The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-03-12
THBOHIO TERRITORY.
BY A. HI. Wilson.
TIE NORTH WEST TERRITORY.

OA - >AA''N
the lake, and from thence follow tn
line of the great lakes through Erie
st Clair, Huron and Superior, to tn
extreme head of the latter, theme
across the portage to the intersection
of said line with the St Cruix river
thence down that stream to its moutl
from thence down the Mississippi t
to the mouth of the Ohio, thence u
the Ohio to the point where the west
ern boundary line of Pennsylvani
crosses, thence on said sline north t
Lake Erie, the perimeter of the vas
region, once named the North ives
Territory will have been passed over
The area of this region is 239,34;
50. miles, being almost twice the ex
tent of England, Scotland and lrelan'
combined, aud when the producliy,
capacity Of the soil and the minera
wealth is considered, this region viii
support more than three times tn,
population of the British islands.
The Northwest territory WIS frs
taken possession of by France ano
comprised portion of the Louisian;
territory, and was ceded to England
in the treaty Of 1853, but was no
vacated by the French traders unit
after the American Revolution, anc
we're finally expelled by the United
States authorities because of theil
tendency TO incite Indian outrages.
By the treaty of Paris, 1888, the
North West territory became part OF
the domain of tho United States, and
at once certain of the States set up
and asserted certain Charter claims.
Prominent among these we're Con
nec,icut, New York and Virginia,
subsequently all of said claims were
waived in favor of the General Gov
ernment, en- terms satisfactory to the
parties Interested.
Immediately after the peace of II
80, the restless and adventurous
spirit of the people began to manifest
itself, and soon the wilderness north
and west of La Belle River was in
vaded by the race of white hunters
and trappers, whose description of the
beauty, as detailed by them, on their
occasional returns the settlements,
spread the feeling OF enterprise and
the desire for possession.
The conquest, however was not an
easy or bloodless one.
The territory was pcopled by fierce
and warning Indian tribes, most prom
inent among which were the Wyan-
dot, Shawnese, Miamis, Mingoes,
and Delawares. These under the
leadership of the celebrated Shawa-
nee chief, Tecumseh, united IN one
confederation to resist the progress
of the whites, and numerous out-rages
and murders were perpetrated by
predatory bands in the years between
the close of the Revolution and the
war of 1912, ending only with the do
feat of the savages and the death of
Tecumsech, at the Thames, Oct. 5,
1914.
This defeat totally destroyed the
federation of the North West tribes
and gave peace and security to the
pioneers.
OHlO j JEhRlIoh1s
The boundaries of Ohio, as fixed
by the enabling act under which it
was admitted to the Union, are as
follows: On the East by Pennsylvania
line and the Ohio River; south, by
the same river to the mouth of the
Great Miami river; west, by line run
mig due north from the mouth of the
Great Miami to the intersection of an
east and west line drawn through the
extremity of Lake Michi-
gan; east on this line until it inter
sects Lake Erie or the territorial line
then by that line to the Pennsylvania
line. The northern boundary was
afterward slightly changed between
the States of Ohio and Michigan.
The longest north and south line
that can be drawn in the state is
210 miles and the longest east and
west line 225 miles and its area 40, 100
square miles.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
In 17S5, the Indian title to a great
portion of the lands within the boun-
daries of Ohio having been e1tin-
guished, congress passed an ordi-
nance authorizing the survey and sale
Of the first seven ranges of townships
ying Immediately west Of Pennsylva-
1ia and north of the Ohio River.
Sales of these lands were lad in New
York, Philadelphia and Pittsburg
to Sl21,540 but no
'urther sales were had until the land
,flice was opened in Stubenville.
OHIO COMPANY.
The Ohio Company of Associates