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A HISTORY
- OF -
WASHINGTON COUNTY,
MARYLAND,
FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS TO THE PRESENT TIME
INCLUDING A
HISTORY OF HAGERSTOWN
BY THOMAS J. C. WILLIAMS
TO THIS IS ADDED A BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF REPRESENTATIVE FAMILIES PREPARED FROM DATA OBTAINED FROM ORIGINAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Illustrated
PUBLISHERS : JOHN M. RUNK & L. R. TITSWORTH, 1906.
JUL 9 1954 -C
PREFATORY NOTES.
13167E
The author of this book was engaged in newspaper work in Hagerstown as Editor of THE HAGERSTOWN MAIL for about 17 years. He came into possession of numerous files of Hagerstown newspapers. From these this History is principally compiled. It is not intended to be a book of reference ; it does not profess to be free from inaccuracies. The sources from which the incidents related have been taken are many of them fallable. That part which re. lates to the Civil War does not profess to be a military history and in the exciting times of the War, while Washington County was the scene of great events, there were doubtless thousands of happenings which I have not recorded. During a considerable periodl of the War the newspapers were suspended I have made free use of documents and facts recorded in Scharff's History of Washington County which is now out of print and cannot be obtained. I have felt free to do this because I gave to Mr. Scharff a large amount of the material which he used. Samuel Kercheval's history, together with articles in the newspapers about the pioneers and Indian Warfare are the authorities used for the colonial period and the manner of life of the early settlers. These chronicles are written withont taking any thought of the "dignity of history." Many incidents are recorded which appear to be trivial. But they give a better understanding of the character of our people. If I have failed to make this history interesting it is not because of lack of abundant material, for Washington County has been the scene of great events and the dwelling place of many famous and interesting men and women.
In all my work, which began many years ago, I have received the aid and sympathy of my former partner in publishing The Mail and my close personal friend for the third of a century, Edwin Bell, an actor in many of the scenes that I have described and one who as an Editor and a public spirited and patriotic citizen has contributed greatly to the advancement and prosperity of his native county.
T. J. C. W.
A work such as we are now pleased to present to our many patrons, in which we have collected and placed in permanent form the annals of an interesting section of Maryland, has two sources of value. One of these is its historic utility as a memorial of the progress and development of the community, from the earliest period with which we could become ac- quainted through family records and traditions to the present day. The preservation of these data affords the means of illustrating and confirming or correcting and amending extant histories, and supplies material for the compilation of future ones The second source of value is the personal interest attaching to the biographical and genealogical records compris- ing our portion of this work, either as studies of life and character, or as memoirs of individ uals connected with the reader as relatives or fellow citizens.
On both these accounts, a collection of biographical records is a useful contribution to
current literature and a legacy to succeeding generations. Colonies of various nationalities and creeds peopled the territory now comprising Washington County ; their descendants have taken an active part in national affairs, in war and in peace ; and it will be strange in- deed if their annals have not brought to view many scenes and revealed many facts well worthy being noted and remembered.
In the execution of this work no pains were spared to ensure the absolute truth upon which its value depends. The material comprising the History of Washington County, ex- cept the chapter relating to the churches, which was mostly contributed by ministers and competent writers, credit for which is given in the several notes, was compiled by T. J. C. Williams, whose statement precedes ours and is to the point. His production must prove to be a valuable addition to the library of every one who is fortunate enough to secure a copy and will be a lasting tribute to his memory.
The biographical sketches were gathered from the most trustworthy sources by careful note takers. After being arranged by competent writers, and neatly type-written, these biographies were submitted by mail and otherwise, for correction and revision, which we hope was so thorough that few if any errors in facts, names or dates will be found in the complete work. Those who furnished the data are, therefore, responsible for its genuineness and authenticity. Great care was taken to have the sketches as free from error as possible, but we do not hold ourselves responsible for mistakes, as no charge was made for the inser- tion of any reading matter contained in the book.
Let the History and Biographical Record of Washington County, the first in the United States to be named after the "Father of Our Country," lie as a green wreath on the resting place of those pioneers, who, driven from their foreign homes by persecution, braved the sorrows of expatriation and the perils of the wilderness through single-hearted devotion to principle ; and of those who came from motives which, if less heroic, were not less laudable, desiring as they did to find room and favoring circumstances for the growth and prosperity of their families.
The worth of the posterity of these early pioneers has been proved by the religious, educational and benevolent institutions that have sprung up within the borders of Washing- ton County ; by the public works in which many have taken a distinguished part ; by their record of military service, and their no less valuable services as civilians; in brief, by the whole social fabric which they have reared, and which makes the land rescued by their forefathers from the wilderness a region of homes, cultured, peaceful and inviting.
In conclusion the publishers acknowledge their indebtedness for the sympathy of the press throughout Washington County, and especially to THE MAIL, for its unceasing and untiring efforts, both in its Job Department and Bindery, where this work was executed and perfected ; to the ministers and other writers for their valuable contributions ; and to those enterprising citizens who lent their support and encouragement to the enterprise, without which we could not have carried it to a final completion. Doubtless there will be disap- pointment among those who may have expected us to perpetuate their memories at our own expense, but no one is to blame but themselves, for they had ample opportunity We take pride in the belief that we have more than fulfilled the promises made in onr prospectus, and feel that we will receive the approbation of every reasonably disposed patron.
RUNK & TITSWORTH,
PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
CHAPTER I .- The period of Washington County History-The Indians-The pioneer set- tlers of the Valley-Their isolation and manner of life-The bill of fare-Their hunting parties- Habitation and customs-Wedding festivities. pp. 9-16.
CHAPTER II .- The Hagerstown Valley- Its physical aspects and beauties-Minerals-a splendid hunting ground-Battles between Cataw- bas and Delawares-Indian Remains-Lack of bread-Lord Baltimore's offer to settlers-Settlers from Pennsylvania-Redemptioners-The settle- ment at Conococheague-Henry Bouquet-Chew's farm-Hagerstown first laid out-Joseph Chap- line founds Sharpsburg-Johnson and Jacques- Visit of Eddes-Burgoyne's army-Christian Boerstler. pp. 17-29
CHAPTER III .- Border disputes-Mason and Dixon's line-Thomas Cresap in border war- fare-Captured and carried to Philadelphia. pp. 31-36.
CHAPTER IV .- The French and Indian War-Braddock's march through the Valley-His orderly book-Franklin provides wagons-the in- road of Indians and slaughter of the settlers- Cresap as an Indian fighter-Fort Frederick built - A love story and a tragedy-Narrative of a cap- tive-Question of taxation.
pp. 37-58.
CHAPTER V .- Jonathan Hager-Potomac Company-Legal value of foreign coins -- Trade down the river to Georgetown-Ilager unscated by the legislature-Naturalized and re-elected-IIa- ger accidentally killed-Litigation about his prop- erty-Jonathan Ilager Jr .- His marriage and widow-Bartholomew Booth's school-Letter from Benedict Arnold-The first church.
pp. 59-71.
CHAPTER VI .- The Revolution -- The first meeting-A tea burning-Committee of observa- tion appointed-John Stull the President-Enlist-
ment of soldiers-Michael Cresap's Company marches to Boston-Cresap and Logan controversy -Otho Holland Williams-Other soldiers-Min- utes of committee of safety.
pp. 72-83.
CHAPTER VII .- Washington County form- ed-Resolution of the convention-The first county court-The site of the Court House-Daniel and Rosanna Heister-Thomas Hart-Visit of Presi- dent Washington-Site for the Federal City- Ridiculing Conococheague-Hagerstown taverns- The use of whiskey-The Washington Spy-Rosa Orndorff-Ilome manufactures-Use of the Ger- man language-Schools at the end of the 18th century-Theatricals-The monster of Madagas- car-Postoffices-Mail carriers-Merchants and trade-Emigration to the West-Adventures of the Reynolds family-Thomas Hart goes to Ken- tucky-Lucretia the wife of Henry Clay-The Jail and Alms House-Political events in the last decade of the Century-The trouble with France. pp. 85-110.
CHAPTER VIII-The whiskey insurrection -Hagerstown a recruiting station-Yellow fever scare-Fire company organized-James Rumsey and the first steamboat-Washington's certificate - Rumsey's tragic death in London-Thomas Cooper's visit.
pp. 111-123.
CHAPTER IX .- Ceremonies at the death of Washington -- Causeways in the public square- Washington County for Jefferson-Two thousand celebrate on Rohrer's Ilill-Duels between officers of the U. S. Army-John Barnes of Montpelier -John Thompson Mason-Alexander Neill -- Rise of Wm. Clark-Scarcity of currency-Death of Gen. Heister-John Buchanan appointed judge -Thomas Buchanan-Mary Pottenger-Rates fixed by judges-severe sentences-Nathaniel Rochester-William Fitzhugh-Charles Carroll- Emigrants to Western New York-Deatlı of Mid- shipman Israel.
pp. 125-141.
CHAPTER X .- Meetings to sustain Jeffer- son in the troubles with Franee-Military com- anies-The war of 1812-Some Washington County soldiers-Col. C. G. Boerstler-Newspa- pers started-Manufactures-German customs in Hagerstown.
pp. 143-150.
CHAPTER XI .- Turnpikes and bad roads- The battle of Funkstown-Banks required to sub- seribe to turnpike companies-The National Road -Fire companies-Threshing machines-1 new jail to be built-Trial and execution of the Cot- terills-Death of Eli Williams-John Pahner's visit to llagerstown-Outery against Banks --- Fail- ure of the wheat crop and importation of bread from England-The new Court House-Episcopal Church -- Market House and Little Heiskell- Thomas Kennedy and the Jew Bill-The Cold Spring-Belinda Spring-Black Rock-Monu- ment to Washington on the mountain above Boons- boro-Independence Day celebration in 1826- Capt. Wm. Lewis. pp. 151-175
CHAPTER XII .- Eleetion Districts- Churches-Census 1820-Streets of Hagerstown- Politieal campaigns-Death of Upton Lawrenee- Amusements-Invitation to La Fayette-Dis- graceful Alms House -- Free Schools rejected- Plan to make the ('onocoeheague navigable- Routes to the West-Frederiek County Boundary -Campaign in 1825-Occupations of Hagerstown people-Mrs. Anne Royal's visit to Hagerstown- Jackson campaign-Nathaniel Rochester against Jackson-Jaekson passes through Ilagerstown- Henry Clay in Hagerstown.
pp. 177 -- 188
CHAPTER XIII-The dark and muddy street- of Hagerstown-Williamsport-The first Agricultural Society-Sheriff George Swearingen tried and hung for the murder of his wife-Rachael Cunningham and her career-A temperance so- eiety-Jackson's vetoes-Removal of (. W. Weaver -Jackson in Hagerstown-Henry ('lay's visit- South Carolina and Secession-Antietam and Conococheague improvement-Reapers-Taverns -- Death of Gen. Ringgold-Benj. Galloway-Visit to Mt. Vernon.
pp. 191-201.
CHAPTER XIV .- History of the Chesa- peake and Ohio Canal.
pp. 203-219
CHAPTER XV .- The cholera in 1832- Among Canal laborers-Thomas Kennedy dies with it-Disturbanees among eanal laborers- Federal Troops asked for-The first train of ears reaches Washington County in 1834-Time table and freight rates to Harper's Ferry-The Balti- more and Ohio-Litigation with the Canal Com- pany-The Glorious Nineteen-Dr. Tsudy tried for quackery-Robert J. Brent-Peter Humri- chouse.
pp. 221-231.
"
CHAPTER XVI .-- Rioting on the Canal- Hussey's Reaper-A duel-Washington County Democrat-Robert Fowler-A great snow storm- Fire in Hagerstown-Luke Tiernan-John Van Lear of Tammany-Westward Ho-Commodore Elliott-The campaign of 1840-Wm. Henry Harrison in Hagerstown-Whigs indignant with Tyler-Death of Win. D. Bell-Gen. George Bell -Wild Cat Banks-The Hagerstown Bank -- Ap- pointment of Daniel Weisel to the Beneh- James L. Freaner -- The Mexican war-R. P. Hammond-Dr. William Hammond-Major Ring- gold-Newspapers-John Gruber and his Alma- nack-Mutual Fire Insurance Company-Savings Bank-First National Bank-Manufacturers- Wever Manufacturing Company-Murder Of } James H. Kennedy by a mob at Carlisle-Slavery -Name of Elizabeth Town changed to Hagers- town-Funkstown-Lyceum Hall-The Western Union Telegraph established-Free schools estab- lished-Wm. T. Hamilton eleeted to the Assem- bly in 1846-John and Hugh Kennedy-Vieter Thompson-Jesse D. E. Quantrill-Persistent theft of a copper vessel-Agriculture-Forty Niner -- Edwin Bell goes to California-Frank- lin R. R.
pp. 233 -- 264.
CHAPTER XVII .- Dr. Frederick Dorsey.
pp. 265-272.
CHAPTER XVIII .- Cholera in 1849-Trial of Robert Swann for killing Wm. O. Sprigg- Know Nothings-Dark streets of Hagerstown- Washington House built-Gas introduced-Fail- ure of Crop-Veterans of 1812-College of St. James-Jail burned-Edwin Bell's aeeount of Hagerstowners in California.
pp. 273-286.
CHAPTER XIX .- The John Brown insur-
rection-Reopening of the Franklin R. R .- The Coudy school law enacted-Vietor Thompson's be- quest-Death of Rev. Giesy.
pp. 287-301.
CHAPTER XX .- The Civil War-Division of sentiment and bitterness-Union meetings- Big meeting in Hagerstown-Division-Resolu- tions of R. II. Alvey-Those of Daniel Weiscl- Campaign of 1860-Bell and Everett carry the County-Taking sides-Call for troops-Hostile armies-Enlisting for the Union-DeWitt C. Rench killed -- Paper money-Fugitives from Vir- ginia-Troops in Hagerstown-Protecting the Canal-Sickness in the camps-The first war tax -R. H. Alvey arrested-Militia disarmed-Priee of slaves declines-Campaign of 1861-J. Gabby Duckett killed-A New England Thanksgiving- Jackson attacks the Canal-Jesse B. Wharton killed in prison-Lewis P. Fiery-J. V. L. Find- lay's resolutions-Change scarce-Price of wheat. pp. 303-321.
CHAPTER XXI .- Flush times in IIagers- town-Col. Kenly-The Mail mobbed-N. Sener's store mobbed-Runaway negroes-Horse thieves- More Mobs-The first draft-A Confederate raid.
pp. 323-327.
CHAPTER XXII .- Battles of South Moun- tain and Antietam-Crampton's Gap -- The smoke of the battle-A hideous spectaele-Col. Hender- son's remarks about Lee-His desire to continue the battle-killed, wounded and missing-Sir Gar- net Wolesley's estimate-Many hospitals-Presi- dent Lineoln visits Antietam-Secretary Root's story of two presidents-Mrs. Howard Kennedy rescues Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr .- J. E. B. Stuart's raid-Operations around St. James' Col- lege-Antietanı National Cemetery-A Maryland Monument-Confederate Cemetery.
pp. 329-345.
CHAPTER XXIII .- The Gettysburg eam- paign-Passage of the Confederate army to the North-The retreat -- Skirmishing in Hagerstown and disturbances-An appeal for moderation- Quaker guns-Confederate raids-MeCausland levies tribute-His defense of the burning of Chambersburg -- Recollections of the war times- How the people lived-Hospital in a barn-Dr. Kerfoot and Mr. Coit arrested-Gen. Early's long speech-Search for Rev. Dr. Boyd-Bishop Whit-
tingham-John W. Breathed-Maj. James Breath- ed-Major George Freaner.
pp. 347-366
CHAPTER XXIV .- Close of the war-Con- dition of the people-Emigration-Factories- Wm. Updegraff-Round Top C'ement-John W. Stonebraker-Alms House moved to the Country -Improvement of farming methods-Peach cul- ture-Hagerstown Fair.
pp. 367-317.
CHAPTER XXV .- Court House and Epis- copal Church burned-History of St. John's Par- ish-New Church and Court House-Bartholomew Booth's school and chapel-The Presbyterian Church-Zion Reformed Church-Dr. Kieffer's Centennial Sermon-St. John's Lutheran Church -Rev. Dr. S. W. Owen-John L. Bikle-Church officers-Washington House burned-The Bald- win.
pp. 379-399.
CHAPTER XXVI .- The sale of the Western Maryland road improves the condition of Wash- ington County-Canal carried Freight-Road built to Weverton-Committee went to Baltimore -Incorporators-Legislature gave authority- Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad-First agent of Western Maryland Company at Hagers- town-John Mifflin Hood elected President-Pen Mar Park-Main Line Potomae Valley-Officers of Western Maryland Railroad.
pp. 401-407
CHAPTER XXVII .- The eonvention of 1864-Politics after the war-Dissatisfaction with the Registration law-Constitution of 1867- Public men in Washington County-The men who were elected in 1867-The nestor of the Bar- Hamilton's work for Reform-Sketch of his ea- reer-The Republican party under the leadership of Louis E. McComas-Hilliard and Oswald- Long terms of Court Clerks.
pp. 409-417
CHAPTER XXVIII .- Judges eleeted in 1882-R. H. Alvey-A. K. Syester sueeeeds Win. Motier-H. Kyd Douglas-Edward Stake-The Bar of Washington County 30 years ago-Dis- tinguished lawyers of the early period.
pp. 419-426.
CHAPTER XXIX .- The Medical profes- sion.
pp. 427-430.
CHAPTER XXX .- Newspapers of Wash- ington County past and present-County newspa- pers and the changes in them-Hagerstown sev- enty years ago-Recollections of Edwin Bell- The opening of Prospect street-Incidents of men and affairs in the olden time.
pp. 431-447.
CHAPTER XXXI .- Hagerstown gets water works. The Shenandoah Valley Railroad -- Rapid increase of the town-The new eharter of 1884- Better streets and drainage and better lights --- Men who went to the Spanish war-Washington County Free Library -Wm. Neweomer and Ed- ward W. Mealey-The Orphans' Home-Success- ful movement for a Hospital-Growth of the population of Washington County.
pp. 449-458.
CHAPTER XXXII .- St. Paul's Reformed, Clearspring-St. John's Reformed Congregation, Clearspring-The Evangelieal Lutheran, sharps- burg-United Brethren, St. Paul's United Breth- ren, Hagerstown-Grace United Brethren, Ha- gerstown - Clearspring Pastorate, Evangelieal Lutheran Synod-St. Paul's Lutheran, Clear- spring-Mt. Tabor Evangelieal Lutheran-Trin- ity Reformed, Boonsboro -- Christian, Beaver Creek -Zion Lutheran, Williamsport-Salem United Brethren, Keedysville-Catholie Missions-Cath- olie Heirarehy in Maryland-St. Peter's Catholic Hancock-Christ Reformed, Hagerstown-St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Chapel, Brownsville -St. Paul's Methodist. Hagerstown-Mt. Moriah charge of the Reformed-Christ's Reformed, Sharpsburg-Mt. Vernon Reformed, Keedysville -Mt. Moriah Congregation-Lutheran, Boons- boro-Bethany Congregation of the Church of Christ, Downsville-Mt. Nebo United Brethren, Boonsboro-St. Paul's Evangelieal Lutheran, Funkstown-Christ's Reformed, Funkstown- Methodist Episcopal, Funkstown-Ameriean Meth- odist Episcopal, Funkstown-D'unkard, Funks- town-St. Matthew's Evangelieal, Beaver Creek- St. Andrew's Episcopal, Clearspring-Salem Luth- eran, Bakersville-United Brethren Churches, Rohrersville-Lutheran Congregation,Loeust Grove -Catholic, Boonsboro-Bethel United Brethren, Chewsville-St. Mark's Lutheran, Hagerstown-
The Baptist Chapel, Brownsville-Mt. Carmel United Brethren in Christ-St. Mark's Evangelie- al Lutheran, Rohrersville-St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran, Keedysville-Mt. Tabor United Breth- ren, of Cearfoss Distriet-Trinity Evangelical Lutheran, Hagerstown-River Brethren, Ringgold -Union Church, Ringgold-Welty Tnnker, Ring- gold-Lehman's Reformed Mennonite, Ringer's Church-Monroe United Brethren-Mt. Zion United Evangelical, Cearfoss District-Mennon- ites-Miller's Mennonite. Reiff's Mennonite, Par- adise Mennonite, Stanffer's Mennonite, Clear- spring Mennonite Church-First Christian, Ha- gerstown-German Baptist Brethren of the eigh- teenth century-Manor Beaver Creek, Welsh Run-Marsh German Baptist, Dunker or German Baptist. Antietam Battlefield-Potomae German Baptist-Sharpsburg German Baptist, Beaver Creek-Long Meadows or Rowland's German Baptist-('hewsville Brethren-Broad Fording German Baptist -- Welsh Run German Baptist Brethren-Creek Hill German Baptist-German Baptist Brethren, Hagerstown-Brownsville Ger- man Baptist Brethren-Brethren Church of Wash- ington County-First Brethren, Hagerstown- Jacob's Lutheran, Leitersburg-St. James Reform- ed, Leitersburg-Protestant Episcopal, Smiths- burg-St. Paul's Lutheran, Leitersburg-Meth- odist, Leitersburg-Trinity Evangelieal Intheran, Smithsburg-United Brethren, Leitersburg- Methodist, Smithsburg-Church of God, Sharps- burg-Beard's Lutheran Congregatin, Leiters- burg District-St. Paul's Lutheran, Leitersburg- Church of Christ, Boonsboro-Methodist, Sharps- burg-St. Matthew's German Lntheran, Ha-
gerstown-St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal, Sharpsburg-Salem Reformed, Cearfoss Distriet -Colored Methodist, Sharpsburg-Mountain View Cemetery -- Presbyterian, Haneoek-Metho- dist. Hanocek-Episcopal, Hancock-Methodist, Williamsport-Benevola Chapel United Brethren in Christ-First Baptist, Hagerstown.
pp. 461-554.
APPENDIX .- Attorneys qualified -- Physi- cians Registered- Governors - Congressmen- State Senators-House of Delegates-Judges- Judges, Orphans' Court -Sheriffs -- State's At- torneys-County Commissioners-Clerks of Cir- cuit Court-Register of Wills-Surveyors.
pp. 355-563.
CHAPTER XXXIII .- Biographieal Sketehes.
pp. 567-
CHAPTER I
T HE record of events proposed in this narrative embraces a period of only about one hundred and seventy years from the first settlement of white people within the present boundaries of Washington County, to the present time; yet events have been so crowded into this brief era, that it has seen the thirteen colonies of white men battling in the wilds of the New World grow into a mighty nation. It has seen the population of the Ameri- can States increase from less than two millions to forty-five times that number.
It has seen a greater development of the prac- tical appliances of civilization than was witnessed in the preceding ten centuries. There are men now living within the limits of Washington County who were living when Fulton launched his steam- boat in the waters of the Hudson river; who were 10 years of age when iron plows were unknown in the world, who were over 20 years of age when the first train of passenger cars made the trial trip on the Liverpool and Manchester road, who were over 30 when the leading scientists of the age proved that no vessel could carry enough coal to steam across the Atlantic; who had reached mid- dle life when the first telegram flashed over the wires. The period of this history has seen terri- tory of the European colonies and of the United States increase from a narrow strip lying between the Allegany Mountains on the west to the Atlan- tie ocean and from the northern limits of Massa- chusetts to the southern limits of Georgia, until it now stretches three thousand miles from ocean to ocean and from St. Lawrence to the Gulf.
Washington County has been the scene of
many events in this onward march of civilization which well deserve to be held in remembrance. It has been the scene of many a bloody struggle with the original possessors of the soil who have now passed away from its borders leaving only remnants behind for archiologists to speculate upon. It has sent forth many men who have been conspicuous in the country's history or have helped to develop and people the far west. It was the scene of one of the mighty battles of the Civil War and in its soil repose the ashes of many thousands who fell on the bloody fields of Antictam and South Mountain.
When the first settlement was made in this beautiful valley in the year 1735 or thereabout, the eastern part of the State had been settled by Europeans for over a hundred years and Virginia and Massachusetts for a longer period-and yet the struggle with the fierce difficulties in which our ancestors had engaged had been so great that it had taken a century to penetrate seventy-five miles from the shores of the Chesapeake into a valley more fertile and salubrious than any which had been then settled. The splendid valley of the Genesee in Western New York was still a wilder- ness in the undisturbed possession of the Oneidas, waiting for a colony from Washington County, which went there more than a half century later. Of the great cities of America only New York, Philadelphia and Boston had any existence, Balti- more was not laid out. The site of Washington was still a swamp and a pine forest; those of Chicago and Cincinnati were unbroken solitudes. 'The great forests which covered the valley of the Ohio had scarcely been entered by the trapper
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