There
was also a Yarnell RAKESTRAW that purchased land in Swancreek Twp.
Fulton Co. Ohio in 1862 and a Mr. Y. Rakestraw that purchased land in Lucas
in 1832 and is listed as a son of Joseph. He gave an interview to newspaper
reporter in his latter years as follows:
Mr. Y. RAKESTRAW
was one of the best known pioneers in Lucas County. He came here
in 1832 and he took a prominent part in politics & agricultural matters.
He resided in Whitehouse. (which is just west of Waterville where his father
Joseph
RAKESTRAW, of the other story above) He gave his recollections of the
settlement of Wauseon, OH
Mr RAKESTRAW said
that where the courthouse is located, and in the vicinity when he was young
was a 100 acres of swamp land. Muskrats made their nests in the swamp
and pond lilies and white flag were abundant. He knew the famous
Indian Chief WA-SA-ON & Chief OTTOKEE who was the brother of Chief
WA-SA-ON. He had a clear recollection of the time when the Indians
were corralled on Button Island, near Maumee, OH preparatory to being sent
to Missouri on the reservation. WA-SA-ON, OTTOKEE and Col. Dresden
Howard went Missouri on horseback to look after the interest of the Indians.
Howard was made a sub-chief when he was a mere boy. His parents were from
Grand Rapids, OH also on the Maumee River and just a few miles upstream
from Waterville, OH. Mr. RAKESTRAW said that Chief WA-SA-ON was a tall,
well built man, very intelligent, dignified and gentleman in every way.
He was one of the most honorable Indians and man the Mr Rakestraw ever
met. Game of all kinds were plentiful. In the fall of 1833, Mr Rakestraw's
father sowed 3 acres off wheat. It grew luxuriously and the deer
came to feed on it. One day he saw more than 20 deer feeding on the grain.
A number of them were shot and they ceased to come by the daylight but
when it was dark, the family could tell when the deer in the wheat by wiggling
of their white tails. Mr RAKESTRAW asserts that the Indians were honest
to a fault, if fairly treated, but they never forgot a wrong. As
illustrating their honesty 15 to 20 Indians were passing the RAKESTRAW
farm. They were from OTTOKEE's camp and were going to visit WA-SA-ON's
camp. Cucumbers were ripe and an Indian dismounted form his horse
and asked Mr. Rakestraw's father (Joseph RAKESTRAW) if they might have
some cucumbers. "Of course, Take all you want." said his father.
Only 2 Indians were allowed to cross the fence by their leaders and they
began to pick some of the cucumbers. They then saw some melons and inquired
if they might have several
melons also.
Again, Joseph RAKESTRAW told them to take what they wished. The Indians
then offered to pay for them, but Mr Rakestraw refused to take money.
About 3 weeks from the time the Indians had picked the cucumbers and melons,
an Indian killed a deer south of the RAKESTRAW home. He dressed it
nicely, and took the saddles of venison to the house and insisted the Mrs.
RAKESTRAW should accept them for the favors shown to the Indians.
When she insisted they need not pay , they laid the venison before her
and walked away. Mr RAKESTRAW, contrasted the public schools of his boyhood
with the schools of that day. When he was a boy he was required to
walk 5 miles in all kinds of weather; rain, sleet, snow and mud to
attend school. If the teacher was sober enough to teach the pupils....
all right, but if he was not sober, then there would be no school!
And he would be required
to walk home
again. Now a child can get his education in small schools near his
home.
Mr. Rakestraw
has taken "THE BLADE" since the first number was issued.
The Toledo Blade
is the daily newspaper in this area and the above
story was
published in this paper when Mr. Y. RAKESTRAW was on in years and was recollecting
his childhood.
