88 Tuscarawas County in the War of 1812 — At the commencement of hostilities in 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, probably two thousand white people were dwelling in what is now Tuscarawas county, scattered principally along or near the valley of the Tuscarawas, Sugar Creek, One Leg, Sandy and Big Stillwater. Many of the Indians still occupied their hunting grounds in the Tuscarawas valley, living on terms of friendship, and in some instances of intimacy,' / with the settlers. When hostilities began these associations suddenly ceased. The ' Indians who were not members of the missions • ■ daubed their faces with warpaint boasted of the many scalps they had taken from the white men in former years, and with threats of invasion left the county to join their western brothers. The cowardly surrender of Hull- at Detroit left the entire western border unprotected, and rumors of savage raids and warfare were rife. A few pioneers appalled by the probability of scenes of burning and murder, and unwilling to risk the safety of ■ their families in such an event, returned to their eastern homes. Panics, 'produced by startling* rumors, pervaded every settlement, ]
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