Ohio History Journal

302      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

it to go beyond what is now the confines of Pickaway Township.

Further, the Cresaps of the present are of the opinion that Logan

should have been consistent with the words of his message, by

his attendance at the Treaty when only six miles distant, not-

withstanding his threatening note of July, 1774, to Captain

Michael Cresap tied to a War Club, and left in the house of

Roberts after Logan had massacred the family. Also Logan

was inconsistent again in appealing for sympathy for the killing

of his brother, when eight years thereafter he is recorded as

murdering his own wife.

The Cresap blood has followed the flag wherever it has

floated. Captain Michael took to Boston, as members of his

company, his nephews of Michael Cresap, Jr., Daniel Cresap, Jr.,

and Joseph Cresap. It flowed on the "Essex" upon the sea; it

was with Grant at Vicksburg, Shiloh and Appomattox, and with

Sherman to the sea. The old Colonel's love of the cause of

liberty flowed on even to the seventh generation, for up San

Juan hill was heard the voice of Jules Gansche Ord, son of Gen-

eral Edward Otho Cresap Ord. "All who are brave follow me",

just before that voice was stilled forever.

 

Hon. Chase Stewart, the original legislator to introduce laws

in the Ohio General Assembly for the purchase of historic

grounds, was called upon and gave an address upon Historic

Tree.

ADDRESS OF HON. CHASE STEWART.

The large attendance here this beautiful October day is

evidence of the fact that the people of Pickaway and Ross Coun-

ties are not indifferent to the importance and significance of

this occasion for they all seem to be present.

The preservation of this historic spot is assured by the ac-

ceptance on the part of the Ohio State Archaeological and His-

torical Society of the deed delivered today. The tract of ground

conveyed includes the magnificent old elm whose generous shade

we are now enjoying.

Several centuries have passed since its growth began and

for one hundred and thirty-eight years it has stood as a faithful

sentinel over the spot which is given marked distinction because

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Dedication of the Logan Elm.          303

 

of the completion of the Peace Treaty between the last Colonial

Governor of Virginia and the Red Men of this region in Octo-

ber, 1774.

The adoption of a tree as a means of perpetuating and

identifying the location of an important place or event is not

uncommon and the Elm has performed this service for our coun-

trymen in several well known instances.

Great interest has been centered in the tree known as the

Washington Elm at Cambridge, Massachusetts, for it was under

it that George Washington took command of the Continental

Army, July 3, 1775, and because of this circumstance the tree

was preserved and it was guarded with unceasing diligence. A

majestic elm on Boston Common became historic.

The stately elm under which the famous treaty was con-

cluded between one of the noblest of Pennsylvania colonists,

William Penn, and the Indians, stands out prominently in the

history of the Colonial period, and is given additional significance

because of the faithfulness with which the treaty was kept by

both the white and the red men, for it remained unbroken.

The elm is not as long lived as the yew tree, the cypress,

or the oak. It is said there are yew trees growing in Great

Britain more than 3,000 years old, and that one of the most at-

tractive and interesting in England, was the one under which

in October, 1750, Thomas Gray completed his immortal Elegy.

It is claimed that for seven centuries this tree has stood as a

guard and protector over "the venerable church, the monuments

to crusaders and the beautiful churchyard of Stokes Pogis".

While the longevity of the elm is not so marked as that of

some other trees the Logan Elm has lived long enough to assist

us in locating the place that became historic over a century ago.

The companions of the old elm have long since disappeared.

It has seen them fall upon the advance of the white man in this

section. It has withstood the destruction of the forest about

it, and if this old tree could think and speak and give utterance

to its thoughts in the presence of this assemblage no doubt it

would express its appreciation of the efforts made by former

owners and especially the Boggs family in protecting it from

injury and in saving it from the fate of its associates.

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304      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

The community and the State can well afford to have re-

moved from cultivation the amount of ground included in the

deed delivered today and to have this tract of 4.60 acres set apart,

beautified and properly maintained in order that our own genera-

tion and especially those that are to follow may have before

them a record or monument of an event that was one of the

first in which the white man participated in the region lying

north and west of the river Ohio.

The benefit to be derived from this source far exceeds that

to be obtained from other uses to which it could be put.

In the city of Nagoya in Japan there stands a castle sur-

rounded by a moat, embrasures and escarpments and several

acres of ground. It was used as the dwelling place of a Daimyo,

or provincial governor, during the period when a feudal form

of government prevailed throughout the provinces of Japan, and

was so constructed as to offer opportunities for defense in case

of attack.

Castles of a similar character have long since disappeared

for Daimyos and Shoguns are no longer in evidence in the Em-

pire. And notwithstanding the great value of tillable land in

Japan and especially that upon which this Castle was situated,

with what might be termed a proper appreciation and regard

for future generations, the Japanese government decided that the

Castle and surrounding ground should be taken over by the

Imperial Household Department, and be preserved as a monu-

ment of historic interest. Not only has this course already been

highly appreciated by the Japanese themselves, but foreigners

and tourists traveling through the Empire recognize it as one

of the interesting relics of past centuries.

With equal if not greater propriety does it become the duty

of the State of Ohio through the Historical Society which has

accepted the deed for this historic place today, to see to it that

it shall be kept intact and preserved, for it represents a day and

age in the history of territory now forming a part of our state

worthy of recollection and of perpetuation.

In doing this not only is an obligation to our own generation

fulfilled, but it especially involves consideration and regard for

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Dedication of the Logan Elm.              305

 

those who are to follow, and whose interest in the early historic

landmarks will become more intense the farther removed they

become from the time and event sought to be perpetuated.

The opportunity was presented to make this conveyance and

dedication possible and that it was taken advantage of will be a

source of satisfaction and pleasure to those who have participated

and were instrumental in bringing about the exercises of this day.

In conclusion permit it to be said that all things animate and

inanimate are compelled to yield to the attacks of nature. It is,

of course, understood that the Logan Elm will be no exception

and that in time it will decay and will no longer be in evidence

for the benefit of that portion of mankind who may be interested

in this spot.

When that time arrives the words that were used long ago

by the venerable Judge Peters, the esteemed friend of Washing-

ton, can be appropriately adopted here. The words were written

of the "Treaty Elm", so called, after the conference between

William Penn and the Indians, and were as follows:

 

"Let each take a relic from that hallowed tree,

Which, like Penn, whom it shaded, immortal shall be;

As the pride of our forests let Elms be renowned,

For the justly prized virtues with which they abound.

 

*   *   *    *

 

Though Time has devoted our tree to decay,

The sage lessons it witnessed survive to our day;

May our trustworthy statesman, when called to the helm

Ne'er forget the wise treaty held under the Elm".

 

Mr. W. C. Mills, Curator of the Ohio Archaeological and

Historical Society, expressed his pleasure in the occasion.

He spoke briefly but earnestly of the work of the State So-

ciety in its endeavors to secure and preserve archaeological and

historical sites.

An appropriate and pleasing portion of the exercises was

the reading of Logan's Speech, by one of the Indian guests, Miss

Calvert.

Vol. XXII- 20.

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