Barquilla de Ia Santa Maria BULLETIN of the Catholic Record Society­ Diocese of Columbus

Vol. XXV, No. 2 Feb. IO : St. William ofMaleval February, AD. 2000

William Wiseman's Exploit (Abstracts from The Catholic Telegraph, Continued, from Vol. XXIV, No. 12)

The following story is from the Catholic because the events are comparatively recent, the Telegraph ofApril 19, 1849. Its hero is William actors themselves have not all passed away from Wiseman, a Catholic of Old Maryland stock of the stage of action, and of those who have gone, St. Mary's County, born about 1772, who spent their memory and the remembrance of their his later years near West Rushville, Fairfield brave deeds, is cherished in the hearts of their County. immediate descendants. Nevertheless, with regard to that incident of our pioneer annals, For the Catholic Telegraph which I have undertaken to rewrite, I have a €bapttr of ~tonttr J)t~torp observed in Judge Burnett's notes, and Oliver Spencer's narrative, evidence to show that there "THEY LINGER YET," OUR OLD PIONEERS is much uncertainty in even recent history -­ some speak of romance in the Pioneer History of One who looks at our flourishing city, to which Cincinnati, as in the ambitious pages of David the proud title of "Queen of the West" seems Hume and Thomas Babington Macauley. ungrudgingly conceded, its teaming population, I intend to speak of the attack upon Dunlap's its institutions, literature, magnificent public Station, now Colerain's. It was a stirring event in buildings, and the uncounted evidence of the annals ofHamilton county. It occurred on the progress and civilization which are apparent 9th, 10th, I Ith of February, AD. 1791. Judge everywhere around us, and reflects that only Burnett accurately and vividly describes the about sixty years have rolled by since that which hardships and privations of the pioneers, and the is now the abode of refinement and civilisation necessity which dictated that species of was almost an unbroken wilderness, the scene association or communion, from which Charles presenting only a few log cabins of the homeliest Fourier or St. Simon might have borrowed an construction -- must indeed wonder at the idea. It was the association of the brave for indomitable energy of the race that has subdued mutual protection and defence against -- not the the ruggedness of nature, and with to inquire injustice or avarice of civilized man, but against more minutely into the history of the trials and the remorseless cruelty of a savage foe, goaded it struggles, the dangers and escapes of those who must perhaps be admitted to vengeance by pioneered the wonderful enterprise, equaling uncounted wrongs, and stimulated by an almost the strangeness of eastern fable. apprehension of their coming exile from the land The inquiry, it might be supposed, could be where hitherto had beamed their council-fires, made under circumstances favorable for and where the green sod covered, and the knowing the facts, at least, of actual occurrence,

9 primeval forest sung a ceaseless requiem above Lieut. Kingsbury occupied the fort. It consisted the graves oftheir sires. of a corporal and eleven men, besides the "Those," says Judge Burnett, "whose lands commandant. We give their names, in the hope, were in the same neighborhood united, as one that if, perchance, any of them survive, their family; and a number of associations were testimony may confirm our narrative, and formed, amounting to a dozen or more, who moreover, it would be a gratification to one went out from the neighborhood and protection whom we know to survive (May 1848,) to hear of the garrison at Fort Washington (further out from any who shared with him the dangers and into the wilderness), resolved to maintain their the laurels of frontier warfare. Their names were positions. "Each party erected a strong block Taylor, Neef, O'Neil, O'Leary, Lincoln, Grant, house, near to which their cabins were put up, Strong, Sowers, Murphy, Abel, McVicar and and the whole was enclosed by strong log Wiseman. There were on the north side of the pickets. This being done they commenced fort, Horn, McDonald, Barrett, and Barket, with clearing their lands and preparing for planting their families ; and on the south side, White with their crops. During the day, while they were at his family, and McDonald whose family was not work, one person was placed as sentinel to warn at the station; all of whom were busy at their them oftheir approaching danger. At sunset they clearings during the day, but sought the shelter of retired to the block house and their cabins, taking the fort in the evening. every thing of value within the pickets. In this The leader ofthe Indians was a renegade white manner they proceeded from day to day and from man, infamously notorious as Simon Girty. week to week, till their improvements were There was present also a Shawnee chief of portly sufficiently extensive to support their families. form, who was called Blue Jacket, who after the During this time they depended for subsistence treaty of Greenville talked with our informant of on wild game, obtained at some hazard, more the incidents of the event, and who settled at and than on the scant supplies which they were able it is believed died at Fort Wayne. A Mr. Sloan, to procure form the settlements on the river. with three other persons, were engaged, on the "In a short time these stations gave protection 8th of Feb., 1791 , (Saturday,) in the neigh­ and food to a large number of destitute families. borhood of the Fort, surveying lands ,when they After they were established the Indians became were attacked by the scouts of the Indian party less annoying to the settlements on the Ohio, as and one man killed, Sloan himself wounded, and part of their time was employed in watching the a third man taken prisoner, namely, Abner Hart, stations. They viewed these stations with great from New Jersey. Sloan and the other person of jealousy, as they had the appearance of the party, succeeded in making good their retreat permanent military establishments intended to into the Fort, which they reached about sunset retain possession of the country. In that they the same evening. It was not apprehended by were correct, and it was fortunate for the country Sloan that the Indians were infesting the Station that the Indians wanted either the skill or the in such large numbers; it was supposed that the means to demolish them." party had been fallen upon by a few stragglers Such an establishment was that called only on a predatory excursion, and a party of five D'UNLAP'S STATION. The fort was on the east or six were dispatched on Sunday to bury the side of the Miami, and was picketed on the three dead man of the surveying party, which was sides, while the fourth was protected by the deep accomplished without molestation, or seeing any water of the stream. A small detachment of evidence that there was a large hostile body in United States troops under the command of their neighborhood. It was owing only to a lucky chance of vi-

10 gilance, on the part of Lieut. Kingsbury, himself, soldiers on the west side, as often as a savage that the Fort was not taken by complete surprise. would peep from the shelter of a dead log or tree, With soldier-like generosity he had yielded his would crack at him with their muskets, and some quarters to the wounded Sloan, and on Sunday undoubtedly were killed, for the remains of two night he occupied himself with entertaining and were afterwards discovered, while others were lively stories, and jocose anecdotes, his small removed and buried by their savage associates. command who were willing to forego their Girty through his interpreter complained, "what wonted repose, and share in the forced vigilance sort of a treaty is this, where you keep up a of their commander. They had however retired constant fire pending the parley?" The com­ to bed. The sentinels to be sure were duly posted, mandant turned around, and with a soldierly but it was apprehended that they had fallen into oath, threatened instant death to the next one that the arms of the dreamy god, since the alarm fired a musket, but took care to add, sotto voce, which it was theirs to give was first given by the "Kill the rascals ifyou can!" commandant himself. He, towards the dawn of The end of the parley was succeeded by Monday morning, indicated his resolution, to the incessant vollies of musketry from the assailants, company which had kept awake during the night which lasted over two hours, when they retired in the block-house, his purpose of seeking to recruit, threatening to return in the evening to somewhere a place ofrepose. Leaving the block­ carry all by storm. The garrison was illy provided house for this purpose, in the space of less than with ammunition, having only 24 rounds of five minutes, he gave the alarm by clapping his cartridges per man, and no ordnance, none was hands and crying, "Indians! Indians!" It indicates therefore to be wasted. The enemy renewed the the security in which the garrison was, and how attack in the afternoon with musketry, and also little they expected an attack, that all but the by bows and arrows, firing brands within the sentinels and the commandant were in bed. stockade with the hope of firing the fort. The The alarm was received, with incredulity, yet vollies were continued during the evening each man spring to arms. It was found now in the interrupted by moments of parley through the grey dawn of morning, that the small stockade prisoner Hunt, who earnestly begged on his own was infested by a large body of savages, believed behalf the surrender of the garrison, because he to number more than five hundred. That number was threatened with a death of horribly lingering at least they claimed in the parley which torture. About midnight they retired to execute succeeded. The prisoner, Hunt [sic, but Hart the threat. The prisoner was nearly stripped above], who had been taken on Saturday, was naked; laid upon his back upon the ground, and put forth as an interpreter, Girty, probably with pinioned by his wrists and ankles, his arms and some remnant of shame, not choosing to show legs out-stretched in a most painful manner. himself. The surrender of the garrison was They then built a fire upon his naked abdomen. demanded -- the terms promised, were so very His groans were distinctly heard by the garrison equivocal, that Lieut. Kingsbury, like Gen. during the remainder of that sad night; becoming Taylor, on a subsequent similar occasion, was fainter and fainter, till about day break, they compelled to decline as respectfully as he could, finally ceased. compliance with the imperious demand. The When morning dawned the Indians returned parley between Kingsbury leaning over the to the attack, and continued their firing for a half­ pickets, and the prisoner Hunt, pinioned without hour or more. It was a crisis which tried the souls and held by Girty, who was lying concealed of the little garrison as well as their valiant behind a tree, lasted about an hour. This passed commandant. When, during this morning's on the East side of the Fort. Meanwhile, the assault, he retied for a moment into the chief

11 block-house, he was met by the tears and down the stream, and after stripping off and screams of the mothers and their children, of the making two attempts to wade, in vain, concluded half dozen families. "What shall be done? what he must make the best of his way to North Bend. have we to expect?" were their eager inquiries. But in the course of two or three hundred yards "We must all suffer together," was his sad further, he fortunately discovered the fording response; for relief was no nearer than twenty place, which he was enabled to pass without miles through a wilderness to Fort Washington in finding it more that knee-deep. About three Cincinnati. He declared he had endeavored to o'clock, P.M., he reported himself to Gen. induce several old veterans, and each of the Harmer, the commandant at Fort Washington, garrison, by the promise of a reward, to go to with the news of the critical state of things at Cincinnati to give the alarm and bring relief, but Dunlap's Station. Some obscure intelligence had in vain. This was overheard by a young stripling been received already, by means of a hunter who of eighteen years, who had been relieved just had overheard the firing, and Gen. Harmer had then from duty outside all night, but who was already despatched a message to Columbia, for a allowed the relief of watching through a port­ reinforcement, which arrived at Fort hole, a crafty warrior, who, behind a tree, was Washington, during that evening, or the next endeavoring by several ticks to draw his fire and morning. so allow him an opportunity to escape. The A force ofabout 500 regulars, and a small body commandant's declaration surprised him, of militia, was despatched on Wednesday because no such proposition had been made to morning, under the command of Col. Strong, him. He at once said, "Mr. Kingsbury you have which, guided by Wiseman, (the youngest soldier never offered to send me!" in the army,) reached the invested post, soon "Will you go? you shall have the reward!" after mid-day. The Indians aware of the force "Not a cent; but I will go, ifyou parade the rest in advancing against them, speedily raised the front of the block-house, and let them see me siege, and retreated up the river; their last raft cross the river." The intention was not of idle crossing the stream, as Col. Strong came in sight. bravado, but to give the garrison whatever fresh Finding it impossible to pursue them, without the courage and patient endurance, might be means of crossing the river, he returned to the engendered by the hope, or certainty, of relief Fort. The joy of the besieged who had been in being speedily brought. The volunteer on this momentary expectation of nothing less than a forlorn hope (his name was William Wiseman,) most horrid butchery, for more than three days, was unacquainted in a great degree with the can be better imagined than here painted. country, and the route by which he was to reach The dangers of the situation, exposed to the Fort Washington. He was told of a ripple two incursions of the savage foe, caused a temporary miles below the garrison, where he could ford the abandonment of the Station. Both the settlers river (he was unable to swim, and the river full of and the military left it in about five or six weeks, drifting cakes of ice,) but if he missed that, he inasmuch as in the attack, which we have been would be obliged to follow the stream to North describing, the savage foe had destroyed all the Bend. In sight of the rest of the garrison, in accumulations of the preceding season, and one broad daylight, (10 o'clock, AM.,) and amid the scene of wild ruin and desolation was spread vollies of musketry of the Indian assailants, around. The houses of many, besides those Wiseman, alone in the canoe, succeeded in whose names we have given, who had provided setting himself across the river, and regaining the dwellings which they purposed to occupy in the opposite bank -- the one farthest from Fort spring, shared in the common conflagration and Washington. He took his course with all speed ruin, and the panic for a while retarded the

12 settlement of a locality, now among the most to Dunlap's Station with Mr. Sloan. It identifies flourishing and peaceful ofHamilton county. the hero only as "a runner," not Wallace. It has been our good fortune many a time, and oft, to be seated around the blaze of his cheerful Wiseman went on to serve with the regular army hearth, or at the hospitable board of one who was in the remainder of the Indian War. As a conspicuous actor in the scene, whose history mentioned above, he was at St. Clair's defeat, at we have related, and more than once, and long the site of Fort Recovery, on November 4, 1791 . before we had seen either Judge Burnett's notes, He also was at the battfes of the Maumee Rapids or Mr. Spencer's narrative, have we listened with and Fallen Timbers (August, 1794). interest to his narrative, of the thrilling history of his youthful adventures and fearless daring. He Mr. Wiseman married Rebecca, daughter of continued in service, for five years after and was William Ijams, and settled near West Rushville in present at the unfortunate defeat of St. Clair, and the early years of the nineteenth century. He led his captain, (Truman,) severely wounded, died on February 2, 1854 and is buried at Holy from the field, on that disastrous day. It is with Trinity Cemetery in Somerset. According to no invidious feelings, towards those who have Hervey Scott's History ofFairfield County, "Mr. unjustly claimed the laurels that belong to Wiseman acquired considerable wealth, and another, that we have attempted to re-write the dying childless, willed it principally to the chapter on the attack on Ludlow's [sic] Station. Catholic church at Somerset, Perry County, of For much is due to the truth of his story. And which he was a member." every one will be willing to subscribe to the (The Abstracts will be continued.) Roman adage: "Palmam qui meruit,ferat." J.M. • • • + + + Chronicle of Events in the Diocese of Columbus for 1999 Rev. N. D. Young mentioned Wiseman and told a short and slightly different version of this story Universal Church that was published in the 1883 History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, pages 293-294. May 7 Pope John Paul II began a vlSlt to Romania, hosted by Orthodox Patriarch The author of the above newspaper article relies Teostist, the first visit of a pope to an Orthodox on first-hand accounts of the story, as told by country since the Great Schism ofl 054. Wiseman himself and the old pioneers, to dispute the identification of the hero as John S. Wallace, October 26. The Congregation for Divine a well-known citizen of Cincinnati, later called Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Colonel Wallace. The two works referred to, issued a letter directing that the statutes of the that ascribe the heroic feat to Wallace, are Jacob International Commission for English in the Burnett's Notes on the Early Settlement of the Liturgy be revised thoroughly and without delay. North-western Territory (pp 110-112) and The letter noted an undue autonomy in the Oliver M. Spencer's Indian Captivity: A True translations prepared by the commission, lack of Narrative (pp 15-16). The 1881 History of response to the Holy See's concerns, and Hamilton County by Henry A. and Mrs. Kate B. alteration of rubrics without authorization, and Ford seems to resolve the controversy, by cited the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the 1988 naming Wallace as the other member of the Apostolic Letter Vicesimus QuintusAnnus. surveying party, unnamed above, who escaped

13 Parishes Bixby Road, a 117-unit living facility sponsored Jan. 10 A new parish center attached to St. by the diocese, was dedicated by Bishop Griffin. Patrick Church in London, containing meeting Management is by the Carmelite Sisters for the areas, banquet room, and kitchen, was Aged and Infirm. dedicated. Feb. 5 A new science wing at Bishop Ready High March 28 Ground was broken at St. Joseph School was dedicated. Parish in Sugar Grove for a multi-purpose addition to the north side ofthe church. Feb. The new All Saints Chapel at Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School was blessed. May 2 New additions to the St. Michael Parish facilities in Worthington, completed in March, Feb. The Salesian Boys & Girls Club opened a were blessed, including a gathering place and unit on Dawnlight Ave. (near the Rosemont meeting rooms, a three-level addition to the Center) to provide services in a home-like school, and other rooms. atmosphere for children to use after school.

May 23 Three bronze bells were blessed at Mar. 9 A fire destroyed the portion of the Villas Columbus St. Andrew Church by Bishop Griffin. at St. Theresa that was still under construction.

July 1 Columbus St. Leo Parish was merged into June 2 Our Lady of Bethlehem Convent in St. Mary, from which it had been formed in 1902. Columbus closed. The church remains available for special occasions. Vocations April 18 Shawn D. Corcoran, diocesan July 1 St. Ladislaus and Corpus Christi parishes seminarian, was ordained to the diaconate at St. in Columbus wre placed under a common Turibius Chapel at the Josephinum by Most Rev. administration, located at Corpus Christi. DavidE. Fellhauer, Bishop ofVictoria (Texas).

Aug. 14 A new parish center at St. Coleman April 19 Jeffrey E. Tigyer, diocesan seminarian, Parish in Washington Court House was was ordained to the diaconate at St. Vincent dedicated. Archabbey Basilica, Latrobe, Pa., by Most Rev. William G. Curlin, Bishop of Charlotte. Aug. 29 St. Joan of Arc Parish in Powell broke ground for a social hall and additional religious June 12 Rev. Patrick Kelly, a native of education classrooms. Columbus, was ordained to the priesthood in the Society of Jesus (Detroit Province) by Most Rev. Sept. 26 The new Our Lady of Perpetual Help A Edward Pevec, Auxiliary Bishop of Church in Grove City was dedicated by Bishop Cleveland, at Gesu Church, University Heights. Griffin. June 26 Rev. James Christopher Csaszar was October 16 Ground was broken for the new ordained to the priesthood at St. Joseph Holy Trinity Church at Zoar. Cathedral by Bishop Griffin.

Institutions Aug. 15 Sister Beverly Huffman, Sisters of Jan. 31 The Villas at St. Therese at 25 Noe- Charity of Nazareth, professed final vows in

14 Nazareth, Ky. She is a native of Columbus. Portsmouth. - October 14 Rev. Frederick G. Fury, SS.CC, Nov. 13 In the Cathedral of St. Peter, Scanton, aged 80, in Fairhaven, Mass., former associate Pa., Eric Flood of Canal Winchester was pastor of Marion St. Mary Parish and chaplain at ordained to the diaconate (transitional) for the Marion Correctional Institute. Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter by Most Rev. John - October 18 Sr. Fidelia Widrig, O.P, at St. Mary Dougherty. of the Springs, aged 88 years, a native of Newark. Retirements - October 23 Rev. Joseph E. Knecht, S.J. , aged April: Msgr. Edward J. McFarland, pastor of St. 73 , in Patna (Bihar), India, a native of Matthew Parish in Gahanna and Rev. Charles R. Jeffersonville and missionary to India. Griffin. - December 10 at St. Mary of the Springs, Sr. July: Msgr. Carl P. Clagett, pastor of Columbus Elvira Menduni (Sr. Mary Cosmas), O.P ., a Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish; Rev. native ofColumbus . James W. Jones, chaplain at the Franklin County - December 22 in St. Raphael Home, Most Rev. Jail; and Rev. Robert F. Reilly, pastor of Edward J. Herrmann, age 86, retired Bishop of Circleville St. Joseph Parish. Columbus. + + + Personnel Nov. 21 The papal honor of Protonotary St. John the Evangelist Church, Apostolic was conferred on Msgr. Robert L. Zanesville: Baptisms, 1828-1842 Noon and that of Prelate of Honor of His (Continued, from Vol. XXV, No. 1) Holiness on Msgr. Stephan Maloney and Fathers William A Dunn, James A Geiger, Stephen B . 1835, continued Hawkins, and Edward L. Kessler. July 17 John, son of John King and Sarah Hays; spons. John Farrel. C. P. Montgomery, Necrology O.S.D. - Jan. 14 Rev. Joseph J. Buzek, aged 83 years, in Winter Park, Fla., retired priest of the diocese A July 26 James, son of Isaac Kain and Mary native ofBellaire, he served as a Navy chaplain. Ann Reid; spons. Elizabeth Lucretia Reid. - Jan. 17 Rev. Peter V. Sartori, aged 84 years, in Joseph T. Jarboe, O.S.D. Columbus. A native of Columbus, ordained for this diocese, he retired from the Diocese of August 16 Mary wife of James Devore; spons. Steubenville. Mary Dur-- - Feb. 27 Sister Mildred Uhl, O.P. at St. Mary of the Springs, aged 96, a native ofLancaster. same day Sarah wife of John King; spons. Ann - June 5 Sr. Mary Jovita (Louise Therese) Rogers. Hatem, O.S.U., in Louisville, Ky., aged 73 , a native ofNew Straitsville. same day Cecilia, daughter of Charles Roberts - June 19 Sister Charlene Saunders, O.S.F. and Lucy Fuller; spons. Susanna Fauch. (Stella Niagara) in Columbus, aged 85 ; she was a born Helen Saunders in New Lexington. same day Elizabeth, daughter of James Devore - June 25 Sister Juniper Bickel, O.S.F, at Assisi and Allison Hopkin[page torn]; spons. Isaac Heights Motherhouse in Rochester, Minn. , aged Osmund. 62; she was born Mary Priscilla Bickel m

15 same day Elizabeth, daughter of John King same day Patrick, son of John Canning and and Sarah Hays; spons. Margaret Fullerton. Mary Ann Canning; spons. Martin Shearlock CPM and Rosanna Ownes. JTJ

page 12 Sept. 27 Peter, son of Francis Martin and August 16 Sarah Ann McGraw, daughter of Brigid McMahon; spons. Arthur Mellahon and John McGraw and Jane Royan(?); spons. Mary Mellahon. JTJ Margaret Fullerton. same day Francis, son of John C. Bagly and same day John, son of John King and Sarah Theresa Frances Dugan; spons. Andrew Dugan Hays; spons. Catharina Green. and Ann Rogers. Thomas Martin, O.S.D.

same day Emily, daughter of the same, Oct. 25 John C. P., son of John Coulter and sponsor John Farrel. Ann Davis; spons. Thomas Kilty and Ann McLone. same day Hester Jane, daughter of James Devore and Allison M. Hopkings; spons. same day Lydia, wife of Bernard Rogers; William McCaddon. spons. Mrs. John Cassilly. JTJ

same day Samuel, son of the same; spons. November 1 Elizabeth, daughter of Edward James Durbin. JTJ Farrell and Margaret Denny; spons. James Durbin and Margaret Fullerton. JTJ September 6 Augustus, son of John Garshbogh and Ann Wongler; spons. Anthony November 27 John, son of Philip Callahan and Diss and Teresa Rush. JTJ Mary Curren; spons. Margaret Callahan. JTJ

Sept. 20 John Charles Joseph, son of John December 6 Helen Mary, daughter of Timothy Joseph Chenot and Mary Barbara Festher; Lavin and Mary Dolan; spons. FitzGerald and spons. Charles and Elizabeth Chenot. JTJ Helen Doyle. JTJ

September 26 Jane Pilkinton, daughter of December 10 Joseph Wine; spons. Teresa Roland Pilkinton and Catharine Pilkinton; Hasket. JTJ spons. Patrick and Ann Shearlock. JTJ 1836 September 26 Edward Thomas, son of Martin January 18 Peter Augustine, son of William and Ann Shearlock; spons. Edward and Ann Conklin and Brigid McKernan; spons. N Shearlock. [nom en?] McKernan. JTJ (To be continued)

Catholic Record Society -- Diocese of Columbus 197 E. Gay Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Donald M. Schlegel, editor 16

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