Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-04-06


murder Of two men by the Indians within
sight Of Fort Meigs They had started out
and we're waylaid. He leh the Fort on the
same day after witnessing this, but left by
route not watched by the savages; strik-
inc the trail four or FIVE miles out, and thus
escaping the watching Indians.
In 1918, jeremiah Everett carried the
mail on this route. At that time the trail
had been changed, striking off from the ri
yer between two white oak trees standing
on what was then the upper part of the
Whitaker Reserve, and now being near the
line between James Moores and John L.
Coles farms, some two miles North Of town.
A Mr.. Harris had then settled on Portage
river where the trail crossed, and kept the
mail carrier over night. From two TO four
days, often three, were required to perform
the trip. have heard my father frequently
mention his disagreeable experiences in this
service, being often compelled to camp out
between Maumee and Portage rivers at
night and alone. He told of fallen hollow
Sycamore tree which he used as proteo-
ton on these occasions when the state of
the roads, or accident, prevented him from
reaching Portage river on his return trip,
which frequently happened. If on foot the
mail, and blanket made into pack,
were slung upon his shoulders, with bread
and meat, for the journey. and with a
hatchet and knife in his belt, he would set
out. II on horseback, which the roads per-
mitted only part of the year, more ample
outfit was carried, and grain for the animal.
AT the Sycamore tree, the axe, steel and
flint aided to build him good fire in front
which kept off cold and wolves. The VOLTS
howl near by was familiar music then, and
he has walked in the morning, and found a
path beaten in the snow around him by the
feet of these prowlers. He was always
anxious 10 have a good road from Lower
Sandusky to Fort Meigs, and lived to be
eminently useful and influential in having
one made.
KNAPP's ADVENTURE.
Shortly after the war of 1912 was closed,
Walter Knapp, for speaking disrespectfully
of the British Government, was arrested and
imprisoned in Sandwich, Upper Canada, a
town opposite Detroit The crime charged
to him was punishable by fine, and bis
brother James and Isaac prepared to pay
the fine, and went to Detroit to await the
trial of Walter, pay his fine for him and
bring him away. The court set at Sand
wich at this time, but contrary to usage the
trial of Walter was not brought on, and
court adjourned, leaving him in Jail where
he might stay another year. The brothers
Tar,os ond Teooo tborofo-o roeoIyo1 -, roc
cuing him, for he was badly treated and
might die before trial day. They found
friends enough in Detroit who were willing
to 90 over and assist in the enterprise, but
upon consultation it was thought best for
only two to go over, az that number would
not excite suspicion. At about ten o'clock
at night, Isaac applied to the ferryman for
the use of his Canoe for three hours to 90
to Spring Wells, place on the American
side, but the suspicious Frenchman refused
to let him have it until he promised three
dollars for its use, and left ninety dollars as
pledge for its safe return inside of three
hours. 1t was a good-sized pine canoe,
light and easily propelled.
AT little after 10 o'clock at night, Isaac
Knapp left the American shore at Detroit.
They selected landing place on the Can
ada side under high bank near church,
whose steeple lowered up visible in the
gloomy sky. After landing and securing
their canoe, the brothers proceeded mile
through the streets 10 the Jail, which they
intended to enter with the aid Of saws
through window. All was dark and quiet,
the work at the window was commenced but
little while when the saw broke. They
then tried tho front door of the jail, and
found it locked and immovable, and i'm
pregnable. They then proceeded to the
rear of the Jail yard, which was enclosed
with log pickets twelve feet high, set in the
ground. A strip of scantling was spiked
to the pickets about ten feet from the
ground to hold them parallel at the top
By run and leap they found they could
reach and hold to the scantling. After
throwing over a sledge-hammer which they
anticipated might be necessary for their
purpose, they leaped the pickets, and went
to the back door Of the Jail hall. This door
was not locked. They had learned from
one Nc Donald, tavern keeper in Detroit,
the plan of the jail, and where the jailor
hung the keys. The prison was on one
side of the hall, and the room right oppo-
site the Jail door was occupied by the jnilor
and his family, and behind the door of the
jailor's room hung the prison keys. Walter
was awake, and James went to the prison
door and whispered to his brother, who in
formed him where the keys hung and that
the largest key was the one to his door,
James entered the jailor's apartment into
perfect darkness, and began feeling for the
keys, but was sometime in finding the lar
gest one. Isaac stood in the door of the
room. James, in fumbling for the keys, q
unfortunately knocked large bunch of hea-
W keys from their suspension, which fell
rafting like log chain upon the floor, rous-
ing the jailor, who Instantly sprang to his
feet, and exclaimed 0What in the name of
God is thatg who's here 7" Isaac Knapp, I
guided by the sound, sprang directly in
front of the jaiIor as he stood at the bedside, {
and said in low, determined voice, "Not a {
word sir, we have come for prisoner, we
must have him, and if you utter one word
Of alarm I will dispatch you in momentr'
At this the jailors wife and children were {
certified, but the same command, backed
by the command of the jailor himself to