The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-09-21
cJohnny APPleseeds Grave
= Fort Wdune
A Receipt for Apple
Trees as Written bu Chapman


apple trees in the wilderness. Small fruits such
as grapes and berries he scattered through the
forests.
Ilanting trees was not the only activity in the
Odyssey of Johnny Appleseed He was always a
welcome visitor in the log cabins of the settlers,
for he always carried Bible and some books
from which he would read and preach to them
as they sat before their blazing freplaces in the
evening
Chapman is said to have been a disciple of
John Swedenborg and certainly he pracnced his
teachings of humility and kindliness He never
killed anything for food. He carried kit OF
cooking utensils including a mush PAN which
he sometimes wore as a hat Usually he wore
a broad-brimmed black hat, but this was about
the only article of clothing in which he bowed
to convention He was clad in ragged shirt
which, loosened about his waist, served also as
travelling bag in which he carried various arti-
ces. He usually wore two or three pairs OF
trousers, one over the other, so that the holes
wouldn't show, and his cloak was a common
gunny sack with holes cut for the head and
sleeves Most of the time he went barefoot in
winter as well as in summer. No wonder the
white men called him "queer!" But the Indians
said: HE has been touched by the Great Spirit"
and he as welcome in their lodges as in
the cabins Of the whites.
This fact made Johnny Appleseed an espe-
cially important figure In the early history Of
the Ohio valley He frequently gave the settlers
warning of Indian raids and in this manner
doubtless saved hundreds Of lives. During the
War Of 1912 when the British and Indians were
overrunning Ohio Johnny repeatedly warned the
Americans Of approaching danger.
At one time the Indians killed man ia Rich
land county and the residents of Mansfield fed
to the blockhouse In the town public square.
The danger Of general massacre seemed immi-
to Mount Vernon, several miles away, and sum-
mon the troops which were stationed there.
Johnny Appleseed volunteered to make his way
through the night for Mount Vernon and arrived
there safely after visiting several cabins en-
route and warning their inhabitants of their dam
ger When he returned to Mansfield 1t was with
a sufficient force to overawe the Indians and
prevent the attack.
Just as there is a variation in the dates as
signed for his BIRTH so do the historians dis
agree as to the date of his death. The Fort
Wayne memorial gives it as 1S43 as does the
tablet on the iron fence which surrounds his
grave in the Archer burying ground near Fort
Wayne. One biographer says the date was
March II, 1915, and another puts it at March II,
1S47-a difference of two years but, at least
they agree on March IL
Whatever the date, it is definitely established
that the place of his death was in the home of
buried in what was known as the Archer
burying ground near that city. For many years
his grave was neglected and it seemed that
Johnny Appleseed was about to be forgotten by
a generation who knew little of his labors In
their behalf. Then in 1912 the Indiana Horti-
cultural society and the Ohio Horticultural
society decided that 1t was time to take action
and save Johnny Appleseed's name and fame
from being utterly lost The burying ground where
no Epo b17& of
his grave was uncertain Pioneer residents Of
the locality were sought out and by piecing
together their stories it was possible to deter
mine the plot of ground which held the dust
Of Johnny Appleseed. So an iron fence was built
around it and on it was placed a tablet, bearing
his name and the date of his death (1S43).
Although Johnny Appleseed has been dead
nearly century, reminders of him Of one sort
or another come to light from time to time.
About ten years ago George w. Hall of Portland,
Ind, while examining abstract, came across
the record of what he believed to have been the
site of Johnny's home in Indiana The land is in
Section 8 of Wabash township In Jay county and
is island In the Wabash river. Visiting
the place. Mr.. Hall found remnants of a cabin.
and near by were several apple and plum trees,
indicating that fruit grower had once lived
there. Through talks with pioneers of that region,
who remembered stories Of the queer character
that had passed through the country planting
apple seeds and distributing small trees among
the settlers, Mr.. Hall believed that he had def
nitely established the connection Of Johnny
Appleseed with this cabin site on the island in
the Wabash.
When the news of his death reached Wash
ington it is said that Gen. Sam Houston, then
a senator from Texas. paid this tribute to him:
"This old man was one of the most useful citi-
zens Of the world In his humble way. He has
made a greater contribution TO our civilization
than we realize. He has left place that can
never be filed. Farewell, dear old eccentric
heart Your labor has been labor of love- and
generations yet unborn win rise up and cali you
blessed"
cby Western Newspaper Union