USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 1 > Part 1
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 1 > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
Gc 977.101 C59W v.1 1628727
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00827 0602
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BYRON WILLIAMS
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofclermon01will
HISTORY
OF 1 CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES, OHIO
From the Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present
IN TWO VOLUMES :
V.1
BY BYRON WILLIAMS
Milford, Ohio Hobart Publishing Company 1913
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1628727
PREFACE.
Few localities with distinct organizations have been as closely identified in origin, growth and purpose as the coun- ties of the older Clermont and the younger Brown. The geologic structure, the archaic interest and the primeval in- cident are scarcely more the same than their rise to civiliza- tion, progress through civic plans and common pride in a worthy fame. The region was chosen, mapped, and designed for civil control, and fostered through the era of settlement largely by the same excellent judgment of a famous founder.
When mutual prosperity required a division for more con- venient administration of justice, the boundary between be- came the longest common line of county division in the State. Because of the leading highways, the railroads and the trac- tion lines, the social and commercial relations are more in- timate east and west across the boundary than to the north and south within the counties. With rare exception the con- gressional, judicial and senatorial interests have been identical. The trans-county thoroughfares have been a mutual desire and satisfaction. Therefore, it is well that the common his- tory should be collected and preserved.
This sincere attempt has been made by one native and con- stant to the region to present a view of what within reasonable limits should be known of the land by the people who should treasure the memories. The information has come from many sources. Rockey and Bancroft's History of Clermont County, published in 1880, is cheerfully mentioned as one of the best works of its kind, and with regret that the amiable Bancroft is beyond the reach of the praise that would gladly be given. The History of Brown County by Josiah Morrow and others, published in 1883, is an excellent compilation of much that would otherwise be lost and impossible to restore. Thirey and Mitchell's Encyclopedic Directory and History of Clermont County, published in 1902, is a graphic view of Cler- mont that possesses fine value for those who would know a dozen classified particulars about several thousand people
PREFACE
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then in the county and largely so at this date. The publication is unique among all that has been done to give the future an account of that time. Grateful acknowledgment is made to those gentlemen for what has been gleaned there for this work. Many days were once spent in searching the files of the local papers for which thanks are due to editors who have left their tables to others. No just regard should or can forget the con- fidence for this and other similar work gained through the help of the courteous people of the Cincinnati Public Library, and the unlimited use of the vast collections of that institu- tion. Out of the fleeting, fading impressions of hours thus spent the historian must sort the somber tints for a lively story, or else the reader tires and love's labor for the past is lost.
The Biographical Department of this publication has been the care of special collectors and a staff of writers over whose work the historian has had no charge.
BYRON WILLIAMS.
Williamsburg, Ohio, June 17, 1913.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
GEOLOGIC.
The Purpose of this Work-The Teaching of the Rocks-A Local Application of the Nebular Hypothesis-Chaotic Con- fusion-The Laurentian Land-World Making-The First Oceanic Floor-The Silurian Sea-The First Promenade of Life and March of Death-Geologic Upheavals-Heat, the Compelling Agent of Change-The Silurian Island-The Kingdom of Siluria-The Devonian System-The Creation a Process of Purification-When Coal was Made-The Age of Monsters-The Glacial Age in Old Clermont-The Land Finished for Man-The Destruction of a Hundred Years 17
CHAPER II.
ARCHAIC.
The Land of the Blue Limestone and the Home of the Blue Grass-The Antiquity of Man in America-The Mound Builders in the Ohio Valley-Recently Gained Knowledge of Their Habits-Their Stupendous Sacrifice of Human Energy - The Motives - Post Holes - The Palisade -
1 The Tepees-Grain Pits-The Rubbish in the Pits-The Home of the Mound Builder. Tokens that Make all Time Akin-The Philosophy of Their Works-The Toltecan and Appalachian Indians-The Corn Plant-War between the Flesh Eaters and Grain Raisers-The Ancient Passes of Niagara and Detroit-The Prevalence of the Mounds-The Lowland Enclosures-The Hilltop Forts-The Masterpieces Arching Northward Around Old Clermont-Fort Ancient,
CONTENTS
the Key of the Cordon-The Mound Builders' Main Line of Defense-The Strife between Roving Hunters and Plod- ding Grainmen Centered in Southwestern Ohio-The North- . ern War for Southern Plunder-The Trails Through the Straits from the Fur Lands to the Corn Lands-The Cere- monial Works-The Milford Works-The Stonelick Works -Ancient Works Surveyed by General William Lytle-In- dian Graves-Marathon Mounds-The Perry Township Mound-The Ripley Mounds-The Regrettable Effacement of Mounds in Brown and Clermont-"The Valley Which Was Full of Bones"-The Grave Does Not Cover All-The Author's Conclusion about the Mound Builders' Mission- The Sad Fated Planters and Fort Makers Served a Fine Purpose-The Kingly Corn, their Noble Gift to Hu- manity-The Grave Pleasure in a Study of a Perished Race of People 29
CHAPTER III.
DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION.
A Tale of Trial and Triumph-The Wrongs of the Indians- They Did Not Inhabit Ohio-The Right of Discovery-Our Right to the Land Founded on War-The Missionaries- English Enterprise -- Algonquin and Iroquois Rivalry-The Sparse Indian Population-The Ohio Valley the Most Va- cant of All-The French Incur Iroquois Hatred-The Strategic Importance of the Iroquois-The Shawnees- Virginians Find Waters Flowing to the South Sea-La- Salle Claims the Mississippi Valley for the French-The Shawnees Migrate to Ohio-The Peaceful Delawares Grow Brave in Eastern Ohio-The Miamis and Wyandots Enter Northwestern Ohio-The French Build Forts Along the Lakes and down the Mississippi-The Fur Trade-The French and English prepare to Fight for No Man's Land Along the Ohio-The First Ohio Land Company-Enter, George Washington - Celoron's Expedition Passes Old Clermont, August 29, 1749-Pickawillany-Christopher Gist
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CONTENTS
Searches for Good Land-Nothing Finer Found than the Miami Region-The French Destroy Pickawillany and War Begins-The End of Peaceful Exploration 53
CHAPTER IV.
UNDER TWO FLAGS.
The Destruction of Pickawillany an Example of Extensive Indian Strategy-The Strategy of the Indian Defense of Ohio-The Loneliness of the Land-A Blundering War with Dazzling Results-The Showy French-The Miserly King George II-The Iroquois Consent to a Fort at the Fork of the Ohio-The French Begin to Fortify the Ohio- Major George Washington Sent to Protest-Jumonville's Party Killed or Captured-The Seven Years' War Begun- The French Seize the Ohio-The Big Trail-Braddock's Defeat-Washington Commander-in-Chief for Virginia- New England Resolves to Capture Canada-Virginia Re- solves to Hold All to the Lakes and Mississippi-Forbes' Expedition-Major Grant's Defeat-The Fork of the Ohio Retaken-The French Flag Goes West, by and Beyond Old Clermont-The Naming of Pittsburgh-Rogers' Mounted Rangers-A Continental Empire Changes Masters-The Indian Is Promised Protection Against Greed for Game Land-Washington's Leadership in Gaining Ohio .... 71
CHAPTER V.
UNDER BRITISH COLORS.
Political Results of the French and Indian War-The Spectre of Independence Haunts the British Mind-Repressive Pol- icy-The English Crown Takes the Place of the French- Settlers Forbidden to Go West of the Mountain Crest- Pontiac's Conspiracy-The Battle of Bushy Run-Bouquet's
CONTENTS
Expedition-The Treaty of Fort Stanwix Made the Ohio a Boundary Between the Races-The Odious Act of Que- bec-The Ohio Valley a Hunting Ground for Savage Pleas- ure-Rebellion Rampant along the Mountains before it was Whispered on the Coast-Washington again Goes West on the Big Trail-Dunmore's War-The Battle of Point Pleasant, the First Battle of the Revolution-The Shawnees -Cornstalk-Daniel Boone-First Surveying on the Ohio- Colonel Bowman's Expedition-George Rogers Clark- Clark's Conquest-The American Revolution as Told Is Mainly an Eastern Tale-The Western Side of the Revolu- tion-Clark's Expedition in 1780-The Strife Along the Eastern Ohio-Fort Laurens-Official Report of British Governor De Peyster - The Avowed British Policy Was War on the Inhabitants of the West and South -The Massacre of Wyoming-The Massacre of Colonel Lochry's Command-The Massacre of Gnadenhutten- Crawford's Defeat-The Siege of Bryant's Station and the Battle of Blue Licks-The Last British Battle Flag Seen from Clermont-The Last Siege of Fort Henry, the Last Battle of the American Revolution-General Clark's Retal- iating Expedition in 1782-What Might Have Been With Modern Inventions-The Motives of France and Spain in Making Peace-Franklin's Success in Treaty Making- ' Thirty-two Years Between Gist's Exploration and Inde- pendence 8I
CHAPTER VI.
THE INDIAN COUNTRY.
British Hope for the Failure of Independence-Indians Not Consulted in the Treaty for Peace-The Malign Influence . of the British Fur Traders-Old Clermont a Midway Hid- ing Place for Plundering Bands-War Debts and Public Lands-State Claims-Indian Titles-Treaty Councils at Fort Stanwix, Fort McIntosh and Fort Finney-Brant and Red Jacket Form an Indian Confederacy at Detroit-Mol-
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CONTENTS
untha Pleads for Peace-Congress Forbids Invasion of In- dian Border-Clark's Expedition in 1786-Logan's Expedi- tion against Mac-o-chee-The Murder of Moluntha-Civil Government Instituted-The Fertility-Spanish Hostility- Squatter Claims Rejected-The First Government Survey in Ohio, August, 1786-Surveying in the Virginia Military District begun in 1787-The Ordinance of 1787-The Sec- ond Ohio Land Company-Marietta-John Cleves Symmes -The Danger in 1787-Enter Arthur St. Clair, President of Congress-The Territory Northwest-Columbia-Losanti- ville-North Bend-Colonel Robert Todd's Expedition Against Paint Creek-Grant's Defeat near Vevay-"The Banditti Must be Intercepted"-Spanish Intrigue to Dis- solve the Union-Cincinnati-Governor St. Clair Reports a Series of Disasters-Colonel Charles Scott's Expedition- War Resumed-Harmar's Expedition Against Omee-The Massacre at Big Bottom-Scott and Wilkinson's Expedition -Wilkinson's Second Expedition-St. Clair Planned a Chain of Forts-St. Clair's Defeat-Anthony Wayne-Two Years of Preparation and Two Hours of Victory-The In- dian Country Passed into History After Forty Years of Con- flict for the Ohio-Gallipolis, Massie's Station, or Man- chester 109
CHAPTER VII.
WILLIAM LYTLE.
Homes as a Reward for Dangerous Duty-The Noble Idea and the Difficult Practice-The Difficulty Undertaken by. Authorized Surveyors-General Massie and His Pupils- General Lytle-Lytle's Personal Narrative-Moving West -Life in a Palisade-The Boy of Fourteen Kills a Buffalo and a Bear-Watching for Indians-A Volunteer When Sixteen-Fighting at Mac-o-chee-The Capture and Mur- der of Moluntha-Chasing Indians-Grant's Defeat ... 14I
CONTENTS
CHAPTER VIII.
MAPPING THE WILDERNESS.
The Interrupted Surveying Resumed-Massie and Lytle Make a Narrow Escape-Belteshazzar Dragoo-A Battle with Tecumseh on the East Fork-Massie's Work in 1792-Lin- ton's Survey, No. 681-Lytle's Work in 1793-The Profit on the Work-Lytle's Surveyor's Camp-James Taylor, Sr. -The Land Market in 1795-The Indian Peril of that Time -Two Traces from Lexington-Covalt's Station-Major Riggs Killed at Milford-The Winter of 1791-92-Adam Snider-The Tiller and the Man Who Would Not Work- The Shawnees Had Only Nominal Possession. . 173
CHAPTER IX.
COMING OF THE PIONEERS.
' The Effacement of a Hundred Years-The Settlements After Wayne's Treaty-Massie's Repulse from Paint Creek in 1795 -The Origin of Williamsburg-James Kain-Massie and Lytle in the East in the Winter of 1795-96-Platting of Wil- liamsburg Stopped by a Blizzard-Thomas Paxton-The Buchanan, Wood and Manning Settlement-The Ferguson Family-John Logston-Hamilton and Clark-Beltashazzar Dragoo-The Pioneers in a Forest Land-Adam Bricker- The People of 1796-The Pietists-The Five Ellis Brothers -The Dunlap-Kinkead Connection-James Edwards-Mills Stephenson-The Beaseleys-The Longs-Amos Ellis- Ezekiel Dimmitt and the Gest Brothers-The Light Family -The Christmas Fires of 1797-The Origin of Bethel- Obed Denham-The Baptist Church-The First Emancipa- tion Society-Taylor and Lytle Build a Grain and Saw Mill -The Earliest Breadstuff-The First Mill East of the Lit- tle Miami and. West of Chillicothe-Lytle in Philadelphia in 1797-98-Early Births-Rumors of a New County-Ear- liest Roads-First Marriage-Kain's Dug Way and Mor- gan's Raid 191
CONTENTS
CHAPTER X.
COMING OF THE PIONEERS-CONTINUED.
Settlement Eastward from the Miami-A Methodist Class Formed at McCormick's-The Immigration of 1798 More Than Doubled the Homes-Another Methodist Class Formed-An Official List of Settlers on Eagle and Straight Creeks-Jacob Ulrey and Captain W. H. Ulrey-Philip Gatch-The First Methodist Church North of the Ohio- Francis McCormick-Daniel Feagins-Round Bottom- More Roads-Warren Malott-John Metcalf-James Poage -John Boude-Benjamin Gardner-Joseph Dugan-Major Shaylor-Robert Christie-Leonard Raper-John Naylor- Joshua Lambert-The Lost Child. 225
CHAPTER XI.
THE EARLIEST HOMES.
The Traits and Trials of the First to Come-The Pioneer's House-The Roof-The Frow-The Floor-The Beds-The Fireplace-Their Cooking-Their Farming Tools-The Age of Wood-The Forest Seclusion-The Glamour of Tradition -The Positive Proof of Journals and Ledgers-Scarcity of Money-Fur Currency-What They Bought-The Drug and Book Trade-Bartering-Whisky-A Complete Pioneer Outfit-The Awful Stress of Life-Maple Sugar Making- Woman's Work-The Philosophy of the Desire for Remem- brance 249 .
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XII.
THE FORMATION OF THE ANCIENT COUNTY OF CLERMONT.
Governor St. Clair's Proclamations of Counties-Speculation in Land-Major-General Arthur St. Clair-The Conditions of 1798-The First Territorial Legislature-Origin of Mas- sie's Opposition-St. Clair's Ideal of Duty-Bills for New Counties Vetoed and Consequent Censure-The Second Ses- sion of the Legislature -- Clermont County Proclaimed with 680 Males Above 16-The Political Tumult of the Time- The Name, Clermont-The County Officers-Thomas Mor- ris-William Lytle-Harmony Hill-John Charles-The Old Stone Land Office-The Lost Child Found-The Set- tlement of the New County-The First Wagon Through by Chillicothe-St. Clairsville or Decatur-General Beaseley- Oscar Snell-Governor John M. Pattison. 267
CHAPTER XIII.
EARLY DAYS OF THE COUNTY.
Nearest Settlement to the North Line-Bugler William Sloane -The King of the Hay Haulers-The Price Paid for the Union by the Sloanes-Other Settlers in Territorial Times -- Report on Population-Elections-Exit St. Clair-Early Courts-Log Court House-Thomas Morris' Taverns- Formation of Townships-Roads-Thomas Morris-Log Jail-The End of Territorial Times and the Beginning of Statehood 295
CHAPTER XIV.
THE COUNTY UNDER STATE LAW.
State Courts Organized-Judge Francis Dunlavy-The First State Court in Old Clermont-The First Grand Jury for the
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CONTENTS
State-Early County Officials-The Presiding Judges of Clermont and Brown-The Associate Judges-The County Commissioners-The Extirpation of Wild Animals-Adven- tures of Phoebe Dimmitt and Mary Robinson-Benjamin Morris Rescued by Jesse Glancy-Jesse Glancy's Fight with a Bear-Adam Bricker and a Panther-The Last Bear- Buffalo-Game-The Turkey Trap-The Squirrel Scalp Currency-The Need of Roads and Bridges-Amos Ellis, Amos Smith and Other Early Commissioners-Roads with Names Now Strange-Public Buildings-John Charles- The Old Stone Court House-Stone Jail-Stone Clerk's Of- fice-Bishop R. S. Foster-The Whipping Post-Traditions of the Second Log Jail-First of Many Bridges-The Sec- ond Bridge Where the Glancys Met Wolves-State Roads -The Anderson State Road-The Xenia State Road-The Formation of New Townships-Population in 1818. ... 321
CHAPTER XV.
THE TONE OF THE TIME.
'The Jersey Settlement-John Collins-Charles H. Collins- Collins Chapel-Old Bethel-The Congregation Replete with Notable Names-White-Swing-Jenkins-Johnson- Simpson-Ulrey-A Student Group of Four-Influence of the Pulpit on Settlement-The Baptists at Bethel-At Ten Mile-At Twelve Mile-The Robbs-Charles Robb, the Teacher Poet-The Poets' Union-Dr. T. W. Gordon- "Eulalie"-Eliza Archard Conner-Robert Todd Lytle- William Haines Lytle, the Soldier Poet-Charles J. Har- rison-Churchly Affairs-Hopewell Church-The Congre- gation of Gilboa-John Dunlavy-Muscular Christianity- Camp Meetings-Effects on Presbyterianism-James Gil- liland-Robert B. Dobbins-The First Schools-The Best School House from 1804 to 1819-Dr. Alexander Campbell -Dr. Levi Rogers and His Son John G .- Surgeon-General Richard Allison-The Early Healers-Peddlers First, Then Merchants-James Burleigh-Isaac Lines-William Waters and Benjamin Ellis-Postal Affairs-Newspapers ..... 347
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVI.
THE ERA OF THE WAR OF 1812.
The Conditions of That Era-Roads-Population-Cities- Effect of Napoleonic Wars-No Leisure Class Then-Re- newal of the Long Conflict for Ohio. The Declaration Be- fore the Preparation for War-Clermont's Answer to the First Call-Jacob Huber-Hull's Surrender-Colonel Mills Stephenson-Fort Stephenson-Perry's Victory and Cap- tain Stephen Smith-Officers from Old Clermont-Deplor- able Loss of the Muster Rolls-List of Revolutionary Sol- diers in Clermont and Brown-Captain Jacob Boerstler's Company-Captain Robert Haines Company-General William Lytle in the War of '12-His Service in Promoting Old Clermont Reviewed and Censure Refuted-Ohio in the War of '12-The Migration from the Sea Board to Old Clermont after the War of '12-Captain Matthew Pease at the Execution of Louis XVI. . 369
CHAPTER XVII.
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AFTER THE DIVISION OF OLD CLERMONT.
The Agitation for New Counties-Comparative Population of New Counties-Relative Importance of Old Clermont- Township Histories - New Enterprise - Bridges - New County Seat for Clermont-New Richmond-Batavia- County Seat for Brown-Ripley-Bridgewater-George- town-The Woods Family-The Court House for Brown County-Coincidence in the Growth of Brown and Cler- mont-Better Roads-The Coming of Pikes from the Mar- kets-A Tram Way-The Plank Road Delusion-The Canal Era-Thomas Morris-The Ohio Canal System a Victory for the Union-The Effect of the Canals-Brown and Cler- mont Classed as Anti-Canal Counties-The Use of Steam for Transportation-The First Railroads-The Prosperity of the Flat Boat Times-Flour, Pork and Whisky-The Temperance Movement-The River Trade and Slavery- The Underground Railroad. . .385
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVIII.
OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL EXPANSION.
The Early Days of Masonry in Old Clermont-Clermont So- cial Lodge No. 29, Free and Accepted Masons-The First Fraternal Organization between the Little Miami and the Scioto-The Lodge now Ranks as No. 9 in all Fraternity North and West of the Ohio-"Refreshments"-The First Two-Story Hall and the First Brick School House Between Cincinnati and Chillicothe-Other Lodges-Early Schools Depended Upon Individual Effort-Subscription Schools-
Select Schools - Academies - Seminaries - Presbyterian Schools-The Quail Trap Academy-Union Schools- Teachers' Institutes-Clermont's Share in the Institution of Graduation from the Common Schools-General Lytle's Donation of the Origin of St. Martin's-The Catholic Church-Organization of New Townships-The Founding of Towns-Steam Boats-Stage Lines-Wagon Trains on the Pikes-Droves-Practical Emancipation not Popular- The Early Case 403
CHAPTER XIX.
THE MEXICAN WAR AND THE GOLD FEVER.
The Mexican War a Preliminary Campaign in a Greater Struggle-The Volunteers from Brown-The Company from Clermont and Brown-General Thomas L. Hamer, His Youth, Political Success, Oratory and Death in Mexico- Discovery of Gold in California-The Light Family-Dr. William Wayland Light, One of the Argonauts-A Deadly Fight .415
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XX.
IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Change in Fashion and Custom-The Note of Preparation- The Roster of Ohio in the War-Those Who Heard the Call-The Terror of the First Tidings-The Fall of Sum- ter-A General Statement of the Organizations from Brown and Clermont-The Nearest Battle-The Morgan Raid- The Course of the Longest Single March on Record-The Conduct of the Raiders-A Fight for a Horse-The Story of Captain George Harris of Morgan's Artillery-The Recep- tion of the Union Army in Pursuit of Morgan-The Dif- ference Between the Armies-The General Service of the Troops from Brown and Clermont-When the Boys Came Marching Home . 421
CHAPTER XXI.
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF GRANT.
The John Simpson Home-The House at Point Pleasant- Jesse Grant Clears Eleven Hundred Dollars in Twenty-two Months-The Home in Georgetown-Jesse Grant-The First Brick School House in Georgetown-Boyhood-Fond- ness for Horses-A Daring Rider-A Fine Example of a Well Raised American Boy-Attracts the Attention of Teacher John D. White, General Hamer and Senator Mor- ris-At West Point-Excels all in Horsemanship-Hazed at Home-His Remarkable Reserve-The Teaching of Soli- tude-His Vision of War-His Patient Courtesy-The Sim- plicity of His Sincerity-The Gentle Quality of the Man- His Kindness in Victory. His World-wide Triumph-How He Rendered Good for Evil-His Tomb in the Center of the World-Lieut .- Gen. Henry C. Corbin . 435
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXII.
AFTER THE GREAT WAR.
The Care of the Unfortunate-The World is Growing Kinder- The Progress of Charity-The Old Poor Houses-The Mod- ern Infirmaries-The Children's Home-Free Pikes-The Toll Gates a Fading Memory-Agitation for a Central Rail- road-The Gore Route-The Stimulating Effect of the Cin- cinnati Southern Railroad-The Narrow Gauge Era-Sam- uel Woodward-Two Roads or None-The Cincinnati and Eastern-The Cincinnati, Georgetown and Portsmouth- Branch Roads and Traction Lines-The Telegraph and Telephone-Men Careless in Pursuit of Pleasure-Peace and Plenty Accepted Without Wonder-Disaster Causes Amazement-The Circuit of the Rain-Water in Geologic Times-Floods Avoided by the Mound Builders-Shanoah Town-The Flood of 1773-Modern Floods-The Flood of 1913-The Ohio Hundred Year Book-U. S. Senators and Members of Congress from Brown and Clermont-Ceme- teries-The Highest Value of History-Our Absent Pop- ulation. . 449
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HISTORY CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
CHAPTER I.
GEOLOGIC.
The Purpose of this Work-The Teaching of the Rocks-A Local Application of the Nebular Hypothesis-Chaotic Con- fusion-The Laurentian Land-World Making-The First Oceanic Floor-The Silurian Sea-The First Promenade of Life and March of Death-Geologic Upheavals-Heat, the Compelling Agent of Change-The Silurian Island-The Kingdom of Siluria-The Devonian System-The Creation a Process of Purification-When Coal was Made-The Age of Monsters-The Glacial Age in Old Clermont-The Land Finished for Man-The Destruction of a Hundred Years.
The purpose of this work is to trace the events, note the in- cidents and remember the people combined in the change of a long deserted wilderness into a region notable for lofty ex- ample.
No one out of love for the curious should explore the past or try to interpret the oracles of experience without faith in man and hope for his improvement. For, without glorious glimpses through the gloom, it is better to seek no message of despair. But the tale of "Old Clermont" is full with an inspir- ation that pervades the fairest lands and obtains the choicest sympathy of the earth. Even the rocks rolling from ledgy hills or strown by fretting brooks have a magical charm for such as heed their wonderful teaching.
The lessons learned are not reams of idle lore, but something more stupendous far than all the sounding tales by teeming fancy wrought. For, in the structure of those rocks, star-eyed Science has found not the lot of empires, nor the fate of races,
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CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
but some of the most convincing pages in the record of a cease- less purpose through a relentless sweep of eternal change. To read that record aright is the consummation of human effort to comprehend the Infinite. That effort including the clas- sified observation and comparison of every truth discovered by the discerning, from the first star gazer to the latest biologist, has resulted in a conclusive theory of the mechanism of the creation.
Of that creation, religion and learning agree in declaring that the beginning was without form and void. All that pre- ceded the appearance of organic life is neither more nor less baffling than what has followed, only, that the record must be sought along the flaming walls of the universe. There, guided by the unerring mathematical discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton and aided by the profound speculation of many sages, La Place perceived the suggestions from which he proposed the Nebular Hypothesis that with every added fact has become the accepted theory of the formation and growth of worlds.
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