USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 21
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1840.
34 F. C. Feigert 80
1840.
34
Shaw & Frisbie
80
1851
25 Asa Cook 80
1837
25 Daniel Kaufman
160
1837
1837
23 Clark Glenn
160
1837
34 Philip Germann
80
1836
32 Andrew Kerr 160
32 Abel Johnson
32 John Goosley 160
1838
23 James R. Glenn 160
35
1851
10
35
176
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
killed. But to his surprise the deer wouldn't drive !
When the Showalters settled in Harrison township, they had no horses and the boys trained their oxen so they could ride then and guide them with the whip. On one occasion Abraham Showalter started after the cows on one of the oxen and when he came up with them two deer were with the cows. He turned the cows in the direction of home and followed on and the deer kept along until he drove them into the barnyard, which was nothing but a small piece of ground surrounded by a fence made of logs and brush.
Two large bucks got into a fight west of where Stephen Capper lived, between his place and M. F. Richey's. They were heard fighting in the night but little attention was paid to the matter. A week or two later in going through the woods, a settler found them with their horns locked, one dead and the other almost starved to death. One was a seven-pronged and the other an eight-pronged buck.
M. F. Richey and James G. Gilliland went to the State Fair at Columbus, walking there and back. They each bought a Durham calf, one six months and the other seven months old, and drove them home. They paid $50 apiece when the price of an ordinary cow or steer was $10 to $12. However, that was the first effort made to improve the stock of cattle in this county.
1
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AN INDIAN SHERLOCK HOLMES.
Davis Johnson told the writer that one time when he was out hunting he met an Indian, who told him that a deer he had killed and hung up had been stolen by a white man. Johnson asked him if he knew who it was that stole the deer. The Indian said that the man was lame, that he smoked a pipe with a short stem. that he had a long gun and a dog with
a short tail and that he was an old man. In answer to Johnson's request for an explanation the Indian said that the man was lame because he walked on the toe of one boot and at every step twisted his foot. He smoked a short- stemmed pipe because he knocked the ashes of his pipe against a tree and the Indian could see where the man's finger-nail scratched the moss off the bark. He had a long gun because he had leaned it up against a tree and the Indian could see where it had rubbed the bark. The dog had a short tail because he had sat down on his haunches and made the print of his tail in the snow. He was an old man because- the writer will let the old men explain how the Indian told that. There was no doubt as to who got the deer, as there was one man in the neighborhood that filled the bill.
AN EARLY MARRIAGE IN HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
William Kear, who married Mary Johnson, made an arrangement with the justice of the peace of Willshire to marry them on Sunday. As it was to be the first marriage performed by the justice, his associates concluded to have some fun at his expense. When he started, he found that half a dozen of his neighbors were going the same way. They took delight in joking him on the journey. When they arrived at the Johnson home, the squire threw the bridal rein over a post and, hurrying into the house, asked, "Where is that couple that want to get married?" They were sitting on the floor with their feet down on the hearth a couple of feet lower. He said, "Stand up," which they did. He then said, "By the power granted me by the State of Ohio, I pronounce you man and wife. By G-, didn't I come it over the boys?" walked out to his pony, mounted and rode away while the others were hitching their horses.
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177
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
A PIONEER METHODIST CHURCH.
The first Methodist Episcopal Church in Harrison township was organized in the fall of 1841 by Rev. Simeon Alderman at the log cabin of M. F. Richey. The first class con- sisted of Edson Stewart and wife, M. F. Richey and wife, Stephen Capper and wife, Mr. Glenn and wife, and Mr. Lincoln and wife. Edson Stewart was the first class leader. This society retained its organization for about 12 years, when on account of its members moving away it was disorganized.
HARRISON BAPTIST CHURCH.
A council convened at the Harrison school- house on Saturday, March 12, 1853, for the purpose of constituting a regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ. Elder D. D. Johnson was chosen moderator and Rev. S. M. Brower, clerk. Delegates were present from Bethel, Duck Creek, Mount Gilead, Pleasant View, Willshire and Wapakoneta. The constituent members were Elder John Larue, C. Larue, Deacon Aaron Balyeat, Martha Balyeat, Thomas and Nancy Baxter, John Baxter, Lucinda Baxter, David Balyeat, Sarah Bal- yeat, and Susannah Brubaker. The sermon was preached by Elder Drury, of Mount Gilead; the hand of fellowship given by Rev. D. D. Johnson, of Willshire; and the charge by Rev. S. M. Brower of Wapakoneta. A meeting followed, lasting until April 21st, which re- sulted in 13 additions by baptism and two by experience. Aaron Balyeat was chosen deacon and clerk at the first business meeting and John Larue was called as pastor for half his time and a council was called to convene in August to consider his ordination. At the August business meeting, the church voted to unite with the Auglaize Association and elected their
pastor, Deacon Balyeat and Samuel Smedley, delegates. At the December meeting, 1857, the first steps were taken toward the erection of a meeting house by appointing a meeting at the home of Deacon Balyeat for December 24th to fully discuss the matter. Elder John Larue, Abram and Aaron Balyeat were appointed a building committee. The house was built dur- ing the summer of 1858. The pastors have been: Revs. John Larue, A. Larue, R. Ed- monds, I. Bloomer, W. W. Robinson, D. B. Beckard, V. D. Willard, A. Snider, W. S. Kent, W. H. Gallant, J. E. Thomas, J. J. Wil- let, H. H. Smith, C. S. Wians and A. W. West. Of these, John Larue, R. Edmonds, V. D. Willard and D. B. Beckard each served the congregation twice.
Since the organization, there have been received into the church over 300 members. In 1902, the old church being too small, a new one was built and furnished at a cost of $2,500. Since then there have been 12 additions to the membership. Rev. A. W. West is pastor of the church at present.
ST. THOMAS' LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church organization might be said to date back to the earliest settlement in Harrison township by. the Germans in 1839, when ser- vices were held at private houses by preachers that came on horseback from Fort Wayne. Indiana. It is a German congregation. In 1846 church services were being held in a log schoolhouse. In 1858 a frame one-story church was built, 20 by 40 feet in dimensions. The small congregation were happy in their new home. It was quite an improvement over the log house.
In September, 1898, the corner-stone was laid for a new brick church building, 32 by 72 feet in ground dimensions and 20 feet to the
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
square, with a steeple 102 feet high. The total cost of the building was $6,232. It is well built and nicely furnished.
Since 1870 there have been six pastors, as follows: Revs. G. Gruber, 1870-82; F. W. Frauka, 1882-84; N. F. Kunchick, 1884-89; Charles Strauser, 1889-93; J. H. Klausing, 1893-1900; A. T. C. Bunck, 1900-06.
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GERMAN EVANGELICAL ST. PAUL CHURCH.
Away back in the '30's, when deer roamed through our forests, when wild turkeys abounded and wolves prowled about at night in search of their prey, in the dense primeval forests then covering our now beautiful coun- try, there came to this county a number of immigrants from over the sea and took up their abode in what is now the northern part of Will- shire and the southern part of Harrison town- ship.
These people were Germans and brought with them not only strong muscles but willing hands as well, and as a result, shortly after their sojourn here, they were able to call a few log huts their homes, in which they lived as contentedly as the king in his palace.
Not unlike the Pilgrims, these people brought with them the desire for religious worship, but being few in number and scant in means they at first held worship in houses round about, for they were too poor to main- tain a minister, and so each in his turn led the worship.
Thus some years passed until about 1850, when Rev. J. D. Gackenheimer, a missionary from Germany, who at the time was working in Pennsylvania, was asked to come as a mis- sionary. To this call he readily responded, and services were held in houses, barns, school- houses, etc., until the desire for a suitable place of worship became so strong that in 1853 a
tract of land 20 rods square, located in section 31, Harrison township, was bought of P. Kreischer for $5 by the organization known as the German Evangelical St. Paul Church, it being a union of Lutheran and Reform. Upon this tract immediately was begun the founda- tion for a new frame church, 30 by 40 feet in dimensions, which was completed in 1854 and dedicated to the Lord.
The above-named Rev. J. D. Gackenheimer was the minister for the next 20 years.
The first members of the church were: John Giessler, Philip Hott, Jacob Kreischer, Frederick Feigert, Philip Giessler, Adam Ven- ter, Jacob Gehres, Peter Wendel, Peter Kreischer, Michael Kreischer, Adam Schaadt, John N. Diestler, John N. Wendel, Peter Gehres and Philip Schaadt-all immigrants from Hessen-Homburg, Germany.
The year 1866 made this church a part of the organization known as the German Evan- gelical Synod of North America.
This same year the church property was enlarged by an additional piece of land pur- chased of P. Kreischer on which a well was dug for school and church purposes.
In 1874 Mr. Gackenheimer resigned as minister and so the church the 38 acres, which had been taken up as government land by him, and retained part of it as parsonage property until the year 1883 when it was finally dis- posed of and another three-acre lot purchased of P. Kreischer contiguous to the other church property, and a dwelling and other necessary buildings erected for the minister.
As time went on and the population of the district increased, the demand for a new church became apparent, and so after the preliminary steps had been taken the corner-stone for a modern frame church was laid August 21, 1892; within it were inserted two documents- the old one taken from the old church, which
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179
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
gives the details of the foundation of the con- gregation as well as existing conditions at that time, and the new one a rehearsal of the pres- ent conditions and recent growth of the church. The size of the church is 36 by 70 feet, with steeple 115 feet high, furnished with a bell. The church complete cost $5,000. The dedica- tion occurred September 17, 1893, with ap- propriate exercises, at which time there were 91 paying members, 200 communicants and 340 souls.
On September 14, 1900, the semi-centennial of the founding of the church was celebrated in the form of a jubilee with exercises to suit the occasion.
These people at all times have believed in giving their children German as well as English training, and to this end they have always had a German school during the summer months so as not to interfere with the district school. Not having a suitable schoolhouse, it was decided in 1900 to build a modern frame schoolhouse 28 by 40 in dimensions, which cost $1,000 and was properly dedicated on Thanksgiving Day that year.
In 1902 the parsonage was remodeled by lining with paper and by putting on an extra coat of siding.
To remedy the evil of the deep mud in front of the church during damp weather, it was recently decided to pike with stone in front and also on the east side along the church; this is to be done in 1906, which year will also see the erection of a new summer house for the minister.
The church at present has 400 souls. Within the last 20 years there has been raised for missionary purposes the sum of $4,095.
Following are the ministers who have served the church: Rev. J. D. Gackenheimer, 1850-74; Rev. H. Ludwig, 1874-77; Rev. C. Reiner, 1877-82; Rev. F. Zimmermann, 1882-
86; Rev. J. Stilli, 1886-91 ; and Rev. F. Schles- inger, 1891 --.
THE HERTZ FAMILY. .
The founder of the family in Van Wert County was born in Germany, and came to this country and located in Harrison township in 1838. They lived in Van Wert from May until August of that year, making their home in a log house, where The Central Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company's building is now located. While living in Van Wert, a daughter of Mr. Hertz, who later married Henry Showalter, discovered some bullets buried on the lot now occupied by the store of D. R. Bonewitz's Sons, on the corner of Main and Market streets. She reported the find to her father and he and some others unearthed about 100 pounds of bullets and some silver plate, that had doubtless been buried by some of Wayne's army on their march from Fort Adams to Fort Defiance.
After they moved on their land in Harri- son township, they cleared an acre of land and sowed it in wheat, but as winter set in early it did not come up until spring. However, they threshed 18 bushels of wheat from that acre. They had cleared another acre during the win- ter and put it in corn and gathered a good crop-what was left by the coons and squir- rels.
Peter Hertz was born in Germany in 1820, came to Harrison township with his parents in 1838 and helped to clear up the home farm. On January 17. 1840, he was married to Mary Germann and they lived on the home farm for 25 years until they were separated by the death of Mrs. Hertz. She was the mother of five children. Mr. Hertz was respected in the com- munity and held many positions of honor and trust.
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
HENRY SHOWALTER
Came to Harrison township in 1839; he was then single. He purchased land of Norman Preston and on September 16, 1841, was mar- ried to Mary Hertz. They cleared up a farmi, enduring all the hardships incident to a new country, and raised a family that are a credit to them and to the community.
At one time, shortly after the writer com-
menced business in Van Wert, Mr. Showalter brought a load of flaxseed to town that came to $120. There was a mistake made of $20, which was not discovered until he reached home. The next day Mr. Showalter came to town horseback to correct the mistake by pay- ing back the money overpaid.
Mrs. Showalter is still living and recounts many of the scenes of her early life to her chil- dren and grandchildren.
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CHAPTER XII
TULLY TOWNSHIP
Organization-First Settlers-Names of Voters in 1840-Some of the Original Land En- tries-Pioneer Reminiscences-The Bear Swamp-Dixon-Notes on Tully Township and Convoy Village.
At a session of the Board of County Com- missioners, held December 2, 1839, the fol- lowing action was taken:
"A petition being presented to the board praying for the organization of T. I S., R. 1 E., Ordered that the same be and hereby is struck off from Harrison township and shall constitute a civil township under the name of Tully. Ordered that the Auditor notify the qualified electors of said township to meet on the 25th instant at the house of John G. Morse for the purpose of electing officers in and for said township."
On June 4, 1841, the commissioners or- dered that sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30 and 31 and the west tier of sections of township I south, range 2 east, then attached to Hoaglin town- ship, be struck off therefrom and attached to Tully.
At the election held by order of the com- missioners at the house of John G. Morse on December 25, 1839, John G. Morse was elected clerk; William Henny, justice of the peace; George W. Angevine, treasurer.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The first settler in the township was John G. Morse, who built the first log house, assisted
only by his wife. This was in 1837. In 1838 Thomas Hudspeth and James Wortman came. In 1839 John Magner, Michael Anderson, John Baker, George W. Angevine, William Henny, John Underwood, and Henry Roehm settled here. In 1840 Henry Beamer, Robert Nes- bet, Jacob Coleman and Levi and John Kyle took up lands and founded homes in Tully township.
NAMES OF VOTERS IN 1840. -
After the election held in Tully township on the 25th day of October, 1840, there were 23 electors qualified to vote. Their names as given in the poll book of the election follows: George W. Angevine, Michael Anderson, Thomas High, George Beintz, George High, James Wortman, John Baker, Levi Kyle, John G. Morse, John Kyle, Henry Wagoner, Wil- liam Henny, Jacob Coleman, John Underwood, John Kyle, Jr., Jonathan Ball, William Ander- son, Chris. Gouse, M. Smith, A. Zimmerman, Henry Gunset, Jacob Sands and John T. Stephenson. John G. Morse and Levi Kyle were the clerks of the election, and William Henny, John Baker and Jacob Coleman, the judges.
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
SOME OF THE ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES.
SEC. NAME.
ACRES. YEAR
I Michael Clouse 160
18,35,
I Dwight Taylor
160
1852
I Robinson Ross ,80
1852
I Nathaniel Hardin
160
1852
14 Thomas Elwell 80
1853
I John J. Salliday 80
1852
15 Mary Ramsey & others 160
1836
2 Thomas P. Johnson 160
1853
2 Avery L. Curtis
80
1853
3 William Lyons
40
1837
3 Shaw & Frisbie
40
1851
16 George Beamer 80
1853
3 Alex. Welch
80
1854
3 James Marshall
80
1854
3 John Shaw
80
1854
17 John Michel 80
1839
5 Jacob Sellers
80
1837
17 Henry Vantilburg 160
1839
5 William Lyons
40
1837
17 John Vantilburg 80
1839
5 Lyman S. Wells 40
1838
17 Christian Youse 80
18,39
S Nathaniel Strong 80
1838
17 John Sponseller 80
1842
5 Joel Click 40
1838
17 Abraham Klinger 40
1842
5 John I. Click 200
1838 1850
17 Perry Burr 40
18=2
6 William Flick 280 1838
6 John Magner
80
1839
6 John Baker
118
1839
18 John Livingstone 76
1839
6 Davis Johnson
40
1852
19 Jacob Keever 80
1838
I9 M. B. Martin 114
18,38
Michael Bodle
80
1839
19 Jacob Bowers 152
1839
7 Elias Johnson
39
1853
19 Henry Gunsett 40
1839
I9 Abraham Klinger 40
1845
20 M. F. Richey 80
1834
8 John Gilliland 80
1838
8 Abram Zimmerman
160
Henry Smith
80 1842
20 M. F. Richey 40
1839
9 Lewis Spenny 160
1839
20 John Sponseller 40
1849
9 Levinus Spenny
80
1837
21 Peter Roop 320
1839
21 Christian Donor 80
1840
21 George Marsh 160
1851
10 John Sellers 160
1837
21 Bryant Thornell 80
1852
10 T. H. Elwell 320
1853
22 John Dedleback 80
1839
II Christopher Anstutz 40
1836 22 Lewis High 80
1850
12 James Kirkendale 160
1839 22 George Marsh 160
1851
12 Henry Mowry 160
1839
22 Garrett Burns
85
1857
13 Emanuel Cummings 40
IS37
23 Isaac Spear 40
18.35
13 William Redman 40
13 George Marsh 160
1851
23 Thomas Clark
18,37
13 Wilson Holden 80
18:2
13 John F. Dodds 320
1851
14 James Wortman 165
18,37
14 Nathaniel Strong 80
1838
14 John Williams 80
1839
14 John F. Dodds 160
1851
2 Dwight Taylor 80
1853
15 John G. Morse 80
1837
15 L. Spenny 160
1837
15 Charles Butcher 80
1838
15 N. Strong 80
1838
3 Young & Others 160
1854
16 Uriah Malick
400
1853
16 E. N. Martin . 160
1853
17 Adam Rochm 80
1838
5 William Parker 160
18 James Gilliland 312
1838
18 James Scott 80
1839
r8 Jonas Scott 80
18.39
6 W. F. Howland 118
1839
18 John Perkins 76
18.37
7 John Gilliland
160
1838
7 James R. McLain
154
1838
I9 Charles Campbell 160
1839
7 John Williams
117
1839
I9 Schuyler Perkins 38
1839
8 Nathaniel Strong
80
1838
8 Joel Click 160
1838
8 William Flick 40
1838
20 Baltus Beintz 80
1839 -
1839 20 Benjamin Griffith 160
18.30
8 George Clinger 40
1850
20 Alexander McGauhay 80
1841
9 Jacob Sellers
80
1837
9 Felty Snider 240
1838
9 T. H. Elwell
80
1853
20 David Richey, Jr. 160
18:9
7
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18 7 23 Samuel W. Parmley 80 1836
SEC. NAME. ACRES. YEAR.
183
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
SEC. NAME.
ACRES. YEAR
SEC. NAME.
ACRES. YEAR.
23 Henry Kaizer
40
1838
31 John I. McKelvey
72
1838
23 William Rader
160
1838
31 James H. McKelvey 160 1838
23 Z. B. Rocher
40
18:9
31 John G. Warner 40 1851
23 Joseph Feasby
40
1851
31 David Brown 40 1851
24 Isaac Spear
40
1836
31 George Marsh
40
1853
24 Samuel W. Parmley
80
1837
32 Stephen Morris 40
1839
24 V. G. Hush
80
1837
32 James F. Smith 40
1839
23 W. B. Wharton
80
1837
32 James H. Eaton 80
1840
24 John McColly
80
1838
32 John Bowers, Sr. 80
1841
24
William Overpack
120
1838
32 David Jones 240
1851
24 John McColly 40
1839
32 Robert Parish 40
1852
24 Michael Anderson 120
1839
32 Avery L. Curtis 120
1853
24 Henry Jordan
40
1839
33 Thomas Hudspeth 160
1838
24 Jacob Ebersole
40
1839
33 Davis Johnson 80
1838
25 Evan H. Jones 160
1836
33 James L. Ward 80
1838
25 James F. Maddox
1836
33 F. Allender 160
1838
25
William Mumaugh
80
1836
33 Jacob Rhodes 80
1838
25
William Henry
80
1839
33 T. B. Tullis & Others 80
1852
25
C. S. Jeremiah
80
1839
34 Joseph Johnson 160
1838
25 John Ric
80
1839
34 John Owens 80
80
1840
26 David Fry
80
1838
34 William Ward
160
1851
26 George W. Angevine
80
1839
34 George Marsh
80
1851
26 Clayton Will
80
18,39
35
Henry Beamer
80
1837
35 Martin Showalter 80 1839
1839
26 George Lonburg
80
1839
26. Henry Beamer 40
1840
27 Amrose Fry 160
1838
35
John N. Reidenbach
80
1839
27 Samuel McGinnis 240
1838
35
Isaiah W. Shaffer
80
1840
27 Levi Bozman
80
27 John Rick
80
27 Daniel Beal 80
28 Peter Swoveland 200
1838
28 David Richey 40
1839 36 Jacob Coleman
80
1839
28 Daniel Beal 80
120
28 John Lare
120
1840 1849
28 George Marsh
40
1851
29 John Vantilburg 160
1839
29 Sarah Marvin 320
1839
29 Stephen Marvin 160
1839
30 James Campbell 152
1839
30 William Reed
80
1839
30 James Irvin 40
1839
30 John Brown
30 Joseph Roop 76
1841
30 Peter Roop 76
1842
30 Henry Clinger 40
1843
31 William Gafney 152
1838
1840 36 William McGraw 40
1842
36 Shaw & Frisbie
80
1851
25 John Sands 40
1840
26 Henry Beamer
43
1837
34 Charles Hilliard
80
1851
34 William Ward 160
1851
26 Henry Smith
40
1839
26 John Stearnes 160
1839
26 David High
40
1839
35 Jacob Coleman
35 Robert Nesbeth 120
1839
1838 35 Jesse Smith 49
80
1836
1839 36 Henry Germann 160
1838
36 John Rish 160
1838
1839 36 James McGraw 40
1842
28 Peter Roop
28 Josiah Smith 40
PIONEER REMINISCENCES.
The road through the township following the Indian trail was cut through from the E. R. Wells farm to Fort Wayne by the Gilliland brothers and Peter Wills in 1836. This road was afterwards located as the Bucyrus and Fort Wayne free turnpike, but there was noth- ing further done than to have the road sur- veyed.
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160
1839
35 Henry Showalter 80
1846
1839 36 Mary Ramsey
1838
34 J. W. Shaffer
120
184
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
John G. Morse-the first settler in the township-and his wife were made of the ma- terial for pioneers. They came from Canan- daigua County, New York, in 1836 and pro- ceeded on foot from Defiance to their lund in Fully township. They built their own house without help. as there was no one to render them assistance. Mr. Morse was appointed surveyor in 1838. Mrs. Morse became an ex- pert marksman and was never at a loss for meat while Mr. Morse was absent surveying.
On one occasion as Mr. Morse and his wife were passing John Magnaer's place, on their way to Van Wert, they noticed that there was no stir about the house. Mr. Morse gave the lines to his wife and said that he would investigate. He entered the house, but soon returned and told his wife to come to the house as her help was needed. They found the whole family sick in bed with no fire and no wood and all the food about the house consisted of a small piece of corn bread. Mr. Morse. after getting some wood and kind- ling a fire, took some corn to a neighbor's hand- mill, had it ground and returned with it to the sick family. He and his wife remained with them two days and when they went home sent their daughter to take care of the sick.
Soon after his arrival in Tully township, Mr. Morse planted on his farm two apple trees -the first in the township-which had been given him by "Johnny Appleseed" (John Chapman).
Henry Kaiser moved to Tully township about 1839 or 1840. A short time afterward his wife was boiling soap at a fire outdoors, when her clothes caught fire and she was burned to death. They had two little girls quite young. The father carried them back to Miami County on his back. He had them in a sack, arranged like a knapsack, with their heads sticking up above his shoulder. He took
one back to his former home and then came back and carried the other the same way. He came back each year and worked on his land, and cleared up his farm. He afterward brought his daughters out to keep house for him. He would never wear cotton clothes after his wife's death and would get angry when cotton goods were mentioned.
THE BEAR SWAMP.
In the northwest part of the township there was a large smampy paririe, knows as the Bear Swamp. It was covered with wil- lows, small brush and a tall prairie grass and was an ideal retreat for Bruin; there he could be found for many years after the arrival of the first settlers, whose corn and hogs often suffered from his forays. As late as 1858 there was a dozen or more bears killed in the neighborhood of the swamp. This swamp was hard to drain for want of an outlet. It was condemned as swamp land and the general government gave it to the State as such, and the State gave it to whomsoever would drain it. After spending large sums of money in digging ditches with no adequate outlet. it was finally drained by digging a small canal through the timberland north of it to an out- let. It was expensive ditching, but it paid. Now, the Bear Swamp has some of the best land in the State. The soil is a rich accumu- lation of vegetable matter, in places three or four feet deep. Davis Johnson had a farm in the northeastern part of it and had 80 rods of drain put in. Shortly afterward a fire broke out. When it had spent its force, the tile was found on top of the ground, the vegetable mat- ter having all been burned off. Much of this land that for years was offered free to anyone who would drain it now could not be bought for $100 an acre.
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