The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-07-21

Army Post consisting of thirty-five or
forty members was organized at Sparta |
about twenty years ago, which is still |
holding regular meetings though the |
number has been considerably reduced |
since that time by deaths and remov-
ais. They own the lot and building |
in which their meetings are held, and
receive a small rent from one or two |
other societies for the use of the build |
ing for their regular meetings. The |
few veterans still living in the town |
ship have grown old and gray and are
fast nearing the close of life's SER
vice. Another decade of years will
find but few of them to greet each
other; and thus that portion of the
townships population who have passed
through one of the greatest conflicts
ever recorded upon the pages of his
tory, and which in its results has
placed us at the head of the nations In
the world, and establish form of gov
ernment which has become the pride
and glory of the world, will have gone
to their reward, happy in the know
ledge that their work was in a cause
approved of God, and one that has es-
tablished forever the cause of liberty
and freedom from oppression.
To the veteran passing down the
winding paths that lead through the
cool sequested vale of life, where the
shadows are lengthening, the thought
is pleasing one. and can never bring
regret, that when on the long and tire
some marches, and when amid the
storm of war, confronted with death
upon all sides, that he was in the path
Of duty, and his efforts though feeble
helped to swell the great result that
would proclaim liberty to millions of
oppressed beings, and open out the
lark corners, so that civilization and
religion with their benign and efful
gent rays to guide us might soon lead
Us up from a divided people to
union Of states which had been divest-
I'd of the stain of slavery that would
shine forever in the galaxy of fame
far above that of any other nation
Of the earth.
CHAPTER 5.
1t is our purpose in this chapter
to make mention of few incidents
and places of interest, which, while
they may not be directly connected
with the settlement of the township,
are nevertheless worthy of a place in
our sketch, as adding to that part
which the admirer of pioneer lore loves
| 10 dwell upon.
1t may be necessary to say that we
do not wish to be responsible for any
thing given that may not favor of
perfect truth in all respects. What
We give is exactly in the words of des-
| cription given to us, and consequently
we will not enlarge or put upon record
| anything that we have reason to be-
lieve will not bear the test when
| tried in the light of reason and truth
| The trails, mounds, and places men
toned are no myths however, as re-
mains and traces of parts of them are
still visible to the present days: so
that the fact of their existence at an
early day is not matter of doubt,
but a vertable truth. Very much
might be added by way of supposition
and coloring, in giving description Of
| places of interest, but we shall en-
deavor not to go beyond the actual
facts; and if we should err or make any
Misrepresentation, 1t is not done with
the intent to exaggerate, but from
wrong descriptions which have been
left on record, or taught us by those
who pretend to know, or who be be-
| lieved were sufficiently familiar with
| the facts not to give wrong or mislead-
| ing descriptions.
The few pioneer settlers whose
names we make mention of in closing
| our outline sketch of the township,
| were not persons of more than ordin-
airy report, but were people of whom
we have a slight personal knowledge,
| having been familiar with them to
| some extent in our juvenile days, and
| they are a fit representative of the
class of people who first made this
township their home, and who en-
| countered the hardships and tolls nee
essary in new country, with firmness
| and determination, and by their labor
have secured to us the blessings fol-
lowing well directed effort, namely:
Happy homes, and all things necessary
for our comfort and well being.
1t seems to be the common expert
ence of old age, to look back at and
live over again the life which is rap
| idly drawing to a close. Scenes which
have transpired in the dim past, rouses
the curiosity, and the imagination is
busily engaged in picturing images and
surroundings to meet descriptions CIV
en-; and while in these reminiscent
moods, frequently, visions of charac-
ter approaching readily are expert
enced. Youth is always bright with
hope and expectancy" ever looking
forward and grasping after that which
is before them, but as the years glide
by, when having passed over the sum
/ mil he he