The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 26

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 26

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By the last of September, Col. Clark crossed the Ohio and moved up Mill Creek and the Big Miami, meeting no enemy until halted on the banks of Mad River by a small band of Indians stationed to dispute the crossing. A lively little fight ensued, in regular Indian bushwhacking style, near the mouth of Mad River. The dusky warriors were greatly outnumbered and forced to retreat through the bushes. The victorious frontiersmen bivouacked on the spot. It occurred on the 9th of November, 1782, and, although scarcely of sufficient importance to be called a battle, because of the small number engaged and the short time it lasted, it is mentioned here as a skirmish, occurring within the present limits of the city of Dayton.

The march from Mad River was up the east side of the Miami, to the ford about four miles below the Piqua villages. A short time after crossing at that point, they met a party of Indians and squaws on horseback, on the trail lead- ing from Greenville to Piqua. The Indians escaped into the woods, leaving their squaws and a captive woman, Mrs. McFall, in the hands of the whites, who took them on to the Piqua towns. Mrs. McFall returned with the Ken- tuckians, and was safely sent to her home.

The Indians were alarmed and hastily abandoned Piqua. A detachment of troopers was ordered forward to destroy the Indian village and trading post at Loramie's; crops were cut down, and a large quantity of grain and the plunder at the store, were burned, the detachment returning to Piqua the next morning.

The destruction of the Shawnee towns was completed by burning every- thing found about Upper and Lower Piqua. The Indians had made no resist- ance, except to fire from the bushes, upon any stragglers they could waylay. In this way, two men who were out looking for their horses, were mortally wounded; one of them died, and was buried at the ford just below Piqua; the

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ther, Capt. Virgin McCracken, lived until the expedition returned to the Ohio, here he died and was buried.

Although but five Indians had been killed, the destruction of the towns, rops and supplies, had such an effect that the settlers south of the Ohio River rere never again disturbed by a formidable invasion. On the 20th of Novem- er, the Kentuckians forded Mad River on the return march, and the point was iscussed and marked as a good site for a settlement, wood, water and stone being bundant. The beauty of the landscape, the broad, rich bottoms, the many fine hill sites, were all attractive points to these frontiersmen, and some of them lived enjoy the blessings that day coveted. Some of the most noted, the most dar- hig of Western adventurers, were in that expedition-such as the commander, lol. George Rogers Clark, Cols. Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, Benjamin Logan, robert Patterson and John Floyd; Capts. McCracken, Barbee, Green Clay and ames Galloway.

As the troops were descending the hill to the level below (where Cincinnati ow stands), Capt. McCracken, who, suffering from the wound in his arm, was eing carried on a litter stretched between two horses, suggested that fifty years fterward the survivors should meet and talk over the affairs of that campaign, nd the dangers and hardships of their experience. A few moments afterward, apt. McCracken died, and was buried in the earthwork that had been thrown p around the block-house two years before.

To carry out the suggestion of the dying soldier, Col. Floyd proposed a solution that fifty years from November 4, 1782 (the day that the expedition as organized at the mouth of the Licking), the survivors should meet again at hat place to celebrate the anniversary. It was carried with a hurrah, and the rce soon afterward recrossed into Kentucky and scattered to their homes. ifty years later, nearly all of them were dead. Simon Kenton and James alloway joined in an address to the survivors, to meet in Covington, Ky., on e 3d of November, 1832 (the 4th being Sunday), to celebrate the fiftieth anni- rsary of the organization of the expedition. The meeting was held, but there ere very few present, Kenton himself being sick, and Galloway, for some rea- n being unable to attend.

THE SITUATION IN THE WEST AFTER 1785.

At the conclusion of peace between Great Britain and the American colo- es, in 1783, quiet prevailed in all the settlements along the Ohio River. The idians north of the Miami Valley were occupied building cabins and recon- ructing their villages, cultivating their farms, hunting and fishing, to supply eir people with meat. This condition of affairs continued until in 1785, they gain became restless and troublesome to the whites.

The refusal on the part of England to surrender to the United States the forts ing south of the great lakes, encouraged the savages in the hope that they might t have their old ally, to aid in preventing settlements on their lands. Then in e Kentucky settlements, there was no friendly feeling for the savages; almost ery family had suffered from their terrible cruelties. This situation, however, d not check the steady increase in emigration to the West. There were one two feeble efforts to locate at points along the Indian shore of the Ohio, but e rifle balls of the savages made the parties glad to escape to the Kentucky de.

The treaty made at Fort McIntosh, January 21, 1785, gave to the Govern- ent control of all the lands in Southeastern Ohio, yet every precaution was ken to prevent settlements being located there, from the fear that it would ovoke hostilities with the Indians-a state of affairs that the Government sired to avoid.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

A detachment of United States troops, in command of Maj. John Doughty, in the fall of 1785, built Fort Harmar, on the right bank of the Muskingum River at its junction with the Ohio. It was the first military post located within the present boundaries of the State of Ohio, except Fort Laurens, erected at the Tuscarawas portage in 1778. A battalion of troops was stationed at Fort Harmar to protect boats from attacks of the savages, and to warn settlers against locating north of the Ohio.

During the following winter (1785-86), a company of troops from the fort floated down the Ohio in flat-boats to a point just below the mouth of the Big Miami (North Bend), where they built Fort Finney, so named for one of the Captains of the regiment. The detachment soon after the treaty descended to the falls. The fort was not regarded as any position of special advantage or strength, but was rather intended to be used as a station for detachments passing up and down the river between Fort Harmar and the Ohio Falls, but such parties usually camped on the Kentucky side, as being less liable to be surprised by the savages. It was also constructed as one of a chain of stations to prevent the whites attempting settlements on the Indian side of the Ohio River. It was built with log houses at the angles, facing inwardly to an open space of possibly an acre, in the center of which was a log block-house; between the cor ner log houses, a stockade of closely-planted posts was set, thus forming a square inclosure for defense. It was located near where the great war trail from the north crossed the Ohio River. Timber was cleared away within rifle range of the fort, and a few acres were planted with corn and vegetables, for the use of the garrison.

By resolution of Congress, Gen. George Rogers Clark, Col. Richard Butler and Samuel H. Parsons, as Commissioners for the Government, were directed :0 make a treaty of peace with the Indians located north of the Mad River, and also with the Wabash tribes. A meeting for this purpose was held at Fort Finney, January 31, 1786, where, after a stormy session of several days, in which noth- ing but the cool head and firm determination of Gen. Clark could control, a treaty was made that gave the territory in both the Miami Valleys to the United States.

But it was an unsatisfactory meeting. The tribes invited did not attend, ex- cept a reprsentation from the Shawnees, who came with a war-party, and, as, it was afterward believed, to murder the Commissioners and their escort; at least, they came to dictate terms to the United States. The Commissioners, without appearing to notice the threatened treachery, opened the council in due form, by lighting the pipe of peace, and, after drawing a few whiffs, passed it to the assmbled chiefs. Col. Clark, so thoroughly acquainted with the savage character, did not doubt that their intentions were to murder all the whites at the council, yet, with an air of command, he arose to explain to them the pur- poses for which the council had been appointed. In reply to his statement that the United States had no wish for war, and that, if the tribes desired peace they could have it on liberal terms, an old chief threw upon the table two belts of wampum of different colors, the one for war, the other for peace. We come, he said, to offer you two pieces of wampum; you know their significance; you can take which you like; then, turning on his heel, the chief sat down. The Commissoners felt the crisis. Clark, without changing bis countenance, pushed the wampums on the floor; the savages jumped to their feet, and Clark, point- ing to the door, said: "Dogs, you may go." The Indians rushed madly out, and were heard all night debating what course they should adopt ; and in thel morning sued for peace.

During the summer, the Indians still being troublesome, an expedition was! fitted out to operate under Gen. Clark against the Wabash towns, and one under

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Jol. Ben Logan, to move against the Indian villages at the head-waters of Mad River. This force of Kentuckians marched up the Ohio to Limestone (Mays- ille), where they crossed, continuing their route across the country to the Iackacheek towns, which were captured with many prisoners.

The force was here divided, the brigade under Col. Robert Patterson tak- ag one direction, and that under Col. Thomas Kennedy another, to attack and estroy neighboring villages. The devastation of that section was complete. 'he Indians, with their squaws and what plunder they could quickly gather up, ere driven beyond the Scioto, where they were in a starving condition for a ear. The result of the expedition was the destruction of eight large towns, illing, wounding and capturing many Indians, and the destruction of crops nd supplies of grain, pumpkins, beans, meat, and whatever came in their way. he losses of our troops were trifling, and they brought away many horses and uantities of plunder.

One wing of this little army was composed of pioneers from about Lexing- on, and Bryant's Station, Ky .- men who had been with Clark in his march gainst these same Indian towns four years previous. They remembered the ne country they had seen around the mouth of the Mad River, and desired to gain examine it with a view to locate when a favorable time should come.

The march was down the Mad River Valley to its mouth, where, as in 1782, hey found a small body of Indians in camp, who, after a skirmish, were driven p the Miami bottoms. Among them was Tecumseh, then only seventeen years id. This was his first battle, although he had been under fire six years before, hen Clark destroyed the Shawnee town farther up Mad River. This was he second battle on what was to be the future site of Dayton. At night the entuckians stopped the pursuit and returned to camp, where they remained wo or three days, being well supplied with forage and provisions from the upplies captured at Mackacheek. They took advantage of this halt to examine he rich bottom land surrounding them. The march was resumed down the treat Miami as far as Hamilton, thence down Mill Creek to the present site of incinnati, where they forded the river and returned to their homes. Reports f the fertile soil of the Miami country were carried back home by the troops, nd projects for colonies to settle the new country were discussed in all the set- ements.

THE UNITED STATES TITLE.

Representatives of the Colony of Virginia had made the treaty with the In- ians, and had purchased from them the territory lying west of that colory to ne Mississippi River. The title of Virginia to the territory lying northwest of ne Ohio River was more in the nature of a claim than a right, and was not ased upon any cession of the Indian tribes who owned and possessed it; how- ver, the colony made the claim, and after the Declaration of Independence the olonial authorities seem to have recognized the claim. The territory now ithin the State of Kentucky was included within the county of Fincastle, Vir- inia; the lands northwest of the Ohio River were included within the bounda- es of Botetourt County, of the same State.

December 6, 1776, the House of Burgesses, of Virginia, erected the county f Kentucky, and to more effectually established civil government northwest f the Ohio River, Illinois County was formed in October, 1778. The county as bounded on the east by Pennsylvania, on the southeast and south by the hio River, on the west by the Mississippi River and on the north by the great ikes. John Todd was appointed County Lieutenant and Civil Commander of Ilinois County. He was killed at the battle of Blue Licks, August 19, 1782, nd was succeeded by Timothy de Montbrun. Civil government was more in ame than in reality, however, as there was neither necessity nor opportunity for

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the exercise of authority by the officers appointed by the State of Virginia. The General Assembly in 1783, passed an act authorizing the Virginia dele- gates, in Congress, to convey to the United States all the right of that State, to the territory northwest of the Ohio River. By the above authority, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and James Monroe, Representatives of the State, did convey to the United States, for the benefit of the States, all right, title and claim to the territory above described, and on the same day, March 1, 1784, a resolution was passed formally accepting the cession.

Great Britain had relinquished her rights to the territory, and the State of Virginia had transferred her authority to the United States, thus clearing the way for negotiation between the Government and the Indian tribes who were in possession and in whom rested the title.

INDIAN TREATIES.

By the terms of the treaty of Fort Stanwix, concluded between the Six Na- tions of New York and three Commissioners of the United States, October 22, 1784, the indefinite claim of that confederacy to a considerable part of the Ohio Valley was extinguished.

Three months later, January 21, 1785, at Fort McIntosh, George Rogers Clark, Richard Butler and Arthur Lee, on behalf of the United States, met the chiefs of the Wyandot, Delaware, Chippewa and Ottawa tribes, and established the following as the boundary line between the United States and the Wyan- dot and Delaware Nations (the Ottawa and Chippewa chieftains, whose tribes were located around Detroit and along Lake Huron, were present merely to give assent to whatever treaty was made). The line began at the mouth of the Cuy- ahoga River, thence up that river to the portage; thence across to the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum River; thence down the said branch to the forks at the crossing-place above Fort Laurens; thence westwardly in a direct line to the portage of the Big Miami, which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French from the English in 1752; thence along said portage to the Miami of the Lake, or Ome River (Maumee), and down the southeast side of the same to its mouth; thence along the south shore of Lake Erie to the place of beginning.

FORT LORAMIE.

Fort Loramie was built by the French, in 1752, on the ground occupied by the English trading-station and stockade, built by the English traders and In- dians, in 1749, and taken from them by the French in the year first mentioned. The fort stood about two miles north of the Indian boundary line, on the west side of Loramie Creek, and about two miles north of the mouth of that branch on which the fort stood which was taken by the French in 1752. In the point formed by that branch and Loramie Creek, a stone was planted to mark the point at which the direction of the boundary line running west, from a point on the Tuscarawas, opposite the mouth of Sandy Creek, changed from west by south west, to north by northwest. That stone stood about two miles south of old Fort Loramie and the trading-station, and, for a time, Loramie Creek was known as the Standing Stone Fork of the Miami. The Indian boundary line crossed Loramie Creek at that stone. Fort Loramie stood: North Latitude, 40° 16'; West Longitude, 7º 15'. From Fort Loramie to Fort Recovery the distance was twenty-one miles; from Fort Loramie to Fort St. Mary's, twelve miles; from Fort Loramie across the portage to the Auglaize, sixteen miles; from Fort Loramie southeast to Sidney, sixteen miles. These points and distances are clearly shown in the early maps and records, and the locations made definite by the Indian treaties of 1784, 1785, 1786, 1789 and 1795, and in the early laws of the Territory and State.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

At the treaty held at Fort Finney, at the mouth of the Big Miami, the 31st of January, 1786, the boundary line was extended from the Standing Stone, nearly due west to the Wabash River; this extended line crossed the branch of Loramie Creek about five miles west of the Standing Stone. . By this treaty the claim of the Shawnee tribes to the Miami and Scioto Valleys was relin- quished. The treaty held at Fort Harmar, January 9, 1789, gave the assent of the Sacs, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottowatomies, Delawares and Wyandots, to the boundary as established in the treaty with the Shawnees; the line north from the Standing Stone was changed to run a little west of north to the St. Mary's River, instead of to the Auglaize, as described in the treaty of Fort Mc- / Intosh.

At the treaty of Greenville, August 3, 1795, made by Gen. Anthony Wayne and the Shawnee, Delaware, Wyandot, Miami, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Chip- pewa, El River, Wea, Piankashaw, Kickapoo and Kaskaskia tribes, the stip- ulations of former treaties were ratified, and the boundary line was extended in a westerly course from the Standing Stone to Fort Recovery; thence southwest- erly in a direct line to a point on the Ohio River, opposite the mouth of the Kentucky River. The reservations of small tracts of lands, at different points within the Indian lands, were confirmed to the United States. One of these reservations was a tract six miles square, at Fort Loramie, The southern bound- ary of the tract was the Indian boundary line. The Indian titles to lands in Ohio north of this boundary line were purchased by the Government by subse- quent treaties. The Western Reserve tract by treaty at Fort Industry (Toledo) in 1805. The lands west of Richland and Huron Counties, north of the bound- ary line, to the western boundary of Ohio, in 1818. The last of the lands be- longing to the Delawares was purchased in 1829. The Wyandot chiefs sold the last of their lands in 1842, and the next year the last of the Indians moved from Ohio to the West.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHAPTER IV.

NORTHWEST TERRITORY, JULY 4, 1786. TERRITORIAL OFFICERS, 1787-Gov. ST. CLAIR AT FORT HARMAR-WASHINGTON COUNTY-PIONEER THANKSGIVING- THE SYMMES PURCHASE-COLUMBIA-THE CINCINNATI SETTLEMENT-NORTH BEND-THE MAD RIVER COUNTRY-DETAILS OF PROGRESS-FORT WASHINGTON -HAMILTON COUNTY-INDIAN TROUBLES-HARMAR'S EXPEDITION-INDIANS AT DUNLAP'S STATION-ST. CLAIR'S DEFEAT-WILKINSON'S EXPEDITION-GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE-HIS ADVANCE IN 1793-VICTORY AT FALLEN TIMBERS, 1794-WINTER QUARTERS, WINTER OF 1794-95.

B Y the treaty at Fort Finney, in 1786, the title of the United States to the Ohio Valley lands was made complete, and Congress began at once the discussion of the question of civil government for the new acquisition.

THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.

July 13, 1787, was passed " An ordinance for the government of the terri- tory of the United States northwest of the Ohio River," popularly known as the "Ordinance of '87," sometimes called " The Ordinance of Freedom," the fund- amental law upon which is based the organization of the Northwestern States.

At the time this ordinance was adopted, there were very few, if any, white people living anywhere in the territory now within the limits of Ohio, although there may have been a few French people in the Maumee Valley; but of that there is no information. Among the Indian tribes there were some few white prisoners, and a'still smaller number of white men who were voluntarily living as members of the tribes. At Fort Harmar there was a battalion of United States troops. The year before that-July 4, 1786-Independence Day had been celebrated by the garrisons at both Fort Harmar and Fort Finney, by fir- ing the national salute-thirteen guns-and issuing extra rations of liquor, "allowing the men to get drunk as much as they pleased." That certainly was the first celebration ever held by white people anywhere within the limits of Ohio. The records do not show that the next anniversary was observed in any special way, but it is probable that the garrison at Fort Harmar fired a salute, as they were few in numbers and had nothing else to do; the greater part of the battalion was at Louisville, on the way to Fort St. Vincennes, on the Wabash. Fort Finney, at the mouth of the Big Miami, had been abandoned in conse- quence of the wet lands around it.

In October, 1787, Congress appointed Gen. Arthur St. Clair Governor of the Northwestern Territory; Maj. Winthrop Sargent, Secretary; and James M. Varnum, Samuel H. Parsons and John Armstrong, Judges. Mr. Armstrong de- clined the appointment, and, in February, 1788, John Cleves Symmes was com- missioned in his stead.

The Governor and Judges, or a majority of them, had the entire legislative power in the Territory; but their authority was limited to the adoption of such laws, civil or criminal, as were in force at the time in some one of the original States. They could not frame original laws.

The Governor had the appointment of all officers of the militia under the rank of General, and of all magistrates and such other civil officers as he might deem necessary for the peace and good order. The power of dividing the Ter-

yours Truly John vis joner HARRISON, TP.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ritory into counties and townships was also given him. The advance to a sec- ond grade of Territorial government was provided for, and further progress to the establishment of State governments on an equality with the original thir- teen States.

On the 9th of July, 1788, Gov. St. Clair arrived at Fort Harmar, and was received with military honors-a salute of thirteen guns and parade of the troops. A heavy shower of rain, with a loud clap of thunder, just as he entered the fort, were also prominent features of the reception ceremonies. July 15 was the day on which he formally assumed the duties of Governor of the Territory. At 5 o'clock in the evening, escorted by the officers of the garrison, and attended by the Secretary of the Territory, he crossed the Muskingum, and was received by Gen. Putnam and two of the Judges of the Territory, and citizens of Marietta. The Secretary read the ordinance forming the Territory, the commissions of the Governor, the Judges, and his own: then, after congratulations all around, and three hearty cheers, the new Government was considered duly inaugurated.

The first laws for the government of the Territory were published at Marietta. The more important of these were the militia law and the laws establishing the courts.

The Common Pleas Courts were empowered to divide counties into town- ships, to appoint Constables, Overseers of the Poor, Clerks of Townships, and to establish roads. The Governor appointed the Sheriffs. This grade of govern- ment continued until September, 1799. For the reason that there were no other settlements, and as the population of Marietta did not increase very rapidly, the Government and court were not overcrowded with business. Emigrant boats passing down the river generally stopped at the fort, then kept on down to the Kentucky stations.

WASHINGTON COUNTY,

July 27, 1788, Gov. St. Clair formed the county of Washington within the following boundaries: " Beginning on the bank of the Ohio River where the western boundary line of Pennsylvania crosses it, and running with that line to Lake Erie; thence along the southern shore of said lake to the mouth of the Cuyahoga River; thence up said river to the portage between that river and the Tuscarawas Branch of the Muskingum; thence down that branch to a point oppo- site the mouth of Sandy Creek, and along the Indian boundary line to the road leading from the Sandusky town to the Shawnee town; thence south to the Scioto River, and with that river to its mouth; and thence up the Ohio River to the place of beginning."

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 26

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214