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CHAPTER X
PERKINS TOWNSHIP
Perkins is bounded on the north by Sandusky—or Portland Township—on
the east by Huron Township, on the south by Oxford, and on
the west by Margaretta. The township is generally level, but in some
parts undulating and marked by several elevated ridges, which consist
mostly of yellow sand. The principal one of these extends across the
township in a southwesterly direction, ending at Bloomingville. The
soil is very fertile and of great variety. The sandy ridges are adapted
to all kinds of crops. South of the ridges are the prairies, composed
of black alluvial earth, on which is grown mostly grain. In sections 2
and 3 limestone soil abounds, and in some particular localities good clay
for brick and tile is found. The ridge mentioned divides the prairie
from the timber land. Part of sections 1 and 4 is prairie, stretching
to the west with intervening groves of hickory and black oak. In the
northern portion of the township was a dense growth of black and white
walnut, maple, whitewood, black and white oak, linn and several other
kinds of trees. There are no marshes or waste land in. the township,
and it is one of the most productive in the Firelands. The township is
watered by no very large streams. Mills Creek crosses section 3 and
empties into the bay west of Sandusky. Pipe Creek passes through
sections 4, 3 and 2, and flows into the bay east of Sandusky. Another
small stream, called Plum Brook, heads on the prairie, passes near
Bogart, through "section 2, and finds its way into the cove. Much of the
land is thoroughly underdrained, and is in a high state of cultivation.
Among the different tribes of Indians who inhabited the firelands
were the Delawares and Ottawas, which belonged to the Algonquin family
and the Wyandots or Hurons, and the Senecas, which belonged to
the' Huron-Iroquois family. As late as 1818 the township was dotted
over with Indian wigwams. Near Bogart's Corners was an unusually
large encampment, on the farm afterward owned by A. N. Baker. As
late as 1889 there still remained near the east line of the toAvnship
twelve or fifteen buildings composed of poles and bark; and m the
northwest corner of section 2 there used to be the ruins of an old fort.
, The walls were of earth, about three feet in height, through which was
an opening or gateway leading to a spring, the path to which had been
worn to the depth of one foot. These remains were long ago leveled
by the settlers. In different parts of the township relics of these tribes
are found, consisting of the flint arrowhead, the charm, the battleax and
scalping knife; and in some instances skeletons have been exhumed
These were invariably buried in a sitting posture, their faces turned
westward In 1887 some workmen employed in making an excavation
on the farm of A. A. Storrs found six skeletons of Indians, some of
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