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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 253
cooper shop under the efficient labor of our presiding elder, Rev.vRussell
BigeloAV, who now lives-and shines on the hills pf light. Afterward, by
invitation, Ave alternated with the Rev. Mr. Rusk until they had no place
for us. What then ? He sold his horse and traveling equipage, adding
a feAV dimes, collected some from friends at home and abroad, and^c-ok
his first sail on the bosom of Lake Erie to Detroit; purchased lumber and
came doAvn super-cargo on the schooner Governor Cass, through the liberality
of her owner, Col. Wilcoxon, passage and freight free up and
down. We came through a terrific gale running under naked poles
safely into the harbor. We stacked our lumber on the public square,
the outsiders helped, and Ave soon had the best church in the city because
the only one."
While here Mr. Janes Avas very earnest in the work of securing a
church, and so successful were his efforts that his successor, Rev. L. B.
Gurley, had the great satisfaction of having a house opened for public
worship in 1829. It Avas a small frame church building 42 feet
in length and 36 feet Avide, one story high, with 14-foot posts, and
with one-quarter pitch to the roof. Much of the timber was saAved
in Huron County, south of NorAvalk. The building Avas constructed
plain and strong. It was located near the southwest corner of the public
square, a feAV rods soutliAvest of our present courthouse. At that time all
around the "little broAvn church," as it was called because it Avas never
painted, Avere trees and hazel nut bushes; no roads were then opened in
Jackson or Adams Street. The nearest path was one leading from
Avhere the Sloane Block IIOAV stands to a little stone lock-up Avhich then
stood near the soutliAvest corner of the stone church was Avas standing
west of our courthouse; it Avas called Fort Moekabee, although erected as
the village jail. You will hardly realize that at this time Sandusky had
scarcely a population of 300 people, the larger portion of whom resided
north of Market Street, and not more than twenty families residing
south.
Great satisfaction Avas shown by all the people upon the completion
of this, the first church erected in Sandusky, and when dedicated it was
impossible for the building to hold those clamorous for admission, and
many turned aAvay disappointed. Only congregational singing Avas heard
Avithin those Avails, no instrumental music was allowed. The men and
Avomen AA'ere ahvays seated separately, the men on one side and the Avomen
on the other. The little village was not then a place of resort; it was
before the days of literary or social clubs, Avhist parties Avere even unknoAvn,
and this absence of something else to do, coupled with the eloquence
and fervor of Gurley, Runnells, Thompson, Bigelow and those early
ministers was such that the seats were ahvays filled, and often it Avas that
only standing room could be had, even before the time for the opening of
service. For quite a number of years Brother Van Fleet would bloAv a
tin horn at the hour of service, twice for prayer meeting and three
times when they had preaching. Later a small bell AA'as provided for
this purpose.
William Runnells, AVIIO ahvays rode the best looking horse on the