History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 8

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870

USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 8

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The conversation which took place between General Harrison and Major Chambers, of the British Army, was as nearly as can be recol- lected as follows :

Major Chambers-General Proctor has directed me to demand the surrender of the post. He wishes to spare the effusion of Blood."

General Harrison-"The demand under present circumstances is a most extraordinary one. As General Proctor did not send me a summons to surrender on his first arrival. I

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supposed that he believed me to be determined to do my duty. His present message indicates an opinion of me that I am at a loss to account for."

Major Chambers-"General Proctor could never think of saying anything to wound your feelings, sir. The character of General Har- rison as an officer is well known. General Proctor's force is very respectable and there is with him a larger body of Indians than before have been embodied."

General Harrison-"I believe I have a very correct idea of Genral Proctor's force; it is not such as to create the least apprehension for the result of the contest, whatever shape he may be pleased to give it. Assure the General that he will never have this post surrendered to him upon any terms. Should it fall into his hands it will be in a manner calculated to do him far more honor, and to give far more claims upon the gratitude of his government than any capitulation could possibly do."

Apprehensive of such an attack, General Harrison had made the Governors of Ken- tucky and Ohio minutely acquainted with his situation and had stated the urgent necessity of immediate reinforcements for Fort Meigs. His requisitions had been zealously anticipated and General Clay was at this moment descend- ing the Maumee with 1,200 Kentuckians to his relief. At 12 o'clock on the night of the 4th, an officer, Capt. William Oliver, arrived from General Clay with the welcome intelligence of his approach, stating that he was just above the rapids and could reach him in two hours, and requesting his orders. Harrison determined on a general sally, and directed Clay to land 800 men on the right bank. take possession of the British batteries, spike their cannon and then to immediately return to their boats and cross over to the American fort. The re- mainder of Clay's force was ordered to land

on the left bank and fight their way to the fort, while sorties were to be made from the fort in aid of these operations. Captain Hamilton was directed to proceed up the river in a pirogue, land a subaltern on the left bank, who should be a pilot to conduct General Clay to the fort, and then to cross over and station his pirogue at the place designated for the other division to land.

General Clay having received these orders, descended the river in order of battle in solid columns, each officer taking position according to rank. Colonel Dudley, being the eldest in command, led the van and was ordered to take his men in the 12 front boats and execute Gen- eral Harrison's orders on the right bank. He effected his landing at the place designated without difficulty. General Clay kept close along the left bank until he came opposite the place of Colonel Dudley's landing, but not find- ing the subaltern there he attempted to cross over and join Colonel Dudley; this was pre- vented by the violence of the currents of the rapids. He again attempted to land on the left bank and effected it with only 50 men amid a brisk fire from the enemy on shore and made his way to the fort, receiving their fire until within the protection of its guns. The other boats under the command of Colonel Boswell were driven farther down the current and landed on the right to join Colonel Dudley. Here they were ordered to re-embark, land on the left bank and proceed to the fort. In the meantime two sorties were made from the gar- rison, one on the left in aid of Colonel Bos- well, by which the Canadian militia and Indians were defeated and Colonel Boswell enabled to reach the fort in safety, and one on the right against the British batteries, which was also successful. Colonel Dudley with his detach- ment of 800 Kentucky militia completely suc- ceeded in driving the British from their bat-

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HISTORY OF VAAN WERT .COUNTY

teries, and spiking the cannon. Having ac- complished their object, his orders were per- emptory to return immediately to their boats and cross over to the fort, but the blind con- fidence which generally attends militia when successful proved their ruin.

Although repeatedly ordered by Colonel Dudley and warned of their danger and called upon from the fort to leave the ground, and although there was abundant time for that pur- pose before the British reinforcements arrived. yet they commenced a pursuit of the Indians. and suffered themselves to be drawn into an ambush by some feint skirmishing. while the British troops and a large body of Indians in- tercepted their return to the river. Elated with their first success they considered the victory already gained and pursued the enemy nearly two miles into the woods and swamps, where they were suddenly caught in a defile and sur- rounded by double their number. Finding themselves in this situation consternation pre- vailed; their lines became broken, disordered, and, huddled together in unresisting crowds. they were obliged to surrender to the mercy of the savages.

The following account of the treatment of the prisoners is from the pen of Joseph R. Un- derwood, a lieutenant of a Kentucky company commanded by Capt. John C. Morrison.

He says that in retreating towards the bat- teries he received a ball in his back with a stunning force and fell on his hands and knees. "I arose and threw open my waist coat to see if the ball had passed through me; finding it had not, I ran on and had not proceeded more than a hundred yards before I was made prisoner. In emerging from the woods into an open piece of ground near the battery we had taken, and before I knew what had happened, a soldier seized my sword and said to me, 'Sir, you are my prisoner.' I looked before me and saw

I with astonishment the ground covered with muskets. The soldier, observing my atonish- ment, said. 'Your army has surrendered." and received my sword. He ordered me to go for- ward and join the prisoners. I did so. The first man I met whom I recognized was David Smith, of our company. With eyes full of tears, he exclaimed, Good Lord. Lieutenant. what does all this mean?' I told him that we were prisoners of war.

"On the march to the garrison. the Indians began to strip us of our valuable clothing and other articles. One took my hat. another my hunting shirt, and a third my waist coat. so I was soon left with nothing but my shirt and pantaloons. On our approach to the garrison the Indians formed a line to the left of the road, their being a perpendicular bank to the right, and on the margin of which the road passed.

"I perceived that the prisoners were run- ning the gauntlet, and that the Indians were whipping, shooting and tomahawking the men as they ran by their line. When I reached the starting place. I dashed off as fast as I was able, and ran near the muzzles of their guns, knowing that they would have to shoot me while immediately in front of them or let me pass, for to have turned their guns up or down the lines to shoot me would have endangere.l themselves, as there was a curve in the line. In this way I passed without injury except some strokes over the shoulders with their gun sticks. As I entered the ditch around the gar- rison. the man before me was shot and fell and I fell over him. The passage was stopped for a while by those who fell over the dead man and myself.

"How many lost their lives at this place I cannot tell, probably beteween twenty and forty. The brave Captain Lewis was among the number. When we got within the walls

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we were ordered to sit down. I lay in the lap of Mr. Gilpin. a soldier of Captain Henry's company from Woodford. A new scene com- menced. An Indian painted black mounted the dilapidated wall and shot one of the pris- oners next to him. He reloaded and shot a second. the ball passing through him and enter- ing the hip of another, who afterwards died, I was informed, at Cleveland of the wound. The savage then laid down his gun and drew his tomahawk with which he killed two others. When he drew his tomahawk and jumped down among the men. they endeavored to escape from him by jumping over the heads of each other and thereby to place others between themselves and danger."

William G. Ewing in a letter to John H. James, of Urbana. gives full particulars of Tecumsehi's interference on this occasion, which is here copied: "While this bloodthirsty carnage was raging. a thundering voice was heard in the rear in the Indian tongue, when turning around he saw Tecumseh coming with all the rapidity his horse could carry him. He sprang from his horse, caught one by the throat and the other by his shoulders and threw them to the ground. Drawing his tomahawk and scalping knife, he ran in between the Ameri- cans and the Indians, brandishing them with the fury of a mad man and daring any one of the hundreds around him to attempt to murder another American. They all appeared con- founded and immediately desisted. His mind appeared rent with passion, and he exclaimed

almost with tears in his eyes. 'Oh what will become of my Indians.' He then demanded in an authoritive tone where Proctor was, but casting his eyes upon him at a small distance sternly inquired why he had not put a stop to the inhuman massacre. 'Sir,' said Proctor, 'your Indians cannot be commanded.' 'Be- gone', retorted Tecumseh with the greatest dis- dain, 'you are unfit to command; go and put on petticoats.' " ,

Following are given the cities and villages of Wood County with their population. accord- ing to the census of 1900:

West Millgrove

236

Millbury 280

Custar 293

Bairdstown 293

Milion Center

325

Tontogany

352

Hoytsville

431

Haskins

440

Grand Rapids

540

Portage

546

Jersey City

555

Rising Sun

660

Bloomdale

740

Freeport

815

Cygnet

896

Weston 953

Pemberville 1,081

Bradner

1.148

Perrysburg 1.760

North Baltimore 3.561

Bowling Green

5.067

In 1830 Wood County had a population of 1, 102 and in 1900, 51,555.

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CHAPTER V

ORGANIZATION AND EARLY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY

Origin of the County's Name-Early Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners-

Indian Relics and Graves on Sugar Ridge-Enumeration of the County's Inhabitants- Early Marriages-Van Wert Emigration Society-A Country Spelling School-An Early Election-The Vote on Two Important Propositions-Bonds Issued by County for a Railroad-Van Wert County Infirmary-The Grange-Influences That Have Developed the County-Common Pleas Judges-Roster of County Officials-Popu- lation Statistics.

Van Wert County was formed April I, 1820, out of Indian lands purchased from the Indians at the treaty of Wapakoneta in 1818 and was named for Isaac Van Wert.

ORIGIN OF THE COUNTY'S NAME.

Isaac Van Wert, John Paulding and David Williams, three farmer boys serving in the Continental Army, achieved prominence in their capture of Major Andre in the Revolu- tionary War. They were all three Dutch and could not speak English very well.

The circumstances of the capture were these: The three were seated among some bushes by the roadside playing cards, when they were aroused by the galloping of a horse. Going to the road they saw a man approaching on a large brown horse, which they afterwards observed was branded near the shoulders "U. S. A." The rider was a light. trim built man, about five feet seven inches in height, with a

bold military contenance and dark eyes, and was dressed in a round hat. blue surtout and crimson coat, with pantaloons and vest of nan- keen. As he neared them. the three cocked their muskets and aimed at the rider, who im- mediately checked his horse, when the follow- ing conversation ensued :

Andre-"Gentlemen, I hope you are of our party ?"

Paulding-"What party?"

Andre-"The lower party." Paulding-"We are."

Andre-"I am a British officer, I have been up the country on particular business and do not wish to be detained a single moment."

Paulding-"We are Americans."

Andre-"God bless your soul. A man must do anything to get along. I am a Con- tinental officer going down to Dobbs' Ferry to get information from below."

Andre then drew out and presented a pass from General Arnold in which was the as-

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sumed name of John Anderson, but it was of no avail. Andre explained, "You will get your- selves into trouble." "\'e care not for that" was the reply. They then compelled him to dismount, searched him and as a last thing ordered him to take off his boots. At this he changed color. Williams drew off the left boot first and Paulding. seized it. exclaimed, "My God, here it is." In it three half sheets of writ- ten paper were found. enveloped by a half sheet marked "Contents West Point." Pauld- ing again exclaimed, "My God, he is a spy." A single package was in the other boot. An- dre was now allowed to dress. The young men now winked to each other to make further dis- coveries, and inquired of whom he had got- ten the papers. "Of a man at Pine's Bridge, a stranger to me." replied Andre. He then of- fered for his liberty his horse and equipage, watch and 100 guineas. This bribe they de- clined unless he informe.l them where he ob- tained his manuscript. He refused to comply, but again offered his horse and equipage and 1,000 guineas. They were firm in their re- fusal and Andre increased his offer to 10,000 guineas and as many dry goods as they wished, which should be deposited in any place desired; that they might keep him and send anyone to New York with his order so that they might obtain them unmolested. To this they replied that it did not signify to make any offer, for he should not go. They delivered him to the nearest military station. New Castle, 12 miles (listant.

William Paulding and Van Wert stood within the ring when Andre was hung. When an officer informed him that his time was nearly expired and inquired if he had anything to say. he answered, "Nothing for them but to witness to the world that he died like a brave man." The hangman, who was painted black, offered to put the noose on. "Take off your

black hands," said Andre. Then, putting on the noose himself, he took out his handker- chief, tied it on, drew it up, bowed with a smile to his acquaintances and died. Congress gave each of the captors of Andre a farm in West Chester County, New York, valued at $2,500, a life pension of $200 a year, together with an elegant silver medal, on one side of which was the inscription "Fidelity" and on the reverse the motto, "Amor patriae vincit"-(Love of country conquors.")

On the night previous to the execution, Major Beers of New Haven, was an officer of the guard, and in the morning stood beside the condemned man. He said that Andre was per- fectly calm. The only sign of nervousness he exhibited was the rolling of a pebble to and tro under his shoe as he was standing waiting the order for his execution. As a last thing, al- though he was a stranger to Major Beers, but probably attracted by the kindness of the lat- ter's countenance, he took from his coat pocket a pen and ink sketch and handed it to him, saying, in effect : "This is my portrait which I drew last night by looking in a mirror. I have no further. use for it and I should like for you to take it." He accompanied this gift with a lock of his hair. Major Beers gave the por- trait to Yale College. Major Beers was a man of singular beauty of character and lived to near 100 years. Though so deaf he could not hear a word that was uttered, he was every Sabbath in his seat at church, of which he was a deacon, his face upturned to the minister with an expression so calm, so peaceful that one could not but feel that every feature was under the celestial light. In the war he was ensign of the "Governor's Guards," the identical com- pany which under command of Benedict Ar- nold marched to Boston at the outbreak of hostilities. In his old age the company, at the close of a parade day, would march to his resi-

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dence on Hillhouse Avenue, draw up in line and give the aged veteran a salute. On one of these occasions he said, "I can thank you. Although I am too deaf to hear the report of your guns, I will say your powder smells good."

EARLY PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION ERS.

While Van Wert County was formed in 1820. it was not organized until 1835, and the first meeting of the commissioners was held on the 24th day of April in Willshire, then temporarily the county seat. There were only two commissioners-Jesse Atkinson and Joshua Goodwin. They examined their own credentials and pronounced them correct. There being no auditor, they appointed Ansel Blossom special clerk for the session, it ap- pearing that John Mark, who had been elected assessor, was not a resident of the county, they thereupon declared the office vacant, and ap- pointed John. Keith to fill the vacancy until the next election, and it was ordered that said Keith, on executing his bond in the sum of $2.000, to be approved by any one of the com- missioners in vacation and on being sworn, proceed to execute the duties enjoined upon him by law.

The next session of the commissioners was held at Willshire on the 5th day of June, 1837, both commissioners, Jesse Atkinson and Joshua Goodwin, being present. Daniel D. Cross, appearing, presented his certificate of election as auditor, with endorsement thereon that he had been sworn into office, forthwith executed his bond to the acceptance of the board. in the penalty of $2,000, with William Case and Ansel Blossom. his securities, and entered upon the duties of his office.

William Case appeared and presented his

certificate of election and oath of office as treasurer, and executed his bond in the penalty of $4.000, with Daniel D. Cross. Ansel Blossom, Peter Bolenbaugh and John Johnson, his secur- ities. It was ordered that the auditor keep the treasurer's bond and that the treasurer keep the auditor's bond, and the said bonds were respectively delivered for safe keeping. On the petition of certain citizens of that part of the county known as Sugar Ridge, it was "Ordered that Town 2 South, Range 2 East be set off as a Civil Township. under the name of Pleasant, and that town I South of Range I and 2. and the North half of Town 2 South of Range I East be attached thereto for town- ship purposes, and that the auditor by proper notices notify the electors in said Township to elect their Township officers at the house of James Maddox. on the 20th day of June. 1837, at the time and in the manner prescribed by law."

William Priddy appeared. produced his cer- tificate of election as commissioner and took his seat. A petition for a new township to be set off and called "Ridge" being presented, it was "Ordered that Townships Number 1 and 2. in Ranges 3 and 4. be organized under the name of Ridge Township, and that when said territory shall again be divided that Town 2 in Range 3 shall hold the mme." And it was further "Ordered that the Auditor notify the electors to meet for the election of township officers at the house of William Priddy on the fourth Saturday of June next."

"Ordered that Township number 3 South in Ranges 3 and 4 East be continued and known as Jennings Township."

"Ordered that Township 3 of Ranges Number 1 and 2 East and the south half of Township Number 2 South of Number I East be organized as Willshire Township."

The assessor presented a list of taxable

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property for examination and after careful examination of the same the commissioners found no particular error in said list and allowed the assessor $1.50 per day in taking the assessment, an order for the amount being issue.l upon the treasurer. The meeting then adjourned until the following morning at 8 A. M.

"June 6th, A. D. 1837. Met according to adjournment and proceeded to business. First to levy the per centum necessary to defray the expenses of the County for the present year.

"Ordered that one-fourth per cent be assessed on the dollar for State, Canal, School and County purposes for the present year, and that the Auditor, in making out his duplicates, divide the amounts so as to give the State, Canal and School their several claims and the remainder for county purposes.

"Ordered that whenever it becomes neces- sary to advertise any matter in the public paper and as there is none printed in the county. the same may be done by posting up written notices, one in each township within the County, by the Auditor thereof.

"There being something near seven hun- (red dollars in the treasury of the old County Mercer, belonging to Van Wert County for Road purposes, it is therefore ordered that the same be expended on the public roads in said County in the manner here provided: Fifty dollars on the road from St. Marys to Fort Wayne. in finishing a bridge erected across Duck Creek, in Willshire township. Three hundred dollars to be expended on the Bucyrus road to Fort Wayne, commencing on the East side of the County. One hundred and twenty- five dollars to be expended on the road from Shanesville to Defiance within said County. One hundred on a county road leading from Shanesville to a certain stone quarry in Jen-

nings township. Seventy-five dollars in open- ing a certain county road from Gilford to Jen- nings Prairie in the aforesaid County.

"Ordered that the Commissioners of said County serve as road commissioners to expend the several sums above described according to law in such case.

"Ordered that an order be issued to the Treasurer of Van Wert County, on the Treas- urer of Mercer County, for the proper propor- tion of the money in said County Treasury be- longing to Van Wert County for road purposes or their proportion of the three per cent. fund.

"Ordered that notice be given to the Com- missioners of Mercer County that the Com- missioners of Van Wert County are authorized by law to call on the said Commissioners for settlement."

As there was no other business to transact the meeting adjourned. The minutes were signed by William Priddy, Joshua Goodwin and Jesse Atkinson, County Commissioners.

Joseph Johnson, Henry Reichard and Wil- liam H. Purdy were elected commissioners of Van Wert County at the annual election in November, 1837, and were severally sworn by Ansel Blossom, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, on the roth day of November. 1837. to discharge the duties of such office during their continuance in office faithfully and im- partially and to support the constitution of the United States and the State of Ohio.

"St. Marys, Mercer County, Nov. 13th. 1837. Special session convened for the pur- pose of settling with the Commissioners of Mercer County agreeable to previous notice. Wera present : William H. Purdy. Henry Reichard. Commissioners of Van Wert County. There being no Auditor present, the board appointed John F. Dobbs special clerk for the present session.

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

"Mercer County Commissioners present : Samuel Buckman, Picket Dout; Franklin Lin- zee, Auditor.

"The Board of Commissioners of the said Counties of Van Wert and Mercer, upon an examination of the book, exhibits and vouch- ers, do find that there is due to the County of Van Wert, and now in the hands of the Treas- · urer of Mercer County, the following sums : Three per cent. and road funds, $841.35; School funds, $25.84. Also an additional sum of three per cent. school funds in the hands of Samuel Buckman $38.75, which sum is to be paid to Henry Reichard and William H. Purdy on the order of the Auditor of Mercer County. The Auditor of Mercer County is also directed by the Commissioners of said County to issue the following orders on the Treasurer of Mer- cer County, one being in full of three per cent. funds, $825.85. One being in full of road funds due said County, $15.50, and one being in full of school funds due said County, $25.84.

"Also an order on Samuel Buckman in favor of the Commissioners of Van Wert County for the sum of $38.75, being in full of three per cent funds in his hands due said County.

"And thereupon the Commissioners pres- ent agreed upon finding the foregoing to be an adjustment and settlement of accounts between Van Wert and Mercer Counties and that said Counties shall henceforth have no claims upon each other for three per cent. or other funds."

The foregoing was signed by Henry Reich- ard and William H. Purdy, Van Wert County Commissioners, and by Samuel Buckman and Picket Dout, Mercer County Commissioners. It was attested by Franklin Linzee, auditor of Mercer County.

"At a session of the Commissioners of Van Wert County convened at Willshire Decem-

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 8

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 870

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870