1807

Nothing of special interest occurred at Cleveland in 1807, except the excitement caused by the murder of Nicksau or Nickshaw. The late Thomas D. Webb, of Warren came here in the fall, and thus describes the town and its society:

“I first saw Cleveland in October, 1807. I put up for a day or two with Major Amos Spafford, who kept a tavern. Having a letter of introduction to Governor Huntington, (then, however, a Judge,) I called at his house, and as he was absent on the circuit of the Supreme Court, I presented it to his wife and induced her to board me for a short time. I remain about three weeks, I think, and then left Cleveland. Gov. Huntington then lived in a log house, standing a little south of Superior street, not far from the site of the American House. He had a frame barn, in size thirty feet by forty, near by.

In his barn-yard. I saw wild turkies for the first time. At that time the family of Governor Huntington was composed of his wife, children, the number I do not recollect, and one female domestic, Patty Ryan, who came with him from Connecticut, another, a Miss Cobb, who also came with him, had returned. All the families on the city or ten acre lots, or the lands adjoining, at the time, that I recollect, and I think that I recollect all, were, Amos Spafford,—–Gilbert, Nathan Perry, Lorenzo Carter, Samuel Huntington, John Walworth, and an Irish family I have forgotten. Samuel Dodge had lived on a ten acre lot, but had at that time taken up his residence at Euclid; other families had resided there also, but at the time I arrived, had removed. There were the remains of some two or three buildings along the bank of the river, one of which I was told had been occupied as a store by a Scotchman, by the name of Alex. Campbell.

“Those buildings were all occupied at that time. When I was at Gov. Huntington’s, there was a social party at his house, so far as I recollect, all females except myself. There were several married ladies, I recollect particularly but two, Mrs. Walworth and Mrs. Huntington. We had all, or nearly all, the young ladies in the place. I think there could not have been more than one absent; those present were she that is now Mrs. Long, Mrs. Mathews, of Painesville, and a daughter of Mr. Carter, afterwards Mrs. Miles and subsequently Mrs. Strong.”What transpired in reference to the demise of Nichshaw, is well set forth in a letter from General Elijah Wadsworth, dated at Canfield, February 5th, 1807, to Judge Huntington, and his reply.

‘Judge Huntington, Cleveland,

“Dear Sir:-Since I last wrote you, we have had information from your quarter that Nickshaw was killed instead of John Mohawk. If this be true, as Mohawk was the one who shot Mr. Diver, ought not Mohawk to be demanded of their chief, and delivered up for trial?’

Elijah Wadsworth.

“Cleveland, February 10th, 1807.

“General Elijah Wadsworth, Canfield,

“Dear Sir:-Yours of the 21st came to hand on Saturday last, and that of the 5th yesterday. I had, previous to the receipt of the first letter, seen Seneca and others of his tribe, also Ogontz and fifteen of his people who came here at the request of Seneca.

“As the deceased was not one of Ogontz’ nation, he said he should not like to lead in obtaining redress, but would be satisfied with what Seneca agreed to.

“Seneca said all he wanted was that the same measure of justice should be dealt out to Indians and white men. He said he was not content to see all the exertions of our civil authority, used against those who had shot the white man while we were asleep, as to the number of an innocent Indian. He concluded by saying, he should be satisfied if both the Indian and the white aggressors, could have a fair and equal trial.

“I gave him assurances that the law would be put in force equally against both, and persuaded him to wait peaceably until the Court should meet at Warren. My expectation was, and still is, that the Court of Common Pleas would issue a Bench warrant for the apprehension of Darrow and Williams.

“It is said the magistrates of Hudson have been deterred by threats, from taking measures to secure the offenders. I hope for the honor of Hudson, that the majority of the people do not countenance such atrocities, and that some of the civil authorities will have firmness enough to put the law in force.

“Mr. Allen Gaylord told me, that the first man who attempted to arrest Darrow and Williams would be shot, and that the constables dare not execute a warrant against them, and that if the Indians wanted war they were ready for them. * * *

“I had also called on Major Carter, who agrees with me that the best way to give the Indians satisfaction is to do them justice, that since our talk with them, there was no immediate danger, and no necessity of a further conference as to what course would be pursued against our offenders. On the same day I saw Seneca again, who said he had been threatened by some Hudson people. He did not wish for war, and would engage to deliver John Mohawk when required to do it, voluntarily, when Darrow and Williams were secured for trial.

‘He and Major Carter and Mr. Campbell agree in their story. They went up to the place where Nickshaw was killed and buried him. There was no appearance on the snow, of a fight or scuffle and no club near. Nichshaw appears to have been shot in the back as he was running, and fell dead in his tracks.

“Seneca observed that the Indians might lie and that white men might lie, but the snow could tell no lies. He is well convinced that it was an unnecessary murder, and is willing it should be ascertained by trial. Under this conviction, justice demands, and our own interests require, that he should be gratified.

“In case it should be necessary to demand the delivery of John Mohawk under the treaty, the regular course is to get affidavits to the necessary facts, transmit them to the Governor, and request him to make the demand. But I believe this to be unnecessary. ** I have no doubt that Seneca will freely deliver John Mohawk, when I assure him that legal steps have been taken against Darrow and Williams. Meanwhile, I think that you may assure your friends, that for the present none of the Seneca nation among us, will harm our citizens and their property.

“I am, sir, respectfully yours,

Sam’l Huntington.”

Seneca, who, according to Mr. Carter’s statement, was a brother of Big Son, is well spoken of by all the early settlers. The late Edward Paine, of Chardon, was the companion of the Stiles family during the dreary and severe winter of 1796-7. After setting forth the conduct and character of the Indians who frequented the Cuyahoga, he says, “That they are capable of disinterested benevolence, and confer favors when none are expected, cannot be doubted by any one acquainted with Seneca, or as his tribe called him, “Stigwanish.” This in English means “Standing Stone.” In him there was the dignity of the Roman, the honesty of Aristides, and the benevolence of Penn. He was never known to ask a donation, but would accept one as he ought, but not suffer it to rest here. An appropriate return was soon to be made. He was so much of a tetotaler as to abjure ardent spirits, since in a drunken spree, he had aimed a blow at his wife with a tomahawk, and split the head of his child which was on her back.” His home was in Seneca county, Ohio, from whom it was probably named. He also came to a violent death in 1816, at the hands of Jacob Ammond, of Holmes county, Ohio. Ammond claims that it was done in self-defence, Seneca having first fired upon him.

During this year the great scheme for opening communication between lake Erie and the Ohio river was put before the public. Resolutions had been offered by Joshua Forman in the New York Legislature, for a survey for a canal to connect Hudson river with lake Erie.

The improvement of the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas was then the great idea, of this part of the country and of Ohio.

It was thought it twelve thousand dollars could by some means be raised, the channels of those streams could be cleared of logs and trees, and the Portage path made passable for loaded wagons. Thus goods night ascend the Cuyahoga in boats to the Old Portage, be hauled seven miles to the Tuscarawas, near New Portage, and thence descend that stream in batteaux. This great object excited so much attention, that the Legislature authorized a lottery to raise the money. A copy of the scheme, and one of the tickets is here given.

Q                                                             No. 11441.

CUYAHOGA AND MUSKINGUM NAVIGATION

THIS ticket entitles the bearer to such Prize as shall be drawn against its number (if called for within twelve months after the drawing is completed,) subject to a deduction of 121/2 per cent. No. 11441.

J. Walworth{Agent for the Board of Commissioners}

SCHEME

OF A

LOTTERY

FOR

IMPROVING THE NAVIGATION

BETWEEN LAKE ERIE AND THE RIVER OHIO, THROUGH THE

CUYAHOGA AND MUSKINGUM.

THE Legislature of the State of Ohio, having at their last Session, granted a Lottery to raise the sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars, for the above mentioned purpose, and appointed the subscribers Commissioners to carry the same into effect-They offer the following SCHEME to the Public.

FIRST CLASS.

12,800 tickets at $5 each ——$64,000

1 prize of—————————$5,000 is————————–$5,000

2 do.———————————–2,500—————————–5,000

5 do.———————————–1,000—————————–5,000

10 do ————————————500—————————–5,000

50 do. ————————————100—————————–5,000

100 do.————————————50—————————–5,000

3400 do———————————–10—————————-34,000

3568                                                                                   $64,000

Prizes subject to a deduction of twelve and a half per cent.

The drawing of the First Class will commence at Cleveland on the first Monday of January, 1808, or as soon as three-fourths of the Tickets shall be sold; and the Prizes will be paid in sixty days after the drawing is completed.

Holders of Tickets, drawing Prizes of Ten Dollars, may, at their election, receive the money, or two Tickets of Five Dollars each in the Second Class.

For the convenience of the owners of fortunate numbers, Persons will be appointed in Boston, Hartford, New York and Albany, to pay Prizes. Their names, together with a list of Prizes, will be published in some Newspaper printed in each of those places, and in three of the Newspaper printed in each of those places, and in three of the Newspapers printed in the State of Ohio. Persons will also be designated to pay Prizes in Zainesville and Steubenville.

The subscribers have taken the Oath and given the Bonds required by Law, for the faithful discharge of their trust, and they flatter themselves that an object of such extensive importance, will not fail to attract the attention and patronage of many, who are not allured by the advantageous prospects held out in the Scheme.

John Walworth, Esq., of Cleveland, is appointed Agent of the Commissioners, to sign the Tickets, and transact the business of the Board in their recess.

Samuel Huntington,                           Zaccheus A. Beatty,

Bezaleel Wells,                                  Lorenzo Carter,

Jonathan Cass,                                   John Shorb,

Seth Adams,                                      James Kingsbury,

Amos Spafford,                                  Turhand Kirtland,

John Walworth,                                  Timothy Doane,

Board of Commissioners

Cleveland, May 23d, 1807.

The drawing never came off. Those who had purchased tickets, many years afterwards received their money back without interest. Leonard Case remembered when he was the sole owner of one of those tickets.

From a receipt of Stephen Oviatt, of Hudson, it also appears that he possessed one, the price of which was $5.00. It read thus:

Hudson 29th Jan’y, 1811.

Received of Heman Oviatt a Ticket of Cuyahoga and Muskingum Lottery, to account with him or the Managers, on or before the Drawing of said Lottery. No. 7775, Letter K.

$5,00.

Stephen Oviatt.

The paper on which the copy of Judge Walworth’s letter is written, is of the old fashioned coarse brown sort, made by hand. It bears the name OHIO, C.B. &. B., in water lines, and was made within the State.

Judge Huntington was elected Governor of Ohio, succeeding Edward Tiffin, who became a member of the United States Senate. Another large draft took place April 2d, 1807, including most of the Company’s land west of the Cuyahoga.