The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-04-02

baker. Duung the war Of 1872, POme
roy and Mason were both killed, ''bu
Mason sold his life dearly"
[The ''Mr Falley," allowed named
was Major Frederick Falley, who mad,
the first improvements at the head o.
Cold Greek, and who laid out the tow
of Venice in 1S16-17. During the wal
of 1912 he was an army contractor. Al
the time of Hull's surrender he was al
the River Raisin, on his way to Detroit
with drove of cattle for Hull's army
Instead of delivering the cattle to the
British in accordance with the terms ol
Hull's capitulation, he turned them back,
and with asingle Indian assistant hurried
them through the swamp to Lower San.
dusky, and then home. This achieve
ment attracted much public attention
and praise. After the war he was known
for number of years as one of the most
enterprising and successful merchants
in this region, having stores in Erie
County, at Lower SandusEy, Maumee,
River Baisin, and Detroit. In 1850
years ago-Maior Falley was the ora
tor at a meeting of pioneers atSanduslEy
City,
The following December Qs1D Miss
Woodruff was married 10 Capt. Abijah
Baker, owner and commander of the
good sloop Salie. The marriage cere-
mony was performed at Cleveland by
Judge Wright, then a Justice Of the
Peace.
In the winter of 1S11-12 the young
couple moved to Huron River, and were
soon followed by Mr.. WoodrufFs family.
They put up comfortable log houses on
the banks Of the river below the Abbott
settlement, The sloop was fastened to a
tree, and Capt Baker engaged in getting
out timber for Mr.. Russell [Ruggles u
who lived below.
The impending cloud of war hung
heavily over the Western frontier Hull
was collecting his army in Southern
Ohio, Tecumseh and the emmissaries of
Great Britian were busy among the In
dians melting them to acts of hostility,
and the feeling of insecurity was increas-
ing among the pioneers, when, early in
the Spring of 1872, two trappers. Beull
and Gibbs, were murdered by two In
dians at "Ogontz Place, now Sandusky.
Under the circumstances, this murder
caused widespread alarm and excite
ment: A company was Immediately
made up and started in pursuit of the
Indians, who were overtaken within the
limits of the present County of Ottawa,
ihen Indian Territory. They were try
ng to escape in canoe up the Portage
River. One of the Indians-"Johns"-
was hanged at Cleveland, the other
iLemo"- committed suicide.] Captain
Baker was one of the party which cap
,ured the Indian "John."
In June, 1912, Captain Baker fitted
,ut his sloop and set sail from Huron
River for the foot of the rapids of the
River Miami of the Lake (Maumee,) VI
where he expected to obtain load of
lrmy baggage for Detroit, whittier
Hull's army was then marching. His
Young wife accompanied him, ito do
some trading" at Detroit.
As the little vessel entered Maumee
River, the woods on the east bank
seemed to be alive with indians, who,
with hideous whoops and yells, and the
brandishing of weapons caused those on
board much anxiety. Darkness over
5ook the boat when about opposite the
mouth Of Swan Greek, where she was
anchored and lay all night, the Indians
keeping up their hostile demonstrations
ill nearly morning. In the morning,
heir curiosity getting the better of their
iears, and perhaps their Judgment, Cap
ain Baker, Mrs. Baker, and the Cap
aims cousin, John Laland of Norwalk,
anded and examined old Fort Industry.
this old fortifcation they saw
no signs of improvement until they ar
rived at old Fort Miami, at the foot of
the rapids. II am informed by General
Hunt, however, that Peter Navarro had
> house near the mouth of the River, on
the west side.
1t was not far from this point that
they noticed smoldering fires on the
bank, and were afterward informed that
hey were the camp fires of Hull's army,
which had crossed day or two before.
1 had supposed that the entire army had
;rossed at the foot Of the rapids. Pos
dbly, they were Indians camp fires.
It was here, also, that they first learn
ID of the declaration of war against Great
Britain. AS they were about to set sail
IN the morning, they saw small sehoon-
Or coming down the river, and waiting
ill it came alongside, passenger from
The schooner came on board Of the sloop
and gave them the portentious, although
not unexpected, news. This passenger
was DIR. REYNOLDS, q surgeon belonging