USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 9
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Mehan, William Alexander and Morris Cope; 1883-84, Owen Mehan, Nathaniel Taylor and Morris Cope; 1885, W. J. Berry, Nathaniel Tay- lor and Morris Cope; 1886, W. J. Berry, John C. Israel and Morris Cope; 1887-90, W. J. Berry, John C. Israel and Miles Hart; 1895, W. S. Mechem, Silas Bailey and George M. Wise; 1899, J. W. Wilkinson, George M. Wise and T. B. Smith,-present incumbents. Since the above was written J. W. Martin was elected for the ensuing term.
AUDITORS.
1823-25, Peter Tallman; 1825-36, William McNeely; 1836-38, G. S. Nagle; 1838-40, William Anderson; 1840-42, T. Hogue; 1842- 14, William Dunn; 1844-48, William Pancoast ; 1848-52, David Allen; 1852-54, David True- man; 1854-56, J. F. Charlesworth; 1856-58, Stephen Gressinger; 1858-62, C. L. Poorman ; 1862-66, R. S. Clark; 1866-71, R. M. Clark; 1871-73. John B. Longley; 1873-77, W. E. Stamp; 1877-81, W. N. Coffland; 1881-84, R. R. Barrett; 1885, D. HI. Darrah (appointed) ; 1886-89, R. R. Barrett ; 1889-92, Joseph Hen- derson; 1898-1902, Madison Aldredge; 1902, A. W. Beatty, present incumbent.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
1801-04, Charles Hammond (appointed) ; 1804-08, Jacob Nagle (appointed) ; 1808-15, George Paull (appointed) ; 1815-25, David Jennings (appointed) ; 1825-33, W. B. Hub- bard (appointed) 1833-37, Wilson Shannon ; 1837-41, William Kennon; 1841-45, R. J. Alexander; 1845-49, Carlo C. Carroll; 1849- 51, Joseph A. Ramage; 1851-55, Isaac E. Eaton; 1855-59, D. D. T. Cowen; 1859-61, Lorenzo Danford; 1861-65, John A. Work; 1865-67, Robert H. Cochran; 1867-71, John W. Shannon; 1871-75, Wilson S. Kennon; 1875- 1880, Robert M. Eaton; 1880-85, A. H. Mitchell; 1885-90, N. W. Kennon; 1890-96, Jesse W. Hollingsworth ; 1896-1900, Capell L. Weems; 1900-02, Hunter S. Armstrong, pres- ent incumbent. II. T. Shepherd was recently elected for the ensuing term.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
PROBATE JUDGES.
1851-57, David Harris; 1857-63, Robert Claudy ; 1863-66, C. W. Carroll; 1866-69, A. W. Anderson; 1869-78, C. W. Carroll; 1878- 84, Thomas Cochran; 1884-90, Isaac H. Gas- ton; 1890-96, J. F. Tallman; 1896-1902, W. F. Smith, present incumbent. Judge John S. Cochran was elected November 4, 1902, for the ensuing term.
RECORDERS. (Served in the order named.)
1804, Sterling Johnson, William Faris, G. S. Nagle, Peter Tallman, William Faris, Robert Giffin, M. J. Ward, George Anderson, S. M. Howey, Felix Martin, John Bickham, John C. Bolon, William Barnes, James Barnes, W. S. Hobbs, John M. Becket, D. S. Creamer, A. S. Taylor, John K. McFarland, present incum- bent.
CORONERS. (Served in the order named.)
1801, John Dungan, Joseph Morrison, Will- iam Stephenson, Wilmeth Jones, John S. Na- gle, John Scatterday, Robert McMasters, Will- iam Kinney, Moses Rhodes, Joseph Moore, Jo- seph Hargrave, James Smith, H. Ferguson, Oliver Cunningham, James Nichol, Patrick Lochary, George Creswell, E. B. Kennedy, Thomas Garrett, E. B. Kennedy, Thomas Gar- rett, J. Creswell, Samuel Martin, A. M. F. Boyd, Dr. A. C. Beetham, Dr. M. E. Cole.
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS. (Served in the order named.)
1842, William Lemon, Alexander Hannah, J. C. Henderson, Henry West, Stephen Pan- coast, Reuben Miller, George Van Law, Stephen Pancoast, A. Lodge, F. R. Phillips, George Van Law, Jacob Gosset, Abner Lodge, Balaam Nichols, Hugh Ferguson, F. R. Phillips, Hugh Ferguson, Agner Lodge, Oliver Taylor, Will- iam Caldwell, John Taggart, R. J. Pollock, William Caldwell, Balaam Nichols, Nathaniel Taylor, Jacob Gosset, Wiliam Parkenson, Will-
iam Ramage, Thomas Lodge, John Alexander, N. Taylor, William Parkenson, Laban Lodge, Nathaniel Taylor, William Parkenson, J. B. Ritchie, Joseph Bailey, Levi W. Jones, J. B. Ritchie, Joseph Bailey, John Sidebottom, Will- iam Lodge, B. McConnaughy, J. A. Clark, B. McConnaughy, William Lodge, J. A. Clark, Benjamin Laper, Otto Rottmeir, J. A. Brown, J. H. Heed, and Infirmary Director-elect W. A. Merritt.
VOTE FOR GOVERNOR.
Perhaps nothing will reveal the growth of the county more than the publication of the vote for Governor since 1807 :
1807-Return J. Meigs, 705; Nathaniel Massie, 174.
1808-Samuel Huntington, 451; Thomas Worthington, 816; Thomas Kirker, I.
1810-Return J. Meigs, 448; Return J. Meigs, Jr., 39; Thomas Worthington, 495.
1812-Return J. Meigs, 1,393; Thomas Scott, 73.
1814-Thomas Worthington, 000; Othniel Looker, 00.
1816-Thomas Worthington, ooo; James Dunlap, oo; Ethan A. Brown, oo.
1818-Ethan A. Brown, 1,592; James Dun- lap, 21.
1820-Ethan A. Brown, 1,842; Jeremiah Morrow, 15.
1822-Jeremiah Morrow, 000; Allen Trim- ble, oo; W. W. Irwin, oo.
1824-Jeremiah Morrow, 1,268; Allen Trimble, 1, 191.
1826-Allen Trimble, 1,937; John Bigger, 113; Alexander Campbell, 395; Benjamin Tappan, 574.
1828-Allen Trimble, 1,975; John W. Campbell, 1,892.
1830-Duncan McArthur (Republican), 1,822; Robert Lucas ( Democrat), 1,468.
1832-Robert Lucas (D.), 2,370; Darius Lyman ( Whig and Anti-Mason), 2,191.
1834-Robert Lucas (D.), 2,107; James Findlay (W.), 2,230.
1836-Joseph Vance (W.), 2,666; Eli Bald- win (D.), 2,358.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
1838-Wilson Shannon (D.), 2,670; Jo- seph Vance (\V.), 2,220.
1840-Thomas Corwin (W.), 3,195; Wil- son Shannon (D.), 2,806.
1842-Thomas Corwin (W.), 2,770; Wil- son Shannon (D.), 2,865; Leicester King (Abolition), 171.
1844-Mordecai Bartley (W.), 3,081; David Todd (D.), 2,867.
1846-William Bebb (W.), 2,475; David Todd (D.), 1,857; Samuel Lewis (A.), 194. 1848-John B. Weller (D.), 2,797; Seabury Ford (W.), 3,169.
1850-Reuben Wood (D.), 2,456; William Johnston (W.), 2,834; Edward Smith (A.), 69.
1851-Reuben Wood (D.), 2,562; Samuel F. Vinton (W.), 2,747; Samuel Lewis (A.), 196.
1853-William Medill (D.), 1,964; Nelson Barrere (W.), 1,478; Samuel Lewis (A.), 1,288.
1855-William Medill (D.), 1,853; Allen Trimble ( Know-Nothing), 1,003; Salmon P. Chase (Rep.), 1,750.
1857-Salmon P. Chase (R.), 1,572; Henry B. Payne (D.), 2,417; Phil. Van Trump (Am.), 950.
1859-William Dennison (R.), 2,280; Ru- fus P. Ranney (D.), 2,591.
1861-David Todd (R.), 3,025; Hugh J. Jewett (D.), 3,138.
1863-John Brough (R.), 3,979; Clement L. Vallandigham (D.), 3,257.
1865-Jacob D. Cox (R.), 3,363; George W. Morgan (D.), 3,289.
1867-Rutherford B. Hayes (R.), 3,412; Allen G. Thurman (D.), 3,971.
1869-Rutherford B. Hayes (R.), 3,248; George H. Pendleton (D.), 3,764.
1871-Edward F. Noyes (R.), 3,899; George W. McCook (D.), 3,681; Gideon T. Stewart (Pro.), 38.
1873-Edward F. Noyes (R.), 3,614; William Allen (D.), 3,394; Gideon T. Stew- art (Pro.), 230; Isaac Collins (Lib.), 16.
1875-William Allen (D.), 4,588; Ruther- ford B. Hayes (R.), 4,514.
1877-William H. West (R.), 4,055; Rich- ard M. Bishop (D.), 4,632; Stephen Johnson, 13; Henry A. Thompson, 19.
1879-Charles Foster (R.), 5,253; Thomas Ewing (D.), 5,356; Gideon T. Stewart ( Pro.), A. Saunder Pratt, John Hood (G. L.) ; scat- tering, 87.
1881-Charles Foster (R.), 4,671 ; John W. Bookwalter (D.), 4,527 ; A. B. Ludlow ( Pro.), 102; John Seitz (G. L.), 68.
1883-Joseph B. Foraker (R.), 5,532; George Hoadly (R.), 5,426; Charles Jenkins (Pro.), 41 ; E. Schumaker (G. L.), 26.
1885-Joseph B. Foraker (R.), 5,765; George Hoadly (D.), 5,131; A. B. Leonard (Pro.), 335; J. W. Winthrop (G. L.), 7.
1887-Joseph B. Foraker (R.), 5,991; Thomas E. Powell (D.), 5,507; Morris Sharp (Pro.), 441 ; John Seitz (G. L.), 15.
1889-Joseph B. Foraker (R.), 5,820; James E. Campbell (D.), 5,601 ; John P. Hel- wig (Pro.), 598; John H. Rhodes (G. L.).
1891-William McKinley (R.), 6,294; Jo- seph E. Campbell (D.), 5,642; Ashenhurst (Pro.), 456; Seitz ( Peoples), 24.
1893-Mckinley (R.), 6,628; Neill (D.), 5,267; Meeklin (P.), 509; Brockin ( Peoples), 69
1895-Bushnell (R.), 6,496; Campbell (D.), 4,981 ; Coxey (Pop.), 271; Ellis (Pro.), 493; Wilkins (S.), 12.
1897-Bushnell (R.), 6,520; Chapman (D.), 5,521; Holliday (Pro.), 162; Coxey (P.), 36; Dexter (Natl. Dem.), 27; Richard- son (Liberty), 105; Lewis ( Negro Prot.), 32; Watkins (Socialist), 27.
1889-Nash (R.), 6,567; McClain (D.), 5,277; Ellis (N. R.), 118; Hammell (Pro.), 153; Barlow (S.), 20; Jones (N. P.), 171.
1901-Nash (R.), 5,498; Kilbourne (D.), 3,764; Penny ( Pro.), 321; Richardson (N. R.), 38; Juergens (S. L.), 34; Thompson (S.), 43.
It is greatly to be regretted that in 1814- 1816-1822, the records have been lost. We may succeed in obtaining the omitted vote be- fore this goes to press.
CHAPTER V.
THE ROADS OF BELMONT COUNTY.
EARLY THOROUGHFARES-THE NATIONAL ROAD-CONESTOGA WAGONS-THE OLD TAVERNS- THE OLD STAGE COACH-PASSING OF THE NATIONAL ROAD-TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINES-OTHER PIKES.
EARLY TIIOROUGHFARES.
The roads of Belmont County at the open- ing of the 19th century could scarcely be dig- nified by that name. One of the first acts of the first court held in the county authorized the construction of two roads viz., one from Pult- ney ( Bellaire) to Newellstown (St. Clairs- ville), under the supervision of Jacob Cole- man, surveyor, and the other a license for the construction of a road over the Zane Trail, extending through the county from east to west, over territory that is practically the same as that occupied by the National Road. All other thoroughfares were simply trails and bridle paths that were blazed through the for- est from one settlement to another. And many of these bloody trails were the scenes of hair- breadth escapes and thrilling adventures, the memory of which will linger in rural communi- ties, to be told with ever increasing interest for generations to come.
Before the organization of the county, the government contracted with Col. Ebenezer Zane at Fort Henry in Wheeling for the con- struction of a wagon road over the famous Zane Trail from Wheeling to Zanesville, in consideration of which he was to receive three sections of government land. The road was completed in two years, viz, 1797-98; but the work was very indifferently done. Colonel Zane was better at constructing forts than
roadways, and while he actually did drive a wagon over the road, it is said it was done at the peril of his life.
THE NATIONAL ROAD.
The first good road constructed in Belmont County was that section of the great national thoroughfare known as the National Road, which through the untiring efforts of Henry Clay was built by the government. This great macadamized road, begun in 1806-07, was not completed through Belmont County until 1825, when it became the great thoroughfare for the transportation of travel and traffic from east to west, and gave a powerful impetus to western migration.
Of this national thoroughfare a distin- guished statesman has said: "It is a monu- ment of a past age, but like all other monu- ments it is interesting as well as venerable." In opening up the West and Northwest, it car- ried tens of thousands of population and mill- ions of wealth, and, more than any other ma- terial structure in the land, it served to har- monize, strengthen, if not save, the Union.
The cost of the road through Belmont County was estimated at $34,000 per mile, or $100,000 from Bridgeport to Fairview, a dis- tance of 281/2 miles; this covered the expense of grading, masonry and three inches of broken stone.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
The road traverses the most picturesque and beautiful section of Belmont County, and 60 years ago a ride over its broad smooth surface would charm the stage coach passengers of the olden time by its ever-changing panorama of beautiful scenery ; a panorama of hilltop and valley, that relieved the longest journey of its weariness and monotony.
The road as originally constructed far sur- passed the renowned Appian Way of the Ro- man Empire, in that it was 80 feet in width through Belmont County, while the latter was but 20 feet in width. Upon the National Road six carriages could pass abreast, while upon the Appian Way but two could pass each other. The National Road was renowned for the num- ber and excellence of the taverns that were built upon its borders. Some of these old tav- erns were only a mile apart, and were called wagon stands, because attached to each tavern was a great shed, beneath which the wagons found shelter for the night, while the wagoners found cheer and comfort by the glow of the large open grate of the barroom, where whiskey was freely dispensed at two drinks for a "fip- penny bit" (61/4 cents).
CONESTOGA WAGONS.
The wagons that carried all the merchandise from east to west were great, broad-tired, can- vas-covered wagons, that were drawn by six to 12 Conestoga horses. Over the hames of these horses were attached a semi-circle of bells that made the air merry with their joyous jingle. The capacity of some of these great wagons is almost incredible; some carried as much as Io tons, and the average wagon car- ried from two to three tons.
An idea of the extent of the traffic may be had from the statement that a single commis- sion house in Wheeling unloaded 1,081 wagons in a single year, and the freightage upon the goods carried amounted to $90,000. When these immense wagons were ready for a start the driver would mount the hind near horse and gathering the lines in one hand would sweep the old blacksnake whip over his head with a
crack like the explosion of a torpedo and the ark-shaped vehicle moved off.
These great caravans lined the road from sunrise to sunset, besides innumerable droves of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep.
There were rival lines of stage coaches in which the passengers were carried from east to west and much competition prevailed.
One line operated by N. P. Talmadge was known as the "Good Intent Line" and another known as the "Neill Line" was conducted by William Neill, afterward the proprietor of the well-known Neill House at Columbus.
The speed attained by these old stage coaches was remarkable. With favorable weather and good roads, the trip from St. Clairsville to Wheeling, a distance of 12 miles, was accomplished in an hour, and as many as 20 of these great, four-horse coaches could be counted in line at one time.
THE OLD TAVERNS.
The taverns whereat the stage coaches stopped were known as stage houses, and dif- fered from the wagon stands in that they were about 12 miles apart, and given over to the entertainment of passengers, while the hard- driven horses were being exchanged for fresh steeds. At these well-kept hostelries, hungry passengers could obtain an excellent meal for a "levy" (121/2 cents). The first of these tav- erns after entering Belmont County was con- ducted by Moses Rhodes of Bridgeport. A few miles farther west was the well known Stone Tavern, now occupied today by John Patterson. At this point on the National Road there is a wonderful tree that has become a noted landmark. This immense tree is prob- ably upward of a century in age, and still strong and vigorous.
Bordering upon the National Road, its wide- spreading branches cover an area a hundred feet in diameter and extend over the pike about 30 feet, thus affording protection for a dozen or more conveyances beneath its sheltering shade. The trunk of this great tree is 15 feet in circumference. Then followed Chambers',
1
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
not far distant from the great stone bridge, with its arched stone pillars and massive but- tresses, that spans Wheeling Creek. Midway of the "big hill" is Woodmansie's, formerly the home of the distinguished Charles Hammond; then follow in succession McMechen's and Mc- Caffrey's, better known as the "Good Intent," and beyond is St. Clairsville, with Joseph Smith as proprietor. After leaving the county seat, is mentioned the fine brick tavern kept in good style by a man named Neiswanger, and this old tavern, erected 91 years ago, is occupied by his grandchildren. A few miles farther on are Hoover's and Chamberlain's. Here our research ends; but the names of these old hostelries are still familiar to the people of this generation, and the descendants of the pro- prietors are among our honored and prosper- ous citizens today.
THE OLD STAGE COACH.
The old-time stage coach was a long cov- ered conveyance comfortably upholstered, with two doors in the middle, each with glass win- dows that served for both light and ventilation. The coach contained two broad seats facing each other with a capacity for seating six pas- sengers. On the rear of each coach was a leather covered attachment for carrying bag- gage in the shape of an inverted V, and called a "boot," and in front was an elevated seat for the driver. This conveyance was swung upon two broad heavy leather straps in place of springs, causing a rocking motion to the coach while moving.
The entrance of the first stage into Belmont County in 1818 created a great sensation. The announcement had been made days in advance and great crowds had collected at every stop- ping place between Bridgeport and Morristown and at every crossroads to see the four-horse coach dash by.
The driver would wind his horn, and crack his whip, and the foaming steeds would gallop past at the rate of 12 miles an hour, while the merry party within and without the stage made the welkin ring with their laughter and cheers.
The coach was of the line owned by Thomas Dryden of Lancaster, and the entrance of the first railroad train in the county did not cause more joy and exultation.
PASSING OF THE NATIONAL ROAD.
Since the advent of railroads, this great thoroughfare has ceased to be a National Road. The government turned it over to the various States through which it passed in 1852, and Ohio at a later date required the various coun- ties through which it extends to provide for its maintenance.
So that today it is but a local road in Bel- mont County, maintained in part by the rev- enues obtained from tolls, and when the tolls are insufficient the county commissioners ap- propriate yearly a sum sufficient for its main- tenance.
The first year of our second century, a mo- tor line that will traverse the line of the Na- tional Road through the entire length of the county and beyond, is in course of construc- tion front Bridgeport westward, and the line is at present in operation to the foot of the "big hill," five miles from Bridgeport, where a halt has been called to determine the course to pursue in reaching St. Clairsville.
Those who live on the line of the National Road demand that the motor line pursue the National Road route as proposed in the appli- cation for a charter. But the company is in- clined to take the easier grade, via Barton.
The completion of this electric line will unite the city and country so closely that it is ex- pected hundreds from the overcrowded streets along our river fronts will establish healthful homes on the beautiful hills over which the road will pass.
It is a curious fact that when the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which in places runs parallel to the National Road, was in course of con- struction, its completion was stontly opposed by many prominent statesmen, because of the injury the public would sustain in the abandon- ment of the National Road.
Gen. Henry W. Beeson of Pennsylvania was
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OLD TAVERN ON THE NATIONAL ROAD AT GREAT WESTERN.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
conspicuous because of his opposition to the extension of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad through Pennsylvania, and was sustained by his constituents in his opposition. He insisted that the National Road would better subserve the weal than a steam railroad, and in support of his argument furnished a carefully prepared statement of the incidental revenues derived by the people from the travel and traffic of the road.
He estimated the number of horseshoes made by the blacksmiths along the road; the num- ber of nails required to drive them; the num- ber of bushels of grain and tons of hay fur- nished by the farmers to the tavern keepers, and the vast quantities of chickens, turkeys, eggs, butter, vegetables and fruit required to supply the traveling public. But such argu- ments could not stay the wheels of progress.
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINES.
Following the course of the National Road through the county are myriads of wires mounted upon three lines of immense cedar poles. These lines represent the wires of the Western Union Telegraph Company, the Ameri- can Bell Telephone Company, and the numer- ous independent telephone companies whose wires extend through the county. The inde- pendent companies have increased so rapidly tlrat they have practically superseded the old established companies in rural districts, and in the transaction of local business.
The independent telephone companies that are connected for operations in Belmont Coun-
ty today are: The National Telephone Com- pany, Belmont Telephone Company, Flushing Telephone Company, Union Telephone Com- pany, Cambridge Telephone Company, and the Harrison Telephone Company. The majority of these local companies follow the lines of the macadamized roads, while hundreds of wires follow the lines of the various railroads throughout the county.
OTHER PIKES.
In addition to the 28 miles of the National Road extending through the county, there are about 70 miles of macadamized roads con- structed in various sections of Belmont County, some built by the county and maintained by tolls, but the greater number were built under special legislative enactment for Pultney and Warren townships, and are free pikes.
These roads are as follows: The Bellaire & Jacobsburg Pike, nearly seven miles; Bridge- port & Colerain Pike, about 10 miles; Mar- tin's Ferry & Colerain Pike, five miles; Cadiz Pike, two and one-third miles; St. Clairsville & New Athens Pike, 14 miles; Flushing Pike, 12 miles; Bellaire & Wegee Pike, nearly two miles; Bellaire & St. Clairsville Pike, nearly five miles; Bellaire & McMechen's Creek Pike, six and one-lialf miles ; Bellaire & West Wheel- ing Pike, two and one-fourth miles; Pipe Creek Pike, four miles.
Perhaps no material improvements have contributed more to the development, especially of the agricultural resources, of Belmont Coun- ty, than the hundred miles of pike completed in its first century.
CHAPTER VI.
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THE RESOURCES OF BELMONT COUNTY.
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES -- GRAIN, LIVE STOCK AND FARM PRODUCTS-FRUIT CULTURE -A UNIQUE CHARACTER-A REMARKABLE APPLE TREE-FRUIT YIELD-PRICE OF FARM PRODUCTS IN 1902-VALUE OF FARMS AND LIVE STOCK-MINING RESOURCES -THE DEPTH OF THE SEVERAL COAL VEINS-THE PIONEER COAL SHIPPER-THE MINES IN OPERATION IN 1902-THE UNDEVELOPED COAL LANDS-MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.
The number of acres devoted to agriculture in Belmont County in 1900 were 334,863, with a valuation of $8, 176,809.
Agriculture was the leading industry during the first 60 years of the century just closed.
The opening up of the primeval forests was marked by the most reckless waste of valuable timber. Thousands of acres covered by for- ests of oak, walnut, poplar, beech, sugar maple and chestnut were utterly destroyed in order to furnish cultivable land. Of the 334,863 acres in the county today, less than 33,000 are in timber, a decrease of more than 100,000 acres in 50 years.
The surface configuration of the county is greatly diversified. The land for the most part is high and rolling, with abrupt bluffs rising to great altitudes along the shores of the Ohio. The rugged hillsides are rich in mineral wealth and enclose beautiful and fer- tile valleys that are swept by the waters of the Captina, McMechen's Creek and Wheeling Creek.
The beautiful undulating uplands are wa- tered by innumerable springs that afford the countless flocks and herds an abundance of
pure water through the most prolonged drouth. A rich vein of bituminous coal underlies the entire surface, which furnishes the farmers a cheap and abundant fuel.
The soil along the water courses is very rich and fertile; upon the uplands it is mainly a strong limestone or clay loam, very productive and capable of great endurance. The staple crops grown by the early settlers were wheat and corn, and until the overtaxed soil began to rebel against the unceasing demands made upon it, Belmont County was recognized as one of the great granaries for the South and South- west. From 1820 to 1845 the incomparable Wheeling Creek valley was without a rival in wheat growing; at harvest time it presented the appearance of a great golden sea waving in its wealth of ripening grain. Individual farmers raised from 100 to 500 bushels of wheat annually, and the 10 grist mills that were built in Wheeling township were kept running night and day to satisfy the demands made upon theni.
Another staple source of revenue to the pioneer farmer was hog raising. The im- mense crops of corn grown upon the virgin soil was mainly fed to hogs and pork packing be- came a leading industry as early as 1820.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
Large slaughter pens were established at Uniontown, and other points in Belmont Coun- ty, and the bacon thus manufactured was trans- ported in wagons across the mountains to Bal- timore, whence it was distributed all over the South. The cultivation of tobacco began in 1819 near Barnesville.
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