USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics. Volume II > Part 69
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This ward is hardly more than one half occu- pied with buildings, the residuc serving as board- yards and burial grounds, and receptacles of temporary slieds, shops and stables.
Virginia ; Rts History and Antiquities.
This is a work of great interest and value. It is at once a History and a Gazetteer, the narrative being embellished and popularised, and the Gazet- teer enlivened with a great variety of interesting revolutionary and pioneer adventures, as well as local facts, not usual in such books. This vol- ume is one of a series of which " New York and New Jersey" and "Pennsylvania," lave pre- ceded it, and " Ohio" is proposed as the next. Mr. Howe, the indefatigable and accomplished author, has just left Cincinnati to cxplore the State for that purpose. I hazard nothing in as- serting that the most interesting History of Ohio which has yet appeared will be the fruit of his labours, if individuals in each county who are qualified for the employment, will contribute the necessary local information to the great ag- gregatc.
The plan of these series seems to be-a gener- al outline history of the State from its first set- tlement, forms the first department; a miscclla- ny, statistical and descriptive, makes up the second division: the last and most extensive sec- tion of the book is a delineation of the State by counties, illustrated by various narrative and pictorial sketches. This department is alphabet- ed. This volume is a rich treat to the antiqui- rian, for whom it has extracted much valuable fact and incident, a large share of which is to be found no where else; and the res due deriving additional value for being now arranged in the proper place for preservation and reference.
No expense seems to have been spared in get- ting up this publication, paper, typography and
binding, all being of the best description. Be- sices innumerable wood cuts of rare excellence, there are various stecl engravings of equal merit, including a new map of Virginia.
Among these is a very fine whole length en- graving of Washington, in his prime, in full regimentals, standing at his horse's head, from the original painting of Col. Trumbull, pro- nounced by the Marquis de la Fayette the only likeness competent to do justice to the personal appearance of that great man.
I shall make extracts from time to time for the Advertiser, which shall serve to give some idea of the design and character of this publi- cation.
The Flatboatman of the West.
BY T. B. THORPE.
Occasionally may be seen on the Ohio and Mis- sissippi rivers singularly hearty -looking men, that puzzle a stranger as to their history and age. Their forms always exhibit a powerful develope- ment of muscle and bone; their cheeks are promni- nent, and you would pronounce them men en- joying perfect health in middle life, were it not for their heads, which, if not bald, will be sparse- ly covered with steel-gray hair. Another pecu- liarity about this people is, that they have a singu- lar knowledge of all the places on the river; every bar and bend is spoken of with precision and familiarity; every town is recollected before it was half as large as the present, or no town at all. Innumerable places are marked out where once was an Indian fight, or a rendesvous of rob- bers. The manner, the language, and the dress of these individuals are all characteristic of sterl- ing common sense-the manner modest, yet full of self-reliance; the language strong and forcible, from superiority of mind rather than education; the dress studied for comfort, rather than fashion -on the whole, you become attached to them and court their society. The good humour, the frankness, the practical sense, the reminiscences, the powerful frame-all indicate a character, at the present day anomalous; and such indeed is the case, for your acquaintance will be one of the few remaining people now spoken of as the " last of the flatboat men."
Thirty years ago the navigation of the western waters was confined to this class of men; the ob- stacles presented to the pursuit in those swift- running and wayward waters had to be overcome by physical force alone; the navigator's arm grew strong as he guided his rudc craft past the " snag" and "sawyer," or kept off tlie no less dreaded " bar." Besides all this, the deep for- ests that covered the river banks concealed the wily Indian, who gloated over the shedding of blood. The qualities of the frontier warrior as- sociatcd themselves with the boatmen, while he would, when at home, drop both these characters in the cultivator of the soil. It is no wonder, then, that they were brave, hardy, and open- handed men: their whole lives were a round of manly excitement; they were hyperbolical in thought and in deed, when most natural, compa- red with any other class of men. Their bravery and chivalrous deeds were performed without a herald to proclaim them to the world-they were the mere incident of a border life, considered too
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common to outlive the time of a passing wonder. Obscurity has nearly obliterated the men, and their actions. A few of the former still exist, as if to justify their wonderful exploits, which now live almost exclusively as traditions.
Among the flatboatmen there were none that gained more notoriety than Mike Fink. His name is still remembered along the whole of the Ohio as a man who excelled his fellows in every thing,-particularly in his rifle-shot, which was acknowledged to be unsurpassed. Probably no man ever lived who could compete with Mike Fink in the latter accomplishment. Strong as Hercules, free from all nervous excitement, pos. sessed of perfect health, and familiar with his weapon from childhood, he raised the rifle to his eye, and, having once taken sight, it was as firm- ly fixed as if buried in a rock. It was Mike's pride, and he rejoiced on all occasions where he could bring it into use, whether it was turned against the beast of prey or the more savage In- dian; and in his day these last named were the common foe with whom Mike and his associates had to contend. On the occasion that we would particularly introduce Mike to the reader, he had bound himself for a while to the pursuits of trade, until a voyage from the head-waters of the Ohio, and down the Mississippi could be completed. Heretofore he had kept himself exclusively to the Ohio, but a liberal reward, and some curiosity, prompted him to extend his business character beyond his ordinary habits and inclinations. In accomplishment of this object, he was lolling carelessly over the big " sweep" that guided the " flat" on which he officiated; the current of the river bore the boat swiftly along, and made his labour light; his eye glanced around him, and he broke forth in ecstasies at what he saw and felt. If there is a river in the world that merits the name of beautiful, it is the Ohio, when its chan- nel is
" Without o'erflowing, full."
The scenery is everywhere soft; there are no jutting rocks, no steep banks, no high hills; but the clear and swift current laves beautiful and unadulterated shores, that descend gradually to the water's edge. The foliage is rich and luxu- riant, and its outlines in the water are no less Gis- tinct than when it is relieved against the sky. Interspersed along its route are islands, as beau- tiful as ever figured in poetry as the land of the fairies; enchanted spots indeed, that seem to sit so lightly on the water that you almost expect them, as you approach, to vanish into dreams. So late as when Mike Fink disturbcd the soli- tudes of the Ohio with his rifle, the canoe of the Indian was hidden in the little recesses along the shore; they moved about in their frail barks like spirits; and clung, in spite of the constant en- croachments of civilization, to tlic places which tradition had designated as the happy placcs of a favoured people.
Wild and uncultivated as Mike appeared, he loved nature, and had a soul that sometimes felt, while admiring it, an exalted enthusiasm. The Ohio was his favourite stream. From where it runs no stronger than a gentle rivulet, to where it mixes with the muddy Mississippi, Mike was as familiar with its meanderings as a child could be with those of a flower-garden. He could not help noticing with sorrow the desecrating hand of improvement as he passed along, and half sol- iloquizing, and half addressing his companions, he broke forth :- " I knew these parts afore a
squatter's axe had blazed a tree; 'twasn't then pulling a - sweep to get a living; but pulling the trigger business. Those were times to see; a man might call himself lucky. What's the use of improvements? When did cutting down trees make deer more plenty? Who ever found wild buffalo or a brave Indian in a city? Where's the fun, the frolicking, the fighting? Gone! Gone! The rifle wont make a man a living now-he must turn nigger and work. If forests continue to be used up, I may yet be smothered in the set- tlement. Boys, this 'ere life won't do. I'll stick to the broadhorn 'cordin' to contract; but once done with it, I'm off for a frolic. If the Choctaws or Cherokees on the Massassip don't give us a brush as we pass along, I shall grow as poor as a starved wolf in a pitfall. I must, to live peaceably, point my rifle at something more dangerous than varmint. Six months and no fight would spile me worse than a dead horse on a pararee."
Mike ceased speaking. The then beautiful village of Louisville appeared in sight; the labour of landing the boat occupied his attention-the bustle and confusion that followed such an inci- dent ensued, and Mike was his own master by law until his employers ceased trafficking, and again required his services.
At the time we write of, there were a great many renegade Indians who lived about the set- tlements, and which is still the case in the ex- treme southwest. These Indians generally are the most degraded of their tribes-outcasts, who, for crime or dissipation, are no longer allowed to associate with their people; they live by hunting or stealing, and spend their precarious gains in intoxication. Among the throng that crowded on the flatboat on his arrival, were a number of these unfortunate beings; they were influenced by no other motives than that of loitering round in idle speculation at what was going on. Mike was attracted towards them at sight; and as he too was in the situation that is deemed most fa- vourable to mischief, it struck him that it was a good opportunity to have a little sport at the In- dians, expense. Withont ceremony, he gave a terrific war whoop; and then mixing the lan- guage of the aborigines and his own together, he went on in savage fashion and bragged of his triumphs and victories on the war-path, with all the seeming earnestness of a real " brave." Nor were taunting words spared to exasperate the poor creatures, who, perfectly helpless, listened to the tales of their own greatness, and their own shame, until wound up to the highest pitch of impotent exasperation. Mike's companions join- ed in; thoughtless boys caught the spirit of the affair; and the Indians were goaded until they in turn made battle with their tongues. Then com- menced a system of running against them, pull- ing off their blankets, together with a thousand other indignities; finally they made a precipitate retreat ashore, amid the hooting and jeering of an unfeeling crowd, who considered them poor devils destitute of feeling and humanity. Among this crowd of outcasts was a Cherokee, who bore the name of Proud Joe; what his real cognomen was, no one knew, for he was taciturn, haughty-and, in spite of his poverty and his mauner of life won the name we have mentioned. His face was ex- pressive of talent, but it was furrowed by the most terrible habits of drunkenness. That he was a superior Indian was admitted; and it was also understood that he was banished from his mountain home, his tribe being then numerous
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and powerful, for some great crime. He was al- ways looked up to by his companions, and mana- ged, however intoxicated he might be, to sustain a singularly proud bearing, which did not even depart from him while prostrated on the ground. Joe was filthy in his person and habits-in this respect he was behind his fellows; but one orna- ment of his person was attended to with a care which would have done honour to him if sur- rounded by his people, and in his native woods. Joe still wore with Indian dignity his scalp-lock; he ornamented it with taste, and cherished it, as report said, that some Indian messenger of ven- geance might tear it from his head, as expiatory of his numerous crimes. Mike noticed this pe- culiarity, and reaching out his hand, plucked from it a hawk's feather, which was attached to the scalp-lock. The Indian glared horribly on Mike as he consummated the insult, snatched the feath- er from his hand, then shaking his clenched fist in the air, as if calling on Heaven for revenge, retreated with his friends. Mike saw that he had roused the savage's soul, and he marvelled won- derfully that so much resentment should be ex- hibited; and as an earnest to Proud Joe that the wrong he had done him should not rest unre- venged, he swore he would cut the scalp-lock off close to his head the first convenient opportu- nity he got, and then he thought no more about it.
The morning following the arrival of the boat at Louisville was occupied in making prepara- tions to pursue the voyage down the river. Nearly every thing was completed, and Mike had taken lis favourite place at the sweep, when look- ing up the river bank he beheld at some distance Joe and his companions, and perceived from their gesticulations that they were making him the subject of conversation.
Mike thoughit instantly of several ways in which he could show them altogether a fair fight, and then whip them with ease: he also reflected with what extreme satisfaction he would enter into the spirit of the arrangement, and other mat- ters to him equally pleasing, when all the Indi- ans disappeared, save Joe himself, who stood at times reviewing him in moody silence, and then staring round at passing objects. From the pe- culiarity of Joe's position to Mike, who was be- low him, his head and upper part of his body re- lieved boldly against the sky, and in one of his movements he brought his profile face to view. The prominent scalp-lock and its adornments seemed to be more striking than ever, and it again roused the pugnacity of Mike Fink : in an instant he raised his rifle, always loaded at his command, brought it to his eye, and, before he could be pre- vented, drew sight upon Proud Joe and fired. The ball whistled loud and shrill, and Joe, springing his whole length into the air, fell upon the ground. The cold-blooded murder was no- ticed by fifty persons at least, and there arose from the crowd, an universal cry of horror and indignation at the bloody deed. Mike himself seemed to be much astonished, and in an instant reloaded his rifle, and as a number of white per- sons rushed towards the boat, Mike threw aside his coat, and, taking his powder horn between his teeth, leaped, rifle in hand, into the Ohio, and commenced swimming for the opposite shore. Some bold spirits determined Mike should not so easily escape, and jumping into the only skiff at command, pulled swiftly after him. Mike watch- ed their movements until they came within a hundred yards of him, then turning in the water, he supported himself by his feet alone, and raised
his deadly rifle to his eye. Its muzzle, if it spoko hostilely, was as certain to send a messenger of death through one or more of his pursuers, as if it were lightning, and they knew it; dropping their oars and turning pale, they bid Mike not to fire. Mike waved his hand towards the little vil- lage of Louisville, and again pursued his way to the opposite shore.
The time consumed by the firing of Mike's ri- fle, the pursuit, and the abandonment of it, requi- red less time than we have taken to give the de- tails; and in that time, to the astonishment of the gaping crowd around Joe, they saw him rising with a bewildered air; a moment more and he re- covered his senses and stood up-at his feet lay his scalp-lock! The ball had cut it clear from his head: the cord around the root of it, in which were placed feathers and other ornaments, held it together; the concussion had merely stunned its owner; farther, he had escaped all bodily harm! A cry of exultation rose at the last evidence of the skill of Mike Fink-the exhibition of a shot that established his claim, indisputable, to the eminence he ever afterwards held-the unrivaled marksman of all the flatboatmen of the western waters. Proud Joe had received many insults. He looked upon himself as a degraded, worthless being; and the ignominy heaped upon him he never, except by reply, resented: but this last in- sult was like seizing the lion by the mane, or a Roman senator by the beard-it roused the slum- bering demon within, and made him again thirst to resent his wrongs with an intensity of emotion that can only be felt by an Indian. His eye gla- red upon the jeering crowd around like a fiend; his chest swelled and heaved until it seemed that he must suffocate. No one noticed this emotion. All were intent upon the exploit that had so singularly deprived Joe of his war-lock: and, smothering his wrath, he retreated to his asso- ciates with a consuming fire at his vitals. He was a different man from an hour before; and with that desperate resolution on which a man stakes his all, he swore by the Great Spirit of his forefathers that he would be revenged.
An hour after the disappearance of Joe, both he and Mike Fink were forgotten. The flatboat, which the latter had deserted, was got under way, and dashing through the rapids in the river oppo- site Louisville, wended on its course. As is cus- tomary when nights set in, the boat was secure- ly fastened in some little bend or bay in the shore, where it remained until early morn.
Long before the sun had fairly risen, the boat was again pushed into the stream, and it passed through a valley presenting the greatest possible beauty and freshness of landscape the mind can conceive.
Mexican Ladies.
Management of their Dresses, &c .- The follow- ing clever sketch is from one of the letters of the correspodent of the London Times in the city of Mexico. The same thing which strikes this writer-the way the Mexican ladies manage their dresses in thread ing a cord-has often sur- prised us, and the manuer which the women of the middle and lower classes of Mexico can dis- pose of themselves upon the floor at a fandango, or other merry-makings, is even more singular. We have seen a dozen of them seat themselves upon a space on the floor that would hardly af- ford standing-room for that number of females of any other land, and how they did it was a mys- tery. But this has nothing to do with the ex-
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tract from the London Times, which is as fol- lows .- N. O. Pic.
I have never gone to the theatre without being surprised at the talent with which a Mexican belle pilots her way through the avenues of chairs in her box to that particular seat which is reser- ved for her nightly use. Fashion having ordain- ed that every body shall not wear less than from seven to eleven petticoats, all starched to the highest degree, and rendered more balloon-like by mainstays of canvass equally stiffened, it is impossible for her safely to pass through any space less than five yards wide. But as young ladies must slide between half a dozen chairs, not two feet apart, each is compelled to reduce that quart bottle of her dress to a pint decanter, and that without deranging the general symmetry or disturbing the flowing outline. She, therefore, leaving the upper part of her dress to swell to its greatest extent, attaches firmly both hands to that part below the knee, and thus clasping it fore and aft, she glides through the projecting rocks of the chairs in question like a cutter working its way through the narrow passage of a reef; with canvass ten times its bulk swelling in the breeze, with the graceful craft itself is scarcely seen un- til it reaches the desired point in safety. When the Mexican belle has secured her place, the vol- ume of dress rises at each side to an immense ex- tent. She sits in the midst of fleecy hosiery, covered with gauze, in clouds of vapory muslin, or many-coloured silks, like Mr. Green's Vaux- hall balloon. We see only a face, shoulders and waist.
Bartlett's Commercial College.
Newspaper recommendations are fast becom- ing mere inscriptions on tomb-stones, so indis- criminate and so flattering are their notices. It is therefore probable that their testimony will soon be regarded of as little value. The subject and the writer of this notice will, however, I hope, be alike exempt from that system of puf- fing which recommends with equal energy every thing, from the shooting star of the theatre to the last patent itch ointment.
R. M. BARTLETT, who has not only reduced book-keeping to a scientific study, but has varied and adapted its details to every practical purpose in life, has been engaged in this pursuit for the last thirteen years, during which period he has qualified as many hundred individuals, by the rigid and efficient discipline of his college, not only to open and keep a set of books for the most extensive mercantile houses in our country, but to take charge, without embarrassment, of any set of books already in existence, and carry them out upon whatever principles they may be kept. All business men will understand the value and rarity of the last qualification. So general is the complaint that book-keeping, as taught in schools, does not fit the pupil for applying his knowledge to the set of books placed in his hands, and the business which he is called to reg- ister on their pages, that I must confess my own convictions as an accountant have hitherto been,
that such preparation is of little value in qualify- ing an individual for a counting-room in our bu- siness regions. I have been induced to change my views on this subject, however, not more from a rigid examination of the system and practice in his college rooms, than by the uniform and ex- plicit testimony of a large share of the book-keep- ers in our principal houses, who have been train- ed to their business by Mr. Bartlett himself, and who, of course, are conclusive witnesses on the subject. The testimony of such persons is ex- plicit to the value for practical purposes of Mr. Bartlett's system of instruction.
The system of Mr. B. is both analytical and synthetical. It is the taking to pieces, as a study, a complicated but exact machine, to con- template and learn the relation of the several parts to each other and to the machine, and the putting it together to make it operate accurately, and without embarrassment. With this view the student is required to give a reason for every thing he does, to take up an every day transaction and put it through the books to its final close, to shew why one given entry is ac- curate or any other one incorrect, in short under the severest drilling to render it apparent that he has mastered the theory of book-keeping, as well as reduced it to practice.
The Diploma which Mr. Bartlett furnishes his pupils, who have finished a regular course, is one of the finest specimens of design and engraving that has ever fallen under my notice. It was ex- ecuted at the establishment of Rawdon, Wright & Hatch, in our city, and is a credit to Cincinnati.
I regard this establishment, which numbers in its pupils young men from every district of coun- try in the west, and which has supplied book- keepers not only to this region, as well as the south and southwest, but even prepared them for Boston, New York, and Philadelphia counting- rooms, as one of a number of public institutions, giving a high reputation abroad to Cincinnati.
Yankee Financiering .-- A True Story.
A farmer " Down East," (a possessor of a vo- racious appetite) took with him to a neighbour- ing town, to market, a fine fat turkey. A tav- ern-keeper espying it, inquired of him his price.
"Wall," said the Yankee farmer, " if you would like to buy, I will let you have it for one dollar in cash,-with the understanding that I am to have a dinner from the turkey besides."
The tavern-keeper, unconscious of the farm- er's devouring abilities, finally accepted the pro- position.
When the dinner-hour arrived, in walked the farmer, and seated himself at the table, upon which was steaming the turkey, cooked in fine style, and all the et ceteras.
All preliminaries having been dispensed with, the Yankee immediately commenced operations. Down went one leg of the turkey, succeeded by a wing, another leg and wing, and so on, until
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all (minus bones) followed in their course. The company present looked first at the farmer and turkey, and then at each other, wondering where would be the limits of his appetite,-when up jumped the Yankee, having finished his dinner and the turkey, leaving his astonished companions to reconcile themselves as they best could to their deprivation.
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