USA > Ohio > Champaign County > The history of Champaign county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory etc > Part 20
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He arrived at New York, July 5 of that year, after a journey from Ipswich, Mass., in his sulky. He obtained lodgings at the "Plow and Harrow," and saw that his good horse was properly cared for and fed at the same place. Congress was then in session, and he had come on a mission for the Ohio Com- pany, to negotiate their grant and its privileges in the new Territory of Ohio. He remained in New York three weeks, constantly engaged in the work vital to the interests of the future great State. But he secured the installment of the principles deemed the corner-stone of a future powerful State constitution. Mr. Poole, Librarian of the Chicago Public Library, searched assiduously for con- clusive proof of Dr. Cutler's right to this honor, and in the North American Review, Vol. 122, this is emphatically set forth with substantiating proof under his signature.
Other facts have been discussed and proven at a very recent date, relative to the State of Ohio, which heretofore have been omitted, and nearly lost from the historic thread which unites the present with the past.
The first settlement of the lands of the Northwest is necessarily surrounded with interest. But those were exciting, troublesome times, and a few links were passed over lightly. However, the years are not so far removed in the past but the line may be traced.
Mr. Francis W. Miller, of Cincinnati, has supplied some missing chapters. The earliest documentary trace extant, regarding the southern settlement at Cincinnati, is an agreement of partnership between Denman, Filson and Pat- terson, in the fractional section of land to which the city of Cincinnati was originally limited. It bears the date August 25, 1788. This was entered on the records of Hamilton County, Ohio, October 6, 1803.
198
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
A letter from Jonathan Dayton to the Hon. Judge Symmes, dated Septem- ber 26, 1789, says: "You have been selling your lands, I am told, for two shillings specie, the acre. The price at this moment is, and seems to be, and undoubtedly is, a good one; but as much cannot be said of it when you find hereafter that in consequence of the rise of certificates, another acre, in another payment, may cost you in specie two shillings and sixpence."
A letter from John C. Symmes to Capt. Dayton, dated April 30, 1790, says : "The land in the reserved township is held at much too high a price. Not a foot of land beyond the five-acre lots will sell. Five shillings, specie, or two dollars in certificates, is the utmost they will bring, and they will rarely sell at that."
This state of affairs was in a large degree brought about by the breaking-up of North Bend and a removal of the town to Fort Washington, or Cincinnati, later. A search through the old letters and other preserved documents prove that North Bend was at one time the beginning of the great city on the Ohio, rather than Cincinnati. Judge Symmes wrote, May 18, 1789: "I have not as yet been able to make a decisive choice of a plat for the city, though I have found two pieces of ground, both eligible, but not upon the present plan of a regular square. It is a question of no little moment and difficulty to deter- mine which of these spots is preferable, in point of local situation. I know that at first thought men will decide in favor of that on the Ohio, from the supposition that the Ohio will command more trade and business than the Miami. * But if it were built on the Miami, the settlers throughout the purchase would find it very convenient."
Another of the earliest selections of town sites was adjacent to the most southerly point of what is now Delhi Township. To this the name of South Bend was given. Judge Symmes reports November 4, 1790, of this place, over forty framed and hewed-log two-story houses, since the preceding spring. Ensign Luce is said to have taken his troops to North Bend, but decided to remove to Cincinnati, on account of the object of his affections having settled there-the wife of a settler. But this story is refuted by contradictory evi- dence from Judge Symmes' letters, which illustrate the fact that the post of North Bend was abandoned by Ensign Luce and his men in consequence of a panic, caused by Indian attacks. The removal of the troops caused a general decline of the town. Again, history and letters from the same eminent Judge, assert that Fort Washington was completed and garrisoned by Maj. Doughty before the close of that same year, and was begun by him during the summer, that Ensign Luce must have still been at his post at the bend at that time. It has been, therefore, recently accepted that the traditional "black . eyes" and the "Indian panic," had nothing to do with the founding of Cincinnati, and that the advantages of the position gained the victory.
Cincinnati has advanced, not only in prosperity and culture, but in national significance. Our readers must have observed, in perusing these pages, that
199
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
from this city and the State which it represents, have emanated some of the superior intellects which have used their wise faculties and talents, tempered by a wise judgment, in behalf of the American Union.
The originality of the Senecas and Wyandots have been debated at some length, while others have called the tribes the same, having two branches. We have searched the earlier records and have found an authenticated account of these two tribes.
The Indian tribes of Ohio were originally bold, fierce and stalwart. The country watered by the Sandusky and its tributaries was frequented by the Wyandot tribe, who came from the north side of the St. Lawrence River. The Senecas were blood relatives of this tribe. Both tribes were numbered by the thousands. A war originated between them, in this manner: A Wyandot chief desired to wed the object of his affections, who laughed him to scorn, because he had taken no scalps, and was no warrior " to speak of." To change her opinion, he led out a party, and falling upon a number of Senecas, slaugh- tered them mercilessly, that he might hasten to the side of his dusky belle, with his trophies. This act inaugurated hostilities, which extended through a century. The Wyandots began to fear extermination, and, gathering their entire effects, the natives escaped to Green Bay, and settled in several villages. But the Sen- ecas made up a war party and followed them, killing many Wyandots and burn- ing some of their villages. They then returned to Canada. Soon thereafter, they secured fire-arms from the French. Again they followed the Wyandots, firing their guns into their huts, and frightening them severely. They did not succeed as well as they expected. But the third party nearly exterminated the villages, because the young warriors were nearly all gone to war with the Foxes. The few at home escaping, promised to return with the Senecas, but desired two days for preparation. The Wyandots sent word to the two villages left undisturbed, and held a consultation. They decided to go as near the Senecas as possible, unobserved, and discover their real motive. They found them feast- ing on two roasted Wyandots, shouting over their victory. They danced nearly all night, and then fell asleep. A little before daylight, the Wyandots fell on them, leaving not one to carry back the news.
The Wyandots then procured guns, and began to grow formidable. They set out to return to their own country, and proceeded on their way as far as Detroit, where they met a party of Senecas, on the lake. A fierce conflict ensued, and the Wyandots beheld the Senecas fall, to the last man, suffering fearful carnage themselves. They soon settled in this part of the world, their principal village being on the Sandusky. Northwestern Ohio was particularly dangerous with new Indian tribes, and the Wyandots were cruelly aggressive. The death of their chief, and their total defeat by Harrison, destroyed their power forever.
On the 29th of September, 1817, a treaty was held, at the foot of the rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie, between Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur,
200
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
Commissioners of the United States, and the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, Potawattomie, Ottawa and Chippewa nations. All their lands in Ohio were ceded to the United States forever.
There was really not a Seneca in the Seneca nation. They were chiefly Cayugas, Mohawks, Onondagas, Tuscarawas, Wyandots and Oneidas. But the Mingoes were originally Cayugas, and their chief was the celebrated Logan. After the murder of his family by the whites, the Mingoes were scattered over the territory northwest of the Ohio.
The notorious Simon Girty was adopted by the Senecas. Girty's name was a terror and fiendish horror for many years. He not only led the Indians in their atrocities, but he added barbarism to their native wickedness.
CONCLUSION.
"When peace was proclaimed, after the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee to Gen. U. S. Grant, the volunteer troops disbanded, and a return to home indus- tries instituted, Ohio, like many other States, gave direct attention to the inter- ests of returned soldiers. The thrift of the State was augmented by a spasmodic, and thereafter recognized as a fictitious, demand for products, commercial and industrial pursuits redoubled their forces. But the great wave of stagnation swept over this fair land-the re-action of a war excitement. Laborers were many, but wages were inadequate. Deeper and deeper settled this lethargy- called by many " hard times"-until the wheels of commercial life revolved slowly, and from the workshops and the factories went up the echoes of priva- tion and distress. There was no famine, no fever, no epidemic, it was simply exhaustion. In the larger cities there was much suffering. Idle people loitered about, barely seeking employment, the task seeming worse than hopeless.
During the years 1870, 1871 and 1872, the stringent measures brought about by the depressed state of business retarded any material advancement in general matters. The years 1873-74 were marked by a preceptible improve- ment, and a few factories were established, while larger numbers were employed in those already founded. The year 1875 was under the direction of a Demo- cratic Legislature. It was marked in many respects by a "reverse motion " in many laws and regulations.
The Legislature which convened in 1876, January 3, was Republican in the main. It repealed the "Geghan Law" passed by the preceding body. At the time of its adoption, there was the most intense feeling throughout the State, the charge being made that it was in the interests of the Catholics. Among the general enactments were laws re-organizing the government of the State insti- tutions, which the previous Legislature had ordered according to their own belief to follow new doctrines. The office of Comptroller of the Treasury was abolished. The powers of municipal corporations to levy taxes was limited, and their authority to incur debts was limited. Furthermore, this body prohibited any municipal appropriations, unless the actual money was in the Treasury to meet
201
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
the same in full. A law was passed for the protection of children under fourteen years of age, exhibited in public shows.
The temperance cause received more vigorous and solid support than was ever rendered by the State previously. A common-sense, highly moral and exalted platform was formed and supported by many leading men.
This year witnessed the serious "strikes" among the miners in Stark and Wayne Counties. The consequences were painful-distress, riots and distruc- tion of property.
The State Mine Inspector reported 300 coal mines in the State, with only twenty-five in operation. Not over 3,000,000 tons of coal were raised during the year, owing to the dullness of the times.
The State charities reported the aggregate number under public care to be 29,508. The taxation for the maintenance of these classes was one and one six-hundredth of a mill on each dollar of taxable property.
The reports given of the year 1877 indicated a revival of business interests and prosperity. The State produced of wheat, 27,306,566 bushels ; rye, 914,106 bushels; buckwheat, 225,822 bushels; oats, 29,325,611; barley, 1,629,817 bushels ; corn, 101,884,305 bushels ; timothy, tons of hay, 2,160,334 ; clover, tons of hay, 286,265; flax, pounds of fiber, 7,343,294; potatoes, 10,504,278 bushels ; sweet potatoes, 126,354} bushels; tobacco, 24,214,950 pounds ; sorghum, sugar, 7,507} pounds ; syrup, 1,180,255 gallons ; maple sugar, 1,625,215 pounds; maple syrup, 324,036 gallons; honey, 1,534,902 pounds.
The year 1878 was marked by a more vigorous and combined effort of the people to entirely overcome the stagnation of business, the influence of the lethargy yet combating the awakened interest. This energy was amply rewarded in 1879, by a general dawning of the "good times " so ardently desired. New · enterprises were instituted, manufactories erected, improvements carried on, and agriculture was successful. Before the year closed, the State was basking in the light of prosperity, and the year 1880 was ushered in when the confidence of the people was again a permanent incentive-confidence in the nation, their State, each in the other and themselves. The old-time crown of power, influence and integrity, which Ohio has earned, is conspicuous in this year of 1880. The jewels have been reset, and we confidently doubt not that their luster will remain undimmed intrusted to so faithful and so earnest a people.
202
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
POPULATION OF OHIO BY COUNTIES.
COUNTIES.
1820
1830
1840
1850
1860
1870
The State
581434
937903
1519467
1980329
2339511
2665260
1 Adams
10406
12281
13183
18883
20309
20750
2 Allen.
578
9079
12109
19185
23623
3 Ashland.
7382
14584
23724
28767
31814
32517
5 Athens
6338
9787
19109
18215
21364
23768
6 Auglaize
203:29
28827
30901
34600
36398
39714
8 Brown
13356
17867
22715
27332
29958
30802
9 Butler.
21746
27142
28173
30789
35840
39912
10 Carroll
8479
12131
16721
19782
22693
24188
12 Clark.
9533
13114
16882
22178
25300
32070
13 Clermont
15820
20466
23106
30455
33034
34268
14 Clinton ..
8085
11436
15719
18838
21461
21914
15 Columbiana
22033
35592
40378
33621
32836
38299
16 Coshocton
7086
11161
21590
25674
25032
23600
17 Crawford
6328
10373
26506
48099
78033
132010
19 Darke .
3717
6204
13282
20276
26009
32278
20 Defiance
7639
11504
22060
21817
23902
25175
22 Erie
28188
23 Fairfield
16633
24786
31924
30264
30538
31138
24 Fayette
6316
8182
10984
12726
15935
17170
25 Franklin
10292
14741
25049
42909
50361
63019
27 Gallia
7098
9733
13444
17063
22043
25545
29 Greene. .
10529
14801
17528
21946
26197
28038
30 Guernsey
9292
18036
27748
30438
24474
23838
31764
52317
80145
156844
216410
260370
813
9986
16751
22886
23847
34 Harrison
14345
20916
20099
20157
19110
18682
36 Highland
12308
16345
22269
25781
27773
29133
37 Hocking
4008
9741
14119
17057
17925
38 Holmes
9135
18088
20452
20589
18177
39 Huron
13341
23933
26203
26616
28532
40 Jackson .
3746
5941
9744
12719
17941
21759
41 Jefferson.
18531
22489
25030
29133
26115
29188
42 Knox
8326
17085
29579
28872
27735
26333
43 Lake
3499
5367
9738
15246
23249
31380
45 Licking
11861
20869
35096
38846
37011
35756
46 Logan
3181
6440
14015
19162
20996
23028
47 Lorain
5696
18467
26086
29744
30308
48 Lucas ..
4799
6190
9025
10015
13015
15633
50 Mahoning
6551
14765
12618
15490
20092
53 Meigs
4480
6158
11452
17971
26534
31465
54 Mercer
8851
12807
19688
24999
29959
32740
56 Monroe
4645
8768
18521
28351
25741
25779 64006
58 Morgan
5297
11800
20852
28585
22119
59 Morrow
17824
29331
38749
45049
44416
44886
62 Ottawa
161
1034
1766
4945
8544
8429
13970
19344
20775
19678
18453
13149
16001
19725
21006
23469
24875
66 Pike
4253
6024
7626
10953
13643
15447
67 Portage
10095
18826
22965
24419
24208
24584
68 Preble
10237
16291
19482
21736
21820
21809
69 Putnam
9169
24006
44532
30879
31158
32516
71 Ross.
852
2851
10182
14305
21429
25503
73 Scioto
5750
8740
11192
184:28
24297
29302
75 Shelby
2106
3671
12154
13958
17493
20748
76 Stark.
12406
26588
34603
39878
42978
52508
78 Trumbull
15546
26153
38107
30490
30656
38659
79 Tuscarawas
8328
14298
25631
31761
32463
33840
80 Union
1996
3192
8422
12204
16507
18730
81 Van Wert
49
1577
4793
10238
15823
82 Vinton
15027
83 Warren
17837
21468
23141
25560
26902
26689
84 Washington
10425
11731
20823
29540
36268
40609
85 Wayne
11933
23333
35808
32981
32483
35116
86 Williams
387
4465
8018
16633
20991
87 Wood
733
1102
5357
9157
17886
24596
88 Wyandot
11194
15596
18553
6966
11886
14043
17789
28 Geauga
7791
15813
16297
17827
15817
14190
32 Hancock
33 Hardin
210
4598
8251
13570
18714
35 Henry
262
2503
3434
8901
14028
2130
4791
13152
18177
23881
25556
18 Cuyahoga
15719
21 Delaware
12599
18568
24174
21933
Ashtabula.
11338
17187
20041
7 Belmont
17685
15738
14491
11 Champaign
26 Fulton
7781
23735
25894
31001 16184
52 Medina.
3082
7560
18352
24441
22517
17254
55 Miami
15999
24362
31938
38218
52230
18583
61 Noble
20751
19949
13364
63 Paulding
64 Perry
65 Pickaway
230
5189
7221
12808
17081
70 Richland
20619
24068
27460
32074
35071
37097
74 Seneca
5159
18128
27104
30868
30827
77 Summit
22560
27485
27344
34674
51 Marion
1110
8277
7712
14104
15935
44 Lawrence
13719
14654
15576
25831
46722
49 Madison
57 Montgomery
20280
20445
60 Muskingum
2248
3308
7016
20363
6675
9382
12363
31 Hamilton
18108
23813
22951
72 Sandusky
9353
13631
203
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Miles®
STATES AND TERRITORIES.
Area in square Miles.
1870.
1875.
Miles R. R. 1872.
STATES AND TERRITORIES.
1870.
1875.
1872.
States.
States.
Alabama
50,722
996,992
1,671
Pennsylvania.
46,000
3,521,791
5,113
Arkansas.
52,198
484,471
25
Rhode Island ...
1,306
217,353
258,239
136
California ..
188 981
560,247
1,013
South Carolina.
29,385
705,606
925,145
1,201
Connecticut.
4.674
537,454
820
Tennessee.
45,600
1,258,520
1,520
Delaware
2,120
125,015
227
Texas ..
237,504
818,579
865
Florida.
59,268
187,748
466
Vermont
10,212
330,551
675
Georgia.
58,000 1,184,109
2,108
Virginia.
40,904
1,225,163
1,490
Illinois
55,410 2,539,891
5,904
West Virginia
23,000
442,014
485
Wisconsin
53,924
1,054,670
1,236,729
1,725
Iowa ..
55,045 1,191.792 1,350,544
3.160
Kansas ..
81,318
364,399
1,760
Total States ..
1,950,171 38,113,253
59,587
Kentucky
37,600 1,321,011
1,123
Louisiana
41,346
726,915
539
Territories.
Maine ...
31,776
626,915
871
Arizona
113,916
9,658
Maryland
11,184
780,894
820
Colorado ..
104,500
39,864
392
Massachusetts
7,800 1,457,351 1,651,912 1,606
Dakota
147,490
14,181
Michigan*
56,451 1,184,059
1,334,031 2,235
Dist. of Columbia.
60
131,700
Minnesota.
83,531
439,706
598,429
1,612
Idaho.
90,932
14,999
Mississippi.
47,156
827,922
990
Missouri.
65,350 1,721,295
2,580
Nebraska.
75,995
123,993
246,280
Utah
80,056
86,786
375
New Hampshire.
9,280
318,300
790
Wyoming
93,107
9,118
498
New Jersey.
8,320
906,096 1,026,502 1,265
New York
47,000 4,382,759 4,705,208 4,470
Total Territories.
965,032
442,730
1,265
Ohio
39,964 2,665,260
3,740
Oregon
95,244
90,923
159
Aggregate of U. S .. 2,915,203 38,555,983 60,852
* Included in the Railroad Mileage of Maryland.
PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD; POPULATION AND AREA.
COUNTRIES.
Population.
Date of Census.
Area in Square Miles.
Inhabitants to Square Mile.
CAPITALS.
Population.
China
446,500,000
1871
3,741,846
119.3
Pekin
1,648,800
British Empire.
226,817,108
1871
4,677,432
48.6
London ..
3,251,800
Russia ..
81,925,490
1871
18,003,778
10.2
St. Petersburg.
667,000
United States with Alaska ..
38,925,600
1870
2,603,884
7.78
Washington
109,199
France .
36,469,800
1866
204,091
178.7
Paris.
1,825,300
Austria and Hungary
35,904,400
1869
240,348
149.4
Vienna
833,900
Japan ...
34,785,300
1871
149,399
232.8
Yeddo.
1,554,900
Great Britain and Ireland.
31,817,100
1871
121,315
262.3
London
3,251,800
German Empire
29,906,092
1871
160,207
187.
Berlin
825,400
Italy .
27,439,921
1871
118,847
230.9
Rome.
244,484
Spain
16,642,000
1867
195,775
85.
Madrid
332,000
Brazil.
10,000.000
3,253,029
3.07
Rio Janeiro
420,000
Turkey
16,463,000
672,621
Constantinople
1,075,000
Mexico.
9,173,000
1869
761,526
Mexico
210.300
Sweden and Norway.
5,921,500
1870
292,871
Stockholm
136,900
Persia ..
5,000,000
1870
635,964
7.8
Teheran
120,000
Belgium
5,021,300
1869
11,373
441.5
Brussels
314,100
Bavaria.
4,861,400
1871
29,292
165.9
Munich.
169,500
Portugal.
3,995,200
1868
34,494
115.8
Lisbon.
224,063
Holland .
3,688,300
1870
12,680
Hague ..
90,100
New Grenada.
1870
357,157
8.4
Bogota.
45,000
Chili .
2,000,000
1869
132,616
15.1
Santiago.
115,400
Switzerland.
2,669,100
1870
15,992
166.9
Berne ..
36,000
Peru.
2,500,000
1871
5.3
Lima ..
160,100
Bolivia.
2,000,000
497,321
4.
Chuquisaca ..
25,000
Argentine Republic
1,812,000
1869
871,848
Buenos Ayres.
177,800
Wurtemburg
1,818,500
1871
7,533
Stuttgart
91,600
Denmark
1,784,700
1870
14,753
120.9
Copenhagen.
162,042
Venezuela.
1,500,000
368,238
4.2
Caraccas
Baden ...
1,461,400
1871
5,912
247.
Carlsruhe
Greece ..
1,457,900
1870
19,353
75.3
Athens ..
Guatemala
1,180,000
1871
40,879
28.9
Guatemala
40,000
Ecuador ...
1,300,000
218,928
5.9
Quito
70,000
Hesse ..
823,138
2,969
277.
Darmstadt
30,000
Liberia
718,000
1871
9,576
74.9
Monrovia
3,000
San Salvador.
600,000
1871
7,335
81.8
Sal Salvador
15,000
Hayti ...
572,000
1871
58,171
6.
Managua.
10,000
Uruguay.
300,000
1871
66,722
6.5
Monte Video.
44,500
Honduras
350,000
1871
47,092
7.4
Comayagua ..
12,000
San Domingo.
136,000
17,827
7.6 San Domingo.
20,000
Costa Rica.
165.000
1870
21,505
7.7
San Jose ...
2,000
Hawaii.
62.950
7,633
80.
Honolulu
7,633
Area ill square Miles.
POPULATION.
R. R.
Indiana ..
33,809 1,680,637
3,529
528,349
Montana ..
143,776
20,595
New Mexico
121,201
91,874
828
Nevada ..
112,090
42,491
52,540
593
Washington ..
69,944
23,955
North Carolina ..
50,704 1,071,361
1,190
Paraguay.
1,000,000
1871
63,787
15.6
Asuncion ..
48,000
Nicaragua.
350,000
10,205
56.
Port au Prince
20,000
471,838
2.1
241.4
47,000
36,600
43,400
24.4
*20.
290.9
3,000,000
857,039
* Last Census of Michigan taken in 1874.
POPULATION.
IMPERIO
IMPERIUM
ZINS
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
BY JOHN W. OGDEN.
TN periods like the present, when, from the increase in population and wealth, from the general diffusion of knowledge, and the invention and use of ma- chinery in all departments of industry, the opinions, habits and pursuits of men are constantly changing, it is not without interest to look back on the early set- tlement of the land, and from the simple annals of the hardy pioneers learn something of the hardships they endured, and trace the changes which have taken place, not only in the appearance of the country, but in the habits and conditions of the people. The popular stories of Boone and Kenton, of Car- son, of Lewis and Clarke, and other adventurous trappers and scouts, invested the unknown region with a strange interest. Distance and romance have given an added charm to the story. Under the illusions of fancy we are apt to blend the true with the false, to lose sight of the dangers and hardships encountered, and see only the successful issue. We are led to believe and look back on the early settlement of the Northwest Territory as one of Arcadian simplicity, but abounding in adventure; whose hardy pioneers were unlearned in books, but bold, independent and true; that Job of Uz had no greater flocks and herds than the settler could count from his cabin door, and that the exuberance of the soil made agriculture a matter of secondary importance. We are prone, under such conditions, to compare the free and untrammeled life in the wilderness, where every man was a law unto himself and common dangers and common wants made men considerate and helpful, with the more conventional present, where the iron hand of law scarcely restrains the vicious, and daily labor be- comes necessary for daily sustenance, and in the estimate of the two extremes accept as true that "the former days were better than these."
It is our purpose in this paper to endeavor to describe, so far as we may be able, that portion of the State of Ohio now called the county of Champaign, when first opened to the rifle and ax of the pioneer ; to make a hurried sketch of some of the men conspicuous in the early annals of the neighborhood ; to make some note of those who, as the years went on, bore an active part in the development of town and country, and to contrast the various changes which have taken place from time to time to this present.
While the same general characteristics underlie the early settlers of the then West and Northwest, now the States of the Interior, yet each had its local hero and adventurer. The men who first tried the wilderness were poor, hardy, strong and hospitable. Their strength made them self-reliant, and their pov- erty never closed the cabin door. They were fitted by nature to build up a new country, and, restless under the conservative influences of old and well-estab- lished communities, fled from what men call the luxuries and security of civil- ized life to try the dangers and discomforts of a new country. If the motives
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