WAYNE COUNTY OHIO - "Arise Wild Land" by Lindsey Williams [Page 5]
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Beverly
bevwayne@gte.net
April 26, 1999
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This information is from a copy of "Arise Wild Land" by Lindsey Williams, 
as related to Rittman and Sterling.   Lindsey Williams was the newspaper 
editor/owner of the Rittman paper and he was President of the Historical 
Society there as well.  All proceeds from the book went to the Historical 
Society.  The publisher is Atkinson Printing in Wooster Oh.
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   Another trail in the township, as shown by the first 
survey, paralleled the south bank of the Indian River (now 
Chippewa Creek).  Most likely it ran from the confluence of 
the Chippewa and Tuscarawas to Chippewa Lake where a large 
Indian village was occupied well into historical times.
   A second east-west trail, through the Rittman area, is 
believed to have existed north of Chippewa Creek.  The 
present Doylestown and Clinton roads (Routes 70 and 100) 
meander on high ground in a manner typical of Indian 
trails..  Certainly it was a main raod into the area from 
the east.  The earliest road survey of 1826 shows it in 
place just east of Doylestown.
   The late George Fritz, descendent of the early settler 
Martin Fritz, said that his great-grandfather was directed 
by the U. S. land agent at Canton to cross the Tuscarawas 
River where it is narrow,m just north of the confluence with 
Chippewa Creek.  Fritz was told a trading post marked a 
trail west and he would find his tract beyond two hills and 
two streams.
   An approach to north Milton Township - designated then 
simply as township 18 of range 12 - was impractical from the 
south.  The Chippewa had created a treacherous swamp along 
tis course through a large part of Milton and Chippewa 
townships.
   This swamp was both  the curse and blessing of early 
settlers for nearly a century.  It provided rich farm land 
when drained.  Unfortuately it also harbored mosquitos that 
made malarial "ague" a dreaded plague.  Conquering the swamp 
was the first challenge of Rittman settlers.