their long fast. At Detroit, he astonished the governor by making gunpowder, he hav

ing been shut up in a room with all the materials.

of the people of Kentucky, at that time: sheep were not yet introduced into the country. I slept four nights in the house of one West, with Roone: there were a number of strangers, and he was constantly occupied in answering questions. He had nothing remarkable in his personal appearance. His son, Capt. N. Boone, now an old man, is serving in the 1st regiment United States Dragoons.

The party rendezvoused at the mouth of the Licking, and at the end of the second night got in sight of the town undiscovered. It was determined to await until daylight in the morning before they would make the attack; but by the imprudence of some of the men, whose curiosity exceeded their judgment, the party was discovered by the Indiaus before the officers and men had arrived at the several positions assigned to them. As soon as the alarm was given, a fire commenced on both sides, and was kept up, while the women and children were seen running from cabin to cabin, in the greatest confusion, and collecting in the most central and strongest. At clear day-light it was discovered that Bowman's men were from seventy to one hundred yards from the cabins, in which the Indians had collected, and which they appeared determined to defend. Having no other arms than tomahawks and rifles, it was thought imprudent to attempt to storm strong cabins, well defended by expert warriors. In consequence of the warriors collecting in a few cabins contiguous to each other, the remainder of the town was left unprotected, therefore, while a fire was kept up at the port-holes, which engaged the attention of those within, fire was set to thirty or forty cabins, which were consumed, and a considerable quantity of property, consisting of kettles and blankets, were taken from those cabins. In searching the woods near the town, 133 horses were collected.

About 10 o'clock Bowman and his party commenced their march homeward, after

having nine men killed. What loss the Indians sustained was never known, except Blackfish, their principal chief, who was wounded through the knee. After receiving the wound, Blackfish proposed to surrender, being confident that his wound was dangerous, and believing that there were among the white people surgeons that could cure him, but that none among his own people could do it.

The party had not marched more than eight or ten miles on their return home, before the Indians appeared in considerable force on their rear, and began to press hard upon that quarter. Bowman selected his ground, and formed his men in a square; but the Indians declined a close engagement, only keeping up a scattering fire. It was soon discovered that their object was to retard their march until they could procure reinforcements from the neighboring villages.

As soon as a strong position was taken by Col. Bowman, the Indians retired, and he resumed the line of march, when he was again attacked in the rear. He again formed for battle, and again the Indians retired, and the scene was acted over several times. At length, John Bulger. James Harrod and George Michael Bedinger, with about 100 more mounted on horseback, rushed on the Indian ranks and dispersed them in every direction; after which the Indians abandoned their pursuit. Bowman crossed the Ohio at the mouth of the Little Miami, and after crossing, the men dispersed to their several homes.

After Abdolonymus had been taken from his humble station in life, and made king of

Sidonea, it is said he kept a pair of wooden shoes near his throne, to remind him of his

Former obscurity, and check the pride which power is so apt to engender in the heart of man. The annexed drawing is deemed worthy of preservation, not only as a memento of early times, and serving as a contrast to the present advanced state of improvement, but on account of the historical associations it raises in the memory of the first judicial proceedings and organization of Greene county.

The house, of which the engraving is a correct representation, is yet (1846) standing, five and a half miles west of Xenia, near the Dayton road. It was built by Gen. Benj. Whiteman, a short distance south of the log cabin mill of Owen Davis, on Beaver creek. This mill, the first erected in Greene, was finished in 1798. A short distance east were erected two block-houses, and it was intended, should danger render it necessary, to connect them by a line of pickets, and include the mill within the stockade. This mill was used by the settlers of "the Dutch Station," some thirty miles distant, in the centre of Miami county.

On the 10th of May, 1803, the first court for organizing Greene county was held in this house, then the residence of Peter Borders. Wm. Maxwell, Benj. Whiteman and James Barret were the associate judges, and John Paul, clerk. The first business of the court was to lay off the county into townships, and after transacting some other business, they adjourned until court in course," having been in session one day.

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The First Court for the trial of causes was held in the same house, on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 1803, with the same associate judges, and Francis Dunlavy, presiding judge, and Daniel Simms, prosecuting attorney. And there came a grand jury, to wit: Wm. J. Stewart, foreman, John Wilson, Wm. Buckles, Abrm. Van Eaton, James Snodgrass, John Judy, Evan Morgan, Robt. Marshall, Alex. C. Armstrong, Joseph C. Vance, Joseph Wilson, John Buckhannon, Martin Mendenhall and Harry Martin, who were sworn a grand jury of inquest, for the body of Greene county." After receiving the charge "they

retired out of court;" a circumstance not to be wondered at, as there was but one room in the house. Their place of retirement, or jury room, was a little squat-shaped pole hut, shown on the right of the view.

And now, while their honors, with becoming gravity, are sitting behind a table ready for business, and the grand jury making solemn inquest of crimes committed, the contrast between the state of the county then and at present, naturally presents itself to the mind. Since then, forty-four years ago -a period within the recollection of many of our citizens-and what a change! Then it was almost an entire wilderness-a primeval forest, planted by the hand of nature. The first house in Greene county was built by Daniel Wilson, who is now living near Centerville, Montgomery county. It was raised on the 7th day of April, 1796, about four miles from where Bellbrook has long since been laid out, in Sugarcreek town

ship. In 1798 Thomas Tounsley settled near the falls of Massie's creek, some eight miles from Xenia. The same year James Galloway, Sr., settled on the Little Miami, two miles north of Oldtown. Isaiah and Wm. Garner Sutton erected the first house in Cæsar's Creek township, in 1799, about five miles south of Xenia, near where the Bullskin road crosses Cæsar's creek. Cæsarsville was laid out by T. Carneal, in 1800, and the first house in it was built the year following. It was expected to become the county-seat, but was finally rejected in favor of Xenia. Cæsarsville, at the time of this court, contained a few log-cabins, and so scattered about, miles apart, the traveller might find one of these primitive dwellings sending up its smoke from a mud and stick chimney among the giants of the forest, each cabin with a little patch of a corn-field, thickly dotted over with girdled trees. A bridlepath, or blazed trees, led the traveller from

one to the other. But they were the abodes of contentment, simplicity of manners, whole-hearted hospitality and generosity of soul, which does honor to human nature and gives a charm to existence.

But to return to the court. From a careful examination of the records and other sources of information I cannot learn there was any business for the grand jury when they retired. But they were not permitted to remain idle long: the spectators in attendance promptly took the matter into consideration. They, doubtless, thought it a great pity to have a learned court and nothing for it to do: so they set to and cut out employment for their honors by engaging in divers hard fights at fisticuffs, right on the ground. So it seems our pioneers fought for the benefit of the court. At all events, while their honors were waiting to settle differences according to law, they were making up issues and settling them by trial by combat"-a process by which they avoided the much complained of "law's delay." and incurred no other damages than black eyes and bloody noses, which were regarded as mere trifles, of course. Among the incidents of the day, characteristic of the times, was this: A Mr. from Warren

county, was in attendance. Owen Davis, the owner of the mill, who, by the way, was a brave Indian fighter, as well as a kind-hearted, obliging man, charged this Warren county man with speculating in pork, alias stealing his neighbor's hogs. The insult was resented -a combat took place forthwith, in which Davis proved victorious. He then went into court, and planting himself in front of the judges, he observed, addressing himself

y to one of them, "Well, Ben, whipped that d-d hog-thief-what's the damage-what's to pay?" and thereupon, suiting the action to the word, he drew out his buckskin purse, containing eight or ten dollars, and slammed it down on the tablethen shaking his fist at the judge, whom he addressed, he continued, "Yes, Ben, and if you'd steal a hog, d-n you, I'd whip you, too. He had, doubtless, come to the conclusion, that, as there was a court, the luxury of fighting could not be indulged in gratis, and he was for paying up as he went. Seventeen witnesses were sworn and sent before the grand jury, and nine bills of indictment were found the same day-all for affrays and assaults and batteries committed after the court was organized. To these indictments the parties all pleaded guilty, and were fined-Davis among the rest, who was fined eight dollars for his share in the transactions of the day.

The following is the first entry made on the record after the grand jury retired: "The court then proceeded to examine the several candidates for the surveyor's office, and James Galloway, Jr., being well qualified. was appointed surveyor of said county." On the second day of the term Joseph C. Vance (father of ex-Gov. Vance, of Champaign county) was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for establishing the

seat of justice, who, with David Huston and Joseph Wilson, his securities, entered into a boud, with a penalty of $1500 for the faithful performance of his duties. He surveyed and laid out the town of Xenia (which, by the way, is an old French word, signifying a new-year's gift) the same season, for at the next December term he was allowed "$49.25 for laying off the town of Xenia, finding chainmen, making plots and selling lots.' On the third day of the term Daniel Symmes was allowed twenty dollars for prosecuting in behalf of the State. The presiding judge then left the court, but it was continued by the associate judges for the transaction of county business. In addition to the duties now pertaining to associate judges, they discharged the duties now performed by the board of county commissioners. Archibald Lowry and Griffith Foos were each licensed to keep a tavern in the town of Springfield, on the payment of eight dollars for each license. A license was also granted to Peter Borders to keep a tavern at his house, on the payment of four dollars, "together with all legal fees." So our old loghouse has the honor of having the first learned court held within its rough walls; and, in addition to that, it was, in fact, the first hotel ever licensed in the county in which hog and hominy and new corn whiskey could be had in abundance. Perhaps the court was a little interested in granting the license. Like old Jack Falstaff, they might like to take their own ease in their own inn." James Galloway, Sr., was appointed county treasurer. The court then adjourned, having been in session three days.

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On the 19th day of the same month (August), the associate judges held another court for the transaction of county busines They continued to meet and adjourn from day to day, waiting for the lister of taxable property to return his book, until the 22d, when they made an order, that fifty cents should be paid for each wolf killed within the bounds of the county, and "that the largest block-house should be appropriated to the use of a jail;" and Benjamin Whiteman, Esq., was appointed, in behalf of the county, to contract for repairing it-a decisive mark of civilization. Among the allowances, at_this_term, there was one of six dollars to Joseph C. Vance, for carrying the election returns of Sugar Creek township to Cincinnati; and a like sum to David Huston, for returning the poll-book of Beaver Creek. He afterwards held the office of associate judge twenty-one years, and twice represented Greene county in the State legislature. He lived the life of an honest man-was beloved and respected by all who knew him. He died in 1843. The clerk and sheriff were allowed twenty dollars each for ex-officio fees, and Jacob Shingledecker, nine dollars and fifty cent, for preparing the block-house to serve as a jail-a great perversion from the original design of the building, as it was intended at first to keep unwelcome visitors out, and ended in keeping

unwilling visitors in. It was ordered by the court. that the inhabitants of Mad River township should be exempted from the payment of taxes, or rather, their taxes were reduced two cents on each horse and one cent on each cow. The reason assigned for this favor was "for erecting public buildings." As we have seen no public buildings yet but the two block-houses, and the one which figures at the head of this communication, the reader would, doubtless, be much surprised that the erection of these should be deemed sufficiently meritorious as, in part, to exempt the inhabitants from the payment of taxes. But these public buildings were situated in Cincinnati. We apprehend that but few of our citizens are aware of the fact, that the first settlers in this county contributed to the erection of public buildings in Cincinnati-the old stone court-house, we suppose, which was burnt down while used as barracks in time of the last war, and the hewed log jail which stood on the north side of the public square.

The first supreme court was held in the same house, on the 25th day of October, 1803, by their honors Samuel Huntingdon and Wm. Spriggs, judges; William Maxwell, sheriff, John Paul, clerk, and Arthur St. Clair, Esq., of Cincinnati, prosecuting attorney. Richard Thomas was admitted an attorney and counsellor at law. Nothing more was done, and the court adjourned the same day.

At the November term of the court of common pleas, the first thing was to arraign Thomas Davis, a justice of the peace, for misconduct in office. He pleaded guilty, was fined one dollar, and ordered, in the language of the record, "to stand committed until performance. But what the misconduct was for which he was fined, the record sayeth not; neither is it known whether he raised the dollar, or was made familiar with the inside of the block-house. On the first day of this term, the Rev. Robert Armstrong received a license to solemnize the rites of matrimony. He and the Rev. Andrew Fulton were sent, by the general associate synod of Scotland, as missionaries to Kentucky, and arrived at Maysville, in 1798; but, not liking the institution of slavery, Mr. Fulton went to the neighborhood where South Hanover now is, Indiana, and Mr. Armstrong came to Greene county, Ohio. This was the commencement of the Seceder denomination in this county. From this small beginning it has become the most numerous, perhaps, of any other in the county. They form a large portion of an orderly, law-abiding and industrious population strict in observing the Sabbath and in discharge of their religious duties, and correct in moral conduct. They are mostly farmers, in independent circumstances. Armstrong was a small man, of vast learning, with the simplicity, in some things, of a child. An anecdote is told of his being at a log-rolling, assisting to carry a log, and having but a few inches of handspike, the weight

Mr.

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of it resting mostly on him. The person with whom he was lifting, seeing his situation, said, "Stop, Mr. Armstrong-let me give you more handspike.' No," said the Rev. gentleman, no more stick for me; I have already as much as I can carry. He was universally esteemed and respected. He died in 1818. He brought a very large library of books with him, and was very liberal in lending them. To this circumstance, perhaps, may be attributed the fact, that more books have been sold and read in this county than in any other of the same population in the State.

At this term, in the case of Wm. Orr vs. Peter Borders, leave was given to amend the declaration, on payment of costs-an indication that some attention began to be paid to special pleading. The first civil case that was tried by a jury was that of Wallingsford vs. Vandolah. A verdict was rendered for the plaintiff of twenty-four cents, upon which he paid the jury and constable fees."

At the December term of the common pleas four cases of assault and battery were tried by jury, which took up the first day. The day following, this entry was made: William Chipman vs. Henry Storm, "judgment confessed for one cent damages and costs." But such is the imperfect manner in which the records were kept, that it is impossible to ascertain what the subject matter of the controversy was in which such heavy damages were admitted. The court decided that the fee paid to the State's attorney, at the August term, was illegal, and should be refunded. This was the result of 'sober second thoughts" of the court about that twenty dollar fee, for which the attorney came from Cincinnati, more than fifty miles, through the woods, and drew nine bills of indictment and attended to the cases. At this term Andrew Read, an early settler near where the beautiful village of Fairfield now is, took his seat on the bench as associate judge, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the election of William Maxwell to the office of sheriff. The first view and survey of a new road route was granted at this term. It was to commence at Springfield, pass the Yellow spring and intersect the Pinkney road near Isaac Morgan's. Wm. Maxwell, Lewis Davis and Thomas Tounsley were appointed viewers, and James Galloway, Jun., surveyor. So our fellowcitizen, Maj. Galloway, was the first county surveyor, surveyed the first road by order of the court and afterwards made a map of the county, in its present metes and bounds, showing all the surveys and sections of the land, with their divisions and subdivisions into tracts. Tavern licenses were granted to Thomas Fream, William Moore, and James M'Pherson to keep taverns in their houses for one year, and so ended the term.

The June term of 1804 was the last court ever held in the old log-house. It was composed of the same judges, clerk and sheriff, with Arthur St. Clair, Esq., of Cincinnati. prosecuting attorney. The writer of this has been informed he wore a cocked hat and a