Ohio History Journal

EDITORIALANA.

FORT STEPHENSON CELEBRATON.

August 2d, 1906, was the ninety-third anniversary of the gallant

defense of Fort Stephenson, the site of which is now the center of the

attractive and enterprising city of Fremont. The heroic and unparalleled

"holding" of the little stockade fort by Major George Croghan on August

2d, 1813, against some two thousand British troops under General Proc-

tor and an equal number of Indian braves under Chief Tecumseh is

one of the most memorable events not only in Ohio history but in the

history of our country. For many years post Colonel Webb. C. Hayes,

resident of the historic Hayes homestead, Spiegal Grove, Fremont, has

been in search of the remains of the gallant George Croghan. He finally

found them in an old buryingplace near Louisville, Ky., whence they

were secured and removed to Fremont and on the day in question

were re-interred at the base of the monument marking the spot of the

old stockade enclosure. Over his grave will be planted a spray of myrtle

which was brought from his former burial place. "Fort Stephenson

Park" thus has an added interest and has become a sacred spot to which

the citizens of Fremont and Ohio can point with pride and say: "On

that spot was fought one of the decisive battles of the War of 1812 and

within its borders, enthroned with glory, lies the man who said: 'We

have decided to defend the Fort, and by Heaven we can.'"

The day of the celebration was a beautiful one and thousands of

Ohio's citizens gathered at Fremont to witness the elaborate and imposing

ceremonies. The Sixth Regiment of the Ohio National Guard was pre-

sent and gave fitting military character to the occasion. The nation

was represented by Vice-President Fairbanks and the state by Governor

Harris and his staff. Addresses were delivered by many distinguished

speakers. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society was

represented on the program by its secretary. The proceedings will be

set forth in detail in the forthcoming January (1907) QUARTERLY of the

Society.

UNVEILING GREENVILLE TABLET.

Greenville has witnessed many historic gatherings commemorative

of the signing of the Greenville Treaty on August 3d, 1795. The

formal signing of this treaty by General Anthony Wayne and other

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government officials on the part of the United States and some ninety

Indian chiefs and Sachems on behalf of the conquered Indian tribes

was one of the most potent episodes in western history. On August

3d, 1895, under the auspices of the Ohio State Archaeological and His-

torical Society, a fitting centennial celebration was held at Greenville,

in which Governor McKinley, Hon. Samuel F. Hunt, Hon. William J.

Gilmore and Hon. Samuel H. Doyle, delivered eloquent and inspiring

addresses. But not until this last anniversary (August 3, 1906) was

any attempt made to erect any memorial perpetuative of the event.

Through the patriotic and indefatigable efforts of Mr. George A. Katzen-

berger, President of the Historical Society of Greenville, and Mr. Frazer

E. Wilson, author of the most complete and authentic account of the

"Treaty of Greenville," aided by the members of the Greenville His-

Editorialana.                       501

torical Society and other citizens of Greenville, a memento was secured

in the shape of a collossal granite boulder upon the face of which was

attached an artistic bronze tablet, inscribing the event. The cere-

monies attending the unveiling were worthy the occasion. A parade

preceded the exercises at the tablet. This was participated in by the

members of Company M., 3d Regiment, Ohio Militia, Red Men, repre-

senting Little Turtle Tribe, (Greenville); Minnehaha Tribe (Bradford);

Mississinawa Tribe (Union City); Big Foot Tribe (New Madison) and

Oklawaha Tribe (Ithaca); the G. A. R.; Greenville Historical Society;

Treaty City Club and speakers in automobiles.

When the procession reached the boulder and tablet on West Main

Street, which were covered with the American flag, the band played

"Hail Columbia" and "America" was sung by a chorus of voices.

Rev. J. P. Alden, pastor of the Reformed church, made the invoca-

tion, after which Mr. George A. Katzenberger, President of the Historical

Society, presented the treaty memorial to the city in the following speech:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Eleven years ago there was held in this city the Centennial of the

Treaty of Greenville. One of the speakers, our martyred president,

William  McKinley, then governor of our state,

ended his address as follows:    "We can not

have too many of these celebrations with their

impressive lessons of patriotism and sacrifice.

Let us teach our children to revere the past, for

by its example and lessons alone can we wisely

prepare them for a better and nobler future.

The city of Greenville, the people of Ohio, the

people of the country, should see to it that at

no distant day a great monument shall be erected

to celebrate this great event."

In a similar vein, Judge Samuel F. Hunt con-

cluded his address at the centennial in 1895:

"If, too, the victories of peace are not less

renowned than those of war, then the day will surely come when a

grateful people, revering their traditions, and conscious of the maxims

imperial of their glory, will erect on this historic ground a majestic

monument having an outstretched hand, rather than a fixed bayonet

with the simple yet immortal inscription, "The Treaty of Greenville."

The long desired monument is not yet a reality. The military

achievements of Anthony Wayne are consecrated in the history of his

country and in the hearts of his countrymen, but no monument marks

this site of his greatest achievement.

However, we have here among our young men an organization

known as the Greenville Historical Society, which has held monthly

502         Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

meetings since 1903. One of the objects of the society is the securing

of a Wayne memorial and under the readership of Mr. Frazier Wilson,

we have labored together to awaken in the public an interest in matters

historical.

We have succeeded in part and have secured from the citizens

funds sufficient to purchase a tablet which will commemorate the treaty

which put courage in the heart of the pioneer and gave hope to his

brave wife.

The members of Little Turtle Tribe of Red Men have co-operated

with us to make this event a success, and we also owe grateful acknowl-

edgement to the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic and to

the members of Company M, Third Regiment,

as well as to the liberality of our business men

who assisted financially.

The boulder was presented to us by Frank

D. Meeker, and placed in position gratuitously

by Mr. John Horlacher and sons.

It will be unveiled by Sanford Irwin, a de-

scendant of Thomas Irwin, who was a soldier

in the army of St. Clair, and by Oscar Kerlin,

Jr., a descendant of Major George Adams, who

commanded Fort Greenville in 1812.

May the ruggedness of this granite boulder

be a reminder of the virtues of those who fought,

bled and died for this territory and may its

power to withstand the elements be exceeded by the ability of our

country to withstand all its foes both without and within.

And now on behalf of the members of the Greenville Historical

Society I present to the public, through you this Memorial Boulder.

The unveiling of the tablet followed by Masters Sanford Irwin

and Oscar Kerlin, Jr., and a military salute was fired by members of

Company M.

After a rendition of "Star Spangled Banner" by the band, Hon.

T. C. Maher, chief executive of the city, accepted the memorial on behalf

of the city in the following speech:

Mr. Chairmen, Ladies and Gentlemen:

On August 3, 1795, one hundred and eleven years ago, there occurred

upon this spot a most momentous event in the history of this country.

Here, as every student knows, was signed the Treaty of Greenville,

that opened for development and civilization the vast territory that is

now known as the Great Mississippi Valley, and from a dense forest

it has since been brought by the hand of enterprise and energy of the

sons and daughters of America, to be the homes of millions of loyal

sons and daughters of liberty loving people.