HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 497

CHAPTER LX.

LIMA TOWNSHIP.

TOPOGRAPHY AND PRIMITIVE CONDITION-INDIANS-FIRST SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENT-COLUMBIA CENTER-PATASKALA-MILLS-SUMMIT STATION- CHURCHES.

"And, round and round, o'er valley and hill,

Old roads winding, as old roads will,

Here to a ferry, there to a mill.

And glimpses of chimneys and gabled eaves,

Through green elm arches and maple leaves,

Old homesteads sacred to all that can

Gladden or sadden the heart of man,

Over whose thresholds of oak and stone

Life and death have come and gone!"

-Whittier.

THIS is one of the finest townships of land in the county-every acre of it being tillable, and of the best quality, consequently the farmers are generally in good circumstances, are free, independent and prosperous. In its primitive condition, it was a densely wooded country, there being, probably, upon the advent of , the first settlers, no spot of land within its limits sufficiently clear of timber to admit the building of a cabin. The pioneers had literally to hew their homes out of the solid unbroken forest. The timber was all hard wood, such as grows upon the best lands of the State; very little, if any, pine, hemlock or other soft wood being found.

It is well watered by the South fork of Licking and its branches; that stream having its rise partly in this township. The Clear fork and Muddy fork of this stream pass across the township in a southeast direction, uniting their waters just below Pataskala. The difference in the waters of these two streams indicates very clearly the difference in the soil through which they pass. The Clear fork, as its name indicates, is a clear, sparkling stream, its waters tumbling down over a bed of gravel and stone. It drains the northern and eastern part of the township, made up of high lands. The Muddy fork, on the other hand, as its name also indicates, is sluggish, and its waters dark; indicating that they flow through a rich, dark, loamy soil. This stream passes nearly through the center of the township, from northwest to southeast, and, with its tributaries, drains the larger part of the township. A ridge of higher land passes northeast and southwest across the southwestern part of the township, upon which is located what is called the "Summit" a station on the Central Ohio road, and the highest point of land between Newark and Columbus. This ridge divides the waters of the Muddy fork from those of the Black Lick creek, which travel to the Big walnut and thence to the Scioto.

The Central Ohio. railroad passes in nearly an east and west bee-line across the southern central part of the township, and has three stations-Pataskala, Columbia and Summit-within its limits. Over its single track now pass about sixty trains every twenty-four hours, or a train and a fraction every half-hour; the track being used by both the Baltimore & Ohio, and the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis railroads, between Newark and Columbus.

Probably the first mud-road that entered this

498 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

township was the old "Mud pike" from Newark to Columbus, via Granville. It enters the township a short distance north of Pataskala, crossing in a southwesterly direction. Over this road the larger part of the first settlers came. They were from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and, in minor proportions, from Virginia.

They were hunters and backwoodsmen, and buried themselves in the depths of these great, dark woods, with wolves, bears, panthers and other wild animals, and Indians as neighbors.

Little is known regarding the Indian occupation of this township, though within the memory of the white man there were no permanent Indian camps within its limits. As a hunting ground it could not be excelled, and was, no doubt, extensively used for that purpose by the Shawnees encamped in Licking valley, and those occupying Raccoon town in the present township of Monroe.

The first white man known to have settled in Lima township was David Herron. He came in 1805 from Pennsylvania, as is supposed, and built his cabin on the east bank of Clear creek, about one-fourth of a mile north of the site of the village of Pataskala, on land then owned by the father of the late Richard Conine.

His brother John came the following year (1806), and remained here, raising a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters.

Henry Richmond and Amariah Cubberly were the next settlers in Lima. Their cabin was on the ground now occupied by the steam flouring mill in the village of Pataskala. In this cabin was taught the first school, in which the children of both Lima and Harrison were first instructed. Miss Cubberly was the teacher. Airs. Eliza Baird was a pupil in that school. In this cabin, also, was performed the first marriage ceremony in the township. The parties were young Richmond and Miss Cubberly, the teacher. Ministers of the gospel were scarce in those days and civil officers not numerous. Esquire Levin Randall performed this ceremony, and it being the first time he had attempted such service, he was much agitated and disconcerted. A gentleman, familiarly called Deacon Butler, was present, and seeing the agitation of Mr. Randall as he was reading the ceremony, stepped to his side. The 'squire's sight soon failed him entirely, and he asked Mr. Butler to finish the reading. The latter read until he came to the place where they were to be pronounced "husband and wife," when he informed the 'squire that he must do that, as the laws of the State had not conferred that authority upon him. It was done in due form by Esquire Randall.

Mrs. Richard Conine stated before her death -which occurred October 7, 1875, when in her ninety-third year-that she and her husband, with David Vandeburg, Henry Cooper, and some others, visited this place in 1805, arriving about nine P. M. and finding David Herron and Mr. Hatfield neighbors. The latter lived within the present limits of Harrison township. When within four or five miles of their resting place for the night, Cooper, in order to cheer the drooping spirits of the company, gave a howl in imitation of a wolf. To their, surprise, and no little consternation, he was answered by what appeared to be half a dozen of the real animals, at no great distance from them. The night was very dark, and, from the old fortifications near Newark, they had no road but an Indian trail. In their hurry to get through, Mrs. Conine's horse stumbled, the girth of the saddle broke and she was thrown to the ground. The gallant gentlemen soon replaced her in her saddle, and all arrived safely.

During the first year of David Herron's residence here he killed the only panther that was ever killed in this part of the county, about one and a half miles north of the site of Pataskala, in a ravine directly west of Mr. Hiram Angevine's residence.

A few Indians were occasionally seen by the first settlers; they were quite friendly. One day an old warrior called at the cabin of David Herron. Finding Mrs. Herron alone he thought to test her courage by telling her, by signs and broken English, that some day he would watch for Mr. Herron as he was going alone through the woods and shoot him; then, he could come and carry away what he chose and take her along and make her his squaw. So far from frightening Mrs. Herron, it only aroused her indignation and wrath; she sprang to her knife-box, seized a large butcher knife, and charged on the old savage, with vengeance in her eyes. The Indian beat a hasty re-

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 499

treat, and afterward, when relating the incident, acknowledged that in all his perils he was never more thoroughly frightened than when this pioneer woman went at him with that knife.

From the time of the settlement of the Herrons, Richmonds, Cubberlys, etc., down to 1821, but few settlements were made in what has since become Lima township.

Richard Conine became a settler in 1821, and was one of the most important and influential among them. He caused a grist-mill, probably the first in the township, to be erected on his land. He engaged a man by the name of Hans Reichter, better known as John judge, to dig the millrace, giving him, as compensation, one hundred acres of land, now worth one hundred dollars per acre. Mr. Conine was a man of much public spirit and enterprise. He assisted in erecting log school-houses in every direction around him, and when the age of these institutions passed away, was just as ready with his purse and influence to assist in building those of a better class. He was equally ready in the. work of erecting churches, giving largely of his means to several in his neighborhood.

When he located upon his farm; but four freeholders were in Lima township. These were, besides himself, john Herron, James Pressley and John Armstrong. There were three leasers, Henry Richmond, Charles Arnold and Joseph Vandorn. The last named was a brother-in-law of Mr. Conine, and came from New Jersey in 1818. He erected his cabin where the saw-mill now stands, at the south end of the village of Pataskala.

In 1822, there came into this township Jacob Conine, brother of Richard Conine, Andrew and Benjamin Beem, Isaac Tharp, from Hampshire county, Virginia, and Richard Green. Tharp settled on Hog run in 1815. Soon after, these were joined by Enos Loomis, Peter Wolcott and Eleazer Wolcott.

More settlements were made between 1830 and 1840, in this township, than in any other decade since its first settlement.

This township was organized in 1827. The first plat for a village was made on the line of the Central Ohio railroad, about one and one-fourth miles from the east line of the township. The proprietor, Mr. John Reese, laid it out about 1850, and gave it the name of Columbia Center. The town soon had in it a post office, two or three dry goods stores, a grocery, two "taverns," a schoolhouse, two churches, and a commodious brick building for school purposes. The two churches are now occupied by the Christian Union and Congregational societies. The town does not, at present, amount to much, containing something more than one hundred inhabitants. Samuel Bessee keeps a-grocery-in his warehouse. There was considerable strife between Columbia and Pataskala as to which should become the town; both having their origin at the time of the advent of the railroad, about 1850. Reese was an enterprising Welshman, and desired to make his fortune by building up a town. He first tried to buy some land for that purpose of Mr. Conine, who owned all the country about the site of Pataskala, but that gentleman refused to sell, probably for the reason that he had, himself, concluded to lay out a town. Mr. Reese was not to be so easily thwarted in his ambitious schemes, and went a little further up the creek, purchased twenty acres outside of the Conine tract, and laid out his town.

Mr. Conine did not .get ready to lay out his town until about a year after; Pataskala being laid out in 1851. He first called it Conine, but the town has generally gone by the former name, and as such appears on the maps, this name being given to the Licking river by the Indians. It was laid out near the east line of the township, just before the railroad began operations. Richard Conine made the first plat, but J. F. Conine and Jcsse Green made large and important additions. John Joseph, also, purchased twenty acres north of the railroad and laid it out in lots. The first house erected in the place was a frame dwelling by Alonzo Palmer; his widow yet occupies it. Ephraim Munsell came from Alexandria, built a small store-room, and started the first store. The store-room is yet standing, opposite the Presbyterian church. The first post office was established at his store, and he was the first postmaster, retaining the office about three years, when it was taken by the present postmaster, Mr. W. C. Elliott, who retained it from that time to this. Upon the arrival of the railroad, it was necessary to es-

500 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

tablish a telegraph office, either at Pataskala or Columbia Center, and there was a strife between them as to which should get it. As Mr. Elliott offered a room free of rent for that purpose, Pataskala received the office and has retained it. John Stout was the first operator. The town grew and prospered, soon outstripping its rival, and is now a place of six hundred and thirty-four inhabitants, by the census of 1880. It contains four large stores, each carrying a general assortment of goods, namely, Mead .Sz Youmans, Baird Brothers, Miner Hildreth and Dean Ashbrook. Thomas . Hunt keeps a hardware store and J. W. Burnside, drugs and a meat market. There are, besides, a shoe store, a hotel, and the usual proportion of shops and people engaged in mechanical pursuits.

A large, two-story brick school-house has taken the place of the old one before mentioned; in it all the children of the town of school age are gathered, to the number of one hundred and fifty, under charge of five teachers (including principal); the school being graded according to the law of 1852.

Immediately in rear of this school-house was, in early days, an extensive swamp, in which were discovered, some years ago, the remains of a mammoth. A tusk was measured by Rev. T. W. Howe, arid found to be five feet six inches in length.. The swamp is no longer in existence, having dried up, and been, to some extent, filled to a level with the surrounding land.

The mill erected by Mr. Conine on his land near the site of Pataskala, was one of the most important and useful improvements in that part of the county; for many years it did the grinding for a large region of country, and is yet in operation, being now run by steam. A saw-mill is attached. Columbia Center has a steam saw-mill doing a good business, being conducted by the Meiler heirs. Many saw-mills sprang up along the Muddy and Clear forks in an early day. One was located on the latter stream, on land now owned by R. B. Pearson, and two others were below that-one known as Moon's mill and the other belonged to Alban Warthen, a prominent man in the township, a politician, and at one time a member of the legislature. These saw-mills have long since disappeared, as the timber in the neighborhood has rapidly disappeared. The days of those old country sawmills, with their great water wheels and their heavy up and down saws, set in cumbersome wooden frames, are numbered. They will disappear as will the rail fences and other evidences of the good old "wooden age."

The third town in this township can scarcely be called a town. The Summit, before referred to, contains only a station-house, store, and a few dwellings.

The Presbyterians were among the earliest to organize for worship in this township. Rev. Timothy W. Howe, yet living in Pataskala, gives the following interesting history of this church:

"In July, 1837, a protracted meeting was held in Mr. Joseph Baird's barn, in Harrison township, conducted by Revs. Henry Little and Jonathan Cable. At this meeting quite a large number were hopefully converted, and, on the eleventh of November following, a Presbyterian church was organized at the log school-house in Lima, near Mr. Samuel Davies Alward's, by Revs. C. M. Putnam, Jacob Tuttle, Jacob Little, and Jonathan Cable. Nineteen persons united in the organization-ten females and nine males."

The names of these original members are as follows: William Baird and wife, Hall Robertson and wife, Samuel S. Dobbin and wife, Isaac Condit and wife, Joseph Baird and wife, Peabody Atkinson, Mrs. Hannah Van Dorn and daughter Sarah, Julia Knowles, John Frazier, William C. Condit, Mrs. Niblow, and Orson Smith and wife.

"The church was named the South Fork Presbyterian church, embracing a territory about ten miles long, from east to west and four or five wide. S. S. Dobbin was elected and ordained an elder in the infant church. Mr. Putnam alone remained over the Sabbath, and administered, the Lord's supper after preaching a sermon. During the following year there was only occasional. preaching, and that sometimes at Kirkersville, in a school-house, at the northwest corner of the village, and some times near Mr. Alward's in the log school-house in Lima.

"In the summer of 1838, Rev. Hugh Carlisle preached a few Sabbaths for them, and in June of that year Rev. Francis Bartlett spent a Sabbath in y Kirkersville, and preached.

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 501

"October 14, 1838, Rev. T. N. Howe began his labors in the South Fork church. No house of worship was owned by the Presbyterians at that time. Only one family connected with the Presbyterian church at that time lived in a frame house; the others lived in log cabins. The meetings were held the first year in the Methodist Episcopal church in Etna; in the frame school-house in Kirkersville, and in the log school-house near Mr: S. D. Alward's. After the first year in Etna, Presbyterians occupied the house built by the United Brethren, as the Presbyterians had assisted them in building it. For eleven years it was thus occupied every other Sabbath in the afternoon.

"In lima township we continued to worship in a school-house; and one summer (1849) we occupied the upper story of the Conine grist-mill, before it was finished. Not until 1852 was the house in the beautiful grove, at the gravel bank, so far completed that we could meet in it for public worship. This house cost about eight hundred dollars, and was occupied about sixteen years, or until the fall of 1868, when the roof had so far failed that it became unsafe to meet under it; and the congregation determined to build anew in Pataskala, rather than repair the old one.

"When the congregation had resolved to build, the Methodist church kindly, and unsolicited, invited us to occupy their house until the new one could be erected. This invitation was thankfully accepted, and as we wished to use it but once in two weeks it fully met our wants. In February, 1869, Jesse Horn, Timothy H. Cooley, and Joseph Atkinson were appointed a building committee, and discharged their duty faithfully. They purchased of Mr. Jacob Joseph a lot for six hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. Joseph generously taking six hundred dollars. The building was to be of brick, forty by sixty feet, and the estimated cost five thousand dollars. A subscription paper was circulated in the congregation, and the pastor visited Granville, where he was kindly received, and obtained from the good people one hundred and forty-five dollars for this object. Samuel S. Dobbin, the first elder of this church, who has for the last seventeen years been living in Illinois, also assisted us in this important crisis to the amount of one hundred dollars. Our sister congregation in Jersey also gave a helping hand. Six hundred dollars were given as a grant from the Presbyterian church erection committee to be paid when that sum Mould pay the last dollar due for the building. That sum was paid and the congregation worshipped in their new house the first Sabbath in September, 1870. The building and lot cost not far from seven thousand dollars.

"October 13, 1870, the church was dedicated to God with appropriate services. Rev. Daniel Tenny, of Newark, preached the sermon from Haggai, 2: 9. `The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former.'

"In April, 1867, a request was sent to the Presbytery to change the name of the church to `Pataskala.' This was granted.

"In 1852 that portion of the church living most convenient to Kirkersville began to feel that they ought to have a separate organization at that place, and in October of that year forty-four members received letters and formed the first Presbyterian church of Kirkersville. In the same year a Congregational church was organized in Columbia Center, and eight more received letters from the South Fork church to unite in Columbia. By our record, I see that the church received into its communion from January, 1839, to January, 1852, one hundred and eighty members. By deaths and removals, otherwise than to form the aforesaid churches, the South Fork church had but about seventy, or seventy-five members remaining."

The day on which this church was dedicated (October 13, 1870) Rev. T. W. Howe completed his thirty-second year of service in this congregation: Of those who united in the organization of this church, in November, 1837, only two remain connected with it at the present time, vie., Mr. William Baird and Mrs. Margery Baird, widow of the late Joseph Baird; the others have departed for the "shadow land." The present membership of this church is something over. two hundred. Mr. Howe continued preaching for it thirty-seven years, but in 1876, his health compelled him to withdraw from his labors. A Sunday-school had generally been sustained in this church during o the summer season, but owing to the sparseness of t the population in the early days of its history, a n union school was formed and all met at the

502 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

Methodist church. This union took place in the spring of 1868, but the number soon began to increase until it reached one hundred and eighty-five, more than could be conveniently accommodated in. the Methodist church, so that when the Presbyterian building was erected the school was divided; both are, however, working harmoniously. The Presbyterian, school is large and flourishing, the average attendance being about one hundred and sixty.

Beside the Presbyterian there are two churches in Pataskala-the Methodist and United Brethren. The former is the second Methodist church organization in the township, and emanated from what is known as the "Lima Methodist church." This latter church is one of the olden, if not the oldest, in the township. It was probably organized some years prior to the organization of the Presbyterian. It is yet in a flourishing condition and occupies a good church building located on Muddy fork, a mile or more northwest of the center of the township. When the railroad came through, about 1852, a few of its members, who were compelled to travel some distance to church, concluded to organize a second class in Pataskala, then just laid out. The organization was effected in 1853 or 1854 by Rev. Henry Lonnis, with sixteen members, among whom were the following: Daniel Conine and wife, Henry Meade and wife, Jesse S. Green and wife, Thomas Parker and wife, Calvin Dibble and wife, and Luman Dibble, the last of whom was the first class leader.

For the first two years their meetings were held in the old frame school-house, but in 1856, the present church edifice was erected. It is frame, about thirty by forty-five feet, plain and comfortable. The present membership is about one hundred and twenty-five.

About the time the church was organized a Sunday--school was also organized, has been kept up since, and is in a flourishing condition.

The United Brethren church of Pataskala emanated from a society organized more than forty years ago, about two miles north of Pataskala, arid where a church building was erected and services held until 1870, when the church building became unfit for use, and instead of rebuilding at that place, the Christian Union church building in Pataskala was purchased, and the church transferred to this place. The church was reorganized in Pataskala in March, 1870. Prior to the purchase of the Christian Union church, the society met for a short time in the old Wesleyan Methodist church, one of the first churches erected in Pataskala; the Wesleyan Methodist society having disbanded. Rev. D. Bonebrake was influential in the organization of this church, and D. Rockey and wife, D. Johnson and wife, J. C. Houser and wife, William Rockey and wife, Mrs. Ewing and Mrs Joseph, widow of J. W. Joseph, were the leading members. The present building is a fine substantial brick, the United Brethren having added twenty feet to it upon coming into possession. The membership is about sixty. The Sunday-school was organized about 1873; is live and active, with a membership of sixty or more.

The Christian Union society, which erected this United Brethren church, moved to Columbia center, where their organization was continued some years, but the church is not ht present in a flourishing condition. This was, to some extent, a political organization, the members having seceded from the Presbyterian church during the war, on account of the Union sentiments of the pastor and the larger part of the congregation.

A Congregational church was organized at Columbia center in 1852, by- Revs. Charles Ti. Putman and T. W. Howe, the original members being at the time members of Mr. Howe's church in Pataskala. These were S. D. Alward and wife, George Chadwick and wife, Mark Ritchie and wife, Mr. Simmons, Alfred Whitehead and John Reese. They first met in the school-house, but soon built a small church, costing, probably, not over a hundred dollars, which they occupied until 1878, when the present building was erected.

Mr. Howe preached for them at first, for some time. This church has, also, declined, and services are not now regularly held. A flourishing union Sunday-School is, however, maintained at Columbia center.

On the old "Mud pike," leading from Granville to Columbus, in the western part of the township, on land now owned by S. C. D. Brock, is located the English Lutheran church, or rather, at present, a union church. Rev. Sensabaugh, a Lutheran, was influential in establishing this church. Not

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 503

being able to raise funds by subscription to build the church, he undertook to build it without assistance, but failing to complete it, the citizens of the neighborhood subscribed sufficient funds for its completion, with the understanding that it was to be free to all denominations; and such it is considered at present. A good Sunday-school has been maintained here since the erection of the church in 1875.

CHAPTER LXI.

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

ANCIENT WORKS-INDIANS-TOPOGRAPHY-FIRST SETTLERS-JOHN LARABEE-MRS. STADDEN~S RECOLLECTIONS-JOHN CHANNEL-BLOCKHOUSE-ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP-FIRST SCHOOL-TUNIS COLE AS A TEACHER-MILLS -THE BEAUTY OF LICKING VALLEY-FIRST PREACHERS-FIRST SUNDAY-SCHOOL AND CHURCH-CHURCHES OF THE TOWNSHIP.

THE territory included in Madison township is an interesting one, from the fact that the first settlement of the county took place here.

Evidences of the "lost race" appear here, as in most other townships of the county. Five mounds are yet visible: one on the farm of George A. Wilson; one south of the Licking, on the farm of D. Wilson; one on the Bowling Green, east of Charles Montgomery; a fourth south of the Licking, on the Shannon. farm; and a fifth on the Bowling Green, near the chapel. These mounds are not remarkable for size, and in no way distinguishable from hundreds of others scattered over the county.

This township evidently has an Indian history, but it is, and probably will remain, unwritten. A camp of the Delaware Indians occupied the Bowling Green; so much is known, but this is about all. What their numbers were, who their chief, what the number of wigwams, how long they were in camp there, etc., are questions that cannot be answered. It is said to have been called by the Indians, "John Elliott's Wife's Town." The significance or origin of the name is also unknown. Judge. Elliott, who had a trading post there, it is said, was a single man at that time, else it might be inferred that it was named in honor of his wife. The probability is that this Delaware town was considerably less than fifty years old. Christopher Gist, who passed through here in 1751 (an account of which appears in another chapter), does not mention this town in his journal, though he mentions stopping at two other Indian towns just before arriving at the Licking, at one of which he was joined by Andrew Montour, the son of a Seneca chief. It is very evident that Gist followed the Indian trail from Wakatomika (Dresden) to King Beaver's town, and in doing so, he must have passed through or near the site of this village. Had the village then been in existence he would very likely have mentioned it.

In February, 1773, David Duncan and David Jones (Chaplain Jones) passed through here on this same trail (an account of which appears elsewhere), and Jones, in his diary, speaks of stopping at this Indian village; it is therefore evident that the village was established between the years 1751 and 1773. It still existed about twenty years later, when judge Elliottwent there as an Indian trader. In the narrative of William Dragoo, which appears elsewhere, it will be seen that he remembers passing through the Bowling Green prairie, but he says nothing about the Indian village there. This was in 1786. It must, however, have been there at that time, as judge Elliott is supposed to have been located there some five or six years later; yet in 1792 Captain Samuel Brady with a party of scouts passed through this place, camped on this beautiful prairie and named it Bowling Green, but not a word is said about an Indian village there.

504 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

It is not likely it was there at that time, as a fierce war was then in progress between the whites and Indians, and it is not likely that Brady and his scouts would have ventured to encamp near an Indian village, even had they been allowed to. The villa.-e must therefore have disappeared before this time-probably about the time of St. Clair's defeat or before. From these facts it may be concluded that this Indian village existed from twenty to thirty years.

While excavating for a bridge abutment on the east bank of the Bowling Green run, several years ago, seven skeletons of undoubted Indian type were exhumed. This spot was probably the graveyard for this Indian town. One of these skeletons was six feet three inches in length.

No depredations were committed by these Indians in this part of the country, so far as known. There were no white settlers in their immediate vicinity. No village was in existence on the Bowling Green when the first settlers of this county came; there were a few Indian camps in the Licking and Raccoon valleys, but John Elliott's Wife's Town had disappeared.

A small camp of Shawnee Indians also existed on Shawnee run, on or near the farm of P. N. O'Bannon, which circumstance gave name to the run.

This township is well watered by the main Licking river, which passes through its center from west to east, and the tributaries of this stream, which flow into it from the north and south. The Central Ohio and Pan Handle railroads, and the Ohio canal pass through the township, following the Licking valley. The soil of the Licking bottoms is rich, warm, sandy loam, and fine gravel, well adapted to all crops, more especially the early crops. There are many indications that this valley was once a vast lake, the waters of which were held in place by the soft sand rock at Black Hand. The continued attrition of falling water in time wore away the rocks, and the waters of the lake escaped through the chasm, leaving the rich deposit of ages, which in places seems inexhaustible.

The timber of this bottom consisted mainly of hard and soft maple, sycamore, black walnut and the inevitable buckeye. Under the wide-spreading branches of these flourished the wild plum, paw paw and leatherwood. The lands on either side of this valley are of yellow clay, interspersed with shale of the same color, and were originally covered with a dense forest, principally of oak of giant growth. It will be seen that the township possesses a great variety of soil, which yields a bountiful return to the farmer.

At various places along; the Licking bottom were patches of prairie land, which attracted the first settlers. The Bowling Green was perhaps, the most extensive of these. It extended a mile or more along the Licking, and in the spring presented a beautiful appearance, being a green lawn, covered with flowers and clumps of bushes, and, later in the season, with a rank growth of grass. Here it was that the first settlers in the county, Elias Hughes and John Ratliff squatted in 1798. They found a farm ready-made to hand-something very unusual in this country. All they had to do was turn the virgin soil and plant their corn, which they did that year and for several successive years. This was the first corn ever raised by white men within the limits of the county. A mile or more below Newark, on the western edge of Madison township, was another small prairie, or perhaps more than one, upon which Isaac Stridden settled and raised a crop of corn in 1800.

Dr J. N. Wilson, in his history of Newark township, places Isaac Stridden in that township. This is an error. He settled very near the eastern line of that township, but his dwelling, and probably the whole of his possessions, were in Madison. His brother's child, born in 1801, was probably the second born in the township; Henry Hughes, son of Elias Hughes, being the first, not only in the township but in the county. Henry was born in 1799

Mr. William Barrick, now an old resident of Hanover township, thinks that John Ratliff, jr., was the first white male child born in the Licking valley, and his (Barrick's) sister, Amelia, the first white female child; the latter, however, was born in Muskingum county, near the eastern line of Licking, in 1799. He says John Ratcliff, jr., was a "chip off the old block," a harum-scarum, wild, roving fellow, and very fond of hunting; was always seen with a rifle on his shoulder, from boyhood. When he grew up and married he moved

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 505

west to Illinois. Out there he lived principally by hunting; hauling his wife and family of several children, and his few possessions, about in a wagon, and camping in various places for indefinite periods. He was last seen in this situation on one of the great prairies of Illinois, and had been in that locality about a year, but concluded to move; game was probably getting scarce. One of his oxen had died, but, hitching up the cow beside the other ox, he loaded up his family and effects, and moved away over the horizon-bound prairie, without .road, guide or compass, and disappeared forever, so far as his friends in Licking county are concerned. This represents one phase of the pioneer character.

The cabins of Hughes and Ratliff were erected on the Bowling Green prairie, between Montour's Point and the Licking creek, about half a mile above. Bowling Green run. These two families, consisting of twenty-one persons, were the only . white inhabitants of this township and county until 1800. In the spring of this year Benjamin Green and Richard Pitzer arrived, and shortly after, John Van Buskirk. In September, Isaac Stadden and family arrived, acid, in September, Captain Samuel' Elliott came, making the. seventh family within the limits of the township.

The marriage of Colonel .John Stadden, and Betsey, daughter of the aforesaid Green, which took place on Christmas day, 1800 made the eighth family, which was the whole number when the year closed.

A biographical sketch of each of the above pioneers will b-- found in another chapter.

The. settlers in this township in 18ox'were John. Larabee, James Maxwell and John Weedman.

John Larabee was one of the most remarkable of the first pioneers of Licking. He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1760, and was of English descent. His father led a seafaring life, and is supposed to have been impressed into the British service, from, which he never returned. John ran away from his uncle, by whom he had been adopted, at the age of fifteen, and entered the United States service at the beginning of the Revolution. He served first as a teamster two years, and then entered the ranks as a private soldier, carrying a musket and faithfully discharging his duty to.the end of this great struggle. He participated in many battles, including that of Trenton,. at which he had his feet badly frozen. He received an honorable discharge at the close of the war, and during the later years of his life, a pension from the Government, in recognition of his services. But little is known of his whereabouts after the close of the war until the year 1800, when he is found near Marietta, the father of a family. In the spring of 1801, Mr. Larabee, leaving his family behind, embarked with others, in a canoe, for the rich bottoms of the Licking, carrying some bacon and other supplies with them, as a partial subsistence during the summer. A portion of his fellow emigrants came by land, driving the stock, of which Mr. Larabee owned a yoke of oxen and two cows. He landed on the south side of Licking river, nearly opposite the mouth of Bowling Green run, and squatted on land afterward owned by William O'Bannon Here he found, what was very common in those days, a large, hollow sycamore tree, in which he domiciled for several months. It furnished him a room more than ten feet in diameter, and was amply capacious for all his purposes. He cleared the land, raised a few acres of corn, and at his leisure during the summer built himself a cabin. Maxwell, who came with him, was-the first school-teacher and first constable in the county, and a noted singer.

Having completed his cabin, and raised his crop, Mr. Larabee returned to Marietta in the fall for his family. These were brought up to their new home, and here they lived a pioneer life for several years. He prospered, and subsequently bought a tract of land of Judge Smith and Thomas Seymour, a mile or two southwest from his hollow sycamore. Mr, Larabee was wholly. illiterate, but honest and industrious, and a member of the Disciple church. He died February 6, 1846, aged eighty-six.

Mrs. Isaac Stadden, who lived until July 3, 1870, and died in her ninetieth year, was a woman of remarkable mind and memory; and gave much valuable and interesting history of the early settlement in this county. She says that her husband came to this county and township in the month of May, 1800, in company with his brother, John, and built a cabin on what has since been called

506 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

the Warden, now Jones' farm, near the first canal lock below town. They planted corn just south of their cabin on a prairie, and, after attending to this crop, returned to Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, moving back again in the following September. Their cabin was further west than any other on the Licking; Captain Elliott built near the big spring, on the Davis farm; Richard Pitzer and Benjamin Green, near together on Shawnee run, near where the State road crosses it; Elias Hughes and John Ratliff, who came two years before, also lived near each other, just below Montour's point, near the residence of C. W. Montgomery. She thinks these were all the cabins then in the territory which now constitutes Licking county, but that the Buskirks may have been building theirs up the South fork, as she had no acquaintance with. the family for years afterward, and cannot fix the precise time.

Soon after moving into their cabin her husband and brother enclosed the prairie where their corn was planted, for the Elliotts had several horses and cattle running out, which they feared would destroy their crop. The fencing was done partly by brush and partly by rails and poles.

One day her husband went out hunting for deer in Cherry valley, discovered the "Old Fort," and came home greatly excited about it, he never having heard of anything like it before. The Mound Builders had not then been heard of among the pioneers, if, indeed, by anybody. The next morning Mrs. Stadden and her husband mounted their horses and rode over to visit this great curiosity; they rode around it on the embankment, and were the first white people, so far as known, to visit this ancient work, which has since been visited by wondering thousands. She says that late in November her husband went out one afternoon west of the Old Fort to hunt deer, as he had often done before, this being his favorite hunting ground. He desired to be near Ramp creek very early in the morning, where the deer frequented, that he might kill one before the leaves would get dry, to cause a noise when he was walking through them. He was startled, as he walked through the forest, by the sight of a camp fire, he not being aware of any other settlement in this section but the one on Licking. He approached the fire, and met John Jones, Benoni Benjamin, Phineas and Frederick Ford, all brothers-in-law. Mr. Stadden remained all night with this party, and soon ascertained that Jones and himself had been schoolmates in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, that they all liked the valley, and had determined to locate there-they were then on a prospecting tour. These people all returned with their families late in the winter or early in the spring of 1801, and Jones planted corn in thesame field with her husband and his brother, on the Warden prairie.

In 1802 Jacob Nelson became the owner of a large tract of land upon which he settled, a mile and a half below Newark, in this township. After a few years residence he built a mill, and then sold out.

In 1803 John Simpson, Robert Church, William Scammahorn, Richard Jewell, Edward Crouch, William and John :More, Thomas Seymour, and William O'Banon settled within the present limits of this township. O'Banon became a somewhat prominent citizen. He was a successful farmer and stock-raiser, and became a large land-holder in the county before his death, which occurred in his seventy-third year. Judge O'Banon was one of the early justices of the peace of Madison township, and served as associate judge of the common pleas court of this county from 1825 to 1829, and discharged his judicial duties with fidelity and ability.

John Channel, a great hunter, Thomas Deweese and Henry Smith, were pioneers of this township in 1804. They were Virginians. Smith was one of the early magistrates of the township, also associate judge of the common pleas court from 1809 to 1823.

John Channel was a somewhat remarkable pioneer, on account of his hunting exploits, a recital of which would make a volume. Some idea may be gleaned of his prowess in this direction by the single statement that he once informed Mr. Thomas Taylor that he killed nine bears one day before noon. These animals were very plenty on the bluffs lining the Licking valley. Channel had a been raised among the Indians; was tall, straight as an Indian, black hair and swarthy complexion; indeed, looked and acted more like an Indian

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 507

than a white man. He raised quite a family and his boys were mostly hunters.

One of the block-houses erected in this county was in this township. It was on the Bowling Green, near the cabins of Hughes and Ratliff. It was occupied by the few pioneer families on the Licking, only for a few days, having been erected immediately upon the return of Hughes, Ratlift, and Bland from their expedition into Knox county after Indians that had stolen their horses, an account of which appears elsewhere.

Madison township was organized in 1812. Prior to the organization, and while it was part of Licking- township, Fairfield county, Isaac Stadden, John Warden, and Abraham Wright acted as justices of the peace. The former was commissioned in 1802.

Probably the first school in this township was taught, or, rather, kept in a cabin that had been built for a dwelling, which stood on land now owned by George A. Wilson, and a few rods north of the present township house. A Mr. Tunis Cole was the teacher. He was a cooper by trade, and knew little about school teaching. It is related of him that he once undertook to give out the word "phlegm" to his spelling class, but after studying over the word sometime, spelling it slowly to himself, he was unable to give it any better pronunciation than "pe-lem;" as the future sovereigns did not understand the pronunciation or the word, they failed to spell it correctly, and the "master" thereupon took his hickory from its place behind the jam, and flogged the entire class. He was notorious for using a very long "hickory gad," and frequently, while using it rigorously over the scholar, it would wrap so far around as to reach his own legs, upon which he would lay it on more furiously than ever.

The first school-house-a hewed log-was built on the farm now owned by W. R. Seymour.

The first mill in the township was erected by J. Nelson, and for many years went by the name of Nelson's mill. It was on the south bank of Licking, on the Rowe farm. It was a log mill at first and erected about 1810; afterwards a frame was put up. Nelson owned one thousand acres of land around this .mill, subsequently purchased by Messrs. Brice and Stanbery. Mr. John Hasel now owns the .land where the mill stood. The second mill was erected by judge Henry Smith in a bend of the Licking, about three miles below Newark. Saw-mills were connected with these mills; they have long since disappeared, as have, also, many other mills erected in an early day in this township. The Licking furnished good water power. The only grist-mill at present within the limits of the township is the Hickey mill, at Clay lick. This town, if it can be called a town, is the only one in the township, and even this is partly in Hanover township. A mill was built there many years ago, and about thirty year,, ago Evan Stone started a store and succeeded in getting a post office, which has been retained ever since. The town contains, beside the mill and store, a blacksmith shop and a few dwellings, and is a very pleasant village.

The Licking valley of to-day is one of the most beautiful in the State; the farms are well fenced and kept; the farmers are all in comfortable circumstances, and one could not conceive of homes more pleasant and happy than those found in this valley. These houses have most of them received appropriate names, such as "Locust Hill," "Benwell" (the home of J. A. Taylor, from their native town in England), "Green Wood," "Willow Springs," "Oak Wood," "Pleasant Valley," "Cedar Grove," "Ever Green Farm," "Brooklyn," "Shawnee Run Farm,"" Mound Farm" (owned by Thomas O'Bannon, having the large mound upon it), "Lynn Wood" (farm of the late P. N. O'Bannon), "Spring Valley," "Deer Lick," etc., etc., all going to show a pride in home, and a desire to build up a beautiful dwelling place.

The first preaching in this township, and indeed in the county, was probably at the but of Samuel

Elliott, about a mile east of Newark, by a Presbyterian, Rev. McDonald. He preached two sermons at the time of this visit (1802), one in the cabin of John Ratliff, near the mouth of Bowling Green run, about four miles below Newark. Half a dozen families, more or less, then occupied the Licking valley, and were all the inhabitants of the county. Mrs. Isaac Stadden remembered these sermons. Rev. McDonald was on his way to Franklinton, and Isaac Stadden accompanied him in the capacity of pilot after leaving here, some ten

508 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

miles up the South Fork road, the latter being then but an obscure trail. Mr. McDonald carried pistols for his protection on this journey. He was pre-eminently the pioneer preacher of Licking valley. This was, probably, Mr. McDonald's first and last visit to this territory.

The Methodists were, probably, the first to organize a church within the limits of the township, though this did not occur until 1810 or 1811 : I prior to this, however, many sermons had been preached to the settlers in their cabins. . The settlers in this valley being on the great highway from Zanesville west, were more frequently visited by all sorts of travelers than those of any other part of the county. It is not unlikely that all the early preachers, who necessarily passed through the valley and stopped frequently at the cabins of the settlers, and often held religious services. Among these were the Revs. Asa Shinn and James Quinn, two of the earliest preachers of the Methodist persuasion. This frequent passing of preachers through the valley and the holding of religious services in the cabins, barns, and open air, probably culminated in a determination of the settlers to erect a building for religious purposes. This was accomplished about the date above mentioned (1810 or 1811), the building being a Hewed log structure which stood near the Bowling Green prairie, and on the lot now occupied by the Methodist church. A graveyard was established here very early, and this has always been known as the "Dowling Green" church. This log church was built by the settlers, without regard to religious belief, and was considered free to all denominations, but the Methodists occupied it most of the time, and from this fact rather claimed to control it, and did control it many years, though it was frequently occupied by other denominations. A preacher by the name of Newell came along in an early day, and held a series of meetings in this church, and organized a New Light society. After their organization the New Lights continued to hold meetings in this church, which, after a time, created some strife between this society and the Methodists, which, in time, very nearly broke up both societies. Frequently both churches wished to hold services at the same hour, and it was not unusual to see two congregations, one holding services in the building and the other in the church-yard. The New Lights finally withdrew, and were instrumental in establishing what is known as "Union Chapel," in the northern part of the township.

Among the original members of this Methodist church were William Moody and wife, John Channel and wife, Thomas Taylor and wife, William Montgomery and wife, and others, whose names are forgotten. No records of the church have been preserved. Prior to the erection of the church, services were frequently held at the cabins. of William Moody and John Channel. Revs. Noah Fidler and James B. Finley were among the earlier preachers to this class. Mr. Thomas Taylor was a leader in the first Methodist church organization in Newark.

The old log church building was in use about thirty years, but, in 1841 or 1842, the second church building; a frame, was erected, near the old one. The Methodists by this time had secured the ground, and, as this church was built entirely by this society, there was no further strife as to the occupancy.

The third, and present church edifice, was erected in 1858 or 1859, cost about twelve hundred dollars, and is thirty-four by fifty-six feet.

The membership reached, at one time, one hundred and twelve, but, at present, it is not more than forty.

The first Sunday-school in this neighborhood was organized about the time the canal was in process of construction. This date is fixed from the fact that during this time the contractors who were building this part of it, having a large contract, and having to build two locks, concluded to establish a store for the purpose of supplying their workmen. For this purpose they erected a building near Isaac Stadden's dwelling, and, after completing the contract, they abandoned the building, moving their store to Newark. In this building a union Sabbath-school was established, and children of all denominations attended, though it was generally managed by the Presbyterians. James Reeder, Mr. O'Bannon, and Philip Seiler were influential in establishing it, the first named being the first superintendent. It was kept up here four or five years, when Mr. Stadden secured the building, which he occupied in part for a dwelling. The

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 509

school was then removed to what was known as "Smith's school-house," where it was continued as a union Sunday-school until the Methodists organized their Sunday-school in their frame church, about 1845. Andrew Taylor was the first superintendent of .this Methodist school, and it has been kept up during the summer months ever since. It now numbers thirty or forty pupils and teachers.

About two miles below Newark, on the valley road, is located a long, low building used as a blacksmith and wagon shop; the township house and a few dwellings are also near the place, and the people have nicknamed it "Hammertown." At this point what is known as the "Old Furnace road" branches off northward in the direction of the old furnace in Mary Ann township. It was cut out in an early day for the purpose of reaching that renowned furnace. On this road, in the northern central part of the township, is located Union chapel, the church that was established by the New Lights when they could no longer agree with their Methodist brethren on the Bowling Green. Several of the old Methodist church congregation, among whom were William Moody and wife and Mrs. Isaac Stadden, had accepted the new doctrine, and were early members of this organization. They call themselves Bible Christians. The organization of this society dates back to about 1815, the Rev. Newell, as before stated, assisted by Rev. Britton, were the chief persons in perfecting it. The New Lights were assisted in building this church by the United Brethren, and by the people generally, and it was called Union chapel, being free to all denominations; however, it was generally occupied. by the two above . named denominations, and subsequently by the New Lights alone, as the United Brethren erected a church of their own over the line, in Mary Ann township. 1t is a hewed log building, and was erected about 1843. It is seldom occupied no for any religious service. A union Sabbath-schoo was established and kept up some years, but it has been abandoned.

The little church located on Clay Lick creek, in the southern and central part of the township called Madison chapel, is an offshoot from the old Bowling Green church, and was organized about 1830. The church was erected about 1855. Rev. James Hooper was then on the circuit. William Barrick and wife, George Colvin and wife, Z. Winters and wife (both. of whom were killed a few weeks ago by the cars, while crossing the track), Lewis Lake and wife, and a few others, came to the conclusion that the Bowling Green church was a little too far away, and that they were able in that neighborhood to build and support a new church. Mr. Lake gave the ground upon which the building was erected, with the proviso that the society should have it so long as it was used for the purposes of a Methodist church. Otherwise, the land was to revert to the original owner or his heirs. At present the congregation is small, numbering not over a dozen members. It has generally sustained a Sunday-school during the summer.

About fifty years ago, just below the site of the above mentioned church, on Clay Lick creek, a Protestant Methodist church was erected. It was a hewed log building, and J. B. W. Haines, William Swern, Lewis Miller, Mr. Montgomery and wite, and some others, were among the original members. Mr. Haines preached for them. When the church became old and unfit for use they erected a new one, about 1850 or 1855, further south, on a branch of Clay Lick creek, at Pleasant Ville, a crossroad place, where there is, a blacksmith shop and two or three dwellings. This church is pretty well sustained, having now a good congregation as to numbers, and a flourishing Sunday-school.

The Christian Union church is located in the western part of the township, near where the highway crosses Shawnee run. Its organization was the result of political complications during the war, and was made up of those who opposed the war and the abolition of the slaves. Benjamin Green and the Arhertons were leaders in the movement. They held meetings some years in the school-house and township house, but erected a church about 1875. Benjamin Green, Augustine Atherton and his father, John Atherton, W. Shaw, George Gutridge, and a few others, were the earliest members, and the two first named preached for the congregation. The church is a small frame, about twenty-four by thirty feet. The present minister is Rev. t Duckworth. The Sabbath-school is in a flourishing condition.

CHAPTER LXII.

MARY ANN TOWNSHIP.

ANCIENT MOUNDS-PRIMITIVE CONDITION-LOCATION-NAME-INDIANS- TOPOGRAPHY-THE PIONEERS-FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS JAMES MAXWELL'S ADVENTURE-MARY ANN FURNACE-COUNTERFEITERS ARRESTED-THE HERMIT- WILKINS CORNERS-ROCKY FORK POST OFFICE - CHURCHES.

IF Mound Builders works ever existed to any great extent in this township they have disappeared, with a few unimportant exceptions, though the ground has not been thoroughly examined with a view to the existence of mounds, or to locating such as .may exist.

There is one on what is known as the Fisk farm, a farm formerly owned by Levi Miller. It has been plowed over for years, and is, of course, greatly reduced in height, but is yet about ten feet above the surface of the surrounding field; this field being a level one. It is not exactly circular in form.

In its primitive condition Mary Ann township presented a wild and rugged appearance, and was the home of every species of wild animal known ; to the woods of Ohio, as well as venomous reptiles and other creeping things. It was a paradise for the red and white hunter, and was roamed over by the Indians and white men on hunting expeditions, long after its first settlement, and after game had largely disappeared from other portions of the county. Its deep, dark ravines, vast thickets, rocky fastnesses and cavernous hills furnished secure hiding places for wild animals, and they sought shelter in these when driven from the more open country.

Mary Ann corners with Newark township on the northeast, and derived its name from a furnace erected within its limits, which will be noticed in its place.

No Indian history has been preserved, except the fact that this territory was extensively used by the Indians on the Bowling Green as a hunting ground.

Topographically it is broken and hilly and well watered by numerous springs, and by the Rocky fork and its tributaries. Its surface and soil do not differ greatly from Eden, elsewhere described. The entire surface is interspersed with granite boulders, known in rustic vernacular as "niggerheads." The southeast quarter contained considerable quantities of iron-ore, which was mined and smelted in the old Mary Ann furnace. The soil of the valleys is rich, yielding heavy crops of corn and grass. The up-land, which largely predominates, is of a thin clay soil, underlaid with clay shale. It yields a superior article of wheat, and is well adapted to all .mall grains.

Coal crops out along the Rocky fork in places, but is not in sufficient quantities to pay the expense of mining at present. It is upon the ex treme edge of the great coal fields.

The Rocky fork enters the township near its northeastern corner, and running generally south, leaves the township near its southeast corner, in its passage, making a bend toward the center of the township. Its principal tributary is Lost run, which rises in Eden township; its general course being south to Wilkins' corners, where it makes a bend eastward, which direction it keeps until it enters the Rocky fork. These two streams contain clear, sparkling spring water, which tumbles down from among the rocks and hills, and flows swiftly over rocky beds. Numberless smaller streams enter them from various directions.

The scenery along the Rocky fork, in this township, is grand, and during certain seasons of the year, very beautiful; the hills approaching young mountains in their ruggedness and altitude.

The earlier settlers of this interesting region were from Virginia.

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.- 511

A Mr. Bush emigrated from Hardy county, Virginia, in 1809, and built a cabin on the land of Jacob Miller, since owned by Leonel Miller. Bush died in 1811, leaving a widow, two daughters and three sons. The oldest daughter married Lewis Farmer. This was probably the first marriage in the township.

After Bush died the widow removed from the township, and in the spring of 1812, Hugh Doran, originally from Ireland, but more recently from Frederick county, Virginia, moved unto the Bush cabin. In 1814, Doran completed and moved into a cabin on his own land; .and Charles Barnes, who had removed from Frederick county, Virginia, three years pevious, locating temporarily in Newark township, removed to the Bush cabin. By fall of the same year Barnes had completed a cabin on his own purchase, adjoining the Miller tract; and in the spring of 1815, Stephen Giffin came into the Bush cabin; his son James, father of C. B. Giffin, locating one mile northeast of said cabin. Thus it will be observed that all the earliest settlers lived at one time or another in the Bush cabin, the first cabin in the township.

The same time that Doran occupied the Bush cabin, James Riley .erected a cabin on what is known as the Scotland farm. He was succeeded the next year by Duncan Campbell, a Scotchman from whom the farm received its title.

About this time James Thompson, Robert Concley and James Maxwell located on the school lands in the northeast part of the township.

Jacob Benner occupied and raised a field of corn on the Daniel Wilkins farm during the summer of 1811.

It will be observed that the pioneers came into the township in about the following order:

1809, Bush; 1811, Doran and Benner; 1812, Riley and Campbell; 1814, Barnes, Thompson, Concley and Maxwell; 1815, Stephen Giffin, sr., Stephen Giffin, jr., James and John Giffin. Following closely upon the heels of this pioneer band came Jacob Miller, Henry Wilkins, Daniel Wilkins, William McIlvain, Seth Carver, Nehemiah Harris and William Grey.

The death of Bush was probably the first in the township of a white person; he was buried in what was known as Jacob Miller's burying-ground. Charles Barnes died in 1815, and was buried on top of the ridge just west of Wilkins' corners. This spot of ground is now known as the Mary Ann cemetery, and is a beautiful one. It is incorporated under a State law, and receives much care and attention.

This township, originally a portion of Madison, was subsequently attached to Newton and then to Newark, and was finally organized as a township in 1817. The first trustees were William Grey, Joseph Moore and James Giffin. The first justices were Samuel Stewart and Samuel Davidson. The first clerk was Samuel Stewart, the second, Stephen Giffin. The first constable was Duncan Campbell, of the Scotland farm.

One of the pioneers' of this township, James Maxwell, was the first constable in Licking county, entering upon the discharge of his duties in 1802, when this county was a township in Fairfield county.

On one occasion he went on foot to Owl creek (Mt. Vernon) to serve a summons on some delinquent pioneer, who was sued in Esquire Stadden's court; and on his return became lost in the woods, and, night overtaking him, lie went into bivouac, near Wilkins' corners.

He must have survived the rigorous official duty, however, for as late as 1830 he retained sufficient mental and physical vigor (and it required an abundance of the latter in those days) to teach a county school and "board round."

The erection of the Mary Ann furnace was an era in the history of this region deserving of more than -a passing notice, as it contributed largely to the development and settlement of this portion of the county. Iron ore of a superior quality being discovered in the southeast quarter of the township, David Moore, a respected pioneer, and father of a large family, with an energy worthy of the times in which he lived, determined upon the erection of a smelting furnace, and as an initiatory step, erected a saw-mill in 1815. Soon after, he began the erection of a furnace, under the supervision ' of Stephen Cooper and Lilburn Wilson. Almost simultaneously with this enterprise, Mr. Moore erected a grist-mill. The millwright, in this case, was the somewhat eccentric,

512 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

but well known pioneer, James King, an active participant in the Irish rebellion of 1798. He was captured by the British soldiery, tried, and condemned as a rebel, but escaped a short time before the day fixed for his execution, through some weakness of the sentinel at his prison, and sailed for America.

These extensive improvements progressed rapidly under the general supervision of Robert Patterson, and were completed early in the year 1817.

When completed, the proprietor assembled a few neighbors from the sparsely settled region to celebrate the occasion with appropriate dedicatory services.

The furnace must have a name, and they wisely concluded to bestow that honor upon that noble matron, Mary Ann, wife of David Moore. The impressive ceremony of this christening consisted in the hurling of a flask of whiskey against he huge stone stack, by Abraham C. Wilson.

The township being organized later in the same year, received its name from the furnace.

The enterprise was a successful one, not only to the proprietor, but to an immense section of country, furnishing the pioneers with much iron-ware of which they stood sadly in need. Hundreds, today living, will remember the old flay Ann seven plate stove, that stood upon a square box of brick and mortar in the center of hundreds of log cabin school-houses, in this and the adjoining counties; and in every bar-room it was the center of steady streams of tobacco juice. The sides were elaborately embellished with two nude figures supporting a wreath of rudely carved flowers, on which sat a Cupid, showing conclusively that that little mischief-maker was as well known in those days as at present.

Two of the head men in the concern were William McKeever and his bachelor brother, James; both men of sterling integrity, yet full of Irish wit, fun and frolic. Prominent among the names of those on the old force were, also, those of Canly, Jamison and Jewett.

The traveler up the picturesque and beautiful Rocky Fork valley, at the present day, will find, soon after passing the southern line of Mary Ann township, a huge pile of rocks, reminding him o the pyramids of Egypt on a small scale. This is all there is left of the Mary Ann furnace. This pile of stone-mostly cut sandstone-has withstood the ravages of fire and time, and stands as a monument of the early days of Mary Ann. It is probably twenty feet square at the base, and tapers toward the top; the sides are somewhat cracked, much of the top has fallen in and out, giving it the appearance of a venerable ruin. This ryas the furnace part, and in rear of it, clinging to the bluff was the large wooden building, destroyed by fire.

In the history of Ohio appears the following, which goes to show that the rugged hills of Mary Ann had been put to certain uses prior to the advent of the first settlers:

"After the organization of Muskingum county, and before the erection of any public buildings, two men were arrested for counterfeiting silver dollars. It was impracticable to send them to jail at Marietta, a distance of sixth' miles through the woods, until the sitting of the next court, to which they were hound over. Under these circumstances, without any law except that which necessity creates, they were given in charge of Mr. McIntire and Daniel Converse, 'to safely keep till court. This they voluntarily agreed to do, or suffer the penalty themselves.

"A cabin was selected, the prisoners handcuffed together, and McIntire thus addressed them: Now boys (pointing to the blankets), there is your bed; with your guilt or innocence we have nothing to do; you shall have plenty to eat and drink, Ina if you attempt to escape, d-n you, I will kill you.' The firm, resolute manner of the address deterred them from making any attempt. Under the watchful surveillance of these men, who alternately sat by the cabin floor, axe in hand, they were safely kept until court, when they were tried and convicted. One confessed his crime, and told where the tools were secreted on the Rocky fork, where they were found and brought into court. The one who confessed, received a sentence of twentynine lashes, the other thirty-nine, well layed on by Sheriff Beymer; the culprits immediately afterward departing for parts unknown.

Robert Concley, one of the settlers on the school lands, lived the life of a hermit, and was unfortunately addicted to his cups. The exact circumstances of his death will, perhaps, never be known, as his partially charred remains were found about a rod from the ruins of his cabin.

Charles Barnes, one of the pioneers mentioned, had, in his early manhood, penetrated this wild region under Lord Dunmore as far as the Old Chillicothe Indian town on the Scioto, and was present at the celebrated treaty where Logan made the speech familiar to every schoolboy. This campaign ryas undertaken in the summer and fall of 1774.

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 513

Stephen Giffin was a soldier of the Revolution, participating in the sanguinary battles of Germantown and Brandywine. He lived to a ripe old age, and died in Martinsburg, Knox county, in 1838, at the age of eighty-seven.

Henry and Daniel Wilkins, before mentioned among the earliest settlers, became owners of a body of land around what is now known as Wilkins' corners, at the bend of Lost run, in the western central part of the township. Some of this was very fine bottom land, and portions .of the original tract are yet in possession of the descendants of these pioneers. Henry Wilkins erected a gristmill on the main fork of Lost run, in an early day, probably about 1830, which for many years did the grinding for the extensive settlement that gathered around it; but it has not been in operation for some years.

In an early day a road was established eastward from Chatham through here to the furnace, and another road from Newark, north and northeast, up the Rocky fork. Wilkins' corners is the point where these two roads cross, and in 1858 or 1859 Mr. James Randall established a store at this place. Two years later he sold out to William Dudgeon, who succeeded in getting a post office established, called Wilkins' Run post office. Mr. Dudgeon still keeps a store there. He was succeeded in the post office by Robert Stewart, but in turn succeeded Stewart, and was in turn succeeded by L. J. Westbrook, the present incumbent. The Grangers started a store here in 1875, but sold out in the spring of 1880 to Messrs. Othe & Wilkins, the present proprietors. These two stores, a blacksmith shop and a few dwellings constitute Wilkins' corners.

There is another post office in the northern part of the township, on the Rocky fork, called the "Rocky Fork" post office. Some years ago Mr. Thomas Nichols started a store here, and Mr. Cornelius Hilleary erected a sawmill and grist-mill. A few dwelling houses gathered around the store, and the place is called Nicholtown. The post office is now kept at Hilleary's mill. The road along the Rocky fork is narrow and winding, and often crowded between the immense rocky bluffs and the stream. Many mills were erected along this stream in an early day, the ruins of some of them yet remaining to mark their sites. The whole valley furnishes a prolific crop of immense boulders, and great sandstone rocks cropping out of the bluffs, and piled up everywhere in the wildest confusion. Some of the farmers, probably from not being able to find a level spot upon which to build, came down into the bottom and erected their houses in clusters on some level patch of ground; hence, places like Nicholtown are frequent.

There are but two churches within the township limits-United-Brethren and Disciple. The first of these is located in the southern part of the township, near the line of Madison, on the farm now owned by Benjamin Nichols, whose father, John Nichols, gave the ground upon which the building stands. The foundation of this society was laid at the old Union chapel in Madison township, as early, perhaps, as 1850, or before. A United Brethren congregation was organized at this chapel, or prior to its erection; and, in connection with the New Lights, erected the building. This chapel being free to all denominations, the United Brethren could only use it part of the time, and as they grew in numbers, determined to erect a church of their own, which they accordingly did on Mr. Nichols' land. The first building was a frame structure, erected. about 1850, and answered all purposes until 1877, when the present neat frame building was erected at a cost of six hundred dollars. Among the earliest members of this society were Mr. Ralph Shaw and wife and John Nichols. Rev. David Shrader was instrumental in organizing this congregation, and active in the erection of the church; hence, it was called Shrader's chapel which name instill retains. The present membership is about sixty-five. The organization of the Sunday-school is coeval with that of the church, and has been maintained ever since. It is now in a flourishing condition, with a membership of sixty or more.

About 1850, or before, the Protestant Methodists, in the northern and central part of the township, organized a class, and about 1850 erected a church edifice on the Rocky fork, on the Keys estate. Mr. John Gutridge was the chief mover in this church, was largely instrumental in the organization, establishment and erection of the church f hence, it went by the name of Gutridge's chapel.

514 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

This gentleman contributed largely of his means, both to the building and support of the church. For a number of years this organization was successfully continued, but in later years it languished; and finally, in 1872, the church building was sold to the Disciples.

This society was organized by Rev. Allen Hickey, a son of William Hickey, who was prominent in the establishment of the church, as was also Mr. Jacob Miller, who resides near it. This church is in a flourishing condition, with a membership of thirty or more. A Sunday-school has been generally maintained during the summer, and now numbers, perhaps, forty members. A blacksmith shop and store have been established near the church, a few dwellings erected and the place is the counterpart of Nicholtown.

The people of this township are many of them yet living in the primitive log cabin, and appear to be but little troubled about the affairs of the great moving world around.

CHAPTER LXIII.

MCKEAN TOWNSHIP.

MOUND BUII.DERS-INDIANS-SURVEY-TOPOGRAPHY-FIRST SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS-FIRST ELECTION-MILLS-FIRST SCHOOLS VILLAGES-EARLY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-PROMINENT EARLY SETTLERS-CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS MATTERS.

THE Mound Builders left but few traces in McKean township. They were there, however, and built some works, one of which is a mound of small size, standing on the farm originally occupied by Thomas McKean Thompson, about four miles from the village of Granville. There is also a circular fort containing about an acre, with a shallow ditch around the inside of the embankment, on the land of James Barrick, in the northwest section of the township. It has been much plowed over, and now is barely traceable. It would command a view of the country around it, for miles, were it not for the trees. Half a mile south of it is a small mound, now nearly obliterated by the plow, on the land of the late Edwin Runnels. Mound Builders works abound in all the townships adjoining McKean.

The Indian history of the township is somewhat meagre. They had an encampment on Cat run, about one mile above its entrance into the Brushy fork, as late as 1812, when they disappeared. A few Indians came to the vicinity of the old encampment, during or shortly before 1820; but all soon left except a squaw, who occupied one of the old huts which yet remained in a habitable condition. She also disappeared in a short time, and was the last of the Indian race that had any kind of residence in the township. As late as 1819, an unoccupied wigwam still stood on E. Runnel's farm.

This township was originally surveyed into four thousand acre tracts, it being part of the United States military lands.

It is well watered by Clear fork and Brushy fork and their tributaries. A number of Springs are also found in various parts of the township.

The lands are, for the most part, gently undulating, though there is some flat land and considerable that is level, while occasionally a hill of more or less altitude is found It is a township of good and productive land. The timber is in considerable variety, such as the oak, walnut, beech, hickory and other varieties usually found in the early forests of Ohio.

The land is adapted to the growth of corn, grass and the cereals usually produced in other sections of the county.

The first settler of the township was John Price,

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 515

who, in 1806, settled near the Granville township line, and cleared what, in some circles, has since been called the "Welsh Field," Mr. Price being a Welshman.

In 1807 or 1808, Mr. John McLane settled on the Brushy fork. He was an emigrant from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and did not remain permanently, but returned to Pennsylvania. He was one of the largest men that ever settled here, and procured a livelihood by hunting. He is yet remembered by a very few pioneers as a skillful, persistent, and successful hunter. One, "Billy Evans," made the third settler in 1809, or perhaps late in 1808. Abraham Wright, the first justice of the peace in Newark, also settled in McKean in 1809. In 1810, a revolutionary soldier, named William Smith, settled at the junction of Cat run and Brushy fork. His son John became one of the first justices of the peace, in 1818, when the township was organized. Among the early settlers who came soon after Mr. Smith, were Daniel, Jacob and Joshua Gosnell, a Mr. Woods, Charles and Henry Bryant, John Armstrong, Fleetwood Clark, John Myers and his father, Hugh Kelly, Peter Snare, Owen Owens, John Parker, Major Pierson, Jabez Smith, Esquire Jaggers, Jacob Wright, Stephen Runnells, David Danforth, Samuel Shaw, Elijah Hunt, Thomas McKean Thompson, Amos Farmer, and others.

The first election in this township was held in 1818, on a white-oak log upon ;he site of the village of Fredonia. A hat was used for a ballot box, and thirteen votes were cast. Nearly or quite all the voters were elected to some office.

The first saw-mill was erected by Aquilla Belt, on the Clear fork, above Chatham, in 1817 or 1818. The second was built in 1821 or 1822, by Hugh Kelley, on the Brushy fork, where the road to Mt Vernon crosses it. Captain Spelman built the third one, a year or two later, a mile above the other, on the same stream. This last was generally known as "Pratt's mill."

The first grist-mill in McKean was erected some time after the War of 1812, on Clear fork, near the Newton township line, above Chatham, by Abraham Wright, and another sometime later, on the Brushy fork, also near the Newton township line.

The first school was taught by Mr. Samuel Shaw in a house that stood near the present village of Fredonia. This was probably a little before the organization of the township in 1818.

There are two villages within the limits of the township. Fredonia was laid out in 1829 by Spencer Arnold, David Wood, jr., and S. Shaw, and surveyed by Mr. Edwin Runnels. Sylvania was laid out in 1838 by Jesse and Abraham Gosnell.

These villages are yet quite small, having seemingly attained their full growth many years ago. The census of 1880 gives the population of Fredonia at eighty-six, and that of Sylvania at fifty.

The early justices of the peace were John Smith, Samuel Shaw, Elias Howell, Moses Pierson, David Danforth, C. C. Jones, W. B. Harding, and B. C. McClain. Those of a later day were William Anderson, Warner C: Carr, Jacob Wright, T. B. Pease, J. L. Johnson, S. C. Scales, William Bowers, Henry Loun, Henry Barrick, Joseph Barrick, S. S. Wilson, and Samuel Barrick.

Fredonia was made a post town more than forty years ago, and J. S. Duden appointed postmaster. His successors were T. B. Pease, W. H. Pease, Joseph Wyeth, Thomas Horton, G. W. Ingraham, Mrs. Bellows, Thomas Carpenter, and others.

An office was once established at Cokesbury with W. Gleason as postmaster, but it was soon discontinued. An office was also established at Sylvania, with Peter Buzzard as postmaster, but it, too, was soon abolished.

Abraham Wright, who settled on the Clear fork in 1809, was a man of some prominence. He settled in Newark in 1802; and was, while there, an acting justice of the peace from 1803 to 1806, when lie removed to Newton and afterward to this township.

Samuel Shaw was an early teacher, esquire, surveyor and an intelligent, influential citizen.

Thomas McKean Thompson was an early settler and a gentleman of extensive information and wealth. He served the county as commissioner from 1822 to 1825. He came from Pennsylvania, where he had served a number of years in the capacity of private secretary to Governor McKean. He gave the name to the township.

Colonel Cornelius Devinney was also a man of

516 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

mark in KcKean. He was a Virginia gentleman of the "old school" affable and pleasant in his manners, of good conversational powers, and a man of sterling integrity.

Elias Howell was also a leading man. He was well informed, and acquited great popularity among the people. He was collector of taxes from 1824 to 1827; sheriff from 1826 to 1830; State senator from x830 to 1832, and a member of Congress from 1835 to 1837.

Major Jacob Anderson and Thomas B. Pease held county offices. The former was a commissioner three years and the latter Measurer four years.

This township contains five churches at present. Cokesbury chapel, a mile or two above the present village of Sylvania, was the first church organization in the township. It was an Episcopal Methodist, and was organized about 1820. It is not now occupied for religious purposes, but was thus used for a brief period by a society of the Christian Union church, a denomination of recent organization.

The Baptist church was organized about 1827. They have a good church edifice in Fredonia. Rev. Mr. Wileman was its earliest preacher. He was followed by Elder Berry.

A Congregational church once had an existence in the township. Preaching was sustained some years, first in Fredonia, and afterward in a neat church building in Sylvania, but the society, by reason of deaths and removals, was compelled to disband years ago. Revs. Rose and Whipple were its early ministers.

There is a Christian or "New Light" church in Sylvania ; also one on the Brushy fork. The latter is a fine building.

The Methodists have a church on the western borders of the township, erected several years ago in place of Cokesbury chapel; also one in Fredonia. The first named is a neat edifice, called Liberty chapel.

Elders Hughes, Farmer, Gardner and Cotterell, and Revs. Smith and White were among the early time preachers in McKean. These clerical gentlemen were mostly of the "Old School" Baptists, and New Light or Christian denominations. Elder Amos Farmer, of the former denomination, preached many years to a small society of the type designated or nicknamed "Hard Shell Baptists,' at Root's school-house on Brushy fork. This society never reached a score in number, and finally ceased to exist.

"Unconditional election and reprobation and the final perseverance of the saints," constituted the gospel of the "Old School" Baptist preachers; and it was proclaimed "without money and without price." They exercised their ministerial functions without fee or reward. They were mostly illiterate, and their style in the pulpit was of the home-spun order.

Very plain, unpretending teachers they might be called, but as they charged nothing for their labors, and the public were not bound to hear them, there could be. no just cause of complaint. They preached just what they believed to be the pure, unadulterated gospel and nothing else; and did that fearlessly, freely and honestly, regardless of king or country. They laid a heavy hand upon Arminianism, tract, missionary, Sunday-school, educational and temperance societies, and utterly condemned a paid ministry. They went forth to perform the Master's work, they said, like the evangelists and apostles of old, without script or purse, and sometimes more than intimated that salaried preachers were of the class of shepherds mentioned by Scripture writers, who would flee when the wolf approached. Freely they gave the best they had, honestly and in the fear of God, and though they might be mistaken, they could not be regarded otherwise than honest men.

Rev. Isaac N. Walters was a more recent but a popular preacher.

One of the most noted of all the pioneer preachers, who at early times officiated in this township, was the Rev. Joseph Thomas, more generally known as "the pilgrim," who preached in the woods where Fredonia now stands, as well as at Mr. Daniel Grifth's and other places in the vicinity, about fifty-fire or sixty years ago. He was a man of rare eccentricity of character, and had considerable force as a camp meeting orator. The "Pilgrim" was a leader of the sect commonly called New Lights, and frequently traveled in company with Mr. Walters, who was also a preacher here fully fifty years ago. Few pulpit orators

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 517

could enlist the feelings of a promiscuous assembly more thoroughly, or move their symyathies more effectually, than Isaac N. Walters and Joseph Thomas. The former was a natural orator. He was slightly dogmatic, decidedly. declamatory, given to efforts at eloquence in his exordiums, by the use of pretty words, and in his perorations, rather long sentences; he was, however, a very interesting extemporaneous speaker. Few were more fluent, more eloquent in the pioneer sense of that word, or more popular. The following incident is related as evidence of his popularity:.

About fifty years ago, when the Presbyterian church of Newark, and other societies except the Methodists, occupied the upper room of the old courthouse for preaching purposes, an appointment was made for Rev. James Culbertson, of Zanesville, and also one for Rev. Isaac N. Walters at the same time and place; each, of course, knowing nothing of the appointment of the other. When the hour arrived the house was full, and the stairs and space around the door crowded. Many belonged to the country, who came to hear Mr. Walters, his fame having gone abroad through all , the region roundabout. Rev. Mr. Culbertson stated that he had been invited to preach there at that hour, and rather mildly insisted on doing so; and being the oldest man, Mr. Walters readily yielded in a remark or two, and observed that all who desired to hear him preach might repair to the old market-house that stood on West Main street, fronting the square, between the Palisade building and Dr. Patton's store. The result was that Mr. Culbertson preached to a few dozen people, and Mr. Waiters to a very large crowd, which he held for hours in the open market-house.

Joseph Thomas, the pilgrim, was a resident of Shenandoah valley, Virginia, but remained at home very little. He was an extensive traveler, and published a diary or book of travels; a rather interesting work, in which this western country, then in a wilderness state, was described, and many adventures related. He also essayed poetry; his success in this line was not, however, pre-eminent. His uniform practice was to clothe himself in white, the outer garment being usually a long flowing robe. He was a sort of Lorenzo Dow preacher, and as an evangelist attracted a large share of attention. His theological views were Arian, sometimes called Socinian.

More than fifty years ago Lorenzo Dow took this township in his line of travel in the west, preaching but one sermon, however, within its limits. This was at the house of Mr. Driggs, who lived on the road from Granville to Mount Vernon, near the southern boundary of the township,. in what was called the "Blanchard settlement." It was a night sermon in a cabin to an audience of about twenty.

The next morning he went to Granville and preached a sermon in the street. He was one of the most eccentric preachers that ever appeared in the county. He was born in Coventry, Connecticut, October 16, 1777, and died at Georgetown, District of Columbia, February 2, 1834. He was an extensive traveler throughout this country, and made several voyages to Europe. He began his itinerant life in 1796 as a Methodist.

The pioneers of this township were principally Virginians, Marylanders, Pennsylvanians and Jerseymen, with a small sprinkling of Yankees. It is an interior township, .having. no great .thoroughfare extensively traveled, no turnpike, canal, railroad or telegraph.

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 518

CHAPTER LXIV.

MONROE TOWNSHIP.

OR ORGANIZATION-FIRST OFFICERS-TOPOGRAPHY-INDIANS-FIRST SETTLERS JOHNSTOWN-FIRST MARRIAGES-CHURCHES.

"The hills are dearest which our childish feet

Have climbed the earliest; and the streams most sweet

Are ever those at which our young lips drank,,

Stooped to their waters o'er the grassy hank."

--Whither.

MONROE township was organized in 1812, and included a square block in the northwest corner of the county, embracing the present townships of Monroe, Liberty, Bennington and Hartford. In 1815 a line was drawn east and west, through the centre of this square and the north half called Bennington. In 1827 Liberty township was created out of the east half of Monroe, leaving the latter township in its present shape. Under the first organization of Monroe-that is, when it was separated from Granville township-Esquire Moses Foster was the first justice of the peace, and C. L. Graves the first constable.

The soil is about the same character as that of St. Albans. The altitude is somewhat greater; the land undulating and sloping to the southeast, is better adapted to grazing than to cereals. In an early day it was well timbered with all varieties of hard wood. It is fairly watered by the Raccoon fork and its tributaries. The head-waters of this stream are in this township.

Few, if any, traces of Mound Builders exist within its limits; but the Wvandot Indians once lived here in considerable number. They built a town called "Raccoon Town," a mile or more above Johnstown, on Raccoon creek, where they resided until 1807, when Charles and George Green purchased their possessions, and thereafter occupied and cultivated the lands.

The Indians remained some time after this, in the township, except a small number, who erected a few small huts on, or near, the Brushy fork, not from the present boundary line between McBean and Granville townships. These last named remained until after the commencement of the War of 1812.

George Mr. Evans, generally known as Washington Evans, and Lucy, his wife, came from Green county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and were the first settlers. Their daughter subsequently married Matthew Clark. Their son, John, ought to be considered the first white child born in the township, but from the necessities of the case, was burn at the house of John Evans. a brother of Washington, who lived near St. Louisville.

The Greens who bought out the Wyandots, were Virginians, and accustomed to frontier life. Mahala Green, daughter of George and Diana Green, born in the autumn of 1807, was the first white child born in the township. She subsequently married Bazil Butt.

Mrs. George Green, yet living in this township at the age of ninety-two, is the mother of seventeen children, and rejoices in one hundred grandchildren, seventy great-grand children, and a number of great-great-grandchildren.

A family named Steinmetz, was the fourth family in the township. Elisha Willison and Jacob Baker soon followed, and in 1815 there here about twenty-five families in the township.

In 1813 Dr. Oliver Bigelow, from New York State, who owned the southwest quarter of the township, laid out the town of Johnstown, which, however, until 1815, made little or no progress.

In the latter year N. Alden, Henry Hoover, William Sellers and, probably, others made improvements in the town. From that time until 1830, the town and township increased rapidly in population. The town never grew, however, up to the expectation of its founders, and probably there

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 519

are few if any more people there at the present time than in 1830. Although the houses are mostly strung along on either side of the main highway, the town was laid out in the form of a square. with a large public square in the center, as were the towns generally in the county. This square, at present, looks like a vacant field. Trees have, however, been set out around it, which, if cared for, will one day beautify it. The census, just completed, makes the population two hundred and seventy-eight. There are five stores of different kinds, three wagon shops, two harness shops and three blacksmith shops.

The churches number three, and the union school building contains four rooms, and three teachers are, at present, employed.

More than two-thirds of a century this little town has lived without that great civilizer the railroad, but it has come at last. The track was recently laid, and although no passenger train has yet made its appearance, construction trains are running, and just now (September, 1880) a neat, little depot building is being completed.

Moses Foster, the first justice of the peace, died in 1815, and Dr. S. A. Bigelow, who died in 1821, was the second justice.

The first marriages were those of Ned Hatfield to Miss Timants, and Regnal Green to Sarah Willison.

There are six churches in this township. Among the first of these was the Monroe Baptist church, one mile north of Johnstown, organized in 1819, by Rev. George Evans. The original members of this organization were Jacob Baker, Richard Orpret, Washington Evans and wife, M. Hoover, John Clark and Abram Barlow. For ten years services were held in the private dwellings of the members and in the neighboring schoolhouses.

In 1830 the present brick church was erected at a cost of six hundred dollars. Rev. Eli Ashbrook was one of the earliest ministers in this church, serving five years. He ,vas followed by Elders Darrow, Berry, Gildersleeve and Lyman. Rev. Hanover is present pastor. The present membership is twelve.

The Baptist church of Johnstown was organized in 1839, by F. R. Freeman. The original members were William Beers, Eli Pratt, James Hoover, Simeon DeWolf, F. R. Freeman, John Clark, Julius Freeman, John French, William Gisesell, Mary Peck, Irene Baker, Eva Violet, Lucy Morgan, Anna Crosby, Betsey Morgan, Elizabeth Dolph, Lavina Beers, Rebecca Best, Mary Clark, Minerva Hoover, Mary Downing, Rachel Phillips, Barbara Shoemaker, and Annetta Baker.

The present church was erected in 1869, at a cost of four thousand dollars.

Among the early pastors of this church were Elders Griswold, Sedgwick, Macy and Miller. The present pastor is D. W. Fields; the present membership, thirty.

The Sunday-school, organized in 1869, has a membership of fifty. Mrs. Lenora Adams is present superintendent.

The Methodist Episcopal church, known as Monroe Chapel, was organized in 1837, in a school-house, in which the services were held until the erection of the present church, in 1840. The organization was effected .principally through the influence of Uriah Heath, and the original members were Joseph B. Crammer, John Robison, Henry Heckathorn, Thomas Leitew, William Miller and Mr. Cole.

The church is a weak one at present, numbering about six members; but a good Sabbath-school is sustained, with a membership of thirty-five; this was established about the time the church was erected.

The first Presbyterian church of Johnstown, was organized July 15, 1837, by Joseph Matthew. A few of the original members were David Conway, John Follett and Henry LeDuc. A church was erected in the same year in which the organization was effected, costing about one thousand two hundred dollars. The church is not a strong one, having, at present, but twelve members. The pastor is Edward Garland.

Methodist Episcopal church of Johnstown. This is among the oldest in the township, having been organized in 1820 by the well known Russel Bigelow, who, at that time, had charge of the Columbus circuit. Mr. Bigelow organized many of the early Methodist churches in Central Ohio.

The organization took place at the residence of George Green, who with his wife and Rignal, and

520 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY

Charles Green and their wives constituted the first members of this organization. The first Methodist meeting was held in Peter Stephen's tavern, and for five years this society held meetings at private houses and the school-house. In 1825, their first church edifice was erected. It was a small frame, and cost about three hundred dollars. In 1842, a quarterly meeting was held in Jacob Foulk's new barn, at which thirty persons united with the. church, and much interest was manifested. A new church was erected this year at a cost of about one thousand dollars. Both of these church buildings are yet standing; the first being used as a dwelling. Russel Bigelow ministered to this church during its early years. The present pastor is F. S. Thurston. The church records show a membership of fifty-four.

A Sunday-school has, for years, been connected with the church. and at present numbers about forty, including scholars and teachers. George Foulk is superintendent. Jacob Foulk and wife, who are yet living, were very early members of this church. They are pioneers, and are now looking back through the mists of something more than eighty years.

The United Brethren in Christ.--This church was organized in 1863, by Rev. William McDaniels, assisted by Silas Priest, Benjamin Clouse, Benjamin Green, Joseph Smith and Elisha Green. They held meetings in what is known as the Kaw schoolhouse, the first few years, and, in 1866, erected the present church edifice. It is a neat, substantial building, and cost one thousand one hundred dollars. At present the membership is sixty-seven. The organization of the Sunday-school was coeval with that of the church, and now embraces sixty-three members.

PAGE 521 - BLANK

PAGE 522 - DIAGRAM OF THE MOUNTS

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 523

CHAPTER LXV.

NEWARK TOWNSHIP.

MOUNDS, MOUND BUILDERS AND ANCIENT WORKS IN THIS TOWNSHIP.

"What is there new atop of this old world?

Should e'er I come to write yous books, why I

Would search among the quaint and dusty tombs

While the selfish world sought pleasure and repose."

-Joaquin Miller.

WITHIN the limits of this township are located some of the most astonishing, as well as the most complete and complicated works of the Mound Builders. The immediate vicinity , of Newark seems to have been a sort of headquarters, or great central city. Newark, indeed, is built upon the ruins of the works of this mysterious people, many mounds having been leveled to make way for streets and buildings, and the city has extended into the great works, of which a cut is here given.

This drawing is taken from a survey by David Wyrick, in 1860, and gives a faithful outline of the Old Fort, and the connecting works within a radius of one mile. The outlying works are nearly obliterated, with the exception .of. some of. the parallel lines and the Octagon. fort and its connecting circle. The larger circle in the drawing marked "thirty acres," .represents the most prominent and best preserved of all this series of works, and is now owned and used by the Licking County Agricultural society; its preservation being thus assured.

The portions of the cut represented by a square, and parts of the lines of an oblong, are nearly obliterated by the growth of the city of Newark in that direction.

The octagon and circle marked respectively "fifty acres" and "thirty acres," have been partially subjected to the leveling processes.

The whole plain between the South and Raccoon forks of Licking liver, and covering an area of several square miles, bears traces of occupation by the "lost race." It is evident from the remains here found, that this section was densely populated, and the character of the works, too, bear out the assumption that this people passed through the different stages of existence that fall to the changing experience of nations at the present day.

The following description of the Old Fort is probably the most accurate as to measurements and other particulars yet given, being the result of actual surveys made by Colonel Charles Whittlesey, of Cleveland, and Isaac Smucker, esq., of Newark

"The Old Fort is situated a mile and a half in a southwesterly direction from the court house in Newark, and belongs to the class of Mound Builders' works known as inclosures. It is not a true circle, the respective diameters being eleven hundred and fifty, and twelve hundred and fifty feet. Its banks, nearly a mile in length, were formed by throwing up the earth from the inside, which left a ditch of sloping sides, ten feet (in many places more) in depth, and ranges, in perpendicular height, measuring from bottom of ditch to top of bank, from twenty to thirty feet. This inclosure, which embraces within it about twenty-seven acres of land, was constructed on level ground, and the ditch above described was often seen, during the earlier decades of the present century, partially, and sometimes wholly, filled with water all around the circle. From some cause it has not held water of late years to any great extent. Viewed from the outside; the embankment does not rise more than ten to fifteen feet above the surface of the surrounding ground, but observed from its top, the eye taking in the depth of the ditch, it seems, of course, much higher, so as to correspond in height, at least, to the figures above given.

"The Old Fort has an entrance or gateway, which is flanked by a high bank or parapet on either side of it, running outward forty yards. The gateway and parallel walls or parapets are on the eastern side of the circle, and the ditch which follows it also extends to the termination of the parallel banks that cover the entrance. Here the banks are highest; the parallel walls, as well as those which form the circle immediately adjoining them at the gateway, reaching, for a short distance, a perpendicular height of at least thirty feet, measuring from the bottom of the ditch, or twenty feet, measuring on the outside. The gateway or entrance measures seventy-five feet between the ditches or moats, and between the parapets or banks .of earth that flank the entrance, one hundred and thirty feet.

524 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

"Trees of a large size are still growing upon the banks, all around the circle, as well as upon the parallel walls at the entrance. They are equal in size to those that are yet found both on the outside of the inclosure and within it, and of the same varieties. Some of them measute ten feet in circumference and are still thrifty, giving no indications of decay. One of the largest trees that stood on this embankment was cut down in 1815, and its concentric circles showed that it had attained to the venerable age of five hundred and fifty years. Many others of its contemporaries, too, are still flourishing and enjoying an equally vigorous 'green old age.' This fact may be borne in mind as indicating the antiquity of this wonderful wotk, especially when taken in connection with the strong probability that this tree, of now more than six centuries ago, was more likely of the second or third growth of trees than of the first, after the Mound Builders had erected this inclosure, which is only one of the extensive series of labyrinthine works, whose embankments measure many miles in length, and which, by low parallel banks, were connected with others of similar character, as remote from them as are those of the Hock-Hocking and other distant places.

"In the middle of the Old Fort is an elevation, evidently artificial, which never fails to attract the attention of the observing, and is generally designated as Eagle mound. It is full six feet high, and is in the form and shape of an eagle in flight with wings outspread, measuring from tip to tip two hundred and forty feet, and from bead to tail two hundred and ten feet, and is clearly of the effigy class of the works of the Mound Builders. It faces the entrance, and therefore lies in an east and west direction, its winos extending north and south. Excavations made many years ago into the renter of this earthen figure, where the elevation is greatest, developed an altar built of stone, upon which were found ashes, charcoal and calcined bones, showing that it had been used for sacrificial purposes.

" Many have held the opinion that the Old Fort was a military work, constructed for defence, but its location on a level plain, its symmetrical form and inside ditch, and the indications of the presence of fire, seen on the altar, and its sacrificial uses, so clearly suggested, all go to render this opinion to be erroneous, or, to say the least, one highly improbable. All the known facts pertaining to it go to raise the presumption that within this inclosure were conducted by :Mound Buiders, the rites and ceremonies of their religion, thev having manifestly been a religious and superstitious race, given to the practice of offering up human as well as animal sacrifices.

"Others have believed that the Old Fort was the seat of government of the Mound Builders, and that their monarch resided here; and still others have held that within this inclosure they practiced their national games and amusements, similar, possibly, to the Olympic, Nemean, Pythean, and Isthmian games that were so universally popular with the enlightened Greeks during the 'Lyrical age of Greece. Others still, hold different opinions, but I think the weight of evidence is altogether in favor of the theory that the Old Fort, one of the most renowned of all the 'Mound Builders' works, was constructed for the uses of a sacred inclosure, and was, therefore, primarily 'built and used for purposes connected with their religion; albeit it may also have teen their seat of government, and residence of their monarch; and may, possibly, also have been sometimes used for the practice of their national games. Least likely of all is the notion that it wax constructed for military purposes or was ever used as a defensive work.

"It was in October, 1800, when Isaac Stadden, a pioneer settler in the Licking valley, discovered it.

One of the most astonishing and incomprehensible things about this great earthwork is the ditch inside of it. This, as Mr. Smucker says, is yet ten feet deep, and is, probably, fifteen or twenty feet wide at the top. If it were not for the immense trees that yet stand on the embankment, one would be inclined to place the construction of this work within the last century, from the fact that otherwise this ditch should have long since disappeared, having been filled, by the yearly drift of leaves, etc., to the surface of the ground. When the fact is considered that this ditch has stood in the midst of the forest for centuries, and has thus been a safe receptacle for the yearly fall of leaves that would naturally drift into it, that the storms of centuries have been washing its banks, that, as Mr. Smucker says, water once stood a good portion of the year in it, with its relaxing and dissolving tendencies, the absorbing questions are, how deep must this ditch have been at first, and what tools could the workmen have used to raise the dirt to such a height, and for what purpose was it constructed; why, especially, was it made so deep?

Supposing that from all the causes above enumerated, the ditch had filled one inch per year for six hundred years; even that would give it a depth of fifty feet at first. It would seem more probable I that it would fill five or six inches every year, instead of one inch; and it is thought these works are a thousand years old instead of six hundred. This being true, would make this ditch very much deeper, and only increases the mystery that already surrounds these works. Here is an opportunity for scientific investigation that should not be lost. A shaft sunk in the bottom of this ditch would probably reveal its original depth.

The immensity of these works is truly wonderful and awe-inspiring. The stranger visiting them for the first time can only look and wonder. The pyramids of Egypt are counted among the "seven wonders of the world," but in what particular are they so much more wonderful than this earthwork? Both are equally mysterious and incomprehensible.

The "Eagle Mound" in the center of this inclosure, is somewhat disappointing at first sight, and does not appear to have much resemblance to an

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 525

eagle. .It more resembles the shape and form of a honey-bee, and might more appropriately have been called the "Honey-Bee mound." The wings are not pointed, like those of a bird, but circular, like those of a bee, and the body is shaped much like that of the bee. Samuel Park, esq., thus writes concerning these works:

"Mr. Atwater says that many- of the writers on these antiquities never saw the works themselves, or if they did, it was only from some public conveyance in hasty flight through the country; and consequently they know nothing about them, and their representations are not reliable. This, no doubt, in some instances is true. But those newspaper correspondents, and other persons seeking. literary renown, are not the only persons chargeable with having arrived at conclusions, and published opinions, based upon observations quite too superficial. Mr. Atwater himself, with all his care, is not safe from this charge, for in his report on the antiquities of Licking county, though he made a personal survey of them, seems to have but little knowledge of their extent and diversity of character. He gives us very correct diagrams of a portion of the works in Cherry Valley, and speaks of one or two mounds, south of Newark, and some pits below Newark; and south of Licking river. These he calls the works in Licking county, while they constitute but a very small proportion of them. He also says these works are situated on an elevated plain, forty or fifty feet above the alluvium or creek bottoms, and generally forty feet above the country around it, while in fact, they are situated on a low plain, not more than forty or fifty feet above the present worn channels of the stream. and nearly surrounded by high hills, on which are but little. if any, less than one hundred mounds that look down upon that valley, or plain, and its works, none of which does it appear that Mr. Atwater had any knowledge of. Besides this, those works extend nearly or quite all over the county, and east into Muskingum and Coshocton counties, south into Perry and Fairfield counties, and west into Franklin county; and doubt not, if carefully examined, would be found in a continuous line to the Mississippi. If their builders did not constitute one great nation or kingdom, they constituted several large cities, with extensive country surroundings, and enjoyed such fraternal relations with each other as to leave no trace of the lines of division, or any marks of discord or bloody wars. But on the. contrary, they have left us an. abundance of monumental testimony that there has been a well arranged and thoroughly organized civil government. I do not hesitate to express the opinion that the great mass of those antiquities are the monuments of peace, and not of war, as is generally supposed. My reason for this opinion is, their want of adaptation to military purposes.

"Nearly all the circumvallations, or forts, so called, are constructed with the moat, or ditch, inside of the wall, and many of them are very small, ranging from one to two hundred feet in diameter, and of easy approach at any and all points on the outside. Now to call such works military fortifications, is not only absurd, but supremely ridiculous. I care not- what principle of warfare you may assign to these Mound Builders, or what weapons they may have used, whether the primitive sling, the bow and arrow, the javelin, the dart, the sword. or cutlass, or any kind of explosive weapons. For any, or all of these,. they were useless, as places of security, or for defence. It was a common custom, among the ancient nations of the earth, to carefully guard the lives and dignity of their rulers, by prohibiting the promiscuous approach of their subjects. This is still the case with some nations; it is done in various ways; the most common is by military guards, who were chosen with reference to their good will and attachment to the person or thing to be guarded. But in the great city of the Assyrian empire (Babylon) the palace of the ruling prince, though protected from the approach of enemies by the great wall of the city, was also protected from the near approach of his own people by three additional strong walls surrounding the palace within the city. It was much the same with the Jews, although they were the chosen people of -God, and reputed to be the righteous nation of the earth, and were entrusted with the secrets of Jehovah, which when unfolded by the fullness of time were to become a blessing to the world, still they could not be trusted to govern themselves by their moral sensibilities, but were limited in their approaches to their own sacred tabernacle and their Great temple, by the outer courts which surrounded them. But we need not name isolated cases, for the principle has been common to all ages. If any of us today were to attempt to visit St. Peter's at Rome; the Mosque of Omar, at Jerusalem; the Palace of Napoleon, in France, or of Victoria, in England, we should find them all strictly guarded. Just so with the ancient people that erected these American antiquities, they understood human nature well enough, to know that it was better to spend money, and labor to maintain the peace and dignity of their government, by guarding against trouble, than to spend it to quell insurrection. Hence these numerous monuments of their wisdom and greatness spread all over our lands. And it is left for us, without the aid of letters to study the theory of their government from these mute relics of a pre-historic age.

"My own theory in regard to these strange works has been shadowed forth in what I have already said. I have told you I looked upon them as the monuments of peace and not of war. The cireumvallations, or inclosures of what ever form are the outer-courts of seals of royalty, and of temples of worship, and inclosures of magazines or public stores, of public parks, or pleasure grounds while others were for athletic exercises and other public games. We find the works varied in their character, and well adapted to these several uses. Those whose nature indicate the location of seals of royalty, or of temples of worship, are so constructed that the outside multitude could easily approach to within a suitable distance to offer their adulation to the princes. or their adoration to the gods, and witness the sacrificial offerings of the priests in the temples, yet the deep moat inside of the wall guarded those sacred precincts from the press of an enthusiastic or a sacreligious multitude. The same may be said as to the adaptation of those whose nature and location indicate other uses, whether for pleasure or for the protection o public stores. In some places these. works are numerous and expensive, and indicate a crowded state of society, or rather a large city population. The works gradually grow more sparse as they recede from these apparently central points, but with occasional minor clusters that indicate the location and protec tion of subordinate rulers, the location of magazines, etc., yet we find no signs of discord or of separate independence. Such a great central city do we think once occupied the hills-and valleys of Licking, and centered on Cherry valley.

" To the greater part of the mounds we assign the character of watch-towers and signal stations, from which the watchmen kept a constant look-out and by concerted signals, could report any incipient move towards insurrection or insubordination to

526 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

the laws, as well as to announce the signs of the times, or the approach of danger from the elements, or from any other source. The location of these mounds not only indicate such a use, but is such as to greatly facilitate such a mode of communication with rapidity and certainty. The idea of such an attaché to the government as a watchman is not novel, for such an office was common among the primitive oriental governments, and judging from the writings of Isaiah and Ezekiel, they were found among the Jews at a later date than that of the erection of these American antiquities. In an age when letters were unknown, watchmen, and such a system of signal communications, were of great importance in the government of a large tribe or nation. There are in some places, usually on level plains, many small mounds that were doubtless erected as tumuli for the distinguished dead, while there are others that seem to combine several uses. But the greater portion of the scattered mounds were, doubtless, for the use we have assigned them, and constituted a system of communication extending from the center to the circumference of the kingdom, equaled only by the modern telegraph. These watchmen were doubtless among the learned men of the nation or tribe, and their position an honorable and an honored one in the kingdom, for they must have constituted the principal medium of communication between the different and distant portions of the kingdom. Having been educated for this special office, it was probably held for life, and I should not think it incredible to suppose that vaults may have been prepared in the base of their watch-towers to receive their mortal remains, after having been worn out in the service of their country, that they might, after death, continue to enjoy a relation to their honored position in life. This may account for the few human bones found in some of those scattered tumuli.

"The mathematical skill manifest in the construction of some of these works, as well as the fine topographical engineering shown in the location of these signal mounds, indicate a pretty high degree of culture, for that age of the world, and, I think, conclusive evidence that they were not erected by- the ancestors of our native Indians, as it is not probable that they ever advanced beyond the hunter-grade of civilization in which we found them, while our Mound Builders must have been much in advance of this. These signal mounds are not always found on the highest hills, but where they will command the most complete view of the whole land, whether below or above their location, and where they can be seen by the greatest number of other mounds, by views through valleys, or between distant hilltops. This feature is an important one, and cannot be the result of accident. On the contrary, it shows a careful economy in locating them, so as to attain the object of their erection with the least amount of labor possible. This would have been needless had their design been other than that we have assigned them. They would, in many instances, have much better suited the theory of 'worship in high places,' or of 'monuments for the dead,' if they had been differently situated from that in which we find them. We, in one instance, found a mound on an offset or table on the hillside, where it commanded the view of an adjacent valley that could not have been seen from the top of the hill, while there was none on the hill-top, seventy-five feet above the plain or level table on which the mound was situated. :end yet this mound was but little less conspicuously situated in its relation to the other mounds than if it had been on the top of the hill. Again, the size of these 'tumuli' are, to a considerable extent, governed by the nature of the ground on which they are located. On high, narrow pointed, natural elevations, they are much less than when the hill-top presents a broad, level surface; also, on gently undulating plains they are larger and taller than when situated on the hills or on smooth plains. Another feature that I have noticed is: that their number is governed by the character of the face of the country where they are situated. On rough, broken lands they are numerous, while on smooth plains they are few. Still, where they are found at all, they are found in sufficient numbers to overlook the whole surface of the land. In our prairies of eastern Illinois, there are but few, except along the banks of the Wabash, but the few found away from the larger streams are generally large and tall, and so situated as to overlook a large district of country. Now, we would ask, why all this kind of discrimination, if their primary object had been of a military character, or for altars for sacrifices, or as monuments for the distinguished dead?

" In fact, such a theory is irreconcilable with the human understanding of the nature and relation of things. The mind must be educated to such theories before it can see any thing in these works to justify them, that these ancient Americans, like the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Assyrians, Chinese, and other original tribes or nations, may have been superstitious in some things, and behind the present age in the arts and sciences, may be quite true, but that is no reason why we should attribute to them intellectual inconsistencies that would sink them below the wild tribes, that roved through our forests when first found by the peopie of Europe. How many of us can give a rational account of the original design of the pyramids of Egypt? We may think we know, but with an unbroken chain of history reaching nearly back to the probable period of their erection, we still know but little about them ; yet they are there, and were erected by the most learned nation of that age.

"There arc at least eight forts of circumvallations in the county that I know of, that are not noticed by any of those writers, except three mentioned by Mr. Smucker, and there cannot be less than three hundred mounds that are not noticed at all; yet when they are viewed as a whole, they present a very different feature than when seen in isolated parts, though these parts may have been the most prominent portion of the works. They must he examined from the center to the circumference, and the relation of the several parts to the whole, as well as the scientific harmony of those relations, must be studied to fully comprehend their use. Let any person that is well acquainted with the face of the country inform himself as to the location of fifty or one hundred of these scattered mounds in Licking county, and then let him ascend a few of them and imagine the timber all removed, and he will be astonished at the harmony of their relations. Nearly all will seem to be in plain view from almost every point. .and, further, that nearly all seem to have been built with reference to the works in Cherry valley as a common center. Cherry valley is that part of Licking valley, west of the city of Newark, that lies between the Pataskala and the Raccoon branches of the Licking river, extending from their junction up the Pataskala to the mouth of Auter creek. and up Raccoon creek some three miles to the range of hills dividing the Raccoon and Auter creek valleys. It is a beautiful plain, the soil is gravelly but very fertile. It embraces about three thousand acres of land, and lies nearly in the shape of an equilateral triangle. On, this plain are situated several of the largest and most singular artificial works to be found in the country. The principal one of these (so called) fortifications, which contains about thirty acres of land, is owned and occu-

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 527

pied by the Licking County Agricultural society, and the place where they hold their annual fairs. This part of the valley seems to constitute a central point in the extensive cluster of works lying in this and adjoining counties.

"After becoming satisfied in my own mind, by observations from various elevated points, that the arrangement and location of the works of Licking would justify the theory that Cherry valley was the central point, whence radiated the power that controlled and gave vitality to this great city, whose inhabitants perhaps numbered but little less than the present population of the whole State, this; beautiful valley and its works began to assume an importance in this field of antiquities that I never had thought of before, though familiar with its curious works all my life. Now every antique artificial feature about it became an object of importance, that might have wrapped up in it volumes of valuable history. Not having found anything in 'Alligator mound' that I thought would justify the idea of its being considered an object of idolatrous worship, and having found the triangle in several of these artificial works, which is an ancient symbol of the true God, I concluded to again visit the great work owned by the agricultural society, and examine 'Eagle mound.' I went there without any doubts about finding the representation of an eagle spread out on the surface in the center of the area enclosed by these great walls. But when I came to examine its form and proportions, I could not see the eagle nor anything that would justify the idea that the mound was ever intended to represent any living thing. It could not have been intended to represent a bird, because there is neither head, neck, or tail, and the wings do not taper towards the points, but