The Children of the Forest

It goes without saying that the forests of Perry County were at one time the hunting grounds of the Indian. The lack of navigable streams, possibly de- terred it from making for them a permanent home. The valleys of the Muskingum, the Scioto, the Miami and the Maumee were the chief centers of Indian popu- lation. The tide of Indian warfare had at different times given this region into either the hands of the Algonquins or Iroquois. When the white man first penetrated the Ohio solitudes, he found the Shawnees on the banks of the Scioto, the Wyandots on the San- dusky and the Delawares on the Muskingum. At a little later date, we find Wyandots on the lower Mus- kingum and on the Hock-Hocking. It seems that a portion of the Sandusky Wyandots must have crept through between the Delawares and the Shawnees and made their abode partially in southeastern Ohio. By looking at a map it will be seen that Perry County was in their pathway. The result is that several of the most important "trails" with their tributaries passed through our county. It is certain that Perry County furnished excellent hunting-grounds. Our woods were heavily timbered, our valleys and rocky caverns furnished excellent retreats for game. Our streams were full of fish. There were wild turkeys on Turkey Run, wild pigeons at Pigeon Roost and bears on Bear Run. There were wild ducks at the Great Swamp, while the timid deer placidly slaked his thirst in our brooks or sought the "salt-licks" in the valleys. We can clearly see why the sombre colored native would long to linger in these "happy hunting-grounds making side excursions from the regular beaten "trail." 49

They were no doubt as successful in capturing that "big" fish with a bone hook as our modern Isaac Wal- tons are with the latest improved "tackle." They probably had as big stories to tell, too, when they reached home. As to shooting, our Nimrods with their Winchesters would be put to shame. Buffalo "Trails" --- The first road makers in our country were the buffaloes. Their immense bodies, together with their countless numbers served to beat a path through the forest. Their routes were along the hill-tops and the water divides. The Indian, true to Nature's instinct would doubtless have selected the same course. Whether it was because the road was partially made or for another reason, we do know, that the buffalo and the Indian "trails" are practically the same. There are reasons for this selection and it ap- plies with equal force to both Indian and buffalo. The summits of the divides were the driest. The winds sweeping over them usually left them bare of snow in winter. The hills were not so heavily timbered with undergrowth, and they offered excellent outlooks for an enemy. The Monongahela Trail --- Perry county was traversed by an Indian "trail," however, before the Wyandots. The principal "trail" in the county was the Monongahela of the Shawnees. The Wyandots used it later in part. It connected the Shawnee towns on the Scioto with the Monongahela Valley. It was the war path, or "through" route between the Shaw- nee nation and the nearest settlement of whites, which was in south-eastern Pennsylvania. Many white cap- tives were brought from Pennsylvania through Perry county, to the banks of the Scioto. This "trail" struck the Muskingum at Big Rock, followed that stream till 50

they came to Big Bottoms, near where the town of Stockport now is. At this place the whites built a block-house (1790). The inmates were one day sur- prised and twelve persons massacred. From this place the "trail" crossed the ridges till it struck Wolf's creek, which it followed to its source, which is at Porterville on the boundary between Perry and Morgan counties. Here it followed the "divide" be- tween Jonathan and Sundaycreek and between Rush- creek and Mondaycreek throughout the county. The road now known as the Marietta and Lan- caster is in part located on the old Monongahela Trail. Later it was known as the Wyandot Trail. The Wyandots had a village at Marietta and one at Lan- caster, under the shadow of Mt. Pleasant. When the state surveyed the old Lancaster and Ft. Harmar Road the one made by the Shawnees and Wyandots gave them the most direct route. Shawnee Run Trail --- From this main "trail" there were several subordinates or "loops" that would lead out and then gradually merge back again. Of course the object was to scour the country, more completely. There was one of these tributaries that left the main over in Morgan county somewhere and reached our county in the neighborhood south of Corning, crossed Sundaycreek, went up through Monroe township following the stream known as Indian Creek west to its source, by way of Buckingham and Hemlock, passed through the low "gap" to Shawnee where they had a village. The stream at Shawnee is known as Shawnee Run and the town and stream stand as mon- uments to the redman in Perry county. It is plain why this route was selected. At McCuneville is the old "saltlick" where deer and buffalo were wont to 51

go. The Indian followed them for a two-fold purpose ---to capture them and to get salt for himself. From McCuneville it crossed the ridge, past where the old Stone Church now stands, till they reached Salt Run in Mondaycreek Township. Here was another "salt- lick." Near the source of one of the tributaries of this creek, they had a camping-place among some rocks. The object no doubt was to be close to the "lick" that they might watch for game. At this camping-place may yet be seen their hominy-mill. In a large rock is a hole shaped like an inverted cone. Here they cracked their corn by means of rock pestles. Many a time has the writer when a boy, left the horse standing in the corn row and gone down to this ancient "grist-mill" and in imagination, peopled the little valley with Indian hunters returning from the "lick" with deer slung across the shoulders and squaws sitting on that very rock, preparing corn for their meal of samp. After such flights it was pretty hard to get back again to the prosaic work of plowing corn. From here the trail went across the ridges to the headwaters of Little Mondaycreek, which was fol- lowed to a point below where Maxville now stands. Here are yet evidences of a camping place on the farm of D. Hardy. Crossing the next ridge we find another camp in what is known as Whiskey Hollow. Here they planted their corn and early settlers in Monday- creek remembered when the Indians would come to plant and harvest their crop. From here the trace went over the ridge to one of the tributaries of Rush Creek and then for Lancaster or Tarhytown as the Indians called it. Flint Ridge Trail---This trail left the main route in the neighborhood of Porterville and struck for 52

Flint Ridge in Licking county. It is doubtful if this one touched Perry county. But it was very close to the Muskingum line. It passed through Roseville in Melick's Grove. It may have gone through a part of Madison township for it followed Jonathan's Creek. At Flint Ridge it joined another trail that led from the upper Muskingun to the Scioto. Again we can see why this route was selected. Flint Ridge was the flint quarry for all of the Indians between the Alle- ghenies and the Mississippi, with but a few unim- portant exceptions. Evidences can be seen of their labor on every hand. The flint of this place must have been of superior quality for arrow-making, for specimens of Flint-Ridge arrows have been found as far south as Tennessee. The flint forms the cap- rock of a hill for a distance of ten miles and almost its entire length is scarred with the trenches and pits left by the ancient diggers, Scioto-Beaver Trail --- Another " trail " passed through Perry county. It was the Scioto-Beaver, in the northern part, just south of Buckeye Lake. No doubt Christopher Gist on his first trip through Ohio went over this trail. The townships of Thorn and Hopewell were the scenes of considerable activity among the "Children of the Forest." Stone imple- ments, arrow-heads and amulets have been found in great numbers. Moxahala Trail---This trail crossed the Muskin- gum at Zanesville and made its way through the coun- ty, by Sego, Somerset and Rushville to Lancaster. Zane's Trace approximately followed this pathway. It was however not well defined. The Indian hunter leaving the established beat would naturally take the high ridge between Jonathan and Rushcreek. It must 53

be regarded as a loop from the main Scioto-Beaver Trail. Jonathan's Creek or better the Moxahala was favorite grounds for the Indian hunter. The fact that it ploughs its way through limestone and offers frequent fording places, may be one reason for mak- ing it the crossing of the numerous trails. The Indian name "Moxahala" means "Elk's Horn." Look at your map and see why they called it by that name. We can also see why the Jonathan of Judge Spencer's "Legend of the Moxahala" built his rude cave on this creek. The intersection of the trails afforded him excellent opportunity to wreak his vengeance for the murder of wife and little ones. The story as told by Mr. Spencer is this: A man living with his family on Otsego Lake in the east, was at- tacked by the Indians. His wife and children were massacred, his house burned and he himself severely wounded. After recovering from his wounds, he set out for the west with the fire of revenge burning fiercely in his bosom. He vowed to kill every Indian he could. On the Moxahala in Madison township he built his hut among the limestones ledges and here with only his faithful dog he watched for the red man from his hiding place. He was discovered and his tragic death is beautifully told by Mr. Spencer in the "THE LAST CONFLICT." The sun had set; the crescent moon With halo wan had followed soon; And Moxahala shadowed o'er By Buckeye, beech and sycamore, Flow'd gurgling 'neath the gloom of night; And 'tween the leaves and rippled light, Look'd, trembling, here and there a gleam Of starlight on the dimpling stream. 54

With piercing glance and noiseless tread, Quick from his hut the hunter fled, (While Don, as stealthful, keeping nigh Glared fiercely round with savage eye), For having crossed the woody vale. He came upon an Indian trail. And all his deadly peril felt; Well did he know the place he dwelt Was sought by Indians far and near--- To wreak revenge---for many a year. The Shawnee chief had tracked the bear, At last, e'en to his hidden lair. And, stealing from the bosky glen With half a hundred ruthless men. Before 'twas his the foe to take, He mentally burned him at the stake For many a murdered warrior's sake. The red men, feeling sure the prey Was in his fastness brought to bay, Closed round the hut on every side; And some the fiery brand applied, While others, yelling, turn'd to bind The dreadful foe they sought to find, And rush'd within with tiger-bound--- But, lo! no captive there they found. Hark! ringing on the midnight breeze Afar 'neath labyrinthian trees, A rifle shrieks with sulphurous breath Sending its message dire with death--- The Shawnee chief with dying whoop Falls, quivering, midst the motly group. Ha! now amazement dumb appals--- A sharp report,---another falls--- O pale-face Chief, away! away! Loud, fierce, resounds the deep-voiced bay Of ghoulish forms, a horrid pack, That, howling, bound upon your track With bow and spear, and gun and knife, And tomahawk to take your life! 55

Away---away---go, seek the cave Where oft before, your life to save, With mystery deep, you did elude The hordes that at your back pursued. Ah, hark! They come with sounding tread And whoops that echo wild and dread! Dewy, and fragrant breath'd and pale, Came morn, with wakening voice of bird And bee, and cool leaf-stirring gale, And squirrel's chirp, mid branches heard. 'Twas on a hillside's bluffy edge, Where rocks stuck out with mossy ledge, Where wavy-scalloped ferns between The fissured rocks grew rich and green. And delicate flowers to us unknown Save---hid from man---in forests lone, Bloom'd 'neath the trees that, arching high, Shut out the azure summer sky. Where ivy wild and grapevines clung To drooping shrubs that overhung The lichen'd rocks and shady ground, Beneath the ledge a passage wound, That, to a cavern dark and small, Led through a jagged, narrow hall. There Jonathan the night before Escaped the Indians in his flight; He seem'd to vanish---be no more! And they---with awe and sore affright And superstitious fancy fraught Deem'd 'twas a demon they had fought, And hied them homeward full of thought. But Jonathan lay cold and dead, The cavern-floor his rocky bed; And on his bosom clotted o'er With oozy drops of clottish gore, A ball had left its circle red And in his back an arrow-head, With shaft prortuding, broke in two, 56

Had proved its fatal guidance true. Yes, Jonathan, the pale-face Chief, Had found at last that sweet relief--- Nepenthe for each earthly grief. And e'en o'er him one mourner kept His vigil---yea, and, haply, wept; For think not man alone can know The bliss of love, the pang of woe:- With paws upon his master's breast And plaintive howl of deep unrest, His lonely dog, though all unheard, Implored a look, a loving word, And lick'd his master's cheek and hand, And seemed to vaguely understand His soul was in a happier land." The White Man's Foot---By the Treaty of Green- ville in 1795 the Indians gave up their claim to the land that is now in Perry county and after the year 1800 but few were seen within our boundaries. They were then usually straggling parties who returned to their ancient hunting-grounds as if loath to leave. But the "white man's foot" had come and the days of the "children of the forest" were numbered. "I beheld, too, in that vision All the secrets of the future, Of the distant days that shall be. I beheld the westward marches Of the unknown crowded nations. All the land was full of people, Restless, struggling, toiling, striving, Speaking many tongues, yet feeling, But one heart-beat in their bosoms. In the woodlands rang their 'axes, Smoked their towns in all their valleys, Over all the lakes and rivers Rushed their great canoes of thunder, Then a darker, drearier vision Passed before me, vague and cloud-like; 57

I beheld our nations scattered, All forgetful of my counsels, Weakened, warring with each other; Saw the remnants of our people Sweeping westward, wild and woeful, Like the cloud-rack of a tempest, Like the withered leaves of autumn." The Last of his Race---It seems that the very last Indian seen in our county was killed by the white settlers, in the neighborhood of New Lexington, after that village had been laid out. He, it appears, lingered about the place for some time, and when he left was followed by the civilized ( ?) white man, to the vicinity of Brier Ridge, at the T. & O. C. Tunnel, where he was shot. It might be well at this juncture to read Miss Francis' "Lone Indian" which we used to read at school out of the McGuffey Sixth Reader. Treaty of Fort Stanwix---On October 27, 1784, a treaty was concluded, at Fort Stanwix, New York, with the sachems and the warriors of the Mohawks, Onondagas, Senecas, Cayugas, 0neidas, and the Tus- carawas. The Six Nations here ceded to the Colonial government all their claims to land in Ohio. General Lafayette was present at this treaty. 58

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