The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-07-06

main rivers and their respective trib-
defined the first course of
settlements of the Northwest Terri
tory. These settlements were made
in groups for the purpose of mutual
protection against the aggressions OF
Indian savages' who in numerous
tokens or tribes inhabited the coun-
try from the Ohio River to the Lakes.
Exposed points in the inetrior were
fortified against the attacks Of the
Indians by the construction ofbloek
houses, stockades and other means
of defense, where the whole neighbQr-
hood congregated for personal safety
on an alarm that the savages were
coming. Spies were employed by
the settlers who patroled the forests,
and on indications of danger gave
the alarm to the settlers.
THE PIONEERS OF THE NORTHWEST.
OF course the pioneers were the
most venturesoEe and daring men
of the age. With their lives in their
hands they entered into the wilder
ness with a rifle in the one hand and
an az in the other. Generally in the
prime of life, with a remarkably ro-
bust constitution, a hunter from
choice. and a laborer from necessity.
Austere and plain in their manner,
but cautious and ore -secretive
and cunning than the sayages. The
forests abounded in all kinds o game,
from which they derived the means
of subsistence for themselves and
families. Their wants were few and
easily supplied. Wherever they
went, whether to see a neighbor Or
to clear their patches in the woods,
they always had their shot pouches
and trusty rifles near at hand, pre-
pared for any emergency. Such were
somewhat the types of pioneer life,
and by such men the Northwestern
territory was settled and prepared
Jor advancing civilization, which
awaited security in the near future.
These men are gone, except here
and there one who still fingers
among us, like some ancient tree in
the dismantled forest, as a memento
of the past. A few are on the stand
to-day bowed down with age, who in
the course of nature will soon pass
away, and with them the last types
of pioneer life will become extinct.
HIsroRIcAL sKETcH OF PREBLE coUsrsl
The territory which constitutes
Preble County, was originally "a part
of Hamilton county; which contatned
within its limits the western part ol
Ohio, as laid off aud established by
Governor St. Clair and the territori-
al legislature, on the End dayof;Jan-
tuary, 1880, at Fort Washington.
After the country began to settle, the
territorial divisions were from time
to time changed to suit the conven-
fence of the settlers. Out Of the
county of Hamilton the counties Of
Butter, Warren, Montgomery, Preblel
Mama, and many other counties
have been established and the bound.
aries defined, some by the te~rritoria'
legislature, before Ohio was admitted
into the Union, and others after hel
admission, by the State Legislature
The county of Preble was formed
from the counties of Montgomery
and Butler by the State Legislature
March LIST, 1908, and received its
name from Capt. Edward Preble, o
Maine, a naval commander in the
Revolutionary war, and who subse
quently distinguished himselfint tn
war with Tripoli. The legislator,
named the county, and the Commits
%sioners subsequently divided it int
townships and named them as the,
now stand. At the time it was dis
severed from Montgomery county
that portion of it was called Hardin
Township of Montgomery county, ant
some of the old land titles yer S,
acknowledged and recorded befor1
the organization of the county wa
completed. In this connection it i
proper to say it is not to be inferret
that the territory comprising ,thl
county was not settled until after it
establishment by the Legislature, 70
by that time numerous settlement
were made in various parts of tn
county.
THE APPEARANCE Oh PREBLE coUNf
j, IN ITS NATIvE TATE.
| Tho county consists ofan elevate,
: plateau ofland containing 432 sqbar
miles, near the summit level, but o
the southern slope drained byssth
waters emptying into the Ohio Rs
err 1t was originally covered By tai
9 and stately trees, in~terspcrsed by a
, underground common to America
| forests. The timber consists of pop
lar, black and white walnut, OAK
hickory, ash, sugar, beech, wild cher
nv and blackberry. The underground
chiefly consisted of crab apple, DO.
: elder, red bud, spiccwood, hawthorn
: dogwocd, ironwood and paw-paN
e The wild grape vine mounted tn
t tallest trees and its huge lengt
swung to and fro in the breeze. Tn
!, native forest must have been agran
spectacle to the sight Of man. Whe
in full foliage it obscured the rays Q
a the sun from the verdant and ric
soil beneath. The wild pea vine gre
: ~luxuriantiy among the bushes an
afforded a rich pasture. The stream
: being INSTRUCTED in their natlrs
t flow by fallen trees and accumulate
rubbish, spread through the wood
e and inundated the adjoining land
the air was humid and damp whic
! attracted moisture from the cloud
d and stimulated vegetation TN q
sides. In the spring of the yea
when all nature was in bloom, th
e wild panorama was complete. Alon
p all the streams the red bud skirte
the margins and when in bloom pr
sented a beautiful contrast with th
:, green foliage of the adjoining fores