Chapter II: Introduction

As an actor and interested witness of the marvelous changes which have occurred in the settlement and civilization of the “North-west Territory,” the author places before the reader this book, entitled, “_The Squirrel Hunters of Ohio; or, Glimpses of Pioneer Life_.”

Others have faithfully recorded the wars, bloodshed, victories, defeats, dangers and deaths it cost to subjugate the savage and establish the civilized. And it is as the gleaner follows the reapers and gathers in the wayward straws, that the author hopes to interest and entertain, by picking up some of the fragments, that nothing may be lost which contributed to the elevation, pleasure, subsistence and safety of the pioneer, or added attractiveness to his home during the rise of the first state in the great empire of the North-west.

It is often the little things that become the most important--things the immigrant in old age delights to recall--things that bring up associations and pleasures of former days--“the good old times,” when with dog and gun the pioneer walked the unbroken forest and made himself familiar with the alphabet of beasts, birds and trees.

At the close of the Revolution, the Eastern States were old and prematurely gray, and poverty, bankruptcy and starvation induced the patriotic soldiers to accept pay for their services in unsurveyed wild land in the “North-west Territory.” The new acquisition was lauded as a country flowing with equivalents to “milk and honey,” and would sustain a large population, make delightful homes, and furnish an easily-acquired subsistence.

As soon as the Indian dangers were no longer detrimental, the homeless poor, with guns, ammunition and land certificates, flocked in from all quarters of the world, took possession of the country, and became the progenitors of a great and pre-eminent people--“_The Squirrel Hunters of Ohio_.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAP. I. OHIO--EARLY SETTLEMENT, 1

II. OHIO--EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL, 51

III. OHIO--PROFESSIONS: MEDICAL, MINISTERIAL AND LEGAL, 107

IV. OHIO--HER BEASTS, BIRDS, AND TREES: AIDS TO HIGHER
CIVILIZATION, 166

V. OHIO--HER COACH, CANAL, AND STEAMBOAT ERA, 267

VI. OHIO--HER RAILROAD AND TELEGRAPH ERA, 310

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

FRONTISPIECE.

Home of the Pioneer, 7

This is Freedom! 9

The Gum Tree, 12

Stray Pup, 30

Gamer, 33

Our Cabin, 1821, 37

Ground Hog Club--Certificate of Membership, 58

Ohio School-house from 1796 to 1840, 64

School-house of 1851, in which President Garfield Taught, 92

The Olive Branch, 95

Hunter and Dog, 118

Man of Special Providences, 128

Church, Residence, and Court-house, 131

Public School Building, Pickaway County, O., 1851, 148

A Squirrel Hunter, 171

A Herd of Bison, 174

Camp Red River Hunters, 176

Turkey River, Iowa, 1845, 221

Sequoia Park, 235

Conflict in Pre-emption Claims, 250

Chillicothe Elm, 252

Logan Elm, 253

Map--Lord Dunmore’s Campaign, 256

Monument, Boggs Family, 263

Indian Raid, 264

Spinning Wheel, 275

Canal Era, 1825, 290

Log Cabin Luminary, 292

Ohio Stage Coach, 301

Prairie Schooner, 306

New Passenger Car on the Toledo and Adrian R’y, 1837, 320

Pontoon Bridge over the Ohio River, 337

Governor’s Certificate of Honorable Membership, 343

The Squirrel Hunter’s Discharge, 344

Draft Wheel, 349

* * * * *

THE SQUIRREL HUNTERS OF OHIO; OR, GLIMPSES OF PIONEER LIFE.