USA > Ohio > Ohio early state and local history > Part 14
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The Tiffin Light Guards, O. P. Snyder, Captain.
The Tiffin Zouaves, Edward Lepper, Captain.
Seneca county has many "sink-holes," especially in Thomp- son Township. When the militia drilled in the enclosure from Sandusky and Miami streets to Market street, there was a large " sink-hole" where now stands the residence of L. D. Creeger. A race track ran around it.
In a very kindly letter from the Hon. John Seitz, of Melmore, he speaks of coming to Tiffin with his father when a boy. Tiffin was then a village no larger than Melmore now is, and there was not a railroad in the whole country. In 1874,
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Governor William Allen gave him some of his pioneer recol- lections.
As a boy, Mr. Allen with his father had visited President Thomas Jefferson, who talked to him, laying his hand on the boy's head. Meanwhile, "The boy grew to manhood, migrated to Ohio, studied law, and finally became a member of the United States Senate. While serving as such, his wife died. He followed her hearse all the way from Washington to Chilli- cothe, Ohio, on horseback! No railroad, no telegraph, or telephones in 1848! In those days many people regarded the Earth as flat and stationary, while the Sun rose and set.
Mr. Seitz's father came to Bloom Township in 1824, and he was born in the log cabin in 1829. His sisters spun the wool and flax, and one of them wove the cloth for summer and winter wear. He remembers when the well traveled roads were but winding paths through the stately forests, and when the wheat and oats crops were reaped with hand sickles.
The Pioneer Association, organized February 22, 1869, first held its meetings in the City Hall of Tiffin; but after the death of the President, Dr. Kuhn, in 1878, the annual meetings have been held in Shock's Grove, Eden Township.
On the 4th day of March, 1828, 500,000 acres of land in Ohio were granted the State by an Act of Congress to aid in the construction of her canals, and two Land Offices were estab- lished by the General Assembly of Ohio, by an act passed Feb- ruary 12, 1829, for the sale of these lands, one of which was located at Tiffin. Platt Brush, who still retained his position in the United States Land Office, was appointed Register of the State Office. Abel Rawson officiated as his deputy. On December 30, 1830, Mr. Rawson was appointed Register by joint resolution of the legislature, which position he held for six years, until after the public sale of the Canal lands in the District of Perrysburg, Wood county, in 1836. This sale lasted one week, the net proceeds being $162,236.96. Most of the lands remaining undisposed of by private entry were sold at this public sale. Few lands remaining, the office was ordered removed to Maumee City, Lucas county, in May 1837.
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Tiffin and Fort Ball bitterly contested the question of the County Seat, and many law suits were brought against Josiah Hedges, the proprietor of Tiffin, which grew into fever heat when the Post Office was removed from Fort Ball to Tiffin, and Jacob Plane appointed post-master in the spring of 1829, under President Jackson. Even Mr. Hoagland, the ferryman, became so incensed against Mr. Hedges, that at every session of the court he would enter the court room on the second or third day of the session, take off his big stove pipe hat at the door, and in long brown coat reaching to his shoes, walk up to the Judge's desk with measured steps, and lay before him a large manuscript containing complaints.
The purchase by Mr. Hedges, June 15, 1825, of Fort Ball, and his refusal to sell a lot or to dispose of any real estate, necessarily placed Fort Ball at a stand-still, and accomplished his desire of locating the County Seat at Tiffin.
The first plat of Tiffin contained 118 lots; three streets, Perry, Market, Madison (starting near Rock Creek) running east and west; and Jefferson, Washington, and Monroe (start- ing at the river and ending 180 feet south of Madison street) running north and south. This survey was made and the town platted before Seneca county was organized, so the plat had to be recorded in Sandusky county, November 28, 1821.
There was no bridge across the Sandusky River, and at times the water was high, the current rapid, and the crossing of it in a small canoe, the only ferry boat then in use, was diffi- cult and not infrequently dangerous. Business increasing, Mr. Rawson removed his law office to Tiffin in April 1828. He had retained his position of Postmaster, and Mr. McNeal was the legalized deputy and kept the office at his store which was conveniently accessible for the public. This proved not to be acceptable to all residents of Fort Ball. The laws of Ohio required all these offices to be kept at the County Seat, and provided for the appointment and qualification of a deputy for each of them. Mr. Rawson had left Fort Ball for the pur- pose of taking unto himself a wife, and enjoying a wedding journey; but upon his return he found that Mr. Neal McGaffey, who was then Clerk of the Supreme Court, and of the Court
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of Common Pleas, as well as County Recorder, had circulated and forwarded a petition to the Postmaster General of the United States recommending his removal and the appointment of his (McGaffey's) brother-in-law to succeed him, for the rea- son that Mr. Rawson now resided in Tiffin, which was separated from Fort Ball by the Sandusky River and which was frequently high and difficult to cross without a bridge, which had not been provided owing to the pov- erty and newness of the country; that the mail route and only highway and principal travel from Columbus to Lower Sandusky was down the west side of the river, etc .; all this because a Fort Ballite dared to move to Tiffin. However, not all were pleased with this procedure, even the supposedly interested brother-in-law earnestly protesting against a purpose so purely malicious. John McLean, afterwards an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, was the Postmaster General, and permitted no removals upon groundless accusations, and in no case without due notice to the incumbent and an oppor- tunity to rebut and disprove them. Explanations were prompt- ly forwarded, and showings that the duties of the office had always been satisfactorily and punctiliously discharged. It was also brought out that Mr. McGaffey resided at Fort Ball; that Ohio laws required all these affairs to be kept at the County Seat, and he had no deputy for any office which he held. The petition was dismissed, and Mr. Rawson notified. But the bitterness died hard, and Mr. Rawson was again in- formed that efforts were made to remove him, but to no avail.
When The Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company was incorporated in 1832, the road was to commence at Dayton, run thence to Springfield, Urbana, and Bellefontaine, as definite points, and thence to or near Upper Sandusky; to or near Tiffin; to or near Lower Sandusky; and thence to Sandusky City. Why three of these points should have been left indefinite, was unknown, but supposed by evasion, to ultimately make a straight road from Sandusky to Bellefontaine. The supposi- tion was fortified by the fact that Col. S. M. Lockwood, who was a member of the Senate at the time the charter was granted, was a zealous advocate for its adoption, and had devoted much time to its preparation. He was a citizen of Sandusky county,
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but resided on the Peninsula, opposite Sandusky City, and transacting his business there, was believed to be committed to its prosperity. Josiah Hedges was elected one of the directors. Subscriptions were made liberally at Tiffin and in its vicinity, and along the northern end of the route, to aid in its construction. At this time the expediency of locating the road direct to Bellevue was mooted.
Measures were adopted by the Company to survey the northern part of the route, and put the road under contract from Sandusky to Bellevue. This survey and contract dem- onstrated the fact that the Company intended to ignore an honest, legitimate interpretation of its charter by pursuing a direct route to Bellevue, and omitting Lower Sandusky. This had the good effect to warn the friends of Tiffin of her danger. When the road was constructed and put in operation to Belle- vue, 1836, work was suspended for lack of funds, until 1839. Meantime a route had been surveyed from Bellevue to Tiffin, when a new issue presented itself. The designated route crossed the Sandusky below the town of Tiffin, and the grounds for a depot were on the west side of it, in the town of New Fort Ball. This again aroused the animosity of the citizens of Tiffin against Fort Ball. They protested, and besought the Company to locate either along Market street or south of town. Mr. Hedges owned the lots and lands of New Fort Ball, and was charged-being a director-with having clandestinely used his influence for the location of a depot for the sole purpose of advancing his own private ends. The Company, at the instance of Mr. Hedges, and for the purpose of allaying the commotion, sent a special committee to propose to run the road south of town if the citizens of Tiffin would bear the increased expense. This they would not do. They not only repudiated their subscriptions, declaring they would never pay them, but advised the inhabitants along the contemplated route east of Tiffin, to refuse to sell or grant the right of way for the road. Litigation began in earnest. Mr. Hedges, con- templating the formidableness of the opposition, now sug- gested the proposition of retaining some other attorney to co-operate with Mr. Rawson in defense of the Company and for the security of its rights. They-C. L. Boalt and Mr.
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Rawson-conducted and obtained confirmation of more than fifty cases of inquests for damages, all at low estimates and fourteen thereof at one term of court; and also defended the Company against several suits at law and in chancery, one of the latter of which went to the Supreme Court in Banc and effectually settled the legality of the route to Tiffin.
Eighteen hundred and forty-seven saw the preparation and the establishment of Tiffin banks-a time of envious strife.
After C. C. Park's father moved to the farm two miles east of town, and now known as the Park farm, the negroes (fugi- tive slaves) camping in the ravine would come to the house for food, when they felt it was not dangerous for them to do so; but when any were being followed or tracked, they would remain hidden for days.
A resident of Tiffin for many years, and one well known, Mr. Bibbs, the barber, was an underground fugitive. He was a proud man when able to build the brick house standing on the southeast corner of Circular and Monroe streets, and much addicted to talking to himself as he passed along Monroe street, to and from his home.
The Underground Railroad was above ground, but its passengers almost always journeyed in the darkness of the night, the darker the better. Like a modern subway, it had its stations and its officials, its passes and its terminus, which usually was Canada, where freedom was sure to be found after many perils had been passed.
To most of the present generation this name and the methods of this organized aid to the slave fleeing from bondage, are unknown, but it played an important and interesting part in the great anti-slavery agitation which preceded and in a large measure was responsible for the great war between the States from 1861 to 1865.
As early as the time of Washington, systematic efforts for aid and protection of runaway slaves were known to exist. In 1786 he wrote in a letter concerning a slave who had escaped to Philadelphia, "whom a society of Quakers in the city, formed for such purposes, have attempted to liberate." In this early movement, as during all the years that followed, the Society of Friends was among the most active and successful.
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The number escaping from the slave states was not large for many years, but gradually increased, and the organization for their assistance was slowly extended. By the year 1840 it had grown into a wide-spread institution throughout the Northern States, with certain branches even in the slave states.
We do not know when the name "Underground Railroad" came to be given to the secret trails by which so many reached the land of freedom. It could not have been used before 1830, for railroads were before that unknown in England or in the United States. Hon. Rush R. Sloane, of Sandusky, Ohio, gives the following as the origin of the name:
"In the year 1831, a fugitive named Tice Davids, came over the line and lived just back of Sandusky. He had come direct from Ripley, Ohio, where he crossed the Ohio River. When he was running away, his master, a Kentuckian, was in close pursuit and pressing him so hard that when the Ohio River was reached he had no alternative but to jump in and swim across. It took his master some time to procure a skiff in which he and his aid followed the swimming fugitive, keeping him in sight until he landed. Once on shore, however, the master could not find him, and after a long search the disap- pointed master went into Ripley, and when inquired of as to what had become of his slave, said he thought 'the nigger must have gone off on an underground road.' The story was repeated with some amusement, and this incident gave the name to the line. First the 'Underground Road', then the 'Underground Railroad.' "
In the study of a Methodist minister, there hung upon the wall for many years this picture, entitled, "No Higher Law." Slavery, a tyrant, sits upon a throne, whip and fetter in his right hand brandished over his head. Underneath a copy of the Bible, almost hidden by a copy of the hated law, is a row of human skulls. Under the throne are the words "Sacred to Slavery," beneath which is the head of a hidden beast. At the right of the tyrant is a minister of religion in ecclesiastical garb pouring out a libation. Farther to his right is a negro defend- ing himself against the attack of bloodhounds, and still farther, in the distance, is seen a friendly woman welcoming to her house as a refugee the wife and children of the slave. At the
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left, in the distance, is the Goddess of Liberty falling from a pedestal, and nearer a venerable figure, bending low, holding in his right hand a crown just taken from his head, and in his left hand the cap of freedom trailing in the dust. But the most striking object in the remarkable cartoon is the form of Daniel Webster, standing erect, with his right hand out- stretched and in his left hand a scroll, on which may be seen the words "I propose to support this bill to the fullest extent- to the fullest extent." The son of the minister preserved this picture, which hung in many a pastor's study, as a curious relic of a period so full of malice and bitterness, to be followed by one of bloodshed and agony.
The fugitive slave law of 1850 was calculated to prevent in every possible way any giving of aid of any kind to a runaway slave. It covered the cases of many who, free for years as they supposed, in states where slavery was forbidden, were now liable to seizure and return to their masters, and this happened only too often. The fine of $500.00 was increased to $1,000, and imprisonment for six months was added. Liability for civil damages was also provided for. The law was constitu- tional, and its enforcement was demanded by those interested. Violations were common and penalties were applied. The excitement was intense. It was the fugitive slave law which, in the spring of 1852, produced "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Godly, but old-fashioned ministers of the Gospel, who never before had allowed a novel in their homes, bought it and sat up nights for its reading.
It is not easy to set forth the political aspect of the Under- ground Railroad. Its influence in creating and increasing a moral sentiment in opposition to the sin of slavery is most commonly dwelt upon by those who have discussed its history. It must not be forgotten, however, that it grew throughout many years, from small beginnings to become a great system. Its work was done in secret; from its very nature this was so. It was a clearly distinct factor in the growth of the anti- slavery opinion, which was finally to take a concrete form in a political organization. It was largely influential in developing such antagonists to human slavery as John Brown and Harriet
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Beecher Stowe. It is really the explanation of that remarka- ble piece of legislation, the fugitive slave law of 1850, and the persistent violation of that law by the promoters of the Under- ground Railroad was natural y, one of the chief grievances of the Southern States at the beginning of the Civil War.
A word should be said of the routes taken by fugitives during all the years of the road's operation ..
Ohio and Pennsylvania were full of these trails leading north. Ohio, as its neighborhood to the border states suggests, would have more lines than any other state, and these extended themselves through Indiana and a part of Illinois. A short and comparatively unfrequented trail led from Missouri to Galesburg, Illinois, and there joined others. Detroit was the northern terminus of many of these western lines. Those of Pennsylvania, whose passengers entered main'y by sea-routes, led through Buffalo. New York had fewer lines leading to Canada, via Buffalo, or up the Hudson and by Lakes George and Champlain to the northern line of Vermont. The fugitives by this line often came as stowaways, or in other fashion, by sea. The New England trails led mostly from the sea-shore. Minor stations were everywhere. As one studies a map of this remarkable road, it seems as intricate and manifold as one of the familiar maps of a great modern railway system. Canada was the land of promise, but how cold and cheerless to those whose lives had been spent in the Sunny South.
Closing this lengthy paper, it seems not amiss to mention other names remembered by the earlier residents of Seneca county.
The Hon. Charles Foster, born near here in 1828, a member of Congress, and one of Ohio's Governors, of whom more was said in an earlier paper.
Consul W. Butterfield, who began his career of authorship in this county, wherein for many years he was a teacher. His first effort was the small history of Seneca county, published in 1848. In 1873 was published Crawford's Campaign against Sandusky in 1782.
Pere Hyacinth, the French Divine, who advocated matri- mony for priests, took for his bride a Seneca county lady, and
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daughter of Consul W. Butterfield. She was a contributor to Madame Demorest's Magazine, New York, and subsequently a correspondent of the New York Herald, at Paris.
Anson Burlingame, whose parents settled on a farm near Melmore when he was but three years of age, eventually settled in Massachusetts, and served as a member of Congress from the Boston, Massachusetts, District. He was an anti-slavery orator and debater, and came into prominence in 1856 when he spoke in such terms of indignation of the brutal assault by Senator Preston S. Brooks, of South Carolina, upon the Massa- chusetts Senator, Charles Sumner. Brooks had challenged Sumner to a duel after a heated debate, and Sumner being an aged man, Burlingame insisted on taking his place. Being the party challenged, it fell to his lot to make the choice of weapons. As Burlingame had been brought up in the wilds of Ohio, and was an adept with the rifle, he named them as the weapons at 30 paces, and Navy Island, just above Niagara Falls as the place of meeting. Brooks demurred, and the duel was called off. Public opinion was such that Brooks feared if the meeting took place, wherever it might be, his fate would be the same as that of some of the Seneca county bears.
In 1861 he was sent as United States Minister to China by President Lincoln. Expected to kneel before the Emperor, and with a screen between them, he flatly refused, saying the United States bowed to no country, and more, their represent- ative must converse face to face.
He made himself so much respected by the Chinese govern- ment, that he was appointed special envoy to the United States and the great western powers to form treaties with those Nations, which duty was accepted. He arrived in the United States in March, 1868, accompanied by a numerous retinue of distinguished Chinese officials. Through his influence what is known as the Burlingame Treaty was effected between the United States and the Chinese government.
Burlingame's conduct was greatly approved in this country, and at the organization of the Republican party, he was made quite a lion, and carried around on the shoulders of the mem- bers of the convention.
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Dr. I. L. St. John, one of our pioneer druggists, and staunch member of the Presbyterian church, was ever a bachelor, and considered very close.
Amelia Benham and Mary Ebbert were great friends. The ladies of Tiffin were making and fitting so-called "companions" for the soldiers. Everything needed save combs, had been supplied for the "companions," and as Dr. I. L. St. John had not given toward them, Misses Benham and Ebbert called upon him. He rather admired Miss Benham, and when she asked to see some combs, began laying boxes containing them out on the counter for her selection, thinking she wanted one comb. Selecting a box in which she deemed the combs most suitable, she gathered it up, telling him of the purpose for which she desired them, and without paying for them; but it most broke his heart. He was desirous also, of courting Mrs. Ely, later Mrs. Harrison Noble.
For a time a widow boarded at the Shawhan Hotel, and had her seat at the same table with Dr. St. John. Friends would tell him they thought she would make him a nice life com- panion, until one day, exasperated, he exclaimed, "Do you think I want anything to do with a lady who picks her teeth and snuffs at the table?"
John Merklebaugh claimed the honor of having the first Christmas tree in Seneca county, 1853. It was not a real tree, but a frame trunk into which fresh branches were fastened each year. Before this, however, John Hartman had made a Christmas tree for his children out of two hoops and a fancy wooden top, all painted green. Suspended by wire about a foot from the top, was the smaller hoop, and a foot lower was the larger hoop. The whole affair hung from the ceiling and was decorated with candles and sweet meats.
The first butcher shop in Fort Ball, was opened by Edgar & Bowe in 1832. They advertised fresh meat for sale every Tuesday and Saturday. The market opened at the sound of a trumpet.
Thomas Lloyd and wife, who built and occupied the house on the northwest corner of Jefferson and Perry streets, had a German clock which was brought over by some emigrants.
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When it would strike, it would then play several tunes, and figures would come into view and march across the face. It was considered a great curiosity, and recalls the great Stras- burg clock which, with others, was shown in the old City Hall about 1878.
Springdale Cottage, the home of General Gibson, was built in 1853, there being then but two cabins between it and the corner of Sycamore and Monroe streets. There were many sugar maples in those woods, and much sugar and syrup was made, sugar parties being greatly enjoyed by the young people.
General Gibson was the first white child in the county and was of great curiosity to the Indians, who presented him with presents.
North Washington street was called Pen Yan in 1832, and for some years later.
Seneca county was organized in 1824. The Board of County Commissioners organized and held their first session on June 7, 1824, and on the same day appointed Milton McNeal treasurer.
Our Own Sandusky
By GERTRUDE UMSTED (MRS. H. B. GOODING).
At the beginning of time, Ages and ages ago, God caused the mighty waters, To rise, and fall, and flow.
He made the lakes and seas So wonderful, deep, and wide!
He caused the mighty oceans To ebb and flow with the tide.
And then He made the rivers- Some, majestic, deep, and grand, That find their way among the rocks And over the shining sand.
While others are little rivers, Gliding slowly along, Bringing their welcome tribute, And singing their little song.
Such was our own Sandusky Before the time of man, When it flowed along through the forest, According to God's own plan.
Tradition points to a people Who, many years ago, Lived near the banks of our river, As the mounds they built do show.
How they came from other climes No one can ever tell, For they left nothing but relics behind them As they bade their last farewell.
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Then came the wandering Red man Stealthily creeping by, Following the deer to the water's edge, Or aiming his arrow on high
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