Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1871-02-24
For the Delaware Gazette.l
STRETCHES OF PIONEER LIFE IN
TROY TOWNSHIP.
BY n. MARTIN.

TROY, February, 20, 1871.
ELS. GAZETTE.-From 1872 to 1915,
was a time that tried the nerves OF
the pioneers. 1t was almost impOssi-
BILE for them to raise their crops, for
the woods were full of savages, always
hissed on by the hostile British. They
| had to be guarded while at work, and
when the grain was raised, they must
needs either pound it in a mortar
made out of holIw stump, or shoulder
! it, with their guns, to it carry twenty
or thirty miles to mill. It was then bak-
! ed on board before the fire, and was
the old fashioned Johnny cake. salt
was four dollars and a half pei. pound.
Dishes were not to be had in Delaware.
Joseph Cole sent to Cireleville and
| then had to take all sorts to make out
a set.
The pioneers of Troy township were
about this time greatly alarmed by the
disgracefHl act of Captain Drake. COIN
tain Drake was sent with a company
| of soi diers to guard the frontier. They
I'camped on the Little SciOto river
Drake, who loved money rather than
his honor, here found his courage ooz-
ed away. He explained to his men
that as they were but handful, and
their ammunition was insufficient. with
fearful odds against them, they should
take notice, and if gun was fired ev-
cry man should take to his heels it
should be a signal that the Indians
were at hand. The moon shone clear
and bright; each soldier tied hand
kerchief around his head and lay
down to rest. Drake himself fired the
fearful shot. Every man sprang to
his feet; in obedience to their com mSIh-
der, they ran for the bush and scatter
ed in all directions. The guards post
ed about the camp, suppOsing they
were Indians, discharged their guns
after them, but fortunately did no
harm. Joseph Cole, senior, of Troy.
was there with load of provisions for
the men, and had great difficulty in
holding his frightened horses. By the
time il was discovered to be a false
alarm, the men were gone. Those,
having the moon for their guide, soon
came into Raduor and then into Troy,
spreading the tidings. 1t was suppos-
ed that Drake's men were nearly all
killed and the Indians abroad pursu-
ing, Joseph Coles family gathered
what ar icles they could carry, bury
ing the rest, and fed into Delaware
for safety, their neig hbors following as
the news spread. EIeazor Main, return
ing from a business trip to Virginia,
heard the news at Ciroleville, with the
addition hat many of the peaceful in
habitants were killed. he came on to
Delaware, where he eimmediatelyly en-
listed with the volunteers, and after
hasty visit home to complete arrange
Erie. Having no tents, they spread
their blankets on the wet ground to
sleep, and aWoke in the morning soak
ed through. They were stationed at
Fort Meizs under Gen. Harrison. -
They had arrived just in time. The
garrison had shot away every available
thing even to the log chains. The Brit
ish, having heard that powerful re-
enforcement was at hand, hoisted sail
and made off.
It happened one morning that tSe
guards wished to unload their guns.
Forming in line they fired the volley
right and left, An Indian chief, then
fighting with the Americans, but in
camp on the opposite side Of the Sam
dusky river, heard the mu-ketry.
and Immediately mounted his horse,
swan the river alone to his friends
on hearing the cause of the firing, he
smoked the peace pipe with General
Meigs and retired as he came. Mr.,
Mains term of enlistment expired and
he returned to Troy.
After peace was declared, it was
long before the settlers could raise
much grain, Ou account OF the deer,
turkies, squirrels, &c, that abounded,
Eleazor and Timothy Main once killed
eighty of the latter In one day the
largest days work we have on record.
There were also wildcats and a few
bears, wolves and pauthers. The
Seneca and Mohawk tribes of Indians
were here on their company grounds,
but were no longer to be dreaded,