The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1951-05-17


who led the Indians, later related
that it was the most desperate
battle he ever was in-though he
had the advantage of the ground
and the first fire, he lost most of his
men. Half of the Indians were kill
ed or wounded.
Spies On Indians
After that battle Macarthur be-
came a laborer for awhile and in
1893 was chain-bearer for Nathan
iel Massie in the Scioto valley. Then
he was spy against the Indians
along the Ohio River and later
again joined Massie, helping to lay
out Chillicothe.
He studied and learned survey
ing and through it became owner of
much land through which he ac-
quired great wealth-for the times.
Macarthur was born in Dutchess
County, New York, in 1772 and
when eight was taken to Pennsyl-
vania by his parents. They were
very poor people. Duncan still very
young, became a laborer and worked
at it until 1870 when he joined Har-
mars army.
At Hull's Surrender
In 1906 he was a member from
Ross County to the state legislature
In 1906 he was elected colonel and
in 1903 major general of the state
militia. In May, 1872, Macarthur
was commissioned colonel in the
Ohio volunteers and went to Detroit
where himself and his regiment were
included in Hull's surrender. He was
second in command when that un-
fortunate incident occurred.
After his return as paroleo
prisoner of war the Democrats, ir
1912, elected him to Congress. Com
missioned a brigadier general in
March, 1913, Macarthur resigned his
congressional seat to enter active
service in the army.
Macarthur was popular with his
soldiers. Told by General Harrison
to hurry to the border, the whole
second division-S,O0O men-follow-
ed him.
AS soon as Governor Meigs heard
of McArthur's call he personally as
sumed command of all the militia
under arms. Macarthur then went to
the scene of action and soon 5000
more militia were there-mostly
from the Scioto valley. The San.
dusky plains nearly were covered by
his men. Among privates in the
ranks were judges, doctors, lawyers
merchants, preachers, farmers anc
laborers-men of every class anc
station. All were for Macarthur.
One of McArthur's expeditions
into Canada was a 14-day campaign
with $50 troops and 70 Indian;
under his command. At Malcolm''
mill the detachment had brush
with 500 Canadian militia and tool
III prisoners after killing anc
wounding 27. The American Loss
was one man killed and six wound
ed.
Macarthur continued in the service
and was at Detroit when peace was
declared.
Elected to Congress
In 1919 he was elected to the
Legislature. In 1922 he again was
chosen to Congress and was an un.
wavering supporter of "the Ameri.
can system" His sound Judgment
popularity and energetic mind gave
him great influence in Congress and
he became a leader.
After two sessions in Congress
Macarthur declined reelection, left
politics to others and used his time
in attending to private affairs. But
in 1880 he was elected governor of
Ohio by the anti-Jackson party and
on the eve of expiration of his term
again was a candidate for Congress.
In an unfortunate accident in
June, 1880, Macarthur was horribly
bruised and injured. His physical
and mental powers lessened and
finally in a few years the old soldier