Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-05-25

! from Connecticut and settled in the
next town north of Vernon, he own
| ing the whole township, which was
named after him. He was truly a
benefactor to the new settlers, render
I ing them every assistance possible,
sending his teams to Pittsburgh to
proeure the necessaries of life which
/ they could not obtain from any other
source. They were in great need of
clothing; no cloth of any kind could
be got without paying extreme high
prices. and they had not the means
to buy. The men soon learned from
the Indians the art OF tanning deer
skins, of which they made pants and
moccasins, the women also making
themselves short gowns and petit
coats of the same material, which was
very serviceable but not ornamental.
The deer were very plenty for several
years. 1t was not uncommon to get
out before sunrise, kill a deer, and
have some of the freshmeat for break
fast. They were tame through the
winter months, would often come and
lie down beside our cabin in the night,
but would leave as soOn as daylight.
One morning l was awakened by an
unusual noise, and locking up saw
buck, with very large horns. He had
reared his fore feet upon the logs of
the cabin, pushed in the window
board, thrust his head in part way
taking a view of things inside. was
frightened and gave the alarm, but
he escaped uDhurt. Ihave frequent
ly seen them in the yard, eating hay
with out cattle, but they would bound
off at the least noise. The wolves
were very numerous, and at times
dangerous, often attacking man and
beast. 1t was almost impossible to
keep sheep; the wolves would des-
troy them. The bears would make
FREQUENT visits to the new settlers. l
have seen bear take up good sized
hog in his arms and walk off with it
on his hind feet. 1t was dangerous to
attack a bear when he was hungry.
The health of the people had been
remarkably good up to 1906 and 1907,
when fever and ague, in its worst
form. visited every family, causing
some deaths and much suffering
There were not well ones enough to
take care of the sick, which was very
severe on the new settlers. My faith
er having to sell his farm to pay the
expenses incurred, he bought a farm
one mile and half north of the CEN
ter of Vernon and commenced anew,
clearing his land and raising tobacco,
manufacturing it himself, and with
the proceeds paid for his farm. The
new corners were placed, many tunes,
in very trying circumstances, often
having to resort TO experiments. L
will relate one incident:
In the year 1909. or 1910, Samuel
Tuttle of Connecticut moved into the
town north of Kinsman; soon after
Zadoc Steel, also from Connecticut,
moved into the town, next north of
Tuttle's, and visited him frequently,
his dog always going for company
Some time in that year Mr.. SteePs
wife was taken violently sick. Here
was q dilemma. He could not leave
her, and his nearest neighbor was
Tuttle, six miles distant. What
should he do? He thought a moment
then wrote a few words, secured it
around the dogs neck, took him to
the road, and pointing toward Tuttle's
told him to go, the dog started off on
the run, arriving there almost out of
breath. Tuttle was alarmed, and see
ing something around the dogs neck
examined it, and found a request to
90 for the doctor. He rode to Kins-
man, six miles; for Doctor Peter Al
len, who returned with him and arriv-
ed at Mr.. Steel's in time to save the
woman's life. was well acquainted
with all of these men. FOR years al
IeFWard MI. Steel frequently came to
my fathers having with him the same
dog, and l have heard him relate the
fact. The new settlers had hardly re-
covered from the prevailing sickness,
and its sad effects, when the war OF
1872 brought greater trials and worse
suffering if possible. The Indians
left to Join the British forces, except
inga few, who thought too much OF
their white neighbors to leave them.
The surrender of Hull at Detroit caus-
ed a general panic. Orders came for
every man that could handle a mus
ket or pitchfork to march to the from
tier. All that could did go, leaving
their families in sorrow and distress,
expecting daily to be massacred. As
the Indians knew where the white
settlements were and had a premium
on all the scalps they could get, there
was reason to fear. Some moved
away further south, others kept the
harness on their horses day and night,
ready to start at moments warning.
1 did not have my clothes off for
weeks, helping to stand sentinel to
give the first alarm, and thus wespent
many weary days and sleepless nights.
In the midst ofOur troubles provisions
failed, not enough had been raised TO
supply the wants of the people, caus-
ed by the men going to the war, and
the rainy season. In some cases, pota-
toes were dug up, after they had been
planted, to sustain life. My mother
sifted wheat bran to make bread of,
and afterward made bread of the bran.
Ny father succeeded in getting some
Indian meal, paying five dollars a
bushel, and glad to get it for that
That was in the summer of IS13.-
About this time great battle was to
be fought on Lake Erie. All hopes
now centered in the brave and gallant
Perry. Many prayers went up for
him and his little fleet. The greatest
anxiety prevailed. At lepgth tidings
came with shouts of victory, and the
capture of the whole British fleet, the
news flew from cabin to cabin, the
neighbors met to rejoice together; old
men wept for joy, while mothers and
maidens with overfiowing hearts
thanked God for their great deliyerer,
Commodore Perry, a name never to
be forgotten. Few at this day can
realize the worth of that victory as
the new settlers did. After the war
was over settlers came in rapidly, fill
ing up the town around; the people
took new courage and began to pros
per. Some became rich; log cabins
gave way for good frame dwellings,
and general health and prosperity pre-
vailed.
NV parents raised large family
Those that are living have mostly
settled on the Reserve. My dear
mother, of precious memory, passed
away many years ago, to the better
world. My father lived long to suffer,
closing his weary life on the third day
of November, 1866, aged ninety years
and four months, the last one of the
old pioneers of 1900.
u. S. PALMER.
BEDFORD, Guy. Co., O., Apr. 10, 1870.