USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics, Volume I > Part 54
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These are to certify, that the bearer hereof, Casper Sheets, private soldier in Capt. David Strong's company, and in the first regiment hav- ing faithfully served the United States for the term of two years, eight months and three days, and not inclining to re-enlist upon the estab- lishment of the 30th April, 1790, he is hereby honorably discharged the service.
Given at Head Quarters, at Fort Washington this 4th day of December, 1790.
Attest.
JOS. HARMAR, Brigadier General. WM. PETERS, Lieut., Acting Adj't.
Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road -- No. 2.
In my last article on this subject, after allu- ding to the difficulties in which the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company had plunged themselves by doing first what they ought to have done last-deciding on the route; and do- ing at last what they should have done first, as- certain by survey, that Parkersburg was prefer- able to Wheeling in directness of course for rail road purposes, I proposed to suggest means by which to accomplish the desired object, a termination of the route to the Olio river at the proper points.
I propose then, that in place of wasting time as well as jeopardizing success, by farther ap- plications to the Legislature of Virginia, that direct personal negotiation along the entire line from Cumberland to Parkersburg be opened by
Capt. JOHN ARMSTRONG.
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the company to obtain from the owners of prop- erty the right of way by grant or sale.
I know that such a proposition will grate harshly on the ears of corporate institutions, who have been in the habit, under the operation of charters, to run roads without any regard to the feelings, convenience, or interest of those whose landed property they cross. But I have no doubt, every purpose sought to be accom- plished, can be obtained as readily, and as cheap- ly in this as in any other mode. I am assured that the right of way along that route, would in most cases be given gratuitously, and if, which is probable, a few mercenary individuals would desire to fill their pockets by taking advantage of the necessity of the case, and exact unrea- sonable prices for land needed by the company ; I feel confident still, that by this course of pro- ceeding, the rail road company will not be pay- ing higher in the whole, than it would cost them, under the damages which they must pay in ta- king land compulsorily along the whole line.
But it may be alleged, there would be indi- viduals who will withhold their lands through caprice, or a determination to extort a price from the rail road company, which it ought not or could not pay. Such cases when they occur, may be safely left to the omnipotent influence of public sentiment. There is no man in any community, so independent of his neighbors, as to stand out for any personal advantage, to the sacrifice of the entire interests of that communi- ty, and if he were to attempt it, the united voice and action of the public would speedily bring him to reasonable terms.
Let the Baltimore and Ohio rail road compa- ny adopt this course, the only course in my judgment which they have left, if they mean to act in time to accomplish their object. Let the entire rail road from Boston and New York to Cincinnati be completed, and Philadelphia and Baltimore will, when it is too late, find that they have undervalued the importance of Wes- tern trade, and misunderstood the sources of their past growth and commercial importance .
Christ Healing the Sick.
This picture has been in process of exhibition for a few days past at the Unitarian Church in this city, and will remain for that purpose two or three weeks. I make no pretensions to con- noisseurship in these things, and leave the anal- ysis of its merits to others. Every one I think, after seeing it, will receive a more distinct as well as vivid impression of the sad and varicd catalogue of human suffering which the kind Saviour was so often called on to relieve.
There appears some doubt in the community as to its being from the crayon and brush of WEST. I suppose that there are three pictures
Jon this subject by WEST, of which in 1811, one was in the Royal Chapel at Windsor, one in the Pennsylvania Hospital, and one in the Royal Gallery. The last is the original of which the others are copies by WEST, and the one now ex- hibited is the first named. The Port Folio of 1811 contains a list of West's paintings which embraces these three on the same subject. As to his death of Gen. Wolfe, his sixth copy of it, is in the same list. If it has merit enough to pass for a painting of Benjamin West's, it must have merit enongh to be admired for its own sake.
CORRESPONDENCE.
CINCINNATI, May 3d, 1845.
MR. CIST:
It may be interesting to some of your readers to obtain a few statistics, reminiscen- ces and observations, (not generally known) re- specting God's ancient people, the Israelites, who are dispersed throughout the world, and whose settlement in this country, especially in the West, is but recent. An individual of that na- tion who arrived in this city in March 1817, found himself an isolated being. having none of his faith to communicate with. But having communicated to his brethren abroad that the Lord of Hosts had provided another peaceful and happy asylum for his dispersed people ;-- they soon began to emigrate to this beautiful city, and to spread themselves abroad over the delightful regions of the West; and wherever they locate themselves, become excellent members of soci- ety, formning friendship with their christian brethren, conforming to, and sustaining the in- stitutions of the country. It is a well known fact in history, that wherever the Jews congre- gate, and are well received, that country or city becomes happy and prosperous in all its under- takings. One proof of this is, that the first con- gregation founded in the West, was in Cincin- nati, where they have now increased to about three hundred families. When the person above mentioned arrived in this city there were only 5,000 inhabitants, what is it now? No other city in the West has been able to compete with it! The citizens have always been friendly to the Israelites. and assisted them liberally in 18- 35 towards erecting their Synagogue, when they were but few in number. A Jew has al- ways gratitude, he never forgets a benefit con- ferred on him ;- it is characteristic of them as a body, that they always maintain their own poor; charity being one of the main pillars of their religious institutions-their hands and hearts are always open to relieve the distresscs of their fellow creatures. As an instance of this, as soon as the disastrous conflagration at Pitts- burgh was known, meetings were summoned of
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their several institutions and societies, commit- tees were appointed to make collections, and the following sums have been remitted to Pitts- burgh.
Holy Congregation, Children of Israel, $100 00
Hebrew Beneficent Society, (re-
mitted separately,) 50 00
Hebrew Gentlemen's Benevolent Society, 25 00
Hebrew Lady's Benevolent So- ciety, 30 00
Hebrew German Lady's Benev- olent Society, 25 00
Hebrew Individuals (through the Committees,) 134 25
$354 25
Besides this amount something like two hun- dred dollars was collected from individuals of the Jewish persuasion by the several ward com- mittees. In my next I will continue this arti- cle with respect to their locations in several por- tions of the United States, and if my remarks should draw the attention of your readers, will extend my researches to the whole nation dis- persed throughout the world.
J.
Facts for Physiologists.
In looking over the Kentucky legislative doc- uments, we were struck with the following facts, found in the Second Auditor's report. (Legis- lative Documents, 1844-5.) From a tabular statement showing the whole number of idiots in the Stato supported at the public expense, we find the following facts, showing clearly that idiocy is a family misfortune.
In Adair county, we find four idiots, three of them one family name, viz : Joseph Frankums, Fielding Frankums, Hiram Frankums.
Boyle-Edward Jones. Richard Jones. Bracken-Catharine Davis, William Davis. Bath-Elizabeth Coffer, James Coffer. Cumberland-John T. Scott, Parmelia Scott. Fayette-Sally Yates, Lucy Yates.
Fleming-John Swin, Isaac Swin, Robert Kissick, Nancy Kissick.
Grant -- Mahala Thornhill. Priscilla Thorn- hill. John Thornhill, Betsy Thornbill.
Hardin-George Arvin, Mary Arvin.
Henry-Marv Sutherland, Elizabeth Suther- land, Charles Kidwell, Mahala Kidwell .
Jessamine -- Elizabeth Harbough, Lewis Har- hough, Mary Harbough, James Hunter, Squire Hunter, Joseph Hunter, Davison Hunter, Asher Hunter, Sidney Hunter.
Letcher -- Lincoln Croft, James Croft.
Livingston-James Caldwell, Joseph Caldwell- David Caldwell.
Madison-Lucy Gentry, John Gentry, Betsey Gentry .
Mercer -- Minerva Norvell, Martha Norvell, Lydia Anderson, Jane Anderson, Mary San- ders, Sarah Sanders, Nancy Uptigrove, John S. Uptigrove, Jane Uptigrove, James Vandevere, Abram Vandevere.
Morgan -- Silas Ratliff, Jeremiah Ratliff.
Nicholas-Aris Wiggins, Sarah Wiggins, John Wiggins, Jefferson Wiggins.
Ohio -- Martha Davis, Valentine Davis, Cook Davis, Charles W. Davis.
Perry-Samuel Ellis, Polly Ellis, Jacob El- lis.
Pike-Isaac Tavlor, Mary Ann Taylor. Scott -- Charles Riley, Lydia Riley, Cynthia Lindsey, James Lindsey.
Waync -- Lucinda Coyle, Lavina Coyle, Ste- plien Coyle, James Green, William Green .
Whitley-Francis Powers, John Powers, Thos. Veatch, Marion Veatch, Barbary Yancy, Sally Yancy .
Washington-Nancy Montgomery, Lucy Montgomery .
There are 415 idiots supported at the public expense in the State -- Mercer county has the most of any one county, 23; Whitley, the great- est number in proportion to population, 16. The facts here stated prove that idiocy is a family disease, but from what cause it originates we are not prepared to say, and should like to have the science in explanation by some one versed in physiology .-- Kentucky Yeoman.
For Cist's Advertiser. Reminiscences of Olden Time in Vir- ginia and Ohio.
BY HORATIO G. JONES, JR. Leverington, Pa.
Extracts from the Journal of Rev. David Jones -~ Communicated by Horatio G. Jones jr., Lever- ington, Pa.
Oct. 26th, 1772, I left my house and family. For the convenience of carrying pro- visions and as a defence against storms I went this time in a covered wagon, but the car- riage rendered the journey less expeditious. We travelled so slow and could make so little way over the Allegheny Mountains, that we did not arrive at Redstone till Nov. 17th. A few days before me the Rev. Jolin Davis arrived here and intended to go with me to Ohio. When We came to the house of my interpreter, I found that, some time before our arrival, he had, in company with a number of Delaware Indians, gone far down the Ohio, but left word that I might find him about the Shawanese towns, or somewhere along the Ohio. In hopes of find- ing him, Mr. Davis and I, in company with some others set out for the river Ohio, but by stormy weather, and high waters, our journey was so re- tarded that we did not arrive there, until Wed- nesday, Dec. 2d, when we came to the house of Dr. James McMeehan, who formerly lived a neighbor to Mr. Davis. The heart of poor Mr. Davis was filled with joy to see his old acquain- tance, and the river Ohio, after such a tedious journey : but dear man ! his time was short, for on the 13th of the said month, he departed this life, and left me his remains to commit to the earth. Mr. D. was a great scholar, possessed a good judgment and very retentive memory. He told me, the reason why he left Boston was, because lie abhorred a dependant life and pop- ularity ; that if God continued him, he intended to settle in this new country and preach the gos-
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pel of our Saviour freely . The remains of this worthy man are interred near a brook, at the north end of the level land, that lies adjacent to Grave creek. About 16 feet north of his grave stands a large black oak tree; on this, with my tomahawk, I cut the day of the month, and da te of the year, with Mr. Davis' name. This is all the monument that I left there, but Dr. McMee- han intended a tomb for him. He was the first white man that departed his life in this part of the country, but before I came away a child was laid by him.
Not finding my interpreter, I had thought of returning home, but while I ruminated on the subject, a canoe came along, bound for the Shaw- anese town. This canoe belonged to Mr. John Irwin, an Indian trader, with whom I was ac- quainted. She was 60 feet long, and at least 3 feet wide, was fitted out with 6 hands and very deeply laden. The principal hand was Mr. James Kelly, who was very kind and offered to take me along. I concluded to go, thinking that travelling by water might be conducive to my health, and in hopes of meeting my inter- preter. In the morning, and on the 27th of Dec., parting with my brother and other friends, com- mitting the event to Providence, I started on my voyage to the Shawanese Indians. The day was cold, and as it snowed at times, it was uncom - fortable travelling, but I kept myself lapped up in my blankets, so that I was preserved from receiving any damage by the severity of the sea- son. We encamped at night on the west side of the Ohio, and by the help of a good fire, slept comfortably, at least more so, than could be im- agined by those who are strangers to this way of lodging.
Monday 28th . The wind blew from the south ; which made the river so rough that we were obliged to lay ashore a great part of the day .- I am informed by the traders, that the wind al- most universally blows up the Ohio, especially in the winter season. Indeed I never remem- ber to have seen it otherwise, and if this con- tinues to be the case, it must be of great use to the trade up this river. In the evening Mr. Kelly concluded that as the wind had abated, it washis duty to continue at their oars all night : therefore we set out and by morning we were, as I suppose, about 8 miles below the little Kan- awha. This night proved severely cold, and my lodging was not only uncomfortable but al- so very dangerous, for the canoe was loaded 18 inches above its sides, and there was no berth for me, so that I had to lie on the loading .- Though I was well furnished with blankets, I was afraid my feet would have been frozen: it may be well thought, that my sleep was un- pleasant. My danger was so great, that it I moved in my sleep, the bottom of the Ohio must
have been my bed. This brought many thoughts into my mind what would be the event, but be- lieving that God was able to keep me from dreaming, or starting in my sleep, I committed all into His hand and slept without fear, and in the morning found myself safely preserved through the care of flim whose tender mercies are over the works of His hands. Here on the east side of the Ohio, the country appears level and good, but I was not out on it.
Tuesday, Dec. 29th., we traveled but very little by reason of contrary winds. Wednesday 30th. The morning being pleasant, we set out for the great Kanawha, We passed Hockhock- ing which is a pretty large creek, coming in from the west side of the Ohio. Several creeks came in from the east side, but as we rowed all night, I had not an opportunity of making my remarks on each ; but the land in general, while I had daylight, appeared level and good. About day break we passed the mouth of the Great Kanawha. This is a great river that comes from the borders of Virginia, and appears about 300 yards wide at the mouth. The land about this river, I am informed is very good, & it is thought that the seat of government will be on its banks. I am of the opinion that the great Guiandotte will be found the best place for the metropolis. The great Kanawha, according to Mr. Hutch- ins, is 226 miles below Fort Pitt. This morn- ing we put ashore and took breakfast of choc- olate, using rum as an ingredient instead of milk, it is deemed very useful here in the wil- derness where flesh was our chief provisions; therefore it was common for us afterwards to continue the practice, though I could scarcely be persuaded at first to make a trial of it. Thurs- day 31st. After breakfast we set out for the Great Guiandotte . The river Ohio bears in gen- eral S. W. and a little more westerly, but it is in many places very crooked. This day we had pleasant weather and travelled a great distance, so that the next day-being the Ist of January. 1773, we passed the mouth of the Great Guian- dotte. This is a very large creek, coming from Clinch Mountain, which separates it from Hol- ston river and lies, I apprehend. west of the south part of Virginia, or west of the north part of North Carolina. This creek appears to be large enough to be navigable for canoes and small craft for a great distance up it. The land ap- pears charming and level, covered with fine timber, and as I am informed abounds with ex- traordinary springs, especially about the branch- es that form this creek. This is an extraordin- ary country] for pasturage, so that cattle with- out any further supply, than what is common in the woods, will be good beeves all winter. Here we have the greatest abundance of buffaloes, which are a species of cattle as I apprehend, left her ;
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by the former inhabitants,* for it is most cvi- dent that this country has once been inhabited by some people that had the use of iron. Up some of these crceks, I have been told, by sun- dry persons, that there is a pair of mill stones, where in former ages a mill has stood. The bank of the Ohio, below the mouth of this creek seems near 100 feet higher than the water in or- dinary times, so that here is the best place for a town that I saw on the river Ohio, as it will al- ways be safe from floods of water, and will be easy for this new Provinee to transport its pro- duce down the stream. There is another creek as large, or nearly so, about 13 miles below, called Great Sandy creek. On the heads of these creeks I am informed, is the most beauti- ful and fertile country to be settled, that is any where in this new Province, and I recommend it to all who design to cmigrate to this new world, as most agreeable in all respects. The latitude must be in the end of 38 deg., or in the beginning of 39 deg. very convenient to this, are the most famous salt springs, which are a peculiar favour of God. I have also seen in this country, what the people call alum mines, though they rather appear to me, as a mixture of vitriol and alam. Throughout this country, we have a very great abundance of stone coal, which I have often seen burn freely. The smiths about Redstone use no other sort of coal in their shops, and find that it answers remarkably well, This one article, must be of great advantage to this country, in process of time. Another ad- vantage which it enjoys is abundance of lime stone, with excellent quaries of free stone, fit to erect the best of buildings.
Saturday, January 2d, it rained so that we were obliged to remain in camp, and notwith- standing we took all care to stretch our blankets, the rain was so great, that Mr. Kelly and my- self were soaking wet in water, in our bed thro' the night, yet I was not sensible of any danger.
Sabbath 3d, it continued rainy, so that we re- mained in the same place:
Monday 4th. Set out for the river Sciota, and about the middle of the day, we came to the mouth of this. river, on which the Shawanese now live. This' river is better than 200 yards wide at the mouth, and was then very deep, ow- ing to the late rains. The mouth of this river is the end of the new Province that is expec- ted to take place. For some miles before we came to the mouth of this river, there appears an impassable mountain on the east side of the Ohio, coming close to the edge of the river, op- posite the mouth of the Sciota. There is a way to pass over, rather below the Sciota, and I was
informed by an old Trader, who had been of- ten there, that after you pass east 13 miles you will come to a famous level land of fine springs, and the best pasturage. This must be connec- ted with or part of the land, which I described above on the branches of Sandy Creek and Gui- andott. This river is not called Sciota by the Shawanese, but yet something which sounds a little like this is used, as one name. I remem- ber the name which they give it signifies hairy river. The Indians tell us that when the first of them came to live on this river, the deer were so plenty that as they came to drink in the river, in the spring of the year, their hair was cast off in such abundance that the river appeared full of hair; hence this name was given to it.
The Cincinnati Observatory.
After the many stripes inflicted on our astro- nomical society and the astronomer royal, at home and abroad, especially the mereiless ones laid on at Lonisville, it will doubtless, be pour- ing in oil and wine to republish the following article from the N. O. Bulletin.
American Science and Enterprise.
I perceive that the Cineinnati Telescope is now mounted, and the Observatory opened .- Well done, the Queen City! What eity comes next? "Don't all speak at once." Now stand aside ye moons, and planets, and common stars! Let the Buckeyes have a peep, just a little be- yond an infinite distance, and describe a few thousand constellations of suns, whose light grows tired and cannot reach here, and which never could have been known but for the Buck- eye Telescope.
It sounds curiously to us, and still more so to people across the water ; but I must tell you the short history of this great Telescope.
ORMSBY M. MITCHELL, the Astromomer elect of the Observatory, a native of this glorious val- ley, and a distinguished graduate of the Milita- ry Academy at West Point-one in whom the American blood seems more highly coneentra- thed than Stillman's sarsaparilla -- had been some years Professor of Mathematics in Cincinnati College, and was delivering a few popular lec- tures on astronomy in that city, in the spring ot 1843. Publie interest was aroused by the pro- foundness and eloquence of this man of fire,. when he conceived the idea of an Astronomieal Society, and a "light-house of the skies," in that city. No sooner thought than embarked in- he took a paper in his hand and ranged that eity on his visionary scheme; and at the end of a few weeks his Astronomical Society numbered near four hundred members, all cleeted by subseri- bing twenty-five dollars each, and composed of all possible vocations of society-draymen, butchers, carpenters, boatmen, merchants, doc- tors, lawyers and gentlemen.
In three months from that date, if you could have peeped into that room of eternal silence- the computation room of the Greenwich Royal Observatory-you might have seen the fire of an American eye- pouring over the tables of figures, and running up lines of algebraic symbols -- an assistant, pro tempore, to Mr. AIRY, the Astron- omer Royal, and one of the most illustrious
* It is rather remarkable, that W. C. Bryant in one of his late poems, hazards the same conjecture.
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men of the age. In two short weeks, in fact, Prof. MITCHELL had mastered the Cyclopædia of Observatory labors, in a relation never before granted to an American; and thence repaired to Paris, where his letters secured him the atten- tions of ARAGO, and the facilities of the Royal Observatory. Thence he repaired to Germany, whither he was bound for the apparatus of his Buckeye Observatory. FRAEUNHOFFER, who con- structed the great Dorpat instrument, alone could satisfy him ; and no common instrument, such as graced common European Observato- ries, would suit one who came from the land of superlatives. Ten thousand dollars was more than the whole heterogeneous Buckeye Society had subscribed; but that was the price of the greatest telescope, just about to be constructed, and like an American, nothing less would satis- fy him; and so he contracted for it. The me- chanicians stared, and philosophers thought him a madman, that he should tell ofan Astro- nomical Society of four hundred members, in the wilds of Western America, contracting for the greatest telescope, that of Dorpat excepted, that had ever been mounted.
In September of the same season he made his report to the said Society, and to half the people of Cincinnati, who heartily applauded his ex- travagance and ubiquity, and soon ran up the lists of the society to six or seven hundred mem- bers.
Men are ever ready to be liberal, when the great work has been already done despite the want of means. Every body would now be a member.
A large lot of ground was tendered, on the highest of the tall summits around the Queen City, by that substantial friend of native genius, Mr. LONGWORTH, the early patron of POWERS; and now, upon that eminence of four hundred feet, stands a large stone edifice, and upon its top that huge instrument, the eye of astronomical science, is wheeled to the heavens by that same daring spirit, whose phantasy was sneered at by his neighbors, when first conceived, and whose crazy story was laughed at in the Royal light- houses of European skies. Three cheers for A- merican extravagance! Nine cheers for ORMS- BY M. MITCHELL!
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