History, Hardin Co., Ohio

PAGE 275 - PICTURE OF JANE (TIDD) RUTLEDGE

PAGE 276 - PICTURE OF LEWIS RUTLEDGE

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY - 277

CHAPTER IV.

PIONEER HISTORY-CAPTURE AND CAPTIVITY OF SIMON KENTON-CAPTURE

AND ESCAPE OF DR. .JOHN KNIGHT - PIONEERS OF HARDIN COUNTY

PRIOR To 1828- ALFRED HALE-THE M'ARTHUR FAMILY -

DANIEL CAMPBELL-SAMUEL TIDD-JAMES E. HUESTON-

SAMUEL AND ANDREW RICHEY AND JAMES HILL

-CHARLES W. AND SAMUEL STEVENSON.

THE American continent, which we are wont to term our Western World, is eminently a land of rapid development and marvelous progress. Its pioneers were men and women of great toil, patience, endurance and perseverance. They began on the Atlantic coast, where they founded colonies; thence they proceeded to found and people State after State in their westward course, not stopping for mountain barrier or savage opposition. As they advanced, they had to penetrate vast forests and traverse great mountain ranges, with or without roads, and with or without teams, carrying firearms to secure game for their sustenance, and to protect themselves against savage assaults. Selecting the sites for their dwellings and for their prospective towns, they wielded the echoing ax to fell the timbers of the dons(. woodlands. and constructed substantial but rude cabins of primitive materials. The labor, hardship and exposure they went through would to us seem unendurable, but then heeded it not. Many of them had come from sections where wealth had drawn social lines not to be passed over; and there was a servitude and a caste galling to men who looked for better things. Ť-a need not be surprised, then, to find that a large majority of the pioneers who for these reasons braved the wilderness were not ordinary men. The. true man counted the cost and never "bated jot of heart or hope," and in the struggle developed the manly character with which nature's God had endowed him. Their methods, their experience, their sufferings. men have loved to hear them relate:

"They came to the West when the forest stood

Mighty and solemn and grand,

And built their homes in the shade of the wood

That covered our Western land,

When the blue, wide waters, crystal clear,

Flowed onward, swift and free,

As the unchained love of the pioneer

Gushed forth for liberty."

But alas! all of them have passed away, and many have left no record of their eventful and adventurous lives.

CAPTURE AND CAPTIVITY OF SIMON KENTON.

There is, perhaps, no name in the annals of Indian warfare connected with the struggle for possession of the Northwest Territory, around which may be woven such a halo of historical truth, as that of Simon Kenton. His prowess as an Indian fighter and scout has been so indelibly marked upon the pages of the history of Ohio that the record of his life

278 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

and exploits is known in nearly every home throughout the State. One of the leading events in his adventurous career was his capture and captivity in 1778-79, and as this circumstance is closely interwoven with the early history of the territory now embraced in Hardin County, we give the story as related by his biographer, Col. John McDonald, believing it deserving of a place in this work.

He says: "Kenton lay about Boone's and Logan's Stations till ease became irksome to him. About the 1st of September, 1778, we find him preparing for another Indian expedition. Alexander Montgomery and George Clark joined him, and they set off from Boone's Station. for the avowed purpose of obtaining horses from the Indians. They crossed the Ohio. and proceeded cautiously to Chillicothe (now Oldtown, Ross County). They arrived at the town without meeting any adventure. In the night they fell in with a drove of horses that were feeding in the rich prairies. They were prepared with salt and halters, but had much difficulty in catching the horses ; however, at length they succeeded, and as soon as the horses were haltered, they dashed off with seven - a pretty good haul. They traveled with all the speed they could to the Ohio, which they struck near the mouth of Eagle Creek, now in Brown County. IN-hen they came to the river the wind blew almost a hurricane. The waves ran so high that the horses were frightened, and could not be induced to take the water. It was late in the evening They then rode back into the hills some distance from the river, hobbled and turned the horses loose to graze, while they turned back some distance, and watched the trail they had come, to discover whether or no they were pursued. Here they remained till the following day, when the wind subsided. As soon as the wind fell, they caught their horses and went again to the river; but the animals had been so frightened with the waves the day before, that all their efforts could not induce them to take the water. This was a sore disappointment to our adventurers. They were satisfied that the enemy was in pursuit, and therefore determined to lose no more time in useless efforts to cross the Ohio; they concluded to select three of the bast horses and make their way to the falls of the Ohio, where Gen. Clark had left some men stationed. Each made choice of a horse, and the balance were turned loose to shift for themselves. After the spare animals had been permitted to ramble off, avarice whispered to our scouts, Why not take all the horses? which had by this tine scattered and straggled out of sight.

"Our party now separated to hunt up the horses they had turned loose. Kenton went toward the river, and had not gone far before he heard a whoop in the direction of where they had been trying to force the horses into the water. He got off his horse and tied him, and then crept with the stealthy tread of a cat, to make observations in the direction he heard the whoop. Just as he reached the high bank of the river, he met the Indians on horseback. Being unperceived by them, but so nigh that it was impossible for him to retreat without being discovered, he Concluded the boldest course to be the safest, and very deliberately took aim at the foremost Indian. His gun flashed in the pan, and he retreated, with the Indians in close pursuit. In his retreat, he passed through a piece of forest where a storm had torn up a great part of the timber. The fallen trees afforded him some advantage over the Indians in the race, as they were on horseback and he on foot. The Indian force divided; some rode on one side of the fallen timber, and some on the other. Just as he emerged from the fallen timber, at the foot of the hill, one of the Indians met him, and

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 279

boldly riding up, jumped off his horse and rushed at him, with uplifted tomahawk. Kenton, concluding that a gun-barrel was as good a weapon of defense as a tomahawk, drew back his gun to strike the Indian, but at that instant another savage, who, unperceived by Kenton, had slipped up behind him, clasped him in his arms. Being now overpowered by numbers, further resistance was useless, and he surrendered. While the Indians were binding Kenton with tugs, Montgomery came in view, and fired at the savages, but missed his mark. Montgomery fled on foot, pursued by some of the Indians, who shot at and missed him; he fired a second time, and he fell. The Indians soon returned to Kenton, shaking at him Montgomery's bloody scalp. George Clark. Kenton's other companion, made his escape, crossed the Ohio, and arrived safe at Logan's Station.

" The Indians encamped that night, on the banks of the Ohio. The next morning they prepared their horses for a return to their towns with the unfortunate and unhappy prisoner. Nothing but death in the most appalling form presented itself to his view. When they were ready, to set off. they caught the wildest horse in the drove and placed Kenton on his back. The animal being verv unruly, it took several of them to hold him. while the others lashed the prisoner thereon. They first took a tug. or rope, and fastened his lens and feet together tinder the horse. They then fastened his arms, and passing another rope around his neck made him fast to the neck of the horse. while the other end of the sane rope was fastened to the horse's tail, to answer in place of a crupper. They had a great deal of amusement among themselves, as they were preparing Kenton and his horse for fun and frolic. They would yelp and scream about him, and ask him ;f he wished to steal more horses. Another rope was fastened around his thighs, and lashed around the body of his horse; a pair of moccasins was there drawn over his hands. to prevent him from defending his face from the brush. Thus accoutered and fastened, the horse was turned loose in the woods. He reared and plunged, and ran through the woods for some time, to the infinite amusement of the Indians: but after be had run about. plunging, rearing and kicking. and at length discovered that he could not shake off or kick off his rider, he very quietly submitted himself to the situation, and followed the cavalcade as quiet and peaceable as his rider. The Indians moved toward Chillicothe, and in three days reached that town. At night they confined the prisoner in the following manner: He was laid on his back, his legs extended, drawn apart, and fastened to two saplings or stakes driven in the ground. His arms were extended, a pole laid across his breast, and his arms lashed to the pole with cords. A rope was tied around his neck and stretched back, just tight enough not to choke him, and fastened to a tree or stake near his head. In this painful and uncomfortable situation he spent three miserable nights, exposed to the weather, gnats, and every class of insects infesting the country. When the Indians came within about a mile of the Chillicothe town, they halted and camped for the night, fastening their unfortunate prisoner in the usual uncomfortable manner. The Indians, young and old, came from the town to welcome the return of their successful warriors and to visit the prisoner. The Indian party, consisting of about 150 persons, commenced dancing, singing and yelling around Kenton, stopping occasionally to kick and beat him for amusement. In this manner they tormented him for about three hours, when the cavalcade returned to town, and he was left for the rest of the night,, exhausted and forlorn, to the tender mercies of- the gnats and mosquitoes.

280 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

"As soon as it was light in the morning, the Indians began to collect from the town, and preparations were made for fun and frolic at the expense of Kenton, as he was now doomed to run the gauntlet. The Indians were formed in two lines, about six feet apart, each having a hickory wythe in his hands, and Kenton placed between the lines, so that each Indian could beat him as much as he thought. proper, as he ran through the lines. He had not ran far before he discovered an Indian with his knife drawn to plunge into him; as soon as Kenton reached that part of the line where the Indian stood with the knife, he broke through the lines and made with all speed for the town. Kenton had been previously informed by a negro named Caesar, who lived with the Indians and knew their customs, that if he could break through the Indian line. and arrive at the council-house in the town before he was overtaken, that they would not force him a second time to run the gauntlet. When he broke through their lines. he ran at the top of his speed for the council-house. pursued by two or three hundred Indians. screaming like infernal furies. Just as he entered the town. he was met by au Indian wrapped in a blanket. and leisurely walking toward the scene of amusement. The Indian threw off his blanket: and as he was fresh, and Kenton nearly exhausted the savage soon caught and threw him down. In a moment the whole party; who were in pursuit came up, and fell to cuffing and kicking him at a most fearful rate. They tore off his clothes. and left him naked and exhausted. After he had lain till he had in some degree recovered from his exhausted state, they brought him water and something to eat; and. as soon as his strength was sufficiently recovered, they took him to the council-house to determine upon his fate. Their manner of deciding this was as follows: Their warriors were placed in a circle in the council-house; an old chief was placed in the center of the circle, with a knife and a piece of wood in his hands: then a number of speeches were made. Kenton, although he did not understand their language soon discovered from their animated gestures, and fierce looks at him, that a majority of the speakers were contending for his destruction. He could perceive that those who pleaded for mercy were received coolly but few grunts of approbation were uttered when such orators closed their speeches. After the orators ceased speaking, the old chief, who sat in the center of the circle, raised up and handed a war club to the warrior who sat next the door. They proceeded to take the decision of the court. All who were for the death of the prisoner struck the war club with violence against the ground; those who voted to save the prisoner's life, passed the club to his next neighbor without striking the ground. Kenton, from their expressive gestures, could easily distinguish the object of their vote. The old chief who stood to witness and record the number that voted for death or mercy, as one struck the ground with the war club he made a mark on one side of his piece of wood: and when the club was passed without striking, he made a mark on the other. Kenton was not long in discovering that a large majority were for death.

"Sentence of death being now passed upon the prisoner, they made the welkin ring with shouts of joy; but there was another question of considerable difficulty now presented itself to the consideration of the council; that was, when and where he should be burned. The orators again made speeches on the subject, less animated indeed than on the trial; but some appeared to be quite vehement for instant execution, while others appeared to wish to make his death a solemn national sacrifice. After a long debate, the vote was taken, when it. was resolved that the place of his execution should

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 281

be Wapatoinika (now Zanesfield, Logan County). The next morning, he was hurried away to the place destined for his execution. From Chillicothe to Wapatomika they had to pass through two other Indian towns, viz.: Pickaway and Mackacheek. At both towns he was compelled to run the gauntlet, and was severely whipped through the course. While he lay at Mackacheek, being carelessly guarded, he made an attempt to escape. Nothing worse then death could follow, and here he made a bold push for life and freedom. Being unconfined. he broke and ran, and soon cleared himself out of sight of his pursuers. When he had distanced his pursuers, and got about two miles from the town, he accidentally met some Indians on horseback, who instantly pursued, soon came up with him, and drove him back again to town. He now, for the first time, gave up his case as hopeless, and nothing but death stared him in the face. Fate, it appeared to him, had sealed his doom; and in sullen despair, he determined to await that doom that seemed impossible for him to shun. How inscrutable are the ways of Providence, and how little can man control his destiny'. When the Indians returned with Kenton to the town. there was general rejoicing. He was pinioned, and given over to the young Indians, who dragged him into the creek. tumbled him in the water, and rolled him in the mud till he was nearly suffocated. In this way they amused themselves with their victim until he was almost drowned, and thought himself forsaken even by God. Shortly after this trying ordeal, his tormentor, Moved with him to Wapatomika.

"As soon as he arrived at this place, the Indians, young and old, male and female, crowded around the prisoner. Among others who came to set, him was the celebrated and notorious Simon Girty. It will be recollected that Renton and Girty were bosom companions at Fort Pitt. and on the campaign with Lord Dunmore. As it was the custom of the Indians to black such prisoners as were intended to be put to death, Girty did not immediately recognize Kenton in his black disguise. Girty came forward and inquired of Kenton where he lived. and was answered, Kentucky. He next inquired how many men there were in Kentucky. Kenton said he did not know, bat would give him the names and rank of the officers, and he, Girty, could judge of the probable number of men. Kenton then named a great many officers and their rank many of whom had honorary titles without any command. At length Girty asked the prisoner his name, who answered. Simon Butler. (It will be remembered that he changed his name when he fled from his parents and home, after the supposed killing of his rival in the affections of a young lady, who lived in the same settlement.) Girt. eyed him for a moment. and immediately recognized the active and bold youth, who had been his companion in arms in Fort Pitt, and on Lord Dunmore's campaign. Girty threw himself into Kenton's arms, embraced and wept aloud over him. calling him his dear and esteemed friend. This hardened wretch, who had been the cause of the death of hundreds, had some of the sparks of humanity remaining in him, and wept like a child at the tragical fate which hung over his friend. `Well,' said he to Kenton, 'you are condemned to die, but I will use every means in my power to save your life.'

"Girty immediately had a council convened, and made a long speech to the Indians, to save the life of the prisoner. As Girty was proceeding with his speech, he became very animated, and, under his powerful eloquence, Kenton could plainly discover the grim visages of his savage judges relent. When Girty concluded his powerful and animated speech, the Indians rose

282 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

with one simultaneous grunt of approbation, saved the prisoner's life, and placed him under the care and protection of his old companion, Girty.

"The English had a trading establishment then at Wapatomika. Girty took Kenton with him to the store, and dressed him from head to foot, as well as he could wish ; he was also provided with a horse and saddle. Kenton was now free, and roamed about through the country, from Indian town to town, in company with his benefactor. How uncertain is the fate of nations, as well as individuals! How sudden the change from adversity to prosperity, and from prosperity to adversity! Kenton being a strong, robust man, with an iron frame, with a resolution that never winced at danger, and fortitude to bear pain with the composure of a stoic, soon recovered from his scourges and bruises, and the other sever-treatment. he had received. It is thought probable that. ii the Indians had continued to treat him with kindness and respect, he would eventually have become one of them. He had but few inducements to return again to the whites, as he was then a fugitive from justice, had changed his mine, and thought it to his interest to keep as far from his former acquaintances as possible. After Kenton and Girtv had been roaming about for some time. a war park of Indians, who had been on an expedition to the neighborhood of Wheeling. Va., returned ; they had been defeated by the whites : some of their men were killed, and others wounded. AA hen this defeated party returned, they were sullen, chagrined, and filled with revengeful feelings, and determined to kill any of the whites who came within their grasp. Kenton was the only white man upon whom they could satiate their revenge. He and Girty were then at Solomon's town. a short distance from Wapatomika, and a message was immediately sent, to Girty to return. and brine Kenton with him. The two friends met the messenger on the way, who shook hands with Girty, but refused the hand of Kenton. Girty, after talking aside with the messenger for some time, said to Kenton, ' they have sent for us to attend a grand council at Wapatomika.' They hurried to the town, and when they arrived the council house was crowded. When Girty went into the house, the Indians all rose up and shook bands with him; but when Kenton offered his hand, it was refused with a scowl of contempt. This alarmed him: he began to admit the idea that this sudden convention of the council. and their refusing his hand, boded hire some evil.

"After the members of the council were seated in their usual manner, the war chief of the defeated party rose up and made a most vehement, speech, frequently turning his fiery and revengeful eyes on Kenton during his speech. Girty was the neat to rise and address the council. He told them that he had lived with them several years: that he had risked his life in that time more frequently than any of them; that they all knew that he had never spared the life of one of the hated Americans: that they well knew that he had never asked for a division of the spoils : that he fought alone for the destruction of their enemies; and he now requested them to spare the life of this young man on his account. The young man, he said, was his early friend, for whom he felt the tenderness of a parent for a son, and he hoped, after the many evidences that he had given of his attachment to the Indian cause, they would not hesitate to grant his request. If they would indulge him by granting his request to spare the life of this young man, he would pledge himself never to ask them again to spare the life of a hated American.

"Several chiefs spoke in succession on this important subject; and with the most apparent deliberation the council decided, by an overwhelming

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 283

majority, for death. After the decision of this grand court was announced, Girty went to Kenton, and embracing him very tenderly, said that he very sincerely sympathized with him in his forlorn and unfortunate situation; that he had used all the efforts he was master of to save his life, but it was now decreed that he must die-that he could do no more for him.

"It will be remembered that this was in 1778, in the midst of the American Revolution. The old Indian town of Upper Sandusky was then the place where the English paid their Western Indian allies their annuities; and as time might effect what his eloquence could not, Girty, as a last resort, persuaded the Indians to convey the prisoner to Upper Sandusky, as there would meet large numbers to receive their presents; that the asembled tribes could there witness the solemn scene of the prisoner's death. To this proposition the council agreed; and Kenton was placed in the care of five Indians, who forthwith set off for Upper Sandusky. What windings, and twisting, and turnings occurred in the fate of our hero!

"As the Indians passed from Wapatomika to Upper Sandusky, they went through a small village on the river Scioto, where there resided the celebrated chief Loo-an, of Jefferson memory. (This village was in Hardin County, through which the Shawnee trace, ran. See Chapter II, General History.) Logan, unlike the rest of his tribe, was humane as he was brave. At his wigwam, the party who had care of the prisoner, staid over night. and Logan entered into conversation with the prisoner. The neat morning he told Kenton that he would detain the party that day-that he had sent off two of his young rnen the night before to Upper Sandusky, to speak a good word for him. Logan was great and good-the friend of all men. In the course of the following evening, his young men returned, and early the next morning the guard set off with the prisoner for Upper Sandusky. When Kenton's party set off from Logan's village, Logan shook hands with the prisoner, but gave no intimation of what might probably be his fate. The party went on with Kenton till they came in view of the Upper Sandusky town. The Indians, young and old. came out to meet and welcome the warriors, and view the prisoner. Here he was not compelled to run the gantlet. (,This is evidently a mistake, for we read in Howe's `Historical Collections.' pane 555, the following communication from Maj. James Galloway, of Xenia, who in January, 1827, traveled over the route with Simon Kenton. He says: ` While traveling through the Sandusky plains, Kenton recognized at the distance of half a mile, the identical grove in which he had run the gantlet, in the war of the Revolution, forty-nine years before (1778). A further examination tested his recollection, for there was the very racepath still existing, in which he had ran. It was near a road leading from Upper Sandusky to Bellefontaine, eight or ten miles from the former. I expressed my surprise at his remembering it. "Ah! " replied he, "I had a good many reasons laid on my back to recollect it. ")' A grand council was immediately convened to determine upon the fate of Kenton. This was the fourth council which was held to dispose of the life of the prisoner. As soon as this grand court was organized and ready to proceed to business, a Canadian Frenchman by the name of Peter Druyer, who was a Captain in the British service, and dressed in the gaudy appendages of the British uniform, made his appearance in the council. This Druyer was born and raised in Detroit-he was connected with the English Indian Agent Department-was their principal interpreter in settling Indian affairs; this made him a man of great consequence among the Indians. It was this influential man, that the good chief Logan, the friend of all the human family,

284 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

sent his young men to intercede for the life of Kenton. His judgment and address were only equaled by his humanity. His foresight in selecting the agent who it was most probable could save the life of the prisoner, proves his judgement and knowledge of the human heart.

"As soon as the grand council was organized, Capt Druyer requested permission to address it, which was instantly granted. He began his speech by stating, `that it was well -known that it was the wish and interest of the English that not an American should be left alive. That the Americans were the cause of the present bloody and distressing war-that neither peace nor safety could be expected, as long at these intruders were permitted to live upon the earth.' This part of his speech received repeated grunts of approbation. He then explained to the Indians, `that the war to be carried on successfully, required cunning as well as bravery -that the intelligence which might be extorted from a prisoner would be of more advantage in conducting the future operations of the war, than would be the lives of twenty prisoners, that he had no doubt but the commanding officer at Detroit could procure information from the prisoner now before them that would be of incalculable advantage to them in the progress of the present war. Under these circumstances, he hoped they would defer the death of the prisoner till he was taken to Detroit. and examined by the Commanding General, after which he could be brought back. and if thought advisable, upon further consideration, he might be put to death in any manner they thought proper." He next noticed, " they already had a great deal of trouble and fatigue with the prisoner without being revenged upon him; but, that they had not back all the horses the prisoner had stolen from them, and killed one of his comrades; and to insure them something for their fatigue and trouble, he himself would give $100, in run and tobacco, or any other articles they would choose, if they would lot him take the prisoner to Detroit to be examined by the British General." The Indians without hesitation agreed to Capt. Druyer's s proposition, and he paid down the ransom. As soon as these arrangements were concluded, Druyer and a principal chief sat off with the prisoner for Lower Sandusky (now Fremont, Sandusky County). From this place. they proceeded by water to Detroit, where they arrived in a few days. Here the prisoner was-handed over to the commanding officer, and lodged in the fort as a prisoner of war. He was now out of war. He was now out of danger from the Indians, and was treated with the usual attention of prisoners of war in civilized countries. The British commander gave the Indians some additional remuneration for the life of Kenton, and they returned satisfied to join their countrymen at Wakatomika.

"As soon as Kenton's mind was out of suspense, his robust constitution and iron frame recovered in a few days from the severe treatment they had undergone. Kenton remained at Detroit until June, 1779, when he, with other prisoners, escaped, and. after enduring great privations, rejoined his friends." Such is the story of the capture and captivity of this noted frontiersman during the Revolutionary war, when the colonies ware fighting, for independence, and American liberty had not yet been attained.

CAPTURE AND ESCAPE OF DR. JOHN KNIGHT.

The next event connected with the early history of the territory composing Hardin County occurred in June, 1782. In Chapter II we have briefly narrated the. campaign of Col. William Crawford, together with his capture and subsequent terrible death at the stake. We have also mentioned

PAGE 285 - PICTURE OF B. F. CESSNA

PAGE 286 - BLANK

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 287

the capture and escape of Dr. John Knight; but as the latter circumstance occurred upon the soil of Hardin County, we feel it a duty to give more fully the particulars connected therewith. The night of the final flight and defeat of Crawford's armv, the Colonel, missing his son and son-in-law, John Crawford and Maj. Harrison, also his nephews, Maj. Rose and William Crawford, halted as the line passed on to see if they were safe. He was thus left far in the rear of his men, but fell in with Dr. Knight and two others who had also become separated from the main body of the army. They traveled in a northerly direction to avoid the Indians, and then turning east, crossed the Sandusky River, and continued their flight, overtaking a part of the fleeing soldiers, with whom he and Dr. Knight traveled until near what is now Leesville, Crawford County, where they fell into an Indian ambuscade, and were. compelled to surrender. They were finally conducted to Upper Sandusky (Old Town), where they were detained a short time, painted a black color, and then conducted across the plains to the Big Tymochtee, where Crawford was burned at the stake. After the execution, Knight was conducted to the Delaware town, bound and detained until the next morning, when he was given in charge of an Indian whose name was Tutelu, a rough-looking fellow, and again painted black. They started for the Shawnee towns, which the Indian said were somewhat less than forty miles away. Tutelu was on horseback and drove Knight before him. The latter pretended be was ignorant of the death he was to die-though Simon Girty had told him he was to die affected as cheerful a countenance as possible, and asked the savage if they were not to live together as brothers in one house when they should get to the town. Tutelu seemed well pleased, and said "yes." He then asked Knight if he could make a wigwam. Knight told him he could. He then seemed more friendly. The route taken by Tutelu and Knight was the Indian trace leading from the Delaware town to Wakatomika, and ran some six or eight miles west of what is now Upper Sandusky. Its direction was southwest from Pipetown to the Big Tymochtee. They traveled, as near as Knight could judge, the first day about twenty-five miles. The Doctor was then informed that they would reach Wakatornika the next day a little before noon. Tutelu again tied Knight, and both laid down to rest. The Doctor often attempted to untie himself, during the night. but the Indian was very watchful and scarcely closed his eyes, so that he did not succeed in loosening the tugs with which he was bound. At daybreak Tutelu got up and untied the Doctor. They had built a fire near which they slept. Tetelu as soon as he had untied the Doctor began to mend up the fire, and as the gnats were troublesome, the Doctor asked him if he should make a smoke behind him. He said "yes." The Doctor took the end of a dogwood fork which had been burnt down to about eighteen inches in length. It was the longest stick he could find, yet too small for the purpose he had in view. He then took up another small stick, and taking a coal of fire between them, went behind the Indian, when, turning suddenly about, he struck the Indian on the head with all his force. This so stunned him that he fell forward with both his hands in the fire. He soon recovered and springing to his feet ran off howling into the forest. Knight seized his gun, and with much trepidation, followed trying to shoot the Indian. but using to much violence in pulling back the cock of the gun, broke the mainspring. The Indian continued his flight, the Doctor vainly endeavoring to fire his gun. He finally returned to the camp from the pursuit of Tutelu, and made preparations for his homeward flight through the wilderness. He took the

288 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

blanket of the Delaware, a pair of new moccasins, his "hopper," powder horn, bullet bag, together with the Indian's gun, and started on his journey in a direction a little north of east.

At about half an hour before sunset he came to the Sandusky Plains, when he laid down in a thicket until dark. He had traveled some distance into what is now Marion County. The Indian's gun being of no use after carrying it a day or two, he left it behind. He continued in a northeasterly direction, passing through what is now Marion, Morrow, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, and so on until the evening of the twentieth day after his escape he reached the mouth of Beaver Creek on the Ohio, in Beaver County, Penn., and was then among friends. During the whole journey, he subsisted on roots, a few young birds that were unable to fly out of his reach, and wild berries that grew in abundance through the forest.

It is a generally admitted fact, that the old Shawnee trail from the Wyandot and Delaware Villages on the Sandusky and Tymochtee, to the Shawnee towns on the Big Miami and Mad Rivers. passed =n a southwesterly direction through what is now the Townships of Goshen, Dudley, Buck, Bale and Taylor Creek; thence on to the Indian villages, in what is now Logan County. This was the trace over which Tutelu was conducting Dr. Knight to Wakatomika, where his proposed execution was to take place. It is also a received tradition that the precise spot where the Doctor outwitted, overpowered and escaped from his Indian guard was in Section 8, Dudley Township, on the north bank of the Scioto River, at the old Shawnee ford, near the residence of the late Judge Porting Wheeler. Thus has the territory of Hardin County been closely associated with two of the most noted events in the history of Ohio.

ALFRED HALE.

In Chapter III we have briefly mentioned the settlement at Fort McArthur, in 1817, of Alfred Hale and wife Mary, with a family of two sons and one daughter; also the birth of another son, Jonas, in 1819, and the subsqeuent death of the mother, whom tradition says was buried in a walnut canoe made by the Indians. Jonas Hale was the first white child born within the territory of Hardin County after the treaty of 1817; but as white traders lived among the Indians for many years prior to that event, we cannot tell that he was the first white child born upon its soil. It is our opinion, formed after a thorough investigation, that Alfred Hale moved from this region soon after the coming of the first permanent settlers; and we know that he never owned any land bore, but belonged to that class of frontiersmen who lived by the chase. It may have been that he came here with the Government surveyors, and as soon as they got through with their labors in this portion of the newly acquired territory, " pulled up stakes " and moved on. However, we have been unable to discover whither he went or what became of him after his departure, neither is it of any importance to our readers to know such fact; but it is safe to infer that he kept on toward the setting sun, in the van of civilization, where, free from the restraining laws of well ordered society and surrounded with game in abundance, his latter days passed into oblivion.

In an address delivered at Kenton, by A. B. Johnson, on the 4th of July, 1876, he tells the following anecdote about the early settlement of

* He arrived at Pittsburgh July 4, 1782. In 1784, Dr. Knight married Col. Crawford's half sister, and died in Shelbyville, on the 12th of March, 1838.

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 289

Hardin County. He says: " Sometime in 1824, Moses B. Corwin and Jonthan E. Chaplin, both lawyers of Urbana, visited Fort Findlay, Hancock County, to attend court. While there, they defended a man who held been indicted for stealing a rifle: they cleared their client and took the stolen rifle for their fee. On their way home, they on the first day shot a wild turkey and reached Fort McArthur ere nightfall, at which place two families then resided. But nearly all the members were sick with fevers, and our lawyers got but little accommodation. They conked the turkey for their supper, and their horses got a few bites of fresh grass. During the night, the wife of one of the men died, and Messrs. Corwin and Chaplin remained the next day and performed the last sad rites of burial." There is nothing positively known as to who these families were, but, doubtless, one of them was that of Alfred Hale, whose wife died at the fort; while the name of the other is forever buried in the fading traditions of the past.

THE M'ARTHUR FAMILY.

There is no name in Hardin County so closely associated with the pioneer history of Ohio as that of McArthur; and though the ancestor of the family that settled in this county was only an uncle to Gen. Duncan McArthur, the man who made the name historic, yet his descendants were prominent in founding civilization around the head-waters of the Scioto the source of which was discovored by their illustrious relative. Donald McArthur was born in Scotland, November 8, 1742, and died in AcDonald Township, Hardin County, Ohio. January 10, 1835, aged ninety-two years two months and two days. He was twice married. and by his first wife was the father of three children, viz., Daniel (who remained in Scotland), John and Margaret. By. his second wife, Catherine, the following children were born to him: Duncan and David. in Scotland; Nancy. Archibald, Peter C. and Margaret, in America. Some time near the beginning of the present century, Donald McArthur, wife Catherine and four children, John (who was married, Margaret. Duncan and David. came from their native land, and finally settled near Albany, N. Y., where the family resided about five years. The daughter Margaret, however, fell from the vessel and was drowned ere reaching their destination, and the next daughter born to them received the same name in memory of the dead girl. Thence they removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, where their well known relatives then resided, and lived in that vicinity several years.

In 1818, Peter C. McArthur, in company with Daniel Campbell, came from Ross County to the head-waters of the Scioto River, and built a cabin on land now owned by Robert Reed, in McDonald Township, Hardin County, Ohio. They remained a short time and then returned to Ross County with the intention of bringing out their families; but rumors of an expected Indian outbreak reaching their ears, they concluded to give up the idea for the present and remain in the older settlement. Early in 1822, the whole McArthur family came to the newly erected county of Hardin and settled on the land where Peter C. had built the cabin four years previously. Here most of the older ones passed the balance of their days. For some years prior to Donald's death, he was blind, but, as already stated, lived to the great age of ninety-two. His wife, Catherine, survived him nearly ten years. dying November 22, 1844,. aged seventy-seven.

Of the children who came here, John married Jane MacMartin, in Scotland, the day before leaving for America, and became the father of the following children, viz. : Daniel, who died unmarried, August 25, 1849; Dun-

290 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

ban, married Nance Campbell, daughter of William Campbell, of Ross County, Ohio, and died October 28, 1850; his widow still survives him and lives on the homestead in McDonald Township; John, married Margaret H. Wallace, of Ross County, and died September 19, 1863, his widow dying February 22, 1873; David died unmarried, May 1, 1848; Nancy, died in early womanhood; Allen F., married Ellen Dunlap. and died April 14, 1874, aged forty-nine years six months and twenty-four days. His widow survives him and resides at Ada. There can be but little doubt that Allen F. McArthur was the first white child born in Hardin County after its erection. His birth occurred, judging from his age at his death, as engraved on his tombstone, in September 1824, or about two years after the settlements of his parents in this county. Joseph married Sarah J. Wilson and died September 8, 1876, and three children died in infancy. The father, John, Sr., who was one of the first County Commissioners, died February 16, 1859, aged seventy-four years six month, and nine days: his widow, Jane, died April 23, 1863, aged sixty-seven. He was a man of ordinary size, and light complexion, possessing the faculty of getting and keeping money, and was, therefore, one of those successful pioneers who leave to their descendants handsome estates.

Duncan. the eldest son of Donald and Catherine McArthur, did not remain in this county any length of time. David. the next son, died here, March 4, 1850, aged fifty years. Nancy married Jonathan Carter, the first Treasurer of Hardin County. Archibald died unmarried, in 1829, aged twenty-six years five months and fourteen days.

Peter C., the youngest son and the first permanent settler of Hardin County, was married to Mariah Griffin, of Logan County, who bore him the following children: Thomas J., married Rebecca Sneffin, of Champaign County, and died in the Union army during the rebellion; Archibald, Jonathan and David, all died in boyhood; Elizabeth, married Samuel Dunham, of Logan County, and there died; Catherine, passed away in early womanhood; Caroline, married near Cleveland and removed to the West, and John, died in the army, while fighting for the Union. Peter C. McArthur was a man of good education, * and it is said that in 1837 he taught the first school in that part of Hardin County. The log cabin wherein that school was held stood near the "Pfeiffer spring" in Roundhead Township, into which subdivision Peter C. removed after his marriage. Prior to that event, he lived with his parents at the old homestead in McDonald Township. We have been told that he was somewhat dissipated, and therefore did not succeed in accumulating much property. He was a tall, sparely-built man, a warm friend and a good citizen. His grave is unmarked, and we are therefore unable to give any dates in connection with his birth, age or death.

As to Margaret, the youngest child of Donald and Catherine McArthur, all we know is that she lived and died in Hardin County. The family were originally Presbyterians, but in those early days Revs. James B. Finley and Thomas Sims, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held services occasionally at the cabin of Donald McArthur, and finally the McArthurs joined the Methodist Church, and generally died in that faith. Some of their descendants are yet residing near where the old Scotchman, with his family, settled more than sixty years ago; while the name is known and respected throughout the county, of which they were the first permanent pioneers.

* Was elected County Assessor on the 1st of April, 1833.

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 291

DANIEL CAMPBELL.

This well-remembered pioneer was a cotemporary of the McArthurs, and settled in the county at the same time. He was born in Kentucky in 1790, and coming to Ross County, Ohio, he there enlisted in Capt. James Manary's company of rangers. and served in the war of 1812. He subsequently married Rebecca Kerns, who was a native of Ross County and a daughter of William Kerns, who was a native of Ireland and a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He came, in company with Peter C. McArthur, to the territory now embraced in McDonald Township in 1818, and after erecting a cabin and planting a small patch of corn, they went back to Ross County for the purpose of bringing their families. but on account of the unsettled state of the country, did not return until 1822. Daniel Campbell brought with him at this tinge his wife and three children, and settled east of the Scioto River, about two miles northeast of the village of Roundhead, in what is now McDonald Township. During the first year in their new home, two of their little ones died. and this so discouraged them that they went back to Ross Comity at the end of that period. In the spring of 1829, Mr Campbell and family again came to Hardin County trod settled in the same locality. Their surviving child. Mary J.. here grew to maturity, and on the 6th of May 1832. was married to Alexander Given, who still survives her. She way the mother of five children, viz.: Eliza J., Mary H., Alexander F.. Daniel and Rebecca; the two utter are deceased.

Upon the organization of Roundhead Township, in 1832, which was prior to the organization of Hardin County, Daniel Campbell was elected Justice of the Peace for the new township, and when the county was organized swore in the Associate Judge at Fort McArthur, in March, 1833.

He was the only Justice of the county until the erection of Taylor Crock and Blanchard Townships, in which two Justices were elected, in May, 1832. On the 1st of April 1833, he was elected Recorder of Hardin County, and re-elected in October, 1833 and 1836, serving in that office seven consecutive years. In September, 1849, he became one of the Associate Judges and was on the bench when the new constitution was adopted, which abolished that office. Daniel Campbell died August 9, 1864, aged seventy-four years; his wife died April 12, 1861. aged sixty-seven years, six months and twenty-five days. Politically, he was a Whig and afterward a Republican. He stood about five feet eleven inches high, had a fair complexion, and was a man of good education for pioneer days. He accumulated 250 acres of land, was regarded as a fine business mail, honest, upright and straightforward-a man generally respected by those who knew him best.

SAMUEL TIDD.

In February, 1822, the territory now embraced in Roundhead Township received its first settler, which settlement was cotemporary with the second one made by the McArthurs and Daniel Campbell, cross the Scioto, in what is now McDonald Township. Samuel Tidd, a native of Pennsylvania, emigrated to Logan County, Ohio, and in February, 1822, removed to Hardin County and settled in the northern part of Section 21., Rouudhead Township. He was a blacksmith by trade, and during the pioneer days was considered a fine workman. He followed his trade in connection with farming, and did a great amount of work for the Indians prior to their removal to the West. His wife's name was Barbara, and to them were born the following children ere coming to this county: Elizabeth. Mary,

292 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Sallie, Hugh, Nancy and Martin (twins), and Charles S. About one year subsequent to their settlement, another child was born, viz., Jane, whose birth occurred March 23, 1823.

The eldest of the family, Elizabeth, first married a Mr. Richey, upon whose death she married Francis Purdy, and subsequently removed to the West; Mary became the wife of Halsey Howell, of Logan County, Ohio, and died there; Sallie married Andrew Richie, and with her aged husband still resides in Roundhead Township. For more than sixty-one years, "Aunt Sallie" has watched the gradual development of Hardin County, and well remembers the time when the whole county contained but three or four families. Her form is still erect and she thinks little of walking from her home to Roundhead and return, a distance of several miles. Hugh Tidd first married Mary Given (a daughter of William and Jane Given), upon whose death he took for his second wife Sarah J. Caseman, and both died in this county; Nancy became the wife of Andrew Hattery, both of whom spent their lives Here; Martin was married to Sarah Conner, removed to Illinois and there died; Charles S. was born in 1821, came with his parents the following year to Hardin County, where. after reaching manhood, he married Margaret Ann McKinnoa, settled on the old homestead rind. with his wife, still survives to tell the story of more than threescore of years' residence in that vicinity. He and "Aunt Sally " Richey are the only survivors of Samuel and Barbara Tidds' children. who, with their parents, settled in the forest of Roundhead Township in February, 1822. Jane Tidd, who was doubtless the first white female child born in Hardin County, became the wife of Louis Rutledge, and died in this county. The parents passed their lives here, the father, Samuel, dying March 8, 1851, aged seventy--two years, his wife Barbara having died July 13, 1846, aged sixty-one years. Mr. Tidd was a very industrious man upright and straightforward in all his dealings, and many of his descendants are among the most worthy citizens of the county.

JAMES E. HUESTON.

It is a well-known fact that the first settler of Hardin County north of Kenton was the dimly remembered pioneer whose name heads this sketch. James E. Hueston was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Yankee origin. He was married in the Keystone State to Margaret Parks, whose parents were natives of Ireland. In 1820, Mr. Hueston removed with his family from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and in May, 1824, settled on the Blanchard River, in the northeastern part of Hardin County. He located in the northwest quarter of Section 12, Jackson Township. and there, amid the dense forest, he erected a rude cabin, and began the battle of life in the Western wilds. It is unnecessary for us to tell of the trials and hardships that fell to his lot during the first years of his residence in this county. It is the same old story of trials, fatigues and suffering manfully borne by most, if not all, of that noble vanguard of civilization that settled in the forests of Ohio. In 1831, Mrs. Hueston died and was interred on the east bank of the Blanchard; and in the fall of 1834, her husband's remains were laid by her side. In March, 1833, Mr. Hueston was appointed by the Governor as one of the Associate Judges of Hardin County, and January 4, 1834, the Ohio General Assembly elected him to the same position for the full term of seven years, but fate had decreed that he should live only a brief period to enjoy the honor thus conferred. To James E. and Margaret Hueston were born the following children: Thomas E., William, Amanda, Maria, Jane, Margaret, Ann E. and Martha.

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 293

The best known member of this family was Thomas E., who was born in Beaver County, Penn., May 5, 1813, and in May, 1824, accompanied his parents to Hardin County, where he grew to manhood. He attended school but a few months during his boyhood days, yet by self application in after years, he became well informed in all the common branches of a business education. In 1836, he was married to Ann Howey, a native of Richland County, Ohio, who came with her parents to Jackson Township in 1834. Of this union were born ten children, viz.: John, Margaret J., Mary, Isabella, Benjamin F., James M., Hattie, Alice F., Effie and Cornelia A., of whom the following survive: Mrs. Margaret J. Tresseler, who resides on the old homestead; Mary, wife of Dr. R. Woods, Quincy, III., James M., attorney at law, Toledo, Ohio; Alice F., now Mrs. J. N. Mahan of Ada, and Cornelia A., wife of Dr. Hagerman, of Dunkirk. Thomas E. Hueston at his father's death became owner of one-half of the homestead, and subsequently purchased the remaining half from his brother William. In 1840, he was elected Justice of the Peace and Land Appraiser,of his township: served as a member of the Board of County Commissioners from 1852 to 1854. and in 1871, was again elected to the same position, during which term his death occurred. Throughout his official career, he reflected credit upon himself by the faithful and satisfactory discharge of his duties, while his private, as well as his public life, was characterized by the strictest honor and integrity. He was killed by the collision of two trains at Dunkirk, on the 14th of March, 1872, and being an honored member of long standing in the Masonic fraternity, that order, as well as the county officials, passed appropriate resolutions at his death, testifying to his worth as a kind father, a loving husband and an honored citizen.

Of the remaining children of James E. Hueston, we have gathered a few brief items. William married Lucinda Johnson and settled on that portion of the old farm lying on the west bank of the Blanchard, which he subsequently sold to his brother, and removed to Forest, where he engaged in the hotel buiness and there died. His children were James E., who died unmarried; Hannah, became the wife of Clarence Lynn, of Hancock County; Louemma is the wife of Free Owens, of Jackson Township; Martha, married Frederick Burlin, of Forest; and Alice is married and resides near Cleveland, Ohio. Amanda, the third child of James E. Hueston, married William Johnson and died in this county. Maria, died in girlhood; Jane became the wife of Bomber Letson, and now resides in Iowa; while Margaret, Ann E. and Martha passed away in childhood. For many years during the first settlement of Hardin County, the cabin of James E. Hueston was one of those pioneer " inns" used as a general rendezvous by travelers and land prospectors; and after his death his son, Thomas E., continued the business, keeping a house of entertainment for man and beast.

SAMUEL AND ANDREW RICHEY, AND JAMES HILL.

About 1825, the widow Richey came with her family from Logan County, Ohio, and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 20, Roundhead Township. They had previously emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1816, and located in Logan County, where the father died. The eldest son, Samuel, married Mary Ann Rutledge, by whom he had the following children: Thomas, Nancy, Andrew and Mary Ann (deceased). His first wife dying, he married Mrs. Emily Davis, to whom were born Jane, Samuel (deceased), Emily and Viletta. Mrs. Richey is still living and resides on Section 7, Roundhead Township.

294 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Andrew Richey was born in Pennsylvania in 1809, and accompanied his parents to Logan County in 1816: thence, about 1825, came with his mother to Roundhead 1 Township. He subsequently married Sallie Tidd, and resided on the old homestead until about 1853, when he purchased the farm in Section 9. where he now lives. He is the father of six children, of whom four survive-Mary Jane, Sarah, Charles and Lydia. The deceased are Elizabeth and Walter. These brothers are two of the four oldest living settlers in Hardin County; Andrew's wife, "Aunt Sally" Richey. and her brother, Charles S. Tidd, having been here three years prior to their coming. In fact, few of the county's present citizens are aware that in their midst are living four pioneers, two of whom have been here eight. and the other two, eleven Years before the county was organized.

Another of the earliest pioneers of this county was James Hill, who was born in Maryland. close to the city of Baltimore. He removed to Lancaster County, Penn., and subsequently to Logan County, Ohio, whence he came to Roundhead Township. Hardin Countv, in 1825, and settled in the southeast quarterof Section 20. Here he lived one or two year. when he returned to Logan County, and did not come back to Hardin until 1833, this time locating on the northwest quarter of Section 20, Roundhead Township, where he died September 25, 1862, aged ninety-nine years. As Mr. Hill did not remain permanently after his first settlement, we have thought it proper to give a fuller sketch in the history of Roundhead Township, to which we refer our readers.

CHARLES W. AND SAMUEL STEVENSON.

Few of the pioneers of Hardin County were better known or more universally respected by its citizens than Charles W. Stevenson. He was born in Kentucky, November 20, 1796, and came with his parents to Greene County, Ohio, about 1800, where he grew to manhood. In January, 1819, he was married to Cynthia Scott, also a native of Kentucky, born August 19, 1795, who came to Greene County, Ohio, with her parents, at the same time that the Stevenson family settled in that locality. In the spring of 1827, Charles W., with his brother Samuel, settled on a piece of land near the head-waters of Silver Creek, in what is now Taylor Creek Township, and were the first pioneers of that portion of Hardin County. In the fall of 1827, Mr. Stevenson went back to Greene County and brought his wife and three children to the loo cabin which the brothers had erected during the summer. After living on the land until about 1833, and making con. siderable improvements, a difficulty arose-between them and the owner, Gen James Taylor, who resided at Newport, Ky., by which they lost the land as well as the results of five years' hard labor in clearing the soil for cultivation. Several years afterward, Taylor paid them $100 each. About this time, the brothers erected a saw mill and corn cracker on Six-Mile Creek, which proved a great benefit to the early settlers for miles in every direction.

To Charles W. and Cynthia Stevenson were born the following children: Margaret J., who married Lewis A. Miller, and now resides in Nebraska; Clarissa married Samuel Stewart, and died in Logan County, Ohio, where her husband is still living; William removed to Vandalia, Ill., and there died. These three were born in Greene County ere the coming of their parents to Hardin. The next was David P., who was born in 1828, now resides in Kenton and is the oldest living native of Hardin County; Robert died in Kenton in 1855; Euphemia A., became the wife of John

PAGE 295 - BLANK

PAGE 296 - L. MERRIMAN

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 297

Morrison, and died in Kenton; Charles W., resides in Nebraska; Usher P., died in Kenton; and two daughters who died in infancy. On the 1st of April 1833. Mr. Stevenson was elected Auditor of the newly organized county of Hardin, and soon after the location of the county seat at Kenton. he removed to its site. He built. a log cabin on the north side of Columbus street, the first lot west of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad. He was appointed Director of Kenton in 1833, which position he held until his death. He filled the office of County Auditor eleven consecutive years, from 1833 to 1843 inclusive. After the expiration of his last term as Auditor, Mr. Stevenson engaged in farming and teaming, finally erecting a saw mill on Taylor Creek, in Buck Township, about one mile south of Kenton, which he operated until his death, May 17, 1854. His widow, who was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, survived him more than twenty-three years, and died in September, 1877. In politics a Whig, be had, withal, the confidence of every class, irrespective of party lines, and, though a member of no religious denomination, he was so thoroughly moral in his life as to win the affectionate regard of all good citizens.

Samuel Stevenson was a native of Greene County, Ohio, born September 4, 1804, and, as mentioned in his brother's sketch, came to Hardin County in March, 1827, and located near the head-waters of Silver Creek, in what is now Taylor Creek Township. The land upon which they settled was in Survey 10,014. After the cabin was erected, Samuel, who was then unmarried. remained in charge while Charles W. returned to Greene County for his family. The brothers. after making considerable improvement, lost the land, without receiving any remuneration for their labor. In a few years Samuel married and became the father of the following children: Polly, John, Samuel and Robert, who are dead, and Sarah, Wilkins and Wilham. who still survive. Four of the sons, John, Samuel, Robert and Wilkins, served in the Union army during the rebellion. Of these, John died soon after the war, from the effects of disease contracted in the army; Samuel was wounded and died while under a surgical operation; and Robert was taken prisoner and confined in a rebel prison, but soon after his release he died from the ravages made upon his constitution through starvation and exposure. Samuel Stevenson, Sr., was a noted hunter, and it is said that he could kill a greater number of deer in the same time than any man in Hardin County. About 1840, he removed into what is now Lynn Township, settling on land now owned by Julius Schoonover. Here he died May 3, 1873, and, though he was only a plain, old-fashioned pioneer, yet he did much good throughout his life by kind words and acts, and by adhering to those principles of honesty that seem to have been a part of every pioneer's nature.

The record of the lives of these pioneers from first to last is a simple narrative, but develops the fact that they were "ruggedly honest," yet to say that they had some weaknesses is only to admit that they were human. With clean hands and pure hearts, they passed through a life of toil and danger, without once faltering in what they considered the path of duty; and now that the end is reached, it is seen more plainly than before how brave and strong and true they were.