Home From Nazi Prison (Defiance Crescent News 11 May 1945)

Purple Heart Given to POW

    "It wasn't so much the brutality-it was the neglect. The Nazi wouldn't give us soap, or. Or cigarettes. We didn't have half enough food; or half enough anything else. The Germans just didn't seem to care whether we lived or died. Some of the time we were so discouraged we didn't care either."

    That is the memory Pfc Bradford Grant has brought back to Defiance of his 10 months captivity in a Nazi prison camp in Limburg Germany.

    Pfc Grant, clad in red pajamas and the luxury of a dressing gown, recounted his experiences from the time he hit the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, June 6 and through his internment, until he returned to the home of his mother, Mrs Emmet Moore, 672 Washington street, where he has been catching up on his rest.

    "I had been in England one year one to the day." Pfc Grant recalled,"when we started for the Normandy beaches on D-Day. Artillery held our ship off shore until noon when I went ashore as a medical aide-a runner -with the 104th Medical Battalion of the 29th Infantry Division."

     "On June 9, I was at the front, about five miles ahead of the medical collecting station, traveling with an infantry battalion to locate casualties and report back to the station. We were in the vicinity of Preiers. 

    We had pulled up a short distance ahead of a hedgerow held by the Nazis. There was a woods on our left. Suddenly, the Germans led by a big tank, burst out of the hedgerow. Another mass of them broke out of the woods and turned our left flank. I was taken prisoner along with about 50 others."
    From a temporary camp in France, the captives were moved to the transient camp at Limburg, where they arrived July 2. 
    Wounded prisoners were flowing through the German camp, in route to permanent internment. Because of his prior attachment to a medical unit Pfc Grant was assigned groups of wounded men and "we did all we could for them with what we had." Pfc Grant was permitted to send one postal card to his mother. It never arrived.
    It was on March 27 that the Ninth Armored Division broke open the Limburg camp.
    "We were ever glad to see that gang? They're one real outfit so far as I'm concerned."
    "Within a days time, the 9th Armored Division had set up a field hospital medical unit in the prison and was treating our wounded prisoners. I stayed on to look after the sick men I had been taking care of until Easter Sunday April 12 when I was dispatched to a base hospital in France."
    What happened to him from there, until he arrived in New York is a military secret.
    But Pfc Grant waste no time in New York. He got of the big city as rapidly as possible and headed for home; his folks; a 60-day furlough; and a real honest-to-goodness bed.

Bradford Grant Grave site, Riverside Cem. Defiance Ohio

Pioneer Caravan (Defiance Crescent News 3 Oct 1932)

Sylvester and Isabelle Osborn

    Dry weather in the great forest of northwest Ohio made possible the expedition with which a pioneer caravan composed of Sylvester Osborn, his father, Elijah Osborn, and five daughters, Mary, Adaline, Julia. Elmira and Jane forged through the wilderness in 1848 to their new home in Richland township (Defiance county, Ohio).

    The trip of approximately 200 miles, was made from Mahoning county, with horses in a week. Rivers were forded. No cement roads were encountered, the party followed the old Indian trail down to the Maumee and crossed at Samuel Kepler's ferry.
    This old road which crossed at the ferry ran north along the ridges all the way to Adrian Mich.
    Sylvester Osborn, now in his ninety fourth year (1932), says that he has killed three black bears with his old fashioned muzzle loading rifle. He has no record of the number of deer, wild turkeys and wolves he has slain with the same weapon. 
    At the dinner table on the Al Young farm in North Richland it is customary for generations to assemble daily. These are Sylvester Osborn, Mr. and Mrs. Al Young, Mr. and Mrs. August Klintworth and daughters Thelma and Beulah.
    Sylvester Osborn who has resided in Richland township for 85 years, recalls that when he came to Independence the grocery store in this thriving river town was operated by Adam Wilhelm. Other pioneers of that day were John Botteler, Philip Young, Ben Abbel, Henry Egler, Pierce Evans, James Henderson, Samuel Rohm, Isaac Braucher and others, whose names escape his memory.
    Roads were unknown, all traffic was by water on the Maumee and the canal. A daily packet passed down the river and was thought to be a highly efficient means of communication with the outside world.
    Indian Jake was well known to Mr. Osborn who never had the privilege of using his services because he was never sick. He says that the cause of this Indian doctor's death was not poisoning as the Rambler has been told, (more on Indian Jake soon Dave) but pneumonia. He died without receiving medical attention, would not go to bed, but lay stretched on the floor before the open fireplace until death eased his suffering.
    Indian Jake, as is commonly known was very fond of firewater and when under its influence was quite quarrelsome, was always in a scrap and always came out second best. He usually got away to the river and being a proficient swimmer would remain in the water until those who sought him gave up the chase.
    Mr. Osborn remembers when tract of land over in northwest of Jewell was known as Allen's prairie, much of this land was swampy and offered an ideal refuge for wild game. The outlet for this swale  was at what was termed the "waste way" about two miles west of Napoleon. At this place the early settlers caught thousands of fish which went by the name of "grass pike." 
    In his early manhood a terrible cyclone passed through the region to the north of Jewell, sweeping everything before it and as it went through an unsettled region, no list of possible deaths among the Indians could be recorded. It was really a benefit to the incoming pioneers as the force of the wind saved them much labor in felling the giant trees, many of which were burn.
    What timber was sawed was taken to the sawmill operated by Kepler and Woodward at Independence.
    Mr Osborn clearly recalls the day when he and his father, Elijah Osborn, hauled the first load of ties for the Wabash railroad from Okolona to Jewell.
    A popular type of craft on the river was a pirogue made from a hollowed poplar log and capable of moving a cargo of supplies. On one such occasion the pirogue operators brought a boatload of lime to Independence: the Indians under the mistaken idea that it was flour insisted on taking home a supply. Unfortunately the outcome of the amusing incident is unknown.
    Sylvester Osborn was afraid of Indians. He says that one of the most terrifying incidents of his boyhood was the occasion he went with his father to Independence and there were seven dirty and greasy squaws sitting in font of Wilhelm's store. He took his father by the hand and would not relinquish his hold until they were well on their way home.
    His memories of the cholera epidemic which raged along the Maumee in 1849 are rather vague; but he recalls the fact that Philip Young, father of Al Young, nursed the sick and came safely through without contracting the malady. The only reason given for his escape from this age-old terror is that he was naturally immune from it.
    In the year 1870 a boat laden with 2,000 bushels of wheat sank in the canal lock at Independence. This was a severe problem to the pioneers as the canal traffic must be kept moving. The first attempt made was to pull it out; so all the available mules were hitched in a string 30 rods long and more than 100 men took hold of the ropes to move the sunken boat. It could not be done. Dead-eyes, an inch and a half in diameter, by which the ropes were attached to the boat were snapped off as though they were glass.
    Boats soon extended to the westward for a mile and for three-quarters of a mile below the lock awaited the river traffic; something must be done! So all hands were called to the mighty task of unloading the boat: the wheat was spread in every possible place to dry, much of it was spread along the dam. The water was low, and this helped with the unloading. At last the boat was lightened enough to be pulled through and river traffic resumed. 
    But the damp wheat instead of drying began to sprout and as rain threatened the entire supply was given to anyone who would remove it. The whole cargo was a total loss to the shippers.

Here's The Meanest Man (Defiance Crescent News 24 Sept 1921)

    Hicksville, Sept 24--What would you think of the man who would swipe your booze; then leave just enough to resulting in a court fine of $600 and $32 costs, especially after you had your car and narrowly escaped bodily injury.

    Possibly you would label him the meanest man in the world. No doubt that's what two Indianapolis men thought even they didn't say so after appearing in Mayor Richard's court at Hicksville.
    The smash-up occur on the Farmer township line north of Mark Center. After the men who refused to give their names shook them; selves with no serious injuries reported, they started for Hicksville seeking aid.
    The neighbors hurried to the accident scene. A case of scotch and one of gin greeted them.
    Soon Marshal Driver received a phone call. An unknown party directed him to the damaged car and warned him to watch for the occupants.
    Driver arrived on the scene. His find was two empty cases, with the exception of one bottle in each. The lone bottle became evidence.
    The men pleaded guilty to transporting liquor and paid the largest fine ever recorded in Hicksville's mayor court.
    They have returned to Indianapolis empty handed where report has it an anxious party awaited the wet goods for a big blow out. The men were bringing it through from Detroit. 
    The damaged automobile stored at Hicksville. 

Scenes of Old Kentucky (15 June 1920 Defiance Crescent News)

    The Old Kentucky Still was located on the plains of Mark township, instead of the dells amid the green hills of Kentucky as is told in story and verses.

    A one hundred and fifty gallon still and three fifty gallon barrels of raisin mash were destroyed by Sheriff Stalley and Humane Office Zeachke as result of a raid on Alex White's home in Mark township, two miles north and two miles west of Mark Center.

    The still has been putting out twenty five gallons of raisin whisky a day. Besides whisky, a raisin brandy and raisin mash, the owner of the still had a large quantity of double distilled whisky stored in his home where the still was located.

    The still equipment and the mash and product were destroyed by the offices.

1920 Hudson Super 6 touring Car

                               Part 2
    Since the destruction of the White still in Mark township by Humane Officer Zeschke and federal officers it has been discovered that the man was doing a land office business. Instead of historic Kentucky burro with its burden of moonshine casks picking its way over secluded mountain paths out of sight of the watchful revenue officer, Alex White's still was visited once each week by a large Hudson super-six, which supposedly brought raisins and other materials for the industry to the White farm and drove away with the illegal moonshine for Toledo or some other large city where it was easily disposed of. White also was selling the stuff retail throughout these parts of the country and was quite open about his work. While he worked the farm, his wife tended the still. White has been heard to remark that within a year he would have made about $10,000 
    Travelers along the road on which he resided could easily detect the fumes of the mash cooking as it was brewing. 
    Officer again made a trip into the surrounding territory and visiting places supposed to have still but found little evidence, for the apparatus had been removed. 
    The property of James Ayles, situated one mile north of Cecil, was searched but little evidence was revealed. Also Steve Sonto's place was visited but it also displayed but little evidence, no still being discovered. He is located northeast of Paulding.

                          

Gets Silver Star (22 Feb 1945 Defiance Crescent News)

World War 2  Silver Star

Paul J Imber  1922-1913

       The silver Star medal, one of the highest honors for military valor, has been awarded to Sgt. Paul J Imber of the Coast Artillery, serving in France, it was revealed with receipt of the citation by his mother,Mrs. Ambrcsia Imber, 313 Perry street.

    The award was made for gallantry in action in Belgium, on Dec, 17, 1944.

      En route to a Belgian city to obtain ammunition "the citation relates. Sergeant Imber with two other enlisted men was ambushed, taken prisoner by enemy paratroopers, and being taken to the enemy bivouac area when friendly troops opened fire on the enemy escort party.

    Throwing himself in a road ditch, Sergeant Imber remained uninjured but two captives with him and two men who battled the escort party were wounded. While in enemy bivouac area, Sergeant Imber negotiated with the commanding officer of the enemy paratroopers to evacuate the wounded, who agreed with the plan provided that two paratroops be evacuated with the other wounded.

    Sergeant Imber brought all the wounded to a safe location, and turned the enemy casuailties over to an intelligence officer together with all information regarding the location, strength, equipment and disposition of the enemy he had gather by his keen observation while he was a captive. His gallant action upheld the highest tradition of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself.

    

Vivid Old Incident (Defiance Crescent News 5 Feb. 1933) S.L. Green

Old Can-hook

    An incident that vividly portrays the condition of Auglaize township (Paulding Co.) of the mother of Henry White. She lived in Defiance township. Running out of coffee she crossed the county line to the Philip Stork home by the simple expedient of leaping from log to log across the water covered earth. On her way home, she slipped from a log. As a result she suffered a severe chill before she reached home, The accident resulted in her death a few days later.
    Sam Stork recalls hearing his mother tell of the day when a fox invaded the wilderness farmyard, and seizing a big gander by the neck, dashed away to the forest leaving the barnyard fowls in an uproar and his mother in tears.
    Another interesting story of the skill of Jonathan Weller, the pioneer doctor who resided on Powell's Creek in Putnam county, just south of the Defiance county line is an experience of Mr. Stork.
    While working in the timber he slightly cut his hand, infection developed, and he walk to Defiance for aid. The doctor lanced the swelling, but from the time Sam left Defiance the pain increased steadily. The hand was swollen to twice its natural size and sleep or rest was impossible.
    While he walked the floor in agony one midnight he recalled hearing of this German doctor, whose fame was rapidly spreading. He sent two of his brothers to Powell Creek for the doctor. They left at 3 am and arrived at 10 o'clock. The doctor opened his office, listened to the description and history of the case, and and said that he would not need to go, as he knew exactly what remedies to send. 
    The brothers arrived home at sunset; the hand was treated, within a few hours Sam was enjoying the first sleep in a week. As soon as he was able, he rode horseback to Dr. Weller to ask advice about future care of the hand. The doctor, according to Mr. Stork, said that it was the worst case he had ever seen but with proper treatment the flesh would again grow on the member which had lost nearly all the flesh down to the wrist. Sam carried his hand in a sling for seven months and was unable to husk corn for two years; but at the time exhibited a hand that except for one stiff finger was apparently as good as the other.
    Cornered by starving and blood thirsty wolves within less than a mile of the present city of Defiance and escaping a terrible death by what seemed to be a prank of fate; was the experience of Philip Stork who was engaged in cutting and hauling logs to the crude old water power sawmills that operated along the Maumee in the 1850s.
    Back in the woods in what is now section 13, Noble township lived an old bachelor who frequently chatted with the log hauler and invited him to spend an evening in his cabin. So one moonlight night, after work. Philip set out to pay his visit; when he decided to return at 11:30, his host urged him to stay. The snow had been on the ground for a long time and it was considered dangerous to be out alone because the starving wolves had been heard in the distance night after night. 
    Philip paid little heed to the warning until, just as he was passing the scene of the day's toll he saw ahead what appeared to be a number of sparks glowing in the moonlight. His hair began to rise as he longed for his host's cabin. The wolves went about in a narrowing circle until Philip estimated their number to be between 40 and 50.
    He recalled that he had left a heavy cant hook standing beside a tree the day before and began to edge gradually to this tree. The wolves were very close. He misjudge the position of the hook and backing against the hood knocked it into the snow; knowing that the foremost wolves would leap if he took his eyes from them, he gradually lifted the long tool to his hand with his foot just as the leader crouched to spring. 
    He stood beneath a huge hickory with the bark hanging in streamers from the trunk. Facing what appeared to be a losing battle, Philip Stork swung the heavy implement above his head with all his might; the can-hook struck a streamer of frozen bark with a report like that of a shotgun and instantly the wolves were gone.

Old South Jefferson (Defiance Crescent News)

Railroad Crossing at Wayne Street Defiance Ohio

    Tales of South Jefferson (Defiance, Ohio) before the viaduct under the CSX Railroad, was built. Martin Duerk tells us of roving cow that wandered on to the right of way and was rolled gently but deadly down the track until the engine and tender rolled over on their side. The tender lying right in front of a citizen's wood house door. So he with a shovel and proceeded to fill the structure with the convenient supply of winter fuel.
    Of the presence of mind of a wood hauler, who crossing the track with a bob-sled load of stave bolts one zero winter morning, was suddenly halted as his sled runners froze to the rails. And, sure, enough there was a train coming so the hauler leaped from his sled loosened the doubletree pin just in time to avoid, the rain of stave bolts, that the whizzing train scattered for blocks.
    And of the the doctor who allowed a small boy to hold his horse. Said small boy, becoming interested in a snowball battle, neglected his task and the horse drew nearer the railroad crossing. Along came a local not going very fast, but the confusion rattled the doctor's steed who got too close and got a severe slam when he thrust his head in between the rear car and the caboose.
    Wild with fright the horse ran away in pursuit of the fleeing train and came near to catching it. But a trestle intervened and down went the horse with all four legs through the trestle.
    So section crew came with blocking material and slowly the horse was elevated to an upright position as the mystified crew of a waiting passenger train wondered what was going on. He was led off the right-of-way and in two weeks was pulling the doctor's rig again, none the worse from perhaps as strange an adventure as ever befell a horse in Defiance.