From Historical Collections of Ohio, Henry Howe, 1900
pages 730-732 (Guernsey County)

THE LEATHERWOOD GOD
         
At the village of Salesville there was built by the early settlers a hewed log-
church named the Temple and for the use of all denominations.  In August, 1828,
about two and a half miles northwest of the Temple, was held a camp-meeting
under the auspices of the United Brethren Church.  It began on Wednesday and
continued over Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon a large assemblage was addressed by the Rev. John Crum, P.E.
He was about halfway through a sermon of great eloquence, which had produced
a profound impression, when he paused that the truths he had spoken might sink
into the minds of his hearers.  At this moment the solemn silence was broken by 
a tremendous voice, bursting forth like a clap of thunder upon the congregation,
giving utterance to but one word, "SALVATION", followed by a shout and snort, 
which filled the people with awe and dread; one of those present said: 
"They carried with them, right through you, a thrill like that felt when 
greatly scared in the dark and a dread similar to that experienced when 
we think of dying instantly."

Men jumped to their feet, women screamed aloud and every cheek blanched.  
All eyes were turned in the direction from whence (sic) the sounds came, 
and there, seated in the midst of the congregation, was a stranger with solemn 
countenance, totally unmoved, dressed in a suit of broadcloth, frock coat, 
white cravat and vellow beaver hat.

How or when he had come there no one knew, although dressed in a garb differing
from any seen in this community at that tune.

After several moments the clergyman proceeded with his sermon, but the people
gave no heed to it, for every eye and mind was centred upon the mysterious and 
solemn stranger in their midst.  His large black flashing eyes, pale face, 
low broad forehead, from which the long black locks were brushed back, reaching
half way to his waist, and his melancholy, solemn aspect seemed to inspire the
people with awe.

After the meeting, he went about representing himself to be God Almighty, who had
come down into the midst of the assembled people in his spiritual body and then 
assumed the corporeal one with the name Joseph C. Dylks; that he could appear 
and disappear at will, perform miracles, and, finally, that he had come to 
establish the millennium, and that whosoever followed him should never die in
their natural bodies.  He found many believers and followers.  At first he was
very cautious in his statements, but, as converts became more numerous, he grew
more bold, claimed that his body could not be touched without his permission and
that with a shout and snort he could destroy the universe.  His following increased
and converts were made throughout parts of Belmont, Guernsey and Noble counties.
Three men from the vicinity of Salesville, Michael Brill, Robert McCormick and 
John Brill, also a young minister named Davis, who had come to Salesville during
his visitation, were appointed disciples.  He preached in the Temple at 
Salesville and made many converts.

He addressed them as follows: "I am God and there is none else.  I am God and 
the Christ united.  In me Father, Son and Holy Ghost are met. There is now 
no salvation for men except by faith in me.  All who put their trust in me shall 
never taste death, but shall be translated into the New Jerusalem, which I am 
about to bring down from heaven."  Then the brothers yelled "We shall never die,"
the sisters screamed, Dylks snorted and the spectators muttered their indignation
at the blasphemy.  When Dylks descended from the pulpit McCormick exclaimed, 
"Behold our God", and the believers fell on their knees and worshipped him.

The indignation of those who had not been drawn into the delusion of the 
Dylksites finally resulted in organized opposition, and Dylks was called upon
to prove his professions by the performance of a miracle.  Thereupon he agreed
to make a seamless garment if the cloth were furnished him.

The clothe was forthcoming but the miracle was not accomplished.  He was
arrested and brought before a magistrate but there being no law provided for 
such offences he was discharged.  His accusers were not satisfied with this, 
and Dylks was obliged to flee to the woods pursued by a mob.  After this 
his conversions ceased, but those who had accepted him still believed in his 
divinity, and among these he found a refuge from the unbelievers who sought 
to drive him from the country.  He remained several weeks in hiding, and then 
assembled his converts and announced that he must go to Philadelphia and set up
his "New Jerusalem".  This was in the latter part of October, and taking three 
of his disciples with him, they proceeded on foot to Philadelphia.  When about
to enter the city, Dylks and Davis separated from McCormick and Michael Brill,
"to meet again", said Dylks, "where the light from heaven shall shine brightest
within the city, for there will New Jerusalem begin to expand to fill the earth."
They searched the city over and never found the "Light" nor Dylks and Davis, 
and after many days wanderings, footsore and moneyless, with sorrow and weeping,
McCormick and Brill turned their steps homeward.

Notwithstanding that death removed the Dylksites one by one, the survivors still
believed in the divinity of the Leatherwood God, and that he would some day return
and set up his New Jerusalem.  Seven years later the Rev. Davis reappeared and 
preached a sermon in which he declared he had seen Dylks ascend into heaven, 
and that he would return and set up his kingdom.  Davis then left and neither 
he nor Dvlks was ever heard of again.

The mystery surrounding the method by which Dylks reached the centre of that
congregation was never divulged.  When it is considered that his appearance 
was such a peculiar one, his attire differing from any ever seen in that 
community at that time, it is not surprising that many believed him to be 
a supernatural being, to have suddenly appeared in the midst of that large 
body of people without observation from anyone.
         
The title, "The Leatherwood God", was given this impostor from the meeting
where he first appeared having been held on the bank of Leatherwood creek.
Leatherwood, which gives name to the creek, is a peculiarly soft and pliable 
wood with a tough bark that can be tied into knots.  It was used by the 
pioneers for tying the meat of wild hogs, venison and deer upon pack saddles 
for conveyance to market at Wheeling.  When green it is so soft and spongy 
that it can be dented by the pressure of the fingers.