Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-07-27

NONICC
rs HEREBY GIVEN to The qualified
Electors Of the village Of Fremont 70 meet AZ the gsu-
Al place Of holding elections theren Saturday, July
2eh 1900 for the purpose Of voting for against the
purchase Of Fort Stephenson by the authorities Of said
BY order Of the Council,
j. r. BARTLETT, Recorder.
To buy or not TO buy. By the above no
tice the electors of this corporation are au-
thorized to decide by their votes for or
against the purchase Of this property by
the corporate authorities of Fremont. That
we think it highly proper, and that il is the
duty of the citizens to 0ote in favor Of the
purchase, we emphatically say YES.
This property, situated on Croghan street,
the second block from Front street, and con-
sisting Of inlots numbers 220, 22l, 24o, 24l,
252 and 25S, is historic ground, Here on
the I'd day Of August, 1918, the gallant
Croghan with his band Of 100 men, with
but one small cannon and limited stock
Of powder defeated the united force of the
British and Indians who surrounded him
by thousands, and achieved the victory of
Fort Stephenson. But one man. of 100,
fell in this conflict while hundreds of the
enemy lay slaughtered about the walls and
in the ditch of the fort.
Col. Croghan was an Irishman by birth,
but when the call for troops to protect our
frontier from the bloody savage and more un-
feeling Briton was made, he rallied the gal
liant young Kentuckiaus among whom he had
made his home, aud with them marched to
the defense of the homes aud fresides Of
the Ohio pioneers. Well and gallantly did
that small band of strong arms and patri-
otto hearts do their duty. Like Caesar,
"they came, they saw, they conquered"
After Croghan's good gun had done its du-
! ty, and the trusty rifles of Kentucky's sons
picked off their officers and chiefs, the
British hurried to their boats and the Ind-
ans fled to the swamps. The glory of this
victory was not less than that of Jackson's
at New Orleans, and history has failed to
render the need of praise due these gallant
men. The results were more advantageous
than those Of any other conflict which took
place during the last war. 1t cleared Ohio
of enemies, and her settlers could then pur-
sue their avocations in undisturbed peace.
1t raised the dropping spirits of our troops
and OF the 10th of the next month the
noble Perry met and captured the British
feet on Lake Erie.
Fort Stephenson is historic ground; it is
the chief historical attribute Of our place
it is an object OF national attraction, sought
for, viewed and revered by every soldier,
and dear to every American citizen. The
picture of its battle forms the frontispiece
in the history of our State, and in all her
wide expanse of hills, valleys, and wide
spreading plains, no spot is so brightly il
Illuminated by deeds of unsurpassed cour-
age and immeasurable patriotism, as this.
On this spot l6o of our countrymen volun-
tarily offered their lives, and by their valor
saved them, and saved the helpless women
and children in Northern Ohio from the
tomahawk and the scalping-knifo of the
savage. They were true men and against
every reasonable hope-at the imminent
risk of death and torture most terrible
they obtained victory, and the ground of
Fort Stephenson drank up the blood of
those whose intention and effort was to
make our soil red with the blood of our
own people. Fort Stephenson should be
hallowed ground to every American citizen,
especially to every inhabitant of our town.
The site of this Fort is now private proper
ty offered for sale, and the question wheth-
er we shall purchase and dedicate it to pat
rioiic and public uses, and preserve it for
the inspection of those whom history in
spires with yeneration for the brave, is now
under discussion.
Fremont has no park which its authori-
ties or people can claim as their own. Not
foot of ground dedicated to the free use
of our people is under their control, Taste,
pleasure, profit, health, convenience, and
above all, patriotism and decent respect
for the opinion Of men everywhere, demand
of us this purchase. No other object or
project now presented for our consideration,
has such Importance upon the future Of our
village, as that of purchasing this spot. Its
elevated and central location, size and form,
are precisely such as true taste would select
for park, where we can with just pride
conduct our visiting friends, enjoy walk;
demonstrate tho enterprise aud patriotism
of our people; and feel that our town
has forever the brightest little historical
gem within the borders of the vast North
west Let US hasten to remove the shame
fuI neglect of this enterprise which now
rests upon us. Duty required it long ago,
and now that is offered on terms most fa-
ycrable, it will be deep disgrace to us
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