HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 625

CHAPTER LXII.

WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-STREAMS, SPRINGS AND TIMBER-ABNER DAVIS - SCENERY ALONG THE CLEAR FORE-FAIR VIEW ROCK-CHARY ROCKS-HEMLOCK FALLS SLANTING ROCK-EAGLE'S NEST-PIONEER THRESHING FLOOR -INDIAN HILL-PROSPECT HILL-FOUNTAIN CAVERN-GIANT'S PLOWSHARE-WATT'S HILL-DRIPPING ROCK-FIRST SETTLERS-THE PIGEON ROOST-ADVENTURE WITH A BEAR-MILLS-CHURCHES-NEWVILLE MANCHESTER- INDEPENDENCE - HELLTOWN - THE OLD INDIAN, LYONS.

"Ye who love the haunts of Nature,

Love the sunshine of the meadow,

Love the shadow of the forest,

Love the wind among the branches,

And the rain-shower and the snow-storm,

And the rushing of great rivers

Through their Palisades of pine-trees,

And the thunder in the mountains,

Whose innumerable echoes

Flap like eagles in the eyries;

Listen to these wild traditions."

-Longfellow.

THE township was erected June 6, 1815, out of the east half of Greene, being then twelve miles long from north to south, and six miles wide. Thus it remained until February 11, 1817, when Monroe was created out of its north half, leaving it in its present shape, six miles square. It is now, in the southeast corner of the country. It was named after Gov. Worthington, of Ohio. Its surface is broken and hilly, especially along the Clear Fork, where the scenery is picturesque and beautiful. It is well watered by the Clear Fork and its tributaries; this stream entering the township about the center of its western side, its course being generally northeast, leaving the township on its way to the Black Fork, about the center of Section 2. It is a clear, rapid stream, tumbling down among the hills, over a rocky and pebbly bottom. It must have been, long years ago, a very paradise of the red man. Slater's Run and its tributaries water the northern part. It passes from west to east across the northern tier of sections, entering the Clear Fork at Newville. Andrews Run enters the southwest corner of the township, and, passing north, empties into Clear Fork at Independence , and Gold Run, coming from the southeast, joins the Clear Fork a short distance below Independence. In addition to these, numerous beautiful springs burst from the hillsides in every direction.

Every part of it was once densely wooded; every species of hardwood growing with great strength and beauty. Much of this timber has been cleared away, but even yet the hills along the Clear Fork, and patches of ground all over the township, are covered with timber of the best quality.

The only railroad in the township is the Baltimore & Ohio, which enters its western boundary with the Clear Fork, running parallel with it to Independence, where it makes a curve, passing out on the same boundary line about a mile from the southwest corner.

Among the most noted springs is one on the land now owned by the heirs of Abner Davis, two and a half miles southeast of Newville. This Mr. Davis was once robbed of $1,100 in gold, and recovered his money in a peculiar manner. Three men came to his house one bitter, cold night, before he had retired, and, presenting a pistol to his head, demanded his money. After getting the money, the robbers departed, and, becoming somewhat bewildered by the snow-storm, wandered about until two of

626 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

them froze to death, and, when found, the third was badly frozen, but survived, and was afterward sent to the penitentiary. The money was all recovered.

The magnificent rocky country in the vicinity of Newville is, without doubt, the most interesting geographical feature in the county. In the early history of the country, these great rocks formed a secure retreat for the various wild animals, and dens for an immense number of yellow rattlesnakes. Hundreds of these reptiles have been seen and killed by the early settlers among these rocks. The bottoms along the Clear Fork are exceedingly rich, where they are extensive enough for farming purposes; occasionally, however, the high rocky bluffs crowd the little stream into a narrow gorge, and the tiller of the soil must let these hills and rocks alone in their natural state forever. A narrow road borders the creek, clings to the hillside and wanders among the great rocks, which, jutting from these young mountains in great profusion, frown darkly upon the passerby, silent monuments of lost races and ages.

The banks of the stream in their primeval state were covered with a luxuriant growth of vegetation, among which are the most beautiful wild flowers and flowering shrubs. With all this beauty, it is not pleasant to think of the slimy yellow rattlesnake creeping beneath these flowers, in such vast numbers as to render a walk along the banks of the stream, in an early day, a very dangerous undertaking.

In the vicinity of Newville are various ledges of rocks which have received various names. suggested by the shape and locality.

Fair View Rock received its name from the extensive and magnificent view to be obtained from its summit. A view of the valley may be had for some miles up and down the stream.

To the right of this are Chasm Rocks. which consist of detached masses thrown off from the main cliff, by some convulsion of nature in past ages, forming a deep rent in the rocks. In some places, this rent is four, and in others ten, feet across. These chasms are winding, tortuous and open at the top, for the most part. This is an interesting point for the visitor, but space will not permit a description; neither is it considered necessary, for these things will stand forever as they are. No human power will ever be exerted to change them, and it is sufficient that their locality be pointed out by the historian.

Hemlock Falls, a highly interesting and romantic natural curiosity, is situated about one and a half miles south of Newville, near the road leading to Danville, in Knox County, about one-half mile from the Clear Fork. This locality is noted as being the resort of Indians in earlier times, and, in later times, as the resort of pleasure parties and meetings of various kinds. In point of interest and simple beauty, the country and scenery about Hemlock Falls is hard to excel. The water pours over a precipice about seventy-five feet in height. not, however, perpendicularly, but at an angle of seventy-five or eighty degrees in a succession of cascades. There is evidence; however, that at one time the water poured over a precipice about fifty feet perpendicularly, the rock having been worn away by the action of the water. One evidence of this is in the detached fragmentary masses lying scattered at the foot of the falls. At present, the water pours over a precipice of gradual descent about sixty feet then makes a perpendicular leap fifteen feet to the fragmentary rocks beneath. Huge rocks, ragged and uneven, project from either side. The banks of the stream are fringed with hemlock trees hence the name. A large one of these. standing on the verge of a projecting rock looks as if it would be detached at any moment, and the traveler who has the nerve may hang out over a fearful abyss by ascending this tree a short distance. Toward the southern extremity of this ledge of rocks is "Horseshoe Bend." In this bend,

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during the wet season, a stream of water issues from the perpendicular side of a rock, falling about thirty feet. In every direction about these falls, the scenery is beautiful, and the traveler is continually stumbling upon wonderful things.

Near these beautiful falls, one of the first pioneer meetings in Richland County was held. Dr. S. Riddle, of Ashland, owner of the falls, in a communication regarding this event, writes

"The first pioneer meeting in Richland County was held at Hemlock Falls the first Saturday of September, 1856. The principal actors were Rev. James McGaw and Gen. Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, Ohio ; Dr. S. Riddle, of Ashland; Dr. J. P. Henderson, Noah Watt (long since dead), William B. Carpenter, Peter Brubaker, Peter Keller, John Uhler and A. Darling, of Worthington Township, and Solomon Gladden and John Coulter, of Monroe. William B. Carpenter was the President on that occasion, and Dr. J. P. Henderson was Marshal of the day. Speeches were made by McGaw and Brinkerhoff, also John Coulter referred to his early experience in pioneer life and the encounters he had with bears and other wild beasts of the forest. A large concourse of people were present; there was music suitable to the occasion, and a splendid picnic-dinner spread out on the beautiful green above the Falls. The underbrush had been cleared away by some little boys, who took great delight in so doing. Among that number was G. W. Watts (now dead) and Jonathan Herring-who now lives on North Main street, Mansfield, Ohio, and runs the steam-dye works-who were at that time little boys about ten years old. The day was beautiful, and everything went off pleasantly, good order prevailing till the close of the meeting. A short time previous to this meeting, the place had received the name of Hemlock Falls by Gen. Brinkerhoff, who preferred giving it that name instead of an Indian name, as some had suggested. At the second meeting, one year from that time, a large gathering of the people took place, and a general picnic was held, without any special reference to the pioneers. Speech by Hon. John Sherman. Adjourned to meet again in one year from that time. Third meeting, held a Sunday-school picnic. Avery well behaved and orderly crowd of people was there; had appropriate music. The speakers on that occasion were Rev. Richard Gailey (now dead) and Dr. Riddle. Yearly picnics were held there for some years afterward by other parties, but have dwindled down to a mere nothing. The Falls are still owned by Dr. Riddle, who intends to revive again the spirit of the meetings of former days."

Slanting Rock is an enormous fragmentary rock, 80 feet long by 40 wide and 30 in thickness, which some convulsion of nature seems to have precipitated some considerable distance from the main cliff. This rock stands upon one of its ends, the other pointing upward at an angle of forty-five degrees. The ascent of this rock is somewhat perilous, the upper surface slanting about like the roof of an ordinary dwelling. Contiguous to this is another rock of larger dimensions, the upper surface of which is covered with moss and shrubs, which is also detached from the main ledge.

The Eagle's Nest is a bold projecting rock, about seventy-five feet in perpendicular altitude, and is situated one-fourth of a mile north of Hemlock Falls, on the same side of Clear Fork. It received its name from the circumstance of an eagle having a nest under the the shelving rock near its summit.

A short distance south of Eagle's Nest is the Pioneer Threshing Floor, which rises perpendicularly three hundred feet above the waters of the creek. Its upper surface is about forty feet square, and somewhat bowl-shaped. The name is derived from the circumstance of its being used during pioneer times for a thrashing floor, for which purpose it is admirably adapted. It is surrounded on two sides by trees of considerable growth. Its position is

628 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

marked by a bend in the creek at nearly right angles, where the creek is seen stretching away toward the west. On either side, so far as the cave can penetrate, the creek is walled in by high precipitous bluff's.

Indian Hill forms the eastern extremity of the ledge of rocks upon which Hemlock Falls. Eagle's Nest, etc., are situated. This eminence affords a fine view of the Valley of Clear Fork and Slater's Run. On the top of this hill are seen several depressions, extending in a line about twenty-five feet across the hill, which would seem to indicate an Indian burial ground.

Prospect Hill is situated about one-half mile west of Hemlock Falls, on the south bank of the Clear Fork. It is probably the highest point of land in Worthington Township. The view from its summit is very beautiful. The Clear Fork valley, and thousands of acres of field and meadow and neat farmhouses: cattle, sheep, peace; plenty and beauty everywhere. Near its summit are several bowl-shaped cavities, the largest of which is. perhaps, twenty feet id diameter evidently formed by the sinking down of the earth among the cavities of the rocks beneath. They lie at the edge of a cleared field, and when the ploughed earth, on different occasions, has rolled into one of these depressions, and been washed clown by rain, it finds its way out about five hundred feet below, at the base of the hill, through the outlet of a strong spring of water. From this circumstance, it is supposed that there is a subterranean passage from these depressions to the base of the hill.

A short distance below the cavities is a magnificent rocky tower one hundred and fifty feet high, overlooking the valley.

A perforation of twenty or thirty feet always existed in this hill, but it was not until within the last twenty years or more that this was found to be the entrance to a cave, which has received the name of Fountain Cavern. This cavern is quite roomy, being perhaps three hundred feet in circumference, and with several distinct rooms and narrow, winding ways. Near its entrance is a rock called the Giant's Plowshare, from a resemblance to that farming implement. A short distance from this is another large rock resembling a pulpit, and near this a rock called the Indian's Arrowpoint, from its resemblance to that article. It stands on the large end, pointing to the north at an angle of seventy-five degrees. It is six feet broad at the base, and tapers to a point like an arrowhead.

Watts Hill is on the north side of the creek, immediately opposite Prospect Hill, and derives its name from Mr. Noah Watts, on whose farm it is located. The location of this gentleman's residence at the foot of this hill is one of the most beautiful that can be imagined.

The eastern ascent of the hill is gradual; but the south is more abrupt, being in places almost perpendicular. All over the hill are scattered curious shaped rocks. cliffs, arches, towers and various strange things nature has provided to astonish the beholder.

Near Watts Hill is a solitary rock called Dropping Rock. It is about one hundred feet in circumference, and ten or fifteen feet in altitude. It stands entirely alone, no other rocks being near, and its surface is covered with moss and shrubs. From its outside walls the water is continually dropping even in dry weather hence the name.

It will be seen from the foregoing, that this must have been a delightful hunting-ground for the Indian, and equally delightful to the first white residents; but how much more beautiful is it today, when there are no Indians, rattlesnakes or wolves lurking beneath its rocks and in its caverns.

The township is rich in Indian relics, Dr. J. P. Henderson, of Newville, having quite a cabinet of curious things gathered in this vicinity. The plow even yet unearths some curious implements. Not long since, a curiously wrought

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 629

copper pipe was plowed up in the old Indian burying-ground at Helltown, which is now in possession of Dr. Henderson.

The first white settler came into the township, so far as known, in 1809; and was. therefore, among the first in Richland County. The names of its first settlers are mentioned in a statement printed some years ago. from which the following extract is produced: "The first settlement of this township was made in the year 1809. by Samuel Lewis, James Cunningham, Andrew Craig and Henry McCart." This is, in part, erroneous, Samuel Lewis being the only one of those mentioned who settled within the present limits of Worthington. The men, however settled very near to each other, and very near the line between Monroe. Worthington and Green. and it has been with some difficulty that their exact places of residence have been ascertained. They have been claimed as residents of Greentown. and of Green Township, but the fact is they settled very near where Monroe and Worthington joins Green. James Cunningham moved about considerably: in fact. many of these early settlers were somewhat restless. and it is therefore hard to locate them. Andrew Craig was among this number and can hardly; be called a settler at all. Of the former (Cunningham). it has been ascertained that he first settled on the northeast quarter of Section 6 in Monroe Township, so that his first residence was far from Worthington. His next move, so far as known. was to Mansfield and his third move made in 1810 was back to Monroe Township, where he settled on Section 36 near Greentown and in the McCart and Lewis neighborhood so that he was not one of the earliest residents of Worthington at all though very near its northern line. He afterward moved to the northeast quarter of Section 24, in Monroe. Sometime during the war of 1812 he moved his family to Licking County, Ohio and returning again after the war settled permanently in Worthington, on Section 17. It will be seen that he was an early settler in Worthington. but not among the earliest.

Samuel Lewis was probably the first permanent white settler within the present limits of Worthington, settling on the nortlwest quarter of Section 1, in the spring of 1809. He afterward. in 1812, erected a block-house on his farm for the protection of the settlers. This was known as Lewis block-house and is mentioned in another chapter. Henry Nail, Sr., came in 1810, settling on Section 1, and William Slater, Peter Zimmerman and James Wilson in 1811 ; Herring, Brodie, Pierce, Davis and some others, perhaps, a little later. James Pierce came before 1815; and settled on Section 2. William and Jonathan Darling came in soon after Lewis, and settled on Section 1. Joseph Friend and Peter Zimmerman came about 1811, the former settling on Section 3 and the latter on the northeast, quarter of Section 16. Zimmerman erected a powder mill the first in the country, on Clear Fork; and established a good trade in the powder business. In 1813, William and Thomas Simmons came settling on Section 20, and entering the land upon which stands the village of Independence. In 1823, Moses Andrews, wife and family, consisting of Thomas B.. William; John E. Moses. Jr., Catharine and Ann Eliza, came. settling on Section 32. When Mr. Andrews came, the following settlers were already here, in addition to those mentioned, viz.. Frederick Eck, Section 32 ; Zeheniah Wade, Section 27 ; John Halferty, Section 34: Robert Kinton. Section 26; John Pipe; Stephen Bishop. Section 28 ; Frederick Herring (one of the earliest settlers). Section 3 : Thomas Watt, Section 31 : David Filloon. Section 23; Nicholas Fleeharty, Section 24: James Fleeharty, Section 13; Amasy Fleeharty (father of James and Nicholas, and a soldier of the Revolution), Section 24; Daniel Carpenter (father of George and W. B. Carpenter, of Mansfield). Section 2 ; Andrew Ramsey. Section 17. (1815); Robert

630 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Phipps, Section 17: Jacob Myers, Section 18 William Robison, Section 18: Samuel Boyle, Section32. Mr. Boyle's cabin is yet standing and is probably the oldest house in the township. John Duncan and William Hanlan settled on Section 30 and Robert McConkey on Section 13. Probably other settlers arrived before 1823, whose names cannot at present be recalled.

David Filloon erected the first blacksmith-shop in the township on Section 19, the land being now owned by T. B. Andrews.

These settlers were mostly from the Ligonier Valley in Western Pennsylvania. Most of them came into the township along the old Wyandot trail, following up the Mohican, the Black Fork and Clear Fork settling first where the latter leaves the township, in the northeast corner. Of those who came later a portion followed the military road. cut by a section of Gen. Harrison's army in 1812, which is yet a highway and runs diagonally across the township from northeast to southwest on the high ground south of the Clear Fork. This was probably, the first road in the township. It is here in order to relate a few incidents connected with the struggles of these early settlers in their first efforts at transforming the rugged wilderness into the present cultivated gardens. Space can only be given for a few that will illustrate life in that time.

Henry Nail relates that when a boy he was sent to Shrimplin's Mill. with two pack-horses. upon which the grist was loaded. He started home late in the afternoon : the path was narrow and winding so that he was compelled to drive one horse before the other, he riding the rear one. The twilight of the dense forest was fast deepening into darkness and he made all possible haste to reach the more open country fearing he might be intercepted by a gang of wolves. Unfortunately the forward horse passed too near the projecting point of an upturned root. and a large rent was made in the bag of meal and its contents scattered upon the ground. Here was trouble. He had no means of fastening the parts of the torn bag together and if left over night it was certain to be devoured by hogs or other animals, besides. there was a large family at home needing it for immediate use. Something must, however be done immediately. The prolonged, undulating howl of wolves echoed through the forest and an occasional child-like cry, from a swamp not far away. fairly made his hair stand on end. The thought of a panther in the vicinity was not pleasant. His ingenuity being quickened he drew several strands of hair from his horse's tail gathered up as much of the meal as he could and succeeded in closing the rent in the bag with the horse-hair. "I had not proceeded far on my way," said he, "when I heard the wolves quarreling over the remnant of the meal remaining on the ground, and with all my haste by the time I reached the nearest clearing, there seemed to be a hundred of them within a few rods of me. The furious barking of several dogs belonging to a cabin near by, fortunately checked the pursuit so that I reached home in safety."

On another occasion several young men resisting on the Clear Fork started off to visit a pigeon roost, situated in a swamp near the present site of Danville in Knox County. Arriving at the swamp. and not knowing the exact locality of the roost. they separated. and, surrounding it were to proceed inwardly until the roost was discovered or they should meet in the center. They had only advanced a short distance when one of the party. Alexander McKee, aroused a bear that had taken lodgings in the swamp. The animal immediately rushed upon McKee, seizing him by the leg just as he reached the branch of a tree he was trying to ascend. He held on with a death-grip and shouted for assistance. His companions coming up. the bear let go his hold. and. rising on his hind feet, faced his new assailants. ready for fight. A rifle ball through the head sent him dancing a jig, and

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 631

another through the heart settled him. McKee's limb was badly lacerated, and he remained a cripple for life.

Two young men, Henry and John Nail, sons of one of the earliest settlers, went out one day to hunt their horses, which were allowed to roam in the woods in summer. They carried their rifles, and were accompanied by two trusty dogs. When several miles from home, the dogs treed a young bear, which one the boys shot and wounded. It fell to the ground and set up a piteous cry. Both had fired, and their guns were therefore empty, when the mother of the cub appeared and rushed upon the slayers of her young with savage growls. The boys had neither time to re-load or climb a tree, but fortunately the dogs came to the rescue and attacked the bear fiercely, upon which she unexpectedly beat a retreat. They carried the cub home, and had roast bear meat for dinner.

One of the earliest settlers of Worthington, Frederick Herring, erected a mill on the Clear Fork, near the present site of Newville, which was probably the second mill erected in the county, Beam's being first. The mill was resorted to from great distances by the early settlers. It was in operation nearly fifty years. Clear Fork furnished excellent water-power, and many mills have been erected from time to time on its banks. Another of the Herrings, David, erected a large three-story frame mill, about 40x60 feet, in 1841, two miles below Independence, on Clear Fork. Some years ago, this was converted into a woolen-mill, and is now owned and operated by Alexander & Zent, of Bellville. Its machinery is first class, and it is capable of doing a large business.

About a mile above Independence is a grist-mill now owned by J. & E. Plank, erected about 1820, by Jacob Myers. It has changed hands several times and been rebuilt, but is now in first-class condition and doing good work. About 1850, Jacob Armentrout erected a grist and saw mill one mile northeast of Independence. It is now owned and operated by D. J. Rummel. These are all water-mills, and have saw-mills connected with them. In addition to these, saw-mills have been erected in various parts of the township on the swift little streams and near running springs.

The first brick house was erected by William Darling, about 1828. The first voting place was at the house of Robert Phipps, on Section 17.

The religious sentiment of this township is well developed; the larger portion of its people being connected with some church. It is found here as elsewhere, that, long before the people were able to erect churches, they had preaching at private houses and the old log schoolhouses that began to spring up here and there in the woods, as' the settlements grew. Among the earliest ministers were the Rev. James Johnson, of Mansfield; William Hughes, George Leiter, Shadrick Rhuark, George Hiskey and others. One of the earliest church buildings was the old Union, or United Presbyterian, located on Section 8 ; erected, and the society organized, through the efforts of Rev. James Johnson, who was its first Pastor. The first and most influential members were the Laffertys, Halfertys, Ramseys, John Robinson, William Wilson, Peter Alexander and others. The first building was a hewed log, and in after years (about 1831), a frame addition was built. This building and organization have long since disappeared, and nothing remains to mark the spot but the graveyard in the vicinity.

In an early day, the Rev. William Hughes established the church now known as the Clear Fork or Bunker Hill Presbyterian Church, located on Section 23. Rev. Hughes preached many years to the people of this neighborhood before the building was erected. The first building was a hewed-log, and the second, the present frame, was erected about 1850. To this church belonged, in an early day, the Moffats, Prichards, Hazletts, McClellands and

632 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

others. Some of its early ministers were Luke Dorland, Frank Eddy and W. W. Anderson. Rev. Mr. Ferris is the present minister, and the membership is about forty. A Sunday school is conducted at this church during the summer, and has been for many years.

One of the early churches is the English Lutheran, erected about 1832, on Section 6. The first church was a small frame, costing about $400 ; the second one, which is also frame, was erected in 1876, at a cost of $1,000. It is sometimes known as the "Harsh Church," and among its first members were the Harshes, Berrys, Crouses, William Harter, Daniel Teeter and others. Rev. Seidel and George Leiter were the first ministers. The membership is at present about fifty. An active Sunday school is also connected with it, the membership averaging fifty pupils.

A little later, about 1834, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Newville was organized. The early and influential members of this church were James Morrison, Daniel Carpenter, Peter Keller, David Shellenberger, George Fickle, James Hazlett, and the wives of these gentlemen. The early meetings of this organization were held at the houses of James Morrison and George Fickle. Shadrick Rhuark was the first minister. Charles Reed and John Mitchell were also early ministers. Rev. Lion is present minister, and the membership about forty. An active Sunday school is connected with the church, the average attendance being about fifty.

The United Brethren Church, located on Section 4, was organized about the same time, or, perhaps, a, little before the Methodist of Newville. The first church was log, erected about 1840. It was afterward weather boarded over, and thus used until the present brick was erected. The early members were the Suaveleys, the Snyders, the Easterlys, Henry Muck and wife, Peter Leyman and others. The early meetings of this organization were held at the residence of Lawrence Easterly. George Hiskey was among the early ministers. The present membership is about fifty, and a live Sunday- school is in operation.

In an Early day, the German Reformed society erected a log church on Section 22, which was used by them many years. The Baymillers, Cramers and others were influential in this church. It is now extinct, the church decayed and the society disbanded. A Baptist society was organized and a church erected in Independence, in 1852. The Rev. George Wilson was the founder, and called himself an "Independent Baptist." The Halfords, Samuel Phipps, John Wise, Samuel Wilson, David Teeter and others were the first members of this church. The early ministers besides Wilson, were Benjamin Tulloss and Revs. Jenkins and Dye. No regular services are at present held in the church.

The Methodist Protestant Church of Independence was erected in 1857, at a cost of $800, though the society was organized four years before. The early meetings were held in the old log schoolhouse, located on the farm of Thomas B. Andrews, near town.

The early members of this church were Thomas B. Andrews and wife, David and Jane Spear, William and Letitia Huston, Catharine Myers, Jane and William Lamley and Richard Gatton. Rev. N. T. Brown, of Fredericktown, was the first Pastor.

The present minister is W. S. Carns, and the present membership about forty. A large and active Sunday school is connected with this church.

The Albrights are numerous and strong in this part of the county, having three separate and active organizations and churches near Independence. This church prefers to be known as the Evangelical.

The first of these churches is the Zion, or Four Corners Church, located on Section 18, on the Kanaga property. This building was erected

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about 1860 at a cost of $1,000. The principal original members were Michael, Jacob, John and David Secrist and their wives, Uriah Lafferty, Elizabeth Kanaga and Jonathan Plank. The first ministers were John Seibert and Rev. Bomgardner.

At present, the church is weak. Rev. Mr. Mesey has, at this time, charge of these three churches.

The Salem Church was organized about 1850, and the building erected in 1862, at a cost of $1,000. Its early members were Samuel, Elias and Henry Moore, Jacob Shaffer and Jonathan Freeheffer and wife. The present membership is about forty, and this, also, is about the average attendance of pupils at the Sunday school.

The Mount Sinai Evangelical Church is located in Independence. This is an offshoot from the. other two, and was organized and a building erected in 1875. The building and parsonage cost about $3.500. Its principal organizers were Franklin Oberlin, Joseph Clever, James Near. Mary Clever, Sarah Thompson, Robert McEwin, Jonathan and George Freeheffer, and a majority of the members of their families. Bishop Stubbs preached at the dedication of the church in December, 1875, and Joseph Rosenberger was their first Pastor. The present membership is about seventy-five.

A Sunday school was organized in 1876, A. Hitchman being first Superintendent. It now numbers about forty-five members.

Three villages have been laid out in Worthington, two only being in existence at present.

The first of these, Newville, was laid out by Frederick Herring in December, 1823, on the northeast and southeast quarters of Section 3, on the Clear Fork near the mill which he had previously erected. His cabin, erected some years before the town was laid out, was the first dwelling on the town site. Abraham Nye was among the first residents, and was instrumental in inducing Herring to lay out a town. He purchased a few lots and erected the first, hotel, one of the first buildings in the place. The first people who settled in the place were the Hogans, Daniel Carpenter, George and Jacob Armentrout and Luther Richard. The latter erected the second hotel. Daniel Stoner erected the first blacksmith-shop. The first herring mill has not been in operation for twenty years or more, but another mill erected later by the Herrings is in operation, and is owned by the Garretts, of Mansfield.

The first schoolhouse-a log one was erected about 1826. Samuel J. Kirkwood, late Governor of Iowa, was one of the first teachers here. In 1830, a frame schoolhouse was erected, which was used until 1870, when the present neat, two-story frame was erected. It contains two rooms, two teachers, and accommodates sixty or seventy pupils. The population at present is about three hundred. There is one store, one hotel, and the usual number of mechanics and working people. Most of the inhabitants live by farming and various trades. The town is beautifully situated on the Clear Fork, being inclosed by high, rocky bluffs. It is a rather sleepy little place, being undisturbed by railroads, or the rush and roar of the business world. It passes a dreamy existence, inclosed by a country rugged, picturesque and charming. One of its honored citizens is Dr. J. P. Henderson, now in his seventy-eighth year, a graduate of Washington College, Pennsylvania, who, curiously enough, elected to pass his life in this quiet village, in the practice of his profession, among these simple, honest. people, surrounded by his books and his cabinet of relics and curious things, in which he has always taken great delight.

In March, 1845, a town named Winchester was laid out on Section 9, on the Clear Fork,. by Noble Calhoun. A few houses were erected, but the land upon which it was platted, being heavily mortgaged, was sold at Sheriff's sale, and the place never amounted to anything.

634 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Independence was laid out on the northwest quarter of Section 20, January 12, 1848, by Daniel Spohn. In the early days of its existence it was nicknamed "Spohntown " and " Squeelgut," but was named Independence by Thomas B. Andrews, rather in a spirit of defiance at the attitude of Bellville, which was not a friendly one to the aspiring village. Andrews was its first Postmaster, and, before the town was laid out, kept the office in his house near the site. After the town was laid out and a warehouse erected, he moved the office into the warehouse. The land upon which the town stands was entered on the 13th of May, 1820: by William Simmons. The town plat was surveyed by Joseph Hastings. Mr. Andrews was instrumental in getting the town established and laying it out. taking a lot for pay.

The first store was started by William Lamley, who kept groceries and whisky. It may be remarked here that Independence is a temperance town, and will not allow (since the Bowersox affair mentioned in another chapter) any saloon to exist in the place. Lamley's store was a small frame building, near the rail road, in the north end of the town. He afterward erected a building, which is now occupied by Downing as a store, and started a. hotel. Joseph Geary kept this hotel. the first in the place. David Teeter erected a second hotel. John Diltz, a carpenter and present Postmaster, erected the next dwelling, and shortly after, Daniel Garber erected a shoe-shop on Main street. William Clapper erected the next building and kept boarders.

Gen. G. A. Jones came up from Mount Vernon, erected a warehouse, started a store and dealt in produce. In 1856, I. W. Pearce purchased the warehouse of Jones, conducted the business. and was also railroad agent. This gentleman at present keeps the principal store in the place, and does what banking business is necessary.

When the town was laid out, the schoolhouse a frame was a short distance south of town.

In 1868, the present building was erected. It is a two-story frame, and occupied by two teachers and about one hundred pupils.

In 1877, the village was incorporated, the first Mayor being J. M. McLaughlin; the second and present Mayor, George W. McBee.

There are four dry-goods and grocery stores, one hardware, one stove and tin, and several smaller establishments; two churches, one hotel, and a proper proportion of mechanics and professional men. The population is about four hundred. The place stands in a great land in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

One of the noted places in this township, whose history dates back to early Indian days, was known by the seemingly profane name of "Helltown." It is thus described by Dr. J. P. Henderson

"Helltown was situated on the right bank of the Clear Fork of the Mohican, one and a half miles below Newville. It occupied a high bank, where the stream is low and easily forded. A few hundred yards above, on the margin, of the creek, issues a fountain of water, and near the same place, on the opposite aide, Switzer's Run empties into the Clear Fork. The ground on which the village stood is a rich, alluvial and loamy bottom. extending some distance to the east, and. when first seen by the writer, was overgrown with wild plum-trees, three apple trees, evidently volunteers; and all around and Past of the town stood a luxuriant growth of wild cherry trees of the size of a man's thigh, and interspersed were a few very large sugar maples. This bottom had evidently been cleared, and at an early day small conical elevations were to be seen, presumed to have been hills where corn had been cultivated. Back almost. immediately from the village, and where the ground gradually ascended from the creek, was the graveyard, where about sixteen graves were originally counted.

"This village was occupied by a tribe of Delaware Indians, who emigrated from Eastern

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Pennsylvania about the year 1745, and settled on the Muskingum and its tributaries, on lands granted them by their ancient allies and uncles, the Wyandots. Having, in Pennsylvania commingled with the German and English population, and acquired a smattering of the language of both, they gave the name of the village partly to each. Hell, which in the German means clear, united with town, in the English, the words designating simply, but not profanely; the town on the Clear Fork. As to how many huts and wigwams stood originally in this 'Old Plum Orchard,' as it was sometimes called, tradition is silent. When first seen by the writer, there were but three cabins standing, old and dilapidated, without chimney, floor, door, window, or roof, and one of the corners broken down. Depressions in the neighboring grounds, however, were supposed to have been the sites of other buildings.

"In the spring of 1781, Col. Williamson and his party from Western Pennsylvania massacred the Moravian Delaware Indians at Gnaudenhutten, in Tuscarawas County, treacherously and in cold blood. When the inhabitants of Helltown heard of the massacre, they were panic-stricken and fled to Upper Sandusky, the home of the Wyandots, for protection. The panic having subsided, they returned to Helltown, and, after some time, removed, founded and located at Greentown, in Ashland County, near the Black Fork, about two miles above Perrysville. Helltown was not wholly abandoned, but was used until 1812 as a hunting encampment, and, being but five miles distant, the trail between the two places was deep and well marked. A trail also existed, on the first settlement of the whites, from Helltown to Mansfield, and crossed the one from Greentown to Upper Sandusky. A trail, too, from Helltown to Jeromeville doubtless originally existed; but, being disused; was necessarily obliterated in the lapse of years from 1782 to 1812.

"The route of Col. Crawford and his army in their march to Upper Sandusky in 1782 has not been definitely located. It is believed they marched from Odell's Lake to Mansfield, but the course they took between these two places is not yet determined. In a conversation the writer had, many years ago, with the late Col. Solomon Gladden, of this county, he stated that Col. Crawford and his party passed through Helltown on their way to Upper Sandusky, and that such was the statement to him of Capt. Nunn, his uncle, who was an officer in the expedition. Of this conversation the writer took a minute shortly after, and as to the fact he cannot be mistaken.

"In and about Helltown many Indian relies, ancient and more modern, have been found, such as arrow and spear heads, pipes of stone, pottery and copper, a stone drinking cup, copper lancets, leaden bullets, a scalping-knife, fragments of gun-barrels and brass mountings of gun-stocks, etc. Many of the graves have been opened, as they were superficial and easily dug into, but, so far as informed, nothing but bones more or less decayed were found and exhumed.

"It may be added, that the site of Helltown, with its graves, has for years been part and parcel of a cultivated field, and when last seen, early last summer, the ripening wheat was waving over the former habitations of the departed and the dead."

Dr. Henderson also notes the history of an old Indian, known as Lyons, who once inhabited this part of the country. The Doctor says

"Old Lyons was the last of the Indians who had , a local habitation and a name' in Worthington Township. His dwelling was on the farm of David Rummel,.near where it connects with that of John Ramsey, and contiguous to the Clear Fork. It resembled a double barn, and consisted of two cabins constructed of buckeye logs, with a small ground spot intermediate, and the whole covered with basswood bark.

636 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

He was aged, dark, large for an Indian. of coarse features, high check-bones and large protruding lips, so much so, indeed. that, when ornamented with a miniature silver clevis and double-tree in each ear, and one in his nose, and smoking from the bowl and through the handle of his iron tomahawk, he presented rather a grotesque appearance. He was in a word, regarded by the whites as extremely homely and repulsive.

" Where he originated, or from what tribe he sprang, is unknown. He claimed land in Wyoming Valley, said "the whites had no right to it, never bought it; that it was his.' He requested Judge Kinney to procure lawyers, institute suit and oust the intruders, promising the Judge one-half if successful. Such action it is needless to say, was never undertaken.

"That he was superstitious, would appear from one of his dreams, its supposed baneful import. and its antidote. He dreamed that he was bitten by a mad hog, which he interpreted to mean that he would, while hunting the next day, be bitten by venomous snake, unless he plunged into the water the next morning, and thus broke in upon and nullified the vision of the night Hence his voluntary immersion in the Clear Fork the next morning before sunrise, though the water was cold, and he emerged from it shivering and perfectly chilled.

"That he was sarcastic, is also apparent from another incident. Mrs. Cunning, a young woman living near Hemlock Falls, and but recently married, discovered him looking between the logs of the cabin before he entered the house. At this she became frightened, as her husband was from home. On seeing her trepidation. he laughed outright, and exclaimed. Very old woman, very much scared, and left the house repeating the exclamation time and again at the top of his voice, and in a chanting tone till he disappeared in the forest.

"He called on Mrs. White said he wanted loaf of bread then on the fire baking. On being promised it so soon as baked he exhibited to her a string of what he called the tongues of white persons, stating he had ninety-nine. and was determined to have another. a woman's. and then he would have 100. On her exhibiting some alarm being alone and her husband absent, he said it was not her tongue. but that of a woman who had mistreated or insulted him.

"He was very communicative to Mr. Johnston, and talked to him often and long. He stated that, during the Indian troubles and hostilities on the frontier. he was accustomed to approach the cabins of the settlers at the dead hour of night, when the inmates were asleep. and, silently as possible punch a hole through the clay daubing of the chimney into the fireplace, and then attaching a charge of powder to his ramrod, thrust it into the embers, when the powder would flare up and illumine the inside of the dwelling. and enable him to count and discriminate the inmates, and if he discovered two men within he withdrew. but if but one, he entered the house and killed him. and then dispatched the women and children. He said. also, that at Crawford's and St. Clair's defeats. he had tomahawked white men till his arm was 'sick,' and denounced Gen. Wayne as bad man, swear that he could be heard three miles. The only scalp exhibited by him. however, was that of a fair haired person, and said by him to have been taken from the head of a British officer.

"Notwithstanding this bloody record; he had the credit of saving the life of Mr. Flack. taken prisoner in Ligonier Valley. afterward taken to Detroit. redeemed by the French. and by them restored to his home and his family. While a prisoner in the hands of the Indians and apprehending death at the stake or otherwise. Lyons came to him and told him the only way to save himself was to strip off his clothes immediately go to bed, cover himself up and pretend to be asleep. He did so and soon the savages dashed into the apartment

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 637

where he was whooping, yelling and careering through the room in high and full feather as though pandemonium itself, was unchained. What all this had to do in saving the life of Mr. F., is a mystery we cannot solve. Suffice it to say; such was his lifelong conviction.

"On removing from Worthington Township. Lyons had his but at Jeromeville. but frequently revisited Greentown and his former neighborhood. N. Flaharty. Esq., saw him with a hunting party camped on Pine Run. below his house, as late as 1818 or 1819; when too old to hunt, and he said he was one hundred and sixty. He sold wooden ladles. made by himself, to Mrs. F. had a new suit at the time and a new gun procured from a gunsmith who lived near Cadiz, on the Brush Fork of Stillwater.

"It is sail to have transpired that on leaving a tavern in Lexington. Leon was followed and killed by a party of roughs, probably stimulated by whisky. He had boasted of having ninety-nine tongues of the whites, and wanted one more which, if obtained he would die content or be willing and ready to die. This was construed as a design on his part to murder some one and it was determined to anticipate him by putting him to death. Soon after, he was found dead: and lying beside a log, near Hanewalt's mill, on the Clear Fork."