USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > The first century of Piqua, Ohio > Part 4
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
soon under Mckinney's roof. The alarm was given to all the neighbors in reach, and by twelve o'clock all were gathered at Mckinney's where it was agreed that it was best to make their way to Winan's Station, about six miles south. So, under cover of the night, that little company of men women, and children started to seek a place of safety.
In that company was a brave and noble young woman. We wish we knew her name, who volunteered to carry the Dilbone baby. The child was heavy and proved too much for our heroine, and she was compelled to fall behind 18 She dared not call for help, as the procession moved with the utmost quiet Presently she lost their trail, and taking her charge in her arms she lay down behind a convenient log until returning day enabled her to follow the trai of her companions, arriving at the station safely before they had starte to hunt for her.
in Thus ended the fearful 18th of August, 1813. Early the next day scout ing parties were astir in different directions, ready and anxious to meet any prowling bands of hostile Indians. A party under the direction of Benj the Dye went to the Dilbone premises, where they found Mrs. Dilbone as sh lay the evening before. After a long search, Capt. Dye thought he heard a faint call, and answering, it was faintly repeated, and soon Dye and hi companions were beside the dying Henry Dilbone. He was out of his field in the woods. He asked for his wife and children. They told him the truth He asked to see his wife. The remains were brought to him, and endeavor ing to raise himself on his elbow to give her one last endearing look, he sud denly fell back and expired. There is but little more of this tradgedy The bodies were laid side by side on a sled and taken and prepared for buria. Neither was scalped. A rude box was made and both placed in it. grave was dug on the north side of the Urbana road in the corner of the lan now owned by Elijah Patterson. The military company above named ha returned from Greenville to be mustered out the day these murders wer committed. The captain immediately called for volunteers for ten day: and nearly every man stepped out ready to go. The Indian, Mingo George that John Dilbone charged with murdering his father and mother, was in ba repute among the tribe he had attached himself to. He and Dilbone ha quarrelled some time before about a worthless dog, and it was generall believed by Dilbone's friends that he (George) perpetrated the murde through malice, so that set them on the watch for him, and one night he wa found "stalking" deer in the Miami river, near where Boggs' mill used t be, and a well directed bullet stopped his deer hunting forever.
The Indians found his body and buried him asking no questions about i The boy who was with George on the day of the murder, ran into the wood from his people, and when found by them he was almost starved to deat]
The traditions of these early settlers point to a belief that there wej hostile Indians lurking around at the time of which we write, whose obje
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35
PIQUA IN THE WAR OF 1812
was either to murder Col. Johnston, or in some other way, by committing some outrage on the whites, to produce a rupture between the whites and neutral Indians at the agency, and these murders of Garrard and the Dil- bones came very near doing just that thing.
Signed-Pioneer. 1204259
Although Perry's great naval victory on Lake Erie occurred on Sept. 10, 1813, the people in Piqua, certainly did not receive the news for several months, for we find that they celebrated in honor of that important event in the spring of 1814. This celebration was held on the block of which the Citizen's National Bank is now the southwest corner.
A large tree stood near the center of this block, and several barrels : whiskey were placed on boxes in the shade. A number of tin-cups were ut in evidence, and everybody was expected to help themselves. There was my music and speeches, and many toasts were drank to further success of nj the American cause.
she hi eld ith The neutral portions of the tribes of the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawa- ard noes, Senacas, and Miamis, whose most prominent chiefs were Tarhe, Capt. Pipe, and Black Hoof, met at Greenville on July 22, 1814, and concluded a treaty with the U. S. Government, represented by Gen. Harrison, Gov. Lewis Cass, and Col. John Johnston, by which these tribes were engaged to fight against the British and their allies. This relieved the Agency at Upper ud Piqua of a number of restless Indians, and gave the settlers a chance to dy return to their usual employment without fear of molestation.
The treaty of peace between the United States and England was signed at Ghent on Dec. 24, 1814, and soon afterward ratified by the two powers, thus closing this memorable conflict which had kept the people of our "Border Town" is suspense for nearly three years.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
CHAPTER IV BEGINNING OF TOWNSHIP HISTORY
H AVING disposed of the War of 1812, we will now go back to our town of Washington, or Piqua. On April 1, 1811, the government es- tablished a post-office in connection with a weekly mail route from Dayton. The official name of the postoffice was "Piquatown", and this name was kept until our village was incorporated in 1823, when it was changed to Piqua.
The mail was carried in saddle-bag mail pouches on horse-back until a stage line was established between Piqua and Dayton. Mr. Devenny, of Spring Creek Township, has recently presented the author with one of those old mail sacks.
Through the kindness of Gen. J. Warren Keifer of Springfield, we have been able to procure from Washington a complete list of all our post-masters to date, which we here insert:
DATE DATE APPOINTED
LOCATION OF OFFICE
Armstrong Brandon
April 1, 1811 On Main, South of Water, West side.
William Johnston
Oct. 1, 1816 On Main, N. W. Corner Public Square
Robert Young
April 11, 1821 On Main, South of Greene, West side
James Defrees
July 24, 1824 On Main, South Public Square, West side.
John Carson
June 17, 1831 On Main, South of Ash, East side
John W. Gordon
May 28, 1841 On Main, N. E. Corner North & Main
Joseph Housum
H. C. Landes
April 21, 1845 Brown Cor., Cor. High & Public Square July 19, 1852 Ash St., West of Main, South Side Wayne, South of Greene, West side Main, North of Ash, West side
John Marshall Jonas Ward A. J. Roe
April 5, 1853 Feb. 16, 1858 Mar. 30, 1861
Main, North of Ash, West side
J. M. Patterson
Mar. 17, 1865
Brown Corner, and Opera House Cor. Opera House Corner
J. R. Thorne
Jan. 13, 1880 June 25, 1885
Opera House Corner
H. C. Grafflin
June 25, 1889
Opera House Corner
J. W. Shipley April 18, 1894
Opera House Corner
John W. Morris May 16, 1898 Opera House Corner
Joshua W. Orr
April 13, 1906 Opera House Corner
Will J. Prince
Aug. 27, 1913
Opera House Corner, and New Federal Building.
LaRoy S. Jordan
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Washington Township was given its present dimensions on March 16, 1814. Previous to this time it had been much larger, and though governed by regularly selected officials, the records before this date are very meager.
37
BEGINNING OF TOWNSHIP HISTORY
Our little village, not being incorporated in these early years, was gov- erned by the township officials, so it will be necessary to quote from their records in following the history of the town itself.
The only authentic record we have been able to find, is the report of the treasurer, Benjamin Leavell, of the two years previous to 1814.
March 2, 1812 April 23 1
REPORT OF THE TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Balance in treasury . $23.14
A fine paid by John Wilson for not serving as road supervisor . 2.00
March 1, 1813
A fine paid by Mathias Scudder for not serving
as overseer of poor 2.00
One note given by Gardener Bobo due 9 months after date. 26.43
One note given by Christley Mason due 9 months after date. 7.55
Nov. 21, 1813
Cash received from township .25
One note given by Jesse Boyer due 9 months after date. 3.87
March 7, 1814
One note given by Tho. Hurley for an estray mare. 21.25 Balance in treasury in cash . 18.14
Balance in treasury in notes 62.57
Total balance in treasury. $80.71
This gives some idea of the amount of money used in running the business of the township at that date. Mathew Caldwell and Francis Johnston had been Justices of Peace since at least as early as 1810. In 1813, Hugh Scott was elected in place of Caldwell, and Johnston was re-elected.
Previous to March 1814, the township had been divided into seven road districts, each under the control of a supervisor, whose salary ranged from $1.00 to $3.75 per year. At the date referred to, the township had been much reduced in area, and the trustees changed it to two districts, the di- viding line between them being practically Water street continued west. The South, or 1st District, was placed under the supervision of Robert Hearse, and the 2nd, or North District, under Robert Barnes.
The redivison of the township made it necessary to appoint two new trustees, so on June 24, 1814, John Widney and Benj. Brandon were sworn in. Jos. Tamplin served as Clerk, Issac Clark as Overseer of Poor, and Christ- ley Statler as Fence Viewer. On Jan. 31, 1815, Overseer of the Poor is- sued their warrant to the Trustees to warn Sally Thompson to depart the township without delay: Warrant served and returned according to law.
For many years colored people were not allowed to reside in Washington Township. The trustees and clerk of the township acted in the capacity of judges of elections, the trustees also appointing jurors for the ensuing
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
year. We will give the election of April 6, 1815 in full, but hereafter con- fine each year to the Trustees, Clerk, Treasurer, Justices of the Peace, and Constables.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1815
Trustees Alex. Brandon Mathew Garvey
Road Supervisors
Ist Dist. Francis Johnston
Alex. Ewing 2nd. Dist. Robt. Barnes
Clerk
Robt. Montgomery Jurors Appointed
Treasurer
Benj. Leavell
Grand Jury Alex. Moffett Wm. Mitchell
Justices of Peace
Hugh Scott Francis Johnston
Constables
Michael Cose
Robt. Montgomery
House Appraiser
John McClary
Petit Jury
Jas. Brown Benj. Leavell Jos. McIntire Robt. Montgomery John McClary John McCorkle
Land Lister
Alex. Moffett
Overseers of Poor
Isaac Parks
John McCorkle
Mathew Garvey
Fence Viewers Christley Statler
Issac Clark
Fines for nonattendance of duty, and a redivision of the road districts is about all that can be recorded for the year 1815.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1816
Trustees Alex. Brandon
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Benj. Cose
Francis Johnston
Robt. Hearse
Constables Michael Cose
Clerk John McClary
Robt. Montgomery
Treasurer Benj. Leavell
On Nov. 2, 1816, $52.50 was voted to pay the expense of opening the road leading from Piqua to Greenville. This amount being too small was return- ed to the trustees. John Johnston was instructed to erect finger-boards on the roads of the township. It was early in this year that Enos Man- ning and Chas. Murray surveyed and platted what is known as the North Addition in Piqua. It consisted of 53 lots, of about one-half acre each, and was numbered from 102 to 154 inclusive. Manning sold his interest to Murray in 1818. This plat was filed for record July 9, 1816. It lay just north of the original plat.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1817
Trustees John Johnston
Thomas Adams
Robt. Montgomery
Justice Peace Hugh Scott Francis Johnston Constables John Ingram Nathan Mills
Clerk Jos. Caldwell
Treasurer Benj. Leavell
Jas. McFaddon
39
BEGINNING OF TOWNSHIP HISTORY
Government and State money of the smaller denominations being scarce, the merchants of Piqua issued what was known as "Merchants Script", was signed by the one giving it out. The original of the copy below has been preserved all these years by Mrs. Benj. C. Upton (Aunt Hannah) who is the daughter of the pioneer, Hugh Scott, whose old home on River Street is amply described by Ella Gill Sedgwick in our chapter of reminiscence.
Six and a Fourth Cents
614 SIX AND A FOURTH CENTS 614
I promise to pay at any Store in Piqua SIX AND A FOURTH CENTS to the bearer, on Demand
Six and a Fourth Cents
Piqua, February 1, 1817.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1818
Trustees John Johnston
Thomas Adams
Jos. Caldwell
Nathan Mills
Constables
Hugh Scott Francis Johnston
Clerk
Treasurer Wm. Johnston
In 1818 a brick building was erected on the public square just east of what is now "Downs Park". It was used for school purposes and called the "Seminary". A small frame building was also erected on the east side of the square for a market-house. It was torn down in 1844.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1819
Trustees Thomas Adams
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
John Carson
Benj. Cose
Jas. Johnston Constables John Ingram
Clerk Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
John Garvey
Treasurer John P. Finley
About the only occurence of local interest in 1819, was the building of the first brick dwelling in town. This was the property of Dr. Daniel Ashton, and the house is still owned by his son, also a doctor. This house is at the north-west corner of Main and Greene streets, and for about ten years after 1820 the north room of this building was used for a government land- office with Col. Thomas B. VanHorne in charge.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1820
Trustces Jas. Johnston Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Thomas Adams
Benj. Cose
Jos. Caldwell Constables John Ingram
Clerk
Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
Boyd Edinger
Treasurer John P. Finley
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Justice Peace
John Ingram John Garvey
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
This year was an important date in the history of our village, for on July 6, 1820, the first newspaper was published. Very few of these early papers have been preserved, but we have had the good fortune to inspect and take notes from nearly all copies remaining in Piqua, and from these it will be necessary to trace the official history of the town from this date, to 1840, when we find the first regular records.
The oldest of these papers we have found was presented us by Howard Scudder, and is the "Piqua Gazette", Vol. 1, No. 4, dated July 27, 1820. In this issue there is very little local news, but as some of the adver- tisements may prove interesting we will copy a few.
Among others is that of Dr. John O'Ferrall, with offices in the Union Hall building.
UNION HALL
A HOUSE OF ENTERTAINMENT
A large and commodious brick building on the south-west corner of Main and Ash streets, recently opened by Montgomery & Bennett.
This old hall is often referred to at this period, and was the chief amuse- ment center of the town for many years. Bennett used a part of the lower floor as a cabinet shop for some time, but when the canal was opened to Piqua, turned the entire building into a hostlery, and called it the "National Hotel". Among the firms doing a general merchandising business were Robt. Hars, Wm. Johnston, John McCorkle, Nicholas Greenham, and Wm. H. St. Clair.
Under the caption of "Hammer and Sledge", Wm. Copper, six miles above Piqua, on the Wapaughkonetta road, informs the people that he has established a "Black and White" smithing shop, and that he makes all kinds of hackles in the best style with turned steel or iron teeth, and also bells of all sizes. These articles are left for sale at the store of John McCorkle in Piqua. He will take for pay, flax, linen, wool, specie, or specie paying bank paper, or Miami paper at 50% discount.
He also manufactures mill irons, edge tools, and saddle ware, and turns anything in iron, steel brass, copper, or wood.
The population in 1820 was nearly 400.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1821
Trustees Jas. Johnston Justice Peace Hugh Scott
John Carson
Benj. Cose
Wm. Mitchell Constables John Ingram
Clerk
Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
Wm. Perrine
Treasurer
John P. Finley
41
BEGINNING OF TOWNSHIP HISTORY
This year the road districts have been increased to four. Payments for work on roads to be as follows: For 2 horses or oxen, and wagon, plow, or scraper, with driver, $2.00 per day. For one horse and small wagon, with driver, $1.00 per day. The road tax assessment was one-fourth of one per cent, with a special tax of 12 cts. each on horses, and 5 cts. each on cattle, to be put into the poor fund.
The Township Treasurer's report for this year says that nothing has been paid in, and nothing paid out, so there is still a balance of $5.30 in the treasury.
It will be surprising to know that combinations to restrain competition were in existence at this early date, but the following notice in the Piqua Gazette of Apr. 26, 1821, speaks for itself.
The saw-mill owners of Piqua and vicinity met and organized for the purpose of fixing the price of sawing lumber.
Those signing the agreement were:
Robert Hars, President
Wm. Manning, Secretary
Wm. Wiley
Robt. Aldrich
Abram Miller
John Wiley Wm. Berry John Manning
At a public land sale which took place at the land office in Piqua, on the first Monday in August, 1821, the following 26 townships were sold.
Townships 1 to 5 South, Range 5.
Townships 1-2-3-4-6-7-8
Range 6. Josiah Meigs, Commissioner.
Townships 1 to 8 Range 7.
Townships 1 to 6 Range 8.
In this same paper we see for the first time, this advertisement.
PIQUA HOTEL
The subscriber will take boarders at $1.50 per week, to be paid monthly in specie or specie paying bank paper; and will charge no more than 3772c per night for a horse; 1834c for a meal; amd 614c for a half-pint of whisky, for cash.
John Tamplin.
Among the delinquent tax-payers this year, we notice that Wm. Henry Harrison owes the county $27.70. This was on ground now owned in part by the Orbisons, south-east of Piqua.
The publisher of the Gazette says: The following articles will be receiv- ed in payment for subscriptions to this paper: plank, ginseng, deer-skins, tallow, beeswax, linsey, linen, corn, oats, wheat, bacon, sugar, and clean linen or cotton rags.
The rags taken in were sent to Springfield and traded to the paper-mill at that point, for the paper used at the printing office.
The type came from Pittsburg, and the ink from Cincinnati.
42
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1822
Trustees Jas. Johnston Wm. Mitchell
Justice Peace Hugh Scott John Ingram
Wm. Manning
Constables Wm. Perrine
Clerk Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
David Conkelon
Treasurer John P. Finley
During the winter of 1821-22, the General Assembly was petitioned to change the route of the State Road lately laid out from Urbana through Piqua, to Greenville, so as to cause said road to pass through Mannings' Prairie into Ash street, instead of passing through Daniel Hilliard's field over the bridge. Previous to building the bridge at Sycamore street, the road came into Piqua across the ford just east of Manning's mill. The petition was granted, and in 1822, the road branched at Garbry's corner, and coming west, crossed the river at a ford at the east end of Ash street (near middle bridge), and following this street west to Main, turned north on Main to River street. It then ran north-west along this street to nearly the north line of Hugh Scott's land, thence west to the foot of the hill, and then in a north-west direction, coming out to the present Versailles road at a point now occupied by the west cemetery gates. It then followed the present line of that road for some distance, finally changing to the west and south-west toward Greenville.
This detour to the north was deemed necessary on account of the large swamp, called the "Slashes", west of Piqua.
During the summer of 1822, John P. Finley moved away, and Nicholas Greenham was appointed Township Treasurer in his place.
43
FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
CHAPTER V.
FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
I 'N the latter part of the year 1822 the people of Piqua petitioned the State Legislature to allow them to incorporate as a town. Their appli- cation was successful, and on Jan. 7, 1823, the incorporation papers were signed and sealed by Jeremiah McLene, Secretary of State.
In procuring this charter it was found necessary first to petition the Common Pleas Court of the County for permission. This petition was sign- ed by 57 householders of the village, and bears the date of Nov. 7, 1822. Among those who signed it were; Benj. S. Cox, Robt. Bigger, Alex. Mc- Clintock, Jacob Lauder, Jas. Jugrum, Barnard Arstingstate, Wm. R. Bar- rington, Joseph Bennett, Jos. Caldwell, John Orbison, W. Johnston, John McCorkle, Phebe Shaw, John P. Finley, David Norris, Jacob B. Cox, John Heller, Jas. Defrees, Jos. Sage, John Carson, Boyd Edinger, John Blange, Wm. McLean, Mary Donally, John Chatam, Chas. Royal, Jos. Porquette, John Brown, Wm. Perrine, Asa Dunham, John O'Ferrall, Wm. Royal, John Lorton, Jas. Tamplin, Wm. Julian, Robt. Young, Nicholas Greenham, and Nicholas Smith.
The incorporation paper gives the boundaries of the town, which at that time comprised the original plat of 101 lots, and the 53 lots of the North Addition. In its 19 articles are the rules for the government of the town, and the list of the officials and their duties. It provided for the election on the first Saturday in March, annually, of a President, Recorder, and five Trustees, and gives these officials the power to appoint a Marshall, Treasurer, and a Collector.
No doubt officials were selected as provided for in the above, but it is now impossible to find a record giving their names, so we will continue us- ing the Township records, and insert the town officials as we find them in the newspaper of cotemporaneous date.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1823
Trustees Hugh Scott Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Wm. Mitchell
John Ingram
Jacob Cose
Constables John Tamplin
Clerk Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
Nicholas Smith
Treasurer Nicholas Greenham
In the Piqua Gazette of Aug. 7, 1823, is a notice to all subscribers of material for erecting a Methodist Meeting House on Spring street to deliver the same at once, for the builder, Mr. Richard Hughs, will commence work at once, and will need the material.
Signed,-John Widney, Jacob Dills, Jas. Scudder, Wm. Royal and Wm. McLean.
Trustees.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
in the Same and by the Authority of the state of Ohio. LETTERS OF INCORPORATION
Whereas the householders in the town of Pensar. county of e ifixnet. having complied with the provisions of the vet af the General Assembly, entitled " An act to provide for the incorporation of towns;' . and having filed in the office of the Secretary of State, the documents required by the above recited act: Therefore,
So alt to whom these presents shall come, BE IT KNOWN. That the truet of land described in the tell ;.
ing boundaries, benimin situcale on the western banda of the pirate Miami rivers and was originating iaix out by John Planning Je Mattheus Baldrett; and includes a parting fractional dections 17 x15 in townskif fot. East fase meridian comprising one hundred and one los and containing in baid original plat fifty hoe a eres, which said plat was recorded on the tendo The County of liam's on the 23 way of august 180%, and also an addition therete Called the Forth xedition which was laid out baixos Manning and Charles Murray, which Said last mentionis flat was recorded in the Recordus aplico of the county ajousaid on the Lewith day of lily eighteen hundred and Sixteen, and consists of fifty three Lots and fractional lots, being part of fractional Section . Fo Vy Township No and Rang 6. East first minerian. The whole of laid down as contained on and represented by the adousaid? heats is boundra by the beat Miamo river on the north" & the Landsby Charles theway and Planning on the last by the Quant Miamisliver and lands of William Cloison on " the sameth. and by the lands of Soave barnhill Hallam. Guldwell and John kyle on the west, which land Town não seiginalle named and calledo diestivoton destinas
ORIGINAL INCORPORATION PAPERS OF PIQUA, 1823
45
FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
and stoude in the esenty of a Mianni is hereby derles preate and shall henceforth In distinguished by the name of Pique. and shall be subject to and gowirned by the following rules and regulations, sub- ject to such alterations as the legislature may at any time think proper to make:
ART. 1. The white male persons above the age of twenty-one years, who have been residents in said toun at least twelve months before the Jaynf election, and who in utker respect. possess the qualifications of electors for members of the General Assembly, shall mert at wich place in stid town as they may appoint, on the first Saturday in March, annually, after the date of these presente, between the hours of ten in the morning and four in the afternoon, and then aud there elect a Presalout. Recorder and five Trustees, who shall either be freeholders or householders in the ma". her herein after provide 1. who shall be a body corpo- nær and politic with perpetual succession, to be known and distinguished by the name of
The President, Recorder and Trustres
OF THE Ton of Piqua.
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