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| Schooley Locks No. 33, 3 Miles west of Defiance, Ohio |
A haunted lock on the Miami and Erie canal at Defiance, was source of apprehension to superstitious boatmen. Tragedy was credited to the place. Frequent necessity for negotiating this lock faced the crew of the "A. Millett," well known trading boat owned by Messrs H.G. and Benjamin Heller, by whom Mr. Hauss, during two years of his early youth was employed. Pressing business sometime required passing some locks after nightfall. Members of the crew drew "cuts" to determine who should go in advance of the boat to make the lock ready. Notwithstanding the urgency of this temporary duties as cook during the illness of the regular culinary artist, young Hauss was one night suddenly ordered to run ahead of the boat to place Defiance lock, known as "Schooley's Lock No. 33" in readiness. He penetrated the night till lost to his companions vision, then trusted to luck he declared the lock was open, without having actually seen the grates. Fortune favored him. The tow line broke and there was other trouble after the craft entered the uncanny place.
Thirty deer in numerous number sufficient to enthuse the most blood thirsty hunters, often times seen drinking from the canal in its course through northern counties, especially in Paulding. Crew of "A. Millet" occasionally tested their prowess as nimrods.
Barrels of vinegar and other heavy goods furnished strenuous labor for Millett crew while taking on in Cincinnati. Mr. Hauss recalls sundry involuntary plunges baths, due to accident, while assisting in stowing miscellancous merchandise.
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