Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/308

 '-^

��294

��HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY.

��terrible execution on tlie enemys vessels. Each gun-boat had also several cannons, and now these commenced to fire upon the British fleet, and they were soon compelled to strike their colors. Commodore Peny had offered a re- ward of $500 to the first man who would board the British ship. This reward was won by James Sims, who first boarded the Queen Charlotte, and, subsequentl}^, got his prize.

" From Perry's fleet I was soon after again transferred to the land forces under Gen. Harri- son. I was in Col. Richard M. Johnsons regi- ment at the battle of the Thames, fought on October 5, 1813.

" I was near Col. Johnson when he killed Tecumseh. I saw the whole transaction m}^- self Col. Johnson had been wounded in his fore left arm or wrist, and had his bridle rein thrown over the wounded arm, holding it near the elbow, when, at that moment, his horse was shot under him and dropped right down, with the Colonel on his back astride of him. Just then I saw Tecumseh rush upon Col. Johnson, with a tomahawk, but the latter rose up, with his feet, as it were, in the stirrups, pulled his pistol from his left holster, and shot Tecumseh on the spot, before my eyes. The latter fell back on his haunches, rolled over dead, and I passed on beside hira. I saw he was a large, fine-looking Indian, but I had no time to further examine him. as we were in the fight advancing on the enemy. By this time the Indians, no longer hearing the loud shouts of their leader, turned and fled, and the victory again was ours. I know it was Tecumseh I saw shot by Col.

��Johnson, and there never ought to have been any doubt about it."

Mr. Rice spoke often of these scenes with enthusiasm, as if they were passing before his mind, and were fresh in his memory. His mind was very good until within a year or so, when he was stricken down with paralysis, from which he never recovered.

He was always of a retiring disposition, so that, mitil a few years since, his narrati-^e was never put into print.

Mr. Rice was a member of the Lutheran Church ; for many years one of the principal supporters of the Sheriff congregation. His funeral was attended by the clergy of the town, the l)and, Light Guards, Artillery, ex-soldiers, public schools and a large concourse of citizens. The procession was formed under the direction of Col. Dempsey. and moved to the M. E. Church, where appropriate services were con- ducted by the several clergy and choir of the M. E. Church. Rev. 1). Summers read the above history, and preached the sermon from Lev., xix., 32.

The last hymn. '- My Country, 'tis of thee," was sung by about one hundred school children.

After the services at the church, the proces- sion was again formed, and proceded to Oakland Cemetery, where the mortal remains of the old hero were buried with the honors of war. Mili- tary organizations, band and citizens honored themselves by the respect they paid to the memory of the departed.

During Tuesday, the flags were placed at half-mast, both in Cleveland and Sandusky Cit}'.

��0^ — '--^Aoo

���>^

�� �