the drives to the place of meeting were
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
Leen : W. H. Ramsey, 1852; Israel D. Clark. 1855; A. Bray, 1858; A. McGavren, 1861 : A. W. Baker, 1873; C. P. Edson, 1878; W. H. Mosure, 1879; A. T. Daily, 1881 ; B. J. Broth- erton, 1887; H. P. Homes, 1893; W. W. WVil- son, 1896; A. L. Sweet, 1899 -.
Auditors .- Daniel D. Cross, 1837; John F. Dodds, 1837; E. R. Wells, 1839; John W. Conn, 1845; P. Jacob Hines, 1848; John Shaw, 1850; James Webster, 1854; Henry Robinson, 1855; G. L. Higgins, 1857; James Webster, 1860; George Strother, 1863; WVil- liam T. Exline, 1865; Grimes Mcconahay, 1867; Julius A. Gleason, 1872 ; George A. Det- mer, 1874; William T. Exline, 1878; W. W. Terry, 1884; L. A. Harvey, 1887; J. H. Clime, 1893; T. M. Berry, 1896; W. H. Troup, 1902 -.
Treasurers .- William Case, 1837; James G. Gilliland, 1839; James Burson, 1845; W. H. Ramsey, 1846; Robert Gilliland, 1848; Stephen Gleason, 1852; A. T. Priddy, 1855; Davis Johnson, 1857; Hugh Gilliland, 1863; J. W. Penn, 1865; Charles German, 1867; John Seaman, 1869; P. F. Feigert, 1873 (re- moved and A. Conant appointed to fill the vacancy) ; A. Conant, 1876; James Montgom- ery, 1876; Abraham Balyeat, 1880 (died be- fore taking office and Charles C. Schenck ap- pointed in 1881, to fill the vacancy ) ; Thomas Pollock, 1881; W. H. Corbett, 1883; J. F. Sidle,' 1887; Peter Hertz, 1891; Franklin Carlo, 1893; J. E. Pritchard, 1897; A. B. Penny, 1901 ; Frank A. Poling, 1905 -.
Sheriffs .- William Major, 1838; Thomas R. Kear, 1839; S. M. Clark, 1841; Thomas R. Kear; 1843; Samuel Engleright, 1847; Jacob C. Parkinson, 1849; William Money- smith. 1853; William S. Ainsworth, 1855; Samuel Neel, 1857; Charles P. Richie, 1859: Lewis Evers, 1863; Joseph R. Updegrove, 1865; Charles P. Richie, 1867; A. B. Glea-
son. 1869; Fred Billman. 1873: Jesse R. Stith, 1877; Hal. D. Heistand. 1879: Charles Gordan, 1883; I. P. Tudor. 1885 : Peter Shoe- maker, 1889; Engene R. Conn, 1893: John Webster, 1897; William Bickford, 1901 ; Fred J. Hott, 1905 -.
Recorders .- Charles Mount. 1838; Joseph Gleason, 1839; O. W. Rose. 1848: W. A. Clark, 1854; S. Latimore. 1857 : H. Campbell. 1861 ; Simon P. Brown, 1862 (died in Febru- ary. 1863, and W. H. Himmelreich appointed to fill the vacancy) ; W. H. Deniston, 1863: Perry C. Conn, 1872; WV. P. Wolcott, 1879: Jesse Beard, 1888; W. T. Mitchner, 1894; Eli Downing, 1897; G. J. Smith, 1903 -.
Clerks of the Court .- Ansel Blossom, 1837; Robert Gilliland, 1840; E. R. Wells, 1847; John W. Conn, 1852; W. McDonald. 1855; William Anderson, 1857: George Strother, 1859; William Moneysmith; 1863: James E. Morrison, 1866; George W. Day. 1872; U. H. Hester, 1880; C. T. Manship. 1886; John Van Liew, 1889: W. C. Lawrence, 1895; J. W. Whitman, 1898: W. C. Lawrence, 1901 -.
Surveyors .- Marius B. Wilson, 1838; John G. Morse, 1839; Cyrenus Elliott. 1841 ; Davis Johnson, 1843; John Shaw. 1846; Davis John- son, 1849; R. C. Spears, 1853: John Holland. 1856; William Giffin, 1861 : John A. Esk- field, 1867; J. W. Rimer, 1870: W. B. Jones, 1876; Marion P. McCoy. 1885: L. R. Beaty. 1891 ; J. L. Lowery, 1894: I. H. Malick, 1897; I. N. Giffin, 1900 -.
Prosecuting Attorneys .- T. H. Gillett. 1839; W. H. Newman 1840: J. M. Barr, 1842; S. E. Bowman, 1843: R. C. Spears. 1846; C. P. Edson, 1847: R. C. Spears. 1848; C. P. Edson, 1850; Caleb Roberts. 1857: J. WV. Steel. 1859: Perin DePuy, 1863: Israel D. Clark, 1864; James L. Prise. 1867: Ira P. Shisler, 1874: W. H. Cunningham. 1878: A.
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J. Porter. 1880; A. L. Sweet, 1881; J. Y. Todd, 1887; C. V. Hoke, 1890; Thomas J. Trippy, 1893; W. S. Johnson, 1899; H. L. Conn, 1902 -.
Coroners .- John Frysinger, 1838; W. H. Newman. 1839; William Parent, 1843; Thomas Thorn, 1845; Samuel Engleright, 1848; Hiram Campbell, 1849; P. Jacob Hines, 1855; W. P. Bryan, 1856; William Fronfield, 1858; William Parent, 1860; Isaac Casteel, 1863; B. A. Welch, 1865; Dr. H. W. Blach- ley, 1869; Dr. A. N. Krout, 1871; Dr. C. A. Melsheimer, 1873; O. J. Comer, 1876; Samuel Engleright, 1877; William Fronfield, 1881 ; E. L. Wilkinson, 1884; George W. McGavren, 1887; - - Kirkpatrick, 1890; S. S. Tuttle, 1893; R. L. Crooks, 1898; L. P. Jackson, 1901 ; R. C. Flemming, 1903 -.
County Commissioners .- Jesse Atkinson and Joshua Goodwin, 1836; William H. Purdy, Joshua Johnson and Henry Reichard, 1837; Stephen Gleason, 1838; Robert Gilli- land, 1839; David W. McCoy and Daniel Reid, 1840; Stephen Gleason, 1841; Solomon Hart- zog, 1842; James M. Young, 1843; Stephen Gleason, 1844; Absalom Bray, 1845; John Baker, 1846; Johnzey Keith, 1847; Thomas Clayton, 1848; James G. Gilliland, 1849; Johnzey Keith, 1850; Charles German, 1851; William Johns, Isaac Tolan and Stanton C. Dix, 1852; Thomas Cully, 1853; Alexander Mentzer, 1854; S. F. Himmelright, 1855; Lester Bliss, 1856; Thomas Cully, 1857; Alex- ander Mentzer, 1858; John H. Colwell, 1859; Henry Weible, 1860; Thomas Cully, 1861 ; James Montgomery, 1862; Thomas Cully and J. C. Curtis, 1863; Thomas Cully, 1864; Stephen Capper and Adam Merrick, 1865; S. F. Conklin and Samuel Neel, 1866; Abijah Goodwin, 1867; James Montgomery, 1868; Theodore Wrocklage, 1869; Abijah Goodwin,
1870; Abraham Balyeat, 1871; Samuel Mil- ler, 1872; Abijah Goodwin, 1873; M. H. Mor- gan, 1874; Alexander Mentzer, 1875: Abijah Goodwin, 1876; A. A. Bronson, 1877; F. T. Gilliland, 1878; Frederick Lillich, 1879: D. J. Davies, 1880; Henry Rummel and R. R. Mc- Dermott, 1881; D. J. Davies, 1882; Henry Rummel, 1883; H. L. Allen, 1884; Franklin Carlo, 1885; A. J. Roller, 1886; William Freck, 1887; Franklin Carlo, 1888; A. J. Rol- ler, 1889; John C. Robinson, 1890; William Freck, 1891; Peter Knittle, 1892; D. H. Ed- wards, 1893; J. C. Robinson (appointed) and H. H. Ludwig, 1895; L. H. Wise and Peter Knittle, 1896; Henry C. Schumm, 1897; John Ketzenbarger, 1898; M. J. Kerns, 1899; Alexander Mentzer, Jr., 1900; L. H. Wise, 1901 ; M. J. Kerns, 1902; Alexander Mentzer, Jr., 1903; W. I. Reed, 1904; Edward E. Chambers, 1905; Isaac Everett, 1906. The last three named constitute the present board.
Infirmary Directors .- Abraham Balyeat, William Johnson and John A. Smith, 1867; C. H. Hoffman, 1868; Robert Pollock, 1869: William Rumbaugh, 1870; Henry Reece, 1871; Thomas A. Albans, 1872; Peter Hertz, 1873; E. M. Baker, 1874; Ira Cavett, 1875; I. M. Geise, 1876; B. F. Bowers, 1880-83; Thomas C. Kensler, 1881-87; Joseph Johnson, 1883-86; F. Geisler, 1884-87; Andrew Lybold, 1886-89; A. B. Alspach, 1887-90; A. J. Stewart, 1888-94; K. J. Smith, 1891-93: R. Davidson, 1892-95; George Heist, 1893-96; David Newcomer, 1895-97; Alex. Woten, 1896-98; I. D. Mollenkopf, 1897-1900; W. A. Baxter, 1897-1902; J. Stout, 1898-1901: J. H. Dickinson, 1900-06; L. L. Wolf, 1901-04; Isaac Everett, 1902-05; and F. M. Shaffer (1904), R. W. Inwood ( 1905) and W. N. Williams (1906), who are the present mem- bers.
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
POPULATION STATISTICS.
The population of Van Wert County in 1890 was 29,671, and in 1900, 30,394. The population of the principal towns and villages of the county in 1890 and 1900 is shown in the subjoined table :
1890
1900
Venedocia
199
Elgin
208
Wren
242
Scott
733
547
Willshire
566
560
Middlepoint
432
604
1890
1900
Convoy
500
690
Ohio City
666
862
Delphos
4,516
4,517
Van Wert
5,512
6,422
In 1900 Van Wert County claimed 2,228 of the population of Delphos, while Allen County had 2,289.
As the villages of Monticello, Jonestown, Dull, Schumm, Abanaka, Dixon and Cavett are not given separate mention in the census tables of 1900, their population cannot be given here.
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CHAPTER VI
WILLSHIRE TOWNSHIP
The Life of Its Founder, Capt. James Riley-His Terrible Experience in the Great Desert Among the Arabs, After Being Shipwrecked on the Coast of Africa-His Final Deliv- crance and His Later Life as a Surveyor in. Western Ohio-Ansel Blossom and His Eccentric Ways-First Occurrences in the Town of Willshire-The Baptist Church- William White and His Wonderful Physical Development.
The town of Willshire was founded by Capt. James Riley in 1822. Captain Riley had a checkered career, extending through his en- tire life. He was born in the town of Middle- town, in the State of Connecticut, on the 27th of October, 1777. His father, Asher Riley, was a farmer. James was the fourth child of a large family.
It being difficult for his father to support all, James at the age of eight years was placed with a neighboring farmer, and it was stipu- lated that he was to receive plenty of schooling. But as his help was quite valuable he was kept out of school most of the term, and when his father remonstrated with the man for this neglect, he was met with the excuse that he could not get along with his work . without James, and that he had already plenty of schooling, as he was very forward and could spell and read as well as any of the boys of his age. That he could repeat whole chapters of the Bible by heart. and knew all the catechism and creed by heart, which was con- sidered all important by the Presbyterians at that date, and could sing Psalms as well as
those that had studied music. These repre- sentations seem to have satisfied the lad's par- ents in a measure, although they wanted their boy to have a good common-school education. In conducting the schools, a male teacher was usually hired by the school directors of the dis- trict, to teach from October to March, at a salary of from $6 to $10 a month; and he was expected to board around with the scholars, making his stay with each family, as nearly as possible, in proportion to the number of chil- dren therein. The branches taught were spell- ing, reading and writing, and perchance, if the teacher was qualified, the simple rules of arith- metic. The minister was considered the head of the school, and was considered the most competent to judge the qualifications of the teacher.
Here James Riley remained, laboring on the farm, until his 15th year, when he con- cluded to go to sea and to visit foreign coun- tries. After meeting strong opposition for a time, which he finally overcame and secured his parent's consent, he shipped on board a sloop bound for the West Indies. Having no
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
influential friends he made up his mind. in order to succeed, it would be necessary to ac- quire a knowledge of navigation, theoretically as well as practically, and at the age of 20 had passed through all the grades from cabin boy to cook, ordinary seaman, seaman, second mate, and chief mate on different vessels. He was now six feet one inch in height, and of good proportions. He considered the coast trade too circumscribed for his ambition. He went to New York, where he soon secured command of a good vessel, and for many years visited all the countries visited by American ships. For several years he had charge of cargoes, as well as ships, and enjoyed a share of prosperity until his ship, the "Two Marys" of New York, was seized by the French in 1808, when he took shelter from some English men-of-war at Belle Isle, in the Bay of Biscay. The ship, with its valuable cargo, was confis- cated, under the memorable Milan decree, on the 17th of December, 1807, founded on the well-known orders in council of the 11th of November of that year. He remained in France until the ship and cargo were con- demned, and did not return to America until the latter part of 1809. He had lost all, or about all, the property he had accumulated, but had occupied his time in learning to read and write and speak both French and Spanish. Not being able to secure a vessel to his liking. and the War of 1812 having driven the com- merce of the United States from the ocean, he endeavored to get command of an armed ves- sel, but without avail. He joined a company of Artillerists and was chosen captain.
At the close of the war, in 1815. he was em- ploye:1 as master and supercargo of the brig "Commerce," of Hartford, Connecticut, be- longing to Riley & Brown, Josiah Savage & Company. and Luther Savage. A light cargo was taken on board. The crew consiste'l of
George Williams, chief mate; Aaron R. Sav- age, second mate; William Porter, Archibald Robins, Thomas Burns and James Clark, sea- men; Horace Savage, cabin boy, and Richard Deslisle (black), cook. With this crew he pro- ceeded to sea on the 6th of May, 1815, and steered for the Bahama Islands, which they reached about the 21st. On the 22nd they passed Orange Keys; on the 23th they ran aground but got off with but little difficulty and ran along the Florida Keys, passing the Tortugas Islands on the 24th. On the 26th they arrived in the Mississippi River, and soon reached New Orleans, where they discharged their cargo, and took another on board, which consisted of flour and tobacco. Here Francis Bliss and James Carrington were dismissied and John Hogan and James Barrett shipped in their stead.
With this crew and cargo, Captain Riley sailed from New Orleans the 24th of June, and proceeded to Gibraltar, where the cargo was landed. They ten took on part of a cargo, consisting of brandies and wines, and some dollars, about 2,000, and set sail from Gibraltar the 23rd of August, 1815, intending to go by way of the Cape Verde Islands to complete the loading of the vessel with salt. They passed Cape Spartel on the 24th, intending to make the Canary Islands and pass between Teneriff and Palma, but the weather being very foggy they missed the Canaries. From that time on, the weather was foggy and it was impossible to get an observation.
On the 28th of August at 10 P. M., they were wrecked on the coast of Africa. Know- ing that the vessel would soon go to pieces. they prepared to take on shore a supply of fresh water, wine, salt pork and bread, as well as a bucket full of dollars and trunks, clothes, books and charts. In the attempt to get a line on store, the boat was swamped and Riley and
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