Auglaize County, Ohio

History of Auglaize County

Captain Johnny

Captain Johnny and his braves are understood to have lived on the west bank of the Pusheta Creek, just north of the bridge. This chief, in the capacity of a scout, did great service to the American cause. He was with his old comrade Logan, who was mortally wounded near the Maumee Rapids, in November, 1812, while serving General Harrison. The earlier history of Captain Johnny is referred to by Francis Dunlevy, a member of Capt. Craig Ritchie's Company in "Crawford's Expedition." During an engagement by these forces, Dunlevy had been engaged with an Indian of huge proportions. Later in the evening this Indian crept cautiously and stealthily through the top of a tree lately fallen, until supposing himself close enough to Dunlevy, he threw his tomahawk, but his aim missed and he fled. This Indian, Dunlevy believed he afterward recognized as "Big Captain Johnny," who during the war of 1812-13 was with the friendly Shawnees of Wapakoneta. Dunlevy further says: "I frequently saw this Indian; he must have been seven feet in height, and as frightfully ugly as he was unusually large."

That he was courageous and magnanimous is attested by his warm personal friendship and association with Logan. When that chief sought companions for his last perilous and fatal expedition, he sought Captain Johnny and Bright Horn, and when he and Bright Horn were wounded, Captain Johnny found horses for their safe retreat to camp, while he undertook the trip alone and on foot. His fidelity to a cause is attested to by his connection with the American army, and his fidelity to individuals by his career with Logan and Bright Horn.

From "History of Auglaize County, Ohio, with the Indian History of Wapakoneta, and the First Settlement of the County", Robert Sutton, Publishers, Wapakoneta, 1880