Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1906-04-13
fT. MEIGS APPROPRIATION.


act of man alone. Something super
natural must happen before we be-
come an unknown quantity
The Maumee Valley, from Def
ance to the lake, is dotted with his
toric spots, and forms an interesting
chapter in the pathway of progress
OF the whole Northwest Territory,
but at no point is there so much basis
for qualification as at the site of old
Fort Meigs When General Harri-
son was ordered to proceed to the
foot of the Miami of Lake Erie and
drive the British and Indians from
this region, most important step
vas taken towards restoring peace
and security, and opening the door
for the settlement of the vast terri
tory between the Ohio river and the
Great Lakes. Looking backward into
the conditions as they then existed
we wonder that so much could have
been accomplished 1t seems like
dream-like something fianciful and
unreal For years prior to that event
the pioneers were in constant fear of
Indian raids, and never knew at what
point the savages would attack the
| little settlements which then sought
to dominate this part of the country.
With one sweep of the strong arm
of his troops General Harrison sue
ceeded in defeating the united forces
of the British and Indians. New life
and new hope came TO the pioneers,
and their blessings united with the
aspirations of the rising generation
in eXtolling the wonderful achieve
ments of the commander and his pa
triotic followers.
At the site of Fort Meigs are the
remains of many of the brave soldiers
who met with disaster in that short
struggle in the month of May, 1913,
notably those of Col. Dudley's Ken
lucky militiamen who were so cruelty
slaughtered by the Indians in ambush
and after surrender near Ft Mi
ami, across the river.
Almost within the shadow of the
breastworks the traffic of the lakes
was handled for many years, the
largest vessels making regular trips
between Perrysburg and Buffalo, and
thereby supplementing the work of
civilization which the soldiers had
commenced at the beginning of the
century.
War stories, Indian romances, and
pioneer chivalry and daring are in
terwoven into the every day life of
this valley for the last hundred years,
and make up some of the most fasci.
mating chapters of American life
west of the Allegheny mountains. The
Indian romances and trails have be-
come obliterated by the lapse of time
the wigwam is only faint memory
but the achievements of the Ameri
can soldier and the American pioneer
are blazed in imperishable letters
upon the pages of this nations his
| tory, never to be obscured, never to
be forgotten, put always held in es
| TEEN as the works of yalorous band
OF interpid adventurers and hardy,
loyal men and women, who restive in
their environments and ambitions
sought to overcome the dangers and
hardships of the great Northwest
Territory and make the unknown
land blossom like the rose and con
tribute wood and iron and grain for
the sustenance of a nation that is to-
day of worldwide influence.
Stirred with the sense of pride
which such reflections must bring to
every one of our citizens, we are still
| further to be favored. The legisla
ture has made certain the appropria
ton of $4,000 for the purchase Of
Fort Meigs and the erection of suit
able memorial.
In the work of securing this appro
priation Representative Reed anG
Senator Beatty of this county, and
Representative Bassett of Lucas
county, formerly Of Perrysburg, ano
an employe of the Journal office, are
entitled to great credit, and the Jour
nal takes pleasure in assuring these
gentlemen that they will always
have a warm place in the hearts O
our people. They accomplished some
thing which we have wanted fo
many years, and now that our hopes
are about to be realized we feel tha
no small measure of credit should b,
given them, as well as all others VIII,
, worked so zealously and successful
ly in getting us the appropriation.
The Maumee Valley Pioneer asso
clation will have considerable to d.
in regard to acquiring and handling