News-Journal from Mansfield, Ohio • 12

a a a a a a 0 12 Mansfield News-Journal Mansfield, 0., Dec. 29, 1946 Mifflin Resident, 91, Recalls 'Old Days' In Village COPUS, ZIMMER MURDERS CITED BY AARON COLE Monuments Now Mark Sites of Indian Massacres. By GEORGE SATTLER Aaron Cole, a spry man of 91 who has lived in the vicinity of Mifflin all his life, says he "would not change places with any 'city man' alive." "It isn't just the village I like," he explained, "but the people and the history behind them that makes this the most interesting spot in the world for me!" Cole's statement is well justified, because there are few villages in the area which can boast Mifflin's rich history and background. "Although the countryside around Mifflin enough now, he said. "it was once the scene of two of the most terrible Indian massacres in the territory." "NATURALLY, SINCE THEY happened in 1812, I wasn't around at the time." chuckled, "but I remember hearing old settlers talk about them when I was a lad." Zimmer massacre was the first and it took place just two miles south of Mifflin on what is now State Route Cole said, recalling what old-timers had told him.

"Altogether four persons were killed at the Zimmer place-Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer, their daughter Kate, and a friend of the Zimmers, Martin Ruffner, a Mifflin resident." he went on. "A son, Philip, escaped death because he had gone to other cabins in the valley for help after he had seen Indians lurking in the neighborhood. "WHEN PHILIP RETURNED he found his family murdered.

Martin Ruffner, whom he had left at the cabin to protect his family, was found in the doorway, scalped. Two dead Indians lay nearby. "Although the story has, never been proved, legend that Philip Zimmer spent the rest of his life tracking down and killing the Indians who took part in the massacre," Cole said. The second massacre took place just south of Zimmer's at the Copus family cabin a few days later. "Mr.

Copus and five of the nine soldiers protecting the family were killed before the Indians were driven off." Cole said. "The rest of the family, which included Mrs. Copus and two daughters were saved. However, one of the daughters was wounded." MONUMENTS, MARKING the spots where the massacres occurred, were erected by Mifflin township residents in 1882. They may be seen today on the farm of James Culler, whose ancestors bought the property from Philip Zimmer.

In recent years, Mifflin has become well-known throughout the area to fishermen, boating enthusiasts, and vacationists because of the Muskingum Watershead Conservancy project, includes nearby Charles Mill dam. Although Mifflin, Mud, and Bell lakes-which lie just southeast of the village- always there, the dam greatly increased their size and created Charles Mill lake. Scores of cabins now dot the shores of Mifflin and Charles Mill lakes. out in 1816, although a settlement existed on the same spot many years before that date. The village is situated in the Black Fork valley, eight miles east of Mansfield on U.

S. Route 30, in the center of what many call "the most beautiful section of Ohio." "Some persons don't know it," Cole said, "but Mifflin was originally called name was changed many years Bucyrus Chorus To Present Revue -Bucyrus Male chorus present annual revue February 4 and 5 in Bucyrus high school, Dr. A. D. Bumstead, director, announced today.

The cast of 75 men and women has been rehearsing since September. The program will include numbers by the "Treble-aires" and by a girls' trio. Proceeds will go to the high ago." At one time, Mifflin boasted a number of grist mills in the vicinity, a hotel, three blacksmith shops, a saddler's shop, three cobblers, two wagon shops, a postoffice, and a butcher shop. Today there are two general stores, a fur-buying firm, Mifflin Inn, a -known restaurant, and snack bar. Population of Mifflin is about 100.

COUNCIL TO MEET SHELBY- -An adjourned meeting of city council will be held at 7 p. m. Monday at the city hall to adjust end balances and to give a wage increase to all city employes except those employed in the Municipal Light and Water companies, who already have received an increase. Try a Mansfield News-Journal Classified Ad for Quick Results. AMBULANCE SERVICE uniform.

high standard of service to all GEIGER FUNERAL HOME 173 PARK AVE WEST PHONE 4900-6 ONE OF THE OLDEST VIL- school fund to purchase a new lages in the area, Mifflin was laid Grand piano. Portable Electric Washer "Electro-Mite" $29.95 Good news for homemakers who have been waiting for this superefficient machine. Cleans clothes quickly and gently by acceptable home laundry methods. Ideal for $3 convenient pieces: any size family or home motor base, wash tub, and lid. especially apartments.

May be used for baby's wash and small can be lifted off base and contents steri- pieces. lized on stove. electro mite working parts in Electrical -Lower Floor -O'Neil's tub to damage garments. O'Neil' LIQUOR MIFF NK 0000 00005 VILLAGE OF MIFFLIN-One of the oldest villages in the area, Mifflin lies eight miles east of Mansfield on U. S.

Route 30 in the Black Fork valley, in what many call "the most beautiful section of Ohio." Top photo shows Mifflin as it looks today. Aaron Cole, 91, (bottom) who has spent all his life in the vicinity, recalls much of Mifflin's rich history and background as he sits by his coal stove and puffs his pipe. (Photos by Bill Graham, N-J staff photographer.) ASHLAND SEEKS VETS HOUSING ASHLAND Ashland county commissioners today were considering two recommendations for veterans housing submitted by the county veterans' housing advisory committee at a meeting of the two groups. The committee has recommended construction of two types of veterans homes, one of them a two-family, frame unit proposed several weeks ago by Don C. Heter, Ashland plumbing contractor; the other a quonset single unit proposed by Charles H.

Swartz, of Ashland. The veterans' committee voted negatively on a proposal for erection of trailers and also against a type of pre-fabricated home which they felt would afford insufficient room for a veteran with children. The county has been allotted $25,000 of the state's appropriation for veterans housing in Ohio. Millersburg Wife Seeks Divorce MILLERSBURG--Mary Skelly, a minor, acting through her mother, Mrs. William Boley, has started divorce proceedings against married March Millersburg and Skelly, They, have one child Gross neglect and extreme cruelty, permanent are charged.

alimony are Temporary sought as well as exclusive custody of the child and possession of the household goods. Russell and Schuler law firm represents Mrs. Skelly. Judge Elmo Estill has appointed Earl Kieffaber to investigate the case of Evelyn Fry vs. Ralph J.

Fry in which Fry seeks custody of Dorothy, 15, Martha, 12, and Donna, nine, three chilthe couple now in the Painter Children's Home. FIRST DEATH IN YEARS CLEVELAND-(INS Suburban Maple Heights recorded its first traffic fatality in two and a half years today. Ladimir S. Freedle, 65, was killed when he ran into the path of an automobile, police WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE LET YOUR DUPLICATOR HELP YOU Every Organization Big on Small Needs 4 SPEED-0-PRINT FEED DUPLICATOR Saves Time Saves Money Will reproduce any. thing from post card to legal size, that can be typed, drawn.

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ORR TYPEWRITER CO. 28 W. Fourth St. Phone 2310-6 reported. NOTICE Our Store Will Be CLOSED Monday and Tuesday December 30th and 31st For Inventory Martin Hardware 19 N.

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