Local Massacres
There are several accounts of the Dilbone Massacre. It occurred in 1813 on what is now State Route 36, east of Piqua. The same can be said concerning a massacre involving Major Wolverton and some local soldiers. The first recorded accounts of these events stem from the writings of Dr. Asa Coleman.
Dr. Coleman was one of the county's first physicians as well as a surgeon for the Ohio Militia during the War of 1812. His original version of these events was first published in 1837 by the Troy Times. Many of his recollections have been published, often not recognizing him as the primary source of information. This story holds information from all accessible versions of the massacres I could locate, as well other letters I discovered that were penned by government officials concerning the events.
"The Wolverton Incident" The first massacre concerning Miami County was not the above mentioned Gerard or Dilbone killings, but an "incident" that happened one year prior.
A group of Indians were ambushed by Miami Militia. In a letter to the Liberty Hall Newspaper, General Edmund Munger noted that arms were being sent from Urbana to supply several parties of Miami's men. These men were to patrol the area between Greenville and the Piqua-Troy area. Major Charles Wolverton, who was in command of Fort Greenville, was on patrol with a company of men. An Indian camp was discovered near their post. Without attempting to determine the position or loyalties of these Indians, the company of men attacked the Indians. Two Indians were killed another wounded, and several captured. The Indians offered no resistance.
The May 1812 edition of the Ohio Centinel describes the "incident": The Indians-The savages appear to be engaged on every quarter of our frontier in committing depredations upon the lives and property of settlers. On the 20th of last month, they killed and scalped a man near Greenville. In consequence of the murder of Greenville, a volunteer company of militia from Miami County marched to that neighborhood, and we have been notified that they killed two, wounded another and taken two squaws and a boy prisoner. They are in pursuit of the wounded Indian, and they state a determination to kill every Indian they meet with, until they have further orders.
A later edition of the Centinel states that the wounded Indian lost his hand do to the injury. These Indians camping near Greenville were a friendly hunting party. They were the family of an Indian named Killbuck. The surviving Indians were taken to the fort, kept for some time. They were later sent under guard to Colonel John Johnston, the local Indian Agent. Johnston personally took this family back to Greenville, and ordered the Militia to restore their property. He then released them to their tribe. Colonel Johnston's official report to the Secretary of War, William Eustice was as follows:
Piqua, Ohio
Sir,
Since writing you last, a detachment of Militia on duty at Greenville fell in with a party of friendly Indians. They killed two, wounded one, and took two women and a child prisoner. The Indians were quietly at their camp, unoffending and unresisting, not even having their guns loaded.
On hearing of this affair, I repaired to the place, clamed the prisoners, and sent them home in the charge with some Shawnees with a suitable speech to the nation to which they belonged. A few days later came a party of Shawnees hunting in the same direction, which were taken by the Militia without opposition or bloodshed, they were sent to me and returned to their nation.
I scarcely got clear of them when I received a message from the officer commanding the Militia that he had taken a mixed part of Indians, two Miami's, four Delaware men and women. Among these prisoners was the younger Killbuck who was suspected of being the murderer of Henry Rush, a citizen of the United States lately killed at Greenville. I found it necessary to proceed there in order to take testimony touching the case, accordingly took several depositions, and found strong grounds for suspicion.
I sent young Killbuck under guard (having first dismissed the others with written speeches to their tribes) to the county prison to take his trial, and on the first night of their being on the road, the fellow ran away from the guard, and has not since been heard of.
I had consented that his wife should accompany him and she remains in custody. I shall take the opportunity to send her home shortly. In consequence, of all the late murders by the savages, armed parties of our people are out in all directions breathing destruction against the Indians indiscriminately; the most fatal consequences would ensued if some person had not been charged with the care and management of this quarter.
During the War of 1812, life on the frontier was filled with violence for citizens in this area. ...even more so for Indians. As for young Killbuck, he successfully escaped from his guard, and escaped a murder trial. Not all Indians were so lucky.
Governor Meigs received an official report of the Wolverton Incident. It read as follows:
Montgomery County May 14th, 1812
Sir
In conformity to your orders of the 7th Instant, I have been at Greenville, and have examined the circumstances of the affair of killing two Indians near that place. By legal testimony, I find that those Indians were discovered by Captain Fish the evening before they were killed, he informed Major Wolverton and his party of the discovery. The next morning, the Major and ten men went in pursuit of the Indians, and found them at their camp. As soon as the Indians discovered Wolverton's party, they ran, and were fired upon by the Major's party. Two were killed, one wounded, two squaws and one child were taken prisoner. I understand by the witness, that there was no order given to fire at the time the Indians were killed, but the men had previous orders not to hurt squaws or children.
I likewise understood that the party with Major Wolverton had just seen the mangled corpse of one of their fellow citizens, who had fallen innocent victim to savage barbarity, without the least insult or provocation. This exasperated the men to such a degree, that it was very difficult to control them.
I was informed by Mr. Conner, a trader at Fort Recovery, that the party of Indians which were killed stayed at his house several days, and appeared to be friendly. They told him they were going to buy whiskey, they had a number of horses, and a considerable quantity of skins. They also had one handsome bridle with a plated bit, and one of their guns was stamped "London" on the barrel. Whether they are friends or foes is unknown, but they are of the Pottowattomie Nation.
We found on our arrival at Greenville five other Indians, who were in the possession of our party. they appeared to be friendly, and they were fearful that settlers might come across them and kill them. These Indians were of the Shawnee Nation. When I left Greenville, I thought it advisable to bring them all on with us, together with all their property, which I sent to Mr. Johnston, the Indian Agent, to dispose of agreeable to your directions.
I would further state to your Excellency the alarming situation of the settlements in the route we went. We found nearly all the inhabitants above the Stillwater River had evacuated their houses and farms, and removed back. We understand that if there could be a sufficient number of men sent on the frontier, they could go back and plant corn, and would return to their homes again.
I believe there is a probability of the Indians making an attack shortly. Mr. Conner told me that he had been advised by friendly Indians to remove from his place, or he would be killed, for the Prophet's party had determined to fall on the white peoples as soon as the leaves put out and their horses got in better order. He also said that there was a number of Indians at different times who related the same story. He has therefore removed to that place and was at Greenville. Everything looks like war with the Indians, although I believe some are determined not to act on either side.
If your Excellency should think proper to send out a detachment of men to those parts, to be stationed at such places as you may think proper to direct, under some vigilant officer. I would be leave to recommend Colonel Jerome Holt to be a man very suitable for that command, he having been an active officer, and thoroughly acquainted with all that part of the country, having served in all the different campaigns, through the last Indian War.
I have the Honor to be, with Respect, Your Excellency's Most Obedient Humble Servant,
Edmund Munger, Brigadier General
Miami County was an extremely dangerous place to live. Indian attacks were on the rise. Miami and Greene counties were considered war zone by the state, and men who stayed on their farm was draft exempt. Settlers in neighboring counties were being killed, and it was no surprise to settlers when murders occurred in this area. Prior to the Dilbone Massacre, thirty-five men from Troy petitioned Ohio's governor, R.J. Meigs concerning the Indians who were gathered at the Johnston Farm.
Miami County State of Ohio February 3, 1813
To His Excellency R.J. Meigs Governor of the said State The petition of the undersigned humbly sheweth- that whereas there are a considerable number of Indians of the Delaware tribes called in by order of General Harrison, and are now in our county, that it is but thinly settled on the frontier, distant from a market where provisions can be furnished them. The people of the neighborhood, feel themselves in a dangerous situation in the consequences of their being exposed to invasion and depredation from them, they lying contiguous to the enemy, have every opportunity of conveying information to them of our situation, moving off and joining them and doing much mischief, from their knowledge of our country etc.etc.-
This brief petition we would humbly beg your Excellency to take into consideration and relieve us from a state of uneasiness and alarm, by having them removed to the interior of our state, where from its population they will be awed into the submission to the authorities having charge over them and supported at a much less expense to the Government-
At the outset of hostilities, Colonel Johnston was the unofficial authority in the county. Johnston spent his time trying to keep peace with the Indian nations, provide safety and shelter for many Indians camping at his farm, and attempting to intervene in Militia "incidents". The latter was frustrating for him, as he had no official power or rank concerning the Ohio Militia. His pleas for assistance often went unanswered.
Local history books state that Johnston wrote to George Buchanan, a Captain at a blockhouse in Covington. He appealed for help. This is true -however, Buchanan was also ordered by Governor Meigs to assist Johnston. In order to obtain this assistance, Johnston appealed in writing to the United States Secretary of War, William Eustice. Eustice appealed to Ohio's governor through contacts in Washington.
The Honorable William Eustice Secretary of War Piqua, Ohio
Sir,
You will received intelligence from other sources that the British have taken Mackinac, and that as a natural consequence, General Hull has ordered Fort Dearborn at Chicago to be evacuated. The loss of these two very important establishments will give the enemy complete ascendancy over the Indians. I feel that this will be felt severely on our frontiers. I wrote to you some time since for an order on the Military Store at New Port, Kentucky, for 60 stands of arms, - 30 rifles, and 30 muskets. I intreat you to send it to me immediately for the safe keeping and to enable us to keep our ground here.
I will give any pledge for the safe keeping and due return of the arms which you may desire. I have all the Indian goods for Detroit, Sandusky, Fort Wayne, and this places, together with those as presents for the Great Council on hand here. I have applied to the local Militia and the U.S. Rangers for a guard, without effect. The public property in my hands remains unprotected. I have not even arms enough for the persons constituting my family. One rifle, a fowling piece, and an English musket are all I have to defend 30 or 40 thousand dollars worth of U.S. property.
There is no calculating on the friendship of the Indians after the loss of Michelimackinac and Chicago. If Governor Hull is not strong enough to attack Malden, he never ought to have crossed over to the British territory.
I have the Honor to Remain with Very Great respect, Sir, Your Most Obedient Servant,
John Johnston
...........
"The Dilbone Massacre"
The fears of Troy's citizens were later to be realized, but not by the Indians residing at the Johnston farm. Johnston was directed by the Federal Government to supply non-hostile Indians with a safe domain and supplies, and also to keep them congregated in some sort of orderly manner. Harrison sent many Indians to Johnston in order to keep promote neutrality. As the number of Indians increased, so did the tension in the county.
In mid August, 1813, a man named David Gerard was murdered by two Indians in a woods near his house. He had been making shingles with a man named Ross. After Gerard was shot, Ross escaped and ran to Staunton, where a company of volunteers were drilling, and warned the community. Men returned to the scene to find Gerard scalped. His family was unharmed. Two miles north, the same Indians came upon a man named Henry Dilbone and his family.
Dilbone was shot through the chest, but ran into the cornfield and hid in order to escape. He saw the Indians tomahawk and scalp his wife, but was unable to come to her aid. He hid himself as well as he could, and was not found until the next day. He was still living when he was located by Captain Benjamin Dye. Dye and his men were returning from Fort Greenville. In his last minutes on this earth, Dilbone asked for his wife and children. Captain Dye told him his children were being cared for, and that his wife was dead. He asked to see her remains, and after looking at her, he fell back and died.
John Dilbone, the eldest child, was seven years old. He witnessed the entire event. After seeing his parents killed, he took his two sisters and infant brother back to their home. The children put the infant to sleep, and all climbed into their parents bed. Later that day, a neighbor stopped in and asked they why they were in bed. John told her the horrid story. She immediately left for her children and the nearest station. Presently, William McKinney came, and John took him to the grizzly scene. John also mentioned that he knew the Indian who was responsible was a well known local, Mingo George. According to John, his mother had pleaded with her murderer when he had fired at her husband. "George, don't kill him", she begged. She was then tomahawked. McKinney took the children to Winan's Station for safety.
As for Mingo George, some time later he was killed by a well directed bullet while deer hunting along the Miami River. The local tribe he had been staying with buried him without comment. As a warrior, he had achieved one of his goals. The hostile Indians in the area wanted to drive wedges between the citizens and the Indians that Johnston was keeping at his farm. A goal which was not achieved, was that of taking Colonel Johnston's life.
Johnston was much alarmed for the safety of the community. He noted details of the attacks in a letter he penned the following letter to the National Intelligencer:
Piqua, Ohio August 21, 1813
On Wednesday evening the 18th of the present month, the British allies made an irruption into the neighborhood of Piqua. They fired on David Gerard and a Mr. Ross who had been working some distance from a house. Ross made his escape unhurt, but Gerard, not being able to get out of the way, fell sacrifice to the tomahawk and scalping knife. From this scene the savages proceeded some distance to where Henry Dilbone and his wife were pulling flax. They fired upon Dilbone and shot him through the body, after which they dispatched his wife with the knife and tomahawk, in the act of holding up her hands and begging for mercy. The murderous wretches made good their retreat and in all probability have returned to there employers at Malden to receive reward for their services.
Both Dilbone and Gerard have left families of small helpless children. The party who committed the above murders passed Wapaghkonetta where they were spoken to, avowed there intention of coming to Piqua, and said they were sent by the British. They also said several parties of Indians were sent to other parts of the frontier. From many circumstances which have come to my knowledge, I am induced to believe these visits will be repeated upon our defenseless inhabitants. Those residing in places of danger will do well to be on their guard.
In haste, Your Obedient Servant,
John Johnston
This brief story ends as it begins, with murders within our community. Passing through the Miami Valley was much more difficult for the red man than the white.
We know the fate of Mingo George. He met his maker via a well directed bullet, courtesy of a Dilbone family friend. There was no disciplinary action against Major Wolverton or the men who attacked the peaceful Indians, as they were following orders issued by the Ohio Militia hierarchy.
We may never know all the facts, but it appears that Miami County was, at one time, a perilous place ....
Our line of descent from Germany to present day is as follows:
other links...
The War of 1812 in Miami County OH
Local Massacres During the War of 1812