Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-06-08
PIONEER DAYS In WOOD co.
The Early Struggles 10 Get Footing
aud Conqucr Swamp nnd Forest.

think an uccount Of the trials OF the ear
" settlers Of Wood county is equal in
energy, patience, perseverance, and pluck'
and second TO none in the pages OF history
In tile month Of July, 1874, found my
self n guest Of Jarvis Spafford, the gentle
manly proprietor of the Exchange Hotel
at Perrysburg. l had made the acquaint-
ancc ol his two brcthcrs in Canada--James
and Amos. told them intended TO set
tie in the States, and had n letter OF in
troduclion to \ family settled on Hull Pra-
rie Wood county, OHIO, They pursuaded
me to deliver the letter in person, that it
was place oi all others the most desirable
for me TO settle in, ex,oling the country |
to the utmost and was situated at the head
oil navigation, only six miles from Perrys-
burg, the county seat Prairie and timber |
was in admirable proportion, soil deep
rich black loan, on clay sub soil, pro-
ducing large returns for the labors OF the
hnsbandman.
Upon James and Amos representation,
we (that is my wife and Charlie, boy ]
brought with me about 16 years old) de
termined TO deliver my letter and see the
promised land. Hence we became the
guests OF Jarvis Spafford. was anxious
to see the land and settle. l had been
idle long enough. From some cause |
could not understand, they could not take
ns ont. On the fouril, day after my arri
val heard Mr.. Spaford say 10 his broth.
er James, II think you can risk it," Risk
what; was there any risk to run in the
six miles drive TO Hull Prairie? We
shall ace. We started at 2 A. N. with
good span of large gray horses and lumber
wagon. / expected we would trot along
and be there in an hour. Vain expecta.
ton Our teamster, J. Spafford, called
our attention TO the different points Of in.
terest; that is the city of Maumec, Fort
Meigs, where the Americans whipped the
British this-what ia the matter with
the wheels, said |, they are full of mud
and will not turn round. Yes, said he, ]
mud was punched out, on we went again,
but before we reached Miltonville, il prac-
tice makes perfect, no better hand for
punching out mud could be found outside
Wood county. Tormonted with flies, reek. {.
ing with sweat, covered with mud, an
hours rest was most welcome to our iaded
!. horses. The arrival of an extra train can
not be compared to the Importance of the
: wagon with passengers in those days
' Messrs. Baird, Fowler, Foot, Whitney and
u II host of others had 10 see the strangers
u that were green enough 10 hunt land oil
Hull Prairie.
10 Mr.. Spafford. who had been there be
'e fore, had to inquire for the best road an,
)" was directed to take the old Findlny rou,
n until he struck the Prairie, then taking al
easterly course we would come in sight @
IT, the house. About 2 p. N. we sarte
De again and struck the Prairie about wher
ie Henry Barnthistle's house now stands
W What sight met our eyesl Our drive
D. announced to us, "ths is the Prairie" !
i lake. a watery waste, steady wind blow
- ing from the west sent the white cappe
'e waves ripping over the waters before IL
yS Is it safe, is 1t deep, is it possible to GRO
ew were questions anxiously asked The col
'es fidence OF our driver restored us as v
Ter went splashIng and surging through Il
eo great deep. No house, no sign Of habit;
a. a. ton could we see We involuntarily e,
ily claimed, Oh solitude, where are Il
ler charms! My wife holding up her feet
keep them out of the water constantly co,
ering the bottom of the old wagon box, Il
yas driver frequently telling us the waters al
es- subsiding, il is not half M bad as they ha'
I'd. it on The Mississippi bottoms. My wi
ry said she was looking for Mount Aror;
,nt NJ y boy said lie was looking for bo;
ng Deer frequently splnshed through Tie W
nj. ters. Their tameness was shocking to n
su- nerves. We Travelled slowly on amid W
is ter, tall grass, mosquitoes, and mud. 7
81 horses plunged forward, down went I
fore wheels; out again; hind wheels +,
of lowed suit, almost throwing us out of /
wagon. What was that, we asked?
G. was ditch last fall. l see no ditch,
ditcn bank. You will, said James, VIII
OF the waters lower; when we get past til
strip of woods we shall come in sight
of the house-a large, cOmmodious looki
log building surrounded by large ponds
,v- water, covered with thick green scum,
:" life to he seen. They are all dead, said
or down will, the agne. had heard a
agne face to face. The welcome we /
ceived was characteristic of the peol
of wherever they were found. None could
more hospitable. The lady remarked
No. Mr. Spafford. the boys will he home so
~ and will then take care of your hors
The boys soon came, two bearded. six fc
Leo boys, came splashing through the wat
calling up the cattle who came bringi
cen clouds of mosquitoes. The introducti
ket over we soon felt at home. / then h
oo time to notice the family, widow Lac
y, two daughters and one son. How sucl,
ie" family conld settle in such n swamp a
the he contenled, was more than could II
the derstand. Patrick, the son, appeared,
will think it good joke and was glad to tlii
"' they hal IL worse on the Mississippi b
10 toms. His companion, John r., v
fall. equally attentive to the comfort of
strangers. Supper over, music IL v
drowned by the hum of the mosqui
What was to be done? 10 enjoy. smud
the you must live in mosquito count
the Small fires were built round the house
,rr, create a smoke TO choke the mosquito.
,' should have no objection TO that II it {
m'y not choke me. II set us all coughing, a
be Patrick remarked between his cough
the fits, tits not half so bad as they have il
len. the Mississippi bottoms. We were thirs
nth, feverish, and the water was from he
,ah. warm and stagnant, unfit for use, but
Pa best 10 he had. We were thankful fl
r is good bed and such rest as the mosquit
,rly would allow us. Morning, breakfast. a
mn / wondered how 20 many good thil
conld be obtained in such n swamp.
must return will, Mr.. Spnlford Not
all. We must stop for n week or two
lin the country, then II yon wish TO ret,
~. Patrick will drive you to town in the W
'"e on. To which we consenieh. How il wa