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CHAPTER XIII
EARLY SANDUSKY
Origin of the Name "Sandusky."—A map published in Amsterdam
in 1720 founded on a great variety of Memoirs of Louisiana, represents
within the present limits of Erie County a water called Lac Sandouske.
There is also a map published by Henry Popple, London, in 1733, Avhere
the bay is called "Lake Sandoski." A very probable account of the
origin of the name is the tradition of aged Wyandot Avarriors given to
General Harrison in the friendly chat of the wigAvam from which it
appeared that their conquering tribes in their conflict Avith the Senecas,
centuries ago, having landed at Maumee, folloAved the lake shore toward
the east, passing and giving names to bays, creeks and rivers until on
coming to Cold Creek, Avhere it enters the bay, they AA'ere so charmed
Avith the springs of clear cold Avater in the vicinity that they pitched
their tents and engaged in hunting and fishing, and by them the bay
and river Avas called Sandusky, meaning in their language "At the
Cold AVater." Butterfiehl gives a conversation of John Al. James, Avith
William AValkcr, principal chief of the Wyandots at Upper Sandusky,
at Columbus, 1835. He said the meaning of the Avord Avas "at the cold-
Avatcr," and should be pronounced San-doos-tee. The LoAver San-doos-tee
(Cold AVater) and Upper San-doos-tee being the descriptive AVyaiidot
Indian names knoAvn as far back as our knoAvledge of this tribe extends.
The exact derivation of the name of "the road that runs," is uncertain.
Three AVyaiidot terms are at our service: Sahun-dus-kee, clear
Avater; or Sandoostee, at the cold Avater; or Saundustee, Avater-Avithin-
Avater-pools. The last name is applicable to the extensive marshes along
the river, Avhich are intersected by open Avater; while the other two
would naturally describe the clear, cold Avater of the Sandusky basin
springs, of Avhich Castalia is the best knoAvn example. The early French
traders called the river Sandusqii*. By 1784, Avhen Jefferson drew up
his ordinance for the division, nomenclature and government of the
AA'estern territory, the orthography Avas practically settled and he Avrote
Sandusky, suggesting that the district Avhich this river drained lie called
Aletropotamia!
THE FIRST SETTLERS OK SANDUSKY
The first permanent settlers came here in 1816. Aloney at this time
Avas very scarce and produce high, prices ranging as folloAVs: Flour,
$10 per barrel, and a poor article at that; salt, $8 per barrel; domestic
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