89 and on several occasions the people gathered hastily at the cabin of one of the pioneers and passed the night in momentary expectation of an attack. The greatest alarm occurred soon after Hull’s surrender. A few returning paroled soldiers spread the report that the savages were approaching in large numbers, and that by the next morning there would not be a white man alive west of the river. The tidings flew from cabin to cabin through out the Sugar Creek settlements, and the terror stricken people at once commenced a precipitate retreat. A few valuables were hastily collected and thrown into the wagons to which teams of horses or oxen were hitched and goaded to their highest speed. Goods that were not easily transported were in some instances hidden in thickets or swamps. The meal from which the pioneer family arose was left standing on the table and whatever work they were engaged in was left unfinished. The Dover ferry was crowded all day long, and was scarcely able to transport the thronging eager fugitives. At New Philadelphia a stand was made, but as daysand weeks passed and no enemy appeared, the settlers gradually returned to their homes. At first they went
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