USA > Pennsylvania > Crawford County > Our country and its people. A historical and memorial record of Crawford County, Pennsylvania. > Part 19
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to Mingo Bottom, the place of rendezvous. On the 24th of May Colonel Crawford was chosen by the volunteers as the commander-in-chief of the expedition, and on the following morning the whole command, consisting of 480 mounted men, began its march from the Mingo Bottom. Passing through the territory now embraced in the counties of Jefferson, Harrison, Tuscarawas, Holmes, Ashland, Richland and Crawford to the center of Wyandot, the command reached a point on the Sandusky plains, some three miles and a half northeast of the present town of Upper Sandusky, where, in and around a grove, since well known as Battle Island, Colonel Crawford was furiously attacked by the Indians on the afternoon of June 4th, 1782. As night came on the advantage remained with the Americans, the Indians being beaten at every point. The next day desultory firing was indulged in by both sides, but no general engagement ensued. As the afternoon ad- vanced the Indians were reinforced by a detachment of an English mounted regiment called "Butler's Rangers," while bands of savages were constantly arriving to swell the numbers of the enemy.
Upon discovering that his small force was greatly outnumbered, Colonel Crawford called a council of his officers, which decided to retreat during the night, but no sooner had the retrograde movement commenced than it was discovered by the Indians, who at once opened a hot fire. The retreat, however, continued, with the enemy in close pursuit, and on the afternoon of June 6th another battle was fought, which again resulted in favor of the Americans. The British Light Horse and mounted Indians hung on the rear of the little squadron, firing occasionally, until the morning of the 7th, when the pursuit was abandoned, the last hostile shot being fired near the town of Crestline. The remnant of the little force made its way to Mingo Bottom without further molestation. It immediately crossed the Ohio River, where the tired troops went into camp, and on the following day were discharged. In the darkness and confusion attending the beginning of the retreat, several small parties became separated from the main body of the troops, and the soldiers composing these were, with rare exceptions, killed or captured by the savages, who scattered through the forest for the pur- pose of cutting off stragglers. All of the captured were put to death except Dr. John Knight and John Slover, the guide. both of whom escaped, after being condemned to be burned at the stake. Among the many who thus fell into the hands of the savages were Colonel Crawford, his son-in-law,
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Major Harrison, and his nephew, William Crawford. Colonel Crawford was captured by the Delawares, whose principal chiefs, Captain Pipe and Winge- nund, decided to burn him at the stake. He was taken to a spot three- quarters of a mile from the Delaware village, on the east bank of Tymochtee Creek, some eight miles northwest of the county seat of Wyandot County, Ohio. Here, on the 11th of June, 1782, the victim was stripped naked, his hands bound behind his back, and a rope fastened-one end to the ligature between his wrist and the other to the foot of a post about fifteen feet high. The rope was long enough to allow him to walk twice around the post and back again, the fire being built in a circle around the post. According to the testimony of Dr. Knight, who was an unwilling spectator of the terrible scene, the Indians began the torture about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, first discharging about seventy loads of powder into the victim's body, and then cutting off his ears. After this the faggots were lighted, and for more than three hours the unfortunate man walked around within the circle of fire. Burning sticks were continually applied to his naked flesh, already burned black with powder, and, whichever way he turned the same fate met him. Live coals were thrown upon him by the squaws, until the space in which he walked was one bed of fire and scorching ashes. In the midst of his awful sufferings, Colonel Crawford begged of Simon Girty, the Tory renegade, who was present at the execution, to shoot him, but the white savage laughed at Crawford's misery. At last the victim's strength gave out and he lay down, when an Indian ran in and scalped him, and an old squaw threw coals of fire upon his bleeding head. After the victim expired the burning faggots were piled together and his body placed upon them, and around his charred remains danced the delighted savages for hours.
No event in the Colonial history of this country more signally illustrates the barbaric and fiendish nature of the American Indian than this death mneted out to Colonel Crawford. It would not seem possible for any human being to be so utterly lost ·to every touch of kindly sympathy, as is evi- denced in this sad, this distressing death. Even the women, who are sup- posed to have a preponderating possession of the milk of human kindness, were even more brutal and devilish than the men. When the distressing intelligence reached General Washington, he immediately addressed a note to Governor Moore, of Pennsylvania, which evinces the depth of the anguish which he felt. "It is with the greatest sorrow and concern that I have
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learned the melancholy tidings of Colonel Crawford's death. He was known to me as an officer of much care and prudence, brave, experienced and active. The manner of his death was shocking to me, and I have this day communi- cated to the Honorable, the Congress, such papers as I have regarding it." It is a matter of pride that our fathers chose a name for their county so worthily, and we, who live in peaceful times, and enjoy the fruits of such sufferings and hardships, should regard with reverence the bright examples of heroism which they have ever before them.
It is needless to observe that the colonies during the period of the Revo- lutionary war were very poor, and that when the authorities had not money to pay the soldiers they issued certificates of indebtedness, which, on being passed for money, depreciated, and in time from 1 to 100 per cent. In 1781, April 3d, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed a law defining the degree of depreciation from one to seventy-five per cent, and accorded certain lands for their redemption. They were known as "Depreciation Lands."
The State of Pennsylvania enacted other laws to pay its troops serving in the Continental army, and, at the end of the war, soldiers were allowed to draw by lot surveys of lands from 200 to 500 acres each, according to rank. A major-general was entitled to draw four tickets of 500 acres each, a briga- dier-general three, and so on down to privates, who were entitled to 200 acres. These were called "Donation Lands," and tract number 2 as "Struck District," having been reported as worthless.
At the close of the Revolution several wealthy gentlemen of Holland, who had loaned money to the Government to carry on the war, desiring to keep their money invested in this country, accepted lands in payment. The company holding these lands was known as the Holland Land Company, and their holdings in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania were about 900,000 acres.
An association of capitalists, under the title of the Pennsylvania Popu- lation Company, took up a vast tract of land in the Erie Triangle, and on Beaver and Shenango Creeks in the western part of Crawford County. Lands were taken by citizens of Crawford in these several companies. Mr. John Reynolds, in No. 20 of his "Reminiscences of the Olden Time," says: "The prevention clause in the Act of Assembly of 1792 was productive of much dissension in the first years of the century. The opinion was indus- triously circulated by deputy-surveyors, and other interested persons, that
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every tract of 400 acres without a settlement commenced and continued, was open to the entry and occupancy of the first bona fide settler, without regard to the previous warrant. Settlers who had entered into contract with the several land companies to fulfill the terms of settlement for a part of the land were disposed to claim the whole, under the plea that the companies had incurred forfeiture of the land, and therefore the contract was obtained by misrepresentation, and was void. The warrantee was thus brought into conflict with the intruder upon his land. The latter, relying on the legal correctness of the opinion so universally promulgated, took possession of the first and best vacant tract he could find, built his cabin and commenced to clear and cultivate his farm; thus speedily the county was filled with a pop- ulation known as 'actual settlers.' The companies that claimed the land by warrant, purchased from the State, were not disposed to submit quietly to the intrusion. They appealed to the courts of law, and many writs of ejectment were served; the settlers held conventions, employed counsel, and prepared for a stubborn contest. Lawful and unlawful measures were can- vassed and approved by many during the excitement of the time; unscrupu- lous and desperate men were leaders in the controversy, who contended that all means were morally right which would protect them in the possession of their land. Hence, in the heat of the excitement, a plot was formed to destroy evidence in the county records, and the offices of the land com- panies. A veritable gunpowder plot was projected to blow up the prothon- otary's office, and the several land offices in Meadville and Erie, when, on the eve of accomplishment, one of the conspirators relented, and with praise- worthy energy prevented the catastrophe by visiting and remonstrating with the leaders. By agreement a case stated was put at issue and argued before Judge Washington, of the United States Supreme Court, at Sunbury, Pa., and a decision made in favor of the warrantee," as stated on a previous page. "Subordinate questions continued to agitate and produce discord, and
conflicts between settlers, arising from an entry upon an improved tract dur- ing a temporary absence of the first occupants, were frequent. Such a case is the following: A man without a family would select his tract, build his cabin, and make some improvements, and, in the autumn, revisit the settle- ments to find winter employment, and upon his return in the spring, find an- other in possession. Personal conflicts sometimes decided the question of ownership rather than await expensive litigation in court, while some more
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wisely canvassed the matter and settled by an amicable adjustment and pay- ment of a reasonable compensation by one party to the other. That a wide- spread excitement, involving vested rights so dear to the claimants, and in- tensified in asperity by a commingling therewith the partisan politics of the day, should have been settled and finally disappeared with so little actual conflict, is, in the review, very wonderful, and may, I think, be largely at- tributed to the overpowering religious sentiment concurrent therewith, which tended to restrain and moderate the angry passions." The decision in the case submitted to the Supreme Court is doubtless a correct decision under the several enactments upon which it was based; but it resulted, in its operations, in securing the demands of the companies at the sacrifice of the dearest rights of many a poor pioneer.
As all things have an end, so had the terrors inspired by the blood- thirsty savages, and the trouble in securing patents for their lands; but the mighty labors were now to begin. The hardy pioneer may have been suc- cessful in securing a well situated tract fast by some shaded fountain of pure water or at the margin of some fast-flowing stream, but the whole land was encumbered with one vast forest of heavy timber, through which not a ray of sunlight could peer. Wild animals ranged unchecked, and dangerous reptiles were peering out from every hiding place. Not a traveled road had been opened, nor a bridge built for crossing the numerous streams. The nearest neighbor was perhaps miles away, and a physician, if there were one at all, a Sabbath day's journey. The simplest food, during the first year or two, was difficult to command, and if he was fortunate enough to have a cow he had nothing with which to feed her. It would scarcely be thoughit that salt is the article of all others for which the frontiersman feels the most pressing need, and will make a journey by devious paths for a hundred miles on foot to secure a small sack full that he can carry on his back to his lonely cabin. The long winter's night is only cheered by the kindly blaze of a pine knot, while the howl of the hungry pack outside chimes angrily with the storm and the sullen bear thunders at the door for entrance.
Having constructed a temporary shelter, much after the fashion of the Indians, by setting poles around a contracted space and joining them at the top, he covers them with bark, so as to shut out the rain, and commences preparation for à spring crop. But he cannot wait to clear a field of the heavy timber, as the family may starve for want of food. He, accordingly,
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resorts to the makeshift of girdling, cutting deep enough around the trunk to shut off the sap from rising. By ordinary diligence he can in a few days girdle five or six acres, and after grubbing and clearing up the under- brush, he fires the dry leaves and other incumbrances, the accumulations of centuries, and the warm sunlight being now admitted he drops his seeds in the black mould, and, by ordinary care, and the blessing of heaven in sending the early and the later rain, he is tolerably sure of a crop. And now, having made provision for his sustenance, he begins to look about him for neighbors; for he must build a substantial cabin for protection and a home during the long and dreary winter. For this he must have other hands than his own. He accordingly goes forth, and, selecting a tall, substantial tree standing close in upon the bank of the stream, with woodman's skill he fells it across the deep current, and thus provides the crossing that shall link him to a neighbor and give his longing for human sympathy a way to satisfy itself.
To build a good log cabin in any reasonable time requires the services of at least half a dozen strong men, and it is not difficult for the frontiersman to gather that number when ready to build. The morning is ushered in by the felling of a half-dozen tall, straight trees of ten to twelve inches in diameter, and cutting them into lengths of twenty feet. These logs are moved with cant-hooks. Two are laid parallel, twenty feet apart and the ends halved a thickness of six inches, a foot long at each end. Two logs similarly halved are matched and the first square is formed. By a similar process tier after tier is laid up, long skids being used as the walls rise. An anger is used to bore holes, and strong inch pins are driven at the splicings in the corners. The gables are more easily fitted, as the logs required are constantly growing shorter. Rafters are set at convenient distances, long poles are laid upon these, held in place by well-heated withes, and shingles for the roof are rived from the substantial oak, and poles are fastened upon the shingles, for nails are not obtainable and none are used. When all is done the logs, which have been partially cut for the door and window. are finished. With some clay, found usually not far below the soil, a mortar is stirred, the interstices between the logs are pasted in and smoothed off, a chimney is built of sticks and mortar on the outside up the gable, and a big opening is made for the fire-place; oiled paper suffices to admit light at the window; a strong door from rived oak swings on wooden hinges, and a
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wooden latch with a string that hangs outside, and the cabin is complete and ready for occupancy. Many a young wife views with complacency and pride such a home, and her step is light as she plans the conveniences and adornments. Should she be ambitious of a floor to her proud dwelling, in the long winter evenings, when the crops have been gathered, and the farm work completed, the opportunity will be afforded, and it will be the supreme de- liglit of the young farmer to rive the oak that shall form a substantial floor which will excite the pride and the satisfaction of his young helpmate, and where his offspring may creep and prattle in childish glee. Such was the history of the home life of the early settlers in Crawford County during the first quarter of a century, and in many such cabins was there cheerfulness and happiness. The labor of clearing the forests, building secure inclosures, breaking up the stubborn soil, and raising crops, securing flocks and herds was intense, for the improvements in farm machinery were then unknown; but the triumphs of his labor and skill were incentives to renewed exertions, his property was daily increasing in value, and he could point with pride to the changes which his own hands had wrought.
The furniture of the cabin was simple and home-made, as none other could be had if the money was possessed to secure it. A simple made frame hung to the side of the cabin, and, arranged with slats, formed the bedstead; three-legged stools answered for chairs. A log split in halves and hewn smooth, into which holes were bored for legs, answered for table, and rude boxes were employed for storing the various articles of housekeeping, and for a seat as well.
The utensils for cooking were also simple and inexpensive-a kettle for boiling, a board for corn-cake, propped up with a stone before the embers, were the principal. The forest was ranged for game, and the streams were lashed for fish. Corn was eaten from the cob, as long as it was in milk, was grated when glazed, and pounded to meal when ripe. When mills were erected the housewife was relieved of the labor of pounding. Spinning and weaving and fashioning into clothing for the family, as in the primitive days of the race, were the occupations of the women. The men usually were clad in a simple hunting shirt, made of coarse linen, or dressed deer-skin, with the hair left on, and breeches of similar material.
Cornelius Van Horne planted some apple seeds in 1789, which made rapid growth, and from this little nursery orchards were planted. The po-
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tato was introduced in 1791. Dr. Thomas R. Kennedy brought two quarts of wheat in his saddle-bags, which he distributed among the settlers, and from this moderate supply in a few years rich harvests were gathered. Rye came next, and was soon in great demand for the manufacture of whiskey, which became of prime necessity. Buckwheat, and the flour from this grain, commanded better market than any other grain, and grew in great luxuriance. Horses and cattle were brought in with the first settlers, but they were in general of a very common breed, as were the sheep and swine. By the census of 1810, Crawford County was credited with 2,142 horses, 5,389 head of cattle, and 4,120 sheep. In 1817 Mr. H. J. Huidekoper, with Judge Griffith, of New Jersey, brought a flock of fine Merino wooled sheep, which proved a most fortunate venture for the settlers, as the produce of wool soon became very valuable. Of swine the razor-back was the principal stock in trade. They were marked, and suffered to run at large, subsisting on nuts as they could forage for them, and were herded in winter and fed on milk and corn. Their color was of yellowish red, and they were often dangerous to meet. In strong contrast to these are the Chester Whites and the Berk- shires, and the China breeds of a later day. In 1820 the census showed 2,970 horses, 18,081 cattle. 18,999 sheep and of swine the woods were full, too un- certain to enumerate. Of land under cultivation in that year there were 51.322 acres. In 1850 the county produced 1,000,000 pounds, and had acquired a wide reputation for fine wool. Since that day the product fell off. until in 1875 the product did not exceed 200,000 pounds, and that of an inferior grade. Logan Brothers, of South Shenango, established a high reputation for importing and breeding draft horses; C. G. Dempsey, of Con- neautville, thoroughbred racers: Denny Brothers and Ambro Whipple, of Hayfield, roadsters and draft horses, and R. A. Stratton trotting stock, the latter's pacer Crawford attaining a wide reputation.
"Shadeland, the great stock farm of the Powell Brothers, is located about one mile north of Springboro, in Spring Township. The estate com- prises over one thousand acres of choice land, improved by a handsome resi- dence and half a hundred capacious barns, stables and outbuildings, ad- mirably adapted to the various uses and purposes of the business, the whole, with its magnificent aggregation of stock, representing an invest- ment of more than a quarter of a million of dollars. The business embraces the extensive importation and breeding of pure bred live stock of various
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classes, notably the celebrated Clydesdale draft horses from Scotland, the English draft horses, the Percheron-Norman draft horses from the best breeding districts of France, American trotting bred roadsters, imported coachers, and Shetland ponies; also Holstein and Devon cattle, and High- land black-faced sheep, said to be the finest mutton sheep known. The Clydesdale stud book of Great Britain shows more animals registered by Powell Brothers than any other five firms in the world combined. This book is published under the direction of the Clydesdale Horse Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and hence is absolutely authentic, and indeed the ultimate authority on this subject. The sales of this firm often aggre- gate several thousand dollars a day, the purchasers representing nearly every State and territory in the Union, sometimes a score or more of them being there at once. They have also made various shipments of the trotting-bred roadsters to Europe. As an evidence of the national repute of the establish- ment it may be mentioned that not long since the firm received a communi- cation from Dr. Loring, then United States Commissioner of Agriculture at Washington, stating that a citizen of Japan was visiting this country for the purpose of collecting for his government information concerning our agricultural and other industrial methods, and asking that he might be per- mitted to spend a few days at Shadeland as a means of informing himself as to American stock breeding. While draft horses are the special features there. all classes of their stock receive equal attention and only the very finest are imported and bred." The gentlemen composing the firm are Watkin G., Will B., and James Lintner Powell, all of whom are natives of Shadeland, having been born on the estate, which they have always occupied and with which their names are indissolubly linked. Their father, the Hon. Howell Powell, occupied the place before them, and illustrated his love of good stock by always keeping fine flocks and herds.
In 1878 Mr. Edgar Huidekoper commenced the importation of Hol- stein choice breeds of cattle from Holland, and has increased his importa- tions from time to time since. His extensive stock farm is situated just across Venango River, opposite Meadville. A herd of some two to three hundred Holsteins is constantly found in stock and his sales reach to nearly every part of the United States. William Skelton, of Mead Township, has been a successful breeder of shorthorn cattle of the best type. J. W. Cut- shall, of Randolph Township, has also bred shorthorn stock with much
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credit, his cattle usually commanding first prizes at stock fairs. John Bell and David Gill, of Woodcock Township, have bred shorthorn stock of fine quality for several years. G. W. Watson, of Hayfield Township, has bred high-grade Merino sheep.
The first fair association in Crawford County was organized at Conneaut- ville in 1852, and held its first meeting in that year, has proved the most stic- cessful of any since organized and has held annual fairs from that day to this with ever-increasing interest. The business management has been conducted with the strictest integrity, which has been the means of perpetuating it with success for nearly a half a century. The celebrated stock of the Powell Brothers at Shadeland, only four miles away, which has been exhibited, has served to keep up a strong interest in attendance. The Crawford County Central Agricultural Association was organized in 1856. Its exhibitions were held on the island where now are the station and the shops of the Erie Railroad Company. When the railroad was located the fair grounds were sold and ground was acquired in Kerrtown, subsequently in the neighbor- hood of Valonia, and fairs were held for a period of nearly a quarter of a century with varying success, but never with the distinction which it ac- quired during the first five years on the original grounds. The Oil Creek Valley Agricultural Association was organized in 1875 and spacious grounds were acquired in the southwestern suburbs of the city of Titusville, where successful exhibitions have annually been held to the present time. A fair was held in Grange Hall in Woodcockboro, 1876, and subsequently the Woodcock Fair Association was formed, suitable grounds were acquired, and for several years stock, farin products and farm machinery were shown; but the expense exceeded income and the enterprise was finally abandoned.
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