USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics, Volume I > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
"He took his leave of this angry mob in a speech which would not have disgraced a mar- tyr, embracing the stake of glory, and the fa- tal noose was tied. I observed the brazen firmn- ness of his limbs, after his face was covered .-- He flung his handkerchief with an air of semi- benediction, and died like a hero. "
Fancy Trades.
The New York Spirit of the Times has the tallest editor in the lively Porter, and the race- iest, drollest, and most mirth-moving correspon- dents of any juornal in the land, The following is from a letter in the last 'Spirit.'
One evening in particular I was rallying my companion upon his low spirits, and attributing it to long absence from his wife, making as ull- favorable a comparison as possible between his situation and my own, a bachelor, when our quondam friend, as usual, joined in. Matrimo- ny, said he, is a fine thing, when you are once in for it, and know what you've got; but its ra- ther ticklish to begin on ; you're as likely to make a fancy trade as any, and if I'm goin to make one I want it in horses; for if I'm married I'll have to stand perhaps when I don't want to.
'Yes : but,' said I, 'what do you call a fancy trade?'
Why Captain, a fancy trade is where a man's fancy out jinerals his judgment, and runs away with his brains. I'll tell you a story now, where my fancy ran right straight away with iny gum- tion to the tune of old hundred.
Off' I goes to the tavern. for old Jim Dana, a dreadful critter for a trade. Jim, says I, ‘do yon want to make a trade ?' 'I don't want to do anything else.' says Jim. Well then,' says 1, 'throw away your segar-put your hat square on your head, take that swagger out of your carcass and come and swap my brown horse for me,and I want you to look so much like an honest man that your own wife wouldn't know you.' Well, we got down where the chap was; here's the gentleman,' says I, 'what owns the brown hoss and he is willing to make an exchange with you.' 'Very, well,' says the fellow, 'tell what you'll do.' On this off goes old Jim at half cock. 'I've owned this critter trom a colt,' says he, 'I've used him in every way and shape, and he never failed. He aint used to high keep- in', but it takes a man's hoss to beat him. Thar he is; look for yourself : sound, kind, and good -eight years old next spring. I'll warrant him in any harness, and when you come to a hill, he's there. I should feel bad to part with him,' and really the old feller looked as if he'd cry. 'Well,' says I, 'how'll you trade?' 'I can't make np my mind,' says old Jim, 'I might trade for $30, how'd you tiade?' 'Offer him $20,' says I, in my covey's ear; 'No,' says he, 'I can't trade short of $20 myself.' 'But.' says I, 'you will trade for twenty ?' 'Yes,' sayshe. I winked te Jim to close up. 'Well,' says old Jim, 'I shall trade.' We shifted purty quick, I guess, and ] never felt safe till I saw his halter on old brown. Just as he was goin' off, he turned round, and sayshe to me, 'when you put your colt in the wagon, set well back, for he'll kick it all to pieces.' and oh . how he laughed ! I've hearn folks laugh and I've hearn them cry, but I never heard anything before or since that come over me as that did. I felt as if I had lived on raw barber- ries for a week, and exercised myself whetting saws. Old Jim laughed, as though he'd split .--- 'Where's that V!' said he, and then he'd laugh, I hired a hoss cart, and put the colt in; he got to kickin' and there he kicked it all to pieces in no time, his hind legs went like a mill raee; them ere gambols warnt made for nothin', I tell you; he kicked the cart all to pieces, and I had
The last time I was up West I went with the old brown hoss I had of the stage agent, a purty good one, but a little rusty at times. Well, 1 got to Windham Cattle Show before I see a chance to swap, and for the matter o' that 1 couldn't see any chance ; there was a good many niceish kind of hosses, but nobody seemed to hanker after a trade. Finally I see a country- man leading a black colt-wasn't he a buster! He had the greatest withers ever you see on a hoss, and a set of limbs that would bring tears Into a man's eyes. I at's the chap: ‘Mister,' says I, "that's a fust rate colt, if 'twant for them are.' 'Them are what,' says he. 'Law; now do be green,' says I. 'Green,'says he, 'what do you mean by that are?' " Why, there, man, says ] to pay thirty-seven dollars for it. Well I tho't
135
I'd make the best of a bad job, so I bought an old cripple for ten dollars to draw my wagon and tied the colt behind, and cuss him he wouldn't go there, but went to pulling back, and broke my new wagon. Well, thinks I, I'll put him up, and try again in the morning; but I hadn't seen the worse yet, for they wouldn't put him up, no how ; they said he was glandered and so he was; the chap had blowed powder al- lum up his nose,so he didn't show, and I was so earnest to pick up a flat I hadn't looked to see anything. And that was the end of my fancy trade.
I gave the colt away after two days, for he wouldn'ta fetched me a pint of cider. It was a good deal for me in the end though, for my school master used to say, that hour's work bred me circumspection. And from that day to this, I have never took a sudden shine to anything without its bringing that colt right afore my eyes. I have never been married, and a gall must manage purty cute and look purty well, to make me sweet, for the black cow's horns show dread- ful quick to me on account of the color.
And now, Captain, let's have some hot whis- key punch before we go to roost, and it is your treat, for you are getting your experience migh- ty fast, and without paying for il.
CORRESPONDENCE.
More Pork Stories.
MR. CIST :
The pork story told in your last pa- per, of the manner in which some rustic sharper made a city dealer break his contract, when the price of pork had risen in market, reminds me of two other stories which I give as follows-
More than thirty years ago, a large burley man, who dwelt somewhere on the waters of Buck Creek, Ohio, remarkable for his powers of counting a drove, had become famous for his droves of hogs taken over the mountains and sold in Virginia and Maryland. On one occa- sion he had a large drove in the vicinity of Georgetown, D. C., of which he sold one half to a person there, and as the hogs had to be de- livered on the opposite side of the river Poto- mac, it was agreed they should be divided on Georgetown Bridge. Accordingly, the whole number were driven to the bridge, and as he was a man of energy and despatch, the hogs were put into quick motion and passed over in a hurry. The drover stood at the centre, coun- ting the van of the drove as they hurried by, and when one half had gone past he headed the rest, [whether heading Tyler came from this I do not know-] It so fell out that the best run- ners got through first, and all the heaviest and fattest hogs remained on the drover's side as cull- ings, of course, greatly to his disadvantage.
The other story relates to a gentle- man with a round good humored face, and port- ly frame, who dwells in this city without the hand of time making him older to the eye. He
then occupied the store now held by Geo. Conc- lin, and his next door neighbor was James Rey- nolds, then a dry goods merchant: he conclud- ed that in addition to selling dry goods, he would deal in pork. He made a contract in writing with some man who dwelt near Brookville, In- diana, and had not been long from Yankee land, to deliver him from one to five hundred good fat hogs, of not less than 200 weight, by a day specified in the contract. Before the day arrived however, the price of hogs had so risen, that the countryman could not procure the hogs to fill the contract, without great loss to himself. So, punctually to the day he placed on a dray a large hog, ready slaughtered and dressed, which he drove to the door of the merchant, and ac- costing him in the rear of his store, observed that he had brought him the pork according to contract, which he would please to step to the door and receive. Our friend, expecting noth- ing less than a string of some six or cight wag- ons along his front, and doubtless exulting in his own mind in the profits which must result, under the circumstances of the case, stepped for- ward with great alacrity towards the door, when sceing nothing but the dray of which he did not notice the load, turned his eye up and down street by turns to see the approach of the wag- gons. At last turning to the contractor, he ask- ed, "where are the hogs." "There," said the hoosier, pointing to the dray, is the pork which according to our contract, was to be from one to five hundred hogs. Pork, added he, is rather scarcer than usual in our range, and I have found it therefore, more convenient to deliver you one hog than five hundred. The Porkmer- chant finding himself caught, gave in with as good grace as possible, paid for his pork, and dismissed lis dealer with much civility. if not cordiality. Being however a practical joker on all occasions, the misadventure was received with much glee by his neighbors who had long and often suffered in these respects at his hands, and who took care that the story should become known all over town, and lose nothing in' the telling.
If any doubt exist as to the truth of this nar- rative, Captain Stephen Butler who lived in that region in those days could probably furnish evi- dence in the case.
I think Mr. Editor, the incidents I have given you manifest more wit and talent, if not more fully within the pale of fair dealing than Mr. B. B. who trenched decidedly on the borders of falsehood. Had the lot of the individuals of whom I speak been cast in Wall street N. York, they would no doubt have reached a high stand- fing in the practice of what is called cornering.
Yours, s.
136
MR. CIST :--
The tavern bill which you lately publish- ed in your paper, under the head of "Fifty years since," has interested me, and I have some small criticisms to make, on this antiquarian matter, which, I think, has been misunderstood.
You say that the bill was incurred by Gener- al St. Clair and two other persons. You will note that this bill was for Mr. St. Clair & Co., and is dated at Marietta in Oct. 1798. The gene- ral court of the territory sat at Marietta in that month, and Mr. St. Clair, the General's son, and who was then Attorney General of the Territo- ry, was there in attendance on the Court, and the bill was doubtless for him, and two other lawyers from Cincinnati. That part of the bill made out by their host, is in Connecticut cnr- rency, of 6 shillings to the dollar, as you may readily see, and not in Pennsylvania, of 7s, 6d to the dollar, which did not prevail in that quar_ ter; and the remaining notes were made by that third person, to whom, as unknown, you at- tribute all the brandy; for which I excuse you, as you have reckoned him a military man.
That other person kept the bill, and made the memo. of his outlay for the whole, and it con- tains the settlement on returning home, for you see he "received of St. Clair, at Cincinnati." The entry of cash, "received of Jacob," shows the other person to have been one of a familiar band, and I judge that it was jotted by a broth- ers's hand. The custom of travellers in those days to have the bill paid on the road by one of the company, as treasurer for the whole, who would settle at the journey's end, is here shad- owed forth. And the venison ham, the bread, the last pints of brandy, the cheese, and eke the victuals were for use on the journey at noon- tide, and such appliances, as the lawyers, re- turning from Court, found needful on the dreary bridle paths, where no houses were found to re- ceive them. I am certain to a common intent that the affair pertains to a band of pioncer lawyers; and, with a feeling of jealous rever- ence for them, strengthened by a belief that one of the two yet abides in honor among us, I in- sist that the huge quantities of sack and other thin potations therein set down, were consumed by their chents, and other droppers in at their rooms.
Having thus shown, for the sake of truth, that the affairs did not pertain to the military, but rather to the civil department, and particularly to the fathers of the Bar, I must, for the honor of the profession, express my horror at a mistake by your compositor, who changes "1 qt. bran- dy," to "19 p. brandy." or one quart to nineteen pints; and I appeal to the price 3s 6d as proof of the monstrous aspersion on the elders of our race. You must, in good sooth, put that printer
under some suitable penance, and make a- mends as publisher. Think of it! That law- yers should have to travel on horseback from Marietta to Cincinnati, pack a bushel and a half of oats, besides their bread and venison, and have one innocent quart of brandy swelled to nineteen pints, and published in these days of total abstinence, post coaches and steam- boats! As you dread a bad epitaph yourself, correct the most horrible mistake!
Yours, A YOUNGER LAWYER. Jan. 20, 1845.
The figures were difficult to decipher; so we put the quantity to suit the profession of the pre- sent day. PRINTER.
Buildings for 1844 -- in Cincinnati.
I have at length completed the enumeration of the buildings of 1844, the result of which has been published ward by ward. as each was fin- ished, and now recapitulate the several returns.
Wards. Stone. Bricks. Frames.
Total.
First.
1.
71.
10.
82.
Second,
97.
5.
102.
Third,
71.
46.
117.
Fourth,
75.
42.
117.
Fifth,
115.
51.
166.
Sixth,
89.
28.
117.
Seventh,
146.
73.
219
Eighth,
120.
106.
226.
Ninth,
2.
45.
35.
82.
3. 829.
396.
1228.
Buildings,'43 0.
636.
267.
1003.
Excess in'44. 3.
73.
127.
225.
The aggregate of buildings in 1842,
do
do
1843, 9545.
do
do
1844, 10773.
This, it will be observed, includes the corpo- rate limits of Cincinnati; there is very little doubt that in the district between the corpora- tion line, and the base of the hills, on our north , which is virtually a part of the city, as many as five hundred buildings have been put up, during 1843 and 1844.
MARRIAGES.
In this city, on Thursday, January the 9th inst, by the Rev. Mr. Cleaveland, Mr. JAMES HILLHOUSE to Miss MAR- GARET C. SWINSON.
On 'Thursday the 16th inst, at the Broadway Exchange, by the Rev. Mr. Kroell. Mr. GEORGE MAURER to Mrs. CHRISTIANA GERHART.
On the 11th inst, by the Rev. Mr. Prescott, SIMON Ross to Miss MARGARET G. SMITH, of Dundce, Scotland.
On Thursday, the 26th ins1. by the Rev. S. W Lynd, Mr. HEZEKIAH C. SMITH 10 MISS ANNE COXALL.
MENTI
DEATHS.
In New Orleans, on Saturday, January the 11th, Capt. JOHN BATCHELDER, of Cincinnati.
In this city. on Sunday the 12th inst, Mrs. FANNY, wife of the Rev. James C. White.
On Sunday the 121h inst, Mrs. MARGARET ANN, con- sort of John A. Williams, and daughter of Wm. Jones.
On Friday the 17th inst, Rev. FREDERICK G BETTS Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Clearfield, Penn.
8542.
137
Rites of the Aborigines.
I am indebted for the following interesting sketch of Indian Customs to the "Sidney Auro- ra," published in the region referred to in the article. As the testimony of an intelligent eye- witness, it is of great value, and throws much light on many long-debated subjects connected with the origin, character, and habits of the Aborigines of our country.
LOWER SANDUSKY, O., 1844.
MR. EDITOR :- Since the epoch of the "Last Sacrifice," we are surrounded by a new race ot inhabitants; the almost unprecedented influx of population, which has poured upon us, from the East, and the South, has gathered around us a new generation-so that we of the "olden time," seem now to live in the midst of stran- gers.
The Red Man of the forest has disappeared -- the Pioneer, shunning the society of the refined and intelligent, has gone in search of the "UI- tima Thule," or the "far West," and the Squat- ter has followed his footsteps.
Presuming that the following narration of the Religious Rites of the Aborigines, would not be altogether void of interest to your readers, it is, therefore, respectfully presented.
Yours, &c.
SAM'L CROWELL,
RITES OF THE ABORIGINES.
The SENECAS who roam'd those wilds, In ages long by-gone; Are now rejoicing in the chase, Towards the setting sun.
Their Sacrifices offer'd up, And Deity appeased -- Their "Father-land" they left in peace, With their exchange well pleased.
On the first day of February, some fourteen years since, I witnessed an interesting, and to me, a novel, religious ceremony of the Seneca tribe of Indians, then occupying that portion of territory now comprising a part of the counties of Seneca, and Sandusky, Ohio, familiarly known to the inhabitants of this region, as 'the Seneca Reservation.'
The fact that this nation had recently ceded this Reserve to the United States, and were now about to commemorate, for the last time in this country, this annual festival, previous to their emigration to the Rocky Mountains, contributed not a little, to add to it an unusual degree of interest.
To those acquainted with the characteristic trait of the Red Men, it is unnecessary to remark, that there is a reservedness attached to them --- peculiarly their own; but, especially, when a- bout to celebrate this annual festival, they seem, so far at least as the pale-faces are concerned, to shroud their designs in impenetrable secrecy.
And the festival of which I now speak, might have been, as many others of a similar charac- ter were, observed by themselves with due sol- emnity, and without the knowledge or inter- ference of their white neighbors, but that the general poverty and reckless improvidence of the Senecas were proverbial. And those were the causes which awakened the suspicions of the inquisitive Yankees.
In order, therefore, that the approaching fes- tival, as it was intended to be the last of those observances here, should not lack in any thing necessary to make it imposing, and impress a permanent recollection of Sandusky, on the mind of their rising race-no effort was spared, and no fatigue regarded, that would tend to promote this object. Thus for some time pre- vious to the period of which I am now speak- ing, by the unerring aim of the Seneca rifle, the antlers, with the body of many a tall and stately buck, fell prostrate; and in crowds the Indians now came into Lower Sandusky with their venison, and their skins; and the squaws, with their painted baskets and moccasins, not as heretofore, to barter for necessaries, but chief- ly for ornaments!
To the penetrating mind of the merchant, they thus betrayed their object; to-wit: that they were preparing to celebrate their annual festival, or in the vulgar parlance of the day, 'to burn their dogs.'
Inquiry was now on the alert to ascertain the precise period; and to the often repeated inter- rogatory put by the boys of our village, 'Indi- an, when will you burn your dogs?' -- an evasive reply would be given; sometimes saying, 'may be,' (a very common expression with them,) 'two days,' -- 'may be, three days,' -- 'may be, one week.' Their object being to baffle the inquirer; so that the further off the intended period was, they would give the shortest time -- and vice versa.
The principal Head-men, or Chiefs of the Se- necas, were 'GOOD HUNTER,' 'HARD HICKORY,' and 'TALL CHIEF ;' there were also some sub or half Chiefs: among those of the latter rank, Benja- min F. Warner, a white or half-breed, had con- siderable influence.
In this, as in other nations, civilized as well as savage, though there may be several men of apparent equal rank, yet there usually is one, who either by artificial, or universally acknowl- edged talent, directs in a great measure, the destinies of the nation; and such among the Senecas, was HARD HICKORY.'
To a mind of no ordinary grade, he added, from his intercourse with the whites, a polish of manner, seldom seen in an Indian. The French language he spoke fluently, and the English, intelligible. Scrupulously adhering to the cos- tume of his people, and retaining many of their habits, this Chief was much endeared to them; while on the other hand, his urbanity, and for an Indian, he possessed, as already observed, a large share of the suaviter in modo --- his intelli- gence, his ardent attachment to the whites- and above all, his strict integrity in business transactions, obtained for him, and deservedly, the respect and confidence of all with whom he traded. Such was the trust the merchants of Lower Sandusky reposed in this Chief, that when an indigent Indian came to ask for goods on a credit, if Hard Hickory would say he would see the sum paid. no more was required. Thus his word passed current with, and current for, the whole nation.
And as in the mind of man there is something intuitive, better known than defined, by which instinctively, as it were, we find in the bosom of another, a response to our own feelings; so in the present case, this noble Indian soon discov- ered in the late OBED DICKINSON, a merchant of Lower Sandusky, a generous, confiding and ele- vated mind, whose honorable vibrations beat in unison with his own.
133
To Mr. D. therefore, he made known the | his cue, there was a continuous line of pieces of time when they would celebrate their festival, silver -- the upper one being larger than a dollar, and the lower one less than a half dime. by sacrificing their dogs, &c. &c., and cordially invited him to attend as a guest, and if so dis- posed, he might bring a friend with him.
Correctly supposing that I never had an op- portunity of witnessing this religious rite, Mr. D. kindly requested me to accompany him to their Council-House, on Green creek, in that part of this county, included in the present town- ship of Green creek. On giving me the invita- tion, Mr. D. remarked, that by taking a present in our hand, we would, probably, be made the more welcome. In accordance, therefore, with this suggestion, we took with us a quantity of loaf sugar and tobacco.
It was sometime in the afternoon when we arrived, and immediately thereafter, we were ushered into the Council-House with demonstra- tions of public joy and marked respect.
As soon as seated, we gave our presents to Hard Hickory, who, raising, held one of them up, and pointing to Mr. D. addressed the Indi- ans in an audible voice, in their own tongue; then holding up the other, he pointed to me, re- peating to them what he had before said-this done, he turned to us, and said :
'You stay here long as you want, nobody hurt you.' Confiding in the assurances of this Chief, I hung up my valise, in which were some important papers, for I was then on my way further East, attending to my official duties as Sheriff of this county, and felt perfectly at home.
To the inhabitants of this section of Ohio, a minute description of the Council House, would be deemed unnecessary. Suffice it to say, that its dimensions were, perhaps, sixty by twenty- five feet; a place in the centre for the fire, and corresponding therewith, an aperture was left on the roof for the smoke to ascend. Contiguous to the fire place were two upright posts, four or five feet apart; between these posts, a board, twelve or fifteen inches broad, was firmly fasten- ed; and over this board the skin of a deer was stretched very tight. On a seat near this board, sat a blind Indian with a gourd in his hand, in which were beans or corn -- with this he beat time for the dancers. Such was the musician, and such the music.
The dancing had commenced previous to our arrival; and was continued with little intermis- sion, for several successive days and nights. An effort by me to describe their manner of dancing would be fruitless. I have witnessed dancing assembles in the populous cities of the east, among the refined classes of society-but having seen nothing like this, I must, therefore, pro- nounce it sui generis. I was strongly solicit- ed by some of the Chiefs to unite with them in the dance : I, however, declined the intended honor-but gave to one of them my cane, as a proxy, with which he seemed much delighted. Several of their white neighbors, both male and female, entered tlie ring,
There was on this occasion a splendid display of ornament. Those who have seen the mem- bers of a certain society, in their most prosper- ous days, march in procession, in honor of their Patron saint, decorated with the badges and in- signia of their Order, may have some conception of the dress and ornamental decorations of those Head-men, while engaged in the dance.
Some of the more inferior Indians were 'stuck o'er with baubles, and hung round with strings.' Many of them wore small bells tied round their ancles ; and those who could not afford bells, had deer hoofs in place thereof; these made a jingling sound as they put down their feet in the dance.
The squaws also exhibited themselves to the best advantage. Several of them were splen- didly attired and decorated. Their dresses were chiefly of silk, of various colors, and some of them were of good old fashioned Queen'sgray. These dresses were | not ' cut,' as our fair belles would say, a la mode --- but they were cut and made af- ter their own fashion: that is; not so long as to conceal the scarlet hose covering of their an- cles, their small feet, or their moccasins, which were so ingeniously beaded, and manufactured by their own olive hands.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.