Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-11-05
TIEE DEVILS HOLE"
Origin or the Name by One OF Har.
IisOn's Men.

During the year 1918 or IA, period
when the Black Swamp WIS yet "Iowl-
ing Wilderness" well covered by water
and occupied by Indians, wolves, bears,
raccoons and wildcats, there was a low,
wet swampy bog, extending from portion
OF Wood county where the Fenton P. O.,
now is, to point in Middleton, lately
known as the Devils Hole Praire-it being
a portion OF country exceedingly difficult
to penetrate owing to the depth of water
and massive growth OF timber, through
which were numerous wIndfal's that served
to render the progress of the pedestrian
very difficult and quite uncertain.
At the time mentioned, Gen. Harrison
came plunging through The wilds OF San
dusky and Wood counties on his march TO
Fort Meigs, and while passing through the
portion Of Wood county near where this
swamp was located, scout, whose name
the writer is not in possession of, while on
the nlert for the terror OF the forest-the
noble red mamie became entangled in
this man trap, and only after days per-
sistent effort did he succeed in finding the
trail Of his brave commander, after which
he soon caught up with the command
Upon being interrogated as to where he
had been, he replied that he had got lost
in the DEVILS HOLE" asserting that he
had truly discovered the home of Satan
and in this trilling manner, talthough un,
dsubtedly appreciated at the time), orig
mated the name SO long attached to VIII.
is now one OF the most prosperous aud pro
life portions of this county; locality lha
has omlgrown its bad name that has beel
change| from bowling wilderness to al
enterpriSing farming community
Time and space iorbids my going back
| and recounIing the rascaiIy formerly per
petrated in that section, only suffice il {,
say that from the year 1880 until 1869
TINT place was noted NJ beng the rendez
Won OF horse thieves aud murauders Of nj
kinds; but a. civilization gradually close,
In on all sides the place gradually improv
ell. Its lands csme into market and were
| purchased mostly by speculators and m /
lew instances 10y actual settlers who fel
the sad need Oisome civilizing and eulghl
ening influence, as also for some enlerpris,
| by which they might more easily uli iz
! their timber, that being their main sourc,
OF obtaining livelihood. They did no
have to wait long. The God-senl came il
the way of saw mill, its proprielors beim,
Geo. Roster and p, ID. Nuel, from SOM
| point in the East. This mi was construct
ed on Il parcel Of land then owned by C. V
Black, then a resident of the place. Thi
mill was established in the fall or winte
OF 1872, the mill being built on parcel q
land lying about 200 yards west of th
present p. o. of Fenton, from which dat
the Devils Hole" (now called Fentor
in honor of its p. o. has grown an,
hourished Her progress and thrift from
then until now has been very rapid, an,
is perhaps unparalleled by any other por
tion of Wood county in the same lengl
of time.
Owing to needed information from citi
zens Of Fenton, am obliged to curtnil hi
sketch. Hoping, however, that all will
remember the change made in the nam
from Devils Hole to that of F nton,
aud trusting that all will give il due oil
servance when mentioning the place,
remain, very truly,
AIIsPIcE