HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY

TECUMSEH

   He had been a frequent vistor in the family, and took a wonderful liking to the white girl; and, according to the Indian custom, made his advances to the father, who referred the ease to the daughter. The undaunted chief appeals to the girl herself, offering her fifty broaches of silver. She told him she didn't want to be a wild woman, and worked like the Indian women.  He told her she need not work.  Notwithstanding the rejection of his suit, he ever after remained friendly with the family, though he was sometimes found to be rather a tough customer. On one occasion- when at the shop of blacksmith James Galloway, and being under the influence of whisky, he proved to be rather annoying, when Galloway took him, much to the disgust of the chieftain, and tied him to a tree till he got more sober and quiet.
   In the year 1814, Rev. Armstrong sold his first purchase to Mr. Samuel Goe, and bought lands on the other side of the river, in order to avoid the difficulties so often experienced by high waters. About the same time a new congregation was organized in Xenia, and Mr. Armstrong having been released from the Sugar Creek branch of  his congregation, the two united in a call for the Rev. Francis Pringle, jr., who was sattled in the united charge of Xenia and Sugar Creek.  This left Mr. Armstrong in charge of the Massie's Creek congregation alone, and perhaps no pastor in the entire county has, at any time, presided over amore intelligent congregation- in the history of the county. Several of its members were at different times called to fill important positions of honor and public trust. Colonel James Morrow. served several years as county Commissioner, and as member of the lower house of the legistature.
   Esquire Joseph Kyle also served several terms in the legislature. Judge Samuel Kyle was an associate  judge for thirty-five consecutive years. Robert Moody, whose cool and clear judgment was  surpassed by few; David Jackson was a man of intellectual power; Thomas Raugh had a clear and penetrating mind; as well as the McCoys, Laugheads, McHattons, Andersons, Greggs, Browns, Bradfutes, Collins, Kings, Turnbulls, Deans, Gibsons, Andrews, Junkins, Bulls, Galloways, and Struthers.
   Mr. Andrews, of whom we formerly spoke, for years continued his occupation of wheelwright and stocking plows. Mr. George Junkins had established a blacksmith shop near the Fairfield pike, south of R. A. Mitchell's present residence. A. culprit had stolen a set of plow irons of John Ellis, (grandfather of Samuel Ellis, who lives near the railroad crossing on the Clifton Pike,) and taken them to Junkins' shop to be relaid. The irons were taken thence to Mr. Addrews to be stocked with wooden mold-boards, etc. The irons were stamped, and it was the design of the thief to have the marks obliterated in order to avoid detection; but in this he failed, which led to his arrest and punishment. At this time there was a sugar tree on the public square, Xenia, which served as a whipping-post. His sentence was to receive eight lashes on his bare back. This occurred on the 8th of October, 1808, and is said to have been, the last public whipping for crime in Greene County.
   The lands west of the Little Miami River were congress lands, and were disposed of very differently from those on the other side of the river. In the following manner, to-wit: James Madison, President of the United States of America. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Know ye, that James Andrew, of Greene County, having deposited in the Treasury a certificate of the Register of the Land Office, at Cincinnati, whereby it appears that he has made full payment for the northeast quarter of section thirty-five of township number four, in range number seven, of the land lying between the Great Miami River and the Virginia Reservation, etc. Dated, Washington, February 12th, 1810. Signed by James Madison, President of the United States, and R. Smith, Secretary of State. A similar patent was issued for the southeast quarter of section thirty-six, to the same, in the year 1816. They were printed and written on parchment, and are antique in appearance.
   Mr. Andrew, having served his generation, fell asleep in the year 1822, aged 72 years. Of his ten children, but two remain, Mr. Hugh Andrew, of Xenia, and Ebenezer Andrew, of Sugar Creek Township. James, Hugh, and George carried on farming operations quite successfully for many years on the old homestead and lands adjoining, each owning fine farms of two or three hundred acres. Two of James' sons, William and Harvey, are in the ministry in the United Presbyterian Church; I3, H. M., living in Xenia, and Samuel, George's son, near Frost's Station. Others are scattered through the West, with not a single one living within five miles of the old homestead. Such radical changes does time make, that the place that knows us now will soon know us no more forever. (END)

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