HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

BY PROF. W. H. McINTOSH.

(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)

Those who bore the burden and heat of the early day,

Who suffered loss and privation uncomplaining—where are they ?

They wrought with strong endurance, through discouragement and ill;

Has the great All-Reaper spared them?

Do they dwell among us still?

Ah, no, they rest from their labors, and little to-day appears

To remind us of the hardships endured by the pioneers.

Their noble lives have drifted beyond the shores of time,

But the blessed works that follow are enduring and sublime.

Yet the past is soon forgotten, as an idle story told,

The New is a strong young giant that slays and 'devours the Old.

Who walks the streets of our cities where the tides of commerce flow,

And thinks of the sloughs and brushwood there fifty years ago ?

Who, seeing the classic facades of our mansions grand and fair,

Remembers the buckeye cabins and the half-faced camps once there?

In the palace cars that bear us over the iron track.

Leaving the wind to follow, who pauses and looks back

To the time when the sole conveyance for human freight and goods,

Was a stanch old four-horse wagon, creeping along through the woods?

Who sits in our splendid churches, with their fretted and frescoed walls,

Where the light, through painted windows, like a broken rainbow falls,

And thinks of the band of settlers who paid to God their vows

On the wild grass sod of the forest under the maple boughs.

Ah, the past is soon forgotten when its pulsing heart grows cold—

The New is a strong young giant that slays and devours the Old.

—S. T. Bolton.

INTRODUCTION.

THE history of Parke County is a record of military strife and civil progress. It presents. in striking contrast, the terrible cruelties of savage warfare with the happy and harmonious developments of peace. It builds the forte which sheltered armies and, later, founds cities upon their sites. It shows to us a wild waste of forest and swamp. broken by stretches of prairie, and irrigated by bridgeless streams, transformed to fields productive, pastures pleasant, homes comfortable and cities growing, populous and flourishing. It presents to view the dwellers of the wood, the Shawnee. Miami and other tribes at home. The energy of France, the power of England and the dominant persistence of Americans found here full play. It conducts from beyond the Alleghanies and beyond the ocean to find the fatherland of the race now dwelling in its townships.

The savage is seen to vanish beyond the Mississippi, the pioneer becomes the settler and commencement is made of a civilization whose manifest destiny is the highest happiness and power of a free people. Owners of the lands they till, makers of the laws they obey, themselves the projectors and builders of house and church. turnpike and drain, and all the improvements apparent to the eye of the interested observer. Persevering industry is seen to have rescued a region of swamp wherein miasma bred and floated, poisoning the atmosphere and endangering life, .to become the most fertile of farms and healthful of lands.

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Ohio is a noble State, and Darke County, emerging from obscurity, has advanced to prominence as one of her most productive counties. The history of Darke includes the origin of its founders, their progress in improving its lands and the results of their unwearied industry.

Could material reward our research, and unwritten truths be rescued from oblivion, much of what would fill these chapters would prove a valuable addition to our knowledge. There is the inception of courts. the crude attempts at agriculture, schooling, manufacture and mechanism, the projectors of the turnpike and the men who originated and carved through the railroads. There is the progress of education, the mutations of the press, the growth of religion and the strife of opinion—noble themes, worthy of labored study. The historian is desirous yet reluctant to attempt the task. Consulting the press. he finds its columns mainly replete with pleasing tales and political tirades. The pioneers have listened to able addresses, but these have net been placed on file. A `"harry, an Arnold, a Hiller and a Harper have gathered fragments and done a priceless service, but the records of Darke are meager and deficient, and their combination as lessons for present entertainment and future reference and instruction is a difficult and important task.

Traveling her railroads, traveling her turnpikes. and walking the streets of towns and cities, the county shows free traces of its recent growth, and the thoughtful are anxious to learn the story. To know the acts of our ancestors. to ascertain the rank of the county, to rehearse examples of heroism, and to exhibit the results of untiring and well-applied industry, are considered well worthy of patient investigation. The brief outline of State history centering within the bounds of Darke, the perilous settlements before the war, the roll of pioneers, the rapid changes wrought by labor, are themes to dwell upon. Aided by recollections of aged pioneers, annals and manuscripts, attempt is made to delineate the customs of the early day, to note the characters of primitive settlement and the influence on their health and habits of a residence in a region remote from travel and dense with the growth of centuries. There was seen here what is now going on in the Far West. The woods abounded in game. the lands were offered at low rates, and villages and towns would somewhere be laid out, and we shall see that these circumstances attract the roving trapper, the reckless speculator and the permanent settler.

Few are left to-day, in Darke, of those who rendered her citizens such incalculable service in making the county habitable. They have perished. but their work remains the basis of present and future prosperity. Pioneer life is made prominent because, from its impress, the future was determined. His legacy to posterity was an example of rare courage and ceaseless energy. A generation, springing from blended nations, has stamped its character upon a worthy successor. Peoples have clung to mountain side, or island home, because of life associations, but citizens of Darke are proud of the historic interest attached to her cities, the number and perfection of her pikes, and the attractions of a beautiful and diversified scenery.

Undulating plains, platted with farms and dotted by habitations, stretch away on either hand. Many streams unite their waters, and irrigating the lands, drain the soil of surplus moisture ; groves of timber alternate with cleared fields, while town and city reveal their site by court-house tower and spire of church.

Seventy-four years ago, the first white man established within the limits of Darke County, by his rude cabin, an outpost of permanent occupation in the Indian country. Traders had been here and trappers had followed the traces years before, but the trails of armies had been overgrown with vegetation, and the Indians, cowed and sullen, were still at home in their rude camps along meaning streams.

Three-fourths of a century have transformed a savage paradise to an abode of the highest civilization. In vain disease and danger, privation and poverty,

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were leagued against the pioneers ; clearings increased in number and enlarged in area ; tradesmen and professional men gathered in the towns. Along Wayne's road they trooped and turned aside upon their entered lands. Later came the railroads, enhancing values and accelerating transportation. The perfect mechanism of the age is here in use, on farm, in town and city, and agriculture stands prominent in volume and character of its products.

Nor were education and religion ignored—thoge sterling agencies which elevate and ennoble while they direct and stimulate exertion. These testimonials of the past are pledges of like recognition of eminent services in the present, and give direction to the future. It is with interest we seek to trace the history of Darke, and from the most disheartening commencement discern the growth of present proud pre-eminence among her sister counties in elements of stable and enduring prosperity.

LINE OF ORGANIZATION-CONCURRENT EVENTS.

As families with pardonable pride trace their descent from a long line of honored ancestry, so may Darke seek out her origin from the counties first formed in the Northwestern Territory. Hamilton was the second county established in the Territory, and was organized by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, on January 20, 1790, with the following boundary : Beginning on the Ohio River at the confluence of the Little Miami. and down said Ohio to.the mouth of the Big Miami, and up said Miami to the standing stone forks or branch of said river, and thence with a line to be drawn due east to the Little Miami, and down said Little Miami River to the place of beginning. The condition of the pioneers of this county was deserving of commendation. For them to advance out into the wilderness seemed certain death, and to remain was to run the risk of starvation. Pioneers the best circumstanced "found subsistence hard to get, and the poorer class were almost destitute. Game, fish, and what could be raised on small patches of ground in the settlements were the dependence for food. Having endured these privations for a time. some, the more resolute, determined to move out and occupy lands. There were several families which united to go, and for common safety block-houses were erected near their cabins. While at work by day a lookout was on the watch, and at sunset all retired within the pickets. So they labored on till improvements had been increased to a size sufficient to provide subsistence for their families.

These stations became points of refuge for safety and food, and also drew upon them the attention of their foes. Perpetual vigilance, hardship and peril were the lot of the pioneer, and the block-house became the approved recourse of all settlers far up the rivers of Ohio. So scarce and dear was food at this time, that the little flour that could be afforded by families was saved away to be used only in case of sickness, or for the entertainment of friends, and game was sought as a necessity. Ross County was formed on August 20, 1798, by proclamation, as Hamilton had been, and likewise had very extensive limits. After Wayne's treaty, Col. Nathaniel Massie and others formed a company to make a settlement in the county. In August. 1796, Chillicothe was laid out by Col. Massie, and a lot given to each settler. Many of Wayne's soldiers and camp-followers settled here, and the society was much akin to what has been asserted of our Western towns of Deadwood and Leadville. Chillicothe was the point from which the valley settlements spread and advanced ; it was a place of considerable business, and in 1800 became the seat of government of the Territory. Later, the honor of being capital fell to Zanesville, and finally to Columbus. Montgomery County was created from Hamilton and Ross on May 1, 1803, and the seat of justice was appointed to be at the village of Dayton, and, on January 16, four years later, Miami was formed from Montgomery, and Staunton, now a wretched hamlet near Troy, was made the county seat, and, finally, on January 3, 1809, Darke County was formed from Miami by act of the Legislature. It derived its name from the gallant Col. Darke, of whom honorable mention has been made in the successive campaigns of Harmar, St.

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Clair and Wayne. The eastern, western and southern boundaries coincide with the original, but when formed, the county extended northward to the Indian boundary line fixed by Wayne's treaty, and therefore included a portion of the territory now belonging to Mercer County. As originally bounded, Fort Recovery stood on the nortnern line of the county. The original survey was made by Ludlow and his party early in the century, and the division into sections was the later work of Judge John Wharry, of Greenville. The field-notes of the original survey give dolorous accounts of the condition of the county, which seems to have been dismal with swamps and marshes and far from attractive to the most resolute pioneer. Less than a dozen men comprised the population of Miami County from 1797 to 1799, and in 1800 a few families moved in. Then immigrants began to come in from all parts of the country. From the coon to the buckskin embraced the circulating medium, Merchandise was first obtained from Cincinnati, then Dayton, and finally a man named Peter Felix established an Indian trafficking post at Staunton. Ten years had now gone by since Wayne had retired from Greenville, and Parke County still formed part of the Indian Territory beyond the frontiers. Its lands were traversed as yet only by the savage, the adventurous hunter, the wily trapper and by the Ludlows, Cooper, Nelson and Chambers, surveyors in Government employ, accompanied by their field hands. From June, 1799, to January, 1802, these venturing forerunners of occupation ran their lines in the face of the greatest natural obstacles with almost marvelous fidelity, and, returning, left their work to be made useful when the rising tide of settlement should flow in upon their forbidding, yet fertile tracts. Onward the settlements were sweeping as they have continued to sweep, till beating upon the far Pacific, there has come a return, and now in Kansas, Nebraska and other States there is still proceeding, under the potent influences of inventive genius, a continuation of that occupation which expands power, increases wealth and supplies homes for thousands.

At the close of the Greenville treaty, the county to the westward was a wilderness; but, in addition to the Indian traces leading from the Miami to the Maumee, and threading their devious way to other savage villages, there were the broad trails cut by pioneers, trodden by horsemen and footmen, and marking the route of armies and the forays of detachments. The soldier was also the citizen and the settler, and his quick, appreciative glance took in the possibilities of the countries he had traveled. For him the woods of Darke had no charm. The conditions elsewhere were here wanting. Contrast the statement made concerning the Miami settlement to the east with the actual condition of the lands of this county. There the country was attractive all about the settlement. Nature presented her most lovely appearance ; the rich soil, mellow as an ash-heap. excelled in the exuberance of its vegetation. Cattle were lost from excessive feeding, and care was required to preserve them from this danger. Over the bottom grew the sweet annis, the wild nettle, the rye and the pea vine, in rich abundance, where the cattle were subsisted, without labor. and these, with nutritious roots, were eaten by swine with the greatest avidity. In Darke lands there were found the woods, the endless variety of vine and shrub, impassable swamps, lack of roadway, and the great difficulty of making passable roads. Nor were the forests the only or most formidable barrier to early settlement. We have seen the woods to be filled with Indians. Their principal town was at Piqua, distant ba eighteen miles ; their camps were along the creeks. In the neighborhood of larger settlements they were treated roughly, and are entitled to little consideration, and it was known from bitter experience that lone families were in constant danger of the sudden wrath of the savage. We have spoken of Tecumseh's brother. the Prophet. As the latter appealed to credulity and superstition, so did the former to a slumbering sense of the wrongs to be redressed, and by far more was the warrior to be dreaded for the native eloquence and subtle scheming with which he gradually fanneu the sparks of discontent into the flames of open warfare. It is said that he built a cabin at the point near Greenville, and by others it is denied; it matters not,

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but the Shawnee brothers gathered about them dark retainers, who had no kindly impulses to the persons who might presume to pioneer the settlement of the country. Some portions of the county abounded in game, and among those timid and harmless animals were found those fierce and dangerous, as might be judged from the names of creek and locality. Still this might he regarded more as an annoyance than as a dread, and, later, premiums for scalps of wolf and 'panther supplied the settler with means of paying tax or buying necessaries. There existed a still more potent influence debarring occupation, and this was ill reports of health and climate. The men of that day were little afraid of labor ; they knew the Indian must give way, but they were peculiarly influenced by whatever partook of the mysterious, and Rumor's many voicesasoon changed the natural to the marvelous, and Darke County was shunned as the haunt of a plague, designated "milk sickness." Some implicitly believe in its prevalence to this day, while others assert that it is a myth, undeserving of credence. Endeavors to find a case have always proved futile. It is heard of " just over in the next township," but, going thither, report placed it further on in the next township, or perhaps in the one just left, and the phantom always places the breadth of a township between its locality and the curious investigator. But whether a myth or a reality, the report spread along the Miami and beyond ; the settlers believed it, and, what was worse, regarded it with dread. Even the Indians asserted that certain districts were infected with an air freighted with the odors of disease, and gravely told the whites, " Not live much here—too much belly sick ;" and, whatever the cause, there was sickness where they gave this word of warning. It will thus be seen that the territory which afterward became Darke County had won an unenviable reputation, and land titles were held at low rates, with few bidders. These things undoubtedly delayed settlement and caused a tardy growth, while they gave in compensation a class of men possessed of pluck and energy, well qualified to leave their impress on the soil.

In the settlement of Darke County, which for eight years was a dependency of Miami. two classes of land occupants were recognized—the transient and the permanent. The historian called to do justice to the worthy class finds but few of their descelidants resident citizens of the county, and it is not till 1816 and later, that families came to stay and make their fortune blend with that of their future home.

Coming up the army roads, striking across the country, eligible locations caught the eye, and established the hunter at a creek-side home, while an unusual hard time in sickness and losses impelled the intended resident to move away. Thus there were conversions from one class to another, and all shared in a certain degree of restlessness while in search of a home, but a strongly marked distinction between the two divisions existed. There was seen to be here, as elsewhere, a border class of trapper and hunter affiliating with the savages, only endured by genuine settlers and hanging upon the outmost fringe of advancing occupation. It matters little who they were, these openers or beginners, who held aloof from neighbors. occupied miserable huts, raised small patches of corn, and left when the clearings became too numerous. Many poor men came into the county, put up small log cabins. cleared somewhat of ground, then, disheartened by privation, sickness and inability to make payments, gave way to others, who built with better success upon their broken fortunes. An old Darke County settler, located not far from Greenville, thus speaks of the actual pioneers as a class : "The place for the squatter is not quite among the Indians, for that is too savage, nor yet among good farmers. who are too jealous and selfish, but in the woods, partly for desiring it up and partly for hunting." The histories of townships, dealing with the first settlers. often speak of the unknown squatter, whose abandoned claims gave brief home to the settler, and whose ill-cleared vegetable patch, growing up to weeds and bush, made the spot seem yet more wild than the woods surrounding.

Travelers and land hunters characterize the squatter class as " rucie and uncouth." and express relief when leaving some worse than usual " bed and board."

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Misunderstandings were decided not unfrequently by personal encounters. many grievances taken before those early Justices reveal the sad lessons of poverty and intemperance, in marked contrast with later days : such was the character of the squatter class of Darke County. We turn with pleasure to consider the class whose labor is the basis of the present enlightened society, and find expression in the language of the gifted Everett. " What have we seen.” said he, " in every newly settled region ? The hardy and enterprising youth finds society in the older settlements comparatively filled up. His portion of the old family farm is too narrow to satisfy his wants or desires ; and lie goes forth with the paternal blessing, and often with little else, to take up his share of the rich heritage which the God of Nature has spread for him in this Western World. He leaves the land of his fathers, the scenes of his early days. with tender regret glistening in his eye, though hope mantles on his cheek. He does not, as he departs. shake off the dust of the venerated soil from his feet ; but, on the bank of some distant river. he forms a settlement to perpetuate the remembrance of the home of his childhood. He piously bestows the name of the spot where he was born, on the place to which he has wandered ; and while he is laboring with the difficulties, struggling with the privations, languishing. perhaps. under the diseases incident to the new settlement and the freshly opened soil. he remembers the neighborhood whence he sprung—the roof that sheltered his infancy—the spring that gushed from the rock by his father's door, where lie was wont to bathe his heated forehead after the toil of his youthful sports, the village schoolhouse. the rural church. the grave of his father and of his mother. In a few years, a new community has been formed, the forest has disappeared beneath the sturdy aim of the emigrant. his children have grown up, the hardy offspring of the new clime. and the rising settlement is already linked in all its partialities and associations with that from which its fathers and founders have wandered. Such. for the most part. is the manner in which the new States have been built up ; and in this way a foundation is laid BY NATURE HERSELF for peace, cordiality and brotherly feeling between the ancient and recent settlement of the country."

In recounting the incentives to Western emigration. the ruling motive was the hope of improving the condition. The land was cheap, undoubtedly fertile. and the prospects of a rise in values certain. There were those who expected to find a " paradise in the West," and journeyed thither only to suffer from disease. want and discouragements. Some went back. telling of suffering. and dissuaded those lightly influenced ; others, with inherent manhood. resolved. since they were here. to make the best of it. and gradually won their way to affluence and comfort. Some time in the fall of 1806. or the spring of 1807. the first white man who came to the county to remain. established an Indian trading-house upon the northeast corner of Section 34, Greenville Township, which for a time embraced the greater part of the county. His stock was small. and of the kind most desired by the Indians. He did a thriving business, and exchanged for his goods. which were sold at exorbitant prices, various kinds of furs and somewhat of the cursed coin which British greed of lands had induced their emissaries to distribute among the faithless savages.

It is said that the order in trading was as follows. but whether. in this particular instance, wherein law Scribner was trader. the plan was customary. is unknown. If not, it should have been, and it has some points worthy of attention from civilized customs at stores of this late day. The Indians. bringing with thenit their roll of furs, walked into the cabin and found seats. while each was presented with a small piece of tobacco. Pipes were lighted, and the residue was placed in pouches. After some time passed in smoking and talking among themselves, one arose, went to the counter, and, taking up a yardstick. pointed ors the article wanted and asked the price. Payment being made in skins, there was to each kind a recognized value. The muskrat was held at a quarter, the raccoon at a third, a doe at a half and a buckskin at a dollar. Payment was made following

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each purchase. until all exchanges were effected. As each retired. another came forward in his turn till all had traded. No one desired to anticipate his turn. decorum was observed, and no attempt was made to “beat down,” for, if not satisfied. another article was pointed out and named.

It is reported that Scribner not only sold the Indians tobacco, but rum, and they generally reserved some of their furs with which to procure liquor for a final frolic. The statement is made. and is probably true, that this pioneer trader supplied his savage customers with rifles. powder. lead, knives and hatchets, on the principle that if he did not others would. and he might as well have the profits. We cannot blame him for steep prices. when we consider the means of travel. His goods were hauled from Fort Washington. now Cincinnati. along Wayne's road by way of Fort Jafferson. by a yoke of oxen attached to a rough kind of sled, denominated a "mud-boat." and a trip usually occupied a period of from three to six weeks. As there was no competition. Scribner held the monopoly for several years, until the arrival of David Conner, in 1811 or 1812, when his coadjutor aspired for a portion of the trade. which at this later period partook more largely of civilized exchange.

We have said that Azor Scribner was the pioneer of Darke County, but, some six years after the treaty of Greenville, a Frenchman of unknown name established himself for a brief period upon the site of Minatown, and trafficked with the natives in exchange for his calicoes and other goods. Scribner's house was located about twenty rods from the present site of Porter's tanyard, but the date when he moved his family from Middletown, on the Miami, to Greenville is unknown, although thought to have been some time in 1808. This family consisted of his wife. Nancy Scribner, and two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth, all of whom lived in the shanty which served at once as home and store. Sarah —or “Aunt Sally "—McKhann is prominent among the aged of to-day as the oldest living settler in Darke County.

PIONEERS-THEIR RECORD. INCIDENTS OF THE TIMES, 1808 TO 1816.

We have to deal. in this chapter, with Darke's history and its surroundings, for the brief period of eight years. When we call upon the living and question them concerning events of this interval, from the formation to the organization of the county. we find them at a loss what to say. We turn to the bound volumes of the press, garnered in the court-house. and find few allusions to this period, so momentous as the initial of settlement, the commencement of still-continued progress. and we ponder the meager particulars of these eventful years.

Within the limits of a generation, marvelous changes have swept this region. Black Hoof, Logan and Tecumseh vanished before the swelling tide of western bound humanity. and the Shawnee was driven beyond the Mississippi. Sons and grandsons are cultivating the fields of the pioneers, whose last-surviving members totter upon the verge of dissolution. Fine farms, growing cities and enlightened society are the results of pioneer enterprise, yet the shadows of oblivion are gathering. The memories of a Rush. an Arnold and of a Wharry, will soon have lost their distinctness, and their knowledge will have gone beyond recovery.

What will be known a few years hence of Samuel Boyd, Aaron Hiller and Lemuel Rush ? Of Abraham Studabaker, Briggs, Terry, Creviston, Carnahan and Devor ? What of Scott, McIntyre, Thompson, Williams, Hayes, the ill-fated Rush, and a score of those whose labors broke the solitude and changed the features of the wilderness ? It is no puerile task to wrest from obscurity returnbrances of early events, and those connected with them. The student of vital statistics stand amazed at the mortality of our older citizens during these last few Years. Familiar faces are sought upon our streets and at their homes, in vain. The harvester has gathered the pioneers ; a few yet remain as the gleanings, even as some fruit clings to the branches when the time of the vintage is past. These

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are the veteran survivors of battles with nature's obstacles ; the aged witnesses of strange mutations. History knows of no worthier theme than that of those pioneers in n primeval forest, by whose toil the forests fell ; at whose will the heavy, dark woods gave way to fields of grain, log cabins and initial industries. Where malignant fevers and pestilential miasma crouched and hovered among the swamps, one sees the well-tilled fields, the useful drain, the lasting pike. Pioneers of Miami, men fearless of heart and experienced in the settlements, saw with concern the rude outfits of the early settlers of Darke, as they pushed slowly on and disappeared in the heavy forests and ague-haunted swamps of that region.

People did not move by steam and car in those days, no, nor for many years later ; as late as 1839, the family of J. S. Patterson plodded their slow march for four hundred miles, their goods upon a road wagon, drawn by three horses. All along the way, the inquiry was made of them : Where are you from and where are you going ?" They had traveled a long way in Ohio before any one was found who knew that there was a Darke County in the State. They insisted that it must be Stark County or Clarke County that was meant. But, after they had left these counties in the rear, and had only two or three days. travel to make, there were found some unusually well-informed people, who knew where Darke County was, and they knew it mainly by its bad reputation. They said : " Don't go there for God's sake ; you'll all die with the milk sickness," and if travel and report were so adverse, at this comparatively recent period, what must it have been when, during the winter of 1807-08, Samuel C. Boyd moved in and settled on Section 14, Greenville Township ? Upon a small stream heading about two miles north of Greenville, and tributary to the Stillwater, near Beamsville, Boyd concluded to remain. He is notable as the first white man who, accompanied by a family, made a home within the limits of the county. The farm first known to occupation as the residence of this pioneer is that later owned by William Cunningham, and in 1879, by George Manix. The creek perpetuates his name as Boyd's Creek, and brief remembrances tell the following : He went to work and built a house, near where the railroad crosses the Gettysburg pike. How he got the timber in place and who came to his assistance is conjectura4L Perhaps Scribner and a party of his Indian customers lent a helping hand, friends may have come with him and then returned, or, as is most probable, his wife may have rendered what aid she could, and he had the energy and ability to erect it himself.

Subsequent to this, Boyd entered a tract of land on Boyd's Run, between the farms afterward owned by James Buchanan on the south and Barnett's on the north. He was at work on this place clearing off a site for a house, when some one came along and reported the murder of Rush by Indians. At the solicitation of Abraham Studabaker, who, in 1808, had located on the east side of Greenville Creek, and had built a block-house there, through distrust of the Indians, Mr. Boyd was induced to remove to this refuge, with his family, where they remained but a short time. The ceaseless dread of violencehung like a threatening cloud over their minds, and they returned to Warren County, where they remained until the close of the war, when they once more returned to occupy and improve their land on the run. Prior to their removal, on one occasion, while Mr. Boyd was absent from home at night, the fierce barking of a dog led the family to think that Indians were prowling around, and Mrs. Boyd, in quiet, cautioning the children against noise, left the house with them and secreted herself and children in a pile of brush, and there passed the hours till morning. Mrs. Martin, then known as Dorcas Boyd, says that she remembers playing with the Wilson girls, who, as we shall learn more in detail, were killed by the Indians, and relates that a brother of the girls, pursued by savages, treed, thrust his hat, placed on the muzzle of his gun, cautiously to one side of the tree, as though peering out, drew the fire ( his pursuers, and while they stopped to reload, made good his escape.

During the war of 1812, several incidents occurred in and about Greenville, which at that early day seemed naturally to be fitted for a county seat. The

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greater number of Indians who remained friendly, who claimed and received protection from the United States, were located at Piqua, and placed in charge of Col. Johnston. There were the Shawnees, Delawares, Munseys, Mohicans, and portions of the Wyandots. Ottawas and Senecas. There were at one time assembled here full six thousand ; and far from being a source of danger, they were the best possible protection to the frontier while they were friendly. Johnston was beloved of them, their known friend and a man of approved courage. Several attempts we1e made to kill him in hopes of securing the strong body of savages for British assistance. Friendly chiefs warned him of danger. His family, save his wife, who stayed by him, and all his papers and effects of value, were removed for security, while he remained at his post. Various efforts, all foiled, were made to effect his death. Madison. then President, disdained to employ Indians in warfare, from a high sense of honor and noble principle, in striking contrast with his cruel and mercenary antagonist. and thereby suffered those reverses which befell our arms in the North. White flags with mottoes were supplied to parties of the Indians wishing to pass scouts and outposts in safety. The hatred to Indians in general, regardless of their feelings to the whites, was such that but for prudent action these Indians would have been driven to retaliate unprovoked injuries.

At one time, a party of whites discharged a murderous volley into the midst of a body of Indians, approaching them with the utmost confidence, bearing a flag in full view. Two Indians fell dead, a third was wounded, and the rest were taken captive, robbed of everything they possessed and taken to Greenville, where a post had been established, and to which these cowardly assassins belonged. Conscience has ever made cowards of men, and the garrison at Greenville, alarmed at the possible consequences of their cruel action, brought their prisoners to Upper Piqua. and delivered them to Col. Johnston. That officer decided to conduct them back to Greenville, and there to restore them to their property and to their people. The officer commanding the post at Piqua was asked for a guard to the Indians, but neither himself nor any of his men dared to go. Johnston then decided to make the journey himself, to prevent evil effects among the Indians. Mounting his horse, he bade his wife farewell, and made the journey to Greenville in safety. The articles taken from the Indians were returned to them, a speech of conciliation and disavowal made, and then the COlonel rode home alone.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES:

The Rush brothers, James. Henry anu Andrew, with their brother-in-law, Hiller. and Henry Creviston came to Darke in 1810, from the Pickaway Plains, and settled near Greenville. where they remained till the spring of 1812, when the following occurrences took place :

All were steadily at work. preparing the ground for a crop of corn, and each day saw some improvement upon that preceding. Indians were camped all through the woods and passed the greater part of their time in hunting. It will be remembered that this was the spring succeeding the battle of Tippecanoe, where, as is well known. the Indian's attempting to surprise the camp of Gen. Harrison were signally defeated. There was one Indian of -those ranging the woods near the creek, who was lame as if wounded, and who gave himself the name of Simon Girty, but whether hostile or not. little attention was paid to him or the others. The people were attending busily to their necessary labors. Some employed the spring days of 1812 in clearing their land, some were busy tapping the sugar maples, boiling the sap and making syrup and sugar, and so were engaged about the 1st of April. when indefinite reports were circulated of Indian hostility and consequent danger to the settlers. A trader up at Fort Recovery was reported to have been killed by his partner, while some said he met his death from the Indians. The incident created no alarm. and matters proceeded as usual till one day the Rush brothers, making a journey on horseback to Fort Recovery,

252 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

passed on their way a number of camps whose occupants, manifesting a friendly feeling, lulled apprehension, and the settlers, easily quieted, went about their daily labors.

About the 28th of April. Andrew Rush started for a little mill which had been built on Greenville Creek, a few rods above where the Beamsville road to Greenville makes a crossing. He got his grist and set out to return home. On his way he stopped to make a call on Daniel Potter, who, with Isaac Vail, was occupying each his own end of a double log house, which stood between the present residence of Moses Potter and the creek.

These two settlers from some cause had become fearful of trouble, and had gone down the Miami for assistance to take back their families to their former homes. Mrs. Potter asked Rush if he were not afraid of the Indians, and he put his hand through his hair and replied, jokingly, "No ; I had my wife cut my hair this morning, 9 short that they could not get my scalp off." Sometime beut 4 P. M., he left for home, and had proceeded not half a mile when he was shot from his horse, tomahawked and his scalp taken.

Uneasiness was felt because of his not returning home, but all the next day forenoon rain fell steadily, and it was thought he might have stayed with a settler, but in the afternoon Hiller's oldest son and Rush's brother-in-law took a horse and set out to look for him. The boys followed the track made by Rush to Greenville Creek, just above Spiece Mill, and there found the body lying on the sack of meal, mutilated as described. They went hurriedly on to Potter's, and the settler who had returned mounted the horse and set out to spread an alarm. The boys crossed to the cabin of Thomas McGinnis, on Mud Creek. but he had heard the news and had departed. At the next house the inmates had also gone, and, running forward to the third cabin, they found it, too, silent, deserted and the door partly open. Hiller took a look within to see how matters were, and saw that the house had been left in haste and little, if anything, had been removed.

They then hastened to the cabin of Henry Rush, and it was abandoned. The truth was evident, that a panic had seized upon all, and they had fled for their lives.

Darkness surrounded the boys as they made their way through the woods to the cabin of James Rush, where the settlers had assembled their families, and were preparing to meet an expected attack. Just before the arrival of the boys, James Rush had set out on horseback to reconnoiter how things were.

Arriving at the house of Peter Rush. he there found the hunter, Henry Creviston, who had passed the day in the woods, and now the three men. accompanied by the wife of Peter, went to the home of Andrew, where John S. Hiller. son of Aaron, was passing the night. The sad news was soon known to all, and the party set out for Mr. Hiller's. It was well that the Indians did not attack the family, as they were helpless. Mrs. Hiller had not waked a step for years. and there were five children here.too small to travel alone. The reader cannot imagine the terror of the time—the gloomy uncertainty. About 9 P. M., the sky cleared of clouds. the moon rose and James Rush mounted his horse, took up Peter's wife behind him and went home for help to remove the women and children.

None of the men could be spared, as they expected to be attacked before daylight, but the two boys, above named, returned with two more horses and a gun. All started for the fort, as it was afterward called, at about 2 A. M., and got in safe at daylight. The men were busy all this day putting the cabin in a state for defense, while the body of the murdered man still lay where it had fallen, and the panic was at its height.

A man named Sumption, about sixty years of age, set off alone, gun in hand, to Troy, Miami County, and reached there by daylight. Another man went to Sexington, Preble County, the same night. The next evening, a company of men reached old Fort Greenville, and late at night another company came up and went into camp on the east side of Mud Creek. In the morning, the Preble County

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men moved out on the road to the body of Rush and gave it burial. They then pushed for the new block-house where seven families had gathered for safety.

Part of the relief remained at Rush Fort some time. and arrangements having been made. the women and children were escorted back to the older settlements for security. The Rush families returned to Pickaway County, and Hiller moved his family to Piqua. Miami County, about the middle of May.

At this time, there was but one family at what was then called old Fort Greenville, and this; that of Mrs. Armstrong. Across the creek stood the cabin of Scribner and at the fort could be seen portions of the pickets set by Wayne's men, and a gibbet built by his orders was yet standing.

The experience of Abraham Studebaker, as detailed in township history, was hard enough, but he did not retire from his land. He moved in 1795, from Pennsylvania to Scioto County, Ohio, thence he went to Warren, and, in 1808, came to Darke and built his first cabin on Congress land, near the present site of Gettysburg. He thought it prudent to erect a block-house on his premises and adopted toward his many Indian visitors a policy of kindness. No hungry Indian tramp went unfed from his door. Though somewhat of a tax on his resources, yet it enabled him safely to remain upon and improve his land.

Previous to the battle of Tippecanoe, a cowardly attack was made upon a Miami Indian, coming to Greenville with his family for supplies. The particulars are fully given by J. Wharry in a previous chapter. Such was the effect of this attack upon the Indian mind, that before 10 o'clock next morning Fort Meigs, a hundred miles distant, was surrounded by 2,000 enraged savages. Brooding upon defeat. driven from their ancient homes, and incited by the English, the cause of one tribe was espoused by almost the entire number of the Northwest Indian tribes. and from that time until the victory of Harrison, and the defeat of Tecumseh and Gen. Proctor, at the Fallen Timber, in Upper Canada, the settlers on the frontier were only preserved from " the terror by night, and the dread by day." through the exercise of the most unremitting watchfulness. In addition to the Indian troubles, the war of 1812 increased the jeopardy to life in the scattered homes of the pioneers. It should have been enough for families to brave the loneliness and hardships of the wilderness without the constant apprehension of murderous surprise, torture, or the tomahawk and knife.

While, as we have said. a large body of Indians had assembled at Piqua, there were in the woods many who needed little urging to again dig up the hatchet. The wholesome dread of Wayne had lessened with time, and the solicitations and bribes of the English were not altogether ineffectual. The account given of murders on either side show the smoldering fires which were likely at a moment to be fanned into a blaze. and explain the singular panics which drove back the picket lines of settlement upon the heavier bodies. A new race had come to maturity, and their warm blood excited the Indians to open hostility. We know that Tecumseh remained for a time after being ordered to leave, and finally moving from his camp on Mud Creek. he led his warriors bravely, but in vain, as an ally of the British, in hopes to drive the whites from the fertile valleys of the Ohio and the Mississippi. This alliance was on one account a fortunate one for the pioneers of Darke County, as it removed the seat of war to distant points. No battle or other important event occurred in this county during the war, although small parties of hostiles were continually prowling about. keeping up the alarm and now and then securing.; a scalp.

We have spoken of Rush and Studabaker's block-houses, and there were garrisons at Jefferson and Greenville, beside a fortified house on the banks of Stillwater, in Richland Township, on Section 34, near the cemetery. One other tragic event recalls the earlier day, the murder of the Wilson girls, in July, 1812. Two children, daughters of William Wilson, residing near Minatown, were out one day gathering wild berries between their home and the creek, when they were set upon and killed. It appeared as if their heads had been dashed against a tree, and-their

254 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

scalps had been taken. They were buried near where their bodies had been found, and from this period the attention of the reader is called away to measures of peace, law and permanent improvement.

Several dwellings and four block-houses were erected in Greenville, prior to the war of 1812. The houses were all on Water, Walnut and Ash streets, and the block-houses were located as follows : One on Lot No. 59, Main street ; a second on the same street ; a third on Water Street, beyond the limits of the town, near the old cemetery, and the fourth on what is now Sycamore street, in Gray's Addition, and beyond the early limits of the town.

In the year 1814, Abraham Scribner brought to the place a small stock of dry goods and groceries, and opened a store in the first-named block-house, where he enjoyed quite an extensive patronage. Upon this small lot he erected a dwelling, which still exists, and is used as a residence by Mr. Schubert. Charles Sumption was also a dealer in merchandise in the v'llage 2t, this time, as were probably Samuel Harmer and Linus Bascom, who were engaged in the dry-goods business in 1816.

At this early period of existence, Greenville was honored as the place of assembly for the agents of the Government, and delegations from various Indian tribes, to consummate a second treaty. This took place on the 22d of July, 1814, and was conducted, on the part of the United States, by Gen. William H. Harrison, who was afterward President, and Gen. Lewis Cass, then Governor of Michigan Territory, together with the friendly and faithful Wyandotis, Delawares, Shawnees and Senecas, who were most prominently represented by Capt. Pipe, Tarhe, Little Turtle and Black Hoof and some others. The United States Commissioners made their headquarters at the house of Abraham Scribner, at the northwest corner of Elm and Water streets. At this treaty, the Government agents and the tribes named gave peace to the Miamis. Weas, and Eel River Indians, and to certain of the Pottawatomies, Ottawas, and Kickapoos. All, whether allies or aliens at this treaty, bound themselves to take part with the Americans in case of a continuance of the war with Great Britain. Happily, England and the Republic soon concluded a peace, and the treaty was followed, in 1816, by others with the various Western and Northern tribes, thereby giving to the frontiers quiet and security once again. The speaking at the second Greenville treaty took place in a little grove on the opposite side of the street from Scribner's. on the lot now occupied by the residence of Michael Miller, Esq. According to the testimony of an eye-witness, it was, with a single exception, the largest, most notable meeting ever held in Greenville. The Indians came dressed in all the toilet of their respective tribes—plumes, scalp-lock and paint ; all the attendants of barbaric splendor were admirably set off by the more serviceable, if not picturesque, uniforms of the United States soldiers from Cincinnati and Fort Wayne. It was long spoken of by the early settlers, who attended from a distance of many miles, as an occasion of rare occurrence, worthy of commemoration in the annals of the county.

As will be noted later, the consciousness of security at last broke down one formidable barrier to settlement ; the refugee settlers returned to their old homes to repair the ravages of time and to renew their labors, while from the older counties ; from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the Carolinas, families of emigrants by water, wagon, on horseback and on foot, plodded their way northward from the Ohio, or westward. and quietly settled in and about the older clearings, gladly receiving the proffered assistance of the pioneers. Greenville received its share of population in due proportion. Dry goods were sold by Easton Morris and the Hoods, Robert and William, as also these necessary supplies were for purchase at the establishments of Linus Bascom and Abraham Scribner. The n ,essity of places of entertainment for man and beast was supplied by the opening of taverns by fluor Scribner and Moses Scott, whose bar for the refreshment of the thirsty was an indispensable adjunct of the early day hostelry. Among citizens

HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY - 255

there were old Mr. Devor, Dr. Perrine, unmarried and commencing a practice destined to become extensive and laborious, and John Beers, whose official services were about to be required on occasion of the organization of Greenville as the county seat.

THE COUNTY SEAT.

Darke County, as stated, was created by act of the General Assembly January 3, 1809 ; but, on account of delay in settlement from causes shown, organization was postponed until December 14, 1816, when the actual and promised population warranted an independent government and enabled this section to act for itself.

As has frequently been the case and still continues to be the practice in the new counties of the States just settling up, there were not wanting enterprising and speculative men keenly alive to the pecuniary profits sure to result from ownership of land set apart for a county seat. A strife arose in Darke County, and there R as sharp competition for the site of the county seat on the part of various landholders desirous of securing some profit from an advance in values. Enos Terry laid off a town plat on Herdman's farm, over the creek, and by some means had the plat established as the county seat. This act proved almost entirely unsatisfactory, and a pressure was brought to secure its repeal. This was accomplished, and Commissioners were chosen to make the required location. David Briggs was anxious to have it established near the present junction of the Gettysburg and Milton pikes, but a quietus was put upon the proposition by the facetious suggestion of John Studabaker that it would require at least forty constables to keep the frogs quiet while the Judge was delivering his charge to the grand jury. The location was finally made, as it now stands, at Greenville, by the Board of County Commissioners, in consideration of the acceptance of a proposition made by Mrs. Armstrong to donate the county the one-third of the ninety-sit lots constituting the original town plat for such public uses as might be deemed desirable in the future, whether as sites for public buildings or as land for sale outright, upon which to realize funds for county purposes ; deed of sale was made to the Commissioners of Miami County, and placed on record upon the register at Troy ; those officials then gave a deed of the property to the county of Darke.

The first meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was held in June, 1816. The Board consisted of Archibald Bryson, Abraham Studabatier and Silas Atchison. John Beers was appointed Clerk for one year and John Devor was nade Tax Collector. His bond was fixed at $3,000. David Connor, heretofore referred to, was the sole signer of this, the first Treasurer's bond, and his name was considered sufficient. The first act of the new officers was to fix the rate of License for tavern-keepers and storekeepers, which was placed at $8 for the former and $10 for the latter. A tax of 30 cents a head was levied on horses and 10 cents a head on cattle. The only roads at this time were the paths made by the Indians, the roads pursued by the armies, and such as were cut by the settlers in moving upon their claims. At this, the first session of the Commissioners, it was "ordered that a road be viewed and surveyed, leading from Greenville across the bridge at Enos Terry's, and thence by the nearest and best route in a direction toward Fort Loramie, until it strikes the county line." David Briggs, David Thompson and Moses Scott were appointed viewers, and John Beers, surveyor. They were ordered to begin their work on the 26th of June, 1817.

On the 3d day of July, the Commissioners ordered Lots 36, 62, 20, 56, 39 and 53, in the town of Greenville to be sold for the purpose of raising funds to build a jail on the public square. These lots were accordingly offered for sale on the second Monday of the following August. The price realized was $47.75 ; one- half was paid in cash, the other was given one year's time.

For some reason, perhaps from there being little call for a place for confinement of criminals. the contract for the construction of a jail was not let until 1818, when the work was undertaken by Matthias Dean for $300 ; one-half down as an advance, and the remainder when the we rk was completed and accepted.

256 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

It is always of interest to peruse the first records of any association or corporation, as by them we are enabled to learn the ability and character of the men chosen to lead in civil affairs and by comparison with the acts of later years, from an estimate of the growth of improvement, increased wealth, and, in some instances, disproportionate cost. These retrospective pages are generally favorable to the pioneers since they seem to have acted with decision. economy and prudence. To this end, we copy verbatim the record of the first session of the Court of Common Pleas for this County :

" Darke County organized, March 1, 1817. Court of Common Pleas of Darke County, aforesaid, March 13, 1817. Before session, to appoint a Clerk pro tem. and Recorder. Enos Terry, John Puryiance and James Rush, Esquires, Associate Judges, as appears by their commissions. John Beers was appointed Clerk pro tem., to give bond 7th of April next. The appointment of Recorder was postponed till 7th of April next. Court adjourned until April 7, to meet at the home of Moses Scott, at Greenville. Signed. Enos Terry." These few lines, brief as they are, present the minutes, in full, of the first special term, and are a. marked contract, in simplicity, with the verbiage of later special terms.

The next session was held, pursuant to adjournment, as shown by the following complete transcript of the proceedings :

" Common Pleas met agreeable to adjournment. The same judges as on the 13th of March last. John Beers resigned his appointment of Clerk pro tern...and Linus Bascom was appointed Clerk pro tern., in his room. Abraham Scribner appointed Recorder. Court adjourned without day. Signed, Enos Terry." The first regular term of the Court of Common Pleas was in June. 1817. Joseph H. Crane, of Dayton, was the first Presiding Judge. with the associates above named. They all produced commissions, signed by Thomas Worthington. Governor of Ohio. and at once entered upon the performance of their duties. The records show no grand jury in attendance at this first term, for the good reason, as the minutes show. that there was " no Sheriff. Coroner or other officer qualified to serve and return process," and that there had been " no venire faees for a grand jury served and returned." These facts having been officially made known to the court. it was " ordered that a venire .faeiets issue, directed to Moses Scott.' who was especially authorized and .empowered to serve and return. commanding him to summon fifteen good and lawful men of the county. to appear forthwith. at our court house in Greenville, to serve as grand jurors ; upon which writ the said Moses Scott returned that he had summoned John Loring. John Andrews. James Cloyd. Daniel Potter, Robert Douglas. Abraham Miller, Filder G. Lenham. Daniel Holley. Joseph Townsend, James Williamson, John Ryerson. David Briggs, Levi Elston. Martin Ruple and Peter Rush, who, being chosen and sworn and charged. retired to their room." Few are left who had a personal acquaintance with these men; and they. the first Darke County grand jurymen ever impaneled. have long since passed away. The latest survivor was James Cloyd, who was a resident of German Township, and died, at a ripe old age, a few years before the civil war.

We again quote from the minutes : " The court appointed Henry Bacon to act as prosecutor, on behalf of the State of Ohio, for the county of Darke, until the further order of the court thereon. The grand jury found several indictments at this term. Among others, there was one against Robert Hood, for " selling whisky to the Indians." Another indictment was found against William R. Jones, for assault and battery, it being alleged and proved that he had flogged an eavesdropper for peeping through the cracks of the log cabin at the grand jury. while they were holding their session. The Constable was convicted and fined $8 and costs. This may have been right, but the fellow deserved what he got, and the Constable was not wanting in the discharge of his duty. His ignorance of gal technicalities and his zeal outran his discretion. and his punishment by fine and dismissal was severe.

The various defendants to several indictments found were duly arraigned, and, as a matter of course, entered a plea of " not guilty." Matters were now brought

HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY - 257

to a dead halt, as a reference to the record showed " no persons returned to serve as petit jurors." Acting Sheriff Scott was, therefore, at once ordered to "summon twelve good and lawful men of said county to serve as petit jurors." upon which writ the said Moses Scott returned that he had summoned Charles Sumption, John McFarlin, James Williamson, John Break, Charles Read, Jacob Miller. William Montgomery, Robert McIntyre, 4ames Perry, Aaron Dean, Alexander Smith and Zachariah Hull. Of these, the first petit jury ever impaneled in Darke County, none are known to be living. The latest survivor, so fir• as ascertained, was John McFarlin, of the township of Jackson. At the close of this term, the following entry was placed on record : " The court allows Henry Bacon, Prosecutor for Darke County, $10, for services at this term."

On the second Monday of August, 1817, Moses Scott-presented his commission from the Governor, as Sheriff, and gave a bond of $4,000. On the same day, William Montgomery presented his commission as Coroner, and gave a bond for $2,000. There were two courts a year. Each term lasted but one or two days. It took a ride over nearly the entire county to summons men enough to make up the two juries. The grand jury rarely sat more than one day. Services were paid for in county orders, which were current in exchanges, at 50 cents cash on the dollar, as there was no money in the treasury. The allowance to each grand juror was 75 cents per day ; the petit juror was paid but half a dollar, but received this on each trial, and this was paid by the winning party.

The first court had been held in the bar-room of Azor Scribner, and as was just and fair, the second was appointed for the 14th of November, 1817, in the barroom of Scat's Tavern. The first case called was an action for debt, in which Anthony Ricard appeared as defendant. The Clerk's fees were $2.50 ; those of the Sheriff were $1.17, and of the Attorney, $5—making a total of $8.67. At this time, William, son of Moses Scott, had been elected Sheriff. The tavern, in those days, was the place for assembly to exchange items of news, join in a sociable glass and partake perhaps of the plain but abundant fare offered.

The event of a court was a novelty, and a number of the settlers gathered about and curiously observed the proceedings. A panel of grand jurors. among whom was John S Y Hiller, was sworn in, as a matter of course, and received The charge from Judge Crane, then on the circuit. Gen. James Mills was foreman, and the party was conducted to Azor Scribner's bar-room, and duly furnished by the hospitable inn-keeper with a bottle of good whisky and a pitcher of water. Soon a man was admitted who testified that he had been assaulted, wounded, beat and otherwise ill-treated. On his retirement, another entered, who witnessed that his predecessor before the jury had committed a like offense upon him. The case Nt 's by no means a clear one. The foreman was about to take the sense of the jury, when he announced that it had been rulable in Butler County. where he came from, to require the youngest juryman to vote first." This chanced to be Hiller. who naturally entered an objection, saying that as this was his first experience on a jury, he did not wish to be forward in giving an opinion. The bottle was then brought into requisition, and after disposing of the liquor to general satisfaction, the ease was formally decided. At the close of the day, the jury was discharged and court adjourned sine die.

COUNTY BUILDINGS.

A laudable pride is manifested in the matter of public building, and this has kept pace with the growth of resources. In the beginning, the aim was low taxes, strict economy in public expenditure and a desire to pay the county debt. The new county had entered upon its career houseless, roadless and bridgeless, yet the average tax did not exceed $3.

We have noted the construction of a jail. The Commissioners, at the time of letting the contract, in 1818. were A. Studabaker, A. Bryson and Jacob Miller.

258 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

Easton Morris was Clerk and James Devor was Auditor. Miller had succeeded Atchjnson. The Commissioners cast lots for duration of term. Miller drew one year, Bryson two years and Studabaker three. The annual exhibit for the year 1820, of receipts and expenditures of the county, were as follows : Received from Moses Scott, Tax Collector, $446.054 ; on notes and costs of roads, $185.644 ; and of A. Scribner, tavern license, $10 ; fines, $16.50 ; license, $32 ; permits, $10.69 ; total, $59.19. Total, $700.89. Expenditures, by orders redeemed; $708.82.

The letting of the first court house was an affair of minor moment. The contract was taken by John Craig, whose work was accepted on June 4, 1824. This humble frame building, surrounded rear and front with additions, stands on Third street, next the Odd Fellows' Building, and now of fifty-six years' duration, has served the purposes of a dwelling a period of forty years.

Ou Sunday morning, May 2, 1827, the log jail that stood on the public square, just back of where the city hall now stands, from some cause, had caught fire and burned down.

On the 29th of June following, a contract was let for the construction of a jail building to John Armstrong, for $525. It was originally intended to erect this structure on the east corner of the public square, but at a special session of the Board of County Commissioners, held September 13, 1827, a petition was presented, asking for the location of the jail on Lot 25. This was granted, and on June 3, 1828, this the second jail was received from the contractor, under a compromise, at $520. In 1830, the public revenues were augmented by the levy of a tax on doctors and lawyers--the former having been assessed at $3, and the latter a half- dollar less. It would be a gratification to learn on what grounds this tax was assessed, whether as a tax on incomes from the amount of business and good fees collected, or as a method of repression. If for the latter reason, it proved a signal failure ; not but that among this class have been and are found the most gifted and valued citizens in Darke County, but from the number who have, chosen these mind-perplexing professions.

The increased business of the county called for a better punitc building, and, to this end the Commissioners met on January 7, 1833, to make selection of a court-house site. The location was made upon the center of the public square. Bids were advertised for, and on February 18 following the contract for erecting the building was let to James Craig for $2,490. The plan of the proposed structure was prepared by Allan La Motte, who received in compensation $10.

The services of the Commissioners, during the five sessions held for the purpose of selecting the site, receiving bids, awarding contract and attending to minor matters, were donated to the county—a circumstance memorable for its rarity. The contractor was allowed and extra compensation of $27.20 for supplying pine shingles instead of oak, and $7.43 for sand, thus making the entire cost of the building $2,524.63. It stood forty years, and was of the type common to the times—two stories in height, roof four-square, and surmounted by a cupola.

Eleven years following the erection of this court house, on the 17th of April, 1844, the, dontract was let for a new jail to James C. Reed, for $3,800, but a failure was made in the matter of a sufficient bond ; the next best bid was taken, and the contract was finally awarded to Allan La Motte and Israel Reed, for $3,975. This jail was built on the southeast half of Lot 25, and was received from the contractor June 3, 1845. The extras allowed amounted to $21. The building is now in use as a place of business, having a front erected flush with the sidewalk and hiding it from public view, and, unless destroyed by fire, promises many years good service. Arrangements looking to the establishment of a county infirmary for the care of infirm, sick and disabled poor were made by the purchas on March 18, 1854, by the County Commissioners, of a county farm containing 248 acres—the price paid being $6,000. Plans and specifications for the necessary buildings were prepared and presented by Pearson Smith, who received $25 for the

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same. These plans were subsequently amended by Messrs. William Wells and Moses Hart. The contract for building the infirmary was let on May 17, 1854, to Orin S. Culbertson & Co., for $7,198, with an additional sum of $88 for excavating for foundations. Work was completed and the building was received from contractors on January 31, 1856. Variation from the terms of the contract involved additional expense of $1,260.67, thus making the entire cost of the work $8.458.67.

The Darke County Poor Farm was deeded by John Spray to the County Commissioners at the time above stated. It is located two and a half miles south of Greenville, upon both sides of the Greenville & Eaton Pike, upon the southeast quarter, and about twenty-nine acres of the southeast corner of the southwest quarter, and eight acres on the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of Section 11, Township 12, Greenville Township, and about forty-one acres—part of the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 14, Township 11. The original building was a three-story brick structure, 40x84 feet, and 28 feet in height. In 1875-76, an addition was made equal to the original building, thereby doubling its capacity. There are now seventy-two rooms, including the cell department. A laundry has also been added, 20x30, two stories, and an engine-house 18x30 feet, separate from the main building. The basement is mostly used for culinary and other domestic purposes. The second story is comfortably furnished, and does not present that repellant, forbidding aspect supposed by many persons to be inseparable from the county house. The buildings are advantageously located on high ground. and command a fine view of the surrounding country.

The officers are a Superintendent and three Infirmary Directors. The following is the roster of Superintendents : Jacob Shively, who served three years ; David Thompson, six years : William Thompson, five years ; Crarford Eddington, seven years, and J. N. Braden, who is now serving on his third year. The Superintendents are annually elected. The first Directors were C. Hershey, John S. Hiller and Joel Thomas. The present Directors are William Shaffer, J. A. Reich and Samuel Emerick.

The first inmate was received March 1, 1856. That year, the average number received was but eighteen. On March 1, 1880, the number of inmates was 106. There are accommodations for 130. The infirmary building proper has cost $11.500. The present value of buildings, farm and improvements is estimated at $30.000. The number of acres under cultivation is 190. The value of what was raised on the farm in 1879 was $2,400. The expense of keeping up the institution was for the same period $7,950. The balance in excess of income was therefore $5,550. The average expense for the last eight years above income has been nearly $7.000. as we are informed by the present Superintendent. Material improvements are being made upon the farm. Tile to the extent of .400 rods has been put down within the last two years. Atilt trees have been set out, and other advantageous progress made. The orchard product last year *at 450 bushels of apples—an amount fully equal to the requirements of the infirmary. There were raised on the farm, 1.295 bushels of wheat, 578 of oats, 5 of clover seed, 3,300 of corn, 1,050 of potatoes, and 5,500 heads of cabbage. Sixty-eight hogs were killed, making 18,000 pounds of pork, and 9 beeves, making 4,250 pounds of beef. There are 42 head of cattle on the farm, 5 horses, and 140 head of hogs.

In proportion to the population of the county, negroes form much the largest per cent of the infirmary inmates. Next in number are the Irish, but it is a curious fact that the per cent of Irish women is very small. To quote the exact language of the Superintendent, "Nine out of ten of all the inmates who have come have been brought here through intemperance ; some of them through accidents received while drunk." There are fourteen idiotic persons in the institution four of whom do not know enough to feed themselves, and must be waited f Iva like small children. The health of the inmates has been uniformly good. A

262 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

single death has occurred among the old occupants within a year. There have been four deaths in all, but three of these were brought thither sick.

The infirmary physicians are the Drs. Matchett. The entire number of paupers in the institution on August 31, 1879, was 114 ; the number admitted during the year was 193 ; the number of poor otherwise supported by the county was 150. According to the report of the Auditor, the total cost of keeping the infirmary poor was $8.314.49, and the entire expense of maintaining those otherwhere was $1.940.05, thus making an expense of poor for the year of 1879 a grand total of $10,254.54, or an average cost per day of each pauper to the county of 26 cents.

It is pleasant to contemplate the humane consideration now manifested for these unfortunates as compared with their condition (luring the earlier years of- county government. Prior to the establishment of the infirmary in 1854. there was no place where their helplessness could find kindness and care; under the prevalent custom of “farming out" the paupers to the lowest bidder, the unfortunate was made to suffer in many ways. and it did not conduce to wholesome fare, warm clothing and sufficient rest, with exemption from labor, and medical care when sick, to have been sold under competition to persons whose object was less the amelioration of their condition than the hope and intention to profit from the investment. The history in detail of this infirmary and others similar is encouraging proof of the development of charitable and noble impulses, which render the unostentatious benevolence and philanthropy of peace more to be admired.and honored than the most glorious deeds of war.

The present jail and Sheriff's residence has been standing about ten years. The contract for building was let in September, 1869, to Jonathan Kenney. of Dayton, Ohio, for $39,750. Miles Greenwood, of Cincinnati, did the iron work, and Alexander Kerr, of Greenville, the carpenter and joiner work. The two buildings are connected by a hall, and their extent is ninety-seven feet in length by forty-four in width. The buildings are of two stories, with neat freestone finish. The residence is an elegant structure, and the jail is admirably arranged to secure the comfort and safe-keeping of prisoners. This property is situated upon Broadway. The court house is an ornament to the city, and an honor to the county. The edifice was completed in 1874 at a cost of $170.000, and the dedication was formally made on August 3 of that year. The material used in building is stone. The Corinthian style of architecture prevails, but with such additions and modifications as to render difficult any attempt at strict classification. In reply to inquiry, an architect classed it as " Corinthian with American treatment."

Whatever it may be termed, it presents to the eye an ornate and imposing appearance. Ascending the stone platform, you push aside a door and enter a corridor extending down the center and length of the building. Furnaces supply uniform and agreeable temperature; offices are located for public convenience. Large iron safes stand to the left as you pass from the front entry. The first rooms to the right in order are the offices of the Board of Commissioners, the Auditor and of the Treasurer. These are spacious, convenient, and fitted up with necessary furniture and apparatus. The treasury vault with inclosed safe would seem to place the public moneys in actual security. On the left from the front, are the offices of the Recorder and Probate Judge, and the Probate Court room. Ascend from either side by winding stairways, and there are found on the second floor the offices of the Sheriff and the Clerk, together with the court room and its attendant consultation and jury rooms. On the third floor are located the Surveyor's and Prosecuting Attorney's offices, and other needful rooms. The structure is surmounted by a fine tower, in which is contained a clock that is as nearly- perfect in construction as modern science and artistic skill can produce. Whether borne upon the ear in the hours 'of night, or calling the industrious popular to resume or cease from toil, by day, the musical, measured strokes which knell the passing hours, teach a constant lesson of punctuality, diligence and transient existence.

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We close our chapter with a brief statement relative to the trial and conviction of Monroe Roberson for the murder of Wiley Coulter, since it has attracted general attention, and is remarkable in the annals of the courts of Darke County. Crime has had its votaries here as elsewhere, but in no undue proportion. Murders have been committed, and there have been trials, convictions and escapades, but this becomes historical from the fact that it is the first instance where the dread conclusion has been a sentence of death on the gallows.

The difficulty between the two men that led to the murder occurred at Niptown, a point nine and a half miles from Greenville. Following some hard language, Coulter, while attempting to make his escape, was pursued and fired upon by Roberson. Three several and deliberate shots were discharged, and Coulter fell to the ground mortally wounded, and soon died. His assailant was taken to Greenville. tried at the February term, 1880, and sentenced to be hung on July 18 of the same year. The doomed man was a native of Tennessee, forty-five years of age, had served in the army, was a hard drinker and had lived about twelve years in the county. His victim was his wife's brother, who had lived from childhood in the family. and was at the time of his death, about twenty-three years old. The jurors impaneled for this trial were Stephen Eubank, G. W. Fox, C. T. Pickett, Samuel Cole. George Suman, Milton Coble, Samuel Noggle, B. F. Gilbert, James Benson, Cornelius Fry, William Bleare and James Johnson.

The attorneys for the defense were Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Calderwood and Charles Calkins ; for the State, Prosecuting Attorney H. Calkins, and Messrs. Knox and Sater. The case was tried before Judge Meeker, whose charge to the jury is a plain, direct statement of the laws on murder. The prisoner was adjudged guilty. and sentence pronounced upon him The community, while desirous that crime be punished. differ in regard to the mode, and no inconsiderable portion of the better class are averse to hanging.

DARKE COUNTY FROM 1816 TO 1824--PROGRESS OF' SETTLEMENT.

Turning again from the seat of government to the farms which give villages and cities their vitality and importance, we follow the early progress of agriculture from the organization of the county up to and inclusive of 1824. We may speak somewhat of the arduous labors of the early settlers, describe their log cabins, recall their old-fashioned furniture, their homespun attire, their rough, kind manners and their open-handed generosity. The comfortable hewed-log home has been demolished to make way for the frame or the more durable brick. The fence of rails will soon disappear. and already the work of log-rolling is a memory, and the making of rails exceptional. Village, town and city have been built to supply the demands of trade and commerce, and the people of the present time, worthy offspring of noble sires, have carried forward the works of civilization.

Glance again at the points of settlement, the vantage-ground already won. Below Ithaca, in the southeast, lived Lucas and Robbins. At intervals along Miller's Fork. near Castine, were Ellis, Freeman, Park and Robert Phillips and J. F. Miller. On the east bank of the Whitewater stood the cabins of Brawley, Purviance, the McCluers, Broderick and Jacob Miller, Zadoc Smith and the Wades. Near Fort Black, by the lake, were the Rushes, Henry Hardy, Tibbs, Falkner and possibly the Kunkles. On the Middle Fork were the Tillsons, Harlans, Emerson Helpenstein and Gert. Approaching the town, we find Spencer, the Edwards families, Wilsons and others. Further to the north we come to Cloyd, Pearson, Cassaday and Kettring. About Palestine, dwelt Samuel Loring. In the northern paof German Township lived Ludwig Clapp, reputed credulous and superstitious. William Asher. of the same mind, Moores and Rush and John McNeil, Rarick, Snell and Miller, on Crout Creek and its vicinity. East of the West Branch dwelt Martin Ruple, Arch. Bryson and John W. Whittaker, while lower down were the small clearings made by John Hiller and Daniel Potter. Mud Creek passed

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by the cabin homes of Peter Weaver, Andrew Noppinger, his son Joseph, James and Henry Rush, Sumption, McGinnis, Burns and Wertz. East of the prairie, Zadoc and Reagan had located, and traveling the stream brought in sight the homes of Abraham Studabaker and Abraham Miller. James Hay dwelt at Jefferson, and below were Ryerson and Winegardner. On Greenville Creek. above town, stood three cabins occupied by Ullery, Dean and David Williamson, and below on the creek were those of Squire Briggs, Westfall, Maj. Adams, Bryan, Cunningham and Studahaker. On the south bank of the creek, at intervals, the enumerator finds Pop joy, Esq., Hayes, James Gregory and Carnahan. Christopher Martin, Alexander Fleming, James Roff. David Ripple and his sons and son-in- law Hathaway on Stillwater, near Beamsville. Conlock was at Webster, and McDonald, Mote and Ludwig Christie below. Ward Atchison was on the verge of the Black Swamp, and Lewis Baker on Indian Creek. From Bridge Creek on to the dividing branch, were scattered Arnold Towns‘id. the Ti,ompsGris and Clay. These men had settled here under many difficult circumstances, but they had effected a lodgment and formed a center by which others could be guided and assisted. Persistent in labor, patient under afflictions of disease were these plain men with unaffected manner and kindly greetings. As the country began to be settled. families were moving on to different locations in the central part of the county. There was a large portion of the county that seemed so much of a swamp as to make a final occupation problematical. Along Greenville Creek, as above named, one found at varying distances the log cabins of a few families. and there were others on the West Branch. There were cabins on the branch known as Crout Creek. and yet others upon Mud Creek. These scattered clearings were the oldest in the county. and northward there were few, if any. And from there, so far as means would permit, the new-comers received their supplies and assistance. Courteously and kindly, the tired emigrants were welcomed to the hospitalities of their cabins. Wherever at night the light of a fire shining among the trees indicated a settler's home, there was a certainty that the latch-string was hanging out and hearty cheer in readiness to relieve them. A common peril and a like experience bound all together by ties of interest, friendship and relation. The disposition to extend a helping hand, while it was a necessity to the settler, was rarely given grudgingly or with thoughts of after payment. Equality and mutual assistance was an unwritten pioneer law. and for many years much of the time of older setlers was cheerfully given to raisings. rollings and all kinds of work requiring co-operation. Judge Wharry attended raisings where men had come from a distance, on farthest lines apart, of twenty-five miles, and here were formed acquaintances which soon ripened into feelings warm, generous and enduring.

Exceptional instances, as that of Jacob Cox, present us with men of means seeking an heritage in lands, but the people were generally poor. They had nothing to lose but much to gain. Mr. Cox, as we have named, is worthy of further notice in this connection. He came to Darke from Redstone and bought 2,200 acres in the east part of German and Washington Townships, and thereon located himself and sons Martin,. John, Jacob, Henry and Abraham, together with his daughters Barbara, Mary and Eve, who later became known as Mrs. Stingley, Mrs. Waggoner and Mrs. Martin.

Fresh from service in the ranks, and animated by hope of a common glorious future for his country and himself, the rifle which had aided Wayne upon the Maumee and Harrison at the Thames, became useful to provide the family with meat and to guard the growing or ripened grain from depredation. There was no longer dread of the forest ; men struck out by themselves and independently chose and improved such spots as met their fancy. The extent of each man's claim or title had no bearing on degree of estimation. It mattered not that one could bu: but forty acres, while another could acquire a section. The difference lay, not in the men. but in the outlay. Where each had planted a few acres in corn and other crops, nature showed no partiality in stimulating growth or perfecting the grain,

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and where nature was impartial, human customs were in strict and willing accord. The entire settlements were bound together. Witness the prompt rally from Lexington and Piqua on hearing of Rush's death and the frontier peril. They met at various gatherings. Together they worked their best ; together they enjoyed their hours of relaxation. Religious worship found general and all-day attendance, and there were several services before each wended his way along the forest path homeward.

The pioneers of Darke were not peculiar in their love for neighborhood visiting. The same partially obsolete but happy custom was in that early day to be observed in all the new communities, and surviving pioneers have brought this habit with them in their attenuated and shattered ranks. It looks as though the practice would perish with them. Care for the sick was universal. It was held to be the duty of all. The writer recalls, in this connection, the kind, tender tone in which Lemuel Rush inquired of his fellow-friend and pioneer associate, George Arnold, concerning his health, and the fraternal feeling manifested between these two is but a single illustration of general regard.

A single incident, recited by an old settler, images the earnest regard shown in the early days by neighbors for each other :

One day, a settler was badly injured when at a considerable distance from his home. It was necessary that a team should be taken to convey him home. Although a full days drive, there was no reluctance in offering help. Two persons tendered their services, and there ensued a friendly contest for the privilege. The older urged a long acquaintance and neighborship, and these claims were acknowledged by the other.

In 1818. there was the commencement of a settlement on the east fork of Whitewater. and on Twin Creek. near Ithaca, and several families had settled near Fort Black, now known as New Madison. During this year, Mina town and Fort Jeffqson were laid out, and. in the year following, Versailles was platted, making in all five villages, the germs of future business towns, and the only ones for full a dozen years—practical proof. in so large a county, of sparse and tardy occupation.

During the year when Fort Jefferson was platted, a tavern stand was occupied there, and, while the conveniences were far from equal to the Turpen or Wagner Houses of to-day, yet there was an abundance of plain, palatable food and little ceremony. During 1818, A. Studabaker left his former entry, near Gettysburg, and removed to the farm more recently the property of his son George. William Arnold and others were residing on Bridge Creek. The settlements now became known by various names to distinguish them ; such was " Yankee Town," one called Ireland, located north of Greenville, and a third is mentioned here as suggestive of the section, known as the Black Swamp Settlement. These nuclei of the clearings in Darke, each formed a distinct neighborhood, and had their leading men. respected for honesty. good faith, and frugality in public as well as private affairs.

In 1820. Darke County was still covered by a dense and but little broken forest. The northern townships were extended areas of swamp, rich in elements of production. useless until the clearing and drainage could make cultivation practicable. Cabins were built upon the higher grounds, and clearings made down the inclinations. Here grew the oak. whitewood, beech, maple, basswood, ash, hickory and other kinds of timber in boundless profusion, and the finest trees were regarded rather as an incubus to tillage than as valuable adjuncts of a farm. Those woods are mainly leveled now, and their grave screens of trees but vail the open fields beyond. Still the trees, while in one sense a bar to cropping land, were useful as containing the material for home and winter fires. When a settler had selected the site of his intended habitation. he felled the timber upon it and cut the logs suitable in proper lengths. The material for the cabin being prepared, he traverses the woods far and near and announces his intended raising. The settlers leave their work and gather in at the appointed hour. In some localities, teams were used,

266 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

but here in Darke, cattle were scarce and the horses were spared as much as possible for other work. Logs were carried to the sides and ends of the building. Now four corner-men are chosen, on whom devolves the duty of notching and placing the logs. The rest of those assembled roll up the logs as wanted until the desired height is reached and the work of co-operation ceases. The settler now selects a large;sized straight-grained tree and. felling it, cuts off four-feet lengths. These are split with a large Frow, and as wide as the timber will allow. These are used without planing or shaving for clapboards for the roof, which is formed by making the end logs shorter each row until a single log forms the comb of the roof ; on these logs the clapboards were placed, the ranges of them lapping some distance over those next below them, and kept in their places by logs placed at proper distances upon them. Puncheons for the floor were made by splitting logs of a foot and a half in diameter, and hewing the face of them with a broad-ax, when this tool could be obtained. The length i,f the puncheons was half that of the floor. The door was made by sawing or cutting the logs in on one side, so as to make an opening about three feet wide. The opening was secured by upright pieces of timber, about three inches thick. through which holes were bored into the ends of the logs for the purpose of pinning them fast. A similar, but wider, opening was made at the end for the chimney. This was built of logs and made large to admit of a back and jambs of stone. At the square. two end logs were made to project a foot or more beyond the wall, to receive what were called the butting poles, against which the ends of the first row of clapboards was supported. A clapboard door and a table were then made. Sometimes a quilt was made to do duty for the former for a time. and the latter was constructed of a split slab, placed upon four round legs set in auger holes. Stools having three legs were made in the same way. Some pins inserted in holes bored in the logs at the back of the room, served as support for some clapboards. designed as shelves for the dishes. A single fork, placed with its lower end in a hole in the floor, and the upper end fastened to a joint, served as a bedstead. by placing a pole in the fork with one end through a crack between the logs of the wall. This front pole was crossed by a shorter one within the fork. with its outer end through another crack. From the front pole. through a crack between the logs of the end of the house. the boards forming the bottom of the bed were put in place. Sometimes this was varied by pinning other poles to the fork. a little distance above these, for the purpose of supporting the front and foot of the bed, while the walls were the support of its back and head. A few pegs around the walls for the garments of the women and hunting-shirts of the men, and two small forks or buck's horns fixed to a joint for the rifle and shot-pouch, completed the carpenter work.

Chips are now taken and driven in between the logs and the open spaces of the chimney, and a bed of clay mortar having been prepared. the cracks were daubed, and the work is done. lu houses thus built. and unplastered within and entirely devoid of adornment. our ancestors lived with a comfort unknown to the opulent occupant of many a palatial residence of to-day. Coal stoves or wood stoves were unknown, but in the wide fireplace were found hooks and trammel, and andirons. Near by were the bake-pan and the kettle ; and as homes varied there were to be seen in many a log house the plain deal table, the flag-bottom chair, and the easy, straight, high-backed rocker. Carpets there were none. The beds contained no mattress, springs, or even bed-cord. the couch was often spread upon the floor, and sleeping apartments were separated by hanging blankets. Not infrequently, the emigrant neighbor, and occasionally Indian visitor, lay upon blankets or robes before the huge open fireplace, with stockinged or moccasined feet before the constant fire. Wooden vessels. either turned or coopered, were commonly used for the table. A tin cup was an article of luxury almost as are as an iron fork. Gourds were used at the water bucket. and there were not always knives enough to go around the family. The immigrant brought with him, packed upon the horse, or later on the wagon. some articles of better sort.

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Upon the kitchen drawers were set forth a shiny row of pewter plates, buck-handled knives, iron or pewter spoons, or there were seen a row of blue-edged earthen ware, with corresponding cups and saucers, with teapot —articles then to grace the table at the quilting, social afternoon visit, or preacher's call ; but advancing civilization has sent the plates and spoons to the melting pot, while knives and forks have taken less substance but more shapely form. Perchance a corner of the room was occupied by a tall Dutch clock, such as ticks with measured stroke the minutes by in the kitchen of John Spayd, of Greenville, to-day.

In another corner. the ruder furniture had given place to an old-fashioned high-post and corded bedstead, covered with quilts—a wonder of patchwork ingenuity and laborious sewing. Then the ubiquitous spinning-wheel, and not unfrequently a loom. A settler of Darke in 1820, thus describes the dwellings of that date : " They were of round logs about ten inches through ; they were properly notched at the corners. and well chinked and plastered up with clay mortar, and provided in some instances with front and back door ; basswood logs, split in two, flat side up. made a very substantial floor ; the fireplace reached nearly across one end ; a stone wall from the foundation was carried up about six feet, two sticks of the proper crook rested one on either end of the wall. and against a beam overhead, forming the jams, and upon these rested the chimney, made of sticks and clay mortar. very wide at the bottom. tapering to the top, and serving the purpose of both chimney and smoke-house : the hearth was of flat stones of various sizes, and occupied a considerable portion of the room. To build a winter fire, there first was brought in a large piece of log which was placed next the chimney-back, and known as the back-log next came a somewhat smaller log, which was placed on the other and called the back-stick : then came two round sticks, green and less combustible than the others : these were placed endwise against the back-log, and served in place of the more modern andirons. Upon them was laid the fore-stick, and between this and the back-log, dry limbs were piled in and the fire applied; \Olen this was fairly started more wood was put on and a pile to keep it up lay neat' 1)\-. The fire thus built. which was done about 4 o'clock of a winter day's afternoon. would last a long time with little attention, keeping the family. clothed in good. warm homespun. comfortably warm." If, by mischance, the fire went out on the hearth. it was rekindled by a coal or burning brand from a neighbor, or by flint. steel and tinder. In many cabins. the fire described gave out but partial warmth. and the group which sat around it were roasting on one side while freezing on the other. Few, indeed. were the books to be found with the settlers, and newspapers were rarer still. Upon the shelf. there may have lain the few books used at school. the Bible and the almanac, and the paper, when one could be had, was read at evening hours by the light of a tallow dip, or before , the glowing hearth-fire.

Only the well to do (and these were few in Darke) could afford a clock. The hour of noon was guessed or may be ascertained by the noon-mark cut upon the threshold. and in place of the bell to call the chopper from the clearing, a cheery shout was given. or tin horn blown. Few were the households where any pictures adorned the wall. and the reed organ had not been invented.

To-day. even the children carry watches ; print, engraving, chromo and lithograph are found in more or less profusion in most houses, and piano and or,,an are in the country as well as in every village.

The habits of the settlers were influenced and controlled by their mode of life. Tasks amost impossible as thought of now, were undertaken spiritedly with no thoughts of time or labor. Chopping in the clearings for days alone, and preparing a home to which to bring his family,-many a settler became accustomed to the silence. and himself grew taciturn.

Journeys on foot for many miles were made with little more of preparation than the traveler makes at present. Women and children rode or. horseback

268 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

hundred of miles. It was a delight to the settlers to assemble at some one of the log cabins of a winter evening to relate stories of escapes and wild adventures during the sanguinary scenes of '94 and later years. Prominent ideas survive the lapse of time, and the conversation of the aged backwoodsmen, referring to the pioneer. period, is of deer, wolf and bear ; of trapping, hunting and fishing ; of prevailing diseases and makeshifts during sickness ; of cutting roads, clearing lands, and journeys to distant mills and markets.

The subject of food was all important with the settler, and hard labor in the open air created a keen appetite which made of much account the feasts of merry- makings, parties and public meetings. Quality was not so much regarded as quantity. Fish from the creek, venison and bear meat. bacon, and even the raccoon's carcass, were made available for thod. Enormous potpies were baked containing fowls, squirrels and due proportions of other meats. The food was generally most wholesome and nutritive. There was a bounteous supply of the richest milk, the finest butter and most palatable meat that could be imagined, and meals were eaten with all the relish which healthful vigor. backed by labor, could bestow.

The clothing worn in early days was generally the same in all seasons. The settler, standing upon the prostrate trunk of a huge tree, stroke following stroke of his keen ax, and chip after chip whirring out upon the snow, little regarded the winter temperature, and coatless and barefooted. the summer heat was not oppressive. The garments worn were mainly the product of home manufacture, where necessity insured effort. and practice gave skill.

Flax has been raised in Darke from the period of early settlement down to the present time, and when sheep were introduced. there was supplied a new and excellent material for wearing apparel.

It is said of Creviston and others of his class. besides not a few of the pioneers, that their garments about the years whereof we write. were truly described in the " Annals of the West." as follows : - The hunting-shirt was universally worn. This was a kind of loose frock, reaching half-way clown to the thighs, with large sleeves open before, and so wide as to lap over a foot or more when belted. '"The cape was large, and sometimes handsomely fringed with a ravelled piece of cloth of different color from that of the hunting shirt itself. The bosom of his dress served as a wallet to hold a chunk of bread. cakes, jerk. tow for wiping the barrel of the rifle, or any other thing necessary for the hunter. The belt, which was always tied behind. answered several purposes. besides that of holding the dress together. In cold weather the mittens, and sometimes the bullet- bag occupied the front part of it. To the right side, hung the hatchet ; to the left, in its leather sheath, was the hunting knife. The hunting-shirt was made of linsey, sometimes of coarse linen. and some few were made of dried deerskin. These last were very cold and uncomfortable in wet weather. The shirt and jacket were of the common pattern. A pair of breeches and leggings were the dress of the thighs and legs; a pair of moccasins answered for the feet much better than shoes. They were made of dressed deerskin. They were mostly made of a single piece, with a gathering seam along the top of the foot, and another from the bottom of the heel without gathers, as high as the ankle-joint, or a little higher. Flaps were left on each side to reach some distance up the legs. They were nicely adapted to the ankles and lower part of the leg by thongs of deerskin, so that no dirt, gravel or snow, could get within the moccasin.

"The moccasins, in ordinary run, cost but a few hours' labor to make them. This was done by aid of a instrument denominated a moccasin awl, which was made of the back-spring of an old clasp-knife. This awl, with its buck-horn handle, was an appendage of every shot-pouch strap. together with a roll of buckskin, for mending the moccasins. This was the labor of almost every evening. They were sewed together and patched with deerskin throngs. or whangs, as they were commonly called. In cold weather, the moccasins were well stuffed with (leer's

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hair, or dry leaves, so as to keep the feet comfortably warm, but in wet weather it was usually said the wearing them was a decent way of going barefooted ; ' and such was the fact, owing to the spongy texture of the leather of which they were made.

" Owing to the defective covering of the feet, more than to any other circumstance, the greater number of hunters were afflicted with rheumatism in their limbs. Of this disease they were all apprehensive in cold or wet weather, and therefore always-slept with their feet to the fire, to prevent or cure it, as well as they could. This practice unquestionably had a very salutary effect, and prevented many of them from becoming confirmed cripples in early life." This description, while of interest as revealing the shifts of the times, also brings that period near to us, and so dispels, by evident accompanying discomforts, the glamour -gathered --about the buckskin garments of the forest dwellers of the early day.

Rude covering of deerskin gradually gave way to suits of linen and woolen. Sheep required much care to protect them from wolves, and the cash price of the coarsest wool was half a dollar per pound. One or two acres of land were sown to flax, expressly for lint. When ripe, the young people were invited, as to a frolic, and the flax was speedily pulled, and then such as had no religious scruples against dancing, remained after supper. to enjoy an hour or so in the pleasures of the dance.

Months of hard labor were required to earn a suit of clothes, and the use of boots and shoes was dispensed with by men now affluent, until long after the first falls of snow. The price for an ordinary pair of cowhide boots was $7, and this was paid in produce, at low rates.

The flax prepared for the wheel. now rarely seen, and the loom, was spun and woven by the mothers and the daughters, and with the woolen yarn were made up into warm. serviceable garments. The buzz of the spinning-wheel and the double shake of the loom were pleasant sounds, and their operation was a favorite avocation. The long web. unfurled upon a grassy spot, was left to bleach in the sun, under care and supervision, and when of snowy whiteness, were made up into shirts. sheets and summer wear. Sabbath and holiday suits were worn with laudable pride, as the skillful handiwork of mother, wife or daughter.

In the larger Eastern towns, British goods were worn, but in the West they were unknown. The love of dress was not here wanting, but the means of gratifying it. Fashion had its votaries, but changes were infrequent and exactions not severe. A calico dress. made up by the wearer, served not only for the reception Df company at home, but also for the party at the neighbor's. The wearer looked in nowise less attractive than do those clad in the richer fabrics of to-day, and few excused themselves from social gatherings upon the plea of " nothing to wear."

It was not until 1836, that Levi Spayd, the first tailor in Greenville, and still a resident, opened a shop for the making of mens' apparel. The women, as has been said, made up the cloth and garments worn by them. Carding-mills came later than the period of which we speak, and it was rare to see a person dressed in store clothes.

Girls spun cheerily with lightsome tread and quick movement, under the prospect of receiving 75 cents a week, and, in 1823, you might have gone in Greenville to the stores of John S. Douglass, Nicholas Greenham or of the House brothers. Isaac and Henry. and pricing calico, found it held at 40 to 50 cents a yard. Society in that early day knew little factional distinction, and the love of liberty and the maintenance of lofty sentiments were cherished by industry, and no dignity of character was held more precious than that derived from conscious and acknowledged worth. The opinion of the public and the sentiments of the aged were estimated at full value. True manhood was exampled in principle, integrity and independence, fitly expressed in the saying of an eminent old writer : The inbred loyalty unto virtue which can serve her without a livery." The amusements of young and old were enjoyed with zest. There were huskings and

270 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

quiltings, woodchoppings, loggings and raisings, celebrations and musters, and each was a glad occasion. There was a double sense of enjoyment, the consciousness of profitable and necessary employment and familiar intercourse. Visits were made without formality, and were received with genuine satisfaction. Horseback riding for business or pleasure was common to both sexes, since horses could pass where tree and stump forbade the use of wheeled vehicles.

To-day, society, labor, dress and mode of travel are all changed. There is more formality and less happiness. There are fictitious distinctions of clans, but the records of the past honor the pioneer as the people of the present are doing noble work in the continuation of past labors.

Living in houses that are clapboarded, painted, blinded, -and comfortably warmed and supplied with every essential and luxury of the age. we may look upon the old-fashioned implements as indispensable to the time, and present relics. They are seen as curiosities, guide-marks of progress in scientific and mechanical skill, while contemplated by the pioneer whose brawny arm had heaped and burned the log-heap, he muses as if his senses were steeped in shadowy dream. He sees again the sleepless wilderness. a scene of wild expanse and nameless grandeur comes before his mind,

"The voice of Nature's very self drops low,

As tho' she whispered of the long ago,

When down the wandering stream the rude canoe

Of some lone trapper glided into view,

And loitered down the watery path that led

Thro' forest depths that only knew the tread

Of savage beasts, and wild barbarians

That skulked about with blood upon their hands

And murder in their hearts.

The light of day Might barely pierce the gloominess that lay

Like some dark pall across the water's face,

And folded all the land in its embrace;

The panther's screaming, and the bear's low growl,

The snake's sharp rattle, and the wolf's wild howl;

The owl's grim chuckle, as it rose and fell

In alternation with the Indian's yell,

Made fitting prelude for the gory plays

That were enacted in the early days.

"Now, o'er the vision, like a mirage, falls

The old log cabin with its dingy walls,

And crippled chimney, with the crutch-like prop

Beneath a sagging shoulder at the top.

The coonskin battened fast on either side,

The wisps of leaf tobacco, cut and dried;

The yellow strands of quartered apples hung

In rich festoons that tangle in among

The morning-glory vines that clamber o'er

The little clapboard roof above the door;

Again, thro' mists of memory arise

The simple scenes of home, before the eyes;

The happy mother humming with her wheel,

The dear old melodies that used to steal

So drowsily upon the summer air,

The house dog hid his bone, forgot his care,

And nestled at her feet, to dream, perchance,

Some cooling dream of winter-time romance.

The square of sunshine through the open door

That notched its edge across the puncheon floor,

And made a golden coverlet whereon

The god of slumber had a picture drawn

Of babyhood, in all the loveliness

Of dimpled cheek and limb and linsey dress.

The bough-filled fireplace and the mantle wide,

Its fire-scorched ankles stretched on either side,

HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY - 271

Where, perched upon its shoulders 'neath the joist,

The old clock hiccoughed, harsh and husky-voiced;

Tomatoes, red and yellow, in a row,

Preserved not then for diet but for show;

The jars of jelly, with their dainty tops;

Bunches of pennyroyal and cordial drops,

The flask of camphor and the vial of squills,

The boa of buttons, garden-seeds and pills.

And thus the pioneer and helpsome aged wife

Reflectively reviews the scene. of early life."

REMINISCENCES—LAND PRICES AND PAYMENTS—FARMING IMPLEMENTS—CONDITION

OF COUNTY IN. 1824.

Each of us is only the footing-up of a double column of figures that goes back to the first pair" asserts a great truth, since each generation inherits not alone the features, but much of the moral, mental and physical constitution, of that preceding. The sayings of our predecessors, perhaps reduplicated, are worthy of record since they speak knowingly of those who lived and toiled with them. W. S. Harper has written regarding the habits and manners of early settlers, as follows : Darke County was first settled by an industrious, hardy race of pioneers. poor men who had been renters in other parts of the State. As soon as they were able to raise $100 or upward. they came here and invested it in land in order that they might have a home of their own, and not be compelled to work one-third of their time for an exacting landlord. As about all the means of the settlers were laid out in land, and as there was a heavy growth of timber all over the county to be cleared away before there could be anything raised to live upon, and as every man was solely dependent on his own labor and that of his family for the improvement of his film. with this scanty help, he had many hindrances to combat. Three months of the year. sickness prevailed to such an extent that there were scarcely well persons enough to take care of the sick. To procure breadstuff, milling had to he done many miles from home. A single trip occupied from two to five days. Salt and leather must be had once a year by a journey to Cincinnati, which required from seven to ten days. If, as was sometimes the case, some products were in excess of the family need, and it was desired to sell, there was no market nearer than Piqua or Dayton. and the roads were so intolerably bad that it required a good span of horses in the most favorable season of the year to haul twenty-five bushels of wheat. There were many other hindrances of less magnitude. such as visiting the sick, administering to the needy, assisting to raise buildings, roll logs. keeping the vermin' from the growing crop, and hunting to supply the table with meat.

“To make money was out of the question, and no one fretted over it. If there could be enough money procured by selling wheat at 3 shillings 11 pence per bushel. or by disposing of deerskins and hams, or coonskins, or hoop-poles, to procure salt and leather, coffee for Sunday mornings, and to pay taxes, it was all that was expected ; and the recipients of these means of defraying expenses were more than thankful and better contented therewith than the frugal farmer of the present day with his abundance. Under these and other disadvantages, the county improved slowly. When a spot of ground was cleared and fenced, the ground being clotted over with green stumps and roots, the farmer entered the field to prepare a crop with his team, bar-shear or bull-plow, and after whooping, hallooing, fretting, scolding and often getting heavy blows upon his ribs, and abrasions of skin, and working on in this way for a week, he had gone over the field, which then presented the appearance of having been rooted over by a drove of swine in search of edible roots.

“Little of the land was fenced, and roads were made in every direction according to individual fancy. and without regard to land lines, the one object being to shun wet land and the larger logs. When any part of the road became almost

272 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

impassable, improvement was made by laying poles or rails across the track and throwing upon them dirt to keep them down ; to repair one rod of such road was considered a day's work. As poor a makeshift as this was. it was the best that could be done in those days. It is doubtful whether as late as 1820. there was money enough in the country to pay for the building of ten miles of turnpike. Under the impulse of making, having, living at and enjoying a home, the people in their poverty labored diligently, lived frugally, and contentedly cleared up their farms. minded their own business, helped their neighbors, and were accorded the favor and blessing of their God. As the country was improved, houses of worship were erected, and the settlers in plainness and simplicity of speech met in them and at their own homes to worship the Giver of all good. There was more love for neighbors. more sympathy for suffering humanity. more benevolence, more of every grace that adorns the Christian character, than can be found in our country at the present day. Those plain, frugal a-ad industrious pioneers have laid the foundation of one of the finest counties in the State of Ohio. With over eight hundred miles of turnpike, 2,000 miles of open ditches, and 10,000 miles of tile ditches ; with broad acres, fertile fields and manifest natural and acquired advantages, the people are greatly blessed."

This statement, made by one familiar with this subject after years of observation and experience, seems fully warranted in the essential facts. increase of population has bestowed strength, divide burdens and restricted intercourse. The channel of feeling flows, perhaps not as deep. although the depth is not discoverable. and the people in the main have greatly improved upon the past.

The early conditions of society made it necessary that men. while seeking such opportunities as were presented to pursue their trade or profession. should base their means of subsistence upon the ownership and cultivation of land. It was not unusual to find the blacksmith-shop near the house, to which be came when wanted from his field, the preacher toiled during the week, and exhorted upon the Sabbath, the teacher shared in this condition, and was by no means exempt from the law of necessity governing the settlements, as is demonstrated by the following reminiscence of Dennis Hart. This person came in November. 1817. to Darke County, and entered a tract of Government land at what was known as " Yankee Town" in the township of Harrison. He found the land heavily timbered and sparsely inhabited, and therefore abandoned this tract in the fall of 1819. and located on Bridge Creek, on the lands of George W. N. Night. As winter approached, the settlers desiring a school. he opened a rate school in an old log cabin, the property of Joseph Townsend, and taught a satisfactory term. The next year, the citizens in that neighborhood built a log schoolhouse on the Greenville and Eaton road. just east of where now stands the house of A. H. Van Dyck, •and he was called to serve as the teacher during the winters of 1820-21. His wife died in the former year. and two years later he married Jane McClure, then a resident on Whitewater, near the McClure and Provines settlement. Miss McClure had come to Darke from Kentucky with her father in 1812. when ten years of age, and had grown familiar with a life in the forest, and with its vicissitudes, as several of her father's best horses had been stolen by Indians shortly after his settlement in Darke County. Teachers of the present complain of low wages. but Mr. Hart, as teacher in that day—sixty years ago—agreed to take his wages in corn. meat, potatoes, in short, anything he could use and the settlers could spare. Money payment was out of the question. and his necessity was great. He says : I was poor and scarce of money. and my clothing was not of the kind suitable for a cold winter, for I had to go many times to Adam's mill, which was some five miles distant, for a grist of corn-meal, after dismissing my school at night.

" One day I went to Greenville to try to get some warmer clothes, especir ly pair of pantaloons, but had no money. I called at the store of Abram Serioner, and told him what was wanted and that I wished to pay him in trade from the articles received for services as teacher. He replied that he was not in need of

HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY - 273

corn, potatoes or produce of any kind, and such an exchange would not suit him, but that he would let me have the clothing and receive the pay in whisky. I then went to William and Robert Rood, who were operating a little distillery and horse, mill on the bottom land between

Greenville and Mina, on the north side of Greenville Creek, sold them my corn at somewhat less than the market price, and received in exchange whisky at a higher rate than the Greenville merchant would allow, but succeeded in settling the account ----the last one for which Mr. Hart ever ran in debt.

Times have changed since then, in truth. Teachers no longer need to patronize distilleries to clothe themselves, and salaries are promptly paid in money. Judson Jaqua's experience and information form an interesting relation in connection with the foregoing. since, in addition to information of points of settlement,-there isa statement of the disposition of the section set apart for schools and of a stimulus given to educational interests. He moved into Darke County in the spring of 1819. and " settled in the woods where there was not a tree amiss, except such as had been felled by hunters of bees and raccoons. A small opening had been made by Hart prior to his removal toward Greenville, and a settlement was soon formed by the arrival and settlement here of a number of families. Among the earliest on the ground were two or three New Englanders, and from that circumstance the settlement derived its name of Yankee Town. No schools were known at this time to be in session. Our Section 16. had been rented some years on a lease for ninety- nine years. forever renewable. with interest at' 6 per cent on its appraised value, but there had been no payment of rent, as there were no schools. At an election held in 1821, Mr. Jaqua was chosen Justice of the Peace, and thereby came into possession of a law-book, which being examined, there was found an act defining the method whereby school districts could be laid off, and abting on this information. the people defined the boundaries of a district which they entitled No. 1. They now began to inquire about the rent due on Section 16. This drew the attention of other settlements, and more districts were duly formed. New Madison was then Fort Black. and the block-house was still standing, its day of service past. Zadoe Smith had staked off some lots, and then sold out to E. Putnam, who had secured the services of Henry D. Williams, by whom the place was duly laid out: At this time there was. also, a semi-military station called Fort Nesbit on Section 29. but no town, and a good settlement on Whitewater Creek, extending from the south county line as far up as McClure's, lately C. C. Walker's place.

While alluding to the general privations of the early settler, we may dwell upon one embarrassment which bore heavily upon his energies, and which to this generation is measurably unknown. Poor as he usually was, the settler, alone or with his family, had entered upon his westward journey with sufficient means to enter a tract of Government land. He knew that from the soil must come supplies of food but a noble growth of timber—sure token of fertility—encumbered the ground. and must first be removed before grain or vegetable could grow. Hard labor as it was, many found actual enjoyment therein, and, had no obstacles existed beyond the actual clearing, the woodsmen could have done their work without great difficulty. It is a pleasure, at this late day, to listen to the narrations of those who, when children, came upon their farms in this now favored section. and thereon have grown old in all but the evergreen memories of those first impressions. Differing in names, dates and locality of the settlement, the history of one of Darke County's pioneers is like to that of all. As units of the number in the force engaged in rendering subservient to the man the wild luxuriance of nature, the greatest troubles were met by those who led the van. When land had been chosen and improved somewhat, when lapse of time brought the day of payment and there was no money, nor the means to procure any, and when, suffering sickness and enduring hunger, default of payment or foreclosure of a claim drove the family from such home as had been made. then, in truth, was hardship known ; yet such was the reward of mans- who cleared land in Darke. As the law then

274 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.

stood, not less than a quarter-section could be entered. The price of the public land was $2 an acre, and the purchaser was required to pay $80, or one-fourth, down, one-fourth in two years, and the balance in two equal annual installments, with interest ; altogether, $320. If not paid within the time specified, the lands, with whatever had been paid of the installments, were forfeited, and a great many were unable to pay for their lands as required, and so, being placed at the mercy of the Government, they remained as occupants by sufferance. Forfeiture was not declared. and, in March, 1820, an act was passed by Congress, extending the time for payments to entries until March 31, 1821. This legislation simply allowed the settler to reside on his land another year, but this gave no aid. He was as unable to pay at the end of the year as at the beginning. •At length, a bill was introduced which provided that the holder of any legal certificate of purchase might file a relinquishment in writing, at the land office. on or before September 30. 1821 ; and if such person had paid but one-fourth of the first cost of the entry. he could pay the rest in eight equal annual installments ; if he had paid one-half, the balance could be paid in six annual payments ; if three-fourths, the rest could have four equal yearly installments ; and if the whole amount could be paid by the last of September, 1822, a deduction of three-eighths would be made on payments yet to be made. March 21. 1821, the bill passed. but Darke County was remote, and news of this relief measure came when it was too late to make it available. The time, too, had nearly gone by before the district land officers had received orders from the proper department, and few had any benefit from the enactment. An a