COITSVILLE TOWNSHIP, MAHONING COUNTY.

    Previous to the year 1798 Daniel Coit, of the State of Connecticut, purchased this township from the Connecticut Land Company, and gave it its name. It does not appear that he ever became a resident of Ohio, but authorized Simon Perkins, of Warren, his general agent.

    John Partridge Bissel came, in company with Asa Mariner and others, to assist in surveying and dividing this and some other townships into lots, preparatory to putting the land into market. Mr. Bissel was appointed a sub-agent to sell the land. He made a clearing, and built a house at the center of the township in 1799. The farm then opened is still in possession of his heirs, and is the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Kyle, to whom we are indebted for the above facts, stated in this communication. In 1800 Mr. Bissel brought his family from the town of Lebanon, Conn.  After forty days' wearisome journeying through the wilderness they arrived at their new home in Coitsville. The first white family that settled in the township was Amos Loveland, a Revolutionary soldier. He came to the Reserve in 1798; spent the Summer in assisting Mr. Bissel in surveying. In the Fall of that year Mr. Loveland purchased all the lands in that part of the township on the south side of the Mahoning River, four hundred and twenty-four acres. He then returned to Vermont, and, after settling up his affairs there, he and his family started from Chelsea in the month of December in two sleighs, drawn by four horses. Soon after starting the snow melted, and he exchanged his sleighs for a wagon. With this they continued their journey. After many trials, hardships, and discouragements they arrived at their future home, in the rich and beautiful Mahoning Valley, April 4, 1799, themselves and their horses much the worse for their long Winter journey. Where they landed they found a log cabin erected for their residence, one-half of it floored with puncheons, split out and dressed with an ax, the other without a floor, except mother earth. David Loveland was the first white child born in the township, and is residing in a house upon the same ground upon which that cabin was built, and owns about three hun dred acres of the old homestead.

    In 1806, December 4th, the following was given at Warren, Trumbull County:

    "Ordered, by the Board of Commissioners for the County of Trumbull, that No. 2, in the first range of

 townships in said county, be set off as a separate township, by the name of Coitsville, with all the rights,

 privileges, and immunities by law given to and invested in any township in this State, and the first

 meeting of said township shall be held at the house formerly occupied by John P. Bissel, in said

    The first election was held April 6, A. D. 1807,  Alexander M'Guffey, Chairman,  John Johnson and Joseph Jackson, Judges of the election.  The following officers were chosen: Township Clerk, Joseph Bissel;  Trustees, Wm. Huston,  Joseph Jackson,  and Wm. Stewart;  Overseers of the Poor,  John M'Call  and Timothy Swan;  Supervisors of Highways, Wm. Martin  and Ebenezer Corey;  Fence Viewers, David Cooper  and John Stewart;  Appraisers of Houses, James Stewart  and Alexander M'Guffey;  Lister, Alexander M'Guffey;  Constable, James Lynn;  Treasurer, John Johnson.

    John P. Bissel was the first acting justice of the peace, and filled the office previous to 1805. How he received his commission I am not informed. Daniel Monteith was commissioned a justice of the peace by Edward Tiffin, Governor of the State, September 25, 1806, nearly three months before the township was organized and set off as a separate township. He served in this capacity six years. After him Wm. Huston served in the same office also six years.

    Rev. Wm. Wick was one of the early settlers in this township. He was the first pastor of the Presbyterian congregations at Youngstown, Hopewell, and at New Bedford, Penn. He came to Coitsville about 1801, and settled on a farm of one hundred and fifty acres of land, adjoining the State line, and at the crossing of the old Youngstown and Bedford road. It is now owned by, and the residence of, James Beggs. Coitsville is much indebted to Mr. Wick for the influence he exerted with religious families, pious and moral persons, to have them settle in this township, and his labor is doubtless bringing fruit even to this day. Notwithstanding that the religious and moral element had a large preponderance among the Coitsville people, yet there was no church edifice until 1836. The Methodist Episcopal Church had an organized society in the township for many years before, but their meetings were held in private houses, and sometimes in barns and school-houses. In 1838 they erected a meetinghouse on a lot a half mile west of the village, the lot being the gift of Isaac Powers, of Youngstown. This building was destroyed by fire in 1847--kindled, no doubt, by the torch of an unprincipled and malicious incendiary. It was supposed the cause which instigated this crime was the discussion of the slavery question, which at that time shook Church and State to their centers, and caused a dissension in that society. In 1848 there was a new, neat, and handsome church erected upon the site of the old one. The Old-school Presbyterians organized a congregation in 1836, and erected a church building at the village. Rev. Wm. Nesbit was their first pastor, and officiated there for several years. In 1870 the old church was taken down, and a neat, substantial church erected in its place. These are the only churches that have been built in the township.

    The year 1811 brought hard times for many of the pioneers of Coitsville. Mr. Bissel died in that year. His financial affairs were found in a bad condition, which brought disaster to many of those who had purchased their lands from him. Some had paid for their lands, received their deeds, and were, consequently, safe. Others who had not got their lands paid for and received their titles were caught up. No matter how much they had paid, all fared alike and received a small percentage on the money which they had paid. The land had to be re-purchased or abandoned. It was supposed, had he lived to settle up his own affairs, the result would have been different. Another course of discouragement was a series of very rainy seasons, which flooded the low, flat lands, and caused them to be unproductive. This caused a bad report to be put into circulation concerning our town, and many emigrants to pass us by. Again, the war of 1812 was upon us, and many of the men subject to do military duty were drafted or volunteered, and went into the service. There were few left at home except women and children, old men, cripples, and invalids.

    My father was notified to give up his lands, on which he had spent nine years' hard labor in improving them, and had paid all but a few dollars for his two hundred and twenty-eight acres, and on that same day he was drafted to the war. I tell you it was dull times at our house, as it was at many another fireside in Coitsville. Some abandoned their claims and left, discouraged, dejected, and disgusted. Others exchanged their farms for other property, and felt glad to get away; but a majority withstood their difficulties and trials, and many of those who had lost their lands made new contracts for them with Mr. Perkins, and continued their efforts and were finally successful. In a few years the dark cloud which hung over our skies broke and passed away. The rains ceased their profusion and came only in fruitful showers. The fields again yielded good crops, and there was an abundance of food for man and beast. The war terminated, the red-skins and red-coats had met a Harrison, a Jackson, a Perry, and other brave leaders who, with their Yankee soldiers and our Hornet, had "tickled the British birds' tail" so that John Bull and his allies concluded that peace was desirable. Our soldiers returned home without losing a man, I believe. If there had been mourning heretofore among us when they left us there was now great rejoicing at their return. The Perkins's claims for the re-purchased farms were liquidated. The fee-simple titles on record, and Coitsville was again progressing, and soon every farm had its occupant, and vacant lots were no more to be found in the township.

Schools

    The first school taught was in a log-cabin on the farm of Joseph Beggs, a little distance west of the center, and was taught by Jeremiah Breaden, afterward Dr. Breaden. Some of the scholars of that school are yet living, old and feeble persons. The second school organized was in the Harris District, in the north-east portion of the township. It was held in a cabin-house erected for that purpose, which was afterward taken away, and a frame house was built on its site. The new one was used for a number of years, and was finally burned near the time Ohio commenced enacting laws for the regulation and support of common-schools. In that school the Bible was one of the most important school-books used. We had a class of young beginners in reading. They read the New Testament. Those more advanced read in the Old Testament. The latter was called the Bible-class. This certainly could not be justly called a godless school.

    Rev. Wm. M'Guffey, author of the popular and excellent series of school books titled M'Guffey's Eclectic Readers, known and used in the common-schools in many if not all the States in the Union, was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1797. This worthy adopted son of Coitsville probably did more for common-school education by furnishing them with suitable books than any other person that ever lived in our country. His father, Alexander M'Guffey, also his grandfather, Wm. M'Guffey, with their families, came here very early--probably in 1800. The exact date is not known to me. His mother used to tell of cradling him (the reverend) in a sugartrough while she was picking brush and helping to clear up their new farm. The elder Mr. M'Guffey and wife emigrated from Scotland, and were members of the Seceder Church. The reverend's father's family were Old-school Presbyterians, and by a court of that Church he was licensed to preach the Gospel. He graduated at Oxford College. Was never settled as a pastor over any congregation, but spent his life in promoting education. He presided over several colleges in this State and in Virginia. He died at the residence of his daughter in Dayton, Ohio, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.

Highways

    The first public highway laid out in this township is the east and west road, known as the Mercer and Youngstown Road. It is one half mile south of, and parallel to, the east and west center line. It was established and opened in 1802. Soon after that date the road known as the Yellow-creek Road, leading from Poland Village to Hubbard, was opened through this township. In 1827 the Youngstown and Mercer Road became a post-road from New Bedford, Penn., westward. That same year our first post-office was established. It was at the center of the town, and Wm. Bissel was appointed postmaster.

Saw-Mills

    The first saw-mill in this town was built by Asa Marriner and James Bradford on Dry Run, one mile north-west of the center, and was of great advantage to the early settlers. There were five other saw-mills built on the same stream at later periods, all of which now are out of use and rotted down, and superseded by steam mills in other parts of the township.

Tanneries

    The first attempt at tanning leather was made by David Shields. It was a failure. In the year 1832 Wm. Stewart and R. W. Shields commenced the business at the village, and the tannery started by them has been operated successfully to the present time. Mr. Stewart became owner by purchase of Mr. Shields's interest in 1855. In February, 1875, the building with the engine and boiler and a large amount of stock was destroyed, the loss occasioned thereby amounting to several thousand dollars. It has been rebuilt with the addition of all the modern improvements and machinery by Mr. Stewart and his son D. C. Stewart.

Coal

    There has been some prospecting for coal, but no deposit of that mineral has been found sufficiently large to justify opening and preparing a way to get it to market.

    The first child born in this township was Cynthia Loveland, daughter of Amos Loveland, born in June, 1799; died in 1815. The first marriage ceremony was that of Ebenezer Corey and Polly Thompson, about the year 1803. The first death was an infant son of John P. Bissel, and occurred in 1801.

    There never was a drinking saloon kept in Coitsville Township for the purpose of retailing intoxicating drinks for any considerable length of time.

Encounter With a Bear

    Patrick Thompson, in 1803 or 1804, was returning home from Youngstown, and stopped at J. P. Bissel's to transact some business which detained him until near evening, when he proceeded toward home. When he arrived on the farm of Josiah Dalby, near the State line, he discovered a cub bear in his path. Determining to make its acquaintance, and it offering no violent opposition, he took it up in his arms. It, however, soon became dissatisfied with his nursing, and with loud cries notified its mother; she, being within hearing distance, hastened to its rescue with mouth open and bristles up. Thompson seeing that a fight was imminent, strove to get rid of his new acquaintance. But Cub refused to break up friendly relations so abruptly and clung to his arm with a regular bear hug After some effort he loosed its grip, and to use his own language, he "threw the little devil into its mother's face."

    The battle now began, and Thompson seeing his danger of defeat attempted to climb a tree near by, but as often as he began to ascend the bear would catch him by the feet and pull him back, and with such energy did she make her attacks that she tore the bottoms from his shoes, and so lacerated his feet that he was ever afterward a cripple, although he lived many years after this event. Up to this time victory seemed to be on the bear side; a few more crunches at his feet, and she would have had it all her own way. But fortunately, at this juncture, he obtained a large splinter, and again making the attempt to climb the tree she again made for him. He made a drive at her with the splinter, and luckily sent it deep into one of her nostrils. She then resolved to have a truce until she could get rid of the splinter; she would strike it with one paw, then with the other, until she effected her purpose. By this time Friend Thompson was high in the tree, and neither party was disposed to renew the fight. Bruin soon retired with a sore nose. Thompson became faint from loss of blood. It was now in the night. A heavy rain commencing to fall, he squeezed the water from his linen hunting-shirt into his mouth, which revived him somewhat. His hallooing was heard at the house of the Rev. Mr. Wick, and they came to his relief. When they arrived the bear and her family had left. This was the only encounter with a wild bear in this town that I know of.

How The Poor Were Cared For In Those Days

    "Coitsville, January 1, 1810.--Whereas information hath been given us that there is a certain Elizabeth Eward come into our town, who is likely to become a town charge, we, therefore, according to law, command you, James Mares, Constable of Coitsville Township, to warn said Elizabeth Eward to depart said township instantly, without putting the town to any further trouble. And you are to return, etc., etc.

The Squirrels

    "At a meeting of Wm Huston, Joseph Jackson, and Wm. Stewart, Trustees for the township of Coitsville, at the dwelling-house of Joseph Bissel, of said town, on April 27, 1808, ordered that every person subject to pay a county tax, according to the act passed by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, December 24, 1807, to kill ten squirrels, and in addition to the ten squirrels, each person to kill two squirrels for each cow and four for each horse, and if a person has but one cow she is exempt.

    Same page.--"At a meeting of the inhabitants June 27, 1808, voted that the Squirrel Act be continued to the 1st day of August next, before returns are made to the collector of county taxes.

The Struthers Tragedy 

    In February, 1826, Miss Drucilla Struthers left her father's residence in Coitsville for the purpose of going to the post-office at Poland Village, where she expected to get a letter from her affianced lover, then residing in Washington County, Penn. Her younger sister, Emma, accompanied her down to the Mahoning River, which was very high at that time, intending to ferry her across, and then return home. The skiff in which they were to cross was fastened nearly opposite the mouth of Yellow Creek, and directly opposite the present village of Struthers. The young ladies were daughters of John Struthers, who settled in Poland Township in 1799, held the office of Sheriff of Trumbull County, and other responsible offices, and was well known and respected by the pioneers of this country. They were sisters of the Hon. Thomas Struthers, who was the proprietor of the thriving village of Struthers.

    When the young ladies came to the bank of the river, Emma laid off her shawl and bonnet on the shore, and they embarked on their fatal voyage. Emma was good with an oar, and practiced in rowing and managing a skiff.

    Alexander Cowden heard their cries, but did not apprehend at the time that they came from persons in distress. David Brownlee reported having crossed the river a short time previous in that skiff, and that one of the oars or rowlocks was defective in some way, which doubtless was the cause of the disaster.

    When they were missed an active search commenced. The next day the remains of Drucilla were found, fastened to a bush which grew on the river bank, one and one-half miles below where they embarked. The search was continued for six weeks before they found the body of Emma. It was found at the head of an island near the Dixon Farm, in the drift-wood. Their remains were buried in the United Presbyterian cemetery at Poland Center. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church at that place.

    Mr. J. R. Cowden has favored us with the above facts. He was one of the searching party from the first, and until the body of Emma was found.

The Great Snow-Storm of 1818

    The Fall of 1817 was dry; not much snow in December, or January of 1818. On the morning of February 3d, when the sun arose, the eastern horizon was covered with blood-red clouds, variegated with somber draping, giving unmistakable warning that an approaching storm was near at hand. Soon it began to snow, moderately at first, but increasing as the day passed, a snow-fall with but little wind, and when night came the earth was deeply covered. With night came also old Boreas, with his unearthly moans and hurricane with some of its fury, and a pelting, blinding snow, falling at a fearful rate, making night hideous for man or beast that was without shelter, but adding much to the happiness of those within the sheltering walls and around the blazing, cheerful fires in our pioneer cabins contrasting their situation with that of being out in that dreadful war of elements which was raging without. Then we realized to its full extent the beautiful phrase, "Home, sweet home!"

    Deer were plenty at the time. They found it very difficult traveling through the snow. They could only move by leaps and bounds, and when they alighted were completely buried. The mercury soon sank below zero, and continued frozen for many weeks.

Instinct of Swine 

    In the Spring of 1806 or 1807 David Brownlee settled in Coitsville. He hailed from Washington County, Penn. In emigrating he brought with him a sow and half a dozen pigs, five or six months old. They all seemed satisfied with their new Buckeye home, regardless of dangers from the prowling wolf, the bear, the panther, and other wild beasts, plenty in our forests in those days, and lovers of pork, and indulged in it at every opportunity. These swine were in their sty every evening, and regularly at their troughs at feeding-times, and things for a time went on very pleasantly with the porker family. Anticipation ran high with Mr. Brownlee in prospect of the good and profitable things coming in the shape of ham, shoulders, flitch, spareribs, sausage, etc. Now one evening in early Summer the pig-sty was empty; none of its occupants put in an appearance. Not much solicitude was felt about their absence for a few days; then a diligent search was made for their whereabouts, but they could not be found and were given up for lost. The old matron had an attack of homesickness--longing for the hills and vales of Pennsylvania. After mature deliberation and consultation, undoubtedly, with her family, they commenced their journey for the place of her nativity, proceeding on their journey slowly, grunting with satisfaction as they went along, until they came to the Ohio, that beautiful river, whose pure waters at that time had never been disturbed by the revolution of the wheels of the magnificent steamboat, nor its surrounding hills been made vocal by the screams of the steam whistle, or, as Johnny Bull would call it, "The American Devil." Our pilgrims, after resting awhile and taking a view of the situation, and fully comprehending the dangers of the undertaking, plunged into the swift current, young and old, each one "paddling his own canoe." They all arrived safe and sound on the Washington County side, pursued their journey, and reached the old home, having traveled a distance of sixty miles, at least.

    After a time Mr. Brownlee went back to Washington County to harvest his wheat that he had left growing. To his great surprise, he found all his swine, with an addition of eight or ten pigs to the family, not one missing. When Mr. Brownlee was ready to return to his home he gathered his herd of swine, notified them of his purpose, and started them on their way. None making any determined opposition, they passed on before him until they came to the river, where they took to the water cheerfully and landed safely on the other side and took the direct road for Coitsville, nor ceased their efforts at all reasonable hours until they reached their Coitsville home and rested again within the sty, and fed from the trough which they had clandestinely deserted a few months before.

    Another case.--When Mr. David Stewart emigrated to Coitsville he brought his hogs with him. When they came to the Ohio River they drove the hogs, with other stock, on to the ferry-boat, and pushed off into the stream. One hog jumped from the boat when near the middle of the river and swam back to the shore. They did not attempt to recover the hog, and when they landed drove on. On the second evening after they crossed the river Mr. Stewart put up for the night at Amos Loveland's, in Coitsville, and put the hogs in an enclosure by the wayside. Next morning the missing hog was lying on the outside of the fence which enclosed its mates, composed as if nothing remarkable had happened. It must have recognized that it was lost from its companions, swam the river, took the cold track of the herd, and followed on persistently, tired and hungry, until it overtook them.

                                                                                                   JOHN SHIELDS.

GREENE TOWNSHIP, TRUMBULL COUNTY, OHIO

    The township of Greene, in Trumbull County, derives its name from Gardiner Greene, one of the members of the Connecticut Land Company, and a large-landed proprietor in this and other townships. Prior to 1806 it comprised the present townships of Colebrook, Wayne, and Williamsfield, in Ashtabula County; and Kinsman, Gustavus, and Greene in Trumbull County. Ashtabula County was organized in that year, and the townships in that county were detached from Greene. The three townships in Trumbull County retained the name of Greene until 1820, when Kinsman and Gustavus were organized as separate townships.

    On the 4th September, 1820, the first election of the township of Greene, at present organized, was held at the house of William Harrington.  Ephraim Kee, John Harrington, and Roswell Bartlett, were elected Trustees, and Ebenezer Kee, Clerk. The first justice of the peace was Roswell Bartlett. His commission bore date May 20, 1822. The second justice was Noah Coleman, whose commission was dated June 28, 1823. He served six or seven terms. The first permanent settlement was made in 1817. In the Spring of that year six men, originally from the Eastern States, in search of a location in the new country, visited the township. Their names were Ephraim Rice, John Wakefield, Roswell Bartlett, John Harrington, William harrington, and Ichabod Merritt. After much consultation they selected lots Nos. 7, 14, and 17, which they agreed to purchase and divide equally between them. On the 1st of April they visited Warren and made a contract with Simon Perkins, land agent for large tracts of the Reserve, for the purchase of those lots at $2.50 per acre, paying $33.00 in hand, and getting four years' time for the balance of the purchase-money. Messrs. Rice, Wakefield, and Merritt, returned to their homes in Pennsylvania, and on April 6th started for Greene with their families. They put up temporarily in a deserted log-cabin called the Newton Place, about one mile west of the center of Gustavus. These families, aided by Roswell Bartlett and William Harrington, erected three log-cabins sixteen feet square and about seven feet high on their land in Greene, into which they moved, and then commenced their clearings and putting in a crop in the girdling. Other settlers came in gradually, among them John Harrington, about the 1st of March, 1818, and on the 14th of that month his only daughter, Deborah, was born, this being the first birth in the township. At this time there was a flood, owing to the melting of the snow which fell on the second day of February nearly three feet deep. This season passed off quietly. Nothing in particular tended to break the monotony of the ax-men and of the ringing of cow-bells until the 18th of October, when it was announced that the wife of John Wakefield had a son, whom they subsequently named Edwin. This was the second birth in the township.

    In June, 1820, came Timothy Higgins and family, consisting of wife and five children. John M. Justin came in September of that year, and in the following November was married to Ruth Higgins, being the first couple married in the township. During the first year of the settlement the nearest store was in Kinsman, kept by John Andrews. Salt then sold at $14.00 to $15.00 per barrel. Grain could not be sold for cash. Wheat would only bring three York shillings a bushel at any of the stores in dry goods. Not an ounce of tea could be got for any thing but cash. The first grist-mill was built on Musquito Creek, by David Rice and Noah Bowen, with the aid of the inhabitants. It was commenced in 1821 and got to running in 1822. The same year Samuel Hayford built a saw-mill. In 1824 David Rice and Noah Bowen put up a saw-mill near their grist-mill. Other small mills were subsequently erected in different parts of the township. These mills were all of a temporary character, but supplied the inhabitants until others of a more durable and better quality were built. There are now in the township one grist-mill and three saw-mills running by steam.

    In 1826 the first mail-route was established through Greene. The office was named Greensburg. Major Churchill was appointed postmaster, and retained the office eighteen years. There were then thirty-seven families in the township. In the early periods of the settlement the inhabitants assembled on the Sabbath at the different houses, and sermons were read. In September, 1818, Rev. M'Clain, a seceder minister, from Pennsylvania, by request, came and spoke a sermon in John Harrington's house. Soon after Elias Morse, from Williamsfield, a Methodist minister, made some standing appointments. In August, 1819, Rev. E. T. Woodruff, from the Connecticut Missionary Society, organized a Church of eleven members. Their names were Enoch Rice, Ephraim Rice, David Rice, Ephraim Kee, James Bascom, Olive Rice, Mehetable Rice, Lucy Rice, Miriam Kee, Helena Bascom, and Deborah Harrington. Others were added to them. Their preachers were Mr. Darrow, Alvin Coe, Randolph Stone, Joseph Badger, Robert Crane, and others. There was occasional preaching by the Calvinist Baptists. Elder Adamson Bentley came and immersed Steward Kee and his wife, the first ever immersed in the township. Sidney Rigdon and Elder Goff preached one or two seasons, once a month, but no church was ever organized. As the township grew older and population increased, other Churches of different denominations were organized and are now prospering.

    The early settlers took a deep interest in education, and when there were only eight families in the township, and but eighteen scholars, and some of these living three miles apart, a school-house was erected, and in the Winter of 1818-19 Roswell Bartlett taught the first school. The next Winter James Bascom taught. The following Winter John Harrington. In 1821 William Harrington, and in 1822 W. Bartlett. The Summer schools during these four years were taught by Rhoda Rice, Mary and Syrena Evans, and Charlotte Bascom. Good schools have always been maintained in the township.

The Dean Rafts 

    In December, 1804, an elderly gentleman came to this town representing that he wished to contract for squared white-oak timber and staves, the timber to be used for ship-building, and the staves to be taken to the Madeira Islands for wine casks. He was referred to Isaac Powers, of this township, and Amos Loveland, of Coitsville Township, as men that could furnish what he wanted. He called upon them, and made a bargain, which they had to go to Poland to have written. The contract was drawn at the house of Jonathan Fowler, and written either by him or Terhand Kirtland. The sizes and lengths of the timbers were all specified. It was all large timber. The contract for the timber was made with Isaac Powers, and the staves with Amos Loveland. Mr. Dean was evidently a man that understood his business, and capable of doing a sharp bargain, as he succeeded in getting Mr. Powers into a contract entirely in his own favor. Mr. Powers, although being a good mechanic in timber, never had the experience of the cost of furnishing timber of such sizes and weight, and consequently got but little to pay the scant wages due his workmen and for his own time and labor. He, however, furnished the timbers as called for by the contract. Mr. Loveland's part of the bargain will be understood by giving it in the words of his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth M'Farland, who is now living in Coitsville Township, and is eighty-five years of age.  She says:

    "My recollection of the Dean rafts is that they were three in number, and were got up about the year 1803 or 1804. They were composed of squared timbers hewed out, and of large air-tight casks. My father, Amos Loveland, furnished all the timber for the casks, and helped to take it out. He also furnished the trees standing in the woods from which the square timber was made. He was not under contract for building the casks or for any other part of the labor of constructing. He, however, had the contract to furnish the staves dressed. The staves were got out dressed and finished, and then set up for the wine casks, and afterward knocked down, that is, taken apart, and the staves destined for each cask bunched or bundled, each bundle being secured by a small hoop at each end. John Moore, father of Wm. O. Moore of the Sarah J. Stewart tragedy, James Walker, ___ Holmes, with the help of my father, were the coopers who split them out (the staves) in the Summer, set them up and built the casks in the Fall and Winter. The casks were intended to buoy up the rafts. We furnished the boarding and lodging and shop for these coopers. We were often hard put to furnish the table with the necessary substantials of life. For meat we often had game; namely, wild turkey, venison, and occasionally bear meat.

    "Mr. Powers took out all the squared timber, and built the rafts. It took about one year to get them completed. They were successfully launched in the Mahoning River in Coitsville Township at the south end of the present Lawrence Railroad Bridge at the Spring flood in 1806. The river was swollen to its highest water mark, and most of the inhabitants of the surrounding neighborhood were there to see them off. An old gentleman, Mr. Dean, contracted for the building and launching of them. He was not here often, but his nephew, James Dean, bossed the job. He, James, fell out of a canoe between this and Beaver Falls. He with two men were traveling in the canoe. The others went ashore to sleep, leaving Mr. Dean in the canoe to watch their trunks and outfit. The next morning he was found at the bottom of the river, wrapped in his blanket, dead. The rafts went to pieces on the falls of Beaver on account of insufficient depth of water to float them over."

    The timbers of the rafts were lost, but most of the staves were gathered, loaded in flat-boats, and taken to New Orleans. These rafts were about one hundred feet in length, and about twenty-five feet wide. The casks for buoys or floats were made air-tight, and frames or yokes were made, in which they were confined. Upon this frame or yoke the raft timbers were placed. The casks were about four feet in diameter and six feet in length, and made of very heavy staves, and well bound with hoops. The exact number to each raft is not known, but we are led to believe it was twenty-four. They were framed in the timbers in pairs, to move endways on the water. On the top of the rafts were piled the staves.

    Jonathan Fowler, the first settler of Poland Township, was drowned at that time at Hardscrabble in the Beaver River. He was accompanying the party that was running the rafts. While passing the rapids at that place, the canoe in which he was riding struck a rock and upset, and he was lost. The others that were in the canoe at that time were rescued.

    At the time these rafts were got out, and until after they were gone and lost, there were no suspicions but what they were intended to be used for legitimate purposes. It, however, afterward was rumored that Dean was a confederate or in the employ of Aaron Burr, and it was supposed and believed by many that they were intended to be used by him in his treasonable purposes against the Government. Nothing, however, positive was ever known to the people of this country as to their intended destination.

                       Yours, etc.,

    The manufacture of Iron in the Mahoning Valley, now one of its most important interests, was first commenced near the mouth of Yellow Creek, a short distance from Struthers's Station, and about five miles south-east of Youngstown, by two brothers, James and Daniel Heaton. These brothers were of an enterprising and experimenting disposition, and their faces will easily be remembered by many of the older settlers in and about Youngstown.

    In 1805 or 1806 they erected, on Yellow Creek, near the Mahoning River, a charcoal furnace, which soon went into active operation. Connected with, and belonging to, the furnace proper were about one hundred acres of well-timbered land, which supplied the charcoal and much of the ore for the works. The "blast" was produced by an apparatus of rather peculiar construction, and was similar in principle to that produced by the column of water of the early furnaces. It consisted of a square wooden box set in a cistern, with an opening at the top for the ingress of water, and one in the side to conduct the air or "blast" to the furnace. The surplus water escaped underneath. The water, flowing in through a pipe at the top of the box, was accompanied by air, which, being compressed by the continual flow, was forced through the side opening, and conducted from thence by a pipe to the furnace stack. The "blast" thus obtained has always, I am informed, been considered objectionable on account of its damp and chilly character. At any rate, it was the case in the present instance.

    After this furnace had been in operation for some time, James Heaton transferred his interest in the property to his brother Daniel, and went up to Niles, where he built another furnace. Daniel continued at the old works, and manufactured considerable iron, much of it consisting of stoves, large kettles, and other castings, the appearance of which might be considered rude in these days.

    While thus engaged, Robert Montgomery (with whom, I think, was then associated David Clendenin, our member of Congress elected in 1814) built a furnace on the same creek, about a half-mile below Heaton's. It was constructed substantially in the same manner as Heaton's, except that the blast was much better, being generated by a water-wheel, walking-beams, and two wooden cylinders.

   Soon after the last-named furnace went into operation, its owner, Montgomery, purchased the Heaton furnace property, paying for the same one thousand dollars in hand, and giving a mortgage for the balance of the purchase money. It went out of blast almost immediately after it changed hands. It then got into the courts, and after being in litigation for several years was re-transferred to Daniel Heaton, its original owner, who about that time, or shortly afterward, had his name changed by act of legislature to Dan Eaton. It was never started up again, however, after its sale to Montgomery; and, in all, never made iron for more than three years. Both furnaces went to ruin after the year 1812.

    This, in brief, was the inception of our now great branch of trade. The writer, now in the seventy-fifth year of his age, was born and raised in close proximity to the things which he has just detailed and described. And though he might justly distrust his early recollections, he would add that they have often been verified and confirmed by subsequent acquaintance and intercommunication with the Heatons, and many of the older settlers and early pioneers of this region. And it is with pleasure that he now has the opportunity of testifying to the merits of those two brothers, James and Daniel Heaton, who, with indomitable will, but under the most unfavorable and discouraging circumstances, first gave life to an industry which, from a wilderness, has created a city almost continuous for a score of miles along the Valley of the Mahoning.

                                                                                                DAVID LOVELAND.

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