in 1858 were W. J. Peck and John T. Bower, and for 1859 and 1860, Isaac Newton, assisted by P. B. Lewis, at which date Greenville was made a station with an appointment at Coleville. From this date, the history of Methodism will be found continued in city and township record. It was but justice to enroll the names of those circuit riders. What a life was theirs; uncertain one year of their field of labor the next. A pair of saddle-bags contained their wardrobe and their library. Long journeys were made to meet appointments. All honor to these men, though they have gone from us, their memories are preserved in the ennobling influences created and fostered by their faithful instructions.

The Darke County charge of the German Reformed Church presents its first record in reference to a meeting held at Beamsville Aug. 6, 1853, at which five congregations were represented, viz.: Zion, five miles west of Greenville; St. John's, in German Township; beside Zoar, Beamsville and Gettysburg. At this meeting, Jesse Prugh was President; John L. Darner, Secretary; and Philip Hartzell and Jesse Prugh, delegates to synod and classis. A new charge was designed at Greenville, and the different congregations pledged $131 for the support of a minister, and Indian Creek congregation was put down for $25, the sum they were supposed willing to contribute. At the next annual meeting, Zoar and Zion only were represented. Another year elapsed, and the joint consistories of the county met at St. John's Church, when the resignation of Rev. J. D. Colliflower was tendered and accepted, and a committee appointed to procure another minister. Meeting again on July 24, these same congregations extended a call to Rev. J. McConnell, and pledged $185 to his support. The call was not accepted; Mr. Prugh was re-elected President, and Mr. Hartzell was chosen Secretary. Aug. 23, 1856, these congregations were represented at a meeting held at Clayton, Miami Co., Ohio. The same person was continued as Secretary, and John Nicodemus elected Treasurer. Delegates were chosen to attend the meetings of the Synod. The consistory of Zion's congregation desiring to withdraw from the charge, the request was assented to on condition of a donation of $50 to supply the deficiency caused by their retiring. Meantime, Rev. I. M. Lefevre had accepted a call to preach, and a meeting was called for August 23, 1857, at the house of Levi Rahn, in the limits of the Gettysburg congregation, at which Zoar and Beamsville met the local consistory and chose for officers J. L. Darner, Vice President; Secretary, the same as before; G. W. Cromer, Treasurer; Jesse Prugh and William Aspinwall, elected delegates to Synod and classis. The Missionary Board was asked for $50 for one year, to support minister, in addition to $175 pledged by the members. Again they met a year later, continued the same officers, and, as an illustration of the poverty but willing spirit prevailing, a deficit of the Pastor's salary was reported and a pledge made of $160 for the coming year. It was then Resolved, That the Pastor preach a missionary sermon in each congregation of this charge, and at the same time take up a collection for domestic missions." In 1859, Beamsville, Zoar and Gettysburg met at Clayton, Ohio. elected officers and appointed a committee to extend an invitation to Rev. J. Weaver to visit the charge with a view of securing him as Pastor. The Darke County charge, of which these records are given, has ceased to be known as such. By an action of classes in the fall of 1861, the Zoar congregation became attached to the St. Paris' charge, and the Beamsville and Creager's (Gettysburg) to the Dallas charge in 1862, thereby dissolving the charge. This action was preparatory to starting an interest in the town of Greenville, so long neglected, and the formation of what was thereafter to be known as the Greenville charge. The hardships and discouraging vicissitudes incident to a new country, have been experienced by the different denominations; although the record has not been in all accessible, yet no distinction need be made, since originators, members and ministers have been heroic and undaunted in building up the present elevating and advancing interest in things spiritual and eternal, and furthering the cause of the Master.

The first Sabbath school in the county was organized early in 1834, in what was afterward sometimes called "Scribner's white house," wherein Harrison made a treaty with the Indians. The school began with an enrollment of but eleven persons, including officers, teachers and pupils, and that it was non-sectarian is proved by the association in this work of Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists. In the spring, sixteen accessions were chronicled, and within three years the number had increased to fully one hundred and fifty more. The school was then discontinued, and each denomination that had sufficient pupils organized a school of its own. The first Superintendent was William Barrett, a Methodist. The first Secretary was Herman Searles, a Congregationalist, and the pioneer teachers of classes were Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Sexton, Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. Barrett and Miss Evaline Dorsey.

Educational advantages in town and county were for many years quite limited. There were a few rude schoolhouses widely scattered, and these were occupied three months of each winter by teachers whose qualifications better adapted them for burning brick than solving problems in mathematics, and, consequently, there was little learned. Schools were taught by subscriptions. Settlers built houses as they were needed. Taxes came as a result of the practical defeat of a law which appropriated public lands for school funds. Many of these sections were at the time worthless, and, such as were of value being sold, the proceeds were squandered. The work was in private hands, there was no test of ability or qualification, and not till 1821 was the first general school law found in the statutes. There were no school districts, nor public funds, special or tuition. Every one paid for the instruction of his own children.

Many settlers had large families as many as ten children were found in a single cabin-and, to provide for the future of these young people, the parents came to this county. There was always work to be done, and the services of all hands were needed; it was only during the winter months that schools could be attended. At these, only the elementary branches were taught, and the predominant idea of the schoolmaster was discipline first, learning afterward. No grammar nor geography were taught. Few studied arithmetic, and these did not proceed much beyond the rudiments; and when, at length, grammar was introduced, such pupils were thought well advanced. In any locality, whenever sufficient families had moved in to form a school, the settlers stood ready to build a house and engage a teacher. Tall, strapping youths attended school, and the master had need of decision and courage as well as method and erudition. It was customary for the person applying for the school to call upon the parties within sending distance and canvass for scholars. If enough were secured, school opened. An illustration of the old-time method is given as follows: About the year 1815, a man came into the Rush neighborhood and offered his services as teacher. The settlers located along Mud Creek, West Branch and Bridge Creek talked the matter over, and concluded to employ him. It was a light labor for all to turn out with axes, handspikes and oxen, upon a day appointed, to chop and draw logs to a chosen site, for the purpose of putting up a schoolhouse. The location was near Rush Fort, on Mud Creek. While some put up round logs, notched down, one layer upon another, until they were of sufficient elevation to form a story, split clapboards for the roof, chamber floor and door, and puncheons for the floor, others drew stone for the fireplace and prepared sticks and mud for the chimney. The floor being laid, next came desks and seats. Large holes were bored in a log on each side of the room, wooden pins were driven in, and a slab or unplaned plank laid on these pins. For seats, holes were bored in puncheons and legs driven in, two at each end. Windows were made by cutting out a log nearly the whole length of the house, leaving a hole a foot wide. Into this was filled a sort of lattice work of sticks, and upon this greased paper was pasted to transmit the light. Such was the schoolhouse of sixty-five years ago. It was not much of a structure, but there was no great contrast between it and the homes of its builders. There was

no lack of ventilation, and the wood was not too long for the fire-place. School opened in charge of W. H. Jones, of whom mention has been made in a previous chapter, his services having been secured at a salary of $7 per month. He was severe and exacting; punishments were the order of the day. Whispering and other indiscretions subjected the offender to blows with a ferule upon the palm of the hand; and so freely did Mr. Jones administer chastisement, that the patrons were obliged to request him to moderate his punishment, as the hands of their boys were so sore from repeated feruling that they were unable to use the ax. It was a species of torture to strike the tips of the gathered fingers with the ferule, and this was disapproved by the settlers, indurated to rough usages as they were. Only two branches of education were taught-reading and writing. The example of this neighborhood was contagious, and soon a house was built near the place of David Studabaker, and a man named Montgomery was hired as teacher. Gradually schoolhouses became more numerous, and the demand for teachers in some measure induced a supply. Summer schools were rare. Females made no application till an adventurous woman, named Anna Boleyn, attempted a three-months term during the summer of 1825, but quit in disgust before the expiration of that time. Despite liberal provisions favorable to education, little had been done up to 1838 toward perfecting a system of common schools, the result of the scanty means and constant toil incident to pioneer life. No inconsiderable portion of early history is that which treats of marriage customs, first births in the county, deaths and cemeteries.

The arrival of a family occasioned eager inquiry by young men as to whether there were any marriageable daughters of the number. The demand was in excess of the supply. The same maiden had sometimes several suitors; this involved the delicate matter of rejection as well as of choice. Sometimes the girls were betrothed before leaving home, and a knowledge of this fact caused disappointment. For a long time after the first settlement of the county, the people generally married young. The parties differed little in fortune, and none in rank. First impressions of love resulted in marriage and a family establishment cost only a little labor. Weddings occupied the attention of the entire neighborhood, and the event was an hilarious occasion, anticipated by old and young. This is readily understood when it is considered that a wedding was almost the only gathering not accompanied by labor. The marriage ceremony was arranged to take place before dinner, which was a substantial feast of beer, pork, fowls, and sometimes venison and bear meat, roasted and boiled, with abundance of potatoes and other vegetables. Dinner was free from formality, and a time for mirth and enjoyment. There was dancing after dinner. "The figures of the dances were three and four handed reels or square sets and jigs. The commencement was always a square four, which was followed by what was called jigging it off; that is, two of the four would single out for a jig, and were followed by the remaining couple. The jigs were often accompanied with what was called cutting out, that is, when either of the parties became tired of the dance, on intimation the place was supplied by some one of the company without any interruption of the dance. In this way the amusement was often continued till the musician was heartily tired of his situation." Among marriages in pioneer days, was that of Ullry to his brother's widow; they had lived together some time during the inoperative period before the election of justices, and when a justice was chosen, they were legally married. In a spirit of joviality a party of young people being resolved to have a marriage, seized upon a man named Israel Wertz and fitted him out with a suit. One of the party furnished leggins, another some other article of dress until he was properly clothed, and then calling upon a woman named Jane Dugan, asked her if she was willing to marry Wertz. She replied affirmatively, and they all started for the house of Alexander Smith, a Justice of the Peace who lived east of Greenville. Wertz repented and broke away, upon which a dog was set after him, and he was caught and held. The ceremony was then performed,

and the twain thus singularly made one lived many years together happily and both finally died of old age.

Instances of seduction and bastardy were rare, and could not take place without great danger from the brothers or other relatives of the injured party, as family honor was highly estimated. Divorce was accounted dishonorable, and was seldom a resort. The statistical reports for 1877 give, of marriages that year, in Darke, 334; suits for divorce pending, 23; brought within the year, 41-total, 64. Brought by husband, 26; wife, 38. Principal causes were, absence, neglect, incontinence and cruelty.

The burial customs of sixty years ago differed much from those of to-day. When a death occurred, neighbors would call in, take the measure of the body, and procure a plain coffin, at a cost rarely exceeding $5. A neighbor possessed of a team brought the coffin to the house and conveyed the body to the grave. Ruder sepulture was not infrequent. No costly shaft marked the spot where their dust reposes, but plain head-board. Cemeteries were known as graveyards, and some families had a burial plat of their own, as the Sumptions. We close by a brief extract from the record of what is known as the Old Graveyard, at Greenville, which was deeded by John and Margaret Devor to the Trustees of the M. E. Church, July 15, 1818. The deed is recorded in Book A 1, R. 74, and the bounds are as follows: Southeast by Water street, and running along the said street eight poles and fourteen poles, to the rear, so as to include the burying-ground at the north end of town, and to contain 112 square rods-excepting two square rods, to be used as a burying-ground by each and every person who has heretofore occupied any part of said lots for that purpose." The conveyance was a dona

tion, since the consideration was $1. The grounds were laid out, fenced and left to be populated as the wearied and worn here “laid themselves down in their last sleep.'

DARKE

COUNTY IN 1840-CELEBRATION—COMMEMORATION-MASS MEETING AT

GREENVILLE.

It was during the period of heated political debate that Greenville and Darke County began to emerge from the gloom and obscurity of nature, where they had lain from time unknown, and to aspire for place among older and sister counties of the State. You glance over her townships, and you find them thickly settled still. You find that in ten years her population has more than doubled. The 6,204 of 1830 has now become 13,145, or twenty inhabitants to the square mile. Of its eighteen townships, Greenville leads, with a population of 1,851. Four others, Harrison, German, Butler and Twin, have over 1,000 each, while Mississinewa enumerated but 124. Greenville, the county seat, contained four churches, sixteen mercantile stores, a flouring-mill, a printing office and about 800 inhabitants. The lands wear a wild look. There is an abundance of fine poplar, walnut, blue ash, beech, hickory and sugar maple. It has won a reputation for the production of excellent wheat, and is reputed to be well adapted to grazing. The woods still abound in game. The heavy timber stretches almost unbroken for miles, not alone over the low and swampy but along the higher lands. Cattle range at will through the woods, and the swine run wild and savage in droves. Land ranges in value, from the Government price, to $12 per acre, the latter for improved farms. Soil, relieved of heavier growth, sustained rank and luxuriant grasses, while furnishing but scant supply of wheat and other grains. The old cry of milk sickness and fevers was now changed, and it was said of Darke County that its chief products were "pumpkins and hoop poles," and in this there was much of truth, especially in regard to hoop-poles, since, at this date, they were the only article of export. During the winter, the principal employment of farmers was wagoning these hooppoles to Germantown, Middletown, Lewisburg and other markets, and by this means they were enabled to measurably supply themselves with salt, groceries,

leather and other necessaries. This supplied the county with ready money that would otherwise have been badly missed. Away now in the past the county seat was seen, with a population of about three hundred, many of those were poor, and had hard scratching to get a living. There were two stores, a blacksmith-shop and a whisky-shop, two doctors' offices, an antiquated brick court house in a spacious public square, a brick jail, a single ordinary frame church building, and a small log schoolhouse. There were a few respectable looking private dwellings, but most of the houses were shabby and were widely scattered, south and southeast of the square. The streets were more nominal than real; the nearest actual being that which runs south from the square, in the direction of the old fort, and which held the business of the place. This was all changed in 1840; the town had far more than doubled its population, and indications of business growth were apparent. New buildings had been erected, new stores started, new men had moved in, and they had brought some capital with them. Allan La Mott and John D. Farrar had opened dry goods in 1830, the next year W. B. Beall and Francis Waring started stores; then, in 1832, came John C. Potter, and the veteran merchant of Greenville, Henry Arnold, now, in 1840, in business with H. N. Arnold, who three years before had been a partner with James M. Dorsey, an arrival of 1833; besides these, there were Townsend, Bailey, Beall and Bascom. Lawyers were not wanting; of these were Gen. Bell and Dempsey, and of doctors, Baskerville, Ayres, Buell and Gard. Greenville had two hotels now. They were earlier known as taverns. Mrs. Armstrong was the pioneer. Then came Moses Scott, who provided entertainment for man and beast until 1824, when he moved to Fort Wayne, Ind. Linus Bascom, in 1817, opened public house, down where stands Hall & Hine's livery stable. A. Scribner was cotemporary with Scott; James Craig was successor to the latter. Craig gave way to Edward Shaffer. Then we come to 1840. Charles Hutchins is the proprietor of a two-story brick house, erected in 1837, on the east side, and Frank Hamilton located in a two-story frame, on the south side, of the public square. Notwithstanding the somewhat humble pretensions of the latter, it had the prestige of seniority over its more costly neighbor and vigorous rival, besides being honored by guests renowned and distinguished. During 1840, here stopped the hero and patriot of North Bend, who, from its uppermost porch, addressed the gathered multitude, upon the issues dividing political parties. The urbane, courteous hospitality of the frame was matched by the grandeur of the brick, whose proprietor received the suffrages of the people as the County Treasurer.

The postal facilities gradually approached an ability to transmit intelligence within reasonable time. A. Scribner had been appointed in 1815, and had but nominal duties to perform. His successors were Carleton Morris and David MonHe then recovered the position which he held till 1833, when Judge John Wharry became the incumbent, and, after several years, gave way to a successor. The office was not in a room by itself, but occupied a small portion of the store or other room of the Postmaster, and was auxiliary to the business.

roe.

Dempsey, of whom mention has been made, a man small in stature but large enough to attract notice at the National Capital, had not long been resident of Greenville before he was favored by Van Buren's administration with the appointment of Postmaster, and at once combined the threefold duties of law, trade and public functionary, having his law and post office in his store. The change of administration again returned the office to Scribner. Although Greenville was flourishing at an unprecedented rate at this time, it had few attractions, and was lacking in many essential elements to solid improvement and prosperity. It had need of a good printing press. E. Donnellan had printed and published a newspaper then known as the Western Statesman and Greenville Courier, the initial number bearing date of June 25, 1832. It was of super-royal size, was published irregularly, had a sickly existence and upon its subscription list there were some two hundred and fifty names. Its mottoes were excellent, its prospectuses were frequent, but its duration was brief. A good flouring-mill was a needful thing.